POPE BENEDICT XVI Made His Inflammatory Remarks the PHILADELPHIA

NOT HIS FAULT? ANGRY IN THE UK GUIDE TO DEEPER A new study says you can’t How the British have enabled hate-loving, extremist Islamism FRIENDSHIPS blame teens for being rude. to infect their nation from within How to gain more from them november-december 2006 THE PHILADELPHIA www.thetrumpet.com TRUMPET

Lighting Islam’s Fuse Why POPE BENEDICT XVI made his inflammatory remarks THE PHILADELPHIA

TRUMPET NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2006 Vol. 17, No. 10 Circ. 288,000 4 11 16 37

WORLD LIVING 11 Germany’s Corporate 26 How to Deepen Your Blitzkrieg Friendships The hostile takeover of foreign They lift you when you’re down, businesses by Europe’s economic keep you in line, even lengthen powerhouse your life. Are you making the most of them? 15 A Leaner, Meaner Japan 37 Commentary: Must Meet the new prime minister. Teens Be Rude? The biology of bad behavior

BRITAIN RELIGION 16 The Sickness in Britain’s Heart BOOK EXCERPT The British have enabled 29 The Self-Appointed extremist Islamism to infect Apostle their nation from within. Herbert W. Armstrong’s 18 How Britain Learned successor took the one title to Hate Itself that was never given to him. WORLD SOCIETY 1 From the Editor: Why You 22 WORLDWATCH 34 SOCIETYWATCH Must Watch Europe EUROPE Germany Securing FAMILY The 19-Minute Mother Events in the Middle East are Eastern Front ■ Europe Buying ■ BIRTH CONTROL Morning- troublesome—but the real story is Out U.S. Company ■ Economic After Pill Can Cause Abortion what is happening in Europe. Growth Accelerates ■ JAPAN ■ Sex Offender Ruled Too Short Pressure Mounts to Go Nuclear 2 On Jerusalem’s Doorstep for Jail ■ HOMOSEXUALITY Cali- ■ MIDDLE EAST Hezbollah’s fornia’s Business Bashing Success Hurts Egypt’s Mubarak ■ Homosexual Ed at Child Care 4 Lighting Islam’s Fuse ■ Israel to Give Up Golan For The pope’s comments about Islam sparked “Peace” With Syria? ■ LATIN a reaction—but not just from Muslims. AMERICA China Moving Into DEPARTMENTS 8 U.S. Backyard Why He Did It 32 Key of David Television Log 10 Benedict’s War Cabinet 36 Letters

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Box 3700, Edmond, ok 73083, U.S. FROM THE EDITOR Why You Must Watch Europe vents in the Middle East have dominated global largely comprise what has been known, since a.d. 554, as the news headlines this past year. There is no doubt that Holy Roman Empire. events in this region threaten global peace and war- The Holy Roman Empire is rising out of the events unfolding rant our attention. But we must realize that there is an in the Middle East! evenE greater trend we should be watching. In many ways, the The main point of conflict between Europe and Iran will Middle East is a sideshow compared to this ominous threat. be Jerusalem. Historically, that city has always been the focal We must watch Europe now more than ever. Too many peo- point. We must watch Jerusalem! ple, particularly the global news media, are allowing circum- As European troops marched into Lebanon, the world cele- stances in the Middle East to REUTERS brated the idea of their bringing distract them from what is stir- peace to the region. People be- ring in Europe. Are you aware lieve European forces will pro- that Europe is beginning to tect Jerusalem. The Bible reveals react strongly to events unfold- the opposite: It tells us that, very ing in the Middle East? It is re- soon, they are going to destroy alizing that it must rise to meet Jerusalem—if the Jews in Israel Iran and its radical Islamist don’t listen to God and hear henchmen. God’s message. (You can read Notice this prophecy in Dan- about these events in my book- iel 11:40: “And at the time of the let Jerusalem in Prophecy.) end shall the king of the south The fact that Germany and push at him: and the king of the other European nations are north shall come against him so involved in peacekeeping like a whirlwind, with chariots, operations shows a dramatic and with horsemen, and with shift taking place. American many ships; and he shall enter OPPORTUNITY Angela Merkel’s Germany will take the helm of the influence in the Middle East is into the countries, and shall EU in 2007. “[E]xpectations for the German presidency are huge.” shrinking, and European in- overflow and pass over.” fluence is increasing. For some Iran leads this “king of the south” (request our free booklet time, Europe has been growing more engaged in Israel’s peace The King of the South). The Iranians are really pushing these process with the Arabs. Regarding Europe’s involvement in the days. That is what recent events in the Middle East have been— Lebanon/Israel crisis, EUbusiness.com reported, “It was a new the war in Lebanon, the terrorist activity in the Gaza Strip, step in moving the Union away from simply being the region’s Sinai Peninsula and West Bank. Iran is pushing its weight biggest provider of aid to an honest broker increasingly accept- around! And it will continue to push until somebody stops it. ed by all sides, with growing political leverage” (September 1, Somebody will stop it! Note in the above scripture that emphasis mine throughout). Europe is seeing what’s happening the “king of the north” responds to this push from the king of in the Middle East and is rising to meet the challenge. the south. Even now we are seeing this king of the north, this In January, Germany will take over the presidency of the European superpower, react to the push from the king of the European Union. Andreas Maurer, EU expert at the German south. This trend is about to rapidly intensify. Institute for International and Security Affairs, recently stat- The Gesenius’ Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon says the word push ed, “The expectations for the German presidency are huge. in Daniel 11:40 means to strike or to push with a horn; it is Everybody is expecting that Berlin will make a big difference” used of horned animals, or of a victor who prostrates nations (United Press International, September 6). With Germany at before him. It also means to wage war. Push is a violent word. the head, we can expect great changes in Europe. Anyone who knows history should see how events in the Watch for Europe to become more involved with Israel, es- Middle East will jolt Europe. Already Europe has mobilized in pecially Jerusalem. This rising Holy Roman Empire has already response to this summer’s war between Hezbollah and Israel. taken over the Balkans (this is explained in my booklet The Ris- Most of the troops that have moved into Lebanon to keep the ing Beast)—and now it has its steely eyes set on Jerusalem! peace are European. Italy is there with ground troops. Germa- Iran and its radical henchmen are thrusting the Middle ny is there with its naval force and soldiers. These two nations East into crisis. Jerusalem is surrounded by Islamist enemies.

THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2006 1 FROM THE EDITOR Now Europe, including Germany, has been invited to Lebanon European leaders are seeing the need for strong action! They to keep Israel safe. Germany is becoming a global leader and are recognizing problems, then looking at their own history, chief peacekeeper. and saying, we need to revive our roots. We must remember the history of Germany and the rest of That is the message Pope John Paul ii brought. He worked Europe. World War ii, which Germany started, was so terrible feverishly to revive the Holy Roman Empire. Early in his pon- that Western leaders from both sides of the Atlantic spoke out tificate, in Spain, on Nov. 9, 1982, he said this: “[I]t can be said strongly to assure people Germany would never rise up to strike that the European identity is not understandable without again. President Franklin Roosevelt and Prime Minister Win- Christianity and that precisely in Christianity are found those ston Churchill issued this joint statement in 1945: “It is our in- common roots by which the Continent has seen its civilization flexible purpose to destroy German militarism and Nazism, and mature: its culture, its dynamism, its activity, its capacity for to ensure that Germany will never again be able to disturb the constructive expansion in other continents as well; in a word, peace of the world. We are determined to disarm and disband all that makes up its glory. … all German armed forces, break up for all time the German gen- “Find yourself again. Be yourself. Discover your origins, eral staff that has repeatedly contrived the resurgence of German revive your roots. Return to those authentic values militarism.” They had done this so often! which made your history a glorious one and your presence Have we forgotten that history? Has France forgotten that it so beneficent in the other continents.” was invaded by Germany four times in a hundred years? Have But what exactly are those roots? Charlemagne, the forefather we forgotten that Germany caused World War i and World of the Holy Roman Empire, waded through seas of blood to con- War ii? It appears we have—because the Bible says it is going vert people to his empire and to Roman Catholicism. During to start World War iii! the Inquisition, over 50 million innocent people were killed Revelation 13 and 17 speak extensively about the beastly power in the name of “Christianity”! And you can add many mil- that will rise out of Europe in this end time. We must watch how lions more as vic- events in the Middle East facilitate the rise of this European su- tims of the Holy Ro- perstate. Iran’s pushiness and the rise of Islam are driving Ger- man Empire. Those HISTORIC Germany is many, along with the rest of Europe, to embrace its history. “origins” and “roots” providing 2,400 Navy per- Germany’s Minister of State for Cultural Affairs Bernd and that “history” to sonnel to help enforce the Neumann recently said that the Europe-wide German Reich which John Paul re- cease-fire in Lebanon. of the Middle Ages can from “today’s viewpoint” serve “as a ferred caused many valid model of the functioning order of a superstate” (Germa- millions of people ny Foreign Policy, August 29). In discussing how to structure to die! the EU, this German politician is talking about reviving the Pope Benedict Holy Roman Empire! has been repeat- As the world falls apart—as the Middle East becomes crip- ing that same mes- pled with serious crises—as American leadership declines— sage: Discover your On Jerusalem’s Doorstep LMOST two millennia ago, contingent in Lebanon. Italy’s contribution of Jesus Christ warned of a time 3,000 troops is the largest in the UN force; to come when Jerusalem would Germany’s force of 2,400 Navy personnel is Abe surrounded by armies (Luke the second-largest. Italy is set to take over Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer, Germany 21:20). In that great prophecy of end-of- France’s leadership of the mission in February. was particularly aggressive in asserting the-age events, He pointed to this singular Just what are Italy and Germany up to? itself, on behalf of the EU, in the diplomatic phenomenon as being the precursor to Well, for a start, both are itching to be process between the Palestinians and Israel. the unleashing of untold suffering on viewed as serious players on the world stage. Even Pope John Paul II, in a radio interview mankind, the likes of which has never been In the case of Italy, this is a goal that Foreign given in Poland in the mid-1990s, monitored experienced in history. Minister Massimo D’Alema and Prime by one of our European representatives at the Surely, those who are even partially aware Minister Romano Prodi share in common. time, declared his desire to move his office of the importance of that famous prophecy A few years ago, I stood with a handful eventually to Jerusalem. must begin to make a connection with events of journalists in a reception room of the So this is Prodi’s moment. Never mind the now taking place in the Middle East. presidential palace in Valetta, Malta, and fact that, apart from its seizure of Ethiopia What is building before our eyes as listened to Mr. Prodi, then head of the in the 1930s and what Stratfor calls “a an expanded UN-sanctioned international European Commission, declare his vision handful of toe-dipping efforts in Albania,” military force takes up position in Lebanon for Malta. He alluded to that island nation Italy “has not led a major military operation has serious implications—implications made becoming a stepping stone for the southern since the time of the Romans” (August 22). even more frightening considering the history and eastern hegemonic goals of the With France—after initiating the cobbling of the nation that volunteered to lead this European Union. Those goals have always together of an international consensus on the force on the ground—Italy—and that which incorporated the extension of EU influence Hezbollah/Israeli imbroglio and negotiating the offered its services to patrol the Lebanese to the Middle East. Witness EU involvement original cease-fire agreements—spurning the coastline—Germany. Between them, these in the Middle East peace process since the ongoing leadership of the UN peacekeeping two nations make up the bulk of the European Madrid conference of 1991. Under former force, Prodi seized the opportunity to

2 THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2006 3 ■ invite invite RON FRASER Now, with the Israeli war cabinet having having cabinet war Israeli the with Now, By stationing its navy off the coast of How our failure to learn the lessons of conflicts of the 1990s, that tendency for for tendency that 1990s, the of conflicts global hegemony has been steadily reflected in the extension of Germany’s military Europe. of continent the outside activities endorsed the use of German forces in the UN- effortsmandated able is Germany Lebanon, in East, Middle the in position into ease quietly to a position it will not yield up regardless of the outcome of the Hezbollah/Israel conflict. Lebanon as part of this latest UN initiative, Germany now has its navy deployed Mediterranean, the of whole the throughout one of the most world’s strategic waterways, from Gibraltar to Suez. history returns to smack us in the face! The very nations that only 60 years ago fought as a tyrannical fascist/Nazi axis, seeking to seize power over the Middle East, are now literally parked on the northern doorstep of a only Israel, of nation embattled tiny, the short Jerusalem! from hop even as they are already doing—but then will suffer will suffer then doing—but already are they as even We mustWe understand the Holy Roman Empire and the Cru- Notice what the Bible prophesies will be their first action two imagined even have could nobody ago, years 20 Just God knew exactly what would happen. God Nobody but There is excuse no America for and Britain knowing not the sary is Islamism. This Middle Eastern power is rising and be- and rising is sary Eastern power This Islamism. is Middle coming a serious threat. the for But Catholic Church to confront Islam isto bring the specter the of Crusades to life again! once sades to understand the Catholic passion Jerusalem. for The Catholics history a long have spilling of blood Jerusalem. over after they are victorious the over king the of south: shall “He alsoenter into the land glorious Land, Holy [the Jerusa- and many countrieslem], shall be overthrown: these but shall escape hisof out hand, even Edom, and and Moab, the chief of into will “enter” They 11:41). (Daniel Ammon” of children the the Land. Holy The indicates Hebrew this will be a peaceful entry—not forced. That means the Jews will probably them in— a spectacular double-cross! coming powers world the of out Middle East and Europe. But everybody should be able to see these two great today. powers in Germany is again once becoming the economy a growing center of Eu- greatest and largest the is It superpower. ropean Europe, showing now strong and it’s signs emerging of from its economic troubles. Germany is the number-one exporter in to increasingly it for the world. Watch dominateEuropean economics from its position at the crossroads the of Continent. could inspired have these prophecies. Those who understand biblical prophecy and who watch the news can already feel the edgesouter the of storm the Bible calls “the times the of Gen- tiles” 21:24). (Luke now they why is That truth. God has been sending repeatedly. His message 70 over it in for power rejected have They years! suffermust Finally, after so intensely. God is to get able their to God promises will teachable. peoples our become attention, lead themto peace, full and joy abundance. NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2006 NOVEMBER-DECEMBER his mes- his Foisted off onto the public as Germany’s Following the union of East and West cooperation between Germany and Israel tracks back to the conclusion of secret accords between Franz Josef Strauss, time, the at minister defense Germany’s and his wily contemporary in Israel, Shimon NegotiationsPeres. between two the began matured they 1962 By 1957. as back far as into a secret agreement for Germany to military and Israel armaments with supply training for the Israeli Defense Forces. obligation to “protect Israel” being its due penance for the Holocaust, German Middle by fact achieving, East to in geared is policy trade and militarydiplomacy, assistance, that which Rommel was denied in battle: the extension of German hegemony into the oil- East. Middle rich foreign Germany’s 1990, in Germany policy has increasingly taken on globalist tendencies—the for that tendencies same aggressive its characterized have time some business strategies. since Ever the Balkan THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPETTHE Christian Science Monitor, Christian Monitor, Science But, as as But, At theAt same time, Muslim boldness begins confront the pope to When the international international the grandstand Italy role. that into When visited he his native Bavaria in REUTERSfoun- the as Christianity identifying are dation the of West. is stirring a new strength and vigor within the Vatican. In September,Benedict xvi comments in made some Pope of issue the confronted that Germany Islam and its violent tendencies. When Muslims responded becoming by violent, many prominent Europeans got behind the pope in support of what he 6). page article, (see said had Islamists, the should world be alarmed. The knows Vatican its next great adver- wants

This possible explanation does not take Stratfor’s conclusion is this: “Surely Israel Israel “Surely this: is Stratfor’s conclusion Why, then, would IsraelWhy, accept Italian

German philosopher Jurgen Habermas recently made the the made recently Habermas Jurgen philosopher German Politicians are also supporting the pope’s movement. German German movement. pope’s the supporting also are Politicians And Europeans are listening. Roman Catholicism is taking

peacekeeping force—Germany. Military peacekeeping into account Italy’s willing partner in this force to fail. to force interests.” As if Israel Israel if As interests.” Lebanon, requiring Israel to act to defend its operation might lead to an even-less-stable even-less-stable an to lead operation might knows that an inefficiently run peacekeeping peacekeeping run inefficiently an that knows vitally important peacekeeping endeavor? untried role in this crucial, most delicate and and delicate most crucial, this in role untried leadership in what is, for the Italians, an discipline. has reflected disorganization and a lack of UN operations, its general performance Italy has contributed its forces to numerous time bomb” (ibid.).time The bomb” fact is that, though the Italians are literally grabbing holdof a of the peacekeeping force from France, Stratfor observed, “By seizing the mantle mantle the Stratfor observed, seizing “By erything else is postmodern chatter.” More and more Germans Germans more and More chatter.” postmodern is else erything options. We continue to nourishoptions. We ourselves from this source. Ev- Western civilization.” He added, “To this day, we have no other other no have we day, this “To added, He civilization.” Western conscience, human rights, and democracy,the benchmarks of tianity, and nothing else, is the ultimate foundation of liberty, liberty, of foundation ultimate the is else, nothing and tianity, shift from the secularist position. In 2004 he wrote, “Chris- more theologians in office than any other Western nation. Western other any than office in theologians more EU constitution. This is coming from the leader a nation of with rope’s Christianrope’s heritage—clearly, a Catholic heritage—into the Chancellor Angela is Merkel trying to insert a reference to Eu- churchgoers is rising. is churchgoers attendance has stopped; in one state, the number of young young of number the state, one in stopped; has attendance on a new lifeon in Europe. In Germany, the decline in church urging Europeans to reject secularism and embrace religion. andeconomic progress is He hand go in hand” 15). (September sage was, “Europe needs to rethink the thesis that secularism

September, accordingSeptember, to the origins, revive roots. you COVER STORY

Lighting Islam’s Fuse Pope Benedict XVI lit a fuse in Bavaria, a fuse destined to fire the flames of ancient hatred between two great religions, each striving against the other for the same universal goal! BY RON FRASER

4 THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2006 5 Catholic World World Catholic September 12). As long-time Ratzinger one watcher Upon perusingUpon the media reports, one pan- ecumenism, be it Whether lifetime machinations of Joseph Ratzing- Joseph of machinations lifetime clerical they career, er’s spell an out agenda.The ongoing effects visit the of pope’s shownhave powerfully how used he that occasion to clarify his future papacy’s direction matters on destined a to have most significant global effect religion on andthe international political order. observed, Benedict“Pope has an ex- traordinary gift expressing for complex ideas in simple ways, and although I’ve been reading and enjoying his for work thinkyears, I don’t ever seen any- I’ve thing quite like the series homilies of and speeches he has given this week” editor, (Phil Lawler, News, has to agree with In Bavaria, Lawler. Mr. middle a establish to strove the pope ground from which to speed the opening Protes- with dialog ecumenical the of up tant Orthodox and Christians that was Stoiber, initiated ii. After Vatican at having Edmund a with audience private of minister prime Catholic devout the Bavaria who has the lobbied for Sude- control, German to return to tenland Re- Czech the visit to promised Benedict gave Merkel Angela publicin the near future. His audience Chancellor with the head government present Germany’s opportunity to assure the Roman pon- the into “Christianity” injecting that tiff European Constitution would be a top its during agenda Germany’s on priority presidency thesix-month of European commencingUnion in January. The papal audience with Germany’s President KohlerHorst extracted support from the concerns presidential regarding pope about the impact Islamic of penetration society. German into Islamism, the traditional connection religion Rome, and Germany between Europe secularism, for versus the need to return to its Roman Catholic roots, the juxtaposition between the Vatican’s Mary, virgin the of and Christ of view politics in cov- the general, it be pope or ered all it in just six days. was It his most addresses public of series concentrated realof consequence in the whole his of The pope used his trip to Bavaria to The pope used his trip to Bavaria

clarify his papacy’s future direction on clarify his papacy’s matters destined to have a global effect.matters a global destined to have back with religion NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2006 NOVEMBER-DECEMBER

But it is now clear is it But now that,

eligion is back on the the on back is eligion international of agenda relations. The latest example of this reality occurred September, in Bavaria in pope the of visit the with to his state—a home visit that ignited a fire sure to passe. For threeFor centuries, religion was Political scientists still largely regard The great revivals these of two histor- While chose Rome the Four decades from on those events of a vengeance as a real in power interna- relations. tional burn time a long for to come. to theshoved background as children of the Enlightenment of Age strove to develop a scientific approach to creating peace between nations. their But best efforts cli- most the with century 20th the in maxed devastating wars in mankind’s history. religion as while they looking were the for formula peace, world for religion was working behind the scenes a mighty for comeback! That comeback was to be sourced within, and stimulated two great religions: by, Ro- pan-Islamism. and Catholicism man ically clashing religions began the for re- its of convening the with Rome of ligion Second Ecumenical Council, ii, Vatican and the to 1965, for from Islamists 1962 with war their against 1967 June Israel. dialogue of way and diplomacy to revive its universal- ist goals, Islam chose the way of war and terrorism. Since the1962, has Vatican worked em- by diplomacy, through ploying its excellent international intelligence network, and exercising by more open dialog with its wayward Protestant and Orthodox daughters to achieve its goal the of universal man- of conversion kind. the At same time, since the Israelis withdrew from the territories they occu- Islamists been in blowingpied have 1967, up airplanes, blowing up embassies, blowing up their enemies by blowing up themselves, in their efforts to achieve the uni- name the in mankind of salvation versal Allahof and their Mohammad. prophet see we mid-1960s, the

“A Deep“A Spiritual Experience” the casual numer- To the observer, pope’s ous speeches during his six-day visit to Bavaria, a litany were September to 15, 10 homiliesof from a well-intentioned, if aging, the careful religious To leader. ob- the of student any to and history of server R THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPETTHE WOLFGANG RADTKE/AFP/GETTY IMAGES Pope Bene- Pope

dict XVI celebrates an outdoor outdoor XVI an dict celebrates mass in his native Bavaria with a crowd of over 250,000. POPULARITY ). … such such , ibid. ( always always you will The emperor, after The emperor, the truth of both” It is importantIt to note REUTERS his Continuing Catholic World News, News, World Catholic in the winter barracks near Ankara [Turkey]— by the erudite Byzantine Pa- ii Manuel Emperor leologus and an educated Persian the on subject of Christianity and Islam, and ( emphasis 12; September throughout). mine here that in the course of in- thehis pope speech Christian- that dicated ity—to his mind, Roman Catholicism—“ reveres the truth” So what was he really really he was what So ap- Islam’s about saying proach to truth? Benedict rea- speech, soned: “In the seventh by edited conversation the Khoury, Professor the on touches emperor Speaking on the question of faith ver- There is no compulsion in religion.’ as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached.’ reasons the detail having in expressed himself so forcefully, explain to on goes spreadingwhy the faith through violence is Violence unreasonable. something is incompatible with the nature of God and says, he ‘God,’ soul. the of nature the ‘is pleased not blood—and by act- not ing reasonably is contrary to God’s na- someone lead would Whoever … ture. to faith needs the ability to speak well and without to reason violence properly, and convince threats a reasonable To …. of pan-Islamism (the greatest present present greatest (the pan-Islamism of cal- this Catholicism), Roman to threat culating pope chose from a quote well- a one historical occasion, documented that came the of out Eastern (Byzantine) RomanEmpire—one that was bound to stir Islamic ire. sus reason, Benedict referred to “part of 1391 in on—perhaps carried dialogue the a with interlocutor his addresses [H]e brusqueness a startling brusqueness, which leaves us astounded, on the central question the about relationship between religion and violence in general, saying: me just ‘Show what Mohammad brought that and was there new, inhuman and evil only things find theme of the holy war. The emperor emperor The war. holy the of theme knownmust have that surah reads: 2, 256 ‘ jug- the pope pope the Islamic how GERMANY NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2006 NOVEMBER-DECEMBER Thus, rather than pub- come out At the university where he once theAt university once he where is fascinating is What With few exceptions, opinions in the WORLD introduced this subject of the dichotomy his opened faith. and He reason between lecture really by going the for ular! In his opening remarks, he clearly quot- by identified Christianity the divide that to his mind sep- from Islam arates then Koran; the first documents: two ing a scholarly argument the of 14th-century Catholic emperor of Byzantium, Manuel ii Paleologus, which attacked the “holy war” Mohammad. concept of licly with a direct papal condemnation quotation he used that upset Islamists worldwide, neither he chose why that particular quotation, he chose why nor man- the in it use to time particular that ner he did. in- taught theology, before a group sci- of intellectual entists and scholars, Benedict spoke on welcomes a theme consistent in his writings: that Christianity quiry and deeply values truth. has been the source many of commen- a tary since. mediaworld and ranged press have from ill-ad- was pope the that proposition the vised to use such inflammatory words, really not did he that prospect the to mean what he actually said. Few analysts reallyhave come to grips with the pope’s true in intent his deliberate the of choice THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPETTHE allu- confron- . his visit Bavaria to , An Iraqi Muslim Muslim Iraqi An Islamic extremism!

principally his pet theme of

others he addressed quite

burns an effigy of the pope in protest over his reference to a work that said Muhammad through violence. Islam spread Experiences such as the Bavarian visit Yet one has one the look to for spice pep-Yet

IRONIC

tationally, adjuring Europe to return to its religious roots and, most particularly, the burning issue of sion, are progressively revealing this pope as a man all for seasons. Though he did indeed address some issues purely by As Beyer Joerg the of Ecumenical Net- group observed,work as the pope isn’t overtly confrontational as he was in his prior position: “Contrary to his style at the Congregation the for Doctrine the of Faith phrases … he now things in a very unnecessaryclever to avoid way friction” (Reuters, September 14) pered throughout Benedict’s public dis- sertations in Bavaria to detect much of the reason the for effect profound this visit has both had on the pope and the public. was a “deep spiritual experience.” Deep indeed! The resultsare still reverberat- ing around the globe months later! University of Regensburg. That speech speech That Regensburg. of University powerful speech he delivered at the the at delivered he speech powerful 6 Islamism pose to the church in one in one theIslamism church to pose lenges that secular rationalism and the quite separate and distinct chal- A Challenge to Islam address to chose Benedict Intriguingly,

claimed September 17 reign thus far. As Benedict himself pro- himself Benedict As far. thus reign soul, one does not need a strong arm, or land of Catholicism in Middle Europe—to passage is about forced conversion. … weapons of any kind, or any other means draw his verbal sword against Islam? Clearly, Benedict knows that Christians of threatening a person with death.’ also practiced forced conversion in their “The decisive statement in this argu- Chosen Moment history. ment against violent conversion is this: Think. Consider. Reflect. “… Benedict’s words were purposely not to act in accordance with reason is Reflect on history. chosen. The quotation of Manuel ii was contrary to God’s nature” (ibid.). Reflect on the nature of the Germanic not a one-liner, accidentally blurted out. peoples. They hate disorder. They are … [T]here is no question that anyone Throwing Down the Gauntlet expert at creating a crisis then initiating who read this speech before it was deliv- Benedict concluded his nearly-4,000- a solution, as that inveterate watcher of ered would recognize the explosive na- word speech with a reinforcing, for ef- Germany Rodney Atkinson has often ture of discussing anything about Islam fect, of that latter statement: “‘Not to act observed. in the current climate. … reasonably … is contrary to the nature The pope knows that if Rome is to “[E]ven the pope had to work hard to of God,’ said Manuel ii, according to his return to its former glory (a vision he come up with this dialogue. There are Christian understanding of God, in re- shared with his predecessor Pope John many other fine examples of the problem sponse to his Persian interlocutor. It is … Paul ii), given the present disordered of reason and faith that he could have to this breadth of reason, that we invite state of the world, he needs urgently to drawn from that did not involve Mus- our partners in the dialogue of cultures.” unite his over 1 billion faithful who have lims, let alone one involving such an in- That is really throwing down the suffered for decades from the impact of cendiary quote. … gauntlet to the Islamists! Reading be- divisive secular thinking on their reli- “As a deliberate choice, the effect of tween the lines, the pope is endorsing gion. He knows the best way to do this these remarks could be anticipated. Even the notion that Islam is an irrational is to unite Catholics at their historic apart from the particular phrase, the text faith. He would not view Iran’s Mah- cultural base, the European continent! of the speech is a criticism of the practice moud Ahmadinejad as a rational being! He knows that Islam poses the greatest of conversion by violence, with a particu- He is clearly inferring that his own god is threat to Catholicism in Europe. He sees lar emphasis on Islam. Clearly, the pope the only rational one, and that dialogue this as his greatest cause—that he has intended to make the point that Islam is between Islam and Christianity can only been chosen for this moment! currently engaged in violence on behalf be within the framework of the reason- What better way to unite Europe and of religion …. ing and reasonableness of this god of the return it to its former imperial days of “Consider the fact that the pope is world’s Christian [Catholic] religionists glory than to provide people with a single not only a scholar but a politician—and alone. common cause that overrides all else and a good one, or he wouldn’t have become Surely the pope knew such comments counteracts all tendencies for division? the pope. He is not only a head of state, were bound to light the fires of protest in every Islamic country throughout the This was a well-thought-out speech, not off the cuff. world! Think on this. This pope is known The choice of Manual II’s statement was both deliberate for his brilliant intellect. This was a well- thought-out speech, prepared in advance and calculated—calculated to get a reaction. of the event. These remarks about the Islamic faith were not off the cuff. The So, in his own very Germanic way, but the head of a global church with a bil- choice of Manual ii’s statement was both Benedict, this Bavarian pope, has simply lion members. The church is no stranger deliberate and calculated—calculated lit the touch tape to an already smolder- to geopolitics. Muslims claim that they to get a reaction! ing issue of concern to all Europeans, the brought down communism in Afghani- And what a reaction it received! Pub- threat of Islamic jihad. stan. That may be true, but there certainly lic demonstrations broke out in Turkey, Our news bureau sifted through all is something to be said also for the efforts in Iran, in the Islamic communities in available commentary from the best of of the Catholic Church, which helped to Britain and on the continent of Europe. sources following the pope’s speech at undermine the communism in Poland Effigies of the pope were burned in the Regensburg. Few were those who really and to break the Soviet grip on Eastern streets and al Qaeda was reported as saw what Benedict was up to. One as- Europe. Popes know how to play power calling for the pope’s death. Vatican City tute observer, a student of history and politics” (Stratfor, September 19) . stepped up security within and around international politics, did. The following So, what are this pope’s true the papal state. analysis, from Dr. George Friedman, gets intentions? Demands that the pope retract his to the very essence of Benedict’s speech. remarks and make a public apology to It is worthy of the space we give it here, The Last Crusade Islamists were many. The Vatican released for it endorses much of what the Trum- In his unmatched analysis of Pope Bene- a prepared statement by the pope in which pet has indicated about Joseph Ratzinger, dict’s Regensburg speech, Dr. Friedman he carefully claimed he regretted the reac- Pope Benedict xvi, that we have observed hints at a prospect that the Trumpet, in tion his speech caused, but avoided apolo- and published since we began watching particular our editor in chief, has main- gizing for the remarks themselves. him from clear back in 1992! tained as a theme throughout this mag- Why would this pope, this German Speaking on the pope’s choice of the azine’s existence. Gerald Flurry wrote in pope, choose this moment—in this, his quotation from his 14th-century source, August 1998, “Most people think the cru- own home state of Bavaria, the very heart- Friedman observed: “The essence of this sades are a thing of the past—over forever.

THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2006 7 WORLD GERMANY But they are wrong. There is going to be anti-Catholic rhetoric in the Muslim the followers of Mohammad, the knights a final crusade, and it is going to be the world. And he has done it with superb were to liberate Jerusalem from Islam. bloodiest one of all! … Any child should misdirection. … Similarly, Pope Benedict has set him- understand that the fruits of the ‘holy “The pope has thrown a hand grenade self the task to unite the fractious nations wars’ have been diabolical! There is no ex- and is now observing the response.” of the European Union, and he proposes cuse for America and Britain not knowing Students of history will recall that to rally the leaders of these disparate na- the truth.” We believe the evidence proves Benedict has simply taken a leaf out of tions to stop squabbling with each other this pope has sparked the crisis that will, Pope Urban ii’s book. In 1095, Urban and direct them to make common cause inevitably, lead to Rome’s final, great cru- called for the knights of Europe to stop against the spreading tide of Islam that sade against its old Islamic foe. fighting each other and to join a holy threatens the very continuity of the EU. Dr. Friedman expressed it this way: war against Islam. Referring to the Ot- It was thus most significant that, “From an intellectual and political toman Islamists as “a race … which has when the United Nations called for the standpoint, therefore, Benedict’s state- neither directed its heart nor entrusted EU to provide troops for an international ment was an elegant move. He has its spirit to God,” he declared it was a peacekeeping force in Lebanon, follow- strengthened his political base and per- Christian duty to “exterminate this vile ing the Hezbollah/Israeli imbroglio ear- haps legitimized a stronger response to race from our lands” (Robert the Monk, lier this year, that the papal newspaper, Historia Iherosolimi- L’Osservatore Romano, publicly aired tana). Upon purging concern at the slowness with which na- Why He Did It the eastern empire of tions responded. The papal organ called Pope Benedict’s comments united the Muslim world against him. But the bigger story is the effect those comments are having among Catholics.

BY BRAD MACDONALD ropean Commission’s reaction to the pope’s comments and e have all seen the images of rage-ridden the Muslim uproar. “The European Commission has said it Muslims rioting in the streets, torching churches was wrong to pick out quotes from the pope’s controversial and demanding and re-demanding an apology speech in which a link between Islam and violence was sug- Wfrom the pope. This anger is unifying the Muslim gested and deliberately taking them out of context.” world. Largely underreported, however, was the number of A statement from Commission spokesman Johannes Catholics and Europeans who rushed to Benedict’s defense Laitenberger was pointed and unapologetic: “… I can also after his speech in Regensburg. say that reactions which are disproportionate and which are In many ways, the effects of the pope’s remarks upon tantamount to rejecting freedom of speech are unacceptable, Catholic Europe are as important, if not more so, than those and let me conclude with this: Freedom of speech is a cor- in the Muslim world. nerstone of the EU’s order as is the freedom and respect of all Pope Benedict xvi’s remarks were carefully considered religions and beliefs …” (ibid.). and calculated. But why? Analyst George Friedman pointed In Germany, where the pope made his remarks, the daily out that “the general thrust of his remarks has more to do Die Welt said that “anger in the Islamic world about the with Europe” (Stratfor, September 19). quote used by Pope Benedict xvi is groundless because it “There is an intensifying merely expressed a ‘historically tension in Europe over the Islamic rage is igniting a deeper documented fact’” (bbc News, Sep- powerful wave of Muslim im- respect and loyalty among Europeans tember 18). The paper condemned migration. Frictions are high on and Catholics for the Vatican. Muslims for exploiting the oppor- both sides. Europeans fear that tunity to start a clash of cultures. the Muslim immigrants will overwhelm their native culture Edmund Stoiber, a prominent German politician and or form an unassimilated and destabilizing mass. Muslims friend of the pope, insisted that there were “no grounds for feel unwelcome, and some extreme groups have threatened criticism” in the pope’s comments. Switzerland’s daily La to work for the conversion of Europe. … [W]ith his remarks, Tribune de Geneve reported that “Islamists are again show- [the pope] moved toward closer alignment with those who ing they are ‘the worst enemies of Islam’”—and, regarding are uneasy about Europe’s Muslim community—without the murder of a nun in Somalia, said, “If fundamentalists adopting their own, more extreme, sentiments. That move were trying to confirm Benedict xvi’s declarations, they increases his political strength among these groups and could could not have done better!” (bbc News, op. cit.). cause them to rally around the church” (ibid., emphasis mine El Mundo in Spain linked the Muslim backlash to the car- throughout). toon crisis episode from earlier this year. “The pope does not Benedict’s remarks were largely designed to put some have to apologize for expressing an opinion,” it wrote. “He fire under Europeans and Catholics and rally the Continent upheld an idea we fully share: tolerance.” The article grew around the Vatican. stronger as it progressed. “To bow to Muslim protests and This is precisely what is happening. Islamic rage is ig- accept that Benedict xvi must apologize is tantamount to niting a deeper respect and loyalty among Europeans and questioning freedom of expression and of thought, which— Catholics for the Vatican. however much Islam dislikes it—is the main conquest of our On September 18, EUobserver.com reported on the Eu- civilization” (ibid.).

8 THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2006 for nations to rally with a heightened versed in the history of the Crusades and the Crusades of old and the rising reaction sense of the urgency of the moment to their significance to the present-day situ- to jihad, such as what was sparked by Pope the UN call. Shortly after, they did. EU ation, claims that abundant evidence ex- Benedict xvi, that are worthy of note. Her nations soon promised more troops and ists to prove that “the irrationality and words are a dramatic endorsement of military hardware. Most significant was hatreds of crusading are far from dead.” the forecasting by our editor in chief of the German contribution—naval and air Her views are remarkably similar to the a great final crusade force—notwithstanding Germany’s pub- point Benedict made in his Regensburg ahead, and of licly declared reluctance to enter the fray speech: “[W]e must not take these reli- its apocalyp- when first asked to do so. What started gious passions lightly or dismiss them as tic nature: off with the offer of a few hundred mili- the crazed fantasies of an eccentric mi- “Obviously tary personnel by Germany soon esca- nority that cannot long survive lated to the thousands! in our enlightened world,” she says. “There is no purely The Lighted Fuse rational explanation or solu- Most do not even begin to comprehend tion to this problem” (Karen that which is now building in the Middle Armstrong, Holy War). POPE East, the tensions greatly exacerbated But it is Armstrong’s con- BENEDICT XVI by Pope Benedict’s Regensburg speech. clusion to her detailed analysis in Bavaria One who does, an ex-Catholic nun, well of the connection between

Polish President Jaroslaw Kaczynski defended the pope, condemned Muslims as being a “little too easily offended,” and asked, “Where is the line that a Chris- tian or Catholic cannot cross and say what they think?” The message out of Europe is clear and definite: Mus- lim rage, no matter how vehement it might grow, will not stain the reputation of the pope among Catholics, nor will it cow the Continent into a defensive posture. The fact that Europe is beginning to stand up to Muslim war-mongering is the real story. This is a deeply significant event in Muslim/ Catholic relations. The obvious fault line between Muslims and Catholics has been exposed. Catho- lics and Europeans see the danger rising against them. This controversy has evolved into a ral- lying cry for Europeans, as well as the 1 billion Catholics scattered across the globe. Even as far away as Australia, Catholic leaders stood behind their beloved patriarch. Head of the church in Australia, Cardinal George Pell, defended Benedict and went further to say that the Muslim reaction “justified one of Pope Benedict’s main fears” about Islam. The pope is also receiving support from other Christian religions. In Britain, former head of the Anglican Church Lord Carey not only defended the pope and praised his speech as being “extraordinarily effective and lucid,” but also warned, according to the Times, that the “‘clash of civilizations’ endangering the world was not between Islamist extremists and the West, but with Islam as a whole” (September 20). As you watch the controversy between Muslims and Catholics unfold, keep a keen eye focused on Europe’s response to the growing tidal wave of Islamic hatred S Y IMAGE /GETT against the West. ■ IMANN DER HE ALEXAN

THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2006 9 WORLD GERMANY the religious passions of the Middle East The flames will not now be quenched ligion, by rationalist thought, by science— are no longer always amenable to rational until a force far more powerful than the the final conclusive answer as to why man control. The area has become a tinderbox gods of both Islam and Roman Catholi- has never learned the way to world peace, that could ignite into a nuclear holocaust, cism enforces the eradication of jihad the ultimate solution to that seemingly if this extreme spirit were allowed to get and crusading “holy war” forever. unsolvable problem of humankind. out of control” (ibid.). Beyond the great nuclear conflagra- Write now for your own copy, gratis, Pope Benedict has lit the fuse to that tion soon to come lies the answer to all of Mystery of the Ages to discover for tinderbox. Islam will reap the whirlwind. the crusading efforts of mankind—by re- yourself that earth-shaking solution, and learn how you can contribute to bringing it Benedict’s War Cabinet about! ■

N contrast to the pope’s obvious call to Europe to step REUTERS up to the battle against extremist Islam that he broad- cast from Bavaria in September, Pope Benedict XVI Ihas been far less overt in publicizing the revolutionary changes he is making within the Vatican bureaucracy. Commentators have mentioned the frailty of old age CABINET Benedict speaks to that inflicts this pope. They in turn note his thin and reedy members of the Curia, several of voice and his comparative lack of charisma compared to whom he has replaced with men who his predecessor, John Paul II. But all seem to agree on more closely embody his ideals. one thing: the power of this pope’s tremendous intellect. So it is that, having bided his time, Benedict has recently begun, with typical German thoroughness—one could even That position was later filled by French Archbishop Dominique Mam- say administrative brutality—trimming the fat in the governing body of berti, a Moroccan native with an understanding of the Muslim world. the Catholic Church, the Curia, and placing hand-picked troops in his Also in September, following the papal visit to Bavaria, Cardinal front line. This is a pope gearing up for battle. Benedict is preparing to Angelo Sodano, having served for the past 15 years in the powerful wage war with any who would challenge his word on dogma, on liturgy, position of Vatican secretary of state, was replaced by Cardinal Tarci- and on any of his initiatives at promoting a great religious revival within sio Bertone, Ratzinger’s prior trusted deputy in his former position as Rome’s collective global congregation of over 1 billion souls. With the the head of the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. It benefit of John Paul’s papacy having laid the groundwork, Benedict XVI is believed the pope considers that Betone will more effectively serve is even now preparing for his clarion call to revive the church’s mission Benedict’s goals of changing the Curia into an administrative body bet- to catholicize the world. ter tuned to facilitating his global mission to catholicize the masses. Consider the wide-ranging changes Benedict has already enacted All these moves are, according to a recent report, designed to help over the past few months, with no sign of these changes slowing down. achieve the pope’s vision of enabling the Vatican as a “church head- Starting with his own replacement in the office of prefect of the quarters to be both a more holy and a more efficient entity” (Time, Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Benedict turned to an inter- September 11). This certainly bespeaks a “holy” Roman imperial vision, esting choice by appointing then-archbishop of San Francisco, William underwritten by typical German motivation for thoroughgoing efficiency. J. Levada, in May last year. The two had worked closely together dur- Dual posts now under consideration by Pope Benedict for review ing John Paul’s pontificate. Benedict would know full well that Levada, and change are that of vicar of Rome and head of the Italian Bishops known as shy and retiring in demeanor, would not challenge the pope Conference, both currently held by the veteran Cardinal Camillo Ruini. on any matter of theological consequence. Thus Benedict guarantees Benedict is also mulling over the need to place a man in charge of that he remains sole and final authority on Catholic doctrine. the Vatican purse strings whom he can trust. Although it may come as Then this March, the pope started his downsizing program by a shock to some, particularly in Italy, the fact that Benedict is currently first eliminating two senior positions in the Curia. He accepted the considering a fellow German for this position should surprise few who resignation of Japanese Cardinal Stephen Fumio Hamao, who had have watched his power plays. The Italian magazine Panorama re- been president of the Pontifical Council for Migrants, and reappointed cently reported that Benedict has in mind appointing the former head Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald from president of the Pontifical Council of the German Central Bank, Hans Tietmeyer, to that key treasury po- for Interreligious Dialogue to apostolic nuncio to Egypt. In the pro- sition. As Time observed, should that appointment become a reality, it cess, Benedict merged four existing pontifical councils into two. “would shake things up almost as much as a German pope” (ibid.). There followed a change in the post which is key to Vatican relations As we have consistently advised, watch Rome, and watch Berlin. with the developing world. The office of the Congregation for the Evan- The state of the world for the immediate future will vitally hinge on gelization of the Peoples, formerly held by Italian Cardinal Crescenzio strategies being currently worked out in these two key capital cities. Sepe, was given to the archbishop of Bombay, Indian Cardinal Ivan Dias. Pope Benedict certainly lit the fuse to the Middle East tinderbox In July, the Vatican’s longstanding press officer, Opus Dei layman during his now infamous speech in Regensburg, Bavaria. Islam Joaquin Navarro-Valls, was replaced by Jesuit priest Federico Lom- will soon reap the whirlwind, Iran having pushed its foreign policy bardi, director general of Vatican radio and television. to the point of stimulating a powerful papal response. The pope In September, with the retirement of Cardinal Edmund Szoka from is busy assembling his war cabinet within the Curia in Rome. The the post of president of the Vatican City governate, the Vatican’s sec- battle will be joined in one final great crusade. That titanic battle is retary of relations with states, Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo, moved into about to begin. 2007 will powerfully demonstrate that reality. Watch that role, thus leaving the Vatican’s key foreign-policy office vacant. Rome—watch Berlin! RON FRASER

10 THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2006 WORLD GERMANY

EMPIRE Germany’s stock exchange, Deutsche Börse, is currently engaged in talks to buy the Euronext stock exchange.

Germany’s Corporate Blitzkrieg

German business is invading its neighbors through hostile takeovers. BY ROBERT MORLEY

erman companies have hostile or at least unsolicited (German administered to any nation. Every city REUTERS stepped on the gas in the Foreign Policy, August 9). with a population over 50,000 was de- past 12 months.” That’s These takeovers are one sign of an stroyed, and many other smaller cities as “G what Tim Albrecht, a fund economy on fire. Germany has the larg- well. Every fourth home in the country manager at dws Investment in Frankfurt, est economy in Europe, accounting for was left in ruins. The Germans were bro- said earlier this year. “They’re in conquer- 20 percent of all economic activity in ken both militarily and economically. ing mode, and we’ve not hit the peak yet” the European Union. It has also become Near the close of the war, the Al- (International Herald Tribune, March 16). the world’s third-largest economy and its lies signed a document stating, “It is In the first quarter of 2006 alone, largest exporter. our inflexible purpose to …ensure that German companies agreed to spend a This is an amazing position for Ger- Germany will never again be able to dis- record $99.5 billion on takeovers—more man business to be in, considering the turb the peace of the world. We are de- than in all of 2005. Swiss bank ubs says state it was left in six decades ago. During termined to … eliminate or control all nearly 65 percent of this year’s bids by the closing year of World War ii, Germa- German industry that could be used for German corporations have been either ny took one of the worst poundings ever military production ….”

THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2006 11 WORLD GERMANY REUTERS However, the Allies never followed through with en- suring Germany would not be able to ever again dominate Europe and the world. Instead they embraced a postwar policy designed to reconstruct the enemy. Today, riding on its re- built industry, Germany has successfully reclaimed its role as the economic powerhouse of Europe. As a result, mainland Europe’s economy is being pulled along at CASE IN POINT German its fastest rate in six years— utility company E.On plans a even surpassing Britain and $34.3 billion hostile takeover the United States, according of Spanish energy company to recent figures. Endesa—the largest proposed Consumer confidence is by any power company ever. swelling, and the German economy may finally be emerging from a decade of poor perfor- and 2005 were record revenue-generat- War i, two fifths of Siemens’ entire corpo- mance characterized by consumers saving years for German companies, and rate value was destroyed. After World War ing rather than spending. According to according to current predictions, this ii, four fifths of Siemens operations were the Guardian, domestic investment and year will set a new record again. Last destroyed. Yet today Siemens is back as consumer spending have now surpassed year, more than 130 industrial, com- one of the world’s largest companies, em- exports as the primary driver for Ger- mercial and service companies listed on ploying 461,000 people in over 190 coun- many’s economic growth (August 15). Germany’s four leading stock exchanges tries. Siemens is a leader in information The New York Times says a reinvigo- increased their net profits by an average and communications, power, transporta- rated Germany has “far-reaching impli- of 30 percent. tion, medical and lighting technologies. cations” for Europe and even the whole This German corporate strength is be- Linde, a 127-year-old engineering cor- world (January 17). ginning to be recognized: 2006’s second- poration, recently bought the strategic quarter stats showed German business British-owned boc Group, the world’s Strengthening Corporate Sector confidence close to a 15-year high, and second-largest industrial gases manu- German companies are perfectly posi- German corporations are hiring again. facturer. During the world wars, Linde tioned to take advantage of the new Ger- The result: a more confident German in- played an essential role in producing liq- man consumer spending. The years of dustry, which, “[b]ack in fighting trim … uid oxygen and other explosives as well weak economic growth gave many Ger- has begun flexing its muscles overseas” as in pioneering coal-to-liquid technol- man corporations the bargaining power (New York Times, op. cit.). ogy and nitrate fertilizer production in needed to bring their unions under con- The most visible manifestation of support of the German war effort. The trol, often by threatening to move jobs German corporate muscle-flexing has boc purchase now makes Linde the overseas. All across Germany, domesti- been the recent deluge of German corpo- world’s foremost producer of industrial cally owned corporate giants such as Sie- rate takeovers—many of them hostile. gases, employing 53,000 people through- mens, Volkswagen and DaimlerChrysler Business Week called the corporate out Europe and around the world. cut staff, demanded employees work leaders of German hunter companies like E.On’s heritage can be traced back longer hours, and increased productiv- Siemens, the engineering group Linde, to two founding companies, viag and ity. They were forced to innovate and be- and energy conglomerate E.On, “young li- veba, which were established prior to come more efficient in order to remain ons” that are “quick to pounce” (April 21). World War ii by the German government afloat. The effect is a stronger, more When commentators start referring to to oversee the nation’s metals, mining competitive corporate sector. these companies as young lions that are and power industries. In 2000, the two Meanwhile, as Germany’s corporate quick to pounce, or as being in conquer- companies merged to form Germany’s giants restructured, they also focused ing mode, any person who reveres his- dominant gas and power utility, E.On. on increasing their exports, largely tory should take note. To a large extent, Earlier this year, E.On announced a within Europe. In fact, over the past these companies are the very same ones $34.3 billion hostile takeover of Span- 10 years, German enterprises have ex- that marched in step with Germany’s ish energy company Endesa—the larg- panded their eurozone market share by World War i and World War ii attempts est takeover proposed by any power over 25 percent—more than double that to take over Europe and the world. company ever. If this deal goes through, of their French rivals and more than 2½ E.On, which is already Europe’s domi- times that of the Italians. Foreign sales German Takeovers nant combined electricity and gas pro- have also allowed German corporations Siemens, for example, is a company whose vider, will become Spain’s largest power to become highly profitable. Both 2004 roots extend back to 1847. During World supplier and probably Germany’s largest

12 THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2006 publicly owned company. Endesa also Telekom, Allianz Group, rwe and many nomically powerful—but has a corporate has holdings in Portugal, Italy, North others have all actively bought out for- Germany actually conducted a “postwar Africa, Brazil and Chile. eign competitors, extending their reach commercial campaign” to increase its This takeover attempt by E.On follows and influence throughout Europe. influence over Europe? a string of others. In 2001, E.On pur- Across Europe, major power, gas, wa- A look at the astounding post-World chased British-owned Powergen for $9.5 ter, manufacturing, telecommunications, War ii success of the above-mentioned billion, making it Britain’s second-larg- finance and media corporations have fall- six companies identified in the declassi- est electricity and gas provider. In 2002, en to German buyers. These are indus- fied document not only suggests a post- E.On purchased Hungarian utility Edasz. tries no nation would want in the hands war German commercial campaign, but Then in 2003, E.On purchased Ruhrgas, of an enemy during a crisis. Even in good a highly effective one. the Continent’s largest importer of nat- times, it opens a nation up to coercion— Take steel and weapons manufac- ural gas. This purchase gave E.On a 6.5 in bad times, blackmail or worse. turer Krupp (now ThyssenKrupp). percent stake in Russia’s super-giant gas German financiers and businessmen— When Germany lost World War ii, the company Gazprom, making it the larg- merchants of the earth—are turning their company was forbidden by the Allies to est foreign shareholder in the group. In nation into the economic hub for Europe manufacture arms (as it was after World 2005, Romanian utility Electrica Moldo- and the world. Their success is worth War i) and Alfried Krupp, the compa- va was E.On’s successful takeover target. Electrica Moldova, supplying 1.3 million This year has seen Germany propelled into the spotlight by customers, controls approximately 11 percent of Romania’s wholesale market. some great public relations coups. Germany has also become In January 2006, Hungary’s largest oil and gas company, mol, headquartered in the world’s largest exporter and its third-largest economy. Budapest, was acquired. E.On also owns significant operations in Italy, Sweden, noting, since twice last century such mer- ny’s owner, was convicted of war crimes the Netherlands and a host of other Eu- chants—to a large extent, the very same including the use of mass slave labor. ropean countries. companies—marched in step with the He was sentenced to 12 years in prison An E.On adviser says the reason the military, with devastating results. and ordered to forfeit all his property. German company is so successful at take- Later, however, the U.S. high commis- overs is that its huge pile of cash allows it German Corporate History sioner for Germany granted him am- “to blow rivals out of the water” (Financial In 1996, the U.S. government declassified nesty and restored much of his holdings. Times, February 22). With 80,000 employ- a top-secret World War ii document that Alfried Krupp was released in the early ees, E.On is the world’s largest privately exposed agreements made between sev- part of 1951, and even though many of owned energy service provider; by these eral of Germany’s largest industrial gi- the Krupp factories, shipyards and steel takeover actions, it is rapidly becoming ants and top German officials at a meet- and coal mines had been damaged, de- the literal powerhouse of Europe. ing just nine months before the war’s stroyed or dismantled, Krupp was still Other German corporations are also end in Europe. able to reestablish itself as a leading Ger- taking over strategic industries through- According to the document, on Aug. man company by the 1960s, to continue out Europe. 10, 1944, principle German corporate its 100-year tradition of supplying Ger- German stock exchange Deutsche leaders representing Krupp, Volkswa- many with the arms needed for war. Börse’s battle for control of the Euronext genwerk, Messerschmitt, Rheinmetall, The speed at which ThyssenKrupp stock exchange is perhaps the most high- Röchling, Büssing and others met with reestablished itself as a corporate giant profile example of a major prospective top German military and political per- is astonishing. German takeover. Deutsche Börse offi- sonnel from the SS, Navy, and the min- Today, ThyssenKrupp is one of the cials tout the potential Euronext purchase istries of armaments to prepare for a largest steel and technology groups in the as the first creation of a “truly pan-Euro- “postwar commercial campaign” after world, employing about 184,000 work- pean exchange organization” represent- the eventual German loss. ers in more than 70 countries. It is also ing a “significant step forward in the in- German industrialists must, the a leading naval military supplier, build- tegration of European financial markets” document said, “through their exports ing some of the most technologically (Agence France Presse, May 22). increase the strength of Germany.” They advanced submarines, frigates and cor- Deutsche Börse shareholders lauded were instructed to place existing finan- vettes available. Its fiscal 2004/2005 sales the potential pairing as the creation of cial reserves at the disposal of the Nazi of approximately €42 billion (us$53.3 a “European champion.” If this merger Party “so that a strong German Empire billion) were generated in bulk from its proceeds, Europe’s major financial mar- can be created after the defeat.” roughly 600 foreign subsidiary compa- kets in Frankfurt, Paris, Brussels, Am- This document highlighted the exact nies, located in the UK, France, Italy and sterdam and Lisbon will all fall under worry the Allied powers tried to address 13 other European countries. Thyssen- German control. Additionally, the Ital- by seeking to destroy Germany’s future Krupp also has operations in the U.S. and ian stock exchange based in Milan has war-making capability. Asia. Not bad for a company that was all reportedly indicated that if a pan-Euro- Have Germany’s World War ii corpo- but destroyed in two world wars. pean exchange led by Germany is cre- rate industrialists followed through with Volkswagen, another German corpo- ated, it too would like to join the group. their directive? Germany has become ration documented for its collusion with German-owned companies such as the world’s largest exporting nation, and the World War ii Nazis, has become a Deutsche Bank, Deutsche Post, Deutsche German corporations are again eco- very powerful and dominant automo-

THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2006 13 WORLD GERMANY tive player on the world scene. Although that it again became a weapons builder would eventually rise again to dominate its core market is the European Union, after the World War ii loss. In fact, de- Europe and threaten the world. Volkswagen sales make it the world’s spite the Allies’ initial ban on arms pro- As early as 1945, broadcasting imme- fifth-largest automotive company by duction, Rheinmetall was back mass diately after a United Nations meeting, revenue. Volkswagen owns the Bentley producing machine guns by 1956. By Mr. Armstrong warned that German in- brand, international vehicle manufacturer 1972, Rheinmetall had developed and dustry was working toward the revival Audi, Seat and Skoda, which manufacture begun selling the Leopard 2 battle tank. of a German empire. “We don’t under- and sell cars in Spain and in southern and Not much later, and after a series of stand German thoroughness,” he said. eastern Europe, and Lamborghini, which corporate acquisitions, Rheinmetall be- “From the very start of World War ii, makes sports cars in Italy. came Europe’s leading military supplier they have considered the possibility of Messerschmitt, Germany’s famous of systems and equipment for ground losing this second round, as they did the World War ii manufacturer that built forces, providing everything from artil- first—and they have carefully, methodi- much of the fighting aircraft behind lery and munitions to communications, cally planned, in such eventuality, the Germany’s Luftwaffe, is also active and surveillance technology and guided mis- third round—World War iii!” prospering today, although under a dif- sile systems. Rheinmetall subsidiaries, “What most do not know,” said Mr. ferent name. which also include significant automo- Armstrong, “is that the Germans have Like Krupp, much of Messerschmitt’s tive component manufacturers, are lo- their plans for winning the battle of the infrastructure was destroyed in the war. cated throughout Europe, the Americas peace. Yes, I said battle of the peace.” Further, Messerschmitt was even for- and China. Peaceably, through corporate mergers bidden to produce aircraft. Yet it too has Röchling, founded 184 years ago as a and acquisitions, German corporations are reaching out beyond the borders of Germany to gain control of strategic in- Peaceably, through corporate mergers and acquisitions, dustry. Even Germany’s most notorious German corporations are reaching out beyond the borders World War ii companies, which were se- verely disassembled and banned from fu- of Germany to gain control of strategic industry. ture arms production by the Allies, have emerged as European and global leaders. A third world war is coming, but this risen from World War ii to become part coal trading house, has now become a time Germany will not have to first fight of a world-leading corporation. Messer- leader in high-performance plastics tech- to control Europe. Europe will find itself schmitt was eventually allowed to build nologies. In 2004, the Röchling Group’s under Germany’s economic control before aircraft again, and in 1989, after several worldwide operations generated revenue war even starts. As German companies post-war mergers, Messerschmitt be- of approximately €1.4 billion (us$1.78 bil- increasingly seek to dominate Europe’s came part of Daimler-Benz Aerospace lion) and employed 8,000 workers. gas and power distribution, finance, man- (another German industrial giant). Vehicle manufacturer Büssing also ufacturing and defense industries, Europe Daimler-Benz Aerospace then later became a successful post-World War ii will find itself under increasing pressure helped found the European Aeronautic company, although in 1979 it was pur- to submit to German leadership. Defense and Space Company (eads), be- chased by the man Group, another Ger- Former British Prime Minister Marga- coming a 30-percent owner. man industrial manufacturer, whose ret Thatcher also warned, speaking of the eads today is a global aerospace and history can be traced back 250 years. EU in a speech given in America in Octo- defense technology leader. The group in- The man Group is now one of Europe’s ber 1995, “You have not anchored Germany cludes the aircraft manufacturer Airbus, leading manufacturers of commercial ve- to Europe; You have anchored Europe to and the world’s largest helicopter sup- hicles, engines and mechanical engineer- a newly dominant, unified Germany. In plier, Eurocopter. It is also a major share- ing equipment. man builds trucks, buses, the end, my friends, you’ll find it will not holder in mbda, the international leader diesel engines and turbo machinery; it work.” It is Germany’s national character in missile systems. eads produces the also provides industrial services. Ac- to dominate, she said. Eurofighter and other military aircraft. cording to man’s website, the corpora- Be forewarned. Trouble out of Europe Galileo, the European satellite naviga- tion holds “leading market positions in is coming, and Germany will be the driv- tion system being constructed to rival all its business areas,” employing 50,000 ing force behind it. Germany’s recent cor- the U.S.’s gps, is also being built in large people worldwide. Interestingly, this Sep- porate blitzkrieg is just the precursor to a part by eads. The company employs tember man made a $12.3-billion offer for much larger and non-peaceable event. ■ 113,000 people at more than 70 produc- Sweden’s Scania, Europe’s fourth-largest tion sites, primarily in France, Germany, truck maker, though the initial bid was Great Britain and Spain. rejected. If man does eventually succeed, For more informa- Both Rheinmetall and Röchling, however, it would become the leading tion on the implica- two of the other companies indicated truck-building industry in Europe. tions of a German- by the World War ii intelligence docu- dominated, unified ment, have also become very successful Germany’s Battle of the Peace Europe, request our corporations. While Germany was but a pile of rubble booklet Germany Rheinmetall has been at the forefront after World War ii, one man—Herbert and the Holy Roman of German military manufacturing for W. Armstrong—warned that Germany Empire. over 100 years, so it isn’t too surprising

14 THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2006 WORLD JAPAN KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP/GETTY IMAGES ald Tribune, September 24). He said the new government would push hard for a Tokyo-Beijing summit. On a public talk show, Nakagawa stated, “Relations [with China] will definitely begin to improve” under Abe’s leadership, and that they are moving toward a “brighter era.” Much of the Western media is dis- tracted by reports about territorial dis- putes and periodic offenses between A Leaner, China and Japan. Many people fail to see the depth of political and economic cohesion already existent between these Meaner nations. As America’s economic influence subsides and as it becomes geo- politically isolated, and as the world (especially Asia) begins to revolve more Japan around China, we should expect Japan to distance itself from the U.S. and align Meet the new prime minister. more closely with the giant next door. Added to the growing economic and political factors pushing China and Ja- BY BRAD MACDONALD pering with textbooks to gloss over Japan’s pan together, these nations are also more t’s the beginning of the new wartime record. Mr. Abe, as the Washing- aligned culturally and religiously with era under Abe,” ruling party ton Post noted, “promises an extreme ver- each other than with the United States. Secretary General Hidenao Na- sion of this formula” (September 25; em- Both share Confucian and Buddhist tra- “I kagawa declared. Elected deci- phasis mine). With the world having grown ditions, and a culture that values hier- sively on September 26, Shinzo Abe comes used to Japan’s new nationalist direction archical government, the importance of to office as a champion of “revision of the under Koizumi, Abe can dramatically ac- “saving face” and the “supremacy of the pacifist Constitution, a more outspoken celerate the speed of Japan’s evolution into state over society and of society over the foreign policy, and more patriotic educa- nationalism and militarism. individual” (Samuel Huntington, The tion” (Associated Press, September 26). These issues are quite personal to Mr. Clash of Civilizations). The fact is, na- To pursue what he envisions as a more Abe, whose grandfather Nobusuke Kishi tions just tend to align with other nations nationalistic and militarist direction for was a member of Japan’s wartime cabinet, of similar heritage, religion and culture. Japan, Abe wasted no time in consoli- later jailed by the U.S. as a war criminal. While Japan and China have many cul- dating and empowering his government. As Abe begins his prime-ministership, tural and ideological similarities, few exist Not only has he stacked his cabinet with we should watch two specific trends. with the U.S. Though relations between conservatives, but he has strengthened his First, we can expect Abe to finally Japan and America appear rosy, funda- own position. “His government immedi- rewrite Japan’s pacifist Constitution, mental schisms exist between American ately declared that the prime minister— enhance the Japanese military as an of- and Asian cultures. Huntington identi- not the powerful bureaucracy—would di- fensive force and promote that military fies another key difference between Asian rect policy” (ibid.). “The prime minister’s to the world as the dominant and power- and American cultures as revealed in past office,” according to incoming Chief Cab- ful force it is. As Japan’s military mindset conflicts and subsequent relations: “The inet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki, “should evolves from being predominantly de- Asians … tended to regard the United be strengthened as the control center for fensive to overtly offensive, it is also States as ‘an international nanny, if not the whole state” (ibid.). likely the nation will begin to develop bully.’ Deep imperatives within American It is no wonder Abe’s ascendance to its own cache of nuclear weapons. This culture, however, impel the United States power, as the Los Angeles Times put it, idea is already circulating among Japa- to be at least a nanny if not a bully … and “raises fears that the nation’s long-re- nese statesmen and politicians and being as a result American expectations were in- pressed well of virulent nationalism, bur- pushed particularly by Abe (see “Pres- creasingly at odds with Asian ones” (ibid.). ied just beneath the surface, could again sure Mounts to Go Nuclear,” page 22). Economics and politics are not enough to rise up …” (September 25). Indeed, even Second, we can expect Abe to repair hold America and Japan together. Japan’s prior to Abe becoming prime minister, his relations with fellow Asian states, specifi- future does not lie with America! predecessor Junichiro Koizumi was laying cally China. This prospect, often brushed This is why Shinzo Abe’s desire to re- the groundwork for a more nationalistic over, has the potential to be more danger- pair relations between Japan and China is Japanese foreign policy, to be under- ous than even the rise of a more nation- significant. We must watch for a strength- pinned by a more assertive military. alistic Japan. ening in Sino-Japanese relations. ■ Throughout his time as prime minis- Nakagawa, the ruling Liberal Demo- With reporting by DONNA GRIEVES ter, Koizumi ruffled feathers (most nota- cratic Party policy chief and a key adviser bly China’s) by visiting a shrine honoring to the new pm, vowed that Abe, as prime If you would like to understand more about Japanese war criminals, proposing changes minister, would seek to “repair damaged the immediate future of Asia, read our free to Japan’s pacifist Constitution, and tam- ties with China” (International Her- booklet Russia and China in Prophecy.

THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2006 15 The Sickness in Britain’s Heart The British have enabled extremist Islamism to infect their nation from within. It threatens to do them in. BY JOEL HILLIKER

ON BRITISH SOIL A Muslim angry about the cartoon depic- tions of Muhammad shouts and holds up the Koran during a protest in Trafalgar Square.

16 THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2006 WORLD BRITAIN

BEN STANSALL/AFP/GETTY IMAGES he soldiers are micro- A Peek at Britain’s Muslims believe the West’s end should come “if scopic, but it’s a war just the Of Britain’s 60.6 million people, at least necessary by violence.” That equates to same. Under constant as- 1.6 million are Muslim. The dispropor- at least 16,000 Muslims living in Britain sault by pathogens, the hu- tionate impact of this minority can be who hate their country enough to want man body stakes its life on discerned in part by the fact that Islam to see it come to a violent end. the multi-layered defenses is Britain’s fastest-growing religion, and In her scorching book Londonistan, of its immune system. its second largest. More people in Brit- author Melanie Phillips documents the EveryT millimeter of a man is a battle- ain attend a mosque each week than visit unbelievable extent to which the UK ground. The border guards, messengers, an Anglican church. has become home to the most extreme warriors and generals are skin, lymph, Alone, these facts speak more to the elements of Islamism in the world. Be- mucus, antibodies, bone marrow and crippled state of the Church of England cause of the freedom with which they hormones, each with amazingly profi- than to any particular threat from Islam. are able to operate in Britain, numer- cient means of detecting, destroying and However, peering inside the numbers re- ous radical groups—including arms dispatching anything that would jeopar- veals some startling trends. of al Qaeda—have planted their head- dize the home they exist only to defend. Among those 1.6 million British quarters or significant operations there. If this unseen militia cannot carry out Muslims, a great number identify more Says Phillips, “UK-based terrorists have its mission, germs and toxins attack the with the global body of Islamic believers carried out operations in Pakistan, Af- system and trigger sickness and disease. than with their home country. One third ghanistan, Kenya, Tanzania, Saudi Ara- When immunity is sufficiently disabled, would rather live in the UK under Is- bia, Iraq, Israel, Morocco, Russia, Spain a person faces certain death. lamic law than British law, according to and the United States.” Consider this list Such is the sick state of Britain today. a Channel 4 Dispatches poll in August. of infamous Islamists: the murderer of Almost a third of British Muslims believe that “Western society is decadent and immoral, and Muslims should seek to bring it to an end, but only by nonviolent means.” The United Kingdom is irreparably That figure roughly matches a shocking journalist Daniel Pearl; al Qaeda mem- infected with a host of pathogens cul- one from a YouGov poll a year earlier: bers who sought to target U.S. financial tural, moral and spiritual. Though many Almost a third of British Muslims be- centers; the man who rammed an explo- of these hurt the national body, one is lieve that “Western society is decadent sive-laden truck into police barracks in particularly deadly: the spread within and immoral, and Muslims should seek Kashmir; shoe-bomber Richard Reid; British borders of aggressive, hate-filled, to bring it to an end, but only by nonvio- suicide bombers who blew up Israelis in violence-loving Islamist extremism. lent means” (emphasis mine). a Tel Aviv bar; one of the masterminds This deep, creeping cancer has grown When Muslims speak of bringing behind two attacks in Bali. All these ter- in Britain’s bowels for decades virtually Western society to an end, they are talk- rorists called England their home. unnoticed. But on July 7 of last year, it ing about making it subject to Islamic How could such monsters incubate announced its presence suddenly, with law. Nonviolent means of achieving this within what is supposedly America’s a shock of pain: Coordinated suicide goal include gradually promoting the strongest ally in the “war on terror”? bombings killed 52 Londoners on their spread of Muslim customs and rituals; The reasons are numerous and shock- morning commute. A mere 13 months lat- securing special privileges for Islamic ing—and deeply revealing of the nature er, this past August, an attack many times schools, mosques and other organiza- of Britain today. greater—the destruction of 10 transatlan- tions; and gradually cracking down on tic flights leaving from London—would un-Islamic activity. They also include Misplaced Blame have slain thousands had not British and swelling the number of Muslims through Though the malignancy of radical Pakistani police busted it. immigration, reproduction and conver- Islamism is spreading in many non- What was so appalling was, the minds sion. In Britain today, one sees bustling Muslim nations—throughout Europe, that hatched these murders—filled with activity by Muslims on all these fronts. North America and Southeast Asia in incomprehensible, alien hate—were For many, it is a small step to sympa- particular—in Britain the problem is homegrown. In both cases, the villains thizing with those willing to blow them- uniquely bad. For its pathetic response who deigned to rob innocent British selves up in subways and on airplanes. to the incursion of militant Islam, com- fathers, mothers and children of life The Dispatches poll showed that almost mentator Daniel Pipes calls it the “weak- did not come from the hot sands of the one fourth of British Muslims—and far est link in the Western chain.” Middle East, but from the boroughs of more among those under age 24—believe Official response to the July 7, 2005, Mother England herself. Britain’s dead- the 7/7 bombings were justified because terrorist attack in London provided a per- liest enemies were, in fact, Britons—out- of the British government’s support of fect cat scan of the advanced state of the growths of the nation’s own sickness. the U.S.-led “war on terror.” Thus, the re- disease. Reportage of the event quickly Remarkably, the weak immunity that lationship between the host country and produced a politically correct, Islam-free enabled this sickness to flourish has a sizable percentage of this particular version of the murders: The perpetrators unmistakably been Britain’s own doing. minority is already an adversarial one. were “bombers,” not “terrorists.” That The British have systematically neutral- And among still smaller percentages they were Muslims who had been re- ized their own national defenses against of those 1.6 million British Muslims, one cruited at a British- and EU-government- this malignant infection, thus inviting it, finds far more toxic attitudes. The You- funded Islamic youth center known for even nurturing it. Gov poll cited above found that 1 percent its radical politics was glossed over.

THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2006 17 WORLD BRITAIN In the official account, the real victims Muslims, but on the state—for making West—put forward its recommenda- were British Muslims, who were certain Muslims angry. tion for protecting Britain from another to suffer an increase in “Islamophobia” That ridiculous idea lies at the core 7/7: Win the hearts of militant Muslims from ignorant Britons who would natu- of political correctness: that a minority by prostrating before them. A group of rally conclude from the attack that all culture is always a victim of the majority Anglican bishops, in a September 2005 Muslims are evil. The deputy assistant culture—that even its crimes can be un- report, proposed that Britain apologize commissioner of the Metropolitan Po- derstood as having been provoked by the for the Iraq war. Since they didn’t expect lice, Brian Paddick, tried to head off oppressions of the majority. During the Downing Street to do so, they agreed that public mistrust of Muslims by saying, cultural revolution of the 20th century’s the church itself should make a “public act “Islam and terrorists are two words that later decades, Britain swallowed that of repentance” before Muslim leaders. do not go together.” The Nottingham- toxic brew in lethal doses. British criminologists came up with shire chief constable made it his top pri- Thus, even after Islamists filled Lon- a unique explanation for what caused Religion has been almost completely leeched out of British life. Thus, its people can only stare uncomprehendingly at a people so dedicated to and motivated by religious faith. ority to deal with the problem—not by don’s public transportation with corps- 7/7: that the terrorists were just trying to clamping down on extremism, but by es, British officials read from the script, prove their masculinity. Presenting a pa- pacifying the Muslim community with blaming not Islamism, but Islamophobia. per on the subject to the British Society gestures such as ordering 20,000 green London’s mayor, Ken Livingstone, after of Criminology, the University of Hud- ribbons for all public officials to wear in initially condemning the attacks, within a dersfield’s Antony Whitehead explained, a show of solidarity with Muslims. couple weeks was saying that the true fault “It’s a very understandable dynamic. Prime Minister Tony Blair created a lay in “80 years of Western intervention Young Muslim men in the British culture post-7/7 advisory task force to tackle ex- into predominantly Arab lands because experience a lot of internalized pressure tremism “head on”—made up of the best of the Western need for oil.” to conform to the idea of manhood—the experts on the subject the government Yes—in Britain, one of the most wide- ideal of courage and standing up for could find: Muslims, some of whom ly used receptacles for pitching blame for yourself. … We are coming at this from were notorious extremists. Unsurpris- Islamism is the war in Iraq. If only Tony the wrong angle. We are making the as- ingly, the task force’s recommendations Blair wasn’t George W. Bush’s poodle, sumption that it’s all about Islam.” In entailed appeasing Muslims by bending 7/7 never would have happened, in other truth, virtually no one—at least, no one British culture and policy into closer words. of influence—assumed it was “all about conformity with Islam. In essence, it The Church of England—deeply in- Islam”; in fact, they tied themselves in pinned the blame for 7/7 not on angry fected by liberalism and hatred of the How Britain Learned to Hate Itself F somehow a group of Britons from 100 years ago were brought also left British culture vulnerable to the savage forces of liberalism to life and turned loose on the streets of modern London, they that stormed the Western world during the 1960s. would barely recognize the place. In the 13 years following the Suez crisis, intellectual retreat from I The Britain of their day bursted with imperial pride—a sense imperialism was reflected in a territorial retreat: Britain granted inde- that the empire was a gift to the world. Over the three centuries Britain pendence to nearly all of its remaining colonies in Africa, the Far East built and sustained its globe-straddling kingdom, its extensive contact and the West Indies. Military spending plummeted. Meanwhile, how- with all manner of foreign cultures was governed by a sense of duty, of ever, the British standard of living actually rose, and the general pub- mission. The British sought to strengthen the peoples of other races, re- lic turned inward, apparently unconcerned with the loss of empire. ligions and creeds with a specific, potent instrument: the civilizing influ- Britain’s sense of national purpose and identity—including ideals ence of Britishness. Their various dealings with these far-flung peoples and virtues long held in esteem and broadly aspired to—was replaced made the world—even to this day—a fundamentally different place. by a culture of self-love and moral relativism. “O England! …” wrote The Britain of today is transformed in many ways because of one Shakespeare in Henry V, “What mightst thou do, that honor would thee core truth: The former imperial pride is demolished, replaced by out- do, / Were all thy children kind and natural! / But see thy fault! France right embarrassment and hostility for what the British Empire once hath in thee found out a nest of hollow bosoms ….” Young people embodied. Britain’s once stout heart is utterly feeble, with poisons of grew up without a moral anchor, stripped of nobility. Permissiveness doubt and self-loathing coursing through its chambers. and secularism flourished; tradition and faith languished. The effect of this change on the nation’s defenses cannot be This transformation “encompassed a radical assault on traditional overstated. values and attitudes, many of which were closely associated with the The first hints of the sickness began after World War II, when a empire and those who had made and ruled it. If their ideals were bo- victorious Britain surveyed the scene and comprehended how many gus, then perhaps the institution itself was rotten throughout” (Law- of its men now lay buried in the battlegrounds of Europe. It could have rence James, The Rise and Fall of the British Empire). All that Britain lost that war. This sinking sense of the nation’s mortality became far once was came to be regarded with shame. gloomier a decade later when, in 1956, Britain was forced to back The only way to reclaim legitimacy, it was believed, was to squash down from a confrontation with Egypt over the Suez—a stark humili- all things national in favor of the international, the multicultural. Be- ation that shook the very notion of imperialism to its foundations, and fore long, the nation was caught up in a long and hiccupy flirtation

18 THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2006 knots trying to prove their assumption that silent majority existed at all, it had for phantom diseases. As a result, their that it was all about anything but Islam. to be one of the most silent majorities “cures” only fuel and aggravate the can- ever.” In fact, polls such as those reveal- cer—as much as if they tried to douse a What Religion Connection? ing that one in 10 British Muslims sup- wildfire with gasoline. British officials give the impression that ported the 7/7 attacks—that one in four they are far less afraid of terrorism than sympathized with the “feelings and mo- Identifying With the Jihadis they are of being accused of racism or tives” of the attackers—that more than It is one thing for Islamists to blame religious discrimination—hanging of- half could “understand” why someone Britain for Muslim rage—it is another fenses under political correctness. Thus, would blow himself up in order to kill for Britain to blame itself. Self-hatred is they flee from anything that could be innocent people—belied the idea that a sickness all its own. Britain has a rag- remotely construed as such. One of the terrorists are just crazy fringers, mo- ing case of it. most common and predictable means of tivated by something entirely separate Case in point: The British establish- proving one’s credentials as an officially from their religion. ment—including the media, particularly tolerant person is to insist—surely if one It is interesting that the British are so the bbc—is continually serving the Brit- says it loudly and often enough it must scrupulous in overlooking the patently ish people a potent concoction with two be true—that the vast majority of Mus- obvious religious connection to terror- noxious ingredients. lims detest what the terrorists are doing, ism. This is not only because they are First is an absence of facts regarding and that violence is anathema to the im- loath to appear discriminatory, but also the dangers of violent Islamism in Brit- minently peaceful religion of Islam. because theirs is a deeply secular soci- ain and abroad; much is underreported, It is hard to ignore the fact, however, ety. Religion has been almost completely and what is reported is often stripped of that these statements always issue from leeched out of British life. Thus, its peo- its Islamist context. For example, Prime white, non-Muslim types—never from ple can only stare uncomprehendingly at Minister Blair’s speeches this past sum- the leaders of this supposedly vast body a people so dedicated to and motivated mer outlining his war strategy and ex- of “moderate” Muslims. “That a silent by religious faith. plaining the seriousness of the danger majority of European Muslims believed But by denying Islamist terrorism’s posed by Islamism were barely reported in democracy and despised terror was roots in religion, the British unwittingly in the British press. Daniel Johnson by now a truism,” wrote Bruce Bawer in guarantee that whatever solutions they wrote in the New York Sun September 7, While Europe Slept. “Observers found undertake will absolutely fail to cor- “If neither his officials, nor his political themselves thinking, however, that if rect the problem. Setting its true causes allies, nor the media are listening, how

ANDREW STUART/AFP/ GETTY IMAGES GETTY STUART/AFP/ ANDREW aside, they are forced can he expect the public to hear? His to manufacture message about the existential threat sham causes. Having posed by Islamist ideology has been misdiagnosed the drowned by the din of speculation about disease, they must his future.” Blair has been vilified even then concoct cures for what mild attempts he has taken to

infected the nation that, thanks to its exceedingly liberal asylum laws, even individuals who had been exiled from other nations for being too radical were welcomed into Britain. An Algerian journalist who tracked the story called the UK “the only country that gave asylum and didn’t ask a lot of questions.” In defiance of all common sense, British courts embraced the Eu- British Muslims ropean Convention on Human Rights, which by the 1990s had come to ban the deportation of illegal immigrants—even suspected terrorists— with the Continent, a slow-motion entanglement that would gradu- to anywhere they might face torture or abuse. “[I]f such immigrants ally erode its national sovereignty. It also permitted, beginning in the turned out to be themselves harmful to Britain, they could not be thrown 1960s, an unprecedented level of immigration, which served to fur- out if they claimed that they faced further harm where they were being ther dilute whatever cultural cohesion the nation had retained. sent—which many promptly did. … Thus a Taliban soldier who fought With the nation’s immunity thus weakened morally and culturally, the British and Americans in Afghanistan was granted asylum because evils began to penetrate and take root in the national body. he said he feared persecution—from the Western-backed government In the 1970s, particularly large masses of immigrants swarmed to in Kabul” (Melanie Phillips, Londonistan). England’s shores from Third World countries that were becoming rad- This goes beyond Britain unwittingly allowing sickness to develop. icalized at the time. Among them slipped handfuls of Islamist activists It is self-sabotage—state suicide. Had Britain remained a vibrant, who began infecting otherwise peaceful Muslims with hateful, violent upright nation, confident in its identity and role in the world—not ideas. Stoking passion for their cause were such watershed events as to mention resistant to what forces might threaten that position—it the Iranian Revolution of 1979 and the Islamic victory over the Soviet would have been more vigilant to expunge evil from its midst. And its Union in Afghanistan—events that, in the mind of Muslims, offered immigrants would have had far more to identify with and take pride in proof that their religion was destined to rule the world. within the nation they had chosen to make their home. British officials dumbly stood by and let this sickness spread un- Instead, as Phillips put it, “British society presented a moral and checked. They ignored open expressions of activism and clear incite- philosophical vacuum that was ripe for colonization by predatory ment to violent acts. In fact, the dogma of political correctness had so Islamism” (ibid., emphasis mine). JOEL HILLIKER

THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2006 19 WORLD BRITAIN address the problem. Soon he will be run plistic derision of the U.S. and the fren- though, for decades, they had simply out of office for them. The nation is in- zied hatred of Israel, the two camps at- looked the other way? Why so shocked? terested in other things. tend the same church and sing from the In large part it was because of a sinister, Second is the incessant peddling of same hymnal.” tacit agreement they had made with lo- the message that Britain is somehow to The irony is that, in purchasing the cal radicals: to leave them alone as long blame for Islamist attacks on itself. Why? Islamist bill of goods regarding the evils there were no attacks in Britain. Because it is killing Iraqis to take their of Western imperialism and so on, these Melanie Phillips explains, “This bar- oil; because it oppresses British Muslims; opinion shapers are forced to overlook the gain, or ‘covenant of security,’ had been the because it supports the U.S., which sup- evils of Islamist ideology—predominantly, dirty little secret at the heart of the British ports Israel, which is the cause of all the that killing innocent people is a righteous government’s blind-eye policy” (op. cit.). world’s problems. These themes occur in act; not to mention its blatant contraven- Never mind the fact that these radicals various forms in print and on television tions of Western ideals such as women’s were successfully masterminding, fund- ad nauseam. REUTERS ing, supervising and carrying out murder- A chilling truth the establishment ous attacks in other countries. Never mind must face is that its party line, on many that they were actively recruiting foot sol- specific points of doctrine, falls in lock- diers for their evil acts in local mosques. step with the radical Muslim view. An- As long as they didn’t do their dirtiest other way to look at it is that the Muslim work at home, they could carry on. worldview is measurably shaping Brit- And this from a supposed chief ally ain’s worldview. in the “war on terror”! Part of the reason for that is the news- Disgusting. Appalling. makers’ fear of provoking Muslims and Surely Muslim leaders saw through the stirring up violence—which in itself hypocrisy. Surely they recognized weak- shows there is a serious problem that ness when they saw it. How they must should be dealt with rather than papered have shaken their heads in contempt at over. (After all, what better proves that the British authorities, with their hollow Islam is violent than the fact that anyone religion and empty ideals, talking tough implying this is accused of provoking for the cameras and for the Americans, peaceful Muslims to become violent?) then caving in to Muslim demands—to But the more insidious reason is that the hurt of at least 11 other nations whose the leftist media and political personali- citizens were killed by UK-based terror- ties agree with many of the Muslim ideas: ists. In this, and throughout British so- that the U.S. is imperialistic, that peace ciety, the devout believers in extremist “DEFENDER OF FAITH” Prince Charles visits in the Middle East is contingent upon Islamism saw plenty to confirm in their a mosque wearing a Muslim cap and shawl. Israel moving somewhere else; that ter- minds the superiority of their violent, rorism would stop if only coalition forces rights, monogamy and free speech. uncompromising ideology over Britain’s would pull out of Iraq. In fact, a majority In the end, whatever the reasons, self-serving one. of Britons believe these ideas. A YouGov the effect of the left’s sympathy with poll conducted in June revealed that 65 Islamism is the same: When people— Decadence percent of Britons consider Americans Muslim, Christian, secularist or any- Abu Abdullah, leader of the Finsbury “vulgar,” and 58 percent see the U.S. as thing else—are endlessly flooded with Park Mosque in London, is a British- “an essentially imperial power, one that such messages, they are bound eventual- born convert to Islam who told cnn in wants to dominate the world by one ly to have increased hostility, even rage, August that it is an “Islamic right” to take means or another.” A strong majority against the U.S. and Israel, as well as any up arms against the West, that Tony Blair of Britons believe Israel used “dispro- British policy that aligns with them. and George Bush are legitimate targets portionate” force against Hezbollah in Thus, in yet another way, Britain, for violence, that America and Britain Lebanon. In these ways, the British peo- rather than treating its sickness, has ag- should be subjected to further attacks. ple have more in common with Islamist gravated it. This man—whose candor in spewing out extremists than with their own prime vileness, and with a British accent, takes minister. Covenant of Security one’s breath away—made a notable point British leaders should be challenging Of all the aspects of the diseased innards in a 2004 interview with pbs’s Frontline. the lies propagated by Muslims. Instead of British society that the nation’s colli- He explained, “The reason that I con- they publicize those lies—because they sion with Islamist extremists has exposed, verted to Islam is because the Western believe them! one of the most disgusting has been what world or the world in general had noth- As Bret Stephens wrote in the Sep- is called its “covenant of security.” ing to offer me other than gambling, sex, tember 5 Wall Street Journal, “[W]hat This was revealed in the shock that killings, etc. Islam gave me hope.” really ought to terrify Britain’s lead- British authorities registered after the This is a common argument made by ers aren’t the conclusions that divide 7/7 attack. Many of them simply never Islamists to justify the idea that Western mainstream and Muslim Britain, but expected such a thing to happen there. society should be destroyed: that it is deca- the premises that unite them. From the Why? Even though they had long been dent and immoral. Is this a valid charge? credence given to people like Michael aware of the bustling hive of extremist Britain once had a firm sense of its Moore and Noam Chomsky, to the sim- activity taking place in their midst? Even own identity—rooted in biblically based

20 THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2006 morals and high standards—and of ob- the pillar virtues Western society once syrian, and sent to king Jareb: yet could ligation to set an example of uprightness aspired to represent. he not heal you, nor cure you of your and civility for the rest of the world (see Conservative mp John Hayes, in a wound.” Ephraim is the biblical name for “How Britain Learned to Hate Itself,” page scathing indictment of Britain’s moral modern Britain (as The United States and 18). Today, however, traditional British state in the Aug. 6, 2005, Spectator, made Britain in Prophecy proves). And here, in values have been almost wholly replaced this point—one that would be all-too- the same context as Israel’s “wound,” is by a rabid devotion to the hollow ideals easy to dismiss for being too simplistic, mentioned Britain’s “sickness.” of tolerance and multiculturalism. This but that should be deeply considered: Does it not make sense that the wound “tolerance,” in practice, translates into a “The most fitting response to the terror- that drives Israel to seek help from Ger- violent repudiation of tradition—which, ist outrages would be the kind of moral many (“the Assyrian”—proved in our in Britain, includes all scripturally based and cultural renaissance that would booklet Germany and the Holy Roman beliefs and morals. British society has vi- make Britons of all backgrounds feel Empire, free upon request) would be so tiated its people’s sense of identity, of his- more proud of their country.” closely linked to the sickness that causes tory, of responsibility. As a result, it has That statement touches very close to Britain to do the same? In both cases they become the embodiment of secularism, the only possible healing for Britain in its are partly caused by harmful dealings self-loathing, immorality and loutish- advanced state of sickness. with a radical Islamist enemy. The ugly truth is, Islamism’s attack on Western decadence would never have gained such traction if the West had conducted itself in a morally upright way, and if it had unapologetically offered its people—of every creed—a firm sense of noble national identity. ness. It seeks money rather than virtue; it Britain’s Sickness In this prophecy, Britain at some worships pleasure rather than God. You may be shocked to learn that the point recognizes its sickness. This is cer- Too many of Britain’s politicians, edu- United Kingdom’s present diseased con- tainly happening in some British circles cators and religious leaders have failed to dition was prophesied over 2,700 years already, as commentators like Melanie stand and shore up the nation’s defenses ago—as was its outcome. Phillips and Daniel Johnson send out against this ravaging plague. A most no- Britain’s history with the God of the warnings to the public. At present, they table example is Prince Charles’s attitude Bible is thoroughly documented and are minority voices. But even among toward the UK’s state religion. Were he plainly evident throughout its system of Britons at large, a majority now believe, crowned king of England, Charles would law and governance, which is rooted in for example, that Britain’s immigration be the titular head of the Anglican scripture and rich with biblical symbol- laws should be stiffer. Laws have been Church. In a seismic break from Britain’s ogy. (Request a free copy of Herbert W. implemented to deny visas to foreign ex- past—but one thoroughly in touch with Armstrong’s book The United States and tremists, and to deport radicals who live the modern values of his people who Britain in Prophecy to examine the his- in Britain (though, with endless appeals, have turned their back on their found- torical and scriptural evidence of Britain’s this law is still woefully toothless). Based ing religion—Charles once proposed identity.) Its past experience as the tribe on Hosea’s depiction, we should expect that, as king, rather than assuming the of Ephraim within the biblical nation of to see the British increasingly wake up title “Defender of the Faith”—that is, of Israel is clear: When it subjected itself to to just how dangerous the sickness they Protestantism—he would be a “defender God’s commandments, it lived in peace, have allowed to develop within truly is. of faith”—any and all faith! receiving blessings and favor. When it But once they see that sickness, what The ugly truth is, Islamism’s attack broke those commandments, it suffered will they do about it? It will quickly be- on Western decadence would never have from a host of plagues and curses. come clear that the time for self-healing gained such traction if the West had con- Today’s Britain, having trashed that is long past. The disease is too far ad- ducted itself in a morally upright way, heritage and spurned the God of the vanced; the body too weak. But they will and if it had unapologetically offered its Bible, has entrapped itself in this same not turn to God—the God who first gave people—of every creed—a firm sense of pattern of curses. them all their national blessings and who noble national identity. By trampling on Longtime Trumpet readers are aware alone could restore them to health—not its own sense of Britishness, this nation that editor in chief Gerald Flurry has at first, anyway. Hosea’s prophecy is that created a void that was filled on one hand pointed to the dangerous Middle East first, like the Jews, the British will instead by decadence, and on another by a deep “peace process” as fulfilling a specific turn for help to the Germans. And that, loyalty among Muslims to the Islamic biblical prophecy—that of “Judah’s as several dozen other prophecies plainly community that, in some cases, included wound,” found in Hosea 5:13. Biblical tell us, will prove to be a fatal mistake. embracing its most militant dogmas. Judah is the modern nation called Israel, But the biblical narrative doesn’t stop And because everything respectable and its “wound” is the process by which there! Prophecy also tells us that, once that Britain once was is now regarded by Israel is trying to shore up its national the British have learned the invaluable many with shame, the nation simply has security by placing its faith in its en- lesson that those who trust in man are no answer. Devout Muslims are right to emies—enemies who happen to be Mus- cursed—once they have suffered through hate the materialism, the immorality lims bent on Israel’s destruction. the plagues that come as a result of their and the selfishness. But those are not That prophecy links Israel to Britain in faithlessness—the remnant of them will the things Western society should repre- a peculiar way. Here is the verse: “When turn in heartfelt repentance to God, and sent—they are the evils that rushed in Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw He will re-establish them as a strong, ro- to fill the vacuum left by the trashing of his wound, then went Ephraim to the As- bustly healthy nation! ■

THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2006 21 WORLDWATCH a Survey of Global Events and Conditions to Keep an Eye on REUTERS COMMON GROUND Russia’s sees it as an essential step to President Putin meets with securing its objectives be- the German chancellor at yond the Continent. “A com- July’s G8 Summit in Russia. plete European peace regime and the resolution of impor- for the European Union. Due tant security and political to be released later this year, problems from the Balkans to the policy paper provides the Middle East can only be evidence that the German attained with Russia and not government seeks to shackle without it,” the paper states. the Russian bear to Europe To understand Germany’s by aggressively pushing for preoccupation with its a deeper strategic partner- eastern neighbor, one must ship between the two. “The appreciate its geographic goal must be to make the position. Germany is at the political, economic and cul- crossroads of Europe, which tural ties between the EU stretches from the Iberian EUROPE and Russia—its anchor to Peninsula to the Russian a wider Europe—irrevers- Ural mountains. On its Germany Securing Eastern Front ible,” the policy paper states west and east, Germany (United Press International, is bordered by flat ter- t an annual meeting when Germany takes on the September 1; emphasis ours rain—the kind of terrain Aof foreign ambassadors six-month rotating EU presi- throughout). tanks roll right across. The in Berlin in early September, dency in January 2007. This German drive to in- same feature that made it German Foreign Minister Germany intends to corporate Russia into a “wid- so easy for Hitler to invade Frank-Walter Steinmeier use its EU presidency to er Europe” goes beyond a France and Poland also ex- declared that relations with implement the new “eastern normal spirit of cooperation poses Germany to invasion. Russia will be a top priority policy” paper it has drafted between nations: Germany Germany realized in World

JAPAN Japan’s pacifist Constitution, to pursue a policy that would “urged the Japanese to seri- enable Japan to stand on its Pressure Mounts to Go Nuclear ously discuss whether to go own. If Japan feels it cannot nuclear, taking into account rely on the U. S. for security, or many years, desire to become a “‘normal the possibility that Japan it will have to take matters Fthe development of nation,’ one armed and able could one day no longer into its own hands—for ex- nuclear weapons had been to fight wars” (July 22). depend on the nuclear um- ample, by developing a nu- too sensitive, in light of Talk of Japanese nuclear brella provided by the United clear deterrent. This prospect Japan’s war history, to dis- armament does not bode States under the bilateral aligns well with Abe’s sup- cuss in Japanese politics. well for the United States. security pact” (Jiji Press, port of repealing or loosely However, that is no longer Japan has been America’s September 5). interpreting Article Nine, the the case. staunchest ally in REU constitutional article Japan’s new prime min- the Asian theater. TERS that forfeits Japan’s right ister Shinzo Abe, has been One reason is the to make war. His “pre- one of the foremost propo- U.S.-Japan ampo emptive strike” rhetoric nents of a Japanese nuclear treaty that ensures regarding North Korea arsenal. In recent years he Japanese safety under broke down some long- has maintained that Japan American protec- standing barriers in has the right to possess nu- tion. Japan’s increased Japanese thinking this clear weapons and should interest in providing past summer. develop them. its own security is Given the political Since North Korea’s mis- a warning sign of a go-ahead, Japan could sile tests in July, nuclear weakened U.S.-Japan become a nuclear- arms have become the relationship. In early armed nation almost subject of serious and open September, former ASSEMBLING Researchers work on a proton overnight. Because of discussion in Japan. The Prime Minister accelerator at a facility north of Tokyo. its dearth of natural New York Times described Yasuhiro Nakasone, resources, Japan has this debate as an illustra- who last year headed a sub- North Korea’s antics have long relied on nuclear power. tion of how the Japanese are committee of the ruling given Japan’s leaders just the With the plutonium from its coming to terms with their party’s committee to revise rationale they need in order reactors, Japan could easily

22 THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2006 War i, and was painfully re- companies (see page 11). minded in World War ii, that Europe Buying Out U.S. Company Although the sale it simply cannot fight a war of Lucent

on two fronts. n September 7, share- telecommunica- REUTERS Technologies all Thus, having already Oholders approved the tions giant, and by itself is not a secured its western front by purchase of the U.S. Lucent loss of owner- crippling blow to shackling Europe to itself Technologies Inc. by France’s ship of a U.S. the U.S. economy, through the EU, Germany Alcatel sa for $10.5 billion to defense arm. it does represent a seeks to bind Russia to the form the world’s largest sup- Just as Britain growing trend that EU to secure its eastern front. plier of telephone networks is divesting itself is not in America’s The method for achiev- (Bloomberg.com, September of its corporate national interest. ing this goal is more than 7). The massive merger is crown jewels, Unfortunately, the 200 years old. Whenever expected to close by the end as we reported true consequences Germany exercised its domi- of the year, creating the new last month, so related to the loss of nance as a global power, nor- communications equipment is America. SERGE TCHURUK strategic American mally through war, it always company AlcatelLucent, Meanwhile, Alcatel chief executive industries will be signed a pact with Russia. based in Paris. To help cut Europe, with most felt when The Three Emperor’s League costs even while extending Germany in the lead, keeps times of economic hard- in 1872 and the non-aggres- its global reach, the com- buying up strategic foreign ship—or war—come. sion pact with Stalin in 1939 bined company intends to are two prime examples of cut 9,000 jobs. In a telling Germany allying with Russia indication of which country Economic Growth Accelerates before going to war. stands to benefit the most t appears the cloudy years of slow growth and In light of these historical from this takeover, just 52 Ihigh unemployment in Europe are finally starting to clear precedents, Germany’s effort percent of Lucent’s share- while the United States’ economy seems to be slowing down. to forge closer, “irreversible” holders approved it, while 85 The 3.6 percent economic growth that the 12-member ties with Russia should serve percent of Alcatel sharehold- eurozone economy enjoyed during the second quarter of as a warning of Germany’s ers endorsed the merger (idg this year (annualized rate) was its quickest in six years, expansionist goals. News Service, September 7). according to recently released data (EUobserver.com, The only remaining September 15). Growth in the United States, by contrast, hurdle is to convince the fell to an annualized rate of 2.5 percent. manufacture thousands of Committee on Foreign European employment is increasing too. nuclear weapons. Add to Investment in the United Unemployment in the 12 nations that use the euro fell to that the fact that Japan al- States that the deal won’t 7.8 percent in June, the lowest level since the European ready produces machinery jeopardize national security. Union’s statistical agency started keeping records in 1998. to manufacture centrifuges Bell Labs, a division of According to Holger Schmieding, a European economist and other highly precise in- Lucent, is an industrial re- at Bank of America, “[T]he eurozone is now creating jobs struments that are used in search lab that handles high- at a faster rate than the U.S.”—approximately 200,000 jobs making nuclear warheads, ly sensitive contracts for the a month (EUobserver.com, August 23). and Japan’s timetable for U.S. Defense Department. To put Europe’s employment numbers in perspective, producing a nuclear weap- Originally, there was specu- in July, America created just 113,000 jobs. Though the U.S. on shrinks to weeks—or lation that Lucent would unemployment rate stands officially at only 4.8 percent, this less, according to Abe. have to get rid of Bell Labs figure does not include Americans who have abandoned Why is this important? because of the national secu- their efforts to find work. The Bureau of Labor Statistics The Trumpet has long rity implications of a foreign decided during the 1990s to exclude these individuals; eco- tracked mounting evidence takeover. Instead, Lucent REUTERS nomic analyst Jim Willie says of a developing powerful is forming a separate unit if the jobless rate was calcu- alliance among Russia, that will work on sensitive lated the way it used to be, it China, Japan and other government contracts, to be would now be about 7 percent Asian powers. Japan’s in- run by U.S. citizens, but still (www.321gold.com, July 26). dustrialization and strong coming under French con- The Guardian summed economy put it in good trol with the merger. up the situation this way: stead to contribute might- Though the new company “The recent flow of news ily to such a force. With the hopes to be more competitive from around the world sug- nationalist Abe as prime and benefit shareholders, it gests that the balance of minister, the current nu- wouldn’t change the fact that world economic power may clear weapons discussions a foreign country would have finally be swinging away at such high levels are a a majority stake in what used AT WORK Many Europeans from the United States—the precursor for Japan’s return to be an American company. are finding work as unem- powerhouse of the past de- to a militarily prominent For the U.S., it means a loss ployment rates throughout cade or more—toward Japan global position. of jobs, loss of control over a EU member nations fall. and Europe …” (op. cit.).

THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2006 23 WORLDWATCH GETTY IMAGES GETTY MIDDLE EAST Hezbollah’s Success Hurts Egypt’s Mubarak

gypt’s president, based, Iran-supported Ealready at odds with terrorist group this way: his people as popular sup- “Popular Egyptian sup- SUPPORTED Egyptians wave a poster reading “Master of the Arab port among Egyptians for port for Hezbollah would leaders” in support of the Hezbollah militia. Islamist radicalism grows, be a given, except for the was thrown an “unwelcome traditional Sunni scorn for Brotherhood’s solidarity mations of Egyptian Muslim surprise” by Hezbollah’s Shiite Islam. … [B]ut Arab with Hezbollah was clear Brothers fought in the front success against Israel earlier nationalism is also a potent from the beginning of the lines against Israel.” this summer, according to force in Egypt, and the stub- conflict, with its leader, But perhaps the most the Jamestown Foundation’s born resistance offered by Muhammad Mahdi Akef, chilling revelation in the Global Terrorism Analysis Hezbollah’s small Shiite announcing that it was “pre- Jamestown Foundation (September 6). guerrilla force gained sup- pared to recruit and send report was this: “Akef sug- The Muslim Brotherhood, port from large parts of the 10,000 members to combat gested that the Arab lead- a long-time radical Islamist population.” Israel, hearkening back to ers [such as Mubarak] were group based in Egypt that The Muslim 1947-48 when guerrilla for- bigger threats to the Arab has enjoyed resurging support in recent years, was among the supporters that Israel to Give Up Golan For “Peace” With Syria? staged public demonstra- ollowing the enact- for Israel: “The Syrians are Israel’s withdrawal. “The tions supporting Hezbollah’s Fment of the cease- afraid to attack us because issue of retaking the Israeli- campaign against Israel. In fire between Israel and we are sitting there, and we occupied Golan Heights … Egyptian mosques, worship- Hezbollah in August, are 40 miles from Damascus, has remained almost an ob- ers heard sermons with mes- Syrian President Bashar holding the high ground and session for Assad” (Stratfor, sages like “God give victory Assad declared, “[T]he holding the watershed. We August 16). to Hezbollah, and inflict resistance [Hezbollah] has know what is happening over Not surprisingly, Syria defeat on the Jews.” won the war, and now we there; they do not know what has used the conflict in At the beginning of must win the diplomatic is happening in Israel. The Lebanon to bring the Golan the Israeli-Hezbollah war, battle as well.” moment they get even half issue back to the negotiating Mubarak was one of sev- What precisely was the of the Golan, including Mt. table (where it has been, off eral Arab leaders who con- Syrian president referring Hermon and all those moun- and on, since the 1990s). demned Hezbollah’s actions. to? “[T]he Golan Heights tains, the situation will be The August 26 Boston Author Andrew McGregor will be liberated by Syria,” reversed.” Globe reported: “Syria could noted, however, that as the he proclaimed (ynetnews So, the Golan Heights— help Hezbollah rearm and chorus of popular support .com, August 15). territory in northern Israel rebuild, continuing to supply grew larger and more pas- That declaration is what secured in the 1967 war—in it with weapons, and allow sionate, Mubarak backed off: makes Israel’s comments addition to containing over Iranian arms to flow through “As the battle in Lebanon just days later all the more a third of Israel’s vital water its borders to the militia. Or continued, the government’s shocking. On August 21, resources, is attitude toward Hezbollah, Israel’s Internal Security essential for deeply at odds with popular Minister Avi Dichter stated: Israel’s secu- opinion, began to change. “In exchange for peace rity. (Prior Hezbollah was recognized with Syria, Israel can leave to 1967, Syria as an integral part of the the Golan Heights” (ibid., used the Lebanese social and political August 21). Golan as a structure and the victim of a Interesting timing, con- base for sniper ‘disproportionate response’ sidering Israel had just been attacks and by Israel. By early August, fighting a terrorist organiza- to shell Israeli Mubarak was denouncing tion funded in part by Syria. towns; it also Israel’s ‘deluded’ actions In an 1999 interview disrupted in Lebanon and the ‘failed’ with the Trumpet, Yohanan Israel’s water Middle East policies of the Ramati, director of the supply.) United States” (ibid.). Jerusalem Institute for Syria, McGregor character- Western Defense, elaborat- however, has ized the support among ed on the strategic impor- consistently ON THE HIGH GROUND An Israeli Egyptians for the Lebanese- tance of the Golan Heights demanded soldier trains in the Golan Heights.

24 THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2006 world than Israel, and that Clearly Mubarak feels its hot LATIN AMERICA the Brotherhood had only breath on his neck. refrained from killing them For many years the China Moving Into U.S. Backyard because they were Muslims” Trumpet has voiced its ex-

(emphasis ours). pectation that Egypt will KIN CHEUNG/AFP/GETTY How long will such “re- end up allying itself with hina’s straint” last, if such radicals the radical Shiite crescent CHutchison consider their secularist led by Iran, which sponsors Whampoa is wheel- Arab leader such an obstacle Hezbollah. For this alliance ing and dealing to radical Islamist goals? to take place would require America out of its Egyptian politics have been an end to the “moderate” own backyard. rocked before when similar politics of Mubarak. The company sentiments exploded into Continue to watch Egypt plans to build and violent actions. for more evidence of radical- operate a new con- Despite being an officially ization, and for an event— tainer terminal in banned organization, the perhaps even violent—that Ecuador, dealing a Muslim Brotherhood made marks the end of the present blow to America’s notable gains in Egypt’s par- era of relative stability in prestige and eco- liament in the last election Egyptian politics and the be- nomic expansion. and is now the largest oppo- ginning of a new era, decid- The Hong Kong- sition bloc in the legislature. edly more extreme. based global company, which operates five core businesses including port ser- it could ease off its support announced, “We tell them vices and telecom- for Hezbollah, something it’s [Israelis] that after tasting munications, will not likely to do unless, per- humiliation in the latest bat- invest $523 million PORTLY Hutchinson Whampoa is the haps, Israel and the United tles, your weapons are not in hopes of profit- world’s largest ports operator. States offer new hope of get- going to protect you—not ing from Latin ting back the Golan.” your planes, or missiles or America’s economic growth. extend China’s growing in- In other words, Syria is even your nuclear bombs …. September 7, it announced fluence in Latin America. in a position to blackmail They [Israel] should know a 30-year deal to operate the At the same time, U.S. Israel. Will Israel concede that they are before a his- terminal, located in Manta, influence in that area is wan- more land for an offer of toric crossroads. Either they the second-largest port in ing. Relations with Latin peace? If it were up to its move toward peace and the Ecuador. The terminal, America have cooled as the internal security minister, return of [Arab] rights or which will open next year, U.S. expends its money and the answer would likely be they move in the direction will “strengthen Hutchison energy on other foreign yes. Israel’s defense minister, of continued instability …” Port’s Latin America network commitments, such as Iraq. Amir Peretz, seems to be of (ibid.). An ultimatum if ever on the west coast of South Anti-Americanism is rearing the same opinion: “Every there was one. America,” the company’s up in countries throughout war creates an opportunity Israeli Prime Minister managing director, John South America. for a new political process … Ehud Olmert does not sup- Meredith, said in a September Thus, China is taking this we must hold a dialogue with port Dichter’s position, so 7 statement. “Being the closest opportunity to increase its Lebanon, and where Dichter’s rhetoric will port to Asia, the new terminal economic ties with fellow de- we should go is another matter. But will benefit from the growing veloping nations while chip- create the that Israel’s internal securi- trade activities between the ping away at U.S. hegemony. conditions ty minister should be push- two regions” (Bloomberg The port in Manta represents for dialogue ing such policies at a time .com, September 7). another step in a strategy also with when Israel’s enemies are The terminal will give China began in 1999, when Syria,” he on the offensive is astonish- China another opening to it started a long-term lease said August ing. It demonstrates the capitalize on Latin America’s to operate the exit and entry 15 (Stratfor, defeatist stance that Israel’s growing economy, especially ports of the Panama Canal op. cit.). leadership has become com- with global trade volumes after America relinquished Syria fortable with. As Freund set to expand 7.6 percent its rights to it. could hardly said, what Israel’s politi- over last year. Hutchison, the Hutchison Whampoa’s be in a more cians who signal a readiness largest port operator in the new port in Ecuador is enviable situ- to retreat have yet to learn world, already operates in another chapter in what is ation—and is that “in the Middle East, Panama, Argentina, Mexico becoming an increasingly it knows it. raising the flag of surrender and the Bahamas. The addi- familiar story: As U.S. power On August only invites further aggres- tion of Manta to this grow- and influence shrink, other 15, Assad sion and bloodshed.” ing list of ports will further nations rush in to fill the gap.

THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2006 25 They lift you when you’re down, keep you in line, even lengthen your life.

Are you making the most of them? BY JOEL HILLIKER How to Deepen Your Friendships

ow many really good them—your innermost thoughts and Do they make it easier or more difficult friends do you have? feelings? for you to grow and change? Think about the people Are you able to rely on them for help Now think about this: How would the you’d consider your clos- when you need it? people you consider your closest friends est friends. What is the Do your friends respect the things answer those questions about you? What Hquality of those friendships? you tell them in confidence? Can you sort of quality friend are you? How do you feel around your trust them to keep things confidential friends? Do you feel comfortable and ac- that you don’t want spread around? We All Need Friends cepted? Do you feel they like the real you? Are you honest with each other? Does We all need contact with other people. We Or do you feel you’re not good enough, your friend help you recognize your per- crave it—even the shy person who finds or you have to put on an act? sonal faults when he or she feels you need talking with people excruciating. God How do you deal with differences of it? If you pointed out a problem to your created us to be social beings. He says it’s opinion? Do your friends listen to you friend, would he or she accept it? not good for a man to be alone (Genesis and treat your thoughts and opinions Do your friends help you to be a bet- 2:18). We need companionship. We need with respect? ter person? Do you feel they’re behind to feel understood by other people. We Are you able to share your heart with you when you try to improve your life? need to be able to share ourselves openly.

26 THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2006 LIVING Our Creator’s way of life is the way of men in terms of righteousness, spiritual king of Israel, Jonathan realized he’d give. Christ encapsulated this way in two maturity, intellect and so on—yet God been passed over for the kingship. great commandments: love God and love didn’t consider Himself above those men, Nevertheless, rather than feel threat- your neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40). That in that sense. Christ was perfect, yet He ened, “the soul of Jonathan was knit means we have to be around people. didn’t go around condemning people all with the soul of David, and Jonathan Perhaps you’ve never thought of it this the time. He mixed so well that He was loved him as his own soul” (1 Samuel way: People need people in order to learn accused of being a friend of tax collectors 18:1). When Jonathan realized David had how to love! How could you really learn and sinners (Matthew 11:19). been selected as king, he was the first to the give way of life if you were stranded This gives a good indication that no congratulate him. He promised to back on a desert island with no one to give to? differences between two people who are David all the way. Consider what a genuine blessing the trying to obey God should present such On the other hand, when Saul real- people in your life are. Where would you an obstacle that you couldn’t have a solid ized that his kingship was going to be be without them? Each one presents you friendship. That bond of brotherly love passed on to David, he became so jeal- an opportunity to exercise love. with another person will grow if you get ous he sought to kill David! What can you do to increase your rid of vanity and base that relationship When you see a close friend succeed, bond of friendship with all those around on mutual humility and respect. do you act like Jonathan, or Saul? you? And what about those you consider Accepting your friends means listen- your closest friends—how can you mine ing to them; giving them sincere com- disclosure those relationships for more of the en- pliments. Accepting them means seeing True friends share of themselves. They riching benefits they offer? the positive big picture—not letting a can have a good laugh or cry in each Aristotle once said, “Wishing to be mistake get in the way. other’s company. They can honestly friends is quick work, but friendship is Being a true friend means not being exchange ideas, opinions and feelings. a slow-ripening fruit.” Yes—friendship negative and critical of the other person. They can even disagree without hurting takes effort to fertilize and nurture, but Unless criticism is handled carefully, it each other. it is worth the effort. How valuable is a never gets good results—it just creates Do you feel you must appear perfect friendship with real roots that will last bad feelings and sore spots. God and around others? Friends should not be your whole life long. Jesus Christ would be perfectly justi- afraid to appear3 weak—even ask for help You may not realize it, but God’s fied in criticizing us every minute of the when necessary. It’s not that we want to Word supplies us with instruction on day, but they choose the moments to give go around telling people about our deep- maximizing our friendships. It speaks of correction; the rest of the time, they are est sins; but neither should we remain the qualities we ought to strive to culti- remarkably encouraging to us! so bottled up that we have to suffer our vate in our friendships. These qualities Elbert Hubbard said, “Your friend is battles entirely alone. will both increase what you have to of- the man who knows all about you, and People need to be needed. It can make fer to your friends and will likely inspire still likes you.” Bernard Meltzer said, “A someone feel special when you open up greater desire within your friends to feed true friend is someone who thinks that to him or her. your friendship. you are a good egg even though he knows Disclosure probably requires that you These principles would also apply to that you are slightly cracked.” James test the waters first to see how the other the marriage relationship. Ideally, one’s Boswell said, “A companion loves some person will respond. You may find some- mate should be one’s closest friend. agreeable qualities which a man may pos- one more sympathetic to your troubles sess, but a friend loves the man himself.” than you would have thought! Some- acceptance times it’s amazing how quickly you can All your friends are sinners, and so are encouragement bond with someone when you are really you. The question is, how good are you True friends do not feel threatened by sharing yourselves with each other and at loving people despite their faults? each other’s achievements. They are not drawing strength to deal with some dif- Of course, we should not compromise in competition with one another, trying ficulty you’re experiencing. with God’s law or tolerate lawlessness— to be on top. They genuinely desire each Christ revealed how intrinsic disclo- we should hate sin. But we also must be other’s success—they want for each to sure is to true friendship: “Henceforth skilled at loving sinners. reach his or her full potential. I call you not servants; for the servant With every friend and acquaintance, Being a friend means giving the other knoweth not what his lord doeth: but take a moment1 to ask, Do I think, deep person room to change and grow; want- I have called you friends; for all things down, that I am better than this person? ing him or2 her to become a better per- that I have heard of my Father I have If the answer is yes, whether you realize son. Even more—it means helping your made known unto you” (John 15:15). it or not, it will show in your actions. friend grow. Friends help each other Vanity and self-righteousness are great overcome and solve problems. loyalty barriers to true friendship. You’re never A tremendous biblical example of Do you always try to put your friends in going to give much of yourself to a per- friendship is that of Jonathan and David. the best light around others—or do you son you look down on. Jonathan, the son of King Saul, was 20 gossip about them? Friends should never Consider: God called Abraham His years older than David. He’d been mar- talk behind each other’s backs or spread friend (James 2:23). God spoke to Moses ried, raised children, and had consider- unfavorable information. “He that cov- “face to face, as a man speaketh unto his able accomplishments in his life. When ereth a transgression seeketh love; but he friend” (Exodus 33:11). How much of a David came along and it became clear that repeateth a matter separateth very gulf was there between God and those that God had selected him to be the next friends” (Proverbs4 17:9). For the relation- THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2006 27 LIVING ship to grow, you must be able to trust friendship will grow stronger as a result. tough times! “Two are better than one; each other. Edward Bulwer-Lytton said, “One of because they have a good reward for We are to show our friends the cour- the surest evidences of friendship that one their labour. For if they fall, the one will tesy we would want them to extend to individual can display to another is telling lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is us. “A man that hath friends must shew him gently of a fault. If any other can excel alone when he falleth; for he hath not an- himself friendly: and there is a friend that it, it is listening to such a disclosure with other to help him up” (Ecclesiastes 4:9- sticketh closer than a brother” (Proverbs gratitude, and amending the error.” 10). It’s when we fall that we really need 18:24). To have good friends, you must Correcting someone in love requires that person beside us to help us up. Companionship is wonderful during good times, but it is essential during tough times! be a good friend. All that you want from meekness, tact and wisdom. If you love How dependable are you when some- your friends, you must give as a friend. someone enough, you will diligently one beside you falls? That’s when the The Jamieson, Fausset and Brown seek God’s help to discern when it needs quality of your friendship is really test- Commentary states of this proverb, to be done and how to do it correctly. ed. Call or send a card; check up; make “Friendships must be cherished by mu- What positive fruit such love produces. sure they know they’re loved. If you can tual conversation and kindnesses, with- If, for example, you fulfill the process provide more help, do so. Visit. Bring a out which their beginnings are soon dis- described in Matthew 18:15-17 success- meal or some groceries. Spend time. solved. ‘If you wish to be loved, love’ fully, “thou hast gained thy brother”— Genesis 14 tells the story of Lot be- (Seneca). He who is friendly will have you grow closer as a result! ing taken captive by some Gentile kings. friends. There is no feeling which more How true is the wisdom contained in When Abram, his uncle, heard of this, exacts reciprocity than love.” Proverbs 27:17: “Iron sharpeneth iron; so he quickly put together an army of 318 a man sharpeneth the countenance of people from his household and went af- honesty his friend.” ter the captors! He chased them down We can all get off track and at times do and retrieved the family, along with all things that are wrong, self-destructive or dependability the possessions that had been stolen. hurtful to others. Happy is the man who Being dependable means helping when This is a great example of tremendous has a true friend, who is willing to deliv- a need arises. loyalty and willingness to personally er a “faithful wound” to set him straight. Scott Adams said, “Needing someone sacrifice for the sake of a friend. “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; pro- is like needing a parachute. If they are not What a gift a true friend can be! It is fuse are the kisses of an enemy” (Prov- there the first time you need them, chanc- a relationship worth cultivating. Maxi- erbs 27:6, Revised Standard Version). es are you won’t be needing them again.” mize your opportunities to let the roots It is difficult5 to exhort someone, but a Companionship is wonderful dur- of your friendships grow into something true friend is up to the task—and a true ing good times,6 but it is essential during that will endure for years to come. ■ Want to see more articles like this? If so, you may be interested in our Christian living magazine, Royal Vision.

Written and produced by many of the same people who bring you the Philadelphia Trumpet each month, Royal Vision includes a wide variety of practical, biblically based articles about living, understanding the Bible and prophecy. Articles include topics such as: ■ Marriage and family ■ Child rearing ■ Health and nutrition ■ Leadership ■ Life after death ■ The purpose of life Produced bi-monthly, Royal Vision, like the Philadelphia Trumpet, is a high-quality, full-color magazine offered completely free of charge, with no obligation whatsoever. It offers no vague “theories” for living—but rather practical, Bible-based solutions to the problems you and millions of others face every day. To request a free subscription, look for where to call or write on the back cover of this magazine.

28 THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2006 BOOK EXCERPT

In his new book, Raising the Ruins, available this winter, Trumpet executive editor Stephen Flurry exposes the reality of what happened to the Worldwide Church of God. Here is the third chapter.

STEPHEN FLURRY THE SELFAPPOINTED APOSTLE “For some years now, there have been some, like vultures, waiting for me to die. They would like to come back and take over the leadership of the church in my stead.” — Herbert W. Armstrong Worldwide News, June 24, 1985

arner Ted Armstrong was the man Mr. Armstrong die, no one could claim to be his rightful many believed would succeed his father successor without the Advisory Council’s backing. as pastor general of the Worldwide Four years later, even with this fail-safe plan in place, Church of God. A gifted speaker, he Mr. Armstrong was still uneasy about the question of his was the church’s presenter on the World successor. “In a few days I will be 93 years of age,” he wrote Tomorrow program for many years. So to the church in mid-1985. “For some years now, there have when Herbert W. Armstrong, in 1978, been some, like vultures, waiting for me to die. They would had the gut-wrenching duty of disfel- like to come back and take over the leadership of the church lowshiping him for abusing authority and conspiring to water in my stead. I have been deeply concerned about this, but in Gdown doctrine and take over the church, he did so with a no sense worried. This is the church of God, not of any man. heavy heart. Jesus Christ is the living Head of this church. I am not.” Coming out of the 1970s, Mr. Armstrong’s primary con- Mr. Armstrong then reiterated the provisions drawn cern was on getting the church back on track. “God Almighty up in 1981: “If Christ should remove me, He will direct the and Jesus Christ were virtually thrown out of the college,” he Advisory Council of Elders to select one of them to continue wrote, “and were rapidly being thrown out of the church!” leading you until the coming of Jesus Christ in power and Approaching 90 years of age at the time, Mr. Armstrong in glory.” So for the last four years of his life, it was gen- was also concerned, understandably, about who his succes- erally understood within church circles that the Advisory sor might be. Spiritually speaking, he always believed that Council—which had expanded from 9 members to 14 by Jesus Christ, not any man or group of men, would choose his mid-1985—would be responsible for choosing a successor— successor. But at the same time, he wasn’t naive—he knew, not Herbert Armstrong. human nature being what it is, that certain men strongly Nine days before he died, however, Mr. Armstrong desired his office. His son had already conspired to take over, changed his mind. but failed. So in 1981, with the aid of his legal advisers, Mr. Armstrong ■ CHOOSING A SUCCESSOR drew up provisions in the church’s bylaws that would prevent an imposter (like his son) from gaining control of the church. On Tuesday night, January 7, 1986, a nurse wheeled Mr. In the event of his death, the church’s Advisory Council of Armstrong into the elevator of his two-story home in Elders—at that time, a board of nine senior ministers, all Pasadena, California. Waiting for him downstairs, on a personally selected by Mr. Armstrong—would be vested with couch in Mr. Armstrong’s study, were the director of Church absolute and total authority to designate a successor. Should Administration, Joseph Tkach, and Mr. Armstrong’s per-

THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2006 29 BOOK EXCERPT sonal aide, Aaron Dean, both of whom were on the Advisory The decision to appoint Mr. Tkach as successor was Council. Across campus, on the fourth floor of the Hall of drawn up in official church documents on January 7, 1986. Administration, there sat 11 other Council members, along with Mr. Armstrong called for an Advisory Council meeting that the church’s legal adviser, Ralph Helge, listening in via telephone same day. Since many Council members had not seen him in hook-up. (Another Council member, Dibar Apartian, arrived weeks, he wanted them to actually hear his voice of approval late at the Hall of Ad and did not hear the discussion.) for the amendment to the bylaws and the appointment of In the days leading up to this teleconference, Ralph Helge, Tkach. “He didn’t want an accusation that Ralph Helge with Mr. Armstrong’s approval, had been working to amend the and Joe Tkach just got together and wrote a letter and Mr. church’s bylaws to allow Mr. Armstrong to name his successor Armstrong never heard of it and all of a sudden he dies and personally. Helge had also prepared the paperwork whereby Mr. bingo, here it is,” Dean said. Armstrong would officially designate the new pastor general. Aaron doesn’t remember whether he or Ralph Helge According to Helge, Mr. Armstrong decided toward the read the final resolutions at that meeting. But it wasn’t Mr. end of 1985 to select the suc- Armstrong; he was too cessor himself rather than weak. He did, however, have leave the task in the hands enough strength to greet the of the Council. Why the Joseph Tkach would assume Council and assure them change? Helge said it was for that the documents had his the church’s protection—to all the titles and offices blessing. He asked the mem- prevent anyone from casting bers to give Mr. Tkach their doubt on the validity of the Mr. Armstrong held except full support. “[I]t was a very Council’s choice. Apparently, the spiritual rank of apostle. moving event,” Helge said Mr. Armstrong wanted to in 1998. “[H]e was passing remove all doubt as to who his the baton to Mr. Tkach.” successor would be. Indeed, Yet, ironically, in the very in those final resolutions, he expressed concern about those on documents Mr. Armstrong approved for the sake of estab- the outside—specifically his disfellowshiped son, Garner Ted lishing Tkach’s godly authority, what stands out most is the Armstrong—attempting to create confusion and cast doubt one office he did not transfer to his successor. Tkach would upon the successor’s credentials. assume all the titles and offices Mr. Armstrong held except Mr. Dean, however, believes Mr. Armstrong had seri- the spiritual rank of apostle. So Mr. Armstrong never laid ous concerns about some on the inside as well—particularly hands on him. He never ordained him as an apostle. What he Roderick Meredith. “He just might succeed in getting control,” did that January 7 was appoint Joseph Tkach to succeed him Mr. Armstrong told him, “and he should never, ever be over as pastor general. That’s it. the church.” Dean’s recollection mirrors closely with what Mr. Armstrong privately wrote to Meredith in 1980, after sending ■ INFORMING THE CHURCH him to Hawaii on a mandatory, six-month sabbatical. “In brutal frankness,” Mr. Armstrong wrote to Mr. Meredith, “you lack After Mr. Armstrong verbally stated his intentions before the the charisma to lead God’s work. You do not attract—as I said Council, Mr. Dean suggested he also inform the church mem- before, you repel people. You are a harsh taskmaster over those bership of his decision—again, in order to leave little room to under you. That is your record!” Later, he wrote, “You have a question the line of succession. Problem is, Mr. Armstrong had will to lead, but not the qualifications.” become so weak, he couldn’t write or dictate a letter. So Aaron By the time Mr. Armstrong was about to die in 1986, Rod Dean wrote one in his stead, dated January 10, 1986. Above Mr. Meredith had returned to the Council of Elders. And with Armstrong’s signature, Mr. Dean wrote, “This is my first letter Council members like Raymond McNair and Dibar Apartian to you in 1986, and could very well be my last. Now in my 94th firmly in Mr. Meredith’s camp, Mr. Armstrong had reason to year I am in a very physically weakened state enduring severe worry. “That’s why he decided to name someone,” Dean said pain and with virtually no strength whatsoever.” Then later, in a telephone interview, “because he didn’t want Rod taking “After much counsel and prayer over the past months God has over, or someone else.” led me in announcing a decision last week to appoint Mr. Joseph But as it turns out, naming someone himself didn’t exactly W. Tkach, director of Church Administration, to the office of remove all cause for concern either. Ralph Helge said Mr. deputy pastor general, to assist me while I am in a weakened Armstrong got feedback from several members of the Council state, and should God choose to take my life, to place himself regarding who should succeed. Dean said he “changed his mind totally in Christ’s hands to lead God’s church under Christ, suc- several times about who would be in charge.” ceeding me as pastor general, in the difficult times ahead.” Aaron read the letter aloud to Mr. Armstrong and assured him that he wouldn’t send it out unless he felt like Mr. ■ PASSING THE BATON Armstrong completely understood its meaning. “I read the According to Aaron Dean, when Mr. Armstrong decided whole thing to him and at a couple spots he squeezed my hand upon Joseph Tkach as his successor, it came with certain and then he actually added a word at the end. So I knew he strings attached. For one, Tkach would be elevated to the understood it,” said Dean. The letter was mailed January 10. office of pastor general, but not his staff. “If you bring your Four days later, on Tuesday, January 14, Ralph Helge told staff up, they’ll lead you astray,” Mr. Armstrong told Mr. the media about the designation of Mr. Tkach. According to Tkach. The church’s founder wanted Tkach to rely heavily on the Associated Press, “Although the designation of Tkach was the Advisory Council, Dean said. effective immediately, he would assume the various offices and

30 THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2006 titles of the church leader only if Armstrong dies.” Mr. Tkach, like everyone around Mr. Armstrong at the Two days later, on Thursday morning, January 16, 1986, time, must have expected him to die. But maybe he wanted Herbert W. Armstrong died at 5:59 a.m. He was 93 years old. to be perceived as humble—as if becoming pastor general was the furthest thing from his mind. Whatever the reason, Tkach’s first comment as pastor general was strange. ■ PREPARING THE CHURCH News of Mr. Armstrong’s death among church members was not ■ THE RANK OF APOSTLE shocking. He was old and had been seriously ill for the last 5½ months of his life. On August 3, 1985, he left Pasadena on a round- Mr. Armstrong may not have ordained Tkach as an apostle, the-world trip. He intended to visit the church’s youth camps in but that didn’t stop the successor from taking matters into Minnesota and Scotland before meeting with world leaders in his own hands. After becoming pastor general, Mr. Tkach ap- Japan and South Korea, but upon his arrival in Minnesota, his pointed Larry Salyer to replace him as the director of Church temperature rose by about two degrees and would not subside. Administration. Larry Salyer, in turn, submitted a piece for So he canceled the rest of his trip and flew home. the Pastor General’s Report in which he explained how Mr. After two weeks in bed, his temperature dropped somewhat— Tkach was fulfilling the office of apostle. According to Aaron at least in the mornings; usually by mid-afternoon, it would Dean, that happened about a month or so after Mr. Armstrong again rise. This fluctuation enabled him to get in some office died. When it did, Dean told Tkach that it didn’t seem right work during the last part of August and all of September. for a man Mr. Tkach just promoted to then turn around and On Monday morning, September 9, Mr. Armstrong tell everyone that his boss was an apostle. According to Dean, appeared before the college’s sophomore class to present his Mr. Tkach agreed and decided to shelve Salyer’s write-up. But new book, Mystery of the Ages. The following week, September as it turns out, it was set aside only temporarily. 16, Mr. Armstrong delivered what would be his final sermon Mr. Tkach announced his new spiritual rank at a regional before church members. directors conference in Pasadena, on November 21, 1986, only Sunday, September 29, was the last day Mr. Armstrong 10 months after he had been in office. Tkach’s announcement made it outside of his home. It was the day before the church cleared the way for Salyer’s piece to be pulled off the shelf. began its week-long fall festival. Of course, even after he Salyer wrote to the ministry the next month, “During the last missed the entire festival, church members remained hopeful several years Christ saw to it that Mr. Tkach was pressed into that God would revitalize him. Mr. Armstrong himself hoped daily contact with Mr. Armstrong and was directly involved in for a positive turn. virtually every major decision. Mr. Armstrong delegated to Mr. But after two more months of the same deteriorating health, Tkach ever-increasing responsibility for gathering facts and he candidly alerted church members about his declining physi- implementing his decisions. In the final weeks of his life Mr. cal state in a December 9 letter he dictated to Aaron Dean. “I Armstrong specifically instructed Mr. Tkach in the responsi- had hoped for a turn to the better—so that I could return for bilities of pastor general, sharing many personal experiences daily work in my office—and a recovery from this illness, but with him. And before his death he appointed Mr. Tkach as his unfortunately, that has not occurred.” He told the members he successor and saw to it that the passing of the baton was legally had been in bed clothes and robes since September 30—more documented and announced to the church.” than two months. What he failed to mention is that within those same legal “Frequently I have very serious and painful angina attacks documents, Mr. Armstrong specifically mentioned that of the heart,” he continued. “I have been able to make certain Mr. Tkach would succeed him in every office except apostle. necessary decisions in brief telephone contact with those at Later, Salyer continued, “It has become obvious to the lead- the office and will continue this as and when my very limited ing ministers at headquarters that Mr. Tkach is doing, as Mr. physical strength permits.” He described his involvement in Armstrong was before him, the work of an apostle. … Christ the day-to-day church operations as “very limited.” He hadn’t has chosen him and sent him forth as an apostle to carry on taped a television program since August. His Work, supported and reinforced by the whole church, as According to Ralph Helge, by the point of the January co-workers with Christ.” 7 Advisory Council meeting, “you kind of knew in your To leading ministers at headquarters, it had become obvi- heart … that he probably would die.” Aaron Dean figured his ous, after only a few months, that Joseph Tkach was an apostle. death was inevitable, which is why he composed the January Mr. Salyer then encouraged the wcg ministry to explain in 10 letter for Mr. Armstrong. sermons Mr. Tkach’s newly established office. The next month, in the church’s newspaper, there is a reference to Mr. Tkach as an “apostle” buried on the back page ■ TKACH SHOCKED of the issue. In commenting on Gerald Waterhouse’s tour of The day Mr. Armstrong died, Mr. Tkach wrote to the church Australia, Robert Fahey said he “showed clearly how God membership and co-workers, “I am deeply saddened to have carefully selected and trained Mr. Tkach for the responsibili- to inform you that Herbert W. Armstrong’s illness has ended ties he now has as the apostle of God’s end-time church, taking in the manner least expected by all of us.” up the baton from Mr. Armstrong.” In the issues that followed, Of course, God could have intervened to extend his life for Mr. Tkach’s new spiritual rank worked its way to the front several more years. But that a 93-year-old man would die— page of the church paper—splashing across headlines: “Spirit after being confined to his bed for four months with constant is catalyst of unity, says apostle in Pasadena”; “Christ’s apostle fever, low blood volume and heart disease—isn’t exactly ‘deeply inspired’ by trip to Jordan, Egypt, Israel.” shocking, particularly after the entire church was told that he With Mr. Armstrong, it wasn’t until after 17 years of service may not live to “write” another letter. in God’s work that one of his top ministers put forward the

THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2006 31 BOOK EXCERPT idea that Mr. Armstrong was serving as God’s apostle. Herman Hoeh, one of the first four Ambassador College graduates, made the suggestion at a fall festival in 1951. Yet, as Mr. Armstrong later wrote, the whole idea came as a complete shock. He shook his head in “astonishment” upon hearing it and rejected it entirely. It was two more decades of serving in God’s work—of proclaiming the gospel message of the Kingdom of Broadcasting to a potential God around the world, even going to emperors, kings, presidents and prime worldwide audience of ministers—before Mr. Armstrong over 400 million people reluctantly admitted to fulfilling the office of apostle. He wrote to ministers each week, Gerald Flurry in 1974, “The living God has moved, discusses world events in these past four years to give me, as your fellow minister whom you call God’s the light of Bible prophecy. apostle, and as God’s chosen servant For over a decade, he has for getting His true gospel into all the world, for a witness to all nations just analyzed today’s news before the end of this age, almost unbe- from a unique perspective, lievable prestige, favor, and stature in providing answers to life’s the eyes of many kings, emperors, presidents, prime ministers and other high most pressing questions. leaders of many nations.” The word apostle means “one sent forth.” Once Mr. Armstrong realized UNITED STATES Florida, Panama City WBPC 9:30 am, Sun Nationwide satellite Galaxy 3 Trans. 21 11:30 am Florida, Tallahassee-Thomasville 9:30 am, Sun that God was indeed sending him ET, Tue/Th u; Galaxy 5 Trans. 7 8:00 am ET, Sun Florida, Tampa WXPX 6:00 am, Fri forth into all nations with the true gos- Direct TV DBS WGN Chan. 307 8:00 am ET, Sun Florida, West Palm Beach WPXP 6:00 am, Fri pel message, then his thinking about Dish Network Ch. 181 6:00 am ET, Fri Georgia, Albany WBSK 9:30 am, Sun the apostleship began to change. The Dish Network DBS WGN Chan. 239 8:00 am ET, Georgia, Augusta WBAU 9:30 am, Sun “fruits,” as he often would say later in Sun Georgia, Brunswick WPXC 6:00 am, Fri Georgia, Columbus WBG 9:30 am, Sun life, proved which office he fulfilled. Nationwide cable WGN 8:00 am ET, Sun Alabama, Birmingham WPXH 5:00 am, Fri Georgia, Macon WBMN 9:30 am, Sun Mr. Tkach didn’t care so much Alabama, Dothan WBDO 8:30, Sun Georgia, Savannah WBVH 9:30 am, Sun about fruits. He just wanted the office. Alabama, Montgomery WBMY 8:30, Sun Hawaii, Hawaii Na Leo Chan. 54 6:30 am, Sun; 8:30 Like Simon Magus, who lusted for the Alaska, Anchorage KWBX 8:30 am, Sun am, Wed Alaska, Fairbanks KWFA 8:30 am, Sun Hawaii, Maui/Lanaii/Molokai/Niihau Akaku Chan. 52 power and authority of the first-cen- 6:30 pm, Sun; 3:30 am, Mon tury apostles, Mr. Tkach had a burning Alaska, Juneau KWJA 8:30 am, Sun Arizona, El Centro-Yuma KWUB 9:30 am, Sun Hawaii, Kaui Ho’ Ike Chan. 52 9:30 am, Tue desire to be one too—even before Mr. Arizona, Phoenix KPPX 5:00 am, Fri; KAZT 7:00 Idaho, Boise KWOB 10:30 am, Sun Armstrong died. “He asked for it and am, Sun Idaho, Idaho Falls-Pocatello KWIB 10:30 am, Sun Mr. Armstrong refused,” Dean says. Arkansas, Fayetteville-Rogers-Springdale KWFT Idaho, Twin Falls KWTE 10:30 am, Sun Illinois, Bloomington-Peoria WBPE 8:30 am, Sun “In fact, he asked several times.” Mr. 8:30, Sun Arkansas, Fort Smith KWFT 8:30, Sun lllinois, Chicago WCIU 9:30 am, Sun; WCPX 5:00 Armstrong then took the extraordi- Arkansas, Jonesboro KFOS 8:30 am, Sun am, Fri nary step of clearly stating in the final California, Bakersfield KWFB 9:30 am, Sun Illinois, Rockford WBR 8:30 am, Sun resolutions and directives he left the California, Chico-Redding KIWB 9:30 am, Sun Indiana, Fort Wayne WBFW 8:30 am, Sun church that Joseph W. Tkach would California, Eureka KWBT 9:30 am, Sun Indiana, Indianapolis WIPX 6:00 am, Fri Indiana, Lafayette WBFY 8:30 am, Sun succeed him in all his offices and titles, California, Los Angeles KPXN 6:00 am, Fri California, Monterey-Salinas KMWB 9:30 am, Indiana, Terra Haute WBI 8:30 am, Sun except the spiritual rank of apostle. Sun Iowa, Cedar Rapids KPXR 5:00 am, Fri As it happens, that’s the one title California, Palm Springs KCWB 9:30 am, Sun Iowa, Des Moines KFPX 5:00 am, Fri Mr. Tkach wanted most. So right after California, Sacramento KSPX 6:00 am, Fri Iowa, Kirksville-OttumwaKWOT 8:30 am, Sun Mr. Armstrong died, he made himself California, San Francisco KKPX 6:00 am, Fri Iowa, Mason City-Austin-Rochester KWBR 8:30 California, Santa Barbara KWCA 9:30 am, Sun am, Sun ■ an apostle. Colorado, Denver KPXC 5:00 am, Fri Iowa, Sioux City KXWB 8:30 am, Sun Colorado, Grand Junction-Montrose KWGJ 10:30 Kansas, Joplin-Pittsburg KSXF 8:30 am, Sun am, Sun Kansas, Lincoln KWBL 8:30 am, Sun For information on Stephen Flurry’s Connecticut, Hartford WHPX 6:00 am, Fri Kansas, Topeka WBKS 8:30 am, Sun new book, Raising the Ruins, Deleware, Salisbury WBD 9:30 am, Sun Kentucky, Bowling Green WBWG 8:30 am, Sun available this winter, visit Florida, Gainesville WBFL 9:30 am, Sun Kentucky, Lexington WUPX 6:00 am, Fri Florida, Jacksonville WPXC 6:00 am, Fri Louisiana, Alexandria KAXN 8:30 am, Sun RaisingtheRuins.com Florida, Miami WPXM 6:00 am, Fri Louisiana, El Dorado-Monroe KWMB 8:30 am, Florida, Orlando WOPX 6:00 am, Fri Sun

32 THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2006 Nevada, Reno KWBV 9:30 am, Sun Washington, Kennewick-Pasco-Richland-Yakima New York, Albany WYPX 6:00 am, Fri KWYP 9:30 am, Sun New York, Binghamton WBXI 9:30 am, Sun Washington, Seattle KWPX 6:00 am, Fri New York, Buffalo WPXJ 6:00 am, Fri Washington, Spokane KGPX 6:00 am, Fri New York, Elmira WBE 9:30 am, Sun West Virginia, Beckley-Bluefield-Oak Hill WBB New York, New York City WPXN 6:00 am, Fri 9:30 am, Sun New York, Syracuse WSPX 6:00 am, Fri West Virginia, Charleston WLPX 6:00 am, Fri New York, Utica WBU 9:30 am, Sun West Virginia, Clarksburg-Weston WVWB 9:30 New York, Waterton WBWT 9:30 am, Sun am, Sun North Carolina, Durham-Raleigh WRPX 6:00 am, West Virginia, Parkersburg WBPB 9:30 am, Sun Fri Wisconsin, Eau Claire-La Crosse WBCZ 8:30 am, North Carolina, Fayetteville-Lumber Bridge Sun WFPX 6:00 am, Fri Wisconsin, Milwaukee WPXE 5:00 am, Fri North Carolina, Greensboro WGPX 6:00 am, Fri Wisconsin, Rhinelander-WausauWBWA 8:30 am, North Carolina, Greenville WEPX 6:00 am, Fri Sun North Carolina, Greenville-New Bern-Washington Wyoming, Casper-Riverton KWWY 10:30 am, WGWB 9:30 am, Sun Sun North Carolina, Wilmington WBW 9:30 am, Sun Wyoming, Cheyenne-Scottsbluff KCHW 10:30 North Dakota, Bismarck-Dickinson-Minot am, Sun KWMK 10:30 am, Sun North Dakota, Fargo-Valley City WBFG 8:30 am, Sun CANADA Ohio, Cleveland WVPX 6:00 am, Fri Nationwide satellite Galaxy 3 Trans. 21 11:30 am Ohio, Lima WBOH 9:30 am, Sun ET, Tue/Th u; Galaxy 5 Trans. 7 8:00 am ET, Sun Ohio, Steubenville-Wheeling WBWO 9:30 am, Nationwide cable WGN 8:00 am ET, Sun; Vision Sun Ohio, Zanesville WBZV 9:30 am, Sun TV 4:30 pm ET, Sun Oklahoma, Ada KSHD 8:30 am, Sun Oklahoma, Lawton KWB 8:30 am, Sun LATIN AMERICA Oklahoma, Oklahoma City KOPX 5:00 am, Fri Regional satellite Galaxy 3 Trans. 21 11:30 am ET, Oklahoma, Tulsa KTPX 5:00 am, Fri Tue/Th u Oregon, Bend KWBO 9:30 am, Sun Colombia WGN 7:00 am, Sun Oregon, Eugene KZWB 9:30 am, Sun El Salvador WGN 6:00 am, Sun Oregon, Medford-Klamath Falls KMFD 9:30 am, Guatemala WGN 6:00 am, Sun Louisiana, Lafayette KLWB 8:30 am, Sun Sun Honduras WGN 6:00 am, Sun Louisiana, Lake Charles WBLC 8:30 am, Sun Oregon, Portland KPXG 6:00 am, Fri Louisiana, New Orleans WPXL 5:00 am, Fri Pennsylvania, Erie WBEP 9:30 am, Sun Mexico WGN 7:00 am, Sun Maine, Bangor WBAN 9:30 am, Sun Pennsylvania, Philadelphia WPPX 6:00 am, Fri Panama WGN 7:00 am, Sun Maine, Presque Isle WBPQ 9:30 am, Sun Pennsylvania, Wilkes-Barre WQPX 6:00 am, Fri Massachusetts, Boston WBPX 6:00 am, Fri Rhode Island, Providence WPXQ 6:00 am, Fri CARIBBEAN Massachusetts, Holyoke-Springfield WBQT 9:30 South Carolina, Charleston WBLN 9:30 am, Sun Regional satellite Galaxy 3 Trans. 21 11:30 am ET, am, Sun South Carolina, Florence-Myrtle Beach WFWB Tue/Th u; Galaxy 5 Trans. 7 8:00 am ET, Sun Michigan, Alpena WBAE 9:30 am, Sun 9:30 am, Sun Aruba WGN 8:00 am, Sun Michigan, Cadillac-Traverse City WBVC 9:30 am, South Dakota, Rapid City KWBH 10:30 am, Sun Bahamas WGN 8:00 am, Sun Sun South Dakota, Sioux Falls-Mitchell KWSD 8:30 Belize WGN 7:00 am, Sun Michigan, Detroit WPXD 6:00 am, Fri am, Sun Cuba WGN 8:00 am, Sun Michigan, Grand Rapids WZPX 5:00 am, Fri Tennessee, Jackson WBJK 8:30 am, Sun Dominican Republic WGN 8:00 am, Sun Michigan, Lansing WBL 9:30 am, Sun Tennessee, Knoxville WPXK 6:00 am, Fri Haiti WGN 7:00 am, Sun Michigan, Marquette WBMK 9:30 am, Sun Tennessee, Memphis WPXX 5:00 am, Fri Minnesota, Duluth-Superior KWBD 8:30 am, Sun Tennessee, Nashville WNPX 5:00 am, Fri Jamaica WGN 9:00 am, Sun Minnestoa, Mankato KWYE 8:30 am, Sun Texas, Abilene-Sweetwater KWAW 8:30 am, Sun Puerto Rico WGN 8:00 am, Sun Minnesota, Minneapolis KPXM 5:00 am, Fri Texas, Amarillo KDBA 8:30 am, Sun Mississippi, Biloxi-Gulfport WBGP 8:30 am, Sun Texas, Beaumont-Port Arthur KWBB 8:30 am, Mississippi, Columbus-Tupelo-West Point WBSP EUROPE Sun Malta Smash TV 4:30 pm, Sat; 10:00 pm, Tue 8:30 am, Sun Texas, Corpus Christi KWDB 8:30 am, Sun Mississippi, Greenwood-Greenville WBWD 8:30 Texas, Harlingen-Weslaco-Brownsville KMHB am, Sun 8:30 am, Sun AFRICA/ASIA South Africa CSN 6:30 am, Sun Mississippi, Hattiesburg-Laurel WBHA 8:30 am, Texas, Houston KPXB 5:00 am, Fri Philippines nationwide Studio 23 8:30 am, Sun Sun Texas, Laredo KTXW 8:30 am, Sun Mississippi, Meridian WBMM 8:30 am, Sun Texas, Lubbock KWBZ 8:30 am, Sun Missouri, Columbia-Jefferson City KJWB 8:30 Texas, Odessa-Midland KWWT 8:30 am, Sun AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND am, Sun Texas, San Angelo KWSA 8:30 am, Sun Australia nationwide Network Ten 4:30 am, Sun Missouri, Hannibal-Keokuk-QuincyWEWB 8:30 Texas, San Antonio KPXL 5:00 am, Fri am, Sun Adelaide, South Australia Chan. 31 11:30, Sun Texas, Sherman KSHD 8:30 am, Sun Perth, Western Australia Chan. 31 11:30 am, Sun Missouri, Kansas City KPXE 5:00 am, Fri Texas, Longview-Tyler KWTL 8:30 am, Sun Missouri, St. Joseph WBJO 8:30 am, Sun Tasmania Southern Cross TV 6:00 am, Sun Texas, Victoria KWVB 8:30 am, Sun New Zealand nationwide TV3 6:00 am, Fri Montana, Billings KWBM 10:30 am, Sun Texas, Wichita Falls KWB 8:30 am, Sun Montana, Bozeman-ButteKWXB 10 :30 am, Sun Utah, Salt Lake City KUPX 5:00 am, Fri Montana, Glendive KWZB 10:30 am, Sun Virginia, Charlottesville WBC 9:30 am, Sun Montana, Great Falls KWGF 10:30 am, Sun Virginia, Harrisonburg WBHA 9:30 am, Sun Still no program in your area? Montana, Helena KWHA 10:30 am, Sun Virginia, Norfolk WPXV 6:00 am, Fri View or listen to the program, Montana, Missoula KIDW 10:30 am, Sun Virginia, Roanoke WPXR 6:00 am, Fri or download transcripts at Nebraska, Hastings-Kearney KWBL 8:30 am, Sun Washington D.C. WBDC 8:00 am, Sun; WPXW www.KeyofDavid.com Nebraska, North Platte KWPL 8:30 am, Sun 6:00 am, Fri

THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2006 33 SOCIETYWATCH

FAMILY traditional role in the family. BIRTH CONTROL When asked by Prima magazine, “In an ideal world, what Morning-After The 19-Minute Mother would you like to be?” only 6 EYEWIRE spend too much percent of women said they Pill Can Cause time at work—and want to work full-time; 26 too little at home.” percent want to be a “house- Abortion The British sur- wife and mother” and an- n August 25, reports vey results come at other 50 percent want to be a Oannounced that a morn- a time when there “mum who works part-time.” ing-after pill—dubbed Plan are more working Maire Fahey, editor of B—has been made available mothers than ever. prima magazine, suggested in the United States to women It shows just how that the 19-minute mommy 18 and over without a pre- much two-income can be blamed on parents scription. The media framed families are short- trying to balance family the arguments of those who changing their life with pursuit of material oppose Plan B as a stance children. According happiness. “In the 1980s, we against a pill that could pro- to the study, over 12 thought we could have it all mote sexual promiscuity. But million moms work and aspired to high-flying opposition to the morning- outside the house careers and happy families. after pill is not simply about today compared But the cracks are starting to reducing sexual promiscuity. to approximately 8 show. Family life is suffering Although that would be a million in 1970. The and something has got to perfectly acceptable reason to report blames rising give” (ibid.). be against the over-the-coun- ccording to Britain’s household costs and bloated That something that “has ter distribution of these pills, AOffice for National mortgages for the climb. got to give” is the fabric of that argument distracts from Statistics, “A typical working However, it appears that society itself. It is unraveling a more serious reality: The parent spends just 19 minutes Britain’s working moth- at an unprecedented rate, morning-after pill can be a a day looking after their chil- ers are now pining for an with the biggest victims of form of abortion. dren” (Daily Mail, July 19). alternate reality—a dream our reckless pursuit of hap- Labeling this pill simply The Office for National that envisions them taking a piness being our children. as another form of family Statistics studied nearly 4,950 people in a “Time Use Survey,” tracking how Sex Offender Ruled Too Short for Jail much time each person ichard W. Thompson REUTERS live with any woman with chil- allotted to individual ac- Rhad repeated sexual dren under 18. tivities throughout the day. contact with a 12-year-old Neither the federal consti- According to the study, the girl over a period of two tution nor the state constitu- top three activities were months. He was convicted tion of Nebraska provide any sleeping, working and of two counts of felony protections based on height. A watching television. At the sexual assault. In most spokesman for the prison sys- bottom of the list, as present- cases, that sort of crime tem said Thompson’s height ed by the Daily Mail, were results in a long jail sen- would not put him at risk and activities like reading, at 10 tence; Thompson, how- that Thompson would not be to 24 minutes per day, and ever, received 10 years SHORTED Richard W. Thompson, the shortest person in prison. spending time with children, probation with no jail 5-foot, 1-inch tall, was deemed State Sen. Ernie Chambers at 19 minutes per day. time at all. too small for state prison. was baffled: “If shortness is an The Daily Mail wrote, Since Thompson stands only 5-foot-1, excuse and protection from going to prison, “The startling research District Judge Kristine Cecava felt he would short people ought to rob banks and do ev- shows the devastating impact be endangered in prison because of his erything else they would wind up going to that working full-time has height. There was no suggestion that this prison for,” he said. “We’re talking here about on children who hardly see might be a fair outcome; rather, Cecava said a crime committed against a child, and short- their parents. With less than Thompson deserved a long sentence, but let ness is not a defense” (cnn.com, May 26). 20 minutes spent with their him go free anyway: “You are a sex offender, This is another example of judges making parents every day, this is only and you did it to a child. … I truly hope that rulings that have no basis in law or moral- enough time to eat a quick my bet on you being okay out in society is ity. When the Prophet Isaiah warned about breakfast together or have not misplaced” (cbs News, May 25). a lack of leadership in the modern nations of a couple of bedtime stories. He was ordered to dispose of his pornog- Israel and Judah, he specifically warned that … The findings make grim raphy. He was to be monitored electronically God would take away the “judge”—the men reading for working parents for the first four months and ordered never to who would interpret the law and properly who already worry that they be alone with someone under 18 or to date or administer justice (Isaiah 3:1-3).

34 THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2006 DREAMSTIME HOMOSEXUALITY cash pay-out. If California wishes to degrade the rights of those California’s Business Bashing who speak for the traditional n August 29, based on biblical, organiza- family unit while expanding OCalifornia instituted tional and/or personal belief. the rights of homosexuals, a new pro-homosexual law Thus, accepting money from the organizations caught in stipulating that state-operat- the government now brings the cross-hairs need to con- planning like the use of a ed or -funded organizations three nerve-wracking op- sider where the bottom of condom is disingenuous. can’t portray homosexual- tions: lose funds, go private, this moral decline will end There are two ways the new- ity, bisexuality and trans- or accept the state-dictated, and whether they are willing ly approved morning-after sexuality in a negative light. pro-homosexual agenda for a to travel there. pill can prevent pregnancy: Conservatives and religious 1) The morning-after pill groups slammed the law, reduces the chance that an saying, in the words of one egg will become fertilized Christian Post reporter, “the Homosexual Ed at Child Care by: a) delaying/preventing bill will restrict the ability of the release of an egg, and b) individuals and institutions ustralia’s Daily Telegraph reported on a child- thickening the cervical mu- to express their religious Acare center in a Sydney suburb teaching toddlers that cus, preventing the sperm viewpoints against homo- homosexual and “transgender” parents are normal; this is from fertilizing the egg. sexuality” (August 30). part of a drive to “challenge the perception” young children Ethically speaking, this is Authored by a lesbian, have about sexuality. The center, which receives government no different than traditional Senate Bill 1441 stipulates that and council funding, has developed a specific curriculum to birth-control pills or even all financial assistance from teach children of ages 6 weeks to 6 years old about “lesbian, the use of a condom. If the the state to any program or gay, bisexual, transgender and inter-sex issues” (May 27). egg never becomes fertilized, organization is contingent One of the avenues used is the book series Learn to clearly, no life has begun. upon that entity complying Include, which features a boy who has two dads, and other 2) The morning-after pill with the law’s antidiscrimi- children’s books with homosexual themes. The Daily prevents a fertilized egg from nation code, be it a college, Telegraph revealed that such books are being used in pri- implanting itself in the uterus non-profit organization, or vate child-care centers across the state of New South Wales. (Mayoclinic.com, August 28). company that is funded by Sam Byrne, mayor of a nearby suburb, praised the cen- In other words, the already or receives assistance from ter’s efforts, which, he said, are “broadening the minds of conceived embryo dies be- the state. Violators of the our future generation.” He described this teaching environ- cause it is unable to implant law could be smacked with ment as one where “alternative perspectives, values, beliefs, itself in the mother’s uterus, penalties ranging from the re- lifestyles and people’s identities are respected and accepted.” resulting in a spontaneous moval of state funding to the This, simply, is moral relativism—the idea that one abortion. Whether you are removal of city services, like system of values or beliefs is just as good as any other—or, for abortion or against it, this response from the fire and more simply put, the belief that there is no right or wrong. is a form of abortion by any police departments in time of That such perverse concepts of family are being forced traditional definition. emergency. upon children at such a tender age is no accident: It is part The Associated Press re- For colleges that rely of a war being waged against marriage and the family as port that ran in many news- heavily on state funds, sb God created and designed them to be. When families are papers simply said this: “Plan 1441 was a policy earthquake. destroyed, nations are destroyed—and people become B is different from the abor- Randy Thomasson, presi- blind to the simple, hope-filled truth of God. Our free tion pill: If a woman already dent of the pro-family group booklet Why Marriage! Soon Obsolete? explains what that is pregnant, Plan B has no ef- Campaign for Children and incredible truth is. fect” (August 25). This mira- Families, is crying foul. “sb DREAMSTIME cle is accomplished by simply 1441 will force religious col- redefining when a pregnancy leges to either abandon their begins. Instead of acknowl- biblical standards on sexual- edging, as many believe, a ity, or reject students with pregnancy begins at concep- state financial aid,” he an- tion, pregnancy is simply nounced (ibid.). redefined as beginning when The law will test the a fertilized egg is implanted moral resilience of many in the uterus. Even most organizations in California, pro-lifers won’t oppose this since many colleges, schools pill because the media will and non-profit organizations not have informed them that rely on state money to run it has the potential to cause their programs, yet mor- abortion at all. ally object to homosexuality

THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2006 35 LETTERS from a dear man of God, Mr. Herbert shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do Herbert Armstrong’s Legacy Armstrong. I haven’t forgotten what that which is lawful and right; … walk in the Thank you for your excellent I learned through him and his cor- statutes of life, without committing iniquity; article [“Legacies,” October] and respondence course. I often tell others he shall surely live, he shall not die.” An article calling us to remember the true leg- about The United States and Britain in in our June 2004 issue, “There Is a Way of acy, the truth, about Mr. Herbert W. Prophecy. … Thank you so much, and Escape!” elaborates on this. Armstrong. I am looking forward to may the good Lord bless you so very ■ reading Raising the Ruins. richly for carrying out the Word of L.A.W.—Alta., Canada truth to a world in much need of it. I picked up your magazine in the ■ Genoveva Gonzalez—Mount Holly, N.C. waiting room at the hospital this morn- ■ ing and began leafing through it. I did I just read part of H.W. Arm- not know anything about your maga- strong’s Mystery of the Ages online. I Will to Win Lost zine; I thought, “This is just another can see why they tried to keep it from As you have stated constantly, we magazine like USA Today or Time. I being published. It blows everything (U.S.) must stand behind or alongside Is- found an article about children, which conventional Christianity has taught rael. War involves the killing of civilians. always interests me, and began reading us out of the water. … Although I am Israel’s mistake is not obliterating all of it. [I] was delightfully surprised to find skeptical about some of Mr. Flurry’s south Lebanon! You can’t fight a hidden out that your magazine was biblically teachings, they cannot be dismissed militia when they are hiding among the based and used Scripture references to out of hand as “gloom and doom.” I’m civilian population. As you have said back up the article. What a gem I found no Bible scholar, but I did find reading many times, Israel and the U.S. have lost at the hospital waiting room. Thank some of Mystery of the Ages fascinating, their desire to fight. What God said from you for brightening up my day. educational and comforting—com- the beginning about the end will come Janet Efird—North Carolina forting from the point of view that to fruition, but our Lord never said we ■ imperfect people like myself [will] at should stick our heads in the sand and some point in the future be able to live get kicked around. War is war, and you American Economy in a world free of all the negatives of should fight to win, whatever it takes. … I am an ardent reader of your today’s world. Your tv show, booklets Louis Munch—Rockaway, N.J. magazine and I must say I enjoy read- and magazine provide a vital service to ■ ing it so much, and I thank you for your those of us who are sick and tired of the insightful stories. However, I would “conventional” Christian “doctrines.” I look forward to your show every like to ask a question pertaining to the Paul McGraw—Long Island, N.Y. week and your magazine every month, performance of the American economy ■ but I have one problem with your mes- in the wake of the economic downward sage. You keep saying things like, if trend they are experiencing. If I take a I always wondered what happened America and Britain would do this or look at the huge amount of money they to the Plain Truth magazine and the that we would be protected and that we give out to countries—African coun- World Tomorrow program hosted by need to go after Iran and save Israel, tries in particular—such as the mil- Mr. Armstrong years ago. It is very but you know that without a doubt lennium challenge account and many disheartening to find out what hap- that this is not going to happen. We are others, I wonder whether they really pened to the Worldwide Church of weak and afraid to do what needs to be know and bother about the fact that God. About 20 or so years ago, Mr. done, and prophecy clearly states that the economy is on the threshold of a Armstrong helped change my life and we won’t do it. Most of the people on free downfall and the fact they could be the way I look at world events. I was this planet are going to die, plain and overtaken by Europe and Asia. Are they watching tv one day and stumbled simple! If our enemies don’t kill us, God no longer interested in being called the upon Gerald Flurry’s program. Once he is going to, and there is no stopping it superpower of the world? … mentioned the works of Mr. Armstrong, and you know it. Stop giving people Wahab—Accra, Ghana I immediately knew he was the person false hope and tell it like it is! We are ■ whom God had chosen to continue His going to die! end-time work. … Tony Coville—Spokane, Wash. The Mideast Crisis Orlando Forrest—East St. Louis, Ill. It is true there is no indication the nations of The pot is boiling, and the question ■ Israel as a whole will turn to God. The Bible is not if, but when it will boil over. … I reveals only one time in history a people en only hope America wakes up and seeks Thank you so much for sending me masse repented when warned of impending their Creator sincerely while there is the Trumpet magazine. While sitting in destruction: the city of Nineveh (read the bibli- still time to do so. the waiting room of a Virginia hospital cal book of Jonah). However, the fact that God Gary Eagles—Washington on a brother’s appointment, I found a is sending a warning shows that He has not copy of the Trumpet, and as I read, I given up hope for the nations of Israel. In ad- found myself remembering a familiar dition, there is hope for us individually. Ezekiel magazine I used to read when I was 33:4-5, 10-11 clearly show that God promises Comments? young: the Plain Truth. I was reading protection to those individuals who change [email protected] something that was the “truth” and it their sinful ways. In verses 14-15 God prom- or: The Trumpet, P.O. Box 1099, took me back to all that I had learned ises, “[W]hen I say unto the wicked, Thou Edmond, OK 73083

36 THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2006 COMMENTARY Must Teens Be Rude? Questioning the biology of bad behavior BY MARK JENKINS

eenagers have rudeness and a lack of empa- Instead of taking responsibility for the behavior of teens, pos- thy hard-wired in—so said Sarah-Jayne Blakemore, sibly their own, researchers are using their data to draw errone- a leading neuroscientist at University College Lon- ous conclusions: in this case, that “[i]t does give them a bit of don, in September. More than that, though, she said an excuse.” A far more logical conclusion would be: Teens need Tthat perhaps teens should not be held responsible for their ac- our help. If their brains are still developing in key ways during tions—even in court—because of their neurological differenc- those years, that is all the more reason parents should remain es: “It’s not just hormones causing teenagers to be difficult. It deeply involved in their teens’ lives, instilling habits of respect- is also the fact that their brain is developing,” she said. “It does ful interpersonal communication and strong character. It almost give them a bit of an excuse” goes without saying that a teen

(Guardian, September 8). INDEX OPEN can’t make decisions as well as Dr. Blakemore conducted an adult; this is why parents are two studies: The first showed still accountable for them! that teens’ brains “may still The foundation for the crit- be developing when it comes ical relationship between par- to sensitivity to other peo- ents and teens is laid during ple’s feelings” (cbs News, children’s earliest years. The September 7). The second highest level of brain activity study “found that adoles- is not found in adults or teen- cents and preadolescents agers, but in young children. are slower at predicting how In fact, until age 10, children another person might feel show almost twice the level in a given situation” (ibid.). of activity found in an adult Brain scans of a study group brain. The first few years of showed that brain activity in a child’s life is the most im- teens was more predominant portant stage for shaping the in the back of the brain, while in adults it shifted to the medial development of his or her personality—for teaching the emo- prefrontal cortex toward the front of the brain. tional stability that they will need when they inevitably become True though these findings may be, using them to give teenagers who are accountable for their actions. teens a pass on bad behavior is a bad idea. Infant psychologist Selma Fraiberg wrote, “We have learned It wasn’t me—my brain did it is a compelling excuse for a lot that the human qualities … to love are forged during the first of things. Studies show, for example, that women have better two years of life” (Every Child’s Birthright: In Defense of Mother- capacity to control anger and more tightly-packed brain cells ing). If you form that warm, loving relationship while your child than men. Surely a lot of men could draw on that science with is young, and then maintain it through the teen years, you can their wives: “But, honey, women are naturally more empathic provide the guidance and stability that a teen still needs. than men. We use a different part of our brains.” While most In addition to forming an emotional bond with a child, women might agree with that reasoning, how many wives parents have the opportunity to shape that child’s develop- would be willing to give their men a free pass because of it? ment, to establish right habits of behavior. If a child learns There are also studies showing that overweight people have those patterns when they are young, he will have a far easier “more of a certain type of seratonin [a molecule synthesized by time as a teenager; good behavior will be ingrained because it brain cells] receptor” (Radiology Today, July 17). Just imagine how will have been practiced. If you teach your child to speak re- much latitude we should give to an overweight teenage male. spectfully to elders, to have good table manners, to share with Also, studies indicate that breast-fed children have better others, to show honor to you as a parent—and then maintain neurological development than formula-fed children. Perhaps a strong personal bond with your child as he grows into teen- that should be taken into account for our teenager’s history as age years—that behavior will continue for the rest of his life. well. And if we should discover that he is bipolar, has Atten- Through the teen years, if behaving in a socially acceptable tion Deficit Disorder, or any of a number of other afflictions, manner isn’t already ingrained into his thinking, no one can how should that be factored in? expect him to start then. This line of reasoning is a slippery slope without end that Teaching is a parent’s responsibility. Researchers can’t let would require brain scans of every criminal—teenage or not— you off the hook if you have a badly behaved teen—you still and that would likely always find some abnormality. have to live with him or her. Their research shouldn’t provide The results of the study should shock no one; the notion that a free pass for either teens or parents. teenagers are rude isn’t exactly groundbreaking. But the idea that The truth of the matter all gets back to one piece of biblical someone of teenage—a phase of life everyone passes through— wisdom, backed up by neurological findings: “Train up a child is less responsible for his or her actions because of neurological in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart differences is absurd. Many teenagers are well behaved. from it” (Proverbs 22:6). ■

THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2006 37 Looking for SUCCESS? Let someone who’s been there show you the way.

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