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AMerICA ANd IsrAel: A fRAyInG bond? the PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DAVID C. PACK EXECUTIVE EDITOR JEFFREY R. AMBROSE MANAGING EDITOR EDWARD L. WINKFIELD a magazine restoring plain understanding SENIOR EDITORS VOL. XI | NO. 8 | NOVEMBER 2013 WILLIAM H. BEHRER KEVIN D. DENEE GABRIEL N. LISCHAK ARTICLES REALTRUTH.ORG DALE L. SCHURTER CONTRIBUTING WRITERS DAVID C. PACK JEFFREY R. AMBROSE SAMUEL C. BAXTER WILLIAM H. BEHRER RYAN L. CASWELL JEFFREY D. DAVIS KEVIN D. DENEE ROBERT R. FARRELL GREGORY E. KAIDANNEK GABRIEL N. LISCHAK LARRY J. MCELROY KENNETH M. OREL JUSTIN T. PALM JAMES F. PA STOR BRADFORD G. SCHLEIFER DALE L. SCHURTER JACOB C. TOEWS NESTOR A. TORO JAMES F. T URCK F. J ACO VILJOEN VIDAL N. WACHUKU EDWARD L. WINKFIELD ASSOCIATE EDITOR STACEY L. PALM COPY EDITOR DENISE C. RITTER ART/GRAPHICS KYLE M. HOLCOMBE DARNITRA D. JACKSON PAULA C. RONDEAU EILEEN M. WILLARD g CROSSING POINT: The Bosphorus Personal from the Editor-in-Chief WEBSITE SERVICES Bridge in Istanbul, Turkey (seen behind BRADFORD G. SCHLEIFER The True Church—Identifying It (Part 2) ANGELA K. BAXTER the Dolmabahce Mosque), is one of only Page 1 JEFFREY D. DAVIS two that connects Europe and Asia. JUSTIN M. FRAZIER JOSHUA M. NOBLE PHOTO: THINKSTOCK Bridging the Turkey-EU Divide INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (Part 1) TIMOTHY C. WILLARD The many differences between the European Union and America and Israel: A Turkey will soon be overridden by one motivating factor. Fraying Bond? Page 7 The Real TruthTM magazine is provided The once unwavering alli- free of charge. This is made possible The Gambling Plague (Part 1) by the voluntary, freely given tithes ance between the United Gambling is exploding in popularity and, for many, has pro- and offerings of the members of The Restored Church of God, and by the States and Israel is showing gressed from a pastime to something much worse. offerings and donations of co-workers Page 10 and donors. Contributions are grate- signs of strain. fully welcomed and are tax-deductible Page 4 The Syrian Civil War’s Global Political Shake-up in the U.S. and Canada. Those who wish to voluntarily aid and support the The international response to Syria’s use of chemical Work of God in preaching and publish- weapons is reshaping the world’s political landscape. ing the gospel to all nations are gladly Page 13 welcomed as co-workers. Contributions should be sent to the address below. The preparation and production of Mounting Worldwide Crisis in Agriculture (Part 5) this magazine involved the work of Too often, agriculturists see only the effects, while the editors, proofreaders, graphic artists, actual causes of the crisis grow worse and more compli- illustrators, writers, researchers and cated. Yet we must recognize our agricultural problems— those who support the Work of God. Copyright © 2013, The Restored their causes—and CORRECT THEM. Church of God®. Printed in the USA. All Page 16 rights reserved. The Restored Church of God is not Television Listings for The World to Come™ with responsible for the return of unsolicited articles and photos. g EXTENDED HANDS: Israeli Prime David C. Pack Scriptures are quoted from the King Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, and Page 24 James (or Authorized) Version of the United States President Barack Obama Bible, unless otherwise noted. reach out to shake hands during a joint World News Desk Contact The Real Truth: press conference at the prime minister’s Page 32 1000 Ambassador Drive residence in Jerusalem (March 20, 2013). Wadsworth, OH 44281 PHOTO: SAUL LOEB/AFP/GETTY IMAGES realtruth.org Personal from

The True Church— Identifying It Part 2 ost churchgoers think that accepting traditional churches teach God is a trinity—one Being, Jesus as their Savior makes them His but three Persons. And millions believe there is no God. followers. Most also assume that doc- God does exist and His existence can be proven! M The single most important biblical truth is the identity trines believed, traditions practiced, and church of the true God! And the first of the Commandments affiliation count little, if at all. requires people to worship only Him. This could not be more wrong! The God of the Bible said, “Let Us make man in OUr image, after OUr likeness…” (Gen. 1:26). God was not Who and What Is God? talking to Himself. Nor was He confused. God is plainly In this series on the true Church of God, we have been more than one Person. The Hebrew word for God is examining what the Bible really says about its identity. elohim. It is a uni-plural word—in this case, meaning Jesus taught, “And every one that hears these sayings one God, but more than one Person. God and Christ rep- of Mine [meaning Christ’s instruction, doctrines, com- resent two Beings, composing one Godhead. Together, mands—His teachings—the truths He brings], and does they represent the “Us” and “Our” of this verse. them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which John 1 contains a crucial—and eye-opening—state- built his house upon the sand” (Matt. 7:26). ment about the true nature and identity of God. It states, Teachings are everything! In fact, in every regard, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with they define and identify the true Church. We will survey God, and the Word was God. The same was in the begin- as many as one article will permit. ning with God…And the Word was made flesh, and First, consider who and what is God? The ancient dwelt among us…” (vs. 1-2, 14). Greeks had 30,000 gods. The Hindus reportedly have The only way the Word could both be God and be five million. Judaism teaches God is a single Person. with God is if they are separate Beings. One Person, Many believe God is a kind of “inner goodness” within the Word, who became Jesus Christ, came to Earth and everyone. Others that He is a “metaphysical idea.” Most “dwelt among men,” until His crucifixion as the Savior

NOVEMBER 2013 1 of mankind. The other, the Father, God’s purpose for humanity is infi- marvelous, awesome human poten- who resurrected Jesus from the dead, nitely greater than the inventions of tial offered to everyone who truly remained in heaven and was the One deceived men! repents—changes—and believes is to whom Jesus prayed. The book of Revelation, which is that they will be born into the very The Godhead now has two sep- Christ’s revealing of events prior to Family of God. What a sobering yet arate beings—Father and Son! If and following His Return, explains, exciting opportunity and future respon- God were a trinity—three Persons or “And has made us unto our God kings sibility! How glorious is the future of Entities in one Being (with the Holy and priests: and we shall reign on the Christians! May God help you under- Spirit the supposed third Person)— earth” (5:10). Many refer to Christ stand what He has offered to all who Christ’s death and role as Savior would as King of kings, but never question seek Him first—above all else (Matt. have been impossible. who are the other “kings.” These are 6:33)! God is not conjoined triplets where the resurrected saints! Daniel 7:18, 22 The true Church teaches the one-third of one Being can die—with- and 27 plainly reveal that the returning incredible potential that lies ahead out affecting the other two-thirds of the Christ and the saints inherit all king- for every one of God’s people. same Being. doms of this world. This truth is connected to the The trinity (called a “mystery that The Father says Jesus is “His true gospel. Revelation 12:9 states, cannot be understood”) denies God’s Son, that He might be the firstborn “Satan…deceives the whole world…” Master Purpose for mankind. It pic- among many brethren” (Rom. 8:29). What a staggering statement! The truth tures God as closed and triune with no Many more sons and daughters will about a subject as vital as the message room for expansion in His Father/Son soon be added to God’s Family. They Christ brought would be no exception. family relationship! will enjoy the same things that God Christ’s Church understands and Himself enjoys. God is a Family—a The True Gospel teaches the identity of the true God. Household! (Read Ephesians 3:15 and The first recorded words spoken by I Timothy 3:15.) Christ during His earthly ministry Mankind’s Great Purpose True Christians have the Spirit of were, “Repent you, and believe the Now consider the purpose for man- God. This makes them sons of God: gospel” (Mark 1:15). kind. Let’s reread Genesis 1:26 with “For as many as are led by the Spirit of But what is the gospel? Those a different emphasis, “…Let Us make God, they are the sons of God” (Rom. who would be true Christians are told man in Our image, after Our like- 8:14). Now consider this: “Beloved, they must believe it. Mark also wrote, ness…” It is not within the scope of now are we the sons of God, and it “Jesus came…preaching the gospel of one article to disprove the fiction of does not yet appear what we shall the kingdom of God” (vs. 14). There is evolution and prove the truth of a lit- be: but we know that, when He shall no gospel but the kingdom of god. eral creation. The fact is that God did appear, we shall be like Him; for we Of course, the world focuses on the create man. But we must ask, why? For shall see Him as He is” (I John 3:2). Person of Jesus rather than on the mes- what purpose? Christ is called the firstborn among sage He brought. It is almost entirely The belief of nearly all professing many brethren (the true Christians who ignorant of the kingdom of god—the Christians is that they will “die and go follow later), because those added to governing Family of God with Christ to heaven.” Yet, Christ stated, “…no God’s Family—in the resurrection to and His saints. man has ascended up to heaven, but occur at Christ’s Return—are going to Professing Christendom has He that came down from heaven, even be “like Him.” They are not like some- assumed the belief of numerous the Son of Man…” (John 3:13). The thing else. Christ is God. Being “like manmade gospels. This is one of the belief that “heaven is the reward of the Him” means being part of the God greatest distinctions between the many saved” is a fable! Family with Him. denominations and sects of the world In His first recorded sermon, Jesus God is a Father who now has and the true Church. taught, “Blessed are the meek: for they one (born) Son. But soon there will Rather than focusing on Himself, shall inherit the earth” (Matt. 5:5). He be many more. God is reproducing or teaching a gospel about Himself, knew Christians do not go to heaven— Himself by developing His character Jesus came to reveal the Father. Yet the they inherit the earth! (In fact, Jesus in yielded, conquered, Spirit-begotten Father and His role as Supreme Head was quoting Psalm 37:11.) God’s Plan and led human beings. of the divine Family of God is almost is to give rulership of Earth to Christ The apostle Paul said the ministry entirely unknown today. As Savior and and the resurrected saints who will teaches and edifies the Church so that High Priest, Jesus brought reconcilia- reign with Him. It has never been His it can grow into the “stature of the tion—access to the Father—saving us Plan that people merely “roll around fullness of Christ” (Eph. 4:11-13). A by His Resurrection (Rom. 5:10). heaven all day,” “ride clouds,” “play Christian copies and builds the char- The true Church understands harps,” or “walk the streets of gold, in acter of Jesus Christ to qualify for Christ’s vital role as mediator to the front of the pearly gates.” membership in the God Family. The Father—but also has Him in proper 2 The REAL TRUTH perspective. It does not overly focus on has put them into His Church. The rest God gave the Sabbath from Mount Him by constantly speaking of “ador- of the world remains blinded for now. Sinai, through Moses, to Israel. While ing Jesus” and “His precious blood.” Satan does not want mortal humans most people are familiar with this Neither does it see Him as merely dead to receive and enjoy what is denied story, they are not aware that God on the cross or a baby in the manger, to him. commanded the Sabbath be kept fOr- among other popular views that invari- In Matthew 24:14, Jesus foretold, ever! It was never “just for the Jews” ably reduce Christ. “…this gospel of the kingdom shall or “just for Israel.” It predates the first The true Jesus Christ brought a be preached [Mark 13:10 adds “pub- Israelites, which includes Jews, by message about a coming world gov- lished”] in all the world for a witness over 2,000 years. ernment—the kingdom of God! unto all nations; and then shall the end The God of the Old Testament Paul warned those who would come.” declares, “For I am the lord, I change believe or teach another gospel, “I The Church that Christ built has not…” (Mal. 3:6). Paul was inspired marvel that you are so soon removed the knowledge of His true gospel. That to record, “Jesus Christ the same yes- from Him that called you into the Church preaches the kingdom of God terday, and today, and forever. Be not grace of Christ unto another gospel: until the end of this age comes (Matt. carried about with various and strange which is not another; but there be 24:46). doctrines…” (Heb. 13:8-9). some that trouble you, and would per- Another, and related, truth must I Corinthians 10:4 identifies Christ vert the gospel of Christ…If any man be covered here. God’s principle is to as the “Rock” of the Old Testament. preach any other gospel unto you than tithe on one’s income. This is because Almost none recognize that the Lord that you have received, let him be “the tithe is God’s”—and it is “holy to of the Old Testament was also the accursed” (Gal. 1:6-7, 9). Him.” (The Hebrew means “tenth.”) New Testament Lord who came as “the Satan does not talk directly to In Malachi 3:8-10, God condemns as Word”—and was Jesus Christ. In other human beings. He works through his “robbers” those who do not both pay words, Christ is the One who inspired servants—his ministers. The Bible Him His tithes and give Him offer- both Malachi in the Old Testament and teaches that the devil has his min- ings! But He promises there to “open Paul in the New Testament to record isters—and they invariably teach a the windows of heaven” and pour that He is a God who does not change! false gospel. Paul warned of being tremendous blessings on those will- His people are to hold only to truth, “beguiled” into accepting “another ing to “prove Him” regarding this avoiding all wrong (or “strange”) doc- Jesus” who brought “another gospel” promise. Faithful tithing is the way trines. through “another spirit” (II Cor. 11:3- God finances preaching the kingdom This permanence applies to the 4). He went on to describe the cunning to the world and the warning message Sabbath. This is why, in the New of Satan’s ministers: “For such are to the modern descendants of ancient Testament, Jesus said, “Therefore the false apostles, deceitful workers, trans- Israel. Christ affirmed the law of tith- Son of Man is Lord also of the Sab- forming themselves into the apostles ing in Matthew 23:23—and other New bath” (Mark 2:28). of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan Testament verses confirm Christ’s Yet, Sunday is commonly referred himself is transformed into an angel words. to as “The Lord’s Day.” While the true of light. Therefore it is no great thing God’s Church teaches the truth about Lord’s Day of the Bible is actually if his ministers also be transformed as tithing, and its connection to preaching the prophesied Day of the Lord—the the ministers of righteousness…” (vs. the true gospel. You have been per- Day of His Wrath (see Joel 2:1-11; 13-15). mitted to come into contact with the Rev. 1:10, 15:1 and 7, among many The true Church has always had to knowledge of the true gospel, and the others)—the term has become syn- be careful—vigilant—about the dan- understanding that you can be a part onymous with Sunday. But why? The gers of false ministers entering it and of God’s Church now—as well as His reason is simple. If Sunday can be perverting the doctrines of God. kingdom, His governing Family, later! established as the day Jesus was resur- All but one gospel are counterfeits But first comes a life of testing. rected, it can be a means of validating designed by the devil to replace the These tests come in various ways. and “authorizing” the unauthorized towering truth of God’s soon-coming keeping of Sunday by this world’s kingdom. Let’s read: “…the god of this The Sabbath Test Command churches—in place of God’s Sabbath! world has blinded the minds of them There is one command that sets God’s More than the Good Friday-Easter which believe not, lest the light of the people apart from all others—and it Sunday tradition collapses if Jesus glorious gospel of Christ, who is the is the test command: “Remember the was in the tomb a full 72 hours (late image of God, should shine unto them” Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days Wednesday to late Saturday) instead (II Cor. 4:4). shall you labor, and do all your work: of the commonly believed 36 hours God, for His own supreme purpose, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of of late Friday to early Sunday. The has opened the truth of the gospel and the Lord your God: in it you shall not its meaning to only a very few—and do any work…” (Ex. 20:8-10). Please see PERSONAL, page 30 NOVEMBER 2013 3 AMERICA AND ISRAEL: A FRAYING BOND? The once unwavering alliance between the United States and Israel is showing signs of strain.

B Y JUSTIN T . PALM

t was 1948. World War II had Jews in the land of Palestine. Birth”: “The British planned to ended three years prior. Adolf Momentum for the creation of a leave Palestine at midnight on May I Hitler’s extermination cam- Jewish state began to build. 14. At that moment, the Jewish paign had killed six million Jews, The story was recount- Agency, led by David Ben-Gurion, with millions of Jewish survivors ed in a Washington Post article would proclaim the new (and still without a home country. The 1917 “Washington’s Battle Over Israel’s unnamed) Jewish state.” Balfour Declaration from Great g STATE VISIT: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, and United States President Barack Obama walk together after a joint press conference at the prime minister’s residence in Britain had promised support of Jerusalem (March 20, 2013). a permanent homeland for the PHOTO: SAUL LOEB/AFP/GETTY IMAGES 4 The REAL TRUTH Despite opposition, President Harry have been tensions, but both govern- free societies that seek a path to peace Truman was determined to support ments claim today that diplomatic ties and honor individual right…” the Jewish people. The paper contin- have never been better. Ronald Reagan (1981-1989): ued: “The Jewish Agency proposed Yet cracks are beginning to appear “Since the foundation of the State of partitioning Palestine into two parts— in the unique relationship between Israel, the United States has stood by one Jewish, one Arab. But the State Washington and Jerusalem. her and helped her to pursue secu- and Defense departments backed the rity, peace, and economic growth. Our British plan to turn Palestine over to Historically Strong Connection friendship is based on historic moral the United Nations. In March, Truman America and Israel have stood by each and strategic ties, as well as our shared privately promised Chaim Weizmann, other—for better or worse—in times dedication to democracy.” the future president of Israel, that he of peace and in times of war. This alli- George H.W. Bush (1989-1993): would support partition—only to learn ance has been especially significant “The friendship, the alliance between the next day that the American ambas- for Israel given its hostile neighbors. the United States and Israel is strong sador to the United Nations had voted The American Israel Public Affairs and solid—built upon a foundation of for U.N. trusteeship…” Committee notes that Israel has only shared democratic values, of shared “With only a few hours left until been recognized by two of its 22 Arab history and heritage that sustain the midnight in Tel Aviv, [Clark] Clifford neighbors. Through the decades, the moral life of our two countries. The [one of President Truman’s aides] told pressures of wars, terrorist acts, differ- emotional bond of our peoples…tran- the Jewish Agency to request imme- ing religious ideologies, politics and scends politics…” diate recognition of the new state… conflicting personalities have tugged Bill Clinton (1993-2001): “America Truman announced recognition at 6:11 at the ties that have bound America and and Israel share a special bond. Our p.m. on May 14—11 minutes after Israel. The relationship has weathered relations are unique among all nations. Ben-Gurion’s declaration of indepen- all storms that have crashed against its Like America, Israel is a strong dence in Tel Aviv. So rapidly was this shores. democracy, as a symbol of freedom, done that in the official announce- United States presidents—from and an oasis of liberty, a home to the ment, the typed words ‘Jewish State’ multiple parties—have long cham- oppressed and persecuted…The rela- are crossed out, replaced in Clifford’s pioned the special relationship with tionship between our two countries handwriting with ‘State of Israel’” the Jewish people. (Unless otherwise is built on shared understandings and (emphasis added). noted, all quotations come from the values…” Being in such close contact, the Jewish Virtual Library.) George W. Bush (2001-2009): “The U.S. and new Jewish state were able John Adams (1797-1801): “The alliance between our governments is to nearly simultaneously announce the Hebrews have done more to civilize unbreakable, yet the source of our news. men than any other nation….[God] friendship runs deeper than any treaty. The official press release from ordered the Jews to preserve and prop- It is grounded in the shared spirit of Washington stated: “This Government agate to all mankind the doctrine of a our people, the bonds of the Book, the has been informed that a Jewish state supreme, intelligent, wise, almighty ties of the soul…” has been proclaimed in Palestine, and sovereign of the universe….[which is] Barack Obama (2009-present): recognition has been requested by the to be the great essential principle of “We stand with Israel as a Jewish provisional Government thereof. The morality, and consequently all civili- democratic state because we know that United States recognizes the provi- zation” (America’s God and Country Israel is born of firmly held values sional government as the de facto Encyclopedia of Quotations). that we, as Americans, share: a culture authority of the new State of Israel” John Quincy Adams (1825-1829): committed to justice, a land that wel- (The National Archives). “[I believe in the] rebuilding of Judea comes the weary…” It is interesting to note that, as an independent nation.” “President Harry Truman, an avid stu- Woodrow Wilson (1913-1921): Diplomatic Dialogue dent of the Bible and its prophecies Reacting to the Balfour Declaration, On the 61st anniversary of Israel’s regarding the return of Jews to the he stated, “The allied nations with the Independence (April 28, 2009), Holy Land, was the first world leader fullest concurrence of our government President Obama described America’s to recognize Israel in 1948, a moment and people are agreed that in Palestine ties to Israel: “The United States was the some Christians believe began a new shall be laid the foundations of a first country to recognize Israel in 1948, prophetic era for events in the Middle Jewish Commonwealth.” minutes after its declaration of indepen- East” (USA Today). John F. Kennedy (1961-1963): dence, and the deep bonds of friendship Over the intervening 65 years, “This nation, from the time of President between the U.S. and Israel remain as America and Israel have moved for- Woodrow Wilson, has established and strong and unshakeable as ever.” ward as veritable brother nations. As continued a tradition of friendship with In his 2013 State of the Union with any familial relationship, there Israel because we are committed to all Address, the president said, “[America] NOVEMBER 2013 5 will stand steadfast with Israel in pur- intelligence officials suspect of spying I stood at a high point in east Jerusalem suit of security and a lasting peace.” on the United States. The other coun- overlooking settlement areas while Some Israeli leaders have made tries listed as targets of counterintel- touring the town of Ma’ale Adumim. similar statements. Ehud Barak, Israel’s ligence operations are adversaries or The beautiful, perfectly manicured former deputy prime minister and min- rivals of the US” (The Jerusalem Post). city of approximately 37,000 resi- ister of defense, told CNN, “I think Israelis are becoming increasingly dents—complete with parks, schools that from my point of view as defense skeptical of whether they can depend and shopping malls—also contained minister [our relations] are extremely on American support. For instance, half-constructed buildings. The apart- good, extremely deep and profound… after Hillary Clinton visited Israel ment buildings had been dormant for administrations of both sides of [the] in late 2012 as secretary of state, a many months after the Israeli govern- political aisle [are] deeply supporting Jerusalem Post poll asked, “Do you ment stopped construction in that area. the state of Israel and I believe that think the US has Israel’s back?” To Israel, settlement-building reflects a profound feeling among the Only 15.1 percent of Israelis polled means providing housing for growing American people…But I should tell answered, “Yes, the US is Israel’s communities. To America and much of you honestly that this administration strongest ally.” Amazingly, 55.8 per- the world, these construction projects under President Obama is doing in cent answered, “No, Israel cannot are a sign that Israel will not budge in regard to our security more than any- depend on the US.” peace agreement negotiations with the thing that I can remember in the past.” Over the past few years, two main Palestinians. Over the last few years, military points of contention have arisen: (1) In 2009, Mrs. Clinton, who was ties between these two nations have construction of settlements in “disput- acting as secretary of state, clearly increased. In March 2012, President ed” areas that have been proposed for a articulated that Washington “wants to Obama affirmed that the United States future Palestinian state and (2) how to see a stop to settlements—not some will “always have Israel’s back” (CBS). deal with Iran’s nuclear program. settlements, not outposts, not ‘natural America and Israel reportedly worked growth’ exceptions…That is our posi- together to create the “Stuxnet” com- Settlement Issue tion. That is what we have communicat- puter virus that damaged a number of Amid a push by President George ed very clearly” (The New York Times). Iranian nuclear reactors in 2010. They W. Bush’s administration to reignite While Prime Minister Benjamin also unified “to develop sophisticated stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, Netanyahu was visiting Washington military technology, such as the David’s the relationship between these two in March 2010, U.S. Vice President Sling counter-rocket and Arrow missile countries began to be tested. The U.S. Joe Biden traveled overseas to Israel. defense systems…” (ibid.). and Israel started to publicly disagree During Mr. Biden’s stay, Jerusalem In 2011, Israel—which only holds with each other in 2008. During this announced that it would build 1,600 3 percent of the Middle Eastern popu- time, Guardian reported, “The US sec- homes in east Jerusalem. lation—was the recipient of 25 per- retary of state, Condoleezza Rice… An article in The Washington Post cent of all U.S. exports to this region. accused Israel of undermining peace at the time stated, “…it thwarted what The Washington Institute for Near East talks as Israel announced plans to build was supposed to be a celebration of Policy estimates that since 1949, the thousands more homes in settlements fresh negotiations on talks toward an United States has provided Israel with in east Jerusalem. Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement. $115 billion of economic, diplomatic “Upon arrival in Jerusalem to help The Obama administration now says and military support. Israel also exports the faltering peace talks, Rice expressed that failure to resolve the Middle East vital military technologies to America. her frustration at the Israeli housing conflict is harming U.S. national secu- ministry announcement of plans to rity interests in the region. Signs of Strain build 1,300 more homes in Ramat “…Netanyahu ‘pushed the enve- Despite statements by both countries Shlomo, a settlement on Palestinian lope with Obama,’ said Yossi Beilin, a about the strength of their bond, new land in east Jerusalem which was cap- former Israeli peace negotiator, refer- challenges are testing the endurance tured in the 1967 war…” ring to haggling over a full settlement of the alliance. Distrust is growing. “Even as Rice was issuing her freeze that had precluded a resumption Leaked documents show that the strongest criticism of settlement con- of peace talks. Now that Obama has two countries may be spying on one struction to date, Jerusalem’s city pushed back, Netanyahu ‘is worried another: “US intelligence agencies council unveiled plans to build 40,000 and afraid,’ Beilin said.” have carried out counterintelligence new apartments throughout the city, Today, the settlement issue remains operations against Israel, a secret including units in east Jerusalem, over unresolved. In August 2013, an arti- report published by The Washington the next 10 years.” cle in The Hill reported, “The [U.S.] Post revealed…” In 2011, during a visit to Israel State Department…criticized Israel for “According to the report, Israel is that included Real Truth Editor-in-Chief the only US ally that American counter- David C. Pack, and other senior writers, Please see ISRAEL, page 20 6 The REAL TRUTH Part 1 Bridging the TURKEY-EU DIVIDE The many differences between the European Religion: Europe, aka Christendom, is the home of Catholicism and birthplace of Protestantism. For centuries, Union and Turkey will soon be overridden Turkey was the seat of Islam’s caliphate. by one motivating factor. Politics: A June 2013 row between German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip

BY EDWA RD L . WINKFIELD Erdogan exemplified this point. It started with a crackdown A ND SAMUEL C. BA XTER on an anti-government protest. Ms. Merkel decried the police reaction as “much too harsh.” The Associated Press described the political friction: y all accounts, it should not work. Turkey—a 99.8 percent Muslim nation—has “The demonstrations were sparked by a police crackdown on environmental activists in Istanbul May 31, but protesters a running bid to join the European Union. B also criticized what some regard as Prime Minister Recep Everything seems to be against these two entities Tayyip Erdogan’s authoritarian style of leadership.” working closely together. According to Reuters, Ms. Merkel stated, “Turkey is an History: The Ottoman Turks overran the Roman important partner but…our European values of the freedom Empire’s eastern capital of Constantinople in 1453. to protest, freedom of opinion, the rule of law and religious O: TH INKSTOCK O: PHOT

NOVEMBER 2013 7 g STORMING THE STREETS: Turkish protesters shout slogans while marching to Taksim Square in Instanbul just before clashes with police (Sept. 10, 2013). PHOTO: OZAN KOSE/AFP/GETTY IMAGES freedom, are always valid and are not to the south and European borders of has reached an end: “By blowing the negotiable.” Bulgaria and Greece to the west. regional status quo into oblivion, the While the squabble between This patchwork-quilt neighborhood Arab Spring forced Turkey out of Berlin and Ankara (the Turkish capi- has made diplomacy a veritable tight- this policy of non-interference. Ankara tal) meant a slight delay in renewed rope act. And for a while, Ankara suc- has struggled with the notion that it EU-membership talks, the Middle ceeded in keeping its head down. could not bend the region to its will: Eastern nation’s bid for membership Yet times are changing, as an In Libya, before it ended up helping was never truly in danger. extended quote from Foreign Policy unseat [Moammar Gadhafi], Turkey A spokesman for Ms. Merkel told magazine explains: “Not so long ago, argued that the West had no business AP: “Neither the chancellor nor the Turkey seemed to have found the elu- intervening against him. In Syria, it government are in any way question- sive formula for foreign policy success. has broken completely with [Bashar] ing the accession process…It’s not Its newly-adopted philosophy, ‘zero Assad, embroiling itself in a conflict about whether, only about how the problems with neighbors,’ won praise that shows no sign of ending. And in accession process is continued.” both at home and abroad as Ankara Egypt, of course, it is setting itself on The Europe-Turkey courtship has reengaged with the Middle East fol- a collision course with the most popu- been going on for about 100 years, lowing a half century of estrange- lous state in the Arab world. and the situation embodies the cliche, ment. It expanded business and trade “The extent to which Turkey “Politics makes for strange bedfel- links with Arab states, as well as Iran, has since ditched its softly-softly lows.” lifted visa restrictions with neighbor- approach to the region has been sur- ing countries, and even helped mediate prising. One of the commandments Caught in the Middle some of the region’s toughest disputes, of ‘zero problems’ was what Foreign Turkey’s geographical location means brokering talks between Syria and Minister Ahmet Davutoglu referred to difficult relations with surrounding Israel, Fatah and Hamas, and Pakistan as ‘equidistance’—that is, the refusal countries. To the northeast is Russia and Afghanistan.” to take sides in regional disputes. by way of Georgia and Armenia. To But the publication explained that This was always something of a the southeast is Iraq and Iran. Syria is now the “zero problems” approach myth, particularly when it came to the 8 The REAL TRUTH Israeli-Palestine dispute, where the of the same regions including parts Islamic kingdom: the Holy Roman government seldom missed a chance of what are today known as Algeria, Empire, with each ruler crowned by to bolster its regional and Islamic Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, the pope himself. credentials by slighting the Israelis. Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Greece and Animosity continued with long- But in the wake of the Arab Spring, some Balkan states, among others. time military conflicts, including the equidistance appears to have gone From 1453 until the dissolution of Ottoman-Hungarian wars from 1366 into the gutter. the Ottoman Empire in 1922, the office to about 1526 and the Ottoman- “It’s not only in Egypt where of Turkish sultan was synonymous Hapsburgs wars between 1526 and Turkey is now seen as a partisan actor, with political and military prowess. 1791. rather than a neutral problem-solver. During the reign of Suleyman the With this history as a lone guide, In Iraq, [Turkey] has openly defied Magnificent, the famed ruler made improved relations between Europe Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s gov- a declaration that demonstrated his and Turkey seem impossible. ernment, accusing it of fomenting sec- tarian strife and going behind its back Complicating …To Allies to negotiate oil deals with the Kurdish Yet something curious happened early Regional Government, which admin- matters between in the 1900s. A German-Turkish alli- isters the country’s north. In Syria, it ance in 1914 at the start of World War has lent unqualified support to the anti- the two powers, I began nearly a century of improved regime rebels, letting them operate “ relations. The two nations also signed freely on its soil, turning a blind eye to tensions between a nonaggression pact in 1941 during their atrocities, and reportedly criticiz- World War II. ing the United States for branding the Europeans and Diplomatic olive branches were not al Qaeda-linked Jabhat al-Nusra a ter- Turks go back extended to Germany alone. Soon, rorist group.” Turkey was consistently seeking close The fact that Turkey’s political thousands of years. ties with all of Europe. opinions are often at odds with the In 1952, Turkey became the first West makes its close ties with the Roman Emperor and only Muslim nation to join the European Union even stranger. North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Constantine The move bolstered the West’s posi-

From Adversaries… tion against Soviet Russia. Complicating matters between the two created an Turkey then applied in 1959 for an powers, tensions between Europeans eastern capital in associate membership in the European and Turks go back thousands of years. Economic Community, the precursor Roman Emperor Constantine created an to today’s EU. Constantinople, “ eastern capital in Constantinople, which The Islamic nation’s bid succeeded today is Istanbul—Turkey’s largest and which today is as the two powers signed the “Ankara most populated city. As the classical Agreement” in 1963, which declared Roman Empire waned, the eastern leg Istanbul—Turkey’s they were both determined “to estab- flourished as the Byzantine Empire, lish ever closer bonds between the with famous rulers including Justinian I. largest and most Turkish peoples and the peoples By the 1400s, fading Byzantine populated city. brought together in the European glory left a power vacuum to be filled Economic Community.” by the Ottoman Turks. In 1453, the sweeping power: “I am God’s slave Turkey applied for a full EEC Turks seized Constantinople. The and sultan of this world. By the grace of membership in 1987, and, in 1997, Turks had superior fighting forces and God I am head of Muhammad’s com- the Luxembourg Council summit firepower, which included a cannon munity. God’s might and Muhammad’s declared Turkey eligible to become a that could hurl a 1,000-pound projec- miracles are my companions. I am full-fledged EU member. tile over a mile. Suleyman, in whose name the hutbe Membership talks opened in 2004, Among the spoils of victory was [Friday sermon] is read in Mecca and and, in 2008, the European Council set Justinian’s Hagia Sophia—a cathedral Medina. In Baghdad I am the shah, in up an Accession Partnership for Turkey, with one of the largest domes in the Byzantine realms the Caesar, and in which aimed to assist Turkish authori- world. The structure was converted Egypt the sultan” (The Arab World: An ties in meeting membership criteria. into a mosque and in 1935 became a Illustrated History). Reacting to slow progress on the museum. Yet Europe did not rest on its lau- accession process, the EU and Turkey At their individual zeniths, the rival rels during this time of Turkish domi- Roman and Ottoman empires held many nance. It had an answer to Ottoman’s Please see EUROPE & TURKEY, page 22 NOVEMBER 2013 9 THE GAMBLING PLAGUE PART 1

Gambling is exploding in popularity poker and blackjack, which may be played at casinos or in private homes; (3) dice games such as craps; (4) lotteries and, for many, has progressed from a and “scratch-off” games (typically sanctioned by state or federal governments, with tickets sold at stores); (5) bingo; pastime to something much worse. (6) mechanized betting such as electronic slot machines (known as “one armed bandits”) and video poker; and (7) ike a disease, it spreads throughout the nations other casino games including roulette, big six, and keno. of the world infecting virtually every house- In a world connected by instant communication, gam- hold, young and old, rich and poor, ignorant blers can also place bets on an endless array of world events, L including the elections of successors to popes or presidents! and educated. From high-stakes casinos and online A method of organized public betting often used at horse poker games to government-run lotteries, penny- or dog tracks is the pari-mutuel system, which translates to ante bingo matches, and office pools, gambling is “mutual stake” in French. This system pools bettors’ money everywhere—and is becoming more common with and distributes winnings in proportion to the amount wagered. each passing year. Its intent is to facilitate tax collection and prevent theft. The practice of gambling can be described as stak- Growing Problem ing something of value on the outcome of an event that The growth of gambling in wealthy, developed countries has involves chance, in hopes of gaining objects of value exceeded overall population growth, as ever larger percent- that have been staked on the event by others. In other ages of individuals yield to the temptation. Many of these words, risk motivated by riches. nations are so prosperous that even those considered below The history of this practice stretches to nearly the the poverty line enjoy a standard of living that is higher than beginning of human history. In the modern age, as technol- the majority in the developing world. Yet these peoples still ogy expands and the character of individuals and nations seek easy avenues to increase their net worth. declines, gambling is quickly becoming an epidemic. Gambling, both in its legal forms and otherwise, has long been one of the most popular methods of pursuing this Types of Gambling goal. Recent statistics gathered in these countries bring the Modern gambling exists in many forms, which vary in expanding scope of the problem into focus. popularity among different cultures and groups. These United States: According to the American Gaming include: (1) betting on sports or games of skill, including Association’s 2013 State of the States report: “Nearly one- horse and dog races, football, baseball, basketball, hockey, third (32 percent) of the U.S. adult population gambled in boxing prizefights and others; (2) card games, including casinos during 2012. This is a significant increase from 10 The REAL TRUTH PHOTO: THINKSTOCK PHOTO: the 27 percent who visited casinos to The Wynn Las Vegas hotel has Australians wasted more than $19 bil- gamble in 2011.” been symbolic of the city’s “golden lion (AUD) on gambling—an aver- Of the 76.1 million people who age.” At a total cost of $2.7 billion at age loss of $1,500 per gambler! This spent time and money in casinos last the time of its opening in 2005, it is should not be surprising since more year, nearly half make more than the most expensive casino resort in than 20 percent of the world’s poker $60,000 per year. The trade group the world, with each room carrying an machines are in Australia. According also reported that in 2012, commercial average construction cost of $1 mil- to a Productivity Commission report casinos across the U.S. earned a little lion. It established a new benchmark the news outlet cited, “Problem gam- more than $37 billion in gross gaming of opulence, featuring a manmade blers contribute 40 per cent of the revenue. mountain, a three-acre artificial lake money put into poker machines.” Gambling in some form is legal with a 70-foot waterfall, a golf course, Kate Roberts, a member of the in all states except Hawaii and Utah. 18 restaurants, an art gallery, exclu- country’s Ministerial Expert Advisory Forty-three of the 50 states, as well sive shops, and an in-house Ferrari- Group on Gambling and founder of the as the District of Columbia, conduct Maserati dealership. Gambling Impact Society, said easy lotteries. Also, many of these states Canada: Since 1992, net revenue access to poker machines is to blame. participate in combined multi-state lot- from government-run lotteries, video She told ABC News: “This is not about teries such as Powerball. lottery terminals, and casinos has sick people…It’s about machines that A Gallup Poll in 2008 noted that mushroomed from $2.7 billion (CAD) are on every corner, that are ruining nearly half of Americans participated to $13.7 billion in 2011, according to people’s lives.” in state lotteries—the most popular a Statistics Canada report. Revenue According to the report cited by ABC form of gambling. generated from casino gambling repre- News, “About 115,000 Australians are Figures from the U.S. Census sents 34 percent of the gaming industry classified as ‘problem gamblers’ with Bureau indicate that the capital of the while revenue from lotteries repre- a further 280,000 people at ‘moderate American gaming industry, Las Vegas, sents 27 percent. Revenue from slot risk’. The risk for people who only Nevada, is still getting back on its feet machines located in venues other than play lotteries and scratchies is low after a recession that saw skyrocketing casinos represents 21 percent of the but rises steeply with the frequency unemployment and foreclosure rates. industry and video lottery terminals of gambling on table games, wagering The population of Las Vegas grew 22 represent 19 percent. Forty-six per- and especially gaming machines.” percent to 583,756, according to 2010 cent of households with incomes under census data. $20,000 spent an average of $390 on from Casino to Computer Robert Lang, an urban expert at gambling that year while 75 percent of The Internet has made it easier for peo- the University of Nevada-Las Vegas households with incomes of $80,000 ple to indulge in their gambling habits. (UNLV), told USA Today that “Nevada or more spent an average of $620. The arrival of online gaming is a major held on to its population gains largely United Kingdom: The British gam- factor in the explosion of gambling’s because the recession ‘was so large bling industry took in gross revenue overall popularity. The availability of and universal that it froze people in of 6.2 billion pounds, or $9.7 billion, it “at the click of a mouse” any hour of place even if there were no jobs.’” between October 2011 and September day or night, equals increased conve- “The flood of people coming into 2012. nience. Gone are the times when one the state has slowed,” the media outlet According to the British Gambling needed to travel to a casino or recruit reported. “‘In the ‘90s, our popula- Prevalence Survey, 73 percent of players for a card game at home to tion growth was driven by migration, Britain’s population—about 35.5 mil- indulge an appetite for gambling. accounting for 72%. Since 2000, it’s lion adults—took part in some form of Morgan Stanley expects online about 57%,’” Jeff Hardcastle, the state gambling during 2010. The National gambling to be “big business.” demographer, told the newspaper. Lottery was the most popular activ- Bloomberg Businessweek reported that Still a popular destination, more ity, with about 59 percent of adults the financial services firm “projects than 368 million people visited Sin participating. Men were more likely that the American market alone will be City in 2011, compared to a paltry 6.7 to gamble than women—75 percent as worth $9.3 billion by 2020.” million visitors in 1970, according to compared to 71 percent. As it stands now, the global online the official city of Las Vegas website. Eighty-three percent of Britons said gambling industry has a net worth of More than 19,000 conventions were they gambled for the chance to win big $30 billion, and it is expected to grow held in Las Vegas in 2009. UNLV’s money, 78 percent gambled for fun, over the next five years, according to Center for Gaming Research statis- 59 percent said they gambled to make an analysis by Aruvian’s R’search. The tics show that Nevada’s Clark County, money, and 51 percent enjoyed the market research and consulting firm which includes Las Vegas, took in excitement. reported, “Currently, Europe appears $9.4 billion in gambling revenue as of Australia: Australia’s ABC News to be the quickest expanding online October 2013. reported that from 2008 to 2009 gambling market. In 2012, European novEMbER 2013 11 online gambling business operators Other television programs featuring One apparent result of this approach recorded almost a 45% increase in the gambling themes include NBC’s “Las is the flood of permanent residents, total online gambling yield.” Vegas” and CBS’ “Dr. Vegas,” as well which led to a 1994 Time magazine According to a Businessweek as the “reality” shows “The Casino” cover story proclaiming it the “New report, online gambling was illegal on FOX and Discovery Channel’s All-American City.” in the United States until a 2011 rul- “American Casino.” A cable channel In recent years, however, the city’s ing by the U.S. Department of Justice devoted entirely to gaming entertain- marketing strategy has shifted back to “made all gambling except sports bet- ment is also available in Canada. a focus on vice, excess and the appeal ting legal at the federal level, so long Prior to the television phenomenon, of the forbidden—with a determination as the state in which the wager is made a remake of the 1960 film “Ocean’s to push the envelope on each. This is has authorized it, too. Three states— Eleven” appeared in theaters in 2001, seen in Vegas’ now-familiar market- Nevada, Delaware, and New Jersey— boasting a number of top-flight actors ing tagline, “What Happens Here… have already legalized Internet gam- in its cast. The highly successful Stays Here,” featured in suggestive bling, and players in Nevada returned movie, along with its 2004 and 2007 television commercials promoting an to lawful online games back in April. sequels, followed a group of gam- “edgier” Vegas experience. Other states, including California, blers and professional con artists as According to the CEO of the agen- Massachusetts, and Illinois, are con- they planned elaborate thefts in Las cy responsible for these ads, “We need sidering laws of their own.” Vegas and Europe. The storylines of to set Las Vegas apart. When people the trilogy deliberately glamorized the are in Las Vegas, they are less inhib- Gambling’s Image gambling habit while blurring the roles ited,” he stated in USA Today. Even in the relatively recent past, the of hero and villain—and the audience Likewise, the city’s tourist attrac- practice of gambling carried a sense felt compelled to cheer for the main tions have changed with the times. For of dishonor and was considered a vice. characters as they committed various example, Treasure Island, built in the This is no longer the case. Social orga- robberies. mid-1990s as a Disney-style family nizations—even religious groups— The increased interest in gambling, resort, has changed its name to “TI.” commonly sponsor bingo games, riv- in particular Texas Hold ‘Em, trickled It now hosts a racy theater piece titled erboat gambling trips, and other events down to the average American house- “Sirens of TI,” as well as a burlesque that involve games of chance. Bingo hold. Home poker parties were the hot bar. Also, a business promoted as “the and gambling “outings” are now com- trend of the mid-2000s, and the retail world’s largest strip club” opened in mon even at nursing homes and at industry responded enthusiastically to Vegas in December 2004, part of a group homes for the mentally disabled. the demands of this lucrative market. wave of additions to the city’s adult As with many social trends, this Mainstream retail chains—including entertainment industry. shift in public opinion may be to some toy stores—stocked equipment such as degree influenced by media outlets poker chips and portable game kits as Tempting Budget Remedy including television and motion pic- well as scores of books devoted to the Many nations of the Western world tures. Several cable television shows subject. struggle with worsening debt. currently exist that are based on Texas Even corporations seemingly out- According to a Reuters report, in 2012, Hold ‘Em, a version of the card game side the realm of gambling recognized America’s 50 states owed a combined poker. The groundbreaking program an opportunity for crossover market $4.19 trillion. That total included out- “World Poker Tour” first appeared exposure. For example, profession- standing bonds, unfunded pensions, on the Travel Channel in 2003, and al baseball, football and basketball and budget gaps. Citing State Budget became the highest-rated program in leagues licensed team logos and other Solutions, a nonpartisan research advo- the network’s history, drawing five proprietary images for use on playing cacy group, the media outlet reported million viewers per show. cards and poker chips. that California owed the most debt—a Competing cable channels followed The image of Las Vegas under- whopping $617.6 billion! That was suit with their own variations on the went what has been called an “iden- more than double the total that the next theme, including Bravo’s “Celebrity tity crisis” during the 1990s. The city state on the list, New York, owed. It Poker Showdown,” ESPN’s “World spent much of the decade pursuing was saddled with a debt load of $300.1 Series of Poker,” and Fox Sports a “family-friendly” approach to the billion. Network’s “Championship Poker planning of resort properties, building This problem has prompted state at The Plaza.” The success of these amusement parks and other attractions officials to view revenue generated by shows encouraged the development of appealing to those with children. This casino taxes, lotteries and other forms poker tours and tournaments co-spon- was partly due to competition from the of legal gambling as a source of much- sored by companies such as Harrah’s many Native American tribe-operated needed cash. In 2010 alone, 12 states Entertainment, a casino gambling pow- casinos springing up across the rest of erhouse, and networks such as ESPN. the country. Please see GAMBLING, page 23 12 The REAL TRUTH THE SYRIAN CIVIL WAR’S GLOBAL POLITICAL SHAKE UP

slow bow from the world stage, The international Russia other nations will continue to rise response to Syria’s use in prominence. These events will In 2012, The Real Truth noted that of chemical weapons is accelerate.” Russian President Vladimir Putin stat- Accelerate they have! Now, it is ed in government-funded media out- reshaping the world’s better to say that this Middle East let Russia Today that his nation was political landscape. crisis has already redefined the world. entering a “new era,” one in which it After reports that Syria’s President “behaves and will behave differently.” Bashar Assad used toxic sarin gas on True to what he said, Mr. Putin stepped n november 2012, The Real rebels, Washington’s plan for a limited in and rallied support around his plan Truth published “Syria’s Crisis military intervention was largely dead- to diffuse the Syria situation using I Set to Redefine the World,” on-arrival. diplomacy. which definitively stated that an More than ever, America is a fad- Moscow talked Washington out of increasingly irrelevant United ing, war-weary superpower. The Syria a military strike and instead required States would cause a power vac- crisis has become just another means Mr. Assad to hand over his weapons of mass destruction. Mr. Putin then uum to be filled by the voices and by which growing power players are flexing their newfound political clout. garnered international backing for a policies of Russia, Egypt, Europe and the Vatican. g INTERNATIONAL ATTENTION: The United Nations Security Council votes on a resolu- We wrote at the time: “As the tion regarding Syria’s chemical weapons program at UN headquarters in New York City (Sept. 27, 2013). West”—meaning the U.S. and PHOTO: JOSHUA LOTT/GETTY IMAGES Western Europe—“continues its NOVEMBER 2013 13 g MEET AND GREET: Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, extends his hand to European Council President Herman Van Rompuy during a G-20 summit in St. Petersburg, Russia (Sept. 5, 2013). PHOTO: ALEXANDER NEMENOV/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

United Nations Security Council draft as an alternative to a U.S. missile strike resolution that requires Syria to give Egypt actually works or not, Russia already up its chemical weapons. The Russian The news from Egypt is the ousting has emerged as a winner among many president has since been nominated for of President Mohammed Morsi and Egyptians. a Nobel Peace Prize. the army solidifying power behind “For them, the deal is a reminder According to Reuters, “The agree- General Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi. The that there’s a former ally that can ment emerged from intense nego- move ended a governmental stalemate solve the region’s problems peaceful- tiations at the United Nations with between the Muslim Brotherhood and ly without the tarnish of a failed inter- Russia, Syrian President Bashar al- the armed forces—meaning the nation vention in Iraq, failed Palestinian- Assad’s chief ally. The aim was to should now be able to move forward Israeli peace talks, reviled alliances craft a measure to require destruction on surer footing. with fallen regimes or the perception of Syria’s chemical arsenal in line with Cairo’s main goal seems to be that it has treated the region as its a U.S.-Russian deal reached [in early removing Mr. Assad and adding lapdog.” September] that averted American another nation to its growing ranks of strikes on Assad’s forces in the midst Arab Spring allies—no doubt hoping Europe of a bloody civil war.” to reshape Syria as another Islamic In 2012, we pointed out that European “Western powers on the Security democracy. Commission President Jose Manuel Council backed away from many of General Al-Sisi backed Moscow’s Barroso said that the EU must take their initial demands, diplomats say, in alternative to military intervention. In a stronger role in the Middle East to order to secure Russia’s approval.” fact, even before the deal was struck, ensure a democratic Syria emerges from Now that the decision is back in Egypt was working on building a the conflict. At the time, United Press the hands of the UN Security Council stronger relationship with Russia while International summarized part of his where Russia has veto power, Reuters distancing itself from a sullied United state of the EU address: “More than reported that “the chances of U.S. States, according to McClatchyDC. ever…a ‘new world order’ needs an military action appeared to recede even “Whether a proposed Russian deal active and engaged Europe. Human further.” to dismantle Syria’s chemical weapons rights and European values are prin- 14 The REAL TRUTH anguished by the dramatic develop- ments’ on the horizon, Francis said, in an apparent reference to the U.S. and France considering a military strike to punish the Syrian regime for a chemi- cal weapons attack.” Later, at a prayer vigil in St. Peter’s Square attended by a crowd of 100,000, Francis urged world leaders to pull humanity out of a “spiral of sorrow and death,” Reuters reported. The news agency quoted the pope: “This evening, I ask the Lord that we Christians, and our brothers and sisters of other religions, and every man and g ON THE MARCH: Rebel fighters of the Yarmuk Brigade train on the outskirts of the southern Syrian city of Daraa (Sept. 29, 2013). woman of good will, cry out force- PHOTO: SPENCER PLATT//GETTY IMAGES fully: violence and war are never the way to peace!” ciples that extend beyond the borders of available diplomatic means” could trig- the European Union.” ger other opportunities for progress, Continuing Problem Today, the EU has also favored including with Palestine, Israel and Iran. Watch these four power players— a diplomatic approach over military Mr. Van Rompuy also said that Russia (along with China), Egypt, intervention. Europeans understand what it takes Europe and the Vatican—over the com- Speaking to the UN General to move from war within and among ing months and years. Their new posi- Assembly on September 25, European neighboring nations to a peaceful politi- tions will solidify as the global political Council President Herman Van Rompuy cal union: “We in Europe, we know landscape is completely remade. urged decisive action that could create that reconciliation is the hardest thing. The Real Truth has regularly writ- momentum to stabilize the Middle East. The countries on our continent only ten about these four world powers, and Mr. Van Rompuy stated, “We can- agreed to live peacefully together after will continue to do so with clarity and not let this spiral of criminal, sectarian many wars, and many civil wars, with authority seen nowhere else. violence [in Syria] pursue its dreadful huge numbers of victims—a price we How can this publication be abso- course at the heart of the world’s most never want others to have to pay. And lutely certain things will play out this unstable region.” we know reconciliation is even harder way in coming years? The answer President Van Rompuy continued, inside a country than between countries. comes from our unique approach to “The European Union welcomes the No longer waging war is one thing, liv- analyzing global trends, using the diplomatic opening created in order to ing again together quite another.” Bible as a lens through which to view control and destroy Syria’s chemical world events. weapons.” The Vatican While many scoff at this idea— “Eliminating Syria’s chemical arse- Following in the footsteps of his pre- believing the Bible to be a pseudohis- nal is in itself a major step. Potentially decessor, retired Pope Benedict XVI, tory book full of Jewish fairy tales— it could also be important for the wider Pope Francis has called for a peaceful this could not be further from the dynamics in the region. Clearly, the resolution to the Syrian conflict. truth! You can prove that the Bible is conflict wrecking Syria reflects many According to The Associated Press, God’s Word and that the prophecies it of the deep-seated tensions rippling the pope has “condemned the use of contains outline soon-to-occur events. throughout the Middle East. It is fed chemical weapons, but he called for a Read the book Bible Authority…Can by these tensions, and fuels them as negotiated settlement of the civil war It Be Proven? at rcg.org/bacibp to well. So a solution for Syria will need in Syria, and announced he would lead learn more. to take into account the wider picture. a worldwide day of fasting and prayer Also, David C. Pack’s The Bible’s “That is why any political open- for peace…” Greatest Prophecies Unlocked! – A ing matters deeply: a breakthrough on AP wrote: “Francis abandoned Voice Cries Out, available at rcg.org/ chemical weapons could start opening the traditional religious theme of the tbgpu, contains an extensive look at other doors. In the black wall of Syria’s weekly papal appearance to crowds in prophecies in the Bible, in language doom, it will be a first crack. St. Peter’s Square and instead spoke that is easy to understand. As with no The European president continued entirely, and with anguish, about Syria.” other book, this volume brings excit- by stating that full engagement of the “‘My heart is deeply wounded ing—yet sobering—details of events international community using “all by what is happening in Syria and that will occur in your lifetime! c NOVEMBER 2013 15 This article is excerpted from MOUNTING the book Mounting Worldwide Crisis in Agriculture by Dale L. Schurter, the world’s foremost WORLDWIDE CRISIS authority on biblical agriculture and sustainable husbandry. IN Subsequent installments will appear in The Real Truth over AGRICULTURE the coming months. oday, many farmers feel Part 5 they could not survive T without chemical pesticides Too often, agriculturists see only the effects, while and fertilizers. And what is worse the actual causes of the crisis grow worse and more is that scientists feel the inten- sive use of chemicals and genetic complicated. Yet we must recognize our agricultural modification in agriculture is still problems—their causes—and correct them. in its early stages, compared to what it will become. BY DALE L . SC HURTER These researchers envision a time when chemical pesticides will not only be used with greater effi- ciency and precision in eliminating pests, but also in which these arti- ficial fertilizers will become more refined and powerful in a “cradle- to-grave” chemical regulation of plant growth, development, yield and quality! It may surprise you to learn that the following systems of control over plant development are either presently in use or in experi- mental stages: synthetic hormones and solar radiation (to speed up or slow down plant growth and germi- nation, whichever is desirable), and engineered mutations (to produce a “higher breed” of crop). All these methods demand genetic and chemical manipulation, and move O: TH INKSTOCK O: further from any form of natural pro-

PHOT cesses. 16 The REAL TRUTH Other manmade control measures would produce close to one pound of ask: when was the last time you saw involve regulating the branching and gain for one pound of feed. cows instinctively grazing in a corn- leaf orientation, the time of flowering As of 1969, plastic roughage (which field? These ruminants are designed and fruit set, the color and enlargement is added to livestock feed in an attempt to consume grasses, and the beef that of the fruit, and fruit ripening. It also to promote digestion) went on the results from this natural feeding has includes “abscission control,” which market for cattle! This product stays been shown to be significantly more prevents the premature dropping of in the rumen and provides a “scratch healthful than the artificial feedlot. fruit yet loosens it to make mechanical factor” needed for digestion of grain “We have come to think of ‘cornfed’ harvesting easy. and supplement. Proponents claim as some kind of old-fashioned virtue; More manipulation of nature. that it eliminates the need for natural we shouldn’t,” Michael Pollan wrote in Artificial lighting and automatic roughage and in some instances has The New York Times. “Granted, a corn- feeding have long been widespread even increased feed conversion by 10 fed cow develops well-marbled flesh, in livestock and poultry operations. percent (Western Livestock Journal). giving it a taste and texture American Experiments with controlled environ- Later developments included adding consumers have learned to like. Yet ments show that all animals have a substances such as cement and wood this meat is demonstrably less healthy “comfort zone” and that temperature pulp to increase the bulk of cattle feed! to eat, since it contains more saturated and humidity exert a marked influence fat. [A] study in The European Journal on performance. Man hopes to raise of Clinical Nutrition found that the livestock of the future in controlled meat of grass-fed livestock not only environments (some even predict in had substantially less fat than grain-fed high-rise, apartment-like dwellings!) meat but that the type of fats found in and feeding is planned to be computer- grass-fed meat were much healthier. programmed to meet specific needs. (Grass-fed meat has more omega 3 Estrus (sexual excitement) will be syn- fatty acids and fewer omega 6, which chronized and ovulatory rates regu- is believed to promote heart disease; it lated with the ova being fertilized arti- also contains betacarotine and CLA, ficially with sperm of known genetic another ‘good’ fat.) A growing body material. of research suggests that many of the More manipulation. health problems associated with eating With chickens, researchers are g UNSANITARY CONDITIONS: Cattle confined beef are really problems with corn- working to break through the egg-a- by the hundreds often stand ankle-deep in their fed beef. In the same way ruminants own manure in feedlots, which are breeding day barrier. It is reasoned that a hen grounds for disease. [were not made] to eat grain, humans should not have to act as a packaging PHOTO: THINKSTOCK may not be well adapted to eating machine and be required to produce grain-fed animals. Yet the U.S.D.A.’s a limestone container for each egg. Ask: if you would never eat plas- [U.S. Department of Agriculture] grad- If the shell could be discarded and tic, cement or wood pulp—why is it ing system continues to reward mar- only the “membrane envelope” pro- suitable for cattle? bling—that is, intermuscular fat—and duced, much of the time and energy The recycling of animal wastes as thus the feeding of corn to cows. now used in egg production could be reconstituted foods for livestock and “The economic logic behind corn eliminated (“Progress of Research and poultry is another destructive trend. is unassailable, and on a factory farm, Technology on the Food Supply in the This is intended to accomplish two there is no other kind. Calories are United States”). purposes: getting rid of waste and pro- calories, and corn is the cheapest, Still more manipulation! viding cheap feed. most convenient source of calories. Of Hogs marketed 100 days after Again, ask: Would you knowingly course the identical industrial logic— birth and beef animals marketed in eat animal feces? Or an animal fed protein is protein—led to the feeding six months were other predictions. with it? of rendered cow parts back to cows, The goal, then as now—get as much Most American cattle are now given a practice the F.D.A. [U.S. Food and gain as possible from every pound of GMO corn, a practice so widely accept- Drug Administration] banned in 1997 feed consumed. One experiment in the ed that the term “corn-fed” is used by after scientists realized it was spread- same article showed that caged piglets marketing campaigns to sell steaks. Yet, ing mad-cow disease.” NOVEMBER 2013 17 However, he continued, “F.D.A. Obviously, something is terribly squeeze is also slowly but surely clos- rules still permit feedlots to feed nonru- wrong with this picture! ing in on them. minant animal protein to cows. (Feather And what about developing, hungry meal is an accepted cattle feed, as Modern Agriculture Is Failing! countries? There, limited agricultural are pig and fish protein and chicken The biggest problem with the glowing resources (and almost all fertilizers) are manure.) Some public-health advocates predictions we read is that nothing can used to grow cash crops such as coffee, worry that since the bovine meat [beef] quickly, practically, cheaply and effec- peanuts or even plants used in illegal and bone meal that cows used to eat is tively be put to work in solving our drug trade. These products are then now being fed to chickens, pigs and race against worldwide famine! often exported in exchange for foreign fish, infectious prions [virus-like par- Projections may sound good. Some currency. Meanwhile, local people suf- ticles] could find their way back into few may even come to pass in careful- fer from malnutrition and hunger. cattle when they eat the protein of the ly controlled experiments or on some Just look at the food crisis in the animals that have been eating them.” acreage in rich countries such as the nation of Yemen. The problem contin- As if this unnatural diet was not U.S. But this is a far cry from having ues to grow worse “because Yemenis enough, to further speed the process of the capital and skilled manpower to use 40 percent of their available water beef development, “American regula- make them useful on a large scale. to grow qat, a mildly narcotic plant tors permit hormone implants on the Besides, too often these glamorous- that’s the country’s largest cash crop… grounds that no risk to human health has sounding projects deal with relatively That’s far more than they allocate to been proved, even though measurable minor factors as far as food production grow food,” United Press International hormone residues do turn up in the meat is concerned. The really big problems reported. we eat. These contribute to the buildup of shrinking available arable land (due Five million people are in need of of estrogenic compounds in the envi- to erosion, salt destruction, and urban emergency aid and it was estimated ronment, which some scientists believe development), a sinking water table, that 500,000 children could die in 2012 may explain falling sperm counts [in and the continuing general worldwide as a result of malnutrition or famine. men] and premature maturation in decline in soil fertility are almost total- Approximately 750,000 children under girls…studies have also found elevated ly ignored. Little or nothing is being 5 years old suffered from malnourish- levels of synthetic growth hormones in done to solve these major problems. ment during the same year. feedlot wastes; these persistent chemi- In fact, modern practices are all too All the while, agribusiness debts cals eventually wind up in the water- often hastening the destruction of these pile higher and higher across Western ways downstream of feedlots, where priceless resources. nations. Farmers are forced to take scientists have found fish exhibiting Look at the end result of many out ever-bigger loans until they owe abnormal sex characteristics” (ibid.). “successful” practices of modern farm- the bank or other lending agencies the More recently, 66 percent of com- ing, such as chemical pesticides and majority of their total assets. mercial chicken feed was found fertilizers, drugs, antibiotics in feeds, In utter incongruity, some govern- to contain substances such as “acet- hybrids and GMOs. Every one of these ments have paid for taking cropland aminophen, the active ingredient in is largely at odds with natural laws. out of production to relieve a per- Tylenol, Benadryl, an antihistamine, Some of these unnatural practices ceived surplus, while in other parts of even Prozac, an antidepressant. Farms may appear to be successful—until we the world fellow humans are starving, feed chickens these mood-altering begin reaping the penalties. Already often due to their governments’ poli- drugs to reduce their anxiety. Chickens we are seeing the social and economic cies. In the meantime, a farmer tries are anxious because they are bred on consequences of modern agriculture. as hard as he can to produce more by overcrowded and filthy factory farms. New and deadlier diseases are increas- forcing as much as possible from his Stressed-out birds develop meat that is ingly being traced to what we eat and remaining or total land so he can make tough and unpalatable, so they need to ultimately to poor farming practices. a living! We are living right now today be sedated. Yet, chickens on tranquil- The cost-price squeeze is one of the dichotomy of “surplus” alongside izers sleep all the time and do not eat many factors driving small farmers off famine, malnutrition and starvation. enough. So they are given high doses the land and into already overcrowded of caffeine (which was also found in cities, where they try to eke out an Positive Picture the feather meal) to keep them awake at existence. While big farmers force all If the vast majority of man’s attempted night to feed and fatten up” (Guardian). they can out of the land, the cost-price solutions result in unintended negative 18 The REAL TRUTH consequences, where can we turn for tions, land use has been synonymous God boldly states that obedience real answers? with land abuse. will bring spectacular agricultural Time and again, biblical agricul- And what has been at the root of prominence. In a sense, He is saying, ture guidelines have been proven true. this abuse? Human nature! A mindset “Because I exist, these blessings will During my over 50-year career, I have of avarice, materialism, greed and a occur!” seen the astounding results! Using the love of self—rather than of outflowing These conditional blessings are Bible and working within the guidelines concern for the air, soil, plants, animals detailed in Leviticus 26: “If you walk of nature—not attempting to manipulate and fellowman. An attitude of getting in My statutes, and keep My com- Creation—is the only way to produce and taking—rather than giving! Man’s mandments, and do them; then I will abundance and health for the masses. character of vanity, jealousy, lust and give you rain in due season, and the In fact, the promotion of correct greed manifests itself in every one of land shall yield her increase, and the farming practices is a major theme his endeavors—and agriculture is no trees of the field shall yield their fruit. throughout this Book’s pages. Imagine exception. And your threshing shall reach unto a world where the following is reality: The obvious problems of agricul- the vintage, and the vintage shall reach g “…and they shall beat their ture today cannot be solved unless unto the sowing time: and you shall swords into plowshares, and their spears and until self-serving human nature eat your bread to the full, and dwell in into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift in man can be replaced by a character your land safely” (vs. 3-5). up sword against nation, neither shall and attitude focused on giving. As long This is the solution that would they learn war any more” (Isaiah 2:4). as man’s nature, with its tendencies immediately start turning the present g “And the desolate land shall be to tear down, exploit and destroy, is agriculture disaster around! tilled, whereas it lay desolate in the allowed to dominate, there is no last- To do so we must make it a way of sight of all that passed by. And they ing hope for agriculture—or to feed life to emulate and do what God says is shall say, This land that was desolate the malnourished, hungry and starving good, and immediately reject what any is become like the garden of Eden…” masses of our world. man or corporation says is “better.” (Ezekiel 36:34-35). Yet there is another side to the You must ask yourself whom you g “Behold, the days come…that agricultural crisis that many refuse believe when the counsel and instruc- the plowman shall overtake the reaper, to acknowledge: natural laws of sci- tion from these two sources—God or and the treader of grapes him that ence are really laws put in place by a man—differ, as they nearly always sows seed…they shall plant vineyards, Creator. If the world lived His Way, do! and drink the wine thereof; they shall then the era of abundance and peace Realize that your Creator states He also make gardens, and eat the fruit of mentioned in the Bible could come is on your side: “I [God] call heaven them” (Amos 9:13-14). into glorious reality. and earth to record this day against Swords beaten into plowshares— This God, however, does not you, that I have set before you life and desolate land becoming like the Garden require blind faith that He exists. In death, blessing and cursing: therefore of Eden—the plowman overtaking the the Old Testament book of Malachi, choose life, that both you and your reaper—an era of abundance and peace! He declares: “…prove Me now here- seed may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19). Sounds impossible, right? Yet with…” (3:10). What a loving and merciful God! unlike the utopian pronouncements of A major part of God’s Way includes What a difference! While man’s man, the Bible provides a concrete agricultural laws and blessings. He way—without immediate and drastic game plan of how to achieve this calls on all peoples to prove for them- change—delivers death, God’s Way picture-perfect future. selves that obedience to His statutes promotes and promises life! Currently, however, something and commands brings unparalleled Part 6 of the stands in the way. prosperity. series will appear Notice Deuteronomy 28: “And it in next month’s The The Basic Problem shall come to pass, if you shall hearken Real Truth. To read Throughout history, man has cut down diligently unto the voice of the lord the complete book forests, overgrazed grasslands, and your God, to observe and to do all His online, visit Mounting mined Earth’s croplands—with hardly commandments…that the lord your Worldwide Crisis in a thought given to replacing, rebuilding God will set you on high above all Agriculture available and restoring. With very few excep- nations of the earth” (vs. 1). at rcg.org/mwcia. c NOVEMBER 2013 19 g UNFINISHED SETTLEMENTS: Various views of the area in and around the city of Ma’ale Adumim can be seen in these photographs. The settlement is home to fully furnished buildings and construction sites that have been sitting dormant for years after the Israeli government stopped work in the area. PHOTOS: STACEY L. PALM/THE REAL TRUTH

‘We do not accept the legitimacy of ons within a few months or military ISRAEL continued settlement activity.’” action will follow. Continued from page 6 At the heart of the matter is weap- approving new settlements on disputed Waiting for a Green Light ons technology. Israel does not have lands on the eve of resuming long- The second point of contention bombs sophisticated enough to com- stalled peace talks. between America and Israel is how pletely destroy Iran’s highly protected “Spokeswoman Marie Harf said to address the controversial Iranian nuclear establishments. One nuclear the administration had shared its ‘seri- nuclear program. Since Iranian lead- fuel enrichment center (Fordow) is ous’ concerns with the Israeli govern- ership vowed to “wipe Israel off the inside a mountain—200 feet under- ment following [the] announcement of map,” Israel has contemplated strik- ground. The only weapon capable of almost 1,200 new settlement homes. ing Iran’s nuclear sites. reaching it is a Massive Ordnance Israeli and Palestinian negotiators are Thwarting Iran’s nuclear program Penetrator. America developed it but set to resume talks in Jerusalem… is seen as a matter of survival for the is not yet ready to sell it to the after a preliminary meeting hosted tiny nation. Yet America is reluctant Israelis. by Secretary of State John Kerry in to bless an airstrike until it feels all A longer quote from an opinion Washington…” other options have been exhausted. piece in the Telegraph summarized “‘These announcements do come Israel believes that nothing else has the differences between the two coun- at a particularly sensitive time, and worked and that the time for action is tries in dealing with Iran: “Barack we have made our serious concerns approaching. Mr. Netanyahu is seek- Obama may say that the United States about this…announcement known to ing a U.S.-backed ultimatum to Iran to supports Israel and will not coun- the government of Israel,’ Harf said. stop its development of nuclear weap- tenance a ‘nuclear Iran.’ But most 20 The REAL TRUTH Israelis see Obama as lacking in that between the leaders of these two Bush’s administration and currently a basic commitment to and sympathy nations since 1979. senior fellow for Middle Eastern stud- for Israel that characterised American Prime Minister Netanyahu cau- ies at the Council on Foreign Relations, presidents from Truman through tioned U.S. leaders not to buy into presented testimony highly critical of Kennedy to Clinton and George W this apparent improvement in diploma- the Obama administration’s policies. Bush…” cy. During a United Nations General While admitting that the U.S.-Israel “Obama’s deliberate coldness Assembly speech in October 2013, military and intelligence cooperation toward America’s traditional ally has Mr. Netanyahu stated, “Israel will not is ‘in very good shape,’ he went on to not been lost on the Israeli public. He allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons, say that ‘our political relationship and spoke in Cairo [in 2009] to the Muslim even if we have to stand alone. Yet in cooperation are worse than they have world, while avoiding a ‘balancing’ standing alone, Israel will know that been for many years, perhaps for two visit to Jerusalem…[and] humiliated we will be defending many, many oth- decades.’” Netanyahu during [a] visit to America ers” (The Jerusalem Post). With a number of persistent dis- (on the evening of their meeting, The question becomes: How agreements, many are questioning how Obama left Netanyahu for more than much longer will Israel depend on long the bond between Israel and the an hour stranded in the White House America’s approval for its decisions? U.S. can hold. Yet to better understand while he dined without his guest). Nor How long will Israel wait before it what is coming for these two nations, will Washington’s overbearing tone feels it must act independently for its one must look to their pasts. While it be quickly forgotten…” survival? is easy to see that they have been built “Either way, most Israelis resent upon what are called Judeo-Christian Obama’s arm-twisting, and it is by Fraying Bond? values, most everyone misses the fact no means clear that Israel will soft- An article in Israeli newspaper Haaretz that the Bible reveals key details about en the widespread desire to retain reported in late 2012, “At a hearing of their shared history. East Jerusalem while opposing the the [U.S.] House of Representatives Most are in the dark regarding the settlement enterprise in the wider West subcommittee on the Middle East true reasons behind the deep connec- Bank…” and South Asia, titled ‘Safeguarding tion these two brother nations share. “The only action that could halt Israel’s Security in a Volatile Region,’ The relationship began much earlier Iran’s march toward nuclear weaponry concerns were raised over the poten- than 1948, and in fact started thou- is a strike by Israel. Whether Israel can tially detrimental effects of the public sands of years ago! do so effectively without a green light rift between the Obama administration Understand: The Bible states and some assistance from Washington and Netanyahu’s government. directly that God will break the bond is unclear…” “Chairman of the committee, Rep. of brotherhood between Judah and “So far, Obama—like George W. Steve Chabot (R-OH), expressed his Israel in the period before the return of Bush before him—has vetoed an Israeli growing concern about the future of Jesus Christ (Zech. 11:14). This rup- pre-emptive strike. The Americans are the U.S.-Israel security relationship, ture is symbolized by a staff that God fearful of the chaos that might engulf citing the administration’s ‘clumsy names “bands.” Most today would the Middle East and are aware of response to the Palestinian attempt for say that Judah is Israel. But it is not! their vulnerability in the region. They statehood recognition last September This passage in Zechariah is one of assume that the Iranians would charge at the UN’ and ‘the most recent dust- many that proves Israel and Judah are them with complicity, whether or not ups concerning the status of Jerusalem not one and the same. The Jews are they were complicit. in President Obama’s campaign plat- certainly one of the nations (tribes) “It is possible that Netanyahu hoped form’ as well as Obama’s unwilling- of Israel—but there are eleven more. to reach an agreement with Obama ness to meet with Netanyahu…on the Therefore, God is going to break the based on a trade-off—Israeli conces- margins of United Nations General bond between the other nations of sions on the Palestinians in exchange Assembly, though the White House Israel and the Jewish people, today for America agreeing to an attack on rejected these claims saying such a most fully represented in the Mideast the Iranian installations. But Obama meeting was impossible due to sched- nation called “Israel.” apparently offered Netanyahu nothing, uling conflicts. To learn more about this unique while demanding everything on the “‘I fear we are sending conflicting relationship, and what the Bible reveals Palestinian front.” messages, both to our friend and those about its future, read David C. Pack’s Since that time, Washington has of Israel’s enemies who may question America and Britain in Prophecy at been seeking a diplomatic solution our resolve,’ Rep. Chabot said. ‘And rcg.org/aabibp. This vital book uses to the Iranian issue. President Obama I think that would be unfortunate and clear facts of history and biblical keys and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani potentially dangerous.’” to unlock the important knowledge of even shared a phone conversation— The article continued, “Elliott global events soon to smash into an something that has not occurred Abrams, an official in George W. unsuspecting world. c NOVEMBER 2013 21 EUROPE & TURKEY Continued from page 9 launched a new “positive agenda” in 2012. A press release from the European Commission stated: “The aim of this process is to keep the accession process of Turkey alive and put it properly back on track after a period of stagnation.” Common Ground? Turkey’s position in NATO seems to provide a few clues as to why Brussels and Ankara are slowly but surely work- ing to build closer ties. In an interview, Jamie Chandler, g STANDING TOGETHER: From left to right, Turkey’s Minister for EU Affairs Egemen Bagis, EU High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton, a political scientist at Hunter College Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, and EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele in New York City, told International pose for a photo during the third Turkey-EU Ministerial Political Dialogue Meeting in Istanbul Business Times that “Turkey’s mem- (June 7, 2012). bership was pivotal in terms helping PHOTO: BULENT KILIC/AFP/GETTYIMAGES NATO deal with political instability in Eastern Europe, the 1990s Balkan of near eastern studies at Princeton to change deeply embedded national wars, and post-9/11 activities focused University, said the source of the characteristics. on the Middle East.” Muslim-Christian conflict comes not French Historian Francois Guizot Mr. Chandler added, “Turkey’s from the two religions’ differences famously remarked in his Essais sur secular-Islamic government provides but from their similarities. l’histoire de France, “When nations NATO [with] a cultural and political “These two religions, and as far have existed for a long and glorious bridge into the Arab world, and NATO as I am aware, no others in the world, time, they cannot break with their past, installations in the country give the believe that their truths are not only whatever they do…they remain funda- organization an efficient means to deal universal but also exclusive,” Mr. mentally in character and destiny such with instability in the region.” Lewis said. “They believe that they as their history has formed them. Even In addition to strategic interests, are the fortunate recipients of God’s powerful revolutions cannot abolish there are other shared traits between final message to humanity, which it national traditions…therefore it is Europe and Turkey. Both were long- is their duty not to keep selfishly to most important, not only for the sake time centers of architecture, culture, themselves…but to bring to the rest of of intellectual curiosity, but also for intellectual pursuits, governmental mankind, removing whatever barriers the good management of internation- systems, and military ingenuity. there may be in the way.” al relations, to know and understand The PBS documentary “Islam: an Because both believe they hold the these traditions.” Empire of Faith” stated, “Islamic and key to human salvation, Mr. Lewis With this in mind, the Turkey- Western civilization have the same said tensions between Christendom Europe bond becomes even stranger. roots: their dawning in the Fertile and Islam occur because each have Why are these two world powers buck- Crescent; the monotheism of the Jews “aspired to the same role”—bringing ing a previous trend of animosity and and Christians; the classical, intel- God’s message to the whole world— war solidified over hundreds of years? lectual culture of the ancient Greeks. “each seeing it as a divinely ordained The concluding part of this series, The two traditions are kindred spir- mission.” to be printed in the next issue of The its, alike yet very different. Islam’s But how does this apply to today— Real Truth, will delve deeper into legacy is intertwined with the West.” a time in which many people call European and Turkish history and Yet one major shared trait has been Europe a “post-Christian” continent? uncover the core motivation for their the main cause of friction between Even though Europe is not dominated relationship. Islamic Turkey and Christendom by religion as it once was, centuries of Despite the towering obstacles Europe: both empires have deep reli- traditional Christianity’s footprints are of history, religion and politics, this gious roots. still found across EU member-states. one driving factor will soon push A forum sponsored by Pew Modern societies like to think that the two powers toward an increas- Research explored this point. past events have little effect on the ingly close—and iron-clad—relation- Bernard Lewis, professor emeritus present. But it is futile to attempt ship. c 22 The REAL TRUTH O: TH INKSTOCK O: PHOT

United States colonial army, colleges U.S. in its gambling legislation. In GAMBLING (such as Harvard, Yale, Columbia 1817, a law to ban all games of chance Continued from page 12 and Princeton), courthouses, hospi- failed to pass in Lower Canada (mod- passed or enacted laws that maintained tals, libraries and many other public ern Quebec) due to intense popular or increased gambling availability. endeavors—including churches. opposition. In 1856, however, the Act Many other ballot proposals are in This lenient environment in early Concerning Lotteries did pass, which the works, according to the National America led to the creation of many banned this particular form of gam- Conference of State Legislatures. private lotteries by the 19th century. ing. This law most directly affected While some citizens oppose this Corruption, though, became wide- the young nation’s Catholic clergy, approach on moral grounds, tolerance spread in such games. Often, a “win- who had been using lottery profits for for funding the government through ner” would receive a lesser prize than nearly a century. gambling is increasing. This is espe- advertised—or no prize at all! This According to the North American cially true when it is presented as an sparked an eventual nationwide ban on Association of State and Provincial alternative to increased taxes on indi- state involvement in gambling, which Lotteries, legal gambling returned to viduals. Property taxes, used in many lasted from approximately 1878 to Canada in 1969, as the country’s crimi- states to fund public education, are 1964. nal code was amended to allow pro- often reduced or stabilized using this The dry spell ended in March 1964 vincial lotteries, casinos and lottery alternate source of money. Gambling with the introduction of a “sweep- licenses for charitable and religious helps finance schools, starting at the stakes” in the state of New Hampshire. organizations. elementary level all the way through This libertarian state’s avoidance of Since gambling proceeds are com- secondary education. the term “lottery,” among other clever monly used by churches to fund their State governments have a long- tactics, enabled lawmakers to evade endeavors, can it be assumed that this standing love/hate relationship with Federal anti-lottery laws. Other states practice is biblical? What about the gambling. Lottery profits were used followed New Hampshire’s example, scriptural accounts of casting lots? in building Jamestown, Virginia, and a trend of gambling expansion was In Part 2 of this series, we will the first American colony, in the soon underway. answer these questions and look at the early 1600s. This type of funding America’s northern neighbor, root cause of gambling’s popularity in has also been used to finance the Canada, has historically paralleled the modern society. c NOVEMBER 2013 23 Watch The World to Come™ with David C. Pack

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The REAL TRUTH 24 * New listing added since last issue ** Indicates this station may preempt The World to Come with local broadcasting. Abbreviations: CW = The CW Plus, WALK = theWALKtv, WORD = The Word Network U.S. STATIONS – CABLE AND ANTENNA (CHECK LOCAL LISTINGS FOR CHANNELS):

ALABAMA WORD-Cable*, WORD-Cable*, DISTRICT OF Augusta — Alabaster — Sunday, 9:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 7:30 a.m. PT COLUMBIA CW-WAGT-DT2**, WALK-WAY-TV*, Eureka Springs — Oakland — Washington — Sunday, 6:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT WALK-K22HS*, WORD-Cable*, WALK-W45DN*, WALK-WBPI-DT*, Andalusia — Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 7:30 a.m. PT Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET WALK-WKNI*, Fayetteville — Palm Springs — WORD-Cable*, WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT CW-KHBS-DT2/KHOG-DT2**, WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Berry — Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 7:30 a.m. PT Columbus — WALK-WSFG*, Fort Smith — Redding — FLORIDA CW-WLTZ-DT2**, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT CW-KHBS-DT2/KHOG-DT2**, WALK-KVFR/KGEC*, Chiefland — Sunday, 6:30 a.m. ET Birmingham — Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 8:30 a.m. PT WALK-WGEC*, WORD-Cable*, WALK-WAY-TV*, WORD-Cable*, WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 9:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 7:30 a.m. PT Daytona Beach — Cordele — WORD-Cable*, Green Forest — Sacramento — WORD-Cable*, WALK-WSST*, Sunday, 9:30 a.m. CT WALK-K54FH*, WALK-KMSX*, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET Cullman — Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 8:30 a.m. PT Fort Lauderdale — Dublin — WALK-WCQT*, Harrison — WORD-Cable*, WORD-Cable*, WALK-WDIG*, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT WALK-K23DU*, Sunday, 7:30 a.m. PT Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET Decatur — Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT Salinas — Fort Pierce — Jesup — WALK-WMJN*, Jonesboro — CW-KION-DT2**, WORD-Cable*, WALK-WQIX*, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT CW-KJOS, Sunday, 6:30 a.m. PT Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET Dothan — Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT San Diego — Gainesville — LaGrange — WALK-WJJN*, WORD-Cable*, WORD-Cable*, WORD-Cable*, WALK-WJCN*, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 9:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 7:30 a.m. PT Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET Fayette — Little Rock — San Francisco — Jacksonville — Macon — WALK-WSSF*, WORD-Cable*, WORD-Cable*, WORD-Cable*, CW-WBMN**, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 9:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 7:30 a.m. PT Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 6:30 a.m. ET Hamilton — Nashville — San Jose — Miami — WORD-Cable*, WALK-WMTY*, WALK-KJEP*, WORD-Cable*, WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 7:30 a.m. PT Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Savannah — Jacksonville — Pine Bluff — Stockton — Orlando — CW-WGSA-DT2**, WALK-WJXS*, WORD-Cable*, WORD-Cable*, WALK-WTGL*, Sunday, 6:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 9:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 7:30 a.m. PT Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET WORD-Cable*, Montgomery — Springdale — Visalia — WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET WALK-WFRZ*, CW-KHBS-DT2/KHOG-DT2**, WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Summerville — Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 7:30 a.m. PT Panama City — WALK-WKSY*, Prattville — WALK-KVAQ/Safe TV*, CW-WJHG-DT2**, Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET WALK-WBIH*, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT COLORADO Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT Vidalia — Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT Colorado Springs — Pensacola — WALK-WQIX*, CALIFORNIA WORD-Cable*, WALK-WCTU/WBQP*, Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET ALASKA Altadena — Sunday, 8:30 a.m. MT Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT Anchorage — WALK-KTAV*, Denver — WORD-Cable*, IDAHO CW-KYUR-DT2**, Sunday, 8:30 a.m. PT WALK-KDEO*, Sunday, 9:30 a.m. CT Boise — Sunday, 5:30 a.m. AKT Bakersfield — Sunday, 9:30 a.m. MT Sebring — CW-KYUU-LP/KBOI-DT2**, WALK-KCFT*, WORD-Cable*, WORD-Cable*, WALK-WHRT*, Sunday, 6:30 a.m. MT Sunday, 7:30 a.m. AKT Sunday, 7:30 a.m. PT Sunday, 8:30 a.m. MT Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET WORD-Cable*, Fairbanks — Chico — Durango — St. Augustine — Sunday, 8:30 a.m. MT CW-KATN-DT2**, WORD-Cable*, WALK-K16GZ*, WALK-WQXT*, Grangeville — Sunday, 5:30 a.m. AKT Sunday, 7:30 a.m. PT Sunday, 9:30 a.m. MT Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET WALK-WVBI*, Juneau — Corte Madera — Grand Junction — Tallahassee — Sunday, 9:30 a.m. MT CW-KJUD-DT2**, WALK-KTLN*, CW-KJCT-DT3**, WALK-WTBC*, Idaho Falls — Sunday, 5:30 a.m. AKT Sunday, 8:30 a.m. PT Sunday, 6:30 a.m. MT Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET CW-KIFI-DT3**, El Centro — WALK-K38JX*, WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 6:30 a.m. MT ARIZONA CW-KECY-DT3**, Sunday, 9:30 a.m. MT Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Lewiston — Camp Verde — Sunday, 6:30 a.m. PT Montrose — Tampa — WALK-K39CT*, WALK-K18DD*, Eureka — CW-KJCT-DT3**, WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 9:30 a.m. MT Sunday, 9:30 a.m. MT CW-KUVU-LP/KVIQ-DT3**, Sunday, 6:30 a.m. MT Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Pocatello — Flagstaff — Sunday, 6:30 a.m. PT WORD-Cable*, CW-KIFI-DT3**, WALK-K42IQ-D*, WALK-K68GT*, Sunday, 8:30 a.m. MT GEORGIA Sunday, 6:30 a.m. MT Sunday, 9:30 a.m. MT Sunday, 8:30 a.m. PT Pueblo — Ailey — Twin Falls — Lake Havasu City — Fresno — WORD-Cable*, WALK-WPHJ*, WALK-KBAX*, WALK-K65FI/K27EC/KLHU*, WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 8:30 a.m. MT Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 9:30 a.m. MT Sunday, 9:30 a.m. MT Sunday, 7:30 a.m. PT Albany — Phoenix — Los Angeles — CONNECTICUT CW-WSWG-DT3**, ILLINOIS WORD-Cable*, WALK-KTBV*, Hartford — Sunday, 6:30 a.m. ET Alton — Sunday, 8:30 a.m. MT Sunday, 8:30 a.m. PT WORD-Cable*, WALK-Local Access*, WALK-W50CH*, Yuma — WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT CW-KECY-DT3**, Sunday, 7:30 a.m. PT New Haven — WORD-Cable*, Bloomington — Sunday, 6:30 a.m. MT Modesto — WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET CW-WHOI-DT2**, WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Atlanta — Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT ARKANSAS Sunday, 7:30 a.m. PT Plainville — WALK-WATC-DT/WTBS*, Chicago — El Dorado — Monterey — WALK-FVTVN*, Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET WORD-Cable*, WALK-KCIB-TV5/KLMB*, CW-KION-DT2**, Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 9:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 6:30 a.m. PT Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET NOVEMBER 2013 25 Peoria — KENTUCKY Ocean City — WORD-Cable*,. WALK-K41KX/K36II-D*, CW-WHOI-DT2**, Bowling Green — WALK-W35CS*, Sunday, 9:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT CW-WBKO-DT3**, Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET Rochester — Kansas City — WALK-GPS-TV*, Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT CW-KTTC-DT2**, WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT WORD-Cable*, MASSACHUSETTS Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 9:30 a.m. CT Quincy — Sunday, 9:30 a.m. CT Boston — St. Paul — Kirksville — WALK-WTJR*, Campbellsville — WORD-Cable*, WORD-Cable*, CW-KWOT, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT WALK-WLCU*, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 9:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET Holyoke — Lebanon — Sunday, 9:30 a.m. CT Lexington — CW-WBQT, MISSISSIPPI WALK-K64FQ*, Rockford — WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 6:30 a.m. ET Ashland — Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT CW-WREX-DT2**, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET WORD-Cable*, WALK-WBII*, Marshfield — Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT Louisville — Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT WALK-K17FU*, WALK-Faith19*, New Bedford — Biloxi — Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT INDIANA Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET WORD-Cable*, CW-WBGP, Osage Beach — Evansville — WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT WALK-LakeTV*, WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Springfield — Booneville — Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 9:30 a.m. CT Scottsville — CW-WBQT, WALK-W34DV*, Springfield — Fort Wayne — WALK-WPBM*, Sunday, 6:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT WALK-K39IU*, CW-WPTA-DT2**, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT WORD-Cable*, Bruce — Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 6:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET WALK-W07BN*, St. Joseph — WORD-Cable*, LOUISIANA Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT CW-WBJO/KNPN-DT3**, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Baton Rouge — MICHIGAN Fulton — Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT Hammond — WALK-WLFT*, Alpena — WALK-W39CD*, St. Louis — WALK-WJYS*, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT CW-WBAE, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT WALK-KNLC*, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT Crowley — Sunday, 6:30 a.m. ET Greenville — Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT Indianapolis — WALK-KAGN*, Battle Creek — CW-WBWD, WORD-Cable*, WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 9:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Lafayette — Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Greenwood — Marion — CW-KATC-DT2**, Cadillac — CW-WBWD, MONTANA WALK-WSOT/WIWU*, Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT CW-WBVC, Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT Billings — Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET WALK-KAJN*, Sunday, 6:30 a.m. ET Grenada — CW-KTVQ-DT2**, South Bend — Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT Detroit — WALK-W13CS*, Sunday, 6:30 a.m. MT WORD-Cable*, Lake Charles — WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT WALK-K51KR*, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET CW-KVHP-DT2**, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Gulfport — Sunday, 9:30 a.m. MT Terre Haute — Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT Flint — CW-WBGP, WORD-Cable*, CW-WBI, WALK-KFAM*, WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 8:30 a.m. MT Sunday, 6:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Hattiesburg — Bozeman — WORD-Cable*, Grand Rapids — CW-WHPM-DT2**, CW-KXLF-DT2/KBZK-DT2**, IOWA Sunday, 9:30 a.m. CT WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 6:30 a.m. MT Davenport — Monroe — Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Jackson — Butte — FOX-KLJB, WALK-KWMS/KMCT*, Kalamazoo — WALK-WWJX*, CW-KXLF-DT2/KBZK-DT2**, Sunday, 7:00 a.m. CT Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT WALK-WLLA*, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 6:30 a.m. MT Keokuk — WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET WORD-Cable*, WALK-K39JC*, WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 9:30 a.m. CT WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 9:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 9:30 a.m. MT Sunday, 9:30 a.m. CT New Orleans — Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Laurel — Glendive — Mason City — WORD-Cable*, Lansing — CW-WHPM-DT2**, CW-KWZB, CW-KTTC-DT2**, Sunday, 9:30 a.m. CT CW-WLAJ-DT2**, Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 6:30 a.m. MT Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT Shreveport — Sunday, 6:30 a.m. ET Meridian — Great Falls — Ottumwa — WALK-KADO*, WORD-Cable*, CW-WTOK-DT3**, CW-KRTV-DT2**, CW-KWOT, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 6:30 a.m. MT Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT WORD-Cable*, Marquette — WALK-W21CS*, Missoula — Sunday, 9:30 a.m. CT CW-WBKP-DT1/WBUP-DT2**, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT CW-KPAX-DT2**, KANSAS Sunday, 6:30 a.m. ET Pontotoc — Sunday, 6:30 a.m. MT Liberal — MAINE Rose City — WALK-W15CG*, WORD-Cable*, WALK-K39KO*, Auburn — WALK-IPTV*, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 8:30 a.m. MT Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET Manhattan — Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Saginaw — MISSOURI NEBRASKA WALK-K36IO*, Bangor — WORD-Cable*, Aurora — Hastings — Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET WALK-K61GJ*, CW-KWBL, Pittsburg — Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Traverse City — Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT CW-KSXF, Portland — CW-WBVC, Branson — Kearney — Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 6:30 a.m. ET WALK-K25BD/KNJD*, CW-KWBL, Sublette — Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT WALK-KDGL*, Presque Isle — MINNESOTA Columbia — Lincoln — Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT CW-WBPQ, Duluth — CW-KOMU-DT3**, CW-KWBL, Topeka — Sunday, 6:30 a.m. ET CW-KDLH-DT2**, Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT WALK-K40IJ*, WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT Hannibal — North Platte — Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET WALK-KCWV*, WORD-Cable*, CW-KWPL, WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 9:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 9:30 a.m. CT MARYLAND Mankato — Jefferson City — WALK-K49JK*, Wichita — Baltimore — CW-KWYE, CW-KOMU-DT3**, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT WALK-KCTU*, WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT Omaha — Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Minneapolis — Joplin — WORD-Cable*, WORD-Cable*, Hagerstown — WALK-KHVM*, CW-KSXF, Sunday, 9:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 9:30 a.m. CT WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET The REAL TRUTH 26 * New station added since last issue ** Indicates this station may preempt The World to Come with local broadcasting. Abbreviations: CW = The CW Plus, WALK = theWALKtv, WORD = The Word Network Scottsbluff — Syracuse — Dickinson — Steubenville — PENNSYLVANIA CW-KGWN-DT3/KCHW**, WALK-WONO*, CW-KWMK, CW-WBWO, Altoona — Sunday, 6:30 a.m. MT Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 5:30 a.m. MT Sunday, 6:30 a.m. ET WALK-WKBS*, WORD-Cable*, WORD-Cable*, Fargo — WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 8:30 a.m. MT Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET CW-WDAY-DT2/WDAZ-DT2**, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET WORD-Cable*, Utica — Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT Toledo — Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET NEVADA WALK-WVVC*, WORD-Cable*, WORD-Cable*, Bethlehem — Las Vegas — Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 9:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET WALK-WBPH*, WALK-KEEN*, Watertown — Minot — Youngstown — Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 8:30 a.m. PT WALK-WTJK*, CW-KWMK, WORD-Cable*, Brookville — Reno — Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET WALK-W45BT*, WORD-Cable*, WORD-Cable*, WALK-K47KA*, Zanesville — Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 7:30 a.m. PT Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT CW-WBZV, Elliottsburg — Valley City — Sunday, 6:30 a.m. ET WALK-W12CA*, NEW HAMPSHIRE NORTH CAROLINA CW-WDAY-DT2/WDAZ-DT2**, Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET Manchester — Boone — Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT OKLAHOMA Harrisburg — WORD-Cable*, WALK-MTN TV*, WORD-Cable*, Ada — WALK-W07DP*, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 9:30 a.m. CT CW-KTEN-DT2**, Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET Buxton — Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT WORD-Cable*, NEW JERSEY WALK-WPDZ/WRZY*, OHIO WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Newton — Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET Akron — Sunday, 9:30 a.m. CT Johnstown — WALK-WMBC*, Charlotte — WORD-Cable*, Durant — WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET WALK-WGTB*, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET WALK-FBC-TV*, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET Ashland — Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT Middleburg — NEW MEXICO Durham — WALK-W33BW*, Lawton — WALK-W18BC*, Alamogordo — WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET CW-KAUZ-DT2**, Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET WALK-WVBA*, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Canfield — Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT Philadelphia — Sunday, 9:30 a.m. MT Goldsboro — WALK-ETC-Cable*, WALK-K43LK*, WALK-W36DO*, Carlsbad — WALK-WHFL*, Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET WALK-K28JO*, Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET Canton — McAlester — WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 9:30 a.m. MT Greenville — WORD-Cable*, WALK-FBTN-76*, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Santa Fe — WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT Pittsburgh — WALK-KCHF/KYNM/SCTTA*, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Cincinnati — Oklahoma City — WALK-WPCB*, Sunday, 9:30 a.m. MT Manteo — WORD-Cable*, WALK-KUOT*, Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET WORD-Cable*, WALK-WMTO*, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 8:30 a.m. MT Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET Cleveland — WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Murphy — WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 9:30 a.m. CT Scranton — NEW YORK WALK-LocalTV4*, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Stillwater — WORD-Cable*, Albany — Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET Columbus — WALK-KWEM*, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET WORD-Cable*, New Bern — WALK-WGCT*, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT Sharon — Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET Tahlequah — WALK-W29CO*, Auburn — Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET WORD-Cable*, WALK-CFTV*, Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET WALK-W52CQ*, Raleigh — Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT Wilkes Barre — Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET WORD-Cable*, Dayton — Tulsa — WORD-Cable*, Binghamton — Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET WORD-Cable*, WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET WORD-Cable*, Sanford — Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 9:30 a.m. CT York — Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET WALK-WBFT*, Delaware — WORD-Cable*, Buffalo — Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET WALK-WXCB*, OREGON Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET WORD-Cable*, Tarboro — Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET Bend — Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET WALK-WNCR*, Kenton — CW-KTVZ-DT2**, RHODE ISLAND Cobleskill — Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET WALK-WOCB*, Sunday, 6:30 a.m. PT Providence — WALK-WUCB/WYNB*, Washington — Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET WALK-KDOV/K49KX*, WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET WORD-Cable*, Lima — Sunday, 8:30 a.m. PT Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET DeWitt — Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET CW-WBOH, Eugene — WALK-WIXT*, Wilmington — Sunday, 6:30 a.m. ET WORD-Cable*, SOUTH CAROLINA Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET CW-WBW, WALK-WTLW*, Sunday, 7:30 a.m. PT Charleston — New York — Sunday, 6:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET Portland — CW-WCBD-DT2**, WALK-WMBQ/WBQM*, WORD-Cable*, WORD-Cable*, WALK-K26GJ*, Sunday, 6:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 8:30 a.m. PT WORD-Cable*, WORD-Cable*, Winston Salem — Marion — WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET WORD-Cable*, WALK-WOCB*, Sunday, 7:30 a.m. PT Columbia — Oneida — Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET Salem — WORD-Cable*, WALK-WYKO*, Pomeroy — WALK-K21GX*, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET NORTH DAKOTA WALK-WJOS*, Sunday, 8:30 a.m. PT Florence — Oneonta — Bismarck — Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET WORD-Cable*, CW-WWMB-DT2**, WALK-WISF*, CW-KWMK, Sandusky — Sunday, 7:30 a.m. PT Sunday, 6:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT WALK-WGGN*, The Dalles — Greenville — Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET WALK-KRHP*, WALK-WGGS-DT*, Sunday, 8:30 a.m. PT Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET NOVEMBER 2013 27 WORD-Cable*, WALK-KAOB-DT*, San Antonio — Lynchburg — Clarksburg — Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT WALK-KSSJ*, WALK-Liberty Channel*, CW-WVFX-DT2**, Myrtle Beach — WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 6:30 a.m. ET CW-WWMB-DT2**, Sunday, 9:30 a.m. CT WORD-Cable*, WORD-Cable*, WALK-W21CJ/CATV44*, Sunday, 6:30 a.m. ET Brownsville — Sunday, 9:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET Spartanburg — CW-KCWT/KNVO-DT4**, Sherman — Martinsville — Huntington — WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT CW-KTEN-DT2**, WALK-WYAT*, WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Bryan — Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Summerville — WORD-Cable*, WORD-Cable*, Newport News — Mannington — WALK-WLCN*, Sunday, 9:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 9:30 a.m. CT WALK-WJHJ*, WALK-W64CZ*, Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET Corpus Christi — Sweetwater — Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET CW-KRIS-DT2**, CW-KTXS-DT2**, Norfolk — Morgantown — SOUTH DAKOTA Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT WORD-Cable*, WALK-W64CZ*, Rapid City — Dallas — Temple — Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET WORD-Cable*, WALK-KHFD/KJJM*, WORD-Cable*, Petersburg — Parkersburg — Sunday, 8:30 a.m. MT Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 9:30 a.m. CT WORD-Cable*, CW-WCWP, WORD-Cable*, Texarkana — Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 6:30 a.m. ET TENNESSEE Sunday, 9:30 a.m. CT WALK-KLFI*, Richmond — WORD-Cable*, Adamsville — El Paso — Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET WALK-W18BL*, WALK-KSCE*, Tyler — Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Weston — Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT CW-KYTX-DT2**, Roanoke — CW-WVFX-DT2**, Chattanooga — WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 6:30 a.m. ET WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 9:30 a.m. CT WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Wheeling — Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Harlingen — Sunday, 9:30 a.m. CT Staunton — CW-WBWO, Clarksville — CW-KCWT/KNVO-DT4**, Victoria — WALK-WAZM*, Sunday, 6:30 a.m. ET WALK-WCKV*, Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT CW-KWVB, Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT Houston — Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT Winchester — Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Gatlinburg — WALK-KVQT/Kingdom B’cast*, Waco — WALK-WAZW*, WALK-WJDP*, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET WISCONSIN Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 9:30 a.m. CT Woodstock — Baraboo — Jackson — Sunday, 9:30 a.m. CT Weslaco — WALK-WAZT*, WALK-WRPQ/W43BR*, CW-WBJK, Kerrville — CW-KCWT/KNVO-DT4**, Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT WALK-KVHC/IPTV*, Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT Wytheville — Milwaukee — Johnson City — Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT Wichita Falls — WALK-WJDW*, WALK-WVCY-TV*, WORD-Cable*, Killeen — CW-KAUZ-DT2**, Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET WALK-KPLE*, Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT WORD-Cable*, Kingsport — Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT WALK-K30DJ/K30DN*, WASHINGTON Sunday, 9:30 a.m. CT WORD-Cable*, Laredo — Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT Aberdeen — Superior — Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET CW-KGNS-DT2**, WALK-Christian Cable*, CW-KDLH-DT2**, Knoxville — Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT UTAH Sunday, 8:30 a.m. PT Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT WORD-Cable*, WALK-KLMV*, Logan — Kennewick — Tigerton — Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT WALK-KJDN*, WORD-Cable*, WALK-W04CW*, Memphis — Livingston — Sunday, 9:30 a.m. MT Sunday, 7:30 a.m. PT Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT WORD-Cable*, WORD-Cable*, Salt Lake City — Pasco — Sunday, 9:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 9:30 a.m. CT WALK-KTMW*, CW-KIMA-DT2/KEPR-DT2**, WYOMING Nashville — Longview — Sunday, 9:30 a.m. MT Sunday, 6:30 a.m. PT Casper — WORD-Cable*, CW-KYTX-DT2**, WORD-Cable*, Richland — CW-KWYF/KFNB-DT2**, Sunday, 9:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 8:30 a.m. MT CW-KIMA-DT2/KEPR-DT2**, Sunday, 6:30 a.m. MT Pigeon Forge — WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 6:30 a.m. PT WALK-K49JZ*, WALK-WJDP*, Sunday, 9:30 a.m. CT VERMONT WALK-KRLB*, Sunday, 9:30 a.m. MT Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET Lubbock — Burlington — Sunday, 8:30 a.m. PT WORD-Cable*, Sevierville — CW-KLCW-DT1**, WORD-Cable*, Seattle — Sunday, 8:30 a.m. MT WALK-Local Access*, Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET WORD-Cable*, Cheyenne — Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET WALK-KGLR*, Sunday, 7:30 a.m. PT CW-KGWN-DT3/KCHW**, Union City — Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT VIRGINIA Spokane — Sunday, 6:30 a.m. MT WALK-WOBT*, WORD-Cable*, Bristol — WALK-KHBA*, WALK-KGSC/KMAH*, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 9:30 a.m. CT WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 8:30 a.m. PT Sunday, 9:30 a.m. MT Midland — Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET WORD-Cable*, WORD-Cable*, TEXAS WORD-Cable*, Carrollton — Sunday, 7:30 a.m. PT Sunday, 8:30 a.m. MT Abilene — Sunday, 9:30 a.m. CT WALK-WGBS*, Tacoma — Cody — CW-KTXS-DT2**, Odessa — Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET WORD-Cable*, WALK-K34HZ*, Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT WORD-Cable*, Front Royal — Sunday, 7:30 a.m. PT Sunday, 9:30 a.m. MT WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 9:30 a.m. CT WALK-WAZF*, Walla Walla — Laramie — Sunday, 9:30 a.m. CT Paris — Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET WALK-KWWO*, WALK-KPAH*, Amarillo — WALK-Local TV 99*, Grundy — Sunday, 8:30 a.m. PT Sunday, 9:30 a.m. MT WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT WALK-WJDG*, Yakima — Riverton — Sunday, 9:30 a.m. CT Pipe Creek — Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET CW-KIMA-DT2/KEPR-DT2**, CW-KWYF/KFNB-DT2**, Atlanta — WALK-KAXX*, Harrisonburg — Sunday, 6:30 a.m. PT Sunday, 6:30 a.m. MT WALK-KAQC*, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT WALK-WAZH*, WALK-K38OI*, Rock Springs — Sunday, 10:30 a.m. CT Port Arthur — Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 8:30 a.m. PT WALK-K33IX*, Austin — CW-KFDM-DT2**, WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 9:30 a.m. MT WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET WEST VIRGINIA Sunday, 9:30 a.m. CT San Angelo — Luray — Bluefield — Beaumont — CW-KWSA, WALK-WAZC*, WALK-WJDG/WJDW*, CW-KFDM-DT2**, Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET Sunday, 6:30 a.m. CT WORD-Cable*, WORD-Cable*, Sunday, 9:30 a.m. CT Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET The REAL TRUTH 28 * New station added since last issue ** Indicates this station may preempt The World to Come with local broadcasting. Abbreviations: CW = The CW Plus, WALK = theWALKtv, WORD = The Word Network

PERSONAL Continued from page 3 biggest reason for the unscriptural tra- dition (Mark 7:7) of Sunday-keeping collapses with it. God has always said, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep “One of the it holy” (Ex. 20:8). Never, “Remember Sunday, to keep it holy—and just call it the Lord’s day!” most vital keys A historian once observed, “More than the Jews having kept the Sabbath, the Sabbath has kept the Jews”! This that identifies could just as easily have been said of God’s Church, which has been under siege through the ages, in part because of its faithful Sabbath-keeping. You the true original will want to read my book Saturday or Sunday Which Is the Sabbath? to learn more about the Sabbath. Church of God One of the most vital keys that identifies the true original Church of God is His Sabbath. is His Sabbath.” The Annual Holy Days The weekly Sabbath is not the only Sabbath God ordained to be kept forev- er. In Ezekiel 20:12, God said, “I gave them My Sabbaths”—plural. Leviticus 23 describes seven Holy Days—annual Sabbaths—that God commanded Israel (four times) to keep “forever.” Verse 2 calls these “feasts of the Lord.” The terms Holy Day, High Day and Feast Day are all found in the Bible and are synonymous. When understood, these days, as they are kept each year in sequence, depict Learn more at important events within God’s Plan. rcg.org/tsosw The first two Holy Days are the First and Last Days of Unleavened Bread. These were kept by the early Church (Acts 12:3; 20:6) in conjunc- tion with, and immediately after, the Lord’s Supper—the New Testament representing the early spring harvest in The Day of Atonement (meaning, Passover. The Passover shows God’s Israel. It portrays the first resurrection “at-one-ment”)—or Yom Kippur— mercy through the sacrifice of Jesus of true saints—the firstfruits of God’s pictures the whole world finally “at Christ, and is the one feast that is not Plan—at Christ’s Return. one” with God, because Satan will an annual Sabbath. Four more annual Sabbaths are have been bound and cast into “the The seven Days of Unleavened kept in the fall. The Feast of Trumpets bottomless pit” (Rev. 20:2-3), where Bread depict the Christian coming out (Rosh Hashanah to the Jews) depicts he can no longer deceive the nations. of sin, just as Israel came out of Egypt Christ’s Return, with Revelation 8, 9 The Feast of Tabernacles (or after the first Passover of Exodus 12. and 11:15-19 describing what occurs Sukkot) depicts Christ’s 1,000-year In late spring is the Day of when each of the seven trumpets are reign with the saints—and a time of Pentecost, or the Feast of Firstfruits, blown. peace, happiness, abundance and pros- 30 The REAL TRUTH perity for a world that has not known Countless millions have feared an this for 6,000 years. This also seven- ever-burning “hell” that does not exist! Baptism and Conversion day feast is immediately followed by The Greek word for hell is hades, sim- Finally, the Bible method of baptism the Last Great Day, which represents ply meaning “the grave.” is immersion in water. No other form a time after the Millennium when all is acceptable to God. Baptism must be When Is One “Born Again”? human beings who have ever lived preceded by repentance and recogni- will receive a full opportunity to know Here is another truth. The vast major- tion of what human nature is—where God’s truth and plan of salvation. (My ity of churchgoers believe that conver- it came from and why it needs to be book The Awesome Potential of Man sion makes them “born again.” But repented of. “The laying on of hands” available at rcg.org/tapom presents a Jesus taught, “That which is born of immediately follows baptism and is the detailed overview of God’s Master the flesh is flesh; and that which is only way a person can receive the gift Plan.) born of the Spirit is spirit” (John of God’s Spirit. Those few being called in this age 3:6). Why do most believe they can God’s Church teaches the truth (John 6:44) have a special opportunity be born again in this life, while they about death, hell, the soul, law and sin, to be part of God’s early harvest, while are still flesh? Jesus, only after His baptism, conversion, receiving God’s the world learns the truth later, dur- Resurrection, was called “the first- Spirit and the true meaning of born ing the times pictured by the Feast of born from the dead” (Col. 1:18). No again, as well as the straightforward Tabernacles and the Last Great Day. wonder He said that those who are scriptures explaining each. They are born again are spirit. They are no lon- among the many clearly and easily Other Important Truths ger composed of flesh—God’s Spirit understood truths taught by the only Christmas and Easter (as well as has “changed” them from “flesh and Church Jesus built. Valentine’s Day, Halloween, April blood” to spirit. (Read I Corinthians We have covered but a fraction of Fool’s, New Year’s, and certain other 15:50-52.) popular days) are not Bible customs. Romans 8:29 also describes Christ Christ’s teachings. Much more could Rather, they are completely pagan in as “the firstborn among many breth- be said about each, but all are covered origin, and have nothing to do with ren.” You could be one of these “many more extensively in our vast library God!—and are in fact condemned in brethren”—if you qualify! of literature. Also, some truths, such Scripture in the strongest terms. as the gospel of the kingdom, tithing Christ’s Church teaches the truth The Definition of Sin and God’s Sabbath, among many oth- about the pagan origin of men’s days The Bible explains, “…sin is the trans- ers, are the subject of many books and and the scriptures that condemn them, gression of the law” (I John 3:4), and booklets we offer. and about God’s weekly Sabbath and that the Law of God is “holy, and just, God’s people must always be fed His annual Holy Days, and the scrip- and good,” and “spiritual” (Rom. 7:12, the truth. So this means there has to be tures that support their observance. 14). Why then does almost everyone loving authority in the Church Christ And His Church observes all these believe Jesus “did away” with the Law built—under God’s form of govern- days together. when He declared, “Think not that Most are amazed to learn how I am come to destroy the law, or the ment. Part 3 of this series will explore many plain, basic truths of the Bible prophets: I am not come to destroy, this and other related topics in depth. they have never heard. You have just but to fulfill. For verily I say unto Many verses explain that God has a heard several, but here are more. you, Till heaven and Earth pass, one form of government, and He gives God’s Word says, “The wages of jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass leaders—His leaders—true minis- sin is death…” (Rom. 6:23). Yet, most from the law, till all be fulfilled,” and ters—necessary authority so they are are taught and believe there is an that “Whosoever therefore shall break able to teach, strengthen, protect and “ever-burning hell,” where sinners one of these least commandments, and lead His Flock. and unbelievers go because they are shall teach men so, he shall be called You will want to read this extraordi- still alive after death, since they have the least in the kingdom…” (Matt. nary book, Where Is the True Church? – immortal souls. 5:17-19), meaning the very worst or and Its Incredible History! available at The prophet Ezekiel wrote (twice), lowest of men? rcg.org/thogtc. It examines how Christ “…the soul that sins, it shall die” (18:4, When people keep the Law of God, governs His Church. Millions think He 20)—souls can die!—and Matthew in it keeps them! This is because it is the New Testament recorded, “…fear a law. And because it is a law, when built it on the apostle Peter, and gave Him [God] which is able to destroy people break it, it breaks them! If him and his successors authority to both soul and body in hell [gehenna: everyone on Earth obeyed God’s Law, exchange God’s laws and teachings for the “lake of fire,” which burns up the as will happen in Christ’s Millennial men’s rules and traditions. The book wicked]” (Matt. 10:28). Souls can be rule, the world would be a very differ- reveals what He actually said to Peter, destroyed! ent place. and you will be amazed! c NOVEMBER 2013 31 WORLD NEW S D ESK

Weather & Environment Drought Fuels California’s Wildfire Activity everely dry conditions have miles, and caused over $100 million of Forestry and Fire Protection], more S caused rampant wildfires across in damages. than 4,700 separate fires have already California. Most notably, the Rim USA Today reported that 98 percent charred the state this year, which is Fire burned in and around Yosemite of the state is in a drought: “According more than 1,300 fires above average. National Park, consumed 400 square to Cal Fire [the California Department These numbers are for fires fought by Cal Fire only, and do not include fires that occur on federal land.” The Rim Fire was the third-largest wildfire in modern California history, according to FOX News. “The wild- fire started in the Stanislaus National Forest on Aug. 17 when a hunter’s illegal fire swept out of control and has burned 394 square miles of tim- ber, meadows and sensitive wildlife habitat,” the news outlet reported. It was not fully contained until after September 30. California may lead the nation in wildfire incidences, but it is not alone. Nationwide, 31,986 wildfires have burned 3.4 million acres this year, according to a press release by the National Interagency Fire Center. Though the numbers represent only 60 percent of the 10-year average, the organization warned that “wildfire activity has escalated…after thunder- storms, many with little or no mois- ture, moved across parts of California, Oregon, Idaho and Montana, sparking hundreds of new fires.” Though lightning or, as is often the case, human carelessness can start a wildfire, according to research led by Michigan State University scientists, shifts in climate often cause “larger and more destructive” wildfires in the West. According to the research cited by ScienceDaily, “Large wildfires are mainly driven by natural factors including the availability of fuel (veg- etation), precipitation, wind and the location of lightning strikes. In partic- ular, the researchers found that excep- tionally dry and unstable conditions g INFERNO: A Murphys Fire District firefighter stops his vehicle as a massive wall of flames in the earth’s lower atmosphere will from the Rim Fire consumes trees along a highway near Groveland, California (Aug. 24, 2013). continue contributing to ‘erratic and PHOTO: JUSTIN SULLIVAN/GETTY IMAGES extreme fire behavior.’” c 32 The REAL TRUTH health issues terrorism & Security Prescription Drug Acid Attacks Spread Across the Globe Addiction on the Rise in America idespread misuse of painkillers W caused thousands of deaths in the United States in the last decade, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study. Between 1999 and 2012, the organization reported that prescription drug fatalities increased 400 percent among women and 265 percent among men. “More Americans now die from painkillers than from heroin and cocaine combined, and since 2008, prescription drug-induced deaths have outstripped those from automobile accidents, according to the CDC,” USA Today stated. Unborn children are also at risk. “Cases of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS)—which is a group of problems that can occur g MEDIA COVERAGE: Locals look at newspaper headlines in a town in Zanzibar, Tanzania, where two young British women suffered an acid attack (Aug. 9, 2013). in newborns exposed to prescription PHOTO: ISSA YUSSUF/AFP/GETTY IMAGES painkillers or other drugs while in the womb—grew by almost 300% cid attacks, which involve throw- incidents in England has tripled in just in the US between 2000 and 2009,” A ing corrosive substances into the six years. according to a CDC report published faces of victims, have increased in “Experts say they believe many in Vital Signs. East Asian countries and spread into of the cases involving acid are linked Similarly, The New York Times other parts of the world. Blindness, to Asian communities, with women stated, “Like the cocaine-exposed deafness, severe scarring, and psycho- attacked by their husbands and punished babies of the 1980s, those born logical trauma are some of the many for refusing forced marriages, while dependent on prescription opiates— horrible side effects brought on by men were attacked during disputes over narcotics that contain opium or its such vicious acts. dowries. Jaf Shah, executive director of derivatives—are entering a world in “Victims must endure painful surgi- Acid Survivors Trust International said which little is known about the long- cal procedures just to prevent further that many attacks in Britain were not term effects on their development.” harm and suffering. If not washed off reported, because women targeted lived In 2011 alone, 4.02 billion immediately, acid continues to burn in fear of reprisals.” prescriptions were filled, according the skin, and may eventually cause In Zanzibar, Tanzania, two British to the American Chemical Society. skeletal damage and organ failure. If teenagers were ambushed by men on a This has contributed to an increase in the dead skin is not removed from an moped who unexpectedly poured acid dependency and deaths. acid violence victims’ body within four on them. The girls suffered severe burns “Drug abuse often begins with or five days, the new skin may grow on large portions of their bodies. legally prescribed pain medications to cause further facial deformities,” a The New York Times stated, “The for legitimate injuries, but so many of report from the Avon Global Center for ordeal raised questions about…wheth- these drugs are habit-forming that it Women and Justice explained. er acid attacks—a particularly nasty doesn’t take long for someone to get The organization found that India type of assault that can leave victims hooked. Once that happens, it is almost has experienced a steady increase disfigured for life—may be spreading impossible to stop,” The Chicago in attacks over the last decade and to places where there is no history of Tribune reported. c Telegraph reported that the number of them.” c NOVEMBER 2013 33 SubscriptionFREE

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