tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65801435797184446882024-03-05T02:05:05.280-05:00African ApologeticsEquipping Africans to contend for the faith once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3)John Divitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08905563913265700265noreply@blogger.comBlogger268125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580143579718444688.post-82180255089072868802013-04-09T17:53:00.001-04:002013-04-10T14:48:28.661-04:00GUEST COLUMN: Racism and Mormonism in Uganda<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">By Tim Martin</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://watchman.org/" target="_blank">Watchman Fellowship</a> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr7SdYMhe0izxjlyPDuYDejXvO5eOXnHTU3Y3NRG_1Xi_zOcPC3ZzkmjujKFMciN6ze3pF5OlHDRZ4sw6Bmpypk6uBIDCLiXedqBPbcTXMf4kmxoLxA8tF4HaR8C2loAYWjiHeQ_hhlgcK/s1600/Observer_Screen+shot+2013-04-09.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr7SdYMhe0izxjlyPDuYDejXvO5eOXnHTU3Y3NRG_1Xi_zOcPC3ZzkmjujKFMciN6ze3pF5OlHDRZ4sw6Bmpypk6uBIDCLiXedqBPbcTXMf4kmxoLxA8tF4HaR8C2loAYWjiHeQ_hhlgcK/s400/Observer_Screen+shot+2013-04-09.png" width="400" /><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I read with mixed emotions the <i>Observer</i> article “<a href="http://observer.ug/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=24042%3Amormons-in-media-drive&Itemid=96" target="_blank">Mormons in media drive</a>” dated 6 March 2013.
The article explained that the Mormon Church has created a new <a href="http://www.mormonnewsroom.ug/" target="_blank">web site</a> that “will
publish all there is to know about the faith” and help “Ugandan journalists and
the general public [to] get credible information” about their religion.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The article was positive and accurate in its depiction of
Mormonism’s moral positions. For instance, the Mormon Church should be
commended for its “strong stance against cohabiting, alcoholism, pre-marital
sex and homosexuality.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">However, the Mormons’ new site fails to cover some of the
important topics that the <i>Observer</i> article
said it would address. For instance, the article quotes Sean Donnelly as saying
that the site “would throw more light on…controversies like…racism.” But the
site’s article on racism sidesteps the main points of this controversy almost
entirely.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Concerning racism, the site accurately discusses the 1978
change in Mormon Church policy allowing male church members of African descent
to hold its priesthood. It also describes the current state of racial
integration in many Mormon congregations. While true, these points beg the
question at hand.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The most controversial race issue is that the Mormon
Church’s top leaders have repeatedly claimed that dark skin is a curse from
God. For instance, revered Mormon Apostle <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_E._Petersen" target="_blank">Mark E. Petersen</a> declared: “At least
in the cases of the Lamanites [American Indians] and the negroes we have the
definite word of the Lord Himself that He placed a dark skin upon them as a
curse—as a punishment and as a sign to all others.” (“<a href="http://www.utlm.org/onlinebooks/curseofcain_appendix_b.htm" target="_blank">Race Problems—As They Affect the Church</a>,” an address given at Brigham Young University on August 27,
1954)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Notice that Petersen is not claiming that this is his
personal opinion. As an apostle of the Mormon Church, he claimed that this was
the “definite word of the Lord Himself.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Book of Mormon also supports this teaching. Although
“black and white” people are all invited to approach God (2 Nephi 26:33), the
fact that some have much darker skin is based on divine curses against their
ungodliness. Second Nephi 5:21 explains that the people known as Lamanites
received “a sore cursing, because of their iniquity.” What was the nature of
the curse? God “cause[d] a skin of blackness to come upon them” so the
Lamanites would not “be enticing” to His followers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(It’s worth noting that on 1 March of this year the Mormon
Church announced its <a href="http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/scriptures-digital-2013" target="_blank">new digital edition of the Book of Mormon</a>. While the main
text of the book remains the same, the church has strategically altered some of
the chapter descriptions. For example, in the 1981 print edition of the Book of
Mormon, the chapter description for 2 Nephi 5 says that the “the Lamanites are
cursed, receive a skin of blackness, and become a scourge unto the Nephites.”
The new version omits the phrase “skin of blackness” and merely says that the
Lamanites “are cut off from the presence of the Lord.”)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The same theme is found in another Mormon scripture, the
Pearl of Great Price. In the Moses 7:8 the people of Canaan were cursed, “and
there was a blackness came upon all the children of Canaan, that they were
despised among all people.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sadly, the Mormon Church’s apostles and prophets have never
apologized for these and many other statements—some of them far worse. (See “<a href="http://acfar.org/the-mormon-church-and-the-african.aspx" target="_blank">The Mormon Church and the African</a>,” published by the Africa Centre
for Apologetics Research, for extensive quotations.) Instead, the church
diverts attention from the issue by repeated references to the racial harmony
one can observe in Mormon congregations since the 1978 “revelation.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Still, there is another aspect of this issue that the Mormon
Church needs to openly admit if it wants to engage in genuine full disclosure.
According to the Book of Mormon and Mormon leaders, once a person with dark
skin ceases to practice evil and begins following the Lord, his/her skin will
transform into lighter shades. In the second chapter of 3 Nephi some of the
Lamanites left their tribe and joined with the righteous Nephites. Verse 15
explains: “And their curse was taken from them, and their skin became white
like unto the Nephites.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">At the church’s General Conference in October of 1960,
Mormon Apostle <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spencer_w_kimball" target="_blank">Spencer W. Kimball</a> described his visit to an Indian community in
Arizona. The Mormon Church had been making converts there for 15 years and had
over 8,400 members. Now that these dark-skinned Indians had been accepting the
Mormon gospel, Kimball—who would later become the church’s prophet—could
report:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For years they have been growing
delightsome, and they are now becoming white and delightsome, as they were
promised (2 Ne. 30:6). … The children in the home placement program in Utah are
often lighter than their brothers and sisters in the hogans on the
reservation….At one meeting a father and mother and their sixteen-year-old
daughter were present, the little member girl—sixteen—sitting between the dark
father and mother, and it was evident she was several shades lighter than her
parents. (Conference Report, October 1960, pp. 32–37; accessed at <a href="http://scriptures.byu.edu/gettalk.php?ID=1091&era=yes">http://scriptures.byu.edu/gettalk.php?ID=1091&era=yes</a>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This aspect of Mormon teaching has not been properly
addressed. Instead, it is covered up. Though Mormon leaders avoid the topic,
its implications still permeate Mormon culture. For example, Mormons often
produce large outdoor pageants depicting scenes from the Book of Mormon. Every
one of them depicts Lamanites as savages with dark skins and Nephites as more
sophisticated people with light skins. If you were to ask any lifelong Mormon
why there is a difference in skin color between the Lamanites and Nephites,
they know the correct answer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">People in Uganda and other nations where the
Mormon Church is attempting to make inroads may never hear the facts about this
racist doctrine—at least from the church’s missionaries. •</span></div>
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Paul Cardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09738388605677820418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580143579718444688.post-90589059008028713012013-03-05T13:43:00.002-05:002013-03-05T13:46:03.948-05:00ACFAR Conference on Cults (March 21–23)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1GzGzIyK06Yeqc5WCFmHr_Dt8aYIGm6h53ebbEDsX2pM6tG0mnnzRrp2TP_bgGXhtDStewbdRtLKBujV1h_JvHezg1K9Wmm6NnXpo50tX1DCTz-XtmYC8IpEE7G2Y8wAVyDD2hPTbwZdc/s1600/ACFAR+Conference+FB+promo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1GzGzIyK06Yeqc5WCFmHr_Dt8aYIGm6h53ebbEDsX2pM6tG0mnnzRrp2TP_bgGXhtDStewbdRtLKBujV1h_JvHezg1K9Wmm6NnXpo50tX1DCTz-XtmYC8IpEE7G2Y8wAVyDD2hPTbwZdc/s640/ACFAR+Conference+FB+promo.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; line-height: 18px;">For inquiries, please call The Africa Centre for Apologetics Research at 0706 100 664/0782 000 664.</span></span></div>
Paul Cardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09738388605677820418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580143579718444688.post-90594620966968274742012-07-03T00:05:00.000-04:002012-07-03T00:05:53.279-04:00A Warning on Chris Oyakhilome<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://indepthafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/chris-oyakilome-300x239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="http://indepthafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/chris-oyakilome-300x239.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Last week, J. Lee Grady of <i>Charisma</i> magazine posted “<a href="http://www.charismamag.com/index.php/fire-in-my-bones/32861-false-prophets-foreign-charlatans-and-global-deception">False Prophets, Foreign Charlatans and Global Deception</a>,” a harsh warning about Nigerian televangelist <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Oyakhilome">Chris Oyakhilome</a> of <a href="http://www.christembassy.org/site/home/intro">Christ Embassy International</a>.<br />
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Grady writes that Oyakhilome is now a controversial figure in Romania, where some Christian leaders “have sounded an alarm. One of them, Ioan Peia, released a public warning in 2011 listing various <strong style="font-weight: normal;">false doctrines</strong> promoted by Oyakhilome.” Read a translation <a href="http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ro&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fmariuscruceru.ro%2F2011%2F10%2F28%2Fdin-nou-despre-strajeri-trezirea-lui-nelu-peia-pericolul-invataturile-lui-chris-oyakhilome%2F">here</a>.<br />
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Grady’s article is all the more significant because in the past his magazine has unashamedly promoted the “ministries” of Benny Hinn, Kenneth Hagin, and other false teachers.</div>Paul Cardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09738388605677820418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580143579718444688.post-61163611009047555702012-06-18T14:54:00.000-04:002012-06-19T12:13:10.669-04:00The Bizarre Teachings of Ryuho Okawa<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.happyscience-br.org/mestre/2012_mestre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="174" src="http://www.happyscience-br.org/mestre/2012_mestre.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As the much-heralded <a href="http://in2eastafrica.net/namboole-stadium-closed-to-ugandan-athletes/">Namboole Stadium event</a> of “Happy Science” founder <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryuho_Okawa">Ryuho Okawa</a> approaches, the curious would do well to closely examine his teachings.<b> </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Okawa is an occultist—a spirit medium.</b> On one level, the story is simple and grim: In 1986, Okawa took the advice of supposed spirits of the dead, who persuaded him that he
was the most powerful being in the universe. The result is <i>Kofuku-no-Kakagu</i>, or “Happy Science.” These supposed spirits of the dead—for it seems that virtually all
of them claim to have lived before—still control Okawa and his cult.<b> </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The
Bible harshly condemns the practice of <span class="il">necromancy</span> in Leviticus 19:31, 20:6; Deuteronomy 18:10–11; 1
Samuel 28:3, 9; 2 Kings 21:6, 23:24; 1 Chronicles 10:13; 2 Chronicles
33:6; Isaiah 8:19, 19:3.</b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The teachings of “Master” Okawa are many-layered. The deeper one goes, the stranger they become.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Among
other things, the man who claims to be God is constantly consulting with
spirits to produce such outlandish articles as <a href="http://global.the-liberty.com/2011/701.html">this one</a>. <a href="http://global.the-liberty.com/2011/701.html" target="_blank"></a>Note Okawa’s prophecy: “<b>North Korea will collapse in the year 2012.</b> Like the Berlin Wall, Panmunjom will be taken down.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In fact, Okawa’s site <a href="http://global.the-liberty.com/">The Liberty web GLOBAL</a> has bizarre messages from the “guardian spirits” of a number of political leaders and other famous people.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Want to know what the Republican presidential candidates are <i>really</i> thinking? Just ask their guardian spirits:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://global.the-liberty.com/2012/1587.html" target="_blank">http://global.the-liberty.com/<wbr></wbr>2012/1587.html</a></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://global.the-liberty.com/2012/1251.html" target="_blank">http://global.the-liberty.com/<wbr></wbr>2012/1251.html</a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And did you know that Barack </span><span class="il" style="font-size: large;">Obama</span><span style="font-size: large;"> was the last king of the Aztecs?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://global.the-liberty.com/2012/2036.html" target="_blank"> http://global.the-liberty.com/<wbr></wbr>2012/2036.html</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This may play well in Japan, but it will probably look absurd to the Ugandan public.<b> </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>A final note:</b> Regarding Okawa’s spirit messages and earlier predictions, one scholar writes that “study of [Okawa’s] prophetic utterances in <i>Nosutoradamus senritsu no keiji</i> [</span><span class="st" style="font-size: large;">The terrifying revelations of Nostradamus] </span><span style="font-size: large;">and elsewhere reveals very little original interpretation of Nostradamus. Examination of his alleged communications with higher spirits suggests plagiarism on a grand scale, with the spirit of Nostradamus managing even to repeat a mistranslation from a popular Japanese rendering of the <i>Centuries</i>. It is little wonder, then, that Okawa is anxious to keep his prophecies from the eyes of the rest of the world….” (Trevor Astley, “The Transformation of a Recent Japanese New Religion: Okawa Ryuho and
Kofuku no Kagaku,” in <a href="http://nirc.nanzan-u.ac.jp/publications/jjrs/pdf/454.pdf"><i>Japanese Journal of Religious Studies</i></a> 22/3–4 [1985], p. 377)</span></div>
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</div>Paul Cardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09738388605677820418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580143579718444688.post-52911089428397301392012-06-09T09:55:00.003-04:002012-06-19T12:13:39.959-04:00June 9th: Unanswered Questions on an Important Anniversary<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://magazine.byu.edu/dudigital/images/1978_jun_9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://magazine.byu.edu/dudigital/images/1978_jun_9.jpg" width="235" /></a></div>
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<b>On this date in 1978, the Mormon
Church stunned the world by announcing that God would finally permit “worthy”
African men to be ordained to its priesthood. </b>This “<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1978_Revelation_on_Priesthood">revelation</a>” by Mormon
prophet <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spencer_W._Kimball">Spencer W. Kimball</a> defused decades of anger and controversy, and opened
new doorways of privilege to members whose access to church leadership and
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endowment_%28Mormonism%29">secret temple rituals</a> had always been denied.<b> </b></div>
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<b>It also cleared the way for the
Mormon missionaries to seek converts across Africa. </b>On April 13th of this year
the <i>New York Times</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> featured an <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/15/education/edlife/at-age-19-from-utah-to-uganda.html?_r=2&pagewanted=all">article</a>
on the church’s increasing missionary work in Uganda, noting that fully a third
of its members here have been converted in just the past year.</span></div>
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<b>But the church’s announcement in
1978 left something completely unchanged by its leaders</b>—men with the same
authority as the prophets and apostles in the Bible, who direct “<a href="https://www.lds.org/youth/article/only-true-living-church?lang=eng">the only true and living Church upon the face of the whole earth</a>.”</div>
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<b>For more than a century, Mormon
prophets and apostles openly taught that Africans are black because of a divine
curse—the dreaded “mark of Cain.” </b>This is not obscure folklore or opinion, but
doctrine stated plainly by some of the church’s highest spiritual officers in
formal conferences and respected publications.</div>
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<b>What have revered Mormon leaders
taught about the African race? </b>Space only allows for four examples among many.</div>
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In 1859, Mormon prophet <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigham_Young">Brigham Young</a> identified
Africans as the descendents of Cain (Genesis 4), declaring: “Cain slew his
brother. Cain might have been killed, and that would have put a termination to
that line of human beings. This was not to be, and <b>the Lord put a mark on him,
which is the flat nose and black skin</b>. Trace mankind down to after the flood,
and then another curse is pronounced upon the same race—that they should be the
‘servant of servants,’ and they will be until that curse is removed….”(<a href="http://www.mormonhandbook.com/home/journal-of-discourses.html"><i>Journal of Discourses</i></a>, <a href="http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Journal_of_Discourses/Volume_7/Intelligence,_Etc.">Vol. 7, p. 290</a>)</div>
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Mormon prophet <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Fielding_Smith">Joseph Fielding Smith</a> clarified this
view in 1931, stating: “Not only was Cain called upon to suffer, but because of
his wickedness he became the father of <b>an inferior race</b>. A curse was placed
upon him and that curse has been continued through his lineage and must do so
while time endures. <b>Millions of souls have come into this world cursed with a
black skin</b> and have been denied the privilege of Priesthood and the fullness of
the blessings of the Gospel.” He added: “This doctrine did not originate with
President Brigham Young but was taught by the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prophet_Joseph_Smith">Prophet Joseph Smith</a>....we all
know it is due to his teachings that the Negro today is barred from the
Priesthood.” (<i>The Way to Perfection</i>, pp. 101–102, 110–111)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
Mormon apostle <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_E._Peterson">Mark E. Petersen</a> asked in 1954, “Who
placed the Negroes originally in darkest Africa? Was it some man, or was it
God?” His answer: “The Lord segregated the people both as to blood and place of
residence. At least in the cases of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamanite">Lamanites</a> [i.e., Native Americans] and
the negroes <b>we have the definite word of the Lord Himself that He placed a dark
skin upon them as a curse—as a punishment and as a sign to all others</b>.” (“<a href="http://www.mormonismi.net/mep1954/">Race Problems—as They Affect the Church</a>,” an address given at Brigham Young University)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
Mormon apostle <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_R._McConkie">Bruce R. McConkie</a> further explained in
1966 that “<b>Cain, Ham, and the whole negro race have been cursed with a black
skin</b>, the mark of Cain, so they can be identified as a caste apart, a people
with whom the other descendants of Adam should not intermarry.” (<i>Mormon Doctrine</i>, p. 114)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
In recent years the Mormon Church
has converted famous athletes and entertainers of African descent. In 2009 it
elevated a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Sitati">Kenyan</a> to the upper levels of its authority structure.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<b>But on this date we are reminded
that the Mormon Church has <i>never</i></b><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>
renounced or changed its oft-stated doctrine that Africans are black because
God Himself has cursed them.</b> The Mormon Church should either publicly embrace
<a href="http://www.mormonhandbook.com/home/racism.html#scripture">its leaders’ racist teachings</a>, or openly renounce them. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Hoping that we will not notice is not enough.</span></div>
</div>Paul Cardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09738388605677820418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580143579718444688.post-14980726438011303342012-04-23T19:31:00.006-04:002012-05-15T02:17:48.410-04:00Mormon Missionaries Advance Across Uganda<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizEm4XZ8L2rdaJZdS2nWGG7RS6zYamBHg0nTgnwrkPMjFsAKzMMwl8HJIj0KZcumRcLv8nlX1gHoFlASvvQiSw1sZC6DSJ5LRmwoAirB9S19PJnS0Z9GJBFpEF_Qkn3aI_wTWfcsWTY6Bt/s1600/Mormon_missionary_Uganda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizEm4XZ8L2rdaJZdS2nWGG7RS6zYamBHg0nTgnwrkPMjFsAKzMMwl8HJIj0KZcumRcLv8nlX1gHoFlASvvQiSw1sZC6DSJ5LRmwoAirB9S19PJnS0Z9GJBFpEF_Qkn3aI_wTWfcsWTY6Bt/s400/Mormon_missionary_Uganda.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">On April 13, the <i>New York Times</i> published <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/15/education/edlife/at-age-19-from-utah-to-uganda.html?_r=1">a lengthy article</a> entitled “</span><span style="font-size: small;">At Age 19, from Utah to <span class="il">Uganda.” It describes the personal background and proselytizing efforts of a Mormon missionary named </span></span>Jared Dangerfield and several of his colleagues from the United States and Zimbabwe.<br />
<br />
Among the article’s claims:<br />
<br />
• “Currently, there are only about 5,000 Mormons in <span class="il">Uganda</span>, less than 1
percent of the population. <b>What is noteworthy, however, is that a third
of those were converted last year.</b>”<br />
• “The number of <span class="il">missionaries</span> stationed
in <span class="il">Uganda</span> has also grown, to 120 from 70 two years ago.”<br />
• “The <span class="il">missionaries</span>
say they can net a dozen new contacts from the street in a couple of
hours, and visit five homes in a day. They estimate each is responsible
for around 40 baptisms by the time service is up.” <br />
• “The [worldwide Mormon] church gained nearly 400,000 members in 2010, about 70
percent of them converted by college-age <span class="il">missionaries</span> like Elder
Dangerfield…”<br />
<br />
And how do the missionaries promote their strange and controversial faith among the largely Christianized Ugandans?<br />
<br />
One example, if true, is troubling: <b>“We are not here to move you to another church…We
just want to share,”</b> asserts Elder Dangerfield as he pursues one prospect. This is blatantly deceptive, as Mormonism claims that all other churches are apostate, and the missionaries’ intention is to convert followers of any denomination.<br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<b>Will Ugandan Christians rise to meet the challenge of the growing Mormon missionary thrust? </b><br />
<br /></div>Paul Cardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09738388605677820418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580143579718444688.post-1871034980632775312012-03-24T16:20:00.006-04:002012-03-24T17:32:13.456-04:00A GLIMPSE INSIDE THE “HAPPY SCIENCE” CULT FROM JAPAN<a href="http://www.happyscience-uganda.org/templates/happyscience/images/temple.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 525px; height: 295px;" src="http://www.happyscience-uganda.org/templates/happyscience/images/temple.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>On March 18th, Uganda’s <span style="font-style: italic;">Monitor</span> newspaper published a <a href="http://mobile.monitor.co.ug/Life/-/1055104/1368140/-/format/xhtml/-/4buemkz/-/index.html">reporter’s account</a> of her visit to the Kampala temple of <a href="http://www.happyscience-uganda.org/">Happy Science</a>, a Japanese new religious movement also known as Kofuku-no-Kagaku.<br /><br /><span class="date">Agnes</span><span class="date"> Namaganda</span> notes helpfully that “A large glowing gold statue of El Cantare, their god…stands directly in front of the corridor that goes right through the centre of the hall.” She also describes several aspects of Happy Science’s beliefs and practices, with an emphasis on angels and “casting out demons and evil spirits too.” As for parishioners at the temple on Rubaga Road, she describes them as “your ordinary Ugandans, your Mama Ivan who lives in a two-roomed-neighbourhoods sort of people, decently dressed in ankle-length outfits and men who are well-kempt but with no overtures of the rich and famous.”<br /><br />For a succinct Christian perspective on the group, click <a href="http://www.thecenters.org/searchgroups.aspx?groupid=198">here</a>.Paul Cardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09738388605677820418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580143579718444688.post-298440812835108732012-03-17T02:33:00.006-04:002012-03-22T20:28:34.985-04:00“Kibwetere is Uganda’s most wanted man”<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgft9wJ26anPkgYJGmT3sfNXjhHjOGO2xHhILbbPK6Xkqhy9a5bQvAqGuVwET8Q102THq8rpvcpM7SFGCxcxBNm4FFoyAndlin7_g8KNkRY5c8Hir7W1squvu9qtFc7HqEPxUCdFAc-EMkD/s1600/MRTCGbook.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 237px; height: 287px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgft9wJ26anPkgYJGmT3sfNXjhHjOGO2xHhILbbPK6Xkqhy9a5bQvAqGuVwET8Q102THq8rpvcpM7SFGCxcxBNm4FFoyAndlin7_g8KNkRY5c8Hir7W1squvu9qtFc7HqEPxUCdFAc-EMkD/s400/MRTCGbook.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720756268339414802" border="0" /></a>The<span style="font-style: italic;"> New Vision</span> newspaper of Kampala has published <a href="http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/629685-kibwetere-is-uganda-s-most-wanted-man.html">an article</a> commemorating the 12th anniversary of the massacre of hundreds by the Movement for the Restoration of the Ten Commandments of God. Its unnamed reporter reviews many of the known facts about the cult and includes a helpful list of factors that enabled its leaders to ensnare and control their followers, including:<br /><br /><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Times New Roman"; panose-1:0 2 2 6 3 5 4 5 2 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face {font-family:Georgia; panose-1:0 2 4 5 2 5 4 5 2 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Georgia;} table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-parent:""; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --></style>• They separated families, including children, and took them to different camps in a new environment where they would not socialise easily. <p class="MsoNormal"> • They erected fences around their camps that were opaque enough to prevent those outside from seeing what was happening inside.</p>• Producing children and having sex among followers—even between spouses—were strictly forbidden.<br />• They relied on deception through selective readings of the Bible. The Bible was usually read out of context. <p class="MsoNormal">• Apart from the leaders, other members of the cult were not allowed to talk. They used signs to communicate among themselves and to their cult leaders.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">• They had a tight day's schedule that kept the followers extremely busy so that there was virtually no time to discuss, not even in signs.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> • They tried to keep within the law and be close, very friendly and generous to the authorities, which helped them to avoid any suspicions from the state.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">• They usually travelled at night so they could not easily be noticed even by neighbours.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">• They did not own their own transport/vehicles. They usually hired vehicles to travel, they were therefore not easy to identify.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">• They used to command all followers to sell all their property and bring all the proceeds to the cult leaders, sometimes burning it under the pretext that the Virgin Mary was annoyed with the owners.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">• They created a property-less and helpless society of followers who became totally dependent on the cult and had nothing to fall back on.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Other news reports marking the anniversary:</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">• “</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/629681-kanungu-massacre-12-years-on-memories-still-fresh.html"><span class="il">Kanungu</span> massacre: 12 years on, memories still fresh</a>” (<span style="font-style: italic;">New Vision</span>)<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">• “<span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/629686-No-arrests-yet-since-Kanungu-massacre.html">No arrests yet since <span class="il">Kanungu</span> massacre</a>”</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> (<span style="font-style: italic;">New Vision</span>)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>Paul Cardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09738388605677820418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580143579718444688.post-4352797922554292902012-03-14T20:06:00.003-04:002012-03-16T10:40:05.246-04:00A CALL FOR A NATIONAL DAY OF REFLECTION<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUZ1rN1Su2xBykfjjinzpdoqgU6H33X0Yo6aPkiV6kmlhhhWZHYccGWbgniyvI-iCj1BN2VTyjq3OaeMBoSgHYyhjWekqn2v7CFKJB_kWUO0lslceP_XKjhtCWOOpIr1N34NB05p1kZxKg/s1600/MRTCG2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUZ1rN1Su2xBykfjjinzpdoqgU6H33X0Yo6aPkiV6kmlhhhWZHYccGWbgniyvI-iCj1BN2VTyjq3OaeMBoSgHYyhjWekqn2v7CFKJB_kWUO0lslceP_XKjhtCWOOpIr1N34NB05p1kZxKg/s400/MRTCG2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720504698717281794" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />MEDIA RELEASE</span><br style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">A CALL FOR A NATIONAL DAY OF REFLECTION</span><br style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">ON THE 12TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE </span><br style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">KANUNGU TRAGEDY</span><br style="font-weight: bold;"></span></div><br /><br />On March 17, 2000 the world was stunned to learn that Uganda was the scene of an unspeakable tragedy: hundreds of men, women, and children cruelly trapped within a church in Kanungu and burned alive. In the days that followed, hundreds more bodies were discovered at four locations—evidence of callous crimes by religious pretenders who still remain at large. As the Bible tells us, “There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12).<br /><br />Sadly, the danger has not passed. Spiritual charlatans and counterfeiters, masquerading as men and women of God, still stalk the unwary in every district, and from among every social class. They inflict various degrees of harm and exploit those who trust them as guides to happiness and healing.<br /><br />The Africa Centre for Apologetics Research, an anti-cult NGO registered in Uganda, calls on Christians across Uganda to make Saturday, March 17 a day of reflection. We encourage all who exercise pastoral and teaching roles in the churches to follow the example of the apostles, warning and discipling their flocks so that they can confidently “Test everything. Hold fast to what is good. [and] Abstain from every kind of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:21–22). Likewise, we urge parents to diligently teach their children to practice proper biblical discernment in relation to all spiritual claims. And we respectfully request that the authorities press on in their efforts to bring the mass killers of Kanungu to justice.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br />Rodgers Atwebembeire, ACFAR Coordinator<br />and Robby Muhumuza, ACFAR Board Chairman<br />P O Box 72405<br />Clocktower, Kampala, UGANDA<br />Office: +256713 000 664<br />Email: info@acfar.org<br />Web site: www.acfar.org<br /><br /></div>Paul Cardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09738388605677820418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580143579718444688.post-39515382593477233552012-03-07T19:13:00.003-05:002012-03-07T19:35:21.747-05:00The Definitive Work on the Kanungu Tragedy?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjp68NedwXKf1hm2GO53ajw36fI9xwl3bUYqRt7BE3pcMbkTouEjjdwobU2_bFcE7mUFIgG7PQvHWAKhHWXqL9ov_HvQKLoEr5RbHZpHRo3kCp1kaGpxr_KH7aHE7CM1oQC4eRQBXwUhTm/s1600/Ghosts_of_Kanungu.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjp68NedwXKf1hm2GO53ajw36fI9xwl3bUYqRt7BE3pcMbkTouEjjdwobU2_bFcE7mUFIgG7PQvHWAKhHWXqL9ov_HvQKLoEr5RbHZpHRo3kCp1kaGpxr_KH7aHE7CM1oQC4eRQBXwUhTm/s320/Ghosts_of_Kanungu.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717313805922072642" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">As the March 17th anniversary of the Kanungu cult massacre approaches, readers seeking an authoritative analysis of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Movement_for_the_Restoration_of_the_Ten_Commandments_of_God">Movement for the Restoration of the Ten Commandments of God</a> should consult <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ghosts-Kanungu-Fertility-Exchange-Anthropology/dp/1847010091/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331166330&sr=1-1">Ghosts of Kanungu: Fertility, Secrecy, and Exchange in the Great Lakes of East Africa</a> </em>by Richard Vokes.<br /><br />The author </span>is a Senior Lecturer in Anthropology at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand, and a Research Associate of the Institute of Social and Cultural Anthropology at the University of Oxford, UK. Adding to the weight of his research is his fluency in <span class="st"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nkore_language">Runyankore/Rukiga</a>, which enabled him to personally interview many key individuals in and around Kanungu.</span><br /><br />Vokes also maintains an extensive <a href="http://www.richardvokes.net/kanungu.shtml">multi-media web site</a> of cult-related findings.<br /><br />(Note: The edition of Vokes’s book produced by Fountain Publishers of Uganda is far less expensive than that generally available in North America.)Paul Cardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09738388605677820418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580143579718444688.post-1030187581360623292012-03-06T23:12:00.003-05:002012-03-06T23:17:59.070-05:00ACFAR on Facebook<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL0mof0xPADK3YpCE7bs6KtiHXHo3gg0JMvEjeOSv1BivrBRHIMj_NnOG4xix-nmy6k4qmoB9_faa9yp_E5YqUsRKAuYHWWwV4kTgAy8AfUyJ5eYkx_B1ndnmS1zU6tVg_ghBkq6yIPah1/s1600/facebook-logo.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 60px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL0mof0xPADK3YpCE7bs6KtiHXHo3gg0JMvEjeOSv1BivrBRHIMj_NnOG4xix-nmy6k4qmoB9_faa9yp_E5YqUsRKAuYHWWwV4kTgAy8AfUyJ5eYkx_B1ndnmS1zU6tVg_ghBkq6yIPah1/s200/facebook-logo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717004126843696578" border="0" /></a>Another way to keep up with ACFAR and news about <a href="http://acfar.org/cultic-groups-in-east-africa.aspx">cultic movements</a> and related issues in East Africa is to follow us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ACFAR">Facebook</a>. Sign up today!Paul Cardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09738388605677820418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580143579718444688.post-29417013395623195422012-01-23T02:08:00.006-05:002012-01-23T17:42:35.955-05:00Russian newspaper profiles the Legio Maria cult of Kenya<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib-uSoZPFlRso9gwakJW74g0Ny6fCVji7ClRsaHZSLuZ0QZiBjzm6I8Ai6VK6QPIZhkQ4CSjnnzXGlqMSm1kAefmysyDKAmzj1fy7ubfmuerKuf_exfHcQKtWGLYd4Pkr1CL-AlMjbqNvJ/s1600/Legio_Maria5.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib-uSoZPFlRso9gwakJW74g0Ny6fCVji7ClRsaHZSLuZ0QZiBjzm6I8Ai6VK6QPIZhkQ4CSjnnzXGlqMSm1kAefmysyDKAmzj1fy7ubfmuerKuf_exfHcQKtWGLYd4Pkr1CL-AlMjbqNvJ/s400/Legio_Maria5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700723447385804866" border="0" /></a>On January 18th, the Russian newspaper <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nezavisimaya_Gazeta">Nezavisimaya Gazeta</a> (<a href="http://www.ng.ru/">Независимая газета</a>) published an unusual first-hand report on the indigenous <a href="http://www.acfar.org/groups.aspx?groupid=176">Legio Maria</a> cult and its “black messiah,” <span class="st">Simeo Melkio Ondetto.</span><br /><br />You can read the article (in rough translation) <a href="http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Freligion.ng.ru%2Fphoto%2F2012-01-18%2F6_legion.html&sl=ru&tl=en&hl=&ie=UTF-8">here</a>.<br /><br />(HT: Dmitry Rozet of <a href="http://apologetika.ru/win/">the Center for Apologetics Research</a>.)Paul Cardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09738388605677820418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580143579718444688.post-18658789677930475602012-01-07T11:19:00.005-05:002012-01-07T11:27:00.367-05:00Wisdom for the New Year<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7evbAHsMGybEMsxmfjCltjC6y-0x9nJEZ8OL2aZsNC-hxuDQFRv4QQyro_QlH9GpbtVsfv8H3E_JfhdZEJCOuoiCG8PWqgpXns26nRTMLWuPtbY1N27i0U22Pd1xtGdFDa_GAcpmIgJv/s1600/ten-pitfalls-of-the-foolish-apologist.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7evbAHsMGybEMsxmfjCltjC6y-0x9nJEZ8OL2aZsNC-hxuDQFRv4QQyro_QlH9GpbtVsfv8H3E_JfhdZEJCOuoiCG8PWqgpXns26nRTMLWuPtbY1N27i0U22Pd1xtGdFDa_GAcpmIgJv/s200/ten-pitfalls-of-the-foolish-apologist.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694926134172546370" border="0" /></a>For all aspiring defenders of the Gospel: Beware of these “<a href="http://www.apologetics315.com/2012/01/10-pitfalls-of-foolish-apologist.html">Ten Pitfalls of the Foolish Apologist</a>!” They include…<br /><br />• <span style="font-weight: bold;">Speaking before listening</span><br />• <span style="font-weight: bold;">Trying to win every point</span><br />• <span style="font-weight: bold;">Pride</span><br />• <span style="font-weight: bold;">Seeking popularity</span><br />• <span style="font-weight: bold;">Neglecting spiritual disciplines</span><br />• <span style="font-weight: bold;">Lacking love</span><br /><br />Are you willing to carefully, humbly examine your heart in order to faithfully represent Christ?Paul Cardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09738388605677820418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580143579718444688.post-16557604234508684452011-09-19T14:13:00.010-04:002011-09-24T15:18:01.647-04:00Is a doomsday cult reviving in Uganda?Reports in Ugandan news sources ranging from the mainstream <a href="http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/19/765451"><span style="font-style: italic;">New Vision</span></a> to the sensationalistic <a href="http://redpepper.co.ug/welcome/?p=18789"><span style="font-style: italic;">Red Pepper</span></a> claim that 52-year-old cult leader Wilson Bushara is now distributing “invitation cards to heaven.”<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.eddoboozi.co.ug/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1492:confusion-as-luweros-prophet-bushara-invites-people-for-qlast-supperq-&catid=18:amawulire&Itemid=75">Eddoboozi</a> news site quotes a <a href="http://ugandaradionetwork.com/a/story.php?s=36888">Uganda Radio Network </a>article explaining that “the Luweero cult leader has started issuing invitation cards to his 5000 followers that are spread in Luweero, Mbale, Busia, Kampala, Iganga among other districts to attend the last supper in heaven.<span class="il"> Bushara</span> is telling his followers that that the end of the world is drawing nearer and the signs are visible on earth, including lightning, earthquakes, and floods among others. He claims that those with cards will be taken to heaven alive and those without cards will go to hell.”<br /><br />Since 1999, Ugandan authorities have investigated and detained Bushara, founder of the notorious “World Message Last Warning Church,” on a variety of accusations. He is perhaps best known for his proclamation that the world would end on June 30th, 1999. For a summary of reports, see <a href="http://www.apologeticsindex.org/w08.html">here</a>.Paul Cardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09738388605677820418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580143579718444688.post-68478257234406454752011-09-12T15:17:00.005-04:002011-09-19T17:26:04.267-04:00VIDEO: How You Can Pray for ACFAR<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx9K_G4V-6TCUhy0mkVJOw9KdSK6zJOtu-fsFrbGH4doNuc3Svakvs8ken5xI0o1H5EpBLijxklVtYynAbbgg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />A personal word from ACFAR regional coordinator Rodgers Atwebembeire.Paul Cardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09738388605677820418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580143579718444688.post-1053299944918062252011-09-12T13:34:00.006-04:002011-09-12T13:45:17.009-04:00A special event for ACFAR<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawWXcrUXFR9Znw7kl-kBRa9jGP-iD1cnppYJi8yDJJGT28HUfRM7WvsXVxwNrNZU3jf_KHzdDwFPtUWDtlk_BAeyU_wWDiK6kGOi6Xu7lIR0KyWLv_iCjtncLLQ1PvE-EYJ8ppsySaEqh/s1600/CFAR+Celebration+2011+theme+image.png"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 139px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawWXcrUXFR9Znw7kl-kBRa9jGP-iD1cnppYJi8yDJJGT28HUfRM7WvsXVxwNrNZU3jf_KHzdDwFPtUWDtlk_BAeyU_wWDiK6kGOi6Xu7lIR0KyWLv_iCjtncLLQ1PvE-EYJ8ppsySaEqh/s200/CFAR+Celebration+2011+theme+image.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651529272394267906" border="0" /></a>On Saturday, October 22nd the Centers for Apologetics Research will host a special fundraising event in San Juan Capistrano, California to highlight and benefit God’s ongoing work through ACFAR.<br /><br />Featured speakers include…<br /><br />• Acclaimed apologist and author <a href="http://www.ronrhodes.org/RonRhodes.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dr. Ron Rhodes</span></a><br />• ACFAR regional coordinator <span style="font-weight: bold;">Rodgers Atwebembeire</span><br />• CFAR Ethiopia director <span style="font-weight: bold;">Tesfaye Robele</span>.<br /><br />To learn more and take part in this unforgettable evening, sign up <a href="http://www.thecenters.org/events">here</a>!Paul Cardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09738388605677820418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580143579718444688.post-1704044518281296412011-05-20T15:31:00.007-04:002011-05-27T10:52:50.986-04:00False Prophecy Creates Confusion Across Africa<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-od2pyo4w5hXEOgFXiq3E2CzF5aucSm8LWRINDv6iVZLiTutxp1IbIpKZoFHDpxUOa6Pj9Gpyn0upXrto0S2GdQyAmeGeyVjMMXagSDp6WLFjex_7MJ7vS9omXAiDyjrhg8EvhSbevg7/s1600/Camping_Runyankore.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-od2pyo4w5hXEOgFXiq3E2CzF5aucSm8LWRINDv6iVZLiTutxp1IbIpKZoFHDpxUOa6Pj9Gpyn0upXrto0S2GdQyAmeGeyVjMMXagSDp6WLFjex_7MJ7vS9omXAiDyjrhg8EvhSbevg7/s320/Camping_Runyankore.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608889297648650626" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">Broadcaster </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_Camping">Harold Camping</a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> is spreading confusion throughout Africa with his unbiblical </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.familyradio.com/index2.html">prediction</a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> that Judgment Day will take place on Saturday, May 21st. </span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.ebiblefellowship.com/gallery/main.php">Billboards</a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> warning of the impending rapture have been placed in Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, D.R. Congo, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. </span> <span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br />In Uganda, Camping’s billboards have been seen in both English and Runyankore (<span style="font-style: italic;">right</span>), although on May 18th the Kampala Capital City Authority </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/13/755213">ordered them removed</a><span style="font-family:georgia;">. According to the </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family:georgia;" >New Vision</span><span style="font-family:georgia;"> newspaper: “Simon Muhumuza, the KCC public relations officer, said they had ordered the pulling down of the billboards. ‘We do not know who put them up,’ he said, adding that it was unnecessary to cause panic among Ugandans.”</span> <span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br />For Christian critiques of Harold Camping and Family Radio, see (for example):</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.albertmohler.com/2011/05/16/the-end-is-near-the-false-teaching-of-harold-camping/">www.albertmohler.com/2011/05/16/the-end-is-near-the-false-teaching-of-harold-camping/<br /></a> <span style="font-size:100%;color:black;"><span style="color:black;"><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.alliancenet.org/partner/Article_Display_Page/0,,PTID307086_CHID560462_CIID1526032,00.html" target="_blank">www.alliancenet.org/<wbr>partner/Article_Display_Page/<wbr>0,,PTID307086_CHID560462_<wbr>CIID1526032,00.html</a><br /></span></span><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.blogger.com/www.redeemerbroadcasting.org/content/family-radio-alternative" target="_blank">www.redeemerbroadcasting.org/<wbr>content/family-radio-<wbr>alternative</a><br /><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.blogger.com/www.refutecamping.com/" target="_blank">www.refutecamping.com/</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">UPDATE:</span> A pastor in the town of Kasese has openly repented of spreading Camping’s false message, according to <a href="http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1170264/-/c0ydcsz/-/index.html">a May 27 report in Uganda’s <span style="font-style: italic;">Daily Monitor</span> newspaper</a>. “I want to apologise to the people of Kasese and whoever heard my messages about the end of the world. I am very sorry for the inconveniences because I followed false prophets,” said Pastor Isaac Muhindo. “I am ready to go back to my church and repent for misleading the people of God and I am now going to follow the scriptures seriously without wrong interpretations.” The article explains that “Panic gripped some people in Kasese after the predicted doomsday was characterised by a heavy downpour that started at 2pm and ended after 7pm.”Paul Cardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09738388605677820418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580143579718444688.post-91512292993449000632011-05-20T14:55:00.005-04:002011-05-20T17:40:54.414-04:00A message from the East Africa Coordinator<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzmARacjsN6eCoA2sKUW0uzJGy6saTnSYzfn2sMqMHOidoyTCsuz4nnrTcUpV50FCk-1MBdo0npYYlWMpPwdNtRLkna0E2wZxocuObOkAvLdIc9waPSS91xnEXRqDihZE8qWoFCQFRZ7f0/s1600/Rodgers_Uganda_Lecture_1_CROP.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzmARacjsN6eCoA2sKUW0uzJGy6saTnSYzfn2sMqMHOidoyTCsuz4nnrTcUpV50FCk-1MBdo0npYYlWMpPwdNtRLkna0E2wZxocuObOkAvLdIc9waPSS91xnEXRqDihZE8qWoFCQFRZ7f0/s200/Rodgers_Uganda_Lecture_1_CROP.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608874979912489154" border="0" /></a>As floods of western relativistic tendencies and postmodern idealism sweep the region, the church in Africa finds itself ill-equipped to sustain its relevance in an unpredictable, constantly changing society. <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The most subtle and venomous enemy of the church is the invasion of cults</span>—pseudo-Christian and aberrant groups, both foreign and traditional—now arising to challenge orthodox beliefs. Syncretism, unsound theological trends, widespread ignorance of God’s Word, a lack of discernment, social benefits promised by the cults, the unpreparedness of pastors, and other factors heighten the predicament in which the church finds itself.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The African church needs to stand in defense of the Gospel. </span>It must emphasize both formative education and corrective discipline. It must seek to win cultists to the truth rather than simply brand them as its enemies. And it must teach the absolute truth of God’s Word, defending it from misinterpretations and corrupting influences. This will require biblically informed leaders, theologically knowledgeable men who are passionate for the defense and preservation of the Christian faith.</p><p style="text-align: right;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-style: italic;">—Rodgers Atwebembeire</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">To schedule an ACFAR seminar or conference, click <a href="http://acfar.org/contact.aspx">here</a>.<br /></p>Paul Cardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09738388605677820418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580143579718444688.post-53405760613613753552011-03-16T22:41:00.007-04:002011-03-23T00:55:57.103-04:00Still No Justice for Kanungu Killers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD6-hGkYbPpi4ll51b0kWYdLprf5vfdEUGkgRzuVu5J2urQNaNsje6bJZeU17yCk92T1SsyHtvBpy9hgV1XWZusGaei-15ccMidSSNY_1WmXE-GKQI23zWLfpk0_UnlOY9OT1Zb8dbplxD/s1600/MRTCG_Uganda_3.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 141px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD6-hGkYbPpi4ll51b0kWYdLprf5vfdEUGkgRzuVu5J2urQNaNsje6bJZeU17yCk92T1SsyHtvBpy9hgV1XWZusGaei-15ccMidSSNY_1WmXE-GKQI23zWLfpk0_UnlOY9OT1Zb8dbplxD/s200/MRTCG_Uganda_3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584875056797449106" border="0" /></a>Uganda awaits the capture and trial of those suspected of murdering hundreds through the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Movement_for_the_Restoration_of_the_Ten_Commandments_of_God">Movement for the Restoration of the Ten Commandments</a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Movement_for_the_Restoration_of_the_Ten_Commandments_of_God"> of God</a> in March of 2000.<br /><br />According to <a href="http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/13/749327">a report in the <span style="font-style: italic;">New Vision</span> newspaper</a>, “arrest warrants for [cult leaders] Kibwetere and Mwerinde still stand.”<br /><br />Audio lectures on the Kanungu massacre by Drs. Chris Tuhirirwe and Paddy Musana, both renowned experts on the cult, can be heard on <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/african-apologetics-podcast/id390942145?ign-mpt=uo%3D4">ACFAR’s iTunes page</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">UPDATE:</span> On March 20th the <span style="font-style: italic;">Sunday Vision</span> newspaper published “<a href="http://www.sundayvision.co.ug/detail.php?mainNewsCategoryId=7&newsCategoryId=478&newsId=749567">I Almost Joined Kibwetere’s Cult</a>,” a detailed interview with former MRTCG follower Elias Rutebuuka about his five-month involvement with the deadly Kanungu sect.Paul Cardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09738388605677820418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580143579718444688.post-72947291312658545192011-01-10T16:03:00.008-05:002011-01-11T16:56:43.862-05:00More ACFAR Audio Now Online<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJ6NxaT05BFZZTzlckVQvltvXB6acufhEK67KHeCb2z6kSie8bchV2k7gxqKY2R9t8sXG65y_MmZgCzpaf2ZKAztNJ8czC2vcO9BaxxfVkmma0TXTOPd5TtwU7slB9OIIligbTN5QUYnP/s1600/Robby_Muhumuza_CROP.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 141px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJ6NxaT05BFZZTzlckVQvltvXB6acufhEK67KHeCb2z6kSie8bchV2k7gxqKY2R9t8sXG65y_MmZgCzpaf2ZKAztNJ8czC2vcO9BaxxfVkmma0TXTOPd5TtwU7slB9OIIligbTN5QUYnP/s200/Robby_Muhumuza_CROP.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560672891604679922" border="0" /></a>We’ve added more messages from our March 2010 conference and the Words of Hope broadcast to the <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/african-apologetics-podcast/id390942145?ign-mpt=uo%3D4">ACFAR iTunes page</a>, including:<br /><br /><a href="http://acfar.org/mp3/podcast/Understanding_and_Answering_Indigenous_Cults.mp3">Understanding and Answering Indigenous Cults</a> by Robby Muhumuza (<span style="font-style: italic;">right</span>)<br /><br /><a href="http://acfarpodcast.blogspot.com/2010/09/understanding-and-answering-mormonism.html">Understanding and Answering Mormonism</a> by Eric Pement<br /><br /><a href="http://acfar.org/mp3/podcast/Understanding_and_Answering_Jehovah_s_Witnesses.mp3">Understanding and Answering Jehovah’s Witnesses</a> by Robert M. Bowman, Jr.<br /><br /><a href="http://acfar.org/mp3/podcast/Is_Jesus_God.mp3">Is Jesus God?</a> by Rodgers Atwebembeire<br /><br /><a href="http://acfar.org/mp3/podcast/Commonly_Misunderstood_Verses.mp3">Commonly Misunderstood Verses</a> by Rodgers Atwebembeire<br /><br />Tell a friend!Paul Cardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09738388605677820418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580143579718444688.post-9715990411009112572010-12-08T21:31:00.005-05:002010-12-08T23:24:22.803-05:00Answering the Prosperity Gospel in Cape Town, South Africa<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsje5DFo4tfewG1SCdtTmudzjg-eDvDQDGg7En5r_REBddMdjQMLSdjIgQ_MtH57b05Np2NPI02yLHy8PsS2jo0O3x3yuVkkfN4vqwFazklPN6lkEMyITTcr1GjqkslgPS2PxtjCe3xxI0/s1600/Femi_2.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsje5DFo4tfewG1SCdtTmudzjg-eDvDQDGg7En5r_REBddMdjQMLSdjIgQ_MtH57b05Np2NPI02yLHy8PsS2jo0O3x3yuVkkfN4vqwFazklPN6lkEMyITTcr1GjqkslgPS2PxtjCe3xxI0/s200/Femi_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548528860198986002" border="0" /></a>The Third <a href="http://www.lausanne.org/cape-town-2010">Lausanne Congress</a> on World Evangelization in Cape Town, South Africa brought forth much fruit—especially in responses to the devastating errors of the Word-faith movement and “prosperity gospel.”<br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">Preparing the way, J. Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu published an extensive advance paper, “</span><a href="http://conversation.lausanne.org/en/conversations/detail/10573"><span style="font-size:100%;">From ‘Calvary Road’ to ‘Harvesters International’: An African Perspective on the Cross and Gospel of Prosperity</span></a><span style="font-size:100%;">.”<br /><br /></span>During the congress, Femi Adeleye (<span style="font-style: italic;">right</span>) delivered a major statement at a multiplex session titled “<a href="http://www.christianpost.com/topics/poverty/" class="topicLine">Poverty</a>, Prosperity and the Gospel,” recorded on video <a href="http://conversation.lausanne.org/en/resources/detail/11559">here</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">Daniel Bourdanné offered a well-reasoned assessment of the movement’s errors with his online article “</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://conversation.lausanne.org/en/conversations/detail/10832">The Prosperity Gospel: All That Glitters Is Not Gold</a>.”<br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;">And advancing the online “global conversation” on this topic, Ruth Padilla DeBorst attacked prosperity-purveyors in “<a href="http://www.lausanne.org/id/global-conversation/the-gospel-of-greed.html">The Gospel of Greed</a>,” but mistakenly stated that these “</span>Self-appointed apostles [who] are accountable to no one in matters theological, financial, or ethical” are “all men.” Evidently <span style="font-size:100%;">DeBorst</span> hasn’t met neopentecostal preachers <a href="http://www.libertyworshipcentre.org/index.html">Imelda Namutebi Kula</a> of Uganda and <a href="http://www.jiam.org/">Margaret Wanjiru</a> of Kenya and their counterparts.Paul Cardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09738388605677820418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580143579718444688.post-59209488876107000862010-09-08T16:25:00.003-04:002011-01-10T16:32:48.837-05:00NEW: African Apologetics Podcast<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8JP2b6_GSyRDcvyIu3ZT8y95Ji8F6a9_ZM-y8PXmwdd-vQG1l9pzzEYFf77TyUGCwsFnrCaQN0NpVRyEA4pBegap544O9ujAQkOULPBZV_x4gaOgIoPrQfBB75rODDNmzqnEqCBVDd1jU/s1600/ACFAR_audio.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 170px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8JP2b6_GSyRDcvyIu3ZT8y95Ji8F6a9_ZM-y8PXmwdd-vQG1l9pzzEYFf77TyUGCwsFnrCaQN0NpVRyEA4pBegap544O9ujAQkOULPBZV_x4gaOgIoPrQfBB75rODDNmzqnEqCBVDd1jU/s200/ACFAR_audio.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514643071236197746" border="0" /></a>ACFAR now has a <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/african-apologetics-podcast/id390942145?ign-mpt=uo%3D4">podcast</a>, available worldwide via iTunes!<br /><br />It features selected messages from <a href="http://www.acfar.org/events/">ACFAR’s March 2010 conference</a> and radio broadcasts by coordinator Rodgers Atwebembeire on the “<a href="http://woh.org/voice/region/east-africa/">Words of Hope</a>” program.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tell a friend!</span>Paul Cardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09738388605677820418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580143579718444688.post-68299791984118828502010-06-18T14:52:00.003-04:002011-01-10T16:33:51.930-05:00ACFAR ON THE RADIO<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfYu7iND3g4Ts7iBgCZVgksHB_RRSttl8_Qw-Cvfkl7POSj0gAftcNmxjJLbc0F6jE_0jMxtq9v3SNe4uM7ztK1QV-q6wxfAgxdY9Ivv63UjiYiPyT0IIhoRz4R_IPfTLO47xFlw5mtdgw/s1600/Rodgers_Radio2.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfYu7iND3g4Ts7iBgCZVgksHB_RRSttl8_Qw-Cvfkl7POSj0gAftcNmxjJLbc0F6jE_0jMxtq9v3SNe4uM7ztK1QV-q6wxfAgxdY9Ivv63UjiYiPyT0IIhoRz4R_IPfTLO47xFlw5mtdgw/s200/Rodgers_Radio2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484188846950002098" border="0" /></a><span class="UIStory_Message"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Be sure to listen to “</span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://woh.org/voice/region/east-africa/">Words of Hope</a><span style="font-weight: bold;">” in Kampala on </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.spirit.fm/Uganda.htm">Spirit FM (96.6)</a> each Wednesday at 8:30 PM (repeats on Sunday 7:30 PM).<br /><br />ACFAR coordinator Rodgers Atwebembeire (<span style="font-style: italic;">shown at right</span>) is presenting a series of studies on discernment and the defense of the faith. <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Tell a friend!</span></span>Paul Cardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09738388605677820418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580143579718444688.post-5547969580473792132010-05-11T18:05:00.010-04:002010-06-03T01:09:49.430-04:00Exposing the “Bio Disc” in Africa<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i2.squidoocdn.com/resize/squidoo_images/-1/lens7445572_1254980271biodisc4.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 241px;" src="http://i2.squidoocdn.com/resize/squidoo_images/-1/lens7445572_1254980271biodisc4.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Bio Disc scandal finally receives some long-overdue press coverage.</span> In “<a href="http://observers.france24.com/en/content/20100504-questnet-pyramid-scheme-drops-anchor-africa-burkina-faso">QuestNet pyramid scheme drops anchor in Africa</a>” we read of the multi-level marketing company’s exploits in Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, and elsewhere. The article’s unnamed author alleges that “<span style="font-weight: bold;">The sale of [</span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.quest.net/products/energy/amezcua/bio_disc/en/">QuestNet</a><span style="font-weight: bold;">] products is fraudulent and targets the poorest of society</span>—those who are desperate to make money quickly. The scam destroys relationships, because it’s to family and friends that recruited salesmen then sell the scheme to themselves. They convince their friends into indebting themselves in order to enroll in the scheme, and later find themselves responsible for both their own and their friends’ financial struggles when the pyramid collapses.”<br /><br />Read our evaluation of the Amezcua Bio Disc <a href="http://www.acfar.org/pdflibrary/BioDiscSummary.pdf"><span style="font-weight: bold;">here</span></a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Background:</span> A damaging report on QuestNet was broadcast by American Public Media in February of 2008. Read their report <a href="http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/02/29/pyramid_scheme_offers_false_hope_to_afghans/">here</a>, or listen <a href="http://marketplace.publicradio.org/www_publicradio/tools/media_player/popup.php?name=marketplace/pm/2008/02/29/marketplace_cast1_20080229_64&starttime=00:09:40.0&endtime=00:13:22.0">here</a>. QuestNet was banned in Rwanda in August of 2009, according to <a href="http://allafrica.com/stories/200908040227.html">this report</a>, and was the subject of a “sting operation” in Armenia in December of the same year, according to <a href="http://hetq.am/en/criminal/aats-3/">this report</a>.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Update:</span> QuestNet is under criminal investigation in Turkey, according to a May 28, 2010 online <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=ponzi-scheme-victimizes-many-in-turkey-2010-05-28">report</a> by the respected news daily <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%BCrriyet">Hürriyet</a>: “<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Turkey branch of an international Ponzi scheme that collected millions of dollars from thousands of people has collapsed after police raids against the company.</span> Quest.net, which defines itself as an ‘international direct selling brand that utilizes network marketing combined with e-commerce,’ victimized nearly 20,000 people in Turkey, according to government officials. The company, which is headquartered in Hong Kong, has been banned in many countries.”Paul Cardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09738388605677820418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580143579718444688.post-53768056828890828772010-04-28T19:46:00.009-04:002010-05-11T18:26:45.429-04:00A Major New Survey on Religion in Africa<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://pewforum.org/uploadedImages/Topics/Belief_and_Practices/tolerance-tension-large.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 200px;" src="http://pewforum.org/uploadedImages/Topics/Belief_and_Practices/tolerance-tension-large.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life has released the results of an important survey, <a href="http://pewforum.org/docs/?DocID=515"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tolerance and Tension: Islam and Christianity in Sub-Saharan Africa</span></a>. The executive summary notes that “sub-Saharan Africa is clearly among the most religious places in the world. In many countries across the continent, roughly nine-in-ten people or more say religion is <em>very important</em> in their lives. By this key measure, even the least religiously inclined nations in the region score higher than the United States, which is among the most religious of the advanced industrial countries.”<br /><br />Of special interest is the finding that “Despite the dominance of Christianity and Islam, <a href="http://pewforum.org/docs/?DocID=515#quickdefinition">traditional African religious beliefs and practices</a> have not disappeared. Rather, they coexist with Islam and Christianity. Whether or not this entails some theological tension, it is a reality in people's lives: </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >Large numbers of Africans actively participate in Christianity or Islam yet also believe in witchcraft, evil spirits, sacrifices to ancestors, traditional religious healers, reincarnation and other elements of traditional African religions.</span><span style="font-size:100%;">”<br /><br />The report also explains that “in every country surveyed that has a substantial Christian population, at least half of Christians expect that Jesus will return to earth during their lifetime. And in every country surveyed that has a substantial Muslim population, roughly 30% or more of Muslims expect to personally witness the re-establishment of the caliphate, the golden age of Islamic rule that followed the death of Muhammad.”<br /><br />Significantly, “</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >By their own reckoning, neither Christians nor Muslims in the region know very much about each other’s faith. </span><span style="font-size:100%;">In most countries, fewer than half of Christians say they know either some or a great deal about Islam, and fewer than half of Muslims say they know either some or a great deal about Christianity. Moreover, people in most countries surveyed, especially Christians, tend to view the two faiths as very different rather than as having a lot in common.”<br /><br />Major newspapers in <a href="http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/902622/-/wxwcyu/-/index.html">Uganda</a>, <a href="http://www.nation.co.ke/News/Belief%20in%20witchcraft%20widespread%20among%20Christians%20says%20survey%20/-/1056/900844/-/15ifv01/-/index.html">Kenya</a>, <a href="http://www.thisday.co.tz/?l=10816">Tanzania</a>, and other countries provided local insights on the survey, which involved “more than 25,000 face-to-face interviews in more than 60 languages or dialects in 19 countries, representing 75% of the total population of sub-Saharan Africa.”<br /><br />You can download the full report <a href="http://pewforum.org/docs/?DocID=526">here</a>.</span>Paul Cardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09738388605677820418noreply@blogger.com