Saturday, February 13, 2021

Aspects of the One World Religion

The following excerpt was obtained through the article, One World Religion on RationalWiki.

One world religion refers to the idea of the establishment of a single global religion, formed by a merger of all existing religions.

Some see this prospect positively, seeing all religions as ultimately one, and envisioning their peaceful union as they all come to realize their essential oneness. This idea is at times associated with New Age thought.

Others see this prospect negatively—many premillennialist Christians believe that the Antichrist will establish one world religion, based on Satanism and the occult, during the End Times, associated with one world government. Contrary to New Age views which see this as a peaceful development, they believe that the one world government will impose the one world religion by force, and that those who refuse to accept it will be persecuted, tortured and/or executed. They generally see ecumenical policy as a step toward this world religion.

Those with a basic grasp of global politics or theology view the establishment of one world religion as extremely unlikely. They see the religions of the world as too fundamentally different for a peaceful union between them to ever be attainable (hindus say there are many gods, abrahamics say there is only one God, pantheists say that the universe is God, Buddhists don't believe in any gods, etc), and doubt that there would ever exist any government with sufficient power to forcibly unite all the world's major religions into one.

Ironically, in fundamentalist circles (especially Christian ones) the desire for religious supremacy actually reflects this very concept.

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POSITIVE ASPECT...

The following article was obtained through the website, All About Spirituality.

New Age is a compilation of metaphysical, Eastern-influenced thought systems. These thought systems unite theology, nature, and philosophy. This movement comprises countless "theologies" that often center on religious tolerance and moral diversity. The main phrases (or "isms") that reveal the focal point of New Age thought are "feel-goodism" (do whatever feels good, as long as you are not hurting someone else), "moral relativism" (situational ethics), and "pluralism" (universal tolerance). The phrase "New Age" refers to the "Aquarian Age" which, according to New Age supporters, is now beginning. This Age is expected to bring in peace and enlightenment, as well as reunite humans with "god." New Age doctrine says that humans are currently estranged from god due to a lack of insight concerning god's real nature and reality. In New Age understanding, mankind is central. Humans are considered to be divine, as co-creators, and as the ultimate hope for the future of the world. Although New Age is generally tolerant of almost any world religion or philosophy, it is opposed to the "narrow-mindedness" of Christianity that teaches Jesus Christ is the only way to eternal salvation. New Age philosophy is complicated to define because there is no centralized hierarchy, doctrine, or membership. At its foundation, the New Age movement is a religious system with two main doctrines: Evolutionary Godhood and Global Unity.

New Age: The Doctrine of Evolutionary Godhood

Generally, New Age thought supports the theory of organic evolution, but extends the concept to the evolution of the spirit. This is the concept of "Evolutionary Godhood," where the next step in evolution won't be physical, but spiritual. The principles of evolution are constantly moving mankind toward god-consciousness, where man and reality connect in unified enlightenment. The "fittest" already understand this reality, while the "unfit" (such as Christians and other proponents of dogmatic worldviews) act as a hindrance to evolutionary forces. Many New Age practices are designed to accelerate the evolutionary push into the spiritual realms. These practices include: (i) astral projection, which is training your soul to leave your body and travel around; (ii) channeling spirits, so they may speak through you or guide you; (iii) crystal usage, which purifies the energy systems of your body and mind; and (iv) visualization techniques, which include everything from basic mental imagery to role playing of animals or divine creatures. In a nutshell, Evolutionary Godhood means that mankind will soon see itself as god. This is often referred to as the "Christ principle" or "Christ consciousness." New Age teaches that we are basically good and inherently divine, and ultimately, we can create our own reality.

New Age: The Doctrine of Global Unity

The second major doctrine of the New Age movement is "Global Unity." This concept typically consists of three parts:

Man Unified With Man. One New Age principle is that we will all realize our proper divine relationship with one another and achieve pure harmony through the acceptance of this divine knowledge. With relational harmony comes economic unity. With economic unity, we can achieve political unity (a single world government) and spiritual unity (a one world religion).

Man Unified With Nature. Another New Age principle is that god is everything, and everything is god. Therefore, nature is also part of god. We must be in harmony with nature. We must nurture it and be nurtured by it. Mankind is no different than any other animal. We must live in harmony with them, understand them, and learn from them. Actually, many in the New Age movement refer to the union of earth and nature as "Gaia." Gaia is revered, respected, and even worshipped as a god by some. American Indian rituals are also popular in the New Age movement because they focus on the elements of nature and man's relationship to them.

Man Unified With God. Since man is divine by nature, all people can realize their "divinity" and contribute to the unified purpose of man, earth and nature. The ultimate goal in life is to fully realize our own divine goodness. The New Age god is impersonal and omnipresent. He (it) has not revealed himself (itself) to mankind, and therefore, mankind is not accountable to any notions of moral law or absolute truth. There is no objective morality in the New Age philosophy. We should have tolerance for all systems of truth, meaning and purpose. We should create a world of pure relativism, where morality and religion are strictly relative to each person's individual notion of reality itself.

Related Articles:

New Age Theology                     

New Age Religion of the New World Order                                                 

Our Children - The Primary Target of the New Age One-World Religion

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NEGATIVE ASPECT...

The following article was obtained through the website, Compelling Truth.

What is the one-world religion described in Revelation?

What will be the one-world religion of the end times?

Revelation 17 speaks of a "great prostitute" (or "great harlot") that is generally understood as a metaphor for a false religion that will exist during the tribulation period. Many have debated the identity of this religion, with some arguing the Roman Catholic Church, Islam, or another large religious movement will be the end-times, one-world religion.

However, it is more likely that the false religion of the last days will consist of an inclusive religion that allows for a pluralistic view of God. This would include even liberal monotheistic groups that see "all religions as one" and are willing to worship the Antichrist in the last days.

Whatever this religion is, it will certainly exclude any faith that is exclusive and refuses to worship the Antichrist or his image. Revelation 17:6 states, "And I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of the martyrs of Jesus." This false religion will permit and even encourage the death of those who follow Jesus during the tribulation.

Further, this false end-times religion will include sexual immorality (Revelation 17:2). It will also likely have its headquarters in Rome, often described even in New Testament times as Babylon (Revelation 17:5; 1 Peter 5:13).

Some see this false religion as short lived since the Antichrist will demand people worship him at the midpoint of the tribulation (Revelation 13). However, this religion may continue and include worship of the Antichrist. It will be opposed to Christians, as well as reject the Jews since the Antichrist will defile the temple as the abomination of desolation (Matthew 24:15).

Ultimately, the deception during this time will be so great that Jesus taught, "For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect" (Matthew 24:24).

Some wonder if this one world religion already exists today. The specific one world religion of the end times cannot be fully developed until the tribulation when the Antichrist rules. However, the growth in religious pluralism, interfaith dialogue that promotes the idea that all religions are equal, and the erroneous teachings that many ways lead to God or to heaven all exist today. These views certainly foreshadow what Scripture predicts will be more prevalent in the future when the world unites under one religion under the power of the Antichrist.

The apostle Paul warned Timothy about this concern, saying, "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths" (2 Timothy 4:3-4). As believers, we must study and live by the truth, avoiding the false teachings of our time.

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Monday, February 1, 2021

James Dobson: Biden 'regime' would bring 'moral depravity'

The following article was obtained through the website WND and written by Bob Unruh.

'An open season on the unborn child' (Published November 17, 2020)

James Dobson previously described Joe Biden's declared support of transgender surgery for children as "lunacy."

Now, the evangelical leader is warning of much more to come should the Democratic ticket be confirmed the winner of the disputed 2020 election. 

[Biden was officially sworn in as President of the United States on January 20, 2021 - W?R]

"I won’t speculate on the voting controversy," he wrote in a newsletter to supporters. "If, however, American citizens have handed over the reins of power to the Biden/Harris ticket, it is important that we examine the platform on which they ran. Elections have consequences, as we know."

Dobson, the founder of the James Dobson Family Institute and the host of the "Family Talk" radio program, said the "promises made in writing and on the campaign trail should disturb every conservative Christian."

He began with the "sanctity of life" issue, noting Biden "has told us emphatically that he will bring an open season on the unborn child."

Dobson cited a LifeNews report of Biden's abortion agenda:
  • He will force Americans to fund abortions during his first week in office;
  • He will implement abortion on demand nationwide without any limits;
  • He will force Americans to fund Planned Parenthood, the biggest abortion provider;
  • He will force Christians such as the Little Sisters of the Poor to fund abortions in their health insurance plans;
  • And he will stack the courts with pro-abortion judges who would keep abortions legal for decades to come.
"That should break the heart of every lover of God’s children," Dobson wrote. "We, as American citizens, will be complicit in the deaths of millions. How can Joe Biden say he wants to be president of ALL the American people? What does he have to say to the half of us who vigorously oppose abortion on demand, paid for by taxpayers through nine months of pregnancy and perhaps beyond, in America and, by inference, in nations around the world?"

Dobson said that if Donald Trump "has been the pro-life president, Joe Biden will be the radical abortion president from his inauguration forward. If Biden does become president, I will do what I can to oppose his pro-death policies every day he is in office."

But there's more.

"Biden’s regime will also usher in other forms of moral depravity. For example, he recently suggested that kids as young as eight or ten years old should be able to undergo irreversible transsexual transformation. That’s what the man said! Kamala Harris, who may be our next vice president, said she wants this country to legalize all prostitution. What other moral outrage will come from this godless administration? Heaven only knows!"

Then there's Biden's support for "open borders," which means "people around the world will be invited to enter this country legally and take up permanent residence within it. From the day of their arrival, they will be entitled to free welfare, free legal services, free medical care, free education, and who knows what else."

And he will spend "trillions" on the "foolishness of the Green New Deal," a plan that could bankrupt America.

"The institution of the family will find no friends in the White House or in the halls of Congress. Taxes are likely to skyrocket for middle-class parents and others. We can also expect unprecedented assaults on religious liberty and churches could be stripped of constitutional protection. Also at risk are our Bill of Rights, the Second Amendment, and other provisions within the U.S. Constitution. Democrats are talking about defunding the police and even the military. Radical change is about to descend on the nation. America is about to be over-run by the most leftist regime in history," Dobson warned.

He said Trump is partly responsible for the "change of trajectory" over the last four years.

"I believe God gave America a spiritual reprieve" in an era that now apparently is passing, Dobson said.

He acknowledged Trump "isn’t a perfect man, and his relationship with the Lord is a very private matter."

"But he attempted during the first four years of his presidency to get acquainted with, to honor, and to learn from Christian leaders," Dobson said. "He is very close to Rev. Franklin Graham, Dr. Robert Jeffress, Rev. Paula White, Dr. Jack Graham, former Governor Mike Huckabee, and at least 30 others, including myself."

He pointed out that Trump is the first president to celebrate the National Day of Prayer in the Rose Garden.

He is "the most pro-life president in American history. He is the only chief executive to have spoken at the March for Life, which is an annual remembrance of the millions of babies aborted since Roe v. Wade in 1973. One of Trump’s most significant decisions has been the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to be an associate justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. She never wavered on her pro-life beliefs even during her contentious confirmation hearings."

The media and his political opponents "hammered him every day for four years."

"There was never a respite. President Trump arose every morning knowing he would be unfairly ridiculed and attacked from morning to night. This criticism began before he was elected and continued throughout his presidency. Nevertheless, he stood like a rock and his list of accomplishments could fill a book," Dobson said.

However, Dobson said, God is still "in charge."

"I believe the Almighty has had His hand of protection on this land since the days of its founding fathers. Our ancestors cried out to Him at Valley Forge, Gettysburg, Midway, and Normandy. I don’t believe He has forsaken us now. So how do we explain the predicament that confronts us? I don’t know. Millions of people have been praying about the outcome of this election because we knew it would have such profound moral and spiritual implications. But who can discern the mind of God?

"I grappled with such matters in my book, 'When God Doesn’t Make Sense.' I wrote one morning after pacing back and forth in my study, 'We must never forget that He is God. He is majestic and holy and sovereign. He is accountable to no one. He is not an errand boy who chases the assignments we dole out. He is not a genie who pops out of the bottle to satisfy our whims. He is not our servant—we are His. And our reason for existence is to glorify and honor Him . . . even when nothing makes sense. I then heard Him say, 'Trust Me.''"

He pointed out he previously had condemned America's "popular culture" as "utterly wicked."

"If that is accurate, how could a nation murder 62 million babies, fresh from the hand of the Creator, without expecting judgment to fall upon them? Clearly, we stand guilty before Him. … If this explains the disaster that has now befallen this great nation, there is only one biblical response. It is repentance. It is for us to kneel humbly before our righteous and all-seeing God and beg for forgiveness, both corporately and individually. That alone will save us."

Dr. James Dobson
Dobson has dedicated his career as a psychologist, Christian leader and broadcaster to "preserving the biblical institutions of marriage and family by encouraging, inspiring, supporting, and leading parents and children to build their lives on God’s Word." 

His radio broadcasts are heard weekdays on more than 1,300 radio outlets. He's written 71 books on the family, and he's advised five U.S. presidents on family issues. Along with an earned Ph.D., he holds 17 honorary doctoral degrees, and reaches hundreds of thousands regularly with his newsletters.