Oklahoma Howdy to SeekingTruth,

(1) Men, including our religious and political leaders, will cause problems throughout the world. A political statement or religious statement could plunge the world into a Holy War that would be much worse than Word War III.  (2) The prophecies of the Holy Bible will be fulfilled according to the time table of Almighty God, regardless of what men do or don't do.

When considering these two thoughts, there is question that remains: Should Christians keep fighting and standing up for what is right, regardless of the fact that this world will become more evil by the minute? The answer for me is YES. The answer for other Christians may not be so simple.

There is Love In Jesus,
Tom  

Amen!!

This is why I prefure a small, home style church. Which reminds me we meet Wed., at 7:00 pm for bible study, this week.  

Let's see now, the RCC as ecclesiastical Babylon and the Great W...., hmm. A description of the outfit the new pope wears is eerily like the Woman in Rev 17:4, Arrayed in purple and scarlet- the colors of the papacy. Decked out in gold and precious stones, and pearls with a golden cup. His vest is covered with pearls and a MITRE adorned in gold and precious stones. The Woman's dress as she sits upon the Scarlet Colored beast being described?

aw

Correct, and each Pope adjust his garment according. The next Pope should complete the rest of scripture.
My question though is, which Pope will be the last.

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=38074

Is banning the Boy Scouts of America from our public parks because of their creed religious persecution?  I believe so.  The “God belongs in churches only” attitude is coming to a park near you, unless we all begin to speak up.

Well I know that the Boy Scouts are welcome in the public parks, here where I am. Being a Scoutmaster of the local Troop here, (where I am) we are non-demonational, my Troop and not the Mormon Troops. (Yes we are out numbered 7-1) My Troop has eight boys all are in different churches, and our meetings are held in a church.
Seeing the problems that are coming today shows, Satan is getting ready for his time    In the world,

What would the possibilty of Cardinal Aron Jean-Marie Lustiger, becoming the next Pope of the Catholic Church?
If I remember correctly, the next Pope will only serve a short time.
Born 17 September 1926, he is 77 years old. Archbishop of Paris, Lustiger was born of a Polish Jewish family in France. At the age of 15 he became a Catholic, (can you imagine the shock of his parents.)
Pope John Paul II turns 80 in mid-May, an age that brings mandatory retirement at most Vatican offices but which finds the Polish-born pontiff in one of the busiest years of his life.
With the health of Pope John Paul II deteriorating, speculation about who will be the next pope has been on the rise.
Here are some of the candidates.

Francis Arinze
Cardinal Francis Arinze, whose efforts on the interfaith dialogue have not gone unnoticed, is one of the black contenders. Arinze is a Nigerian national. He is currently Prefect of the Congregation of Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. He spent time studying in England and Italy.

Darío Castrillón Hoyos
A Colombian national, Hoyos is Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy and President of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei. Hoyos personally took care of some festivities surrounding Pope John Paul II's Pope- and Priestship. Furthermore, Hoyos is also the former Archbishop of Bucaramanga and very well connected in Latin America.

Godfried Danneels
Archbishop of Mechlin-Brussels (Belgium). Born in 1933, Danneels is currently 70 years old. He is often described as a very gifted man. Being very popular in Belgium, where 60% of the people think he will become the new Pope, he has his own website with chatbox. Even though he has often commented negatively on questions about his ambitions to become Pope, he also mentioned: "Of course I would do it, if I were asked".

Roger Etchegaray
Echegaray, a French national, is the President Emeritus of the Pontifical Council of Justice and Peace. He was also President of the central committee of the Holy Year 2000. He has been one of the main Roman Catholic proponents of Human Rights and World Peace.

Bernardin Gantin
Gantin, a Benin national, has held many high Vatican positions. He is the second serious black contender for succeeding Pope John Paul II in PopeCountdown.com's list. Being over 80, Gantin is not allowed to vote during the next papal election himself. Gantin is well-connected in both Africa and around the Vatican.

Pio Laghi
Laghi graduated in Rome, but then soon moved overseas, serving in Nicaragua, the USA, India, Israel/Palestine and Cyprus. He thus has a large international network that may help him contending for Pope. Born in 1922, Laghi is one of the older contenders.

Jean-Marie Lustiger
Lustiger is a French National. Lustiger is currently the Archbishop of Paris. Originally a Jew, Lustiger converted to catholicism at young age. Lustiger spent most of his time in France, although he also ventured abroad occasionally.

Carlo Maria Martini
Martini is Emiritus Archbishop of Milan. Cardinal since 1983, Martini has a solid scientific background. He received many prestigious awards during his career, amongst which several international ones. Martini is an Italian national.

Joseph Ratzinger
Created Cardinal by Paul IV in 1977, Ratziger is a German national who was active mainly in his home country. He spend much of his time teaching at different schools and universities is the current Dean of the College of Cardinals.

Norberto Rivera Carrera
Rivera Carrera is the current Archbishop of Mexico. He is one of the younger contestants since he was born only in 1942. A long-time teacher, he spend most of his time in Mexico, where he has been Cardinal since 1998.

Oscar Rodríguez Maradiaga
Cardinal Oscar Andrés Rodríguez Maradiaga, S.D.B., as his full name goes, is Archbishop of Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Like Rivera Carrera, he was born in 1942. Mardiaga spent time studying in both Austria and Italy and, as a real homo universalis, taught different topics at universities around Middle America.

Camilio Ruini
Ruini is Vicar General for the Diocese of Rome and President of the Italian Episcopal Conference, for his third term. His International experience seems not very elaborate. He is Italian however, which may help him in his bid.

Christoph Schönborn
An Austrian national, Schönborn is the current Archbishop of Vienna. He studied and taught at different Universities around mainland Europe. Schönborn is Cardinal since 1998 and the author of many religious works.

Adrianus Johannes Simonis
Simonis is a Dutch national. He is the current Archbishop of Utrecht. He spent most of his time working in Holland, but also studied in Rome. Considering the liberal attitudes of the Dutch, Simonis is working in quite a hostile environment.

Angelo Sodano
Sodano is an Italian national. In 1991, Sodano was named Secretary of State of the Vatican and proclaimed Cardinal by Pope John Paul II. The position of Secretary of State makes him effectively the prime minister of the Vatican. Sodano has numerous experiences abroad, which include significant time in South America. In 2002, he was elected vice-dean of the college of Cardinals.

Dionigi Tettamanzi
Tettamanzi is the current Archbisshop of Milan, which he became in the year 2002. An Italian national, he became Cardinal in 1998. Although Tettamanzi remained in Italy for most of the time, his written work has spread all over the world. He is also related to the Italian medical doctors association.

What do the rest of you think?

"Wippers"?  Is that right over there next to the dilly-wompers?      

You can buy them from the Mugawumps...

YEP

LOL  

Part 3

I am glad I have this all on word.

Similarity No. 10: From Rev. 13:3 and Rev. 17:8, we see that the beast had a deadly wound that was healed or it was and is not, and yet is. This means that this beast, or last world power, came into being, then died, and then revived again. Of all the amazing similarities between the beast and the UN this is the one that should convince the most skeptical. Did you ever stop to realize that the same spirit that conceived the League of Nations after World War I is responsible for the United Nations of today. The League of Nations died because it did not have the support of its member nations to carry out and enforce its decisions. The League of Nations was a man-made, satan-conceived, plan to bring unity and peace to the earth without following the plan of the Prince of Peace, the Lord Jesus Christ. It died, but its deadly wound has been healed and today it's called the United Nations. It has the same spirit and the same purpose. Remember former President Herbert Hoover said, "the United Nations Charter follows every major pattern of the league of Nations."

Similarity No. 11: In Revelation 13:11-12, we have another beast coming up out of the earth with two horns like a lamb and spake as a dragon. Remember, now, beast represents kingdom, world power, nation, etc. (Dan. 7). This beast, I believe, represents the good old USA, and we have 5 reasons for believing that. (I know shock and horror, but wait theres more.)
1: It had horns "like a lamb," typifying Christianity. Was not this country started because men came to these shores looking for freedom where they could worship God according to the dictates of their own conscience? But alas, it has developed into a great world power and today to a great extent it is a military nation whose mighty voice (like the dragon) can be heard in the affairs of the world. Its Presidents and diplomats are prominent figures at the various world conferences.

2: This beast, Rev. 13:12, "causeth the earth and all them that dwell therein to worship the first beast whose deadly wound was healed." Verse 15 of Rev. 13 says, "And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast." Now let me ask you a question: what nation is most interested in and responsible for the UN? The idea, to begin with was conceived by one of our former Presidents, Woodrow Wilson. Today, where is the UN headquarters located? New York City. It's a known fact, the United States is the main power back of the UN. Remember the beast of Rev. 13:11 gives life to the image of the beast. Were it not for the life given the UN primarily by the United States it would be a lifeless image. Let's remember the UN has no life or power of its own. It's simply a lifeless image, or theory, without power and authority from other nations. President Eisenhower (in 1956) expressed this country's attitude and concern when he said, "The United Nations must not fail." Yes, this country by its active support of the UN is causing all the world to worship the UN. The word worship means to look to, trust in, co-operate with, obey. If the present trend continues to develop, power is going to be given the UN to force the nations of the earth to bow before her.

3: This beast of Rev. 13:11 "doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men." Rev. 13:13. This sounds like the atomic and hydrogen bomb. It's a known fact, such terrific heat is generated by these bombs until it... melts...disintegrates everything for miles around. The sand melted and became a solid sheet of glass from the test bombs exploded in Arizona. It is said that the steel tower from which the bomb dropped melted like wax. The eyes of the world were upon the United States after the atomic bombs were dropped upon Japan.

4: This second beast greatly impresses the rest of the world because of the great wonders and miracles. Rev. 13:13-14. Isn't it true that the United States with its knowledge and development of nuclear energy, along with its scientific know-how, is the amazement of the whole world. These facts enable the United States to cause the rest of the world to take knowledge of the UN.

5: This second beast is also the power that causes the rest of the world to receive the mark of the beast. I don't believe this mark means that men will literally be branded with irons. If it does, then God is also going to brand his people with irons. Rev. 7:3, 9:4, 14:1, 22:4. The key to understanding this mystery is found in the following scriptures. In Ezekiel 9:4 the mark or seal is put upon them that sigh and cry over the abominations of the city. In Ephesians 1:13, 4:30 and also in II Cor. 1:22, we see that God's seal is the Holy Spirit.

The reason forehead is mentioned as the place of the mark is because it means mind. People that have God's spirit in them have the mind of Christ. I Cor. 2:11-16. Romans 8:5-6 says, "For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." Now if God's seal is the Spirit giving us the mind of Christ, then Satan's seal or mark as it is called in Rev. 13:16 is the spirit of Satan giving wicked men the mind of Anti-Christ. Forehead means mind. The mark of the beast in the forehead simply means that they will be of the same mind. Mark in the right hand means agreement or co-operation. It's the right hand that we extend when we agree with someone. Those that refuse these marks which means to cooperate or to go along with the beast, will not be allowed to buy or sell.

What country played the leading role in bringing pressure upon Israel to get out of the Gaza strip? Uncle Sam did, under a headline titled, "UN Must Use Pressure in Mideast Situation."  "The United Nations has no choice but to exert pressure upon Israel." Isn't it significant to Bible scholars that Israel, Palestine, and the Middle East are so much in the news today. This is where the great buildup is going to be that brings the greatest battle, Armageddon, the world has ever seen to a climax. Before that battle takes place, the beast is going to receive power that he doesn't have in the beginning. After he receives this power the great tribulation known as the time of Jacob's trouble will begin. This will last 42 months or 3 1/2 years before the battle of Armageddon takes place. It's during this time that the beast is going to make himself known. This is when he will really take over and begin to assert himself in no uncertain terms. Matt. 24:15-22, Rev. 13:5-8.

To you that read these lines we are afraid it is later than we think. The midnight hour is fast approaching and great multitudes are not prepared. Many church members are like the five virgins of Matt. 25: they have lamps of profession, but no oil. And then, there are those that are still in and supporting Ecclesiastical Babylon, the great whore and her daughters.

Praise God, we are looking beyond the tribulation, when the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed. That stone which was cut out of the mountain without hands is going to smite the image, the beast. And then, hallelujah ; the stone is going to grow into a great mountain that shall fill the earth. Dan. 2:21-35.

Part 2

Because of these facts the world as a whole (including the religious world) will not recognize the beast or world power that brings in the great tribulation upon the world. Jesus said in Luke 21:35, "For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth." A snare is a clever trap that catches its prey when it least expects it, Paul also gives the same warning in I Thess. 5:2-3, "For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape." Think of it, as a thief in the night. The thief comes while you are sleeping soundly; takes your valuables and is gone. This thing is going to take place in just such a manner. In fact everyone will be saying, "Now we are going to have peace and safety. Friend, did you ever stop to realize that the whole purpose of the UN is to bring peace and safety to the world.

Remember also that Daniel 8:25 says the beast will by "peace destroy many." Under the guise of being an organization whose purpose is to bring peace to the earth, the UN now has 80 nations of the world as its members and supporters. Remember also that Rev. 13:7 says, "and power was given him over all kindreds and tongues, and nations." Isn't it a strange coincidence that the UN has under its wings practically all kindreds and tongues, and nations.

So far I have listed three remarkable similarities between the beast of Daniel and Revelation and the United Nations.
1. The beast will not be recognized as such, but will actually be looked upon as a deliverer. So is the United Nations.
2. The beast will, to begin with, use peace as its chief weapon. So does the UN.
3. The world will be under the influence of the beast. Isn't that true also of the United Nations and becoming more so each day.

Let's go on and note other remarkable similarities from the word of God. Similarity No. 4: According to Dan. 8:24, Rev. 13:7, and 17:13, the beast derives his power from other sources. Now that is exactly the case of the UN. It is entirely dependent upon its member nations to give it power. Only as they support it and stand back of its decisions can it assert itself.

Similarity No. 5: According to Dan. 2:40-43 the beast, or kingdom, as it is called by Daniel, will be clay and iron, typifying dictatorship and democracy causing division and weakness. Isn't that exactly what has taken place between the Western powers representing democracy and Russia and her followers representing dictatorship. Also notice Verse 43 of Dan. 2, which says, "they shall mingle themselves with the seed of man; but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay." How true this is of the UN which is made up of 80 different nations. If this isn't also characteristic of the confusion and disunity that has prevailed in the UN, then I don't know anything.

Similarity No. 6: In the beginning the beast doesn't have power to enforce its decisions. We find 10 of the nations who are of one mind getting together and giving their power and strength to the beast. Rev. 17:12-13. At this very moment while this article is being written, the leading nations of the UN are considering ways and means to give the UN power to enforce its decisions. The UN has its flag, its army, and is just waiting for the big powers to say, "I'll give you my power and strength." (Such as the Security council, which has 10 members.)

Similarity No. 7: The name Babylon is very significant. In Rev. 17:5 we have Babylon, the Great Whore, Mother of Harlots. Practically every student of the word recognizes this Babylon as apostate Christianity headed up under the Papacy. Her daughters are protestant christendom that are following in her steps in trying to build religious empires, and thus make a name for themselves. Now the second Babylon we have in view is the beast's confederated empire or the last form of Gentile world power. To begin with, we find ecclesiastical Babylon, the great whore, riding on the back of the beast, political Babylon. But we find the ten kings of Rev. 17:12-13 turn on the great whore and destroy her, Rev. 17:16-17, "And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast; these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. For God hath put in their hearts to fulfill his will, and to agree and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled."

The word Babylon originated at the tower of Babel (Gen. 11) and means confusion. What happened at the tower of Babel was simply men getting together and saying, let's unite together, and build us a great city and tower (or civilization) lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the earth. Now the thing that was wrong was they did not seek God's face in the matter. They were presumptuous, selfwilled, and made their own plans ignoring God and leaving Him out completely.

Friends, God already has his plans made regarding this old world and the coming kingdom, and the sooner mankind learns this the better off he will be. In the meantime, manmade plans and schemes are doomed to fail. The beast of Revelation is called Babylon along with the great whore because the presumptuous and selfwilled spirit of Satan that was in man at the tower of Babel is in them. It's simply man trying to make himself a universal kingdom without God. That is the spirit that dominates the political and religious world. The basic sin responsible for this is self-worship instead of God. It's the same spirit that was in old Lucifer that caused him to say, "I will ascend into heaven; I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation in the sides of the North. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High." Isa. 14:13-14.

What is the United Nations, but another attempt at world unity without God. It has also turned out to be another Babel, for we have had nothing but confusion.

It seems to me if there was one iota of real faith in God and the Bible, some of our leaders could see that the United Nations is a satanic and unholy alliance that could never result in anything but confusion. How God hates such an abomination. To think that they can yoke up together atheistic, Christ- rejecting heathen nations with all kinds of religions that deny Jesus Christ along with God-hating and God-defying Russia, and still have God's blessing upon them is more that I can understand. Can you imagine Christ and the devil getting together and solving the world's problems.

Oh, if President Bush would only call congress together like the Prophets used to call the elders of the Israel together and read the Word, then seek the face of God - but that will not happen, the scriptures will be fulfilled.

Similarity No. 8: In Rev. 17:3, we find the woman, the great whore, riding upon the beast. This simply means that the woman (the apostate church) will be sustained and supported by the beast (the last Gentile world power). Strange as it may seem but yet fulfilling the scriptures, the present Pope has spoken very highly of the UN and commended it for its role in world affairs. And if the UN continues to grow in power and influence (we believe it will) the whole apostate church world including Rome and her daughters will be only too glad to ride upon the back of the UN.

Similarity No. 9: In Rev. 13:3, 17:8, we notice that the whole world wondered after the beast. Isn't that exactly what is taking place today! The eyes of the world are upon the UN. You cannot pick up a newspaper that does not carry the news regarding the development in the UN. Also if the UN gets the Power to enforce its decisions the world will be saying, "Who can make war against the UN?" Rev. 13:4.

Part 1

Revelation 13:1-3, "And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power and his seat and great authority. And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death: and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast." Read also Daniel 7: 7-26.

The eyes of the world today are upon the United Nations. The vast majority of civilized nations are looking to the United Nations to solve the world's problems. To many, it is the last hope for peace in a war-weary world, a world that is dominated by cosmic principles of force, greed, selfishness, ambition, pleasure, and international rivalry.

The following article, datelined Washington, December 27, 1956, perfectly illustrates the attitude and opinion of great men regarding the United Nations and its predecessor, The League of Nations. Woodrow Wilson, born 100 years ago tomorrow, was eulogized tonight as a peace-maker, administrator and one of 'our five or six greatest presidents. 'Tributes came from President Eisenhower and former President Truman and Hoover as part of an international observance of the Wilson Centennial. Eisenhower's statement, prepared for a ceremony in Paris, France, tomorrow was made public by the Woodrow Wilson Centennial Celebration Commission here. 'Wilson's defense of human rights and liberties makes him a splendid symbol of the enduring friendship that has bound our countries together since the days of Lafayette,' Eisenhower said 'Wilson's concept of a great family of nations living peacefully together and ruled with justice under law is still our dedicated goal.' The Paris observance takes special note of Wilson's help in creating the League of Nations after World War I. Truman wrote the commission he thought that William Jennings Bryan 'did the country a major service in bringing about Woodrow Wilson's nomination. I am pleased indeed that your efforts are being directed toward giving Woodrow Wilson his proper place among our five or six greatest presidents,' Truman added. Former President Hoover praised Wilson as 'one of the best administrative minds we have ever had in the White House.' As a young man, Hoover served under Wilson during World War I and Paris peace conference. Hoover said the United Nations charter follows every major pattern of the covenant of the League of Nations adding: 'No greater monument, than this could be erected to the ideas and ideals of Woodrow Wilson.'

Despite what men may say or the world may think, is the UN of God or Satan? If it's of God it should have our prayers and support. If it's of Satan it should be exposed and condemned. The only way we can possibly find the answer to these questions is to examine the UN in the light of God's word, the Bible.

What is the UN? It's an attempt by man to bring peace and unity to the earth by means of a world organization, Please note we said it was an attempt by man, because God was left out to begin with. God's word plainly says, "But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived." II Tim. 3:13. "For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom," Matt. 24:7. These conditions will characterize the age at the time of the appearance of the world power known to Bible scholars as the beast of Revelation 13 and Daniel 7:7.

Please note the following remarkable similarities of the UN to this last form of Gentile world power. The beast of Rev. and Dan., that will exercise such great power over the earth at the time of the return of Christ, will be on the world scene without men being aware of it. To begin with this great power will appear as the very thing the world needs to solve its difficult problems. Instead of appearing as a monstrous power to destroy and made desolate, it will appear as the Saviour of a bewildered world that is looking for a way out. Daniel 8:25 says the beast will "by peace destroy many."

This last Gentile world power will be Satan's masterpiece for deception. Many Bible scholars have taught the people to look for a revival of the old Roman Empire. Some are looking for some power such as Russia to take over by brute military force. Russia, it's true will be a part of this power, Ezekiel 38, and will play a leading role; but so will the whole Gentile world of organized nations. There will come a showdown and we find that 10 nations who will be of one mind are going to give their strength and power to the beast. Rev. 17:12-13.

God knows that non-spiritual students of the world would try to figure these things out without revelation from the Holy Spirit. It's true, His real anointed are going to see the truth as the prophecies unfold. Jesus would never said, "When ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the door," unless He intended for someone to understand. The truth is, it won't be the great theological minds that the religious world is looking to. Isaiah 29:13-14. "Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near with their mouth, and with their lips do honor me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men; therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvelous work among this people, even a marvelous work and a wonder; for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid." In contrast to this God's word says, II Cor. 1:26-29, "For ye see your calling, brethren, how not many wise men after the flesh not many mighty, not many noble, are called; but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea and things which are not, to bring to naught things that are; that no flesh should glory in his presence."

O sorry DreamWeaver are you a Jew?

No, my roots go back to England, Italy, France, Germany,Ireland, and Scotland.  

And I have just found out, one of my ancesters was born in  Akko, Palestine. So I may have Jewish blood in me. She was  born in 1272. EEK!!  

Dreamweaver,

Do you have any contributions to add to this?

Ha!!

Everything I could add has been covered.  

Part 2

The mission of the World Council is as follows:

The World Council of Religious and Spiritual Leaders aims to serve as a model and guide for the creation of a community of world religions. It seeks to inspire women and men of all faiths in the pursuit of peace and mutual understanding. It will undertake initiatives to provide the spiritual resources of the world’s religious traditions to assist the United Nations and its agencies in the prevention, resolution and healing of conflicts, and in addressing global social and environmental problems. By promoting the practice of the universal human values shared by all religious traditions, and by uniting the human community for times of world prayer and meditation, the Council seeks to aid in developing the inner qualities and external conditions needed for the creation of a more peaceful, just and sustainable world society.

Council Structure

The Steering Committee acknowledged a dual role for the Council – one focused on inner transformation for the improvement of the world, and another that addresses the external conditions leading to conflict and injustice. The Council will need to include religious leaders from the contemplative traditions with knowledge of how to bring about inner change, as well as those committed to conflict resolution and programs of social action.

It was agreed that the Summit Secretariat will select the interim co-chairs to help set up the initial meeting of the Council. As each religious tradition includes a range of denominations, the interim co-chairs should have the backing of their religious tradition. They will help nominate religious leaders for participation on the Council. At the initial meeting of the Council, co-chairs for the first two-year term will be selected.

Criteria for participation includes a commitment to the global interreligious work of the Council, the degree of authority wielded by their position within the religious world, and their ability to contribute to the contemplative or peacebuilding/social action goals of the Council. Some may not hold positions of senior authority within their religious tradition (i.e., as will be the case with most women), but their spiritual achievements may warrant a position on the Council.

The Council will initially consist of approximately 50-75 religious leaders, representing the major faith traditions as well as indigenous traditions, and all regions of the world.

A small Group of Experts will be created, which will include internationally recognized scholars of religion. This group will help draft the Charter for the Council.

An Advisory Board of 12 to 15 business, government and thought leaders will also be selected to help create the bridge between religion, government and the financial community. This board will help raise the funds to implement the programs of the Council. An operating budget would be developed once the Council gets underway.

Responding to World Situation

A key question was asked during the meeting of the Steering Committee regarding how the Council, if it were already established, could respond to the events of September 11th. A number of recommendations were made, ranging from organizing world prayers, to issuing public statements, to taking out advertisements disavowing any connection between Islam and the terrorist activities. One participant mentioned that communications would be an important function of the Council. For the Council to be effective, it will need a strong communications platform. The purpose of the Council is to raise the voices of religious leaders – in some degree of unison. This would be the function of the Secretariat of the Council, which would serve as a coordinating body among the Council members, to ensure that strong public statements are issued in response to critical events.

Another response of the Council to the current world situation could be to put together a task force to visit Afghanistan and identify a few key religious leaders from the region to work with the Council as part of the international community. Just as political leaders are reaching out to Afghanistan’s new government, religious leaders will now have a body through which to function on a global platform.

Next Steps – Meeting of Council at United Nations in Bangkok

Due to concern over growing religious tensions in Asia, it was suggested that the first meeting of the Council take place in Asia. Since the headquarters of the United Nations in Asia is in Bangkok, it was agreed that we would seek to have this first Council meeting at the United Nations ESCAP facility in Bangkok. Meetings were held with UN officials in Bangkok after the October meeting of the Steering Committee, and they welcomed the idea of holding the Council meeting there. Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University in Bangkok has agreed to serve as a co-host. The Summit Secretariat will work with the UN and the university to organize all the logistics of the 3-day meeting. The basic goal is to develop better understanding of the underlying causes for the religious tension in different parts of Asia and how the religions can address these causes.

The dates selected for the first meeting of the Council are June 12-14, 2002. The interim co-chairs are helping with the selection of religious leaders to this first meeting of the Council. Invitation letters will go out in February. The Experts Group will help prepare the Charter for the Council and aid in the development of background material for the agenda.

The Summit Secretariat will work with the co-chairs and Steering Committee members in the development of the list of invitees for the first Council meeting and in the preparation of the meeting program.


Sorry Dale I had Nelson Mandela for a different post  

Formation of World Council of Religious and Spiritual Leaders
Report of Steering Committee Meeting and Plan for Initial Meeting of Council

Objectives of Steering Committee Meeting

One of the stated goals of the Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders that took place at the United Nations in August 2000 was to set in motion the process for the formation of a World Council of Religious and Spiritual Leaders. This Council will be a permanent body and function as a resource for the Secretary-General and the United Nations in their efforts to build a lasting peace.

The growth in interfaith activity over the last decade leading up to the Summit has already laid much of the groundwork for such a Council. The unique role of the World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders is to forge an alliance of religious and spiritual leaders with the United Nations, an ideal forum in which to address world problems. The outcome of the Summit was the signing of a Commitment to Global Peace, in which religious leaders accepted religious diversity, condemned all violence perpetrated in the name of religion, and committed themselves to fostering mutual respect among their communities. These principles will be the foundation for the Council.

During the World Peace Summit, numerous small group meetings were held to discuss the process for establishing a World Council of Religious and Spiritual Leaders. It was agreed that a Steering Committee should be established to think through the mission, structure and activities of this Council.

On October 22-24, 2001, with the support of the Better World Fund, approximately twenty-five religious and spiritual leaders from the major faith traditions and many regions of the world came together at the Rockefeller Brothers Conference Center in Pocantico Hills, New York. Because the meeting came upon the heels of the devastating events of September 11th, tragically perpetrated by religious extremists, a number of the Steering Committee members from the Middle East and Asia could not join the meeting in person but did participate by telephone.

The objectives of the Steering Committee meeting were to:

•   Assess the need for a World Council of Religious and Spiritual Leaders;
•   Explore how a Council would be structured and funded;
•   Discuss how the Council could respond to the current world crisis; and
•   Determine next steps.


Need for a World Council

Currently, no organizational body exists where religious leaders from the major faith traditions can come together to provide guidance to the human community on critical issues. Today, as they have for centuries, religious voices speak out individually, each addressing their own religious community. There is no means for issuing joint statements to demonstrate the convergence of the religious traditions on key matters.

While these voices often express similar ideas and values, they tend to reach only the adherents of their respective faiths. Stronger collaboration by the religious leadership would positively impact the global community. There was consensus among the Steering Committee that world circumstances in the one year since the Summit – the increase in violence in the Middle East and the terror attacks of September 11 – have heightened the need and readiness of religious communities for a World Council, which could provide a stimulus for greater cooperation.

A main function of the Council would be to build a community of world religions to serve as a model and guide for the nations and peoples of the world.

Mission of the Council

The Steering Committee identified four major thrusts for the Council:

•   Fostering the universal values intrinsic to all religions.
•   Upholding and celebrating religious and ethnic diversity by cultivating an attitude of mutual respect.
•   Employing the moral power of religion to address major social and environmental challenges.
•   Encouraging times of world prayer and meditation to aid in the transformation in global consciousness toward greater unity


Post-September 11th, religious leaders recognize the need to move beyond what they have done in the past and to create a new entity that will serve the entire world community with a new vision that includes an acceptance of others. Isolated religious communities will no longer be able to achieve this larger human goal on their own. The mandate is to see all faiths as part of one family. The need is to transform religious points of view from an exclusive to inclusive way of thinking. As the Archbishop of Canterbury said in a recent conversation, “We need to redefine our theologies for the modern age.” While it may not yet be clear what this “redefining” entails, the movement emerging from the Summit, and quickened by the events of September 11, is toward a refocusing on what the religions have in common, rather that how they differ.

This refocusing will enable religious communities to engage with each other in a way that promotes harmony rather than division. An easing of religious tensions will provide the human community with a greater capacity to address the true problems of our era.

The formation of a community of world religions will be the essential mission of a newly created World Council of Religious and Spiritual Leaders. Its activities will be geared toward building cooperation at the highest level across all faith traditions. The Council will provide opportunities for the world’s religious leaders to come together on a regular basis to address critical issues. Ultimately, it will help create a shift in the thinking and behavior of people, and aid in fostering greater acceptance of other traditions and a new sense of shared global responsibility.

Religious leaders have a unique asset – their spiritual resources. An important function of the Council will entail fostering spiritual practices on a global scale – such as world prayers in times of crisis.

Part 2 is in the next post

[God]

I had to walk into town today (8 miles round trip,) it was raining and hailing. I got what I needed from the store and started back home. About half a mile from the store I asked God[/b] if he would stop the rain and hail long enough for me to get home. Guess what, it stopped raining and hailing. The moon came out and I had a light all the way home, (via full moon.) The whole trip took me five hours.

Praise God[/b] in the highest.

The reason my trip took so long you are wondering. I am physcially disabled.

DreamWeaver,
Reading your post on the U.N. neither weakened nor strengthened my opinion.  The U.N. is the most dangerous threat to freedom and U.S. sovereignty since the Soviet Union.  God willing, a blue and white flag will not fly over my home as long as I am able to physically defend my home.  To me, that blue and white flag is the next worst thing to 666.  In fact, it could be the next step toward the mark.

I agree with you, a blue and white will not fly over my home. The U.N. is the biggest threat to any sovereignty that does not agree, to the U.N., unfortanly.
But in my opinion (yes I have beileved this for many years,) The U.N. is a threat to the United States and England. When other countries do something wrong they say, Bad Boy now don't do it again. The United States and England do something wrong is curse you osksbliauo;jvi!$%% blah, blah. Then the fines come, why aren't the other countries fined?? Who knows.