JOURNEYIST
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A friend of mine has asked me recently what I can say about George Carlin's views on religion.
I said its Very Funny!!! And Very True!!!
George Carlin is very correct (but I don't necesarily share his faith 100%). Actually what Carlin says pretty much is a digest of what the Vatican has been telling people the world over. I say the Vatican gave religion a bad name, a very bad name. The worse part is that the protestants have picked up many of the same lies perpetrated by the Vaticanists... thus we have a very "fucked up" view of religion, even of the bible.
I've walked through George Carlin's road of atheism before. I symphatize with him. I think his views and comments are fair and sincere and logical. I would even recommend his views as an intellectual challenge to all Catholics and Protestants. Having said that, however, let me just state my take; Carlin's conclusions are based on erroneous beliefs.
With his characteristic open-mindedness, I believe Carlin still gives the Bible the benefit of the doubt. I say he hasn't heard the last word on religion until he hears what brother Eli Soriano has to say on the matter. Everything Carlin was ever fed about religion are lies. Jesus has warned us about this as much when he said many will claim to speak on his behalf... Carlin's incisive views is just one more confirmation of Jesus' prophecy. Indeed, what Carlin is attacking, essentially, is not religion per se but false religion.
You see, God's message in the bible is not necessarily what the Pope says it is.
I said its Very Funny!!! And Very True!!!
George Carlin is very correct (but I don't necesarily share his faith 100%). Actually what Carlin says pretty much is a digest of what the Vatican has been telling people the world over. I say the Vatican gave religion a bad name, a very bad name. The worse part is that the protestants have picked up many of the same lies perpetrated by the Vaticanists... thus we have a very "fucked up" view of religion, even of the bible.
I've walked through George Carlin's road of atheism before. I symphatize with him. I think his views and comments are fair and sincere and logical. I would even recommend his views as an intellectual challenge to all Catholics and Protestants. Having said that, however, let me just state my take; Carlin's conclusions are based on erroneous beliefs.
With his characteristic open-mindedness, I believe Carlin still gives the Bible the benefit of the doubt. I say he hasn't heard the last word on religion until he hears what brother Eli Soriano has to say on the matter. Everything Carlin was ever fed about religion are lies. Jesus has warned us about this as much when he said many will claim to speak on his behalf... Carlin's incisive views is just one more confirmation of Jesus' prophecy. Indeed, what Carlin is attacking, essentially, is not religion per se but false religion.
You see, God's message in the bible is not necessarily what the Pope says it is.
Labels: Faith/
It has been ages since I last posted anything here… and I have tons of exciting excuses to show for it… but I won’t tell it straight out.
It has not been an uneasy search mentally and spiritually. I was seeking for answers to questions for which I already know the answers… but it’s not the answers per se that I was looking for. I was looking for my self… for my heart’s sincerest ponderings, to see whether I, in the filthy recesses of my poor soul, I truly consent with the Bible’s answers to life’s deepest questions.
It was a necessary journey for me for I cannot continue to live, much less write, based on second-hand truths; I have to see Truth from my own soul’s window instead from borrowed set of eyes. I have to experience knowledge out of my own humble existence, through my own lonely perspective, as would a worm on the ground.
Thanks to God that I found myself by grappling with the answers to some of the most intimate answers provided in the bible. I believe they are the kind of answers that can’t be truly arrived at except by honestly living through with the tough personal questions.
In facing life’s dark dangerous challenges squarely in the eye, it’s exhilarating to realize that a believer can actually fight back armed with no less than the light saber of God! Take heart, believe... and hear darkness ripped apart from the very depths of your soul.
Labels: Faith/
Internet giants Yahoo and MSN have bowed to the wishes of China's censors lords. They are now party to a "self-discipline pact" designed to silence Chinese bloggers from speaking their mind.
I hope Google will not stoop so low. I hope Google would remain on the side of bloggers on this, then there would be a tidal wave of bloggers from Yahoo and MSN migrating to Blogspot!. Otherwise it would be the beginning of the death of blogging, and who knows even of bloggers themselves.
If Google would start down the way of Yahoo and MSN, there would just be no telling where it would end. Google will simply be no longer like Google and that would be the end of blogging as we know it. More to the point, the entire World Wide Web would be like China, huge, bothersome, and potentially deadly marketplace of consumer goods and nothing more.
If people are not free to blog what's on their mind, to express dissent without fear of government repression, then there's just no use in blogging.
I hope Google will not stoop so low. I hope Google would remain on the side of bloggers on this, then there would be a tidal wave of bloggers from Yahoo and MSN migrating to Blogspot!. Otherwise it would be the beginning of the death of blogging, and who knows even of bloggers themselves.
If Google would start down the way of Yahoo and MSN, there would just be no telling where it would end. Google will simply be no longer like Google and that would be the end of blogging as we know it. More to the point, the entire World Wide Web would be like China, huge, bothersome, and potentially deadly marketplace of consumer goods and nothing more.
If people are not free to blog what's on their mind, to express dissent without fear of government repression, then there's just no use in blogging.
Labels: News /
That's the title I proposed for Brother Eliseo Soriano's biography article in Wikipedia. The page is jealously guarded by Wiki Administrator Moriori, my newfound online buddy. I have nothing personal against Moriori. In the course of my discourse with him, however, I have developed an acute disgust of Wikipedia, here's why.
The whole Wikipedia concept is supposed to be built on the idea of collaboration. Specifically collaboration of knowledge owners to build an opensource base of shared information. My determined and reasoned attempt to delete the word "controversial" from the lead paragraph on Bro. Eli's biography, however, has earned me a warning from Moriori that he will block me from further editing Wikipedia. That's not very collaborative of him. Not very Wikipedian...
My stand is simple. A subjective adjective has no place in a sentence describing a person, especially in his biography page. The word "controversial", after all, is not exactly descriptive of the person of Brother Eli. that word only describes other people's opinion of him.
I'm not disputing that some people consider Brother Eli as "controversial". I will, however, vouch that many people also consider him "phenomenal", "inspiring", "exceptional" to name a few choice adjectives. To his enemies I'm sure they would use all degrading adjectives in the dictionary to describe him. All these words, however, are a judgment by people on the character of Brother Eli based on their unique and personal appraisal of his person.
A website purporting to be an encyclopedia, meanwhile, must refrain from using such words. Interestingly, Wikipedia does not use the word "controversial" to describe people of proven "controversialness" like Jimmy Swaggart, Bill Clinton, Evita Peron or even the self-proclaimed antichrist José Luis de Jesús Miranda. They were all described casually on the basis of their nationality and profession or avocation. Why on earth then is Wikipedia allowing one Moriori to insert the word "controversial" on the biography of Brother Eliseo Soriano?
The inescapable conclusion is that he has a bias against Brother Eliseo Soriano. He denied this allegation twice. I doubt his denial very much. I am now calling the attention of Wikipedia to Moriori's bias. That's very unbecoming of a Wikipedia administrator.
Still I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps Moriori is just trying to be controversial himself, hmmm.
The whole Wikipedia concept is supposed to be built on the idea of collaboration. Specifically collaboration of knowledge owners to build an opensource base of shared information. My determined and reasoned attempt to delete the word "controversial" from the lead paragraph on Bro. Eli's biography, however, has earned me a warning from Moriori that he will block me from further editing Wikipedia. That's not very collaborative of him. Not very Wikipedian...
My stand is simple. A subjective adjective has no place in a sentence describing a person, especially in his biography page. The word "controversial", after all, is not exactly descriptive of the person of Brother Eli. that word only describes other people's opinion of him.
I'm not disputing that some people consider Brother Eli as "controversial". I will, however, vouch that many people also consider him "phenomenal", "inspiring", "exceptional" to name a few choice adjectives. To his enemies I'm sure they would use all degrading adjectives in the dictionary to describe him. All these words, however, are a judgment by people on the character of Brother Eli based on their unique and personal appraisal of his person.
A website purporting to be an encyclopedia, meanwhile, must refrain from using such words. Interestingly, Wikipedia does not use the word "controversial" to describe people of proven "controversialness" like Jimmy Swaggart, Bill Clinton, Evita Peron or even the self-proclaimed antichrist José Luis de Jesús Miranda. They were all described casually on the basis of their nationality and profession or avocation. Why on earth then is Wikipedia allowing one Moriori to insert the word "controversial" on the biography of Brother Eliseo Soriano?
The inescapable conclusion is that he has a bias against Brother Eliseo Soriano. He denied this allegation twice. I doubt his denial very much. I am now calling the attention of Wikipedia to Moriori's bias. That's very unbecoming of a Wikipedia administrator.
Still I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps Moriori is just trying to be controversial himself, hmmm.
Labels: Media /
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Some people reminisce with pride that they lived in a time of hard won fights and impossible dreams. They say they fought side by side Che Guevara, marched in the streets with Malcolm X, and struggled for peace with Mahatma Gandhi. They lived in exciting times alongside troublemakers who stood for something true. Imperfect leaders who fought for something they know to be right.
Today, many say true leaders are a thing of the past. That they are an extinct breed. I say they are wrong. I say true leaders still exist but people just don't know where to look or else they are just unwilling to look anymore. Some, you see, just cannot commit to anything anymore beyond their personal world. Their battle cry is, Convenience! And they dare tell you "you will not insult me by telling the truth!"
..
I know a simple man who boldly speaks the truth. He holds a bible by his right hand and a microphone by his left. Yet he is looked upon as a troublemaker by many in the Philippines, his own land. His people love him so, however, for they know something many don't. They know Truth and yes, it had set them free.
He now lives far away from his loved ones to preach the the Truth to a world in dire need of it. Unlike Guevara, Malcolm X and Gandhi, however, this man will most probably never become a cultural icon. Unlike them, however, his message will never be lost in the hearts of people who heard him in earnest.
To anyone who would dare know the meaning of Life, let him listen to my Brother Eli Soriano.
Today, many say true leaders are a thing of the past. That they are an extinct breed. I say they are wrong. I say true leaders still exist but people just don't know where to look or else they are just unwilling to look anymore. Some, you see, just cannot commit to anything anymore beyond their personal world. Their battle cry is, Convenience! And they dare tell you "you will not insult me by telling the truth!"
..
I know a simple man who boldly speaks the truth. He holds a bible by his right hand and a microphone by his left. Yet he is looked upon as a troublemaker by many in the Philippines, his own land. His people love him so, however, for they know something many don't. They know Truth and yes, it had set them free.
He now lives far away from his loved ones to preach the the Truth to a world in dire need of it. Unlike Guevara, Malcolm X and Gandhi, however, this man will most probably never become a cultural icon. Unlike them, however, his message will never be lost in the hearts of people who heard him in earnest.
To anyone who would dare know the meaning of Life, let him listen to my Brother Eli Soriano.
Labels: Faith/, Leadership /, Truth /
How open is your church to dissent? Especially open dissent. One that is done for all members to see, hear and examine? I am asking this because, frankly, I think there is no other religious organization that practices this aside from our church. You see, in our congregation, Brother Eli Soriano not only tolerates or entertains dissent. He encourages. God gave men free will so why deny open dissent?
Non-members know that Brother Eli openly entertains all kinds of questions concerning faith and biblical matters. The public is also familiar with his open challenge to priests, pastors and ministers of other Christian denominations to a debate. What non-members know, however, is that Brother Soriano is also open to dissent among church members. Be it dissent as regards biblical issues or church policy, he is game so long as the dissent concerns issues or principle and that the dissenters come out in the open.
Yesterday, the brethren witnessed such a sensitive dispute openly discussed and resolved through biblical inspiration. And I thank God that I witnessed such a beautiful day, for it strengthened my faith all the more that ours is not a church of men but a true and living Church of God...
It all really started last Saturday (August 4), when Bro. Willy Santiago (a respected worker in the church and a long time panelist and bible reader in Bro. Eli's TV shows in the Philippines) openly told the congregation that he will follow Bro. Daniel Razon as Church Presiding Minister if and when the day comes that he should carry that burden. This, however, is only on the condition that he would see with his own eyes God’s imprimatur on Bro. Daniel’s leadership when he actually takes over as presiding Minister.
Bro. Willy made it clear that his loyalty is with Brother Eli, and as such he is ready and willing to be reprimanded. Brother Eli, however, just tolerated him that day and did not correct him at once. (Bro. Eli would later explain that he would rather let Bro. Willy see the light on his own through the biblical topics he would discuss instead of directly reprimanding him.)
I really feel very sad to hear that Brother Willy feels that way about Brother Daniel. Its nice to know, however, that he has at least the basic decency to speak his mind openly. At any rate, I understand him because I have similar reservations about Bro. Daniel when I was just a few months old as a church member. I never doubted Brother Daniel’s sincerity or sense of commitment and perseverance or even his leadership skills. I was not sure, however, if he has the spiritual stamina and wisdom to preach the bible and lead the church, especially as it is now in the midst of a discreet persecution by its enemies.
Through the years, however, I am glad to have witnessed Bro. Daniel’s inspired and humble leadership. It was a sigh of relief to realize I was wrong in ever doubting him. Slowly it dawned on me why Bro. Eli trusted him so much. He saw something in him that no one else has seen.
It’s true, Brother Daniel is no clone of Bro. Eli in terms of preaching the word but no one in the church can claim that unique status, anyway. I have no trouble believing, however, that God, in due time, would grant wisdom to any rightful successor to Bro. Eli. Brother Daniel Razon is that rightful successor since Bro. Eli elected him in 1991. I have always suspected, however, that Bro. Daniel was a reluctant leader. Perhaps it was this reluctance that I picked up on that made me doubt him. It was only much, much later, however that I learned that such reluctance is classic. No less than the prophets of old like Moses, Jonah and Elijah did try to resist God’s leadership plans for them. The work of God, after all, is grand and holy. It is only human to feel unworthy in the face of such a responsibility. To feel humbled in the face of so great a task.
I believe too that it was this reluctance that made Bro. Daniel came off as a less than effective leader in the eyes of some brethren in the last few years. When he came back to the Philippines recently after accompanying Brother Eli in his international ministering, I believe many in the church sense a change in him. There was something different in him. It's like he has gained greater conviction, I don't know. He was a different man. Indeed he declared to the congregation that he no longer fears physical death should it come suddenly upon him. But that's just the surface of it. His later actions would prove the real extent of his reinvigorated dedication. Slowly the last shred of my doubts disappeared.
Yesterday, he confirmed his reluctance at the Thanksgiving Service yesterday.
In the morning session, a teary eyed Bro. Daniel admitted in front of the brethren that, in the span of a few years, he twice attempted to persuade Brother Eli to get another successor in his stead but he never got around to talk to him one on one. Somehow, situations prevented him from confiding his plans.
The Lord has so prospered Bro. Daniel’s many projects and initiatives within the church. If these were not direct signs from heaven, I don’t know what is. By this I also became personally convinced that Bro Daniel is the fulfillment of a prophecy described in the Book of Jeremiah…
Instead of proceeding with the actual thanksgiving day topic yesterday, Sister Luz Cruz pressed Brother Eli to directly express his position regarding Brother Willy's concern, at least in this instance. From then on the discussion proceeded to a candid yet beautifully enlightening exchange. Brother Willy gave his biblical basis for dissenting and Brother Eli explained his side with full scriptural support. By the day’s end Bro. Willy is thankful to God for erasing his doubts and for understanding the bible more fully. He again apologized for any inconvenience he may have caused Brother Eli and Brother Daniel.
I can never narrate here the fullness of the rich biblical discourse Brother Eli gave that Saturday afternoon so I will not try. Suffice it to say that it was beautiful! Oh it was more than beautiful. It was fantastic!
Now, if these were not a scene in your Sunday service, I believe you are attending the wrong church. Just my opinion though.
Non-members know that Brother Eli openly entertains all kinds of questions concerning faith and biblical matters. The public is also familiar with his open challenge to priests, pastors and ministers of other Christian denominations to a debate. What non-members know, however, is that Brother Soriano is also open to dissent among church members. Be it dissent as regards biblical issues or church policy, he is game so long as the dissent concerns issues or principle and that the dissenters come out in the open.
Yesterday, the brethren witnessed such a sensitive dispute openly discussed and resolved through biblical inspiration. And I thank God that I witnessed such a beautiful day, for it strengthened my faith all the more that ours is not a church of men but a true and living Church of God...
It all really started last Saturday (August 4), when Bro. Willy Santiago (a respected worker in the church and a long time panelist and bible reader in Bro. Eli's TV shows in the Philippines) openly told the congregation that he will follow Bro. Daniel Razon as Church Presiding Minister if and when the day comes that he should carry that burden. This, however, is only on the condition that he would see with his own eyes God’s imprimatur on Bro. Daniel’s leadership when he actually takes over as presiding Minister.
Bro. Willy made it clear that his loyalty is with Brother Eli, and as such he is ready and willing to be reprimanded. Brother Eli, however, just tolerated him that day and did not correct him at once. (Bro. Eli would later explain that he would rather let Bro. Willy see the light on his own through the biblical topics he would discuss instead of directly reprimanding him.)
I really feel very sad to hear that Brother Willy feels that way about Brother Daniel. Its nice to know, however, that he has at least the basic decency to speak his mind openly. At any rate, I understand him because I have similar reservations about Bro. Daniel when I was just a few months old as a church member. I never doubted Brother Daniel’s sincerity or sense of commitment and perseverance or even his leadership skills. I was not sure, however, if he has the spiritual stamina and wisdom to preach the bible and lead the church, especially as it is now in the midst of a discreet persecution by its enemies.
Through the years, however, I am glad to have witnessed Bro. Daniel’s inspired and humble leadership. It was a sigh of relief to realize I was wrong in ever doubting him. Slowly it dawned on me why Bro. Eli trusted him so much. He saw something in him that no one else has seen.
It’s true, Brother Daniel is no clone of Bro. Eli in terms of preaching the word but no one in the church can claim that unique status, anyway. I have no trouble believing, however, that God, in due time, would grant wisdom to any rightful successor to Bro. Eli. Brother Daniel Razon is that rightful successor since Bro. Eli elected him in 1991. I have always suspected, however, that Bro. Daniel was a reluctant leader. Perhaps it was this reluctance that I picked up on that made me doubt him. It was only much, much later, however that I learned that such reluctance is classic. No less than the prophets of old like Moses, Jonah and Elijah did try to resist God’s leadership plans for them. The work of God, after all, is grand and holy. It is only human to feel unworthy in the face of such a responsibility. To feel humbled in the face of so great a task.
I believe too that it was this reluctance that made Bro. Daniel came off as a less than effective leader in the eyes of some brethren in the last few years. When he came back to the Philippines recently after accompanying Brother Eli in his international ministering, I believe many in the church sense a change in him. There was something different in him. It's like he has gained greater conviction, I don't know. He was a different man. Indeed he declared to the congregation that he no longer fears physical death should it come suddenly upon him. But that's just the surface of it. His later actions would prove the real extent of his reinvigorated dedication. Slowly the last shred of my doubts disappeared.
Yesterday, he confirmed his reluctance at the Thanksgiving Service yesterday.
In the morning session, a teary eyed Bro. Daniel admitted in front of the brethren that, in the span of a few years, he twice attempted to persuade Brother Eli to get another successor in his stead but he never got around to talk to him one on one. Somehow, situations prevented him from confiding his plans.
The Lord has so prospered Bro. Daniel’s many projects and initiatives within the church. If these were not direct signs from heaven, I don’t know what is. By this I also became personally convinced that Bro Daniel is the fulfillment of a prophecy described in the Book of Jeremiah…
Instead of proceeding with the actual thanksgiving day topic yesterday, Sister Luz Cruz pressed Brother Eli to directly express his position regarding Brother Willy's concern, at least in this instance. From then on the discussion proceeded to a candid yet beautifully enlightening exchange. Brother Willy gave his biblical basis for dissenting and Brother Eli explained his side with full scriptural support. By the day’s end Bro. Willy is thankful to God for erasing his doubts and for understanding the bible more fully. He again apologized for any inconvenience he may have caused Brother Eli and Brother Daniel.
I can never narrate here the fullness of the rich biblical discourse Brother Eli gave that Saturday afternoon so I will not try. Suffice it to say that it was beautiful! Oh it was more than beautiful. It was fantastic!
Now, if these were not a scene in your Sunday service, I believe you are attending the wrong church. Just my opinion though.