A State the truth Behind The ABORTIONADULTEJackson ABORTIONADULTEof Crisis iran’S eleCtionSWORKING Phenomenon WORKINGSeptember 2009 THE PHILADELPHIA MOTHER PREMARITALwww.thetrumpet.comR MOTHER PREMARITALR SAME-SEX DIVORCEY SAME-SEX DIVORCEYMARRIAGE SEX DEADBEAT MARRIAGE SEX DEADBEAT ROLE FATHERS abortion ROLE FATHERS PORN CONFUSION FEMINISM PORN CONFUSION workingHOMOSEXUALITYADULTE mother TRUMPETHOMOSEXUALITY FEMINISM ABORTIONADULTEadulteFEMINISM PORN RY WORKING same-sex ABORTIONdivorceADULTE MOTHER PREMARITALRry WORKING SAME-SEX DIVORCEY MOTHERpremaritalPREMARITALR MARRIAGEmarriage SEX DEADBEAT SAME-SEX DIVORCEY ROLE FATHERS MARRIAGE SEX DEADBEAT PORN CONFUSION sex ROLE FATHERS HOMOSEXUALITY PORN CONFUSION PREMARITAL FEMINISM the HOMOSEXUALITY SEX roleFEMINISM ROLEABORTIONADULTEWORKING ABORTIONconFusionADULTE CONFUSION warWORKING MOTHER WORKING MOTHER PREMARITAL homosexuality SAME-SEX DIVORCERY MOTHER PREMARITAL SEX SAME-SEX DIVORCERY DEADBEATMARRIAGE DEADBEAT Feminism SEX ROLE FATHERS MARRIAGE DEADBEAT FATHERS on CONFUSION DIVORCE ROLE FATHERS PORN CONFUSION HOMOSEXUALITY PORN ABORTIONADULTEFEMINISMABORTION pornHOMOSEXUALITY WORKINGFamily deadbeatFEMINISM MOTHER PREMARITAL SAME-SEX DIVORCERY ABORTION FathersADULTE MARRIAGE SEX DEADBEAT and WORKINGhow ROLE FATHERS MOTHER PREMARITAL CONFUSION to win it DIVORCERY PORN SAME-SEX SAME-SEX HOMOSEXUALITY HOMOSEXUALITYMARRIAGE SEX DEADBEAT FEMINISMMARRIAGE ROLE FATHERS PORN CONFUSION ContentS September 2009 Vol. 20, No. 8 Circ. 255,067

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2 12 32 departments world society 1 From the editor 12 the truth Behind iran’s 2 the War against Family honoring the election Protests Why to fight it—how to win it! Father 13 Why trouble in iran Will lead to War 9 america’s decline—From Sinatra to Jackson 16 WorldWatCh 14 Germany’s Stealth You can track the moral descent attack on the eu of a nation by its culture. 34 teleViSion loG The Key of David 20 Pope Benedict and national living Socialism—the Connection 36 letterS 6 Protect your Family 22 a State of emergency 37 Commentary 26 California, once the most blessed state in keep the Ghetto a Solution for the Union, is today the most troubled. out of your Bedroom Social depravity It’s more difficult than ever. 25 another molotov- ribbentrop Pact? bible 28 Why rest on the Sabbath day? 32 the tie that Binds america, Britain and israel religion 30 Growing up in the Worldwide Church of God

For a free subscription in the u.s. and canada, call 1-800-772-8577 CoVer StaFF Publisher and editor in Chief Gerald Flurry the PhiladelPhia trumPet (issn 10706348) is published monthly ContaCt uS Please notify us of any change in your address; include your old mail- Families are executive editor news editor (except bimonthly May-June and November-December issues) by ing label and the new address. The publishers assume no responsibility for return Stephen Flurry Ron the Philadelphia Church of God, 14400 S. Bryant Ave, Edmond, of unsolicited artwork, photographs or manuscripts. The editor reserves the right under attack Fraser managing editor Joel Hilliker Contribut- ok 73034. Periodicals postage paid at Edmond, ok, and additional to use any letters, in whole or in part, as he deems in the public interest, and to from many ing editors Mark Jenkins, Ryan Malone, Brad mailing offices. ©2009 Philadelphia Church of God. All rights edit any letter for clarity or space. 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Box 3700, Edmond, ok 73083, U.S. From the editor Honoring the Father amily is the most beautiful thing in life! repeatedly gave His Father credit for His success. Herbert W. Armstrong once wrote, “The very founda- Then, this verse tells us that Christ actually devoted His tion of any stable civilization is a solid family struc- earthly ministry to declaring His Father! Jesus Christ revealed the ture. … Nothing in this material world is as important existence of God the Father to this world. Before that time, peo- Fas a happy home life with father, mother and well-taught, happy ple didn’t even know God in the terms of children—a close-knit family” (Good News, February 1979). family. So often, you see that great men and women come from strong Let me tell you an awe-inspiring, families. They had the support of a dedicated father and mother marvelous truth that you can prove from in a happy marriage. your Bible. It is very beautiful, and so Theodore Roosevelt attributed a great part of his success and plain that I wonder how so many peo- leadership to what he learned from his father. “My father was ple—even those who profess to believe the best man I ever knew,” he said. Wayne Gretzky, perhaps the the Bible—can fail so completely to un- greatest hockey player ever, had a terrific relationship with his derstand it! father. So did the famous runner Sebastian Coe. Football greats The Apostle John absolutely filled his Dan Marino and Joe Montana said their fathers taught them how Gospel with statements showing how to be leaders. I find such examples inspiring. Christ honored His Father! “[M]y Fa- gerald Flurry David Hartman was a common-looking man, not your typi- ther is greater than I,” Christ said (John Editor in chief cal handsome television personality. But he became very success- 14:28; see also John 5:19). “[T]he Father ful in that field, hosting the top-rated program Good Morning hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please America for over a decade. He too had a strong relationship with him,” He said (John 8:29). “I came down from heaven, not to do his father. “My father always told me, David, you’re unique!” he mine own will, but the will of him that sent me” (John 6:38; see said. “And you have something unique to give!” He believed his also John 4:34). Jesus repeatedly referred to “the Father which has father and achieved a lot in his life. sent me” (John 5:23, 30, 36, 37; 6:44, 57; 8:16, 18; 12:49; 20:21). The best family example in history, however, is that of Jesus This is astonishing! Why did He keep repeating these state- Christ. ments? There is an inspiring reason! The Apostle John, in writing his Gospel, showed how Jesus Christ was the Son of God, who had shared in the majestic repeatedly and consistently honored His Father. John wrote, “No glory of God for a prior eternity. But He came to Earth to de- man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is clare His Father. Over and over, He said, My Father sent me. Don’t in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him” (John 1:18). make your religion revolve around me. I’m not the central figure! Notice what that verse says! The Father sent me! He’s in charge! He’s the Head of the Family! Jesus Christ was the only being ever begotten by God as a hu- Never in the history of the universe has anybody honored his man being in the womb of a woman. This shows a special family father more than Christ honored His. What wonderful humil- relationship. There was the Father and the Son in the God Family! ity and character He had in declaring His Father, and constantly directing our attention to the Father! Throughout Scripture there is Christ’s magnificent example shows God’s family government! instruction to fathers that they must Throughout Scripture there is instruction to fathers that they must lead their families in love. God wants fathers in- lead their families in love. God wants volved and engaged, actively loving their wives, loving their fathers involved and engaged, actively children. Teaching and educating their children. Providing for them. Disciplining them, defending them. loving their wives, loving their children. God the Father sets the ultimate example in fulfilling that role! And He inspired tremendous love and devotion in His The truth is, from the very beginning, God created physical Son, Jesus Christ. family in order to teach people about Himself, and to draw people This example shows how strong family is meant to work! God to Himself! God created marriage between husband and wife, and wants physical fathers to fulfill the same function that He Him- sex as a means of reproduction, so that children would grow up self fulfills toward His children. Such a father can lead his whole in a family. All of these physical realities point to spiritual truths! family to be strong and stable. This gives those children tre- The physical family is an exact type of the God Family! mendous advantages in life. They know love. They have a strong You can read an inspiring and very complete scriptural explana- foundation for stable relationships. They have gained proper tion of these truths in Herbert W. Armstrong’s book The Missing confidence, learned the value of self-discipline and hard work, Dimension in Sex. We would be happy to send you a copy for free. and received countless other invaluable lessons. And most of all, John 1:18 also says Jesus was “in the bosom of the Father,” they grow up much better prepared to have a strong relationship which means He had a wonderfully intimate, loving relationship with God the Father. with His Father. He loved, honored and respected His Father. He See father page 11 ➤

The Philadelphia Trumpet September 2009 1 a ADULTE abortionADULTE workingbort working ion mo premd rY mother premaritalr a ADULTE sa ther ariivorctal divorceY bor m me-s SE DEAD S workingtionarri ex X BEAT e EX DEADBEAT ag ro FATH role FATHERS mo prem re confle ERS abortion s th ADULTEdpornariivorctal Y u confusion a er homos sion homosexuality me-s S DEAD ex porn ma ex EX f e uality rria ro F BEATeminism same-sex ge confle ATHERS r porn pornu Y feminismmarriage homos sion ex same-sex workingfeminismuality motherabortionADULTE marriage aborADULTE premaritalrY workingtion same-sex S mo Tprmarriagee r EX divorce t mdari Yrole premarital sam her ivorctal confusion ma e-sex SEpornX DEAD e rrirolea ro FAT BEAThomosexuality pornge confle HERSfeminism aborADULTEa ADULTE conaborADULTEhomosheusion SEX e bor ADULTExual working t ion working Wtionworkingfusionfetminismionity pr r mo pr r mo emdari mo Y prem t rYemdariivorcY sa ther ivorcstal th samdariivorchtaler talrY me-s SE DEADame workinger m S e-se SEX DEAD e marri ex Xma B -seex arriEXADULTE DEADx e BEAT aborADULTEag ro FATrriEATa mother roabor a Fge BroEAT FATHE e confle HERSge workingdivorcearAT H EconfRS le RS workingt confle t homosexualityionporn u porn ionhomosusion pr rhomos sionporn homosusion pr e r mo e A ex mo e xual m Y ual premaritale m Y t ADULTEdari f ity xtual fe dariivorcity h a ivorce s hity minismtal sa e bor tal gainstminism feminisma er fm r me ma eminisme-sexworkingSEXt DEADion e divorcema -sex SEX DEAD e rri ro F BEAT rria ro F BEAT age mo ATprHeEm r ge a ATADULTEHERS s confthle RSdariivorctal Y SEX conflebor amhomosusioner porn homosusionworkingtion e-s SE DEAD abortione ma exeualx X e xual pr r frrie ity BEAT fe moity em minismage ro FATHE roleminism s th ari Y confFamilyle RS ame er tal same-sex -s SE porn homosusion Why to fightsame-sex it—how con to win mit!a rri ex X exualmarriage ag ro feminismity marriage fusion DEADBEATporne confle abortionhomosexualityBy Ste homosusion phen Flurry and Joel H F exual working DEADBEAT ATHERSfeminismity divorce FATHERSilliker mother role premarital feminism same-sex confusion pornhomosexuality marriage SEX ADULTE prem r dariivorctal Y SEX DEADBEAT e FATHE e are at war. heaped praise on the 19th-century Ameri- overall health and well-being of society. R The very foun- can family. “There is certainly no coun- Wives, meanwhile, have largely aban- S try in the world where the tie of mar- doned their most important duties at dation of stability riage is more respected than in America,” home—being a supportive helpmeet and and strength in the Tocqueville wrote, “or where conjugal loving mother. In 1950, for example, one W happiness is more highly or worthily in four married women between the ages United States and appreciated.” of 25 and 44 were employed outside the WBritain, the traditional family, Today, society-wide immorality, up- home. Today, three in four are. While the is being formidably attacked side-down families and no-fault divorce hours that men and single women work laws have turned the marriage institution are roughly the same as they were 50 years from every direction. into an almost laughably inconsequential ago, married women’s hours working out- working motherabortionADULTEJust look at the carnage. Few- arrangement. Sixty-two percent of Ameri- side the home have tripled. Caring for chil- cans view divorce as a “morally accept- dren while Dad is at work is no longer the er people are marrying. Those able” way to escape an inconvenient union. primary responsibility for most mothers. who do marry are more prone We’ve not only accepted the plague of As a consequence, children are largely ADULTE premaritalto split up. Rolesr within mar- divorce. Many now see it as the morally left to themselves—growing up without Y right thing to do in most circumstances. proper, godly direction or a clear code of divorceriage and family are reversed. same-sex Those marriages that remain intact ethics upon which they can build their fu- S Adultery DEADBEAT is increasingly com- often suffer from other curses, like sexual ture families. prmarriager Emon.X Same-sex “marriage” is dissatisfaction, financial woes and role T e confusion. Targeting Children mdari Yrole FATHERS ivorctal being written into law. Clearly, Tocqueville lauded the 19th-century Without a strong parental influence at SEX confusionmarriage is on the ropes. American family for accentuating the home, children have become easy targets e “diverse” roles men and women under- for evil forces—particularly regarding homosexualityFour in 10 American children are took in marriage. “They have carefully sex. Most Americans and Britons have feminismborn to unwed parents. Children separated the functions of man and of now accepted premarital sex as inevitable are likelier than ever to grow up woman so that the great work of society for teens, which is why the primary focus ADULTE may be better performed,” he said. The for government-sponsored sex education without one of their biological par- he roles of husband and wife, he explained, is on teaching young people to be “safe” ADULTE ents. They live in households where perfectly complemented one another. once they become sexually active. This W rebellion and disrespect are tolerat- “You will never find American women,” approach, of course, encourages sexual ac- pr r ed, even encouraged. Fornication is Tocqueville wrote, “in charge of the ex- tivity among teens, which in turn increas- em Y ternal relations of the family, managing a es the frequency of illegitimate births, sex- dariivorcr nearly universal. Pornography has tal business or interfering in politics; but they ually transmitted diseases and abortion. Y gone mainstream. Unwed pregnan- SEX are also never obliged to undertake rough In July, the level of sexual deprav- DEADBEAT ecies and sexually transmitted dis- laborer’s work or any task requiring hard ity reached a new low in Britain when the ADULTE FATHE eases are at all-time highs. A mil- physical exertion. No family is so poor National Health Service produced a sex RS lion American babies are aborted that it makes an exception to this rule.” education pamphlet for schoolchildren. ar Of course, the way marriage and family According to the Daily Mail, the publica- every year. Family is in full retreat. was arranged back then was much closer to tion complained that when it comes to sex, A pre r Yes, there is a war raging in households the way God designed it from the very be- sociologists pay too much attention to “safe premaritalm Y dariivorc across America and throughout the once- ginning. In Genesis 2, God organized man- sex” and “loving relationships” and not gainsttal mighty United Kingdom. After decades of kind’s first family by making the man first enough to the subject of sensual pleasure. SEX e surrendering ground to a violent and fa- and then creating the woman out of his rib. Teenagers, says the pamphlet’s author, have natical enemy, what once was a solid fami- In verse 18, He called the woman a “help as much right to a good sex life as do adults. a ADULTEly structure is now struggling for survival. meet,” meaning opposite or counterpart. Britain, it should be noted, has the SEX bor If you don’t rigorously engage the fight, According to Tocqueville, Americans highest teen pregnancy rate in Europe and workingt you and your family will be among its ca- understood that while men and women second highest in the developed world, ionsualties. You have already suffered from it were made to fulfill different roles within trailing only the United States. Of the mo pr more than you probablyr realize. the family hierarchy, each role was equal 40,000 British girls who will be impreg- t emdToa successfullyri resist thisY dangerous in importance. nated this year, half will opt for abortion sa he trend, youivorc needtal to see it clearly—and rec- Today, these unique roles have been re- (article, page 37). Familyme r ognize the unseen force motivating it! versed. Men have forsaken their responsi- -s SE DEAD marri ex WhoX is behind this Bwar, and why?e You bilities in the home as the family’s primary The Homosexual Agenda ag romust also F understandAT EAT just why it is so leader, provider, protector and educator. A Sociologists aren’t the only ones working e confledeadly. HERS growing number of wives (and children) overtime to undermine the traditional DEADBEAT Can it be stopped? You need specific simply miss out on the positive impact an family in Britain—political leaders are homosustrategiession for combating it. involved father has on the family. too. This past summer, British Conserva- exual Making matters worse, a deafening tive Party leader David Cameron issued FATHERSfe Families Upsityide-Down chorus of politicians, activists, psycholo- an apology on behalf of his party for legis- minismIn his book Democracy in America, pub- gists and entertainers maintain that hus- lation passed in 1988 banning the promo- feminism lished in the 1800s, Alexis de Tocqueville bands and fathers are unnecessary for the tion of homosexuality in schools. Known The Philadelphia Trumpet September 2009 3 homosexuality as “Section 28,” the law was introduced by are still fellow citizens, perhaps neighbors continued, “there is a widespread and ag- then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher or even family members and loved ones, gressive conspiracy to destroy the institu- and was repealed by Tony Blair in 2003. who still hold fast to worn arguments and tion of marriage” (Plain Truth, July 1976). For 15 years, the bill banned local coun- old attitudes; who fail to see your families As alarmist as that might have seemed cils from using taxpayer money to fund like their families; and who would deny in 1976, who can deny it today? anything that showed homosexual rela- you the rights that most Americans take “This is a war which is being vigorous- tionships as normal, and made promot- for granted” (emphasis ours throughout). ly and fanatically waged,” Mr. Armstrong ing “the teaching … of the acceptability He thinks we still have a long way to wrote. “Every subtle method is being em- of homosexuality as a pretended family go. But just imagine what defenders of ployed to capture the minds of those of relationship” illegal in schools. more traditional family values from gen- pre-marriage age.” Clearly, those minds Conservative mp Dame Jill Knight, one erations ago would think about where we were captured. Now they are 33 years older of the main supporters of Section 28 back are today! and, trapped in their own ignorance and in the ’80s, spoke in 1999 about why the law According to the New York Times, the error, have raised another generation even had been introduced: “Parents certainly first time homosexual leaders were even more deceived about marriage and family. came to me and told me what was going invited to the White House was in 1977. Most people have followed blindly on. They gave me some of the books with And in that instance, President Carter along with the trend. But even among which little children as young as 5 and 6 skipped the meeting and sent a mid-level those who recognize it as a destructive were being taught. There was The Playbook aide instead. drift that should be resisted, few under- for Kids About Sex in which brightly col- What a difference 30 years makes. To- stand just why it is happening and what is ored pictures of little stick men showed all day, Britain’s National Health Service, of so wrong with it! about homosexuality and how it was done.” all institutions, encourages teenagers to Why such a vicious assault on mar- Britain’s leading “conservative” poli- enjoy promiscuous sex. The leading “con- riage and family? Why is the downward tician has now apologized for his nation servative” in Britain is apologizing for a trend so rapid? having ever banned such perversity. 1988 law that prevented homosexual pro- There is an unseen spiritual reason! Not to be outdone, the Labor Party is paganda from being poured into the super- True, as Mr. Armstrong said, the also working diligently to woo homosex- absorbent minds of 5-year-olds. The White breakdown of traditional marriage and ual voters. Prime Minister Gordon Brown House is hosting celebrations for homosex- family relationships was prophesied. In recently hosted leading homosexual ad- uals, bisexuals and transgenders. And we fact, it was a sign the biblical prophets gave vocates at his house on Downing Street. have a U.S. president who sees it as his duty of the last days—the days right before “I’m very proud of all that this govern- to change the minds of Americans who still Jesus Christ’s Second Coming. ment has achieved on lgbt [lesbian, gay, have “old attitudes” about homosexuality. Everything about our modern-day dys- bisexual and transgender] rights these last Truly, the most basic building block of functional society is exactly as the Prophet 12 years—often in the face of fierce oppo- a strong and stable civilization—the tra- Isaiah said it would be: with women rul- sition,” Mr. Brown said. ditional family structure—is suffering at- ing the homes, children oppressing soci- In America, President Barack Obama tack from every direction. And sadly, as ety and behaving arrogantly against their also played host to a large gathering of ho- traditional family life crumbles, movies, elders, and people parading the most hei- nous of their sins with pride (Isaiah 3:12, 5, 9). The Apostle Paul prophesied of our epidemic selfishness, preoccupation with as traditional family material things, disobedient children, loss of natural familial affection (such as is life crumbles, movies, manifest in the appalling abortion rate), and other rampant problems (2 Timothy 3:1-5). Christ Himself foretold that just be- Television and fore His return to this Earth in power and glory, our sophisticated, ultra-modern, anti-God society would revert back to popular songs glorify the way it was in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah (Luke 17:28-30). the dysfunction Compelling evidence that we are in- deed living in the very last days! mosexuals at the White House on June 29. television and popular songs glorify the Civilization, as Mr. Armstrong wrote He had proclaimed June as “Lesbian, Gay, dysfunction. in The Missing Dimension in Sex, is on Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month” the way down and out—except that God to commemorate the 40-year anniversary Sign of the Times prophesied to intervene with a mighty of the lgbt rights movement in America. Herbert W. Armstrong recognized this hand to save us from utter destruction! This struggle, Obama told more than 250 war on the institution of family decades But the question yet remains: Why homosexuals at the White House recep- ago—and accurately predicted where it is mankind following this destructive tion, is “incredibly difficult.” would lead. The threat, he wrote in 1976, course? Who is behind it? How did God “There are unjust laws to overturn and was twofold. First, there is the prophesied know this is the road we would travel? unfair practices to stop,” he continued. breakdown of traditional marriage and And how can we resist this trend and win “And though we’ve made progress, there family relationships. Added to that, he this war in our own homes?

4 September 2009 The Philadelphia Trumpet waragainstfamily The answers have everything to do Bible claims that His thoughts are higher way He did to prepare us for eternal life with why God created marriage and fam- than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9). in His Family! ily in the first place. The truth of this reality far surpasses Why Marriage and Family? the insipid view of an afterlife spent sitting God Created Man In the next chapter in Genesis comes the on a cloud strumming a harp. God is about Did you realize that marriage and family truth that God created Eve as a “help meet” to establish a Kingdom, here on Earth, are institutions unique to human beings for Adam, and bound these two for life ruling all nations, with literal positions among all of God’s creation? within the unique institution of marriage. of king-priesthood to be filled by human That’s right. No other animal on Again, why? Look at the animals and beings transformed into Spirit-born mem- Earth—in fact, not even any of the angelic you can see that marriage is not necessary bers of the God Family! (Request our book beings that God created—was meant to for procreation. Animals may exhibit a The Incredible Human Potential for a thor- enjoy the blessings of family life! Mar- certain loyalty to certain other animals, ough biblical explanation of this truth.) riage and family relationships are utterly but only humans have the multifaceted This is why the human family is so unique to us. Do you know why? emotional and legal relationships associ- critical in God’s mind. We need family, as In the first chapter of the Bible, you see ated with marriage and family. God designed it, in order to really pre- God adorning the Earth with all manner Until a few generations ago, the con- pare for positions in God’s Family! Done of plant and animal life, creating condi- cept of marriage and family was taken right, marriage is intended to teach spiri- tions ideal for human beings. It then in- for granted—generally accepted as desir- tual lessons about the God Family (e.g. forms us, “And God said, Let us make able—a means of rearing responsible chil- Ephesians 5:31-33). A child growing up in man in our image, after our likeness dren and producing a stable society. How- a godly family learns spiritual lessons. In …. So God created man in his own im- ever, even then the deep understanding of other words, if a family is run as God in- age, in the image of God created he him; why marriage was widely unknown. tended it, there are God-plane dynamics male and female created he them” Why? Because this is fundamentally at work—living lessons in God’s govern- (Genesis 1:26-27). There is much to note in spiritual knowledge! ment and family love! these pivotal verses. Marriage is not a mere tradition. It is First, who is this “us”? Scripture shows actually a sacred institution, established Behind the Anti-Family Front that there were in fact two Beings here, by God at the creation of humankind! It It is true that not being in such a family members of the one Godhead (see, for was created for specific purposes and de- does not in any way disqualify someone example, John 1:1, 14). These two later be- signed to function according to definite from God’s Kingdom. However, they still came a Family—when the Most High God laws. God also created our anatomies so must learn deeply about why marriage and begat Jesus Christ in the womb of the vir- that this two-person relationship is what why family. gin Mary. At that point they became Fa- generates children. He designed human To take it upon ourselves to redefine ther and Son. development to occur slowly in order to what a family is, to spurn God’s standard What does it mean that mankind was make family life necessary: Children are and set up our own, to presume that our created after God’s likeness, in God’s im- completely dependent upon their parents, ideas which are totally contrary to God’s age? It means that we look like God, and and parents must love, nurture, protect, are in fact superior in design and in the that we are meant to be fashioned after educate and discipline their children. results they produce—this is the height His very own perfect character. That is God intended these covenant relation- of both arrogance and folly! because He has implanted within us an ships to bring stability into our lives, to Yes, there is a war being waged over incredible potential far greater than that teach us faithfulness and loyalty, and to marriage and family. On one side are those given to anything else He has created! give us the opportunity to learn to live un- trying to preserve God’s design; on the oth- Finally, why did God create male and selfishly with others as a harmonious team. er are those trying to destroy God’s design! female? Clearly, He made the conscious de- God could have made us all alike, never Marriage and family have everything to cision to divide us into these two groups. established marriage, provided some other do with the gospel of God—which is the In His design, family begins with the join- means of reproduction, had us born with good news of the coming Family of God. ing of a man and woman—though science fully developed bodies and minds. He This is why it is so important to God. “Adul- is working to eliminate this inevitability. could have done things any number of oth- tery, fornication, masturbation, homosexu- Sex is not an accident of evolution, nor an er ways. But He did it this way for a reason. ality are so colossally sinful because arbitrary ornament on creation, but a con- Why? To one who doesn’t understand they violate, pollute, profane and destroy scious, deliberate choice with design and God’s purpose for mankind, it might seem something so holy and so monumentally intent made by a super-intelligent Creator! somewhat arbitrary. Why male and female? righteous in God’s sight!” (Herbert W. The relentless drive over the past half Why marriage? Why do we reproduce Armstrong, The Missing Dimension in Sex). century in particular to equalize the sexes through sex? Why children? Why family? The true force motivating the anti- has completely obscured and destroyed But the answer is clear to anyone who family front is a spirit being, revealed in the very deep and important reasons for understands the truth revealed in the Bi- Scripture, who was never offered the op- God’s creative implementation of sex dif- ble but not generally understood—that of portunity to be in God’s Family (our free ferences. Homosexuality, in effect, treats the incredible human potential. book Mystery of the Ages explains this this essential component of creation as if The way God designed male, female, truth). He was never given the creative it were mere decoration—even a mistake marriage and children, the family unit power to reproduce himself. He hates fam- on God’s part. But are you willing to con- naturally creates a government structure ily and wants to blot it out forever! This is sider the reasoning, the logic, in His deci- patterned after the God Family pattern. the adversary—Satan the devil—who first sion? This God who reveals Himself in the God designed all of these things the deceived Eve into turning against God

The Philadelphia Trumpet September 2009 5 (Genesis 3:1-6) and has since deceived the over marriage and family. But God is character, tramples on that potential, and whole world (Revelation 12:9). He is bent not going to lose this war! destroys the family vision of God. But in on nothing less than the destruction of our sophistication, that is considered good! humanity. God’s Solution What God esteems, men scorn—and what Satan seeks the complete destruction of God created humankind in His own im- men exalt, God calls an abomination! family. He knows that by destroying fami- age and likeness—to be productive, noble Thus, God thunders this message to lies, he can destroy nations and can blind and free—to grow in godly character our modern world: “Woe unto them that people to the simple, hope-filled truth of through the rich experiences and respon- call evil good, and good evil; that put God—so he is doing everything he can to sibilities of family life—to, ultimately, darkness for light, and light for darkness; devastate that God-plane relationship! gain entrance into His own Family. that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bit- Truly, we are witnessing a titanic war The anti-family agenda breaks down ter! Woe unto them that are wise in their

Protect Your Family they are still in the womb). This will begin to instill a love of read- The war on family will take you and your family with it unless you take strong ing and music appreciation into steps to defend against it. Here is some practical advice. by trumpet staff their precious minds. It stokes their curiosity and imagination, n First, remember that Satan is bodies and the physical things in (Amos 3:3). When there is anger and enhances bonding between the god of this world and is work- life. A husband and wife rise to- or division, do not rest until you parent and child. It is also a fan- ing to destroy the family because gether and they fall together. have rooted it out of your mar- tastic memory-training technique. he knows that strong traditional n As with any team, there must riage. A popular song says, “I just As children begin to talk, they families hinder his purpose—to be organization. God ordained the want to be mad for a while.” Don’t will be able to “read” books from destroy mankind. The war on husband to lead his wife and fam- buy into that reasoning—it only memory! Continue reading to family is intended to hasten our ily (Ephesians 5:22-23). While you separates you. Discuss the prob- them aloud as they grow older. demise! To protect your own fam- are to make final decisions for the lem at the first good opportunity. n Teach your toddlers to respect ily, you must counter his influence. household, consult your wife for n Don’t tear each other down. authority, especially yours. Disci- counsel. Discuss all aspects of the Beware constant, hard criticism; pline them appropriately for their in your Marriage decision that must be made. When or arguing and belittling. Forgive age—for rebellion and infractions n Plan to spend time together an agreement can’t be reached, and forget minor irritations. If of rules that you have taught with your spouse. Learn to enjoy prayerfully make a decision that you must point out a fault to your them. And always do this calmly, the same hobbies or recreational you feel will best benefit the family. spouse, be kind and patient in with explanation and love, never activities. Read together, listen n The wife, her husband’s spiri- your approach. Couch it in love in an outburst of rage. to music together, go walking tual equal, is to be a fitting help, or and appreciation. And don’t con- n Spend a lot of time playing with together, play tennis together. aid, to him (Genesis 2:18). Study tinue bringing the subject up. your toddler. Provide toys that stim- Sharing activities will help keep Proverbs 31 and build the skills n We all need appreciation—so ulate creativity and develop motor you friends for life. and character to be the best pos- learn to express and receive it. skills. Discovery Toys, for example, n Rekindle the flames of ro- sible support to your husband and Think about what your spouse does is one company that produces mance that drew you together. family. If your husband doesn’t for you and the family—even the quality toys that focus on learning. Court each other! Get a babysit- take your advice, back his decision ones you tend to take for granted. n Have fun with your young chil- ter for your kids and go out for a and try your best to make it a suc- Express your thanks. Don’t focus dren. Take them to the library, the date, and not too infrequently. If cess. Show him respect; be sure on the negative and fail to see park, the zoo. Make them laugh you can, go on short trips alone— he knows you value his leadership. things that are worthy of praise. a lot. Above all, leave no doubt in two to three days long, two to n Communication is vital to a hap- n Talk positively about each their mind that you love them and three times a year. py home. Communicate in a quality other both inside and outside of that you are willing to sacrifice n God designed sex to produce manner about quality subjects. Ex- the home. your time for them. pure, righteous, clean, holy and press your ideas, judgments, and n Keep up your personal health n Teach young children to be rich blessings! He made it to be emotions. Be open and honest— and appearance. Good health, responsible. Build a good work the loving bond to preserve your but also kind. Use pleasant tones of grooming and hygiene is of utmost ethic in them. As soon as they are marriage in love. Use it as an voice and facial expressions when importance in marriage. It shows physically able, require them to energizing magnet to draw con- talking to one another. that you respect and have concern help you with household duties stantly closer together with in- n Communication is a two-way for your mate. Dress to please and chores. For example, make creasing love—to heal over those process. Take time to listen with your spouse as well as yourself. them responsible for keeping little irritations in life. And always genuine interest to your mate. their rooms organized and tidy. be giving, never selfish, in sex. Don’t be impatient and constantly in your Child rearing If you have pets, give your child n Realize that you and your mate interrupt. Be attentive not only n Provide good music often for the responsibility to feed and care are a team, working together in to words, but also to the feelings your children and read to them for them. Whenever possible, harmony—physically, emotionally and meaning behind the words. daily with animation and voice home improvement, gardening, and spiritually. Share each other’s n Resolve conflicts. Two cannot inflection (studies indicate this landscaping and other household thoughts, attitudes, emotions, walk together without agreement even has a beneficial effect while projects should be family affairs.

6 September 2009 The Philadelphia Trumpet waragainstfamily own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!” anti-family history of Sodom and Gomor- expect the same end! When you live in (Isaiah 5:20-21). rah as a prophecy. God turned those cit- cities polluted like Sodom and Gomorrah, Yes—woe! Track the prophecies of our ies “into ashes,” and in so doing He made look out—they are about to be destroyed family breakdown—of our upside-down them “an ensample unto those that after by fire!—this time, likely in the form of marriages, of our lust-filled, adulterous should live ungodly” (2 Peter 2:6). The nuclear bombs and other modern means. culture, of our failure to govern our chil- epistle of Jude speaks of these two cities as It is probably the strongest warning ex- dren, of our return to the sins of Sodom suffering the “vengeance of eternal fire.” ample in the Bible! and Gomorrah—and you will see that Jude wrote that God set them forth as an This is not an outdated Old Testa- God also promises to forcibly correct example for our day! ment story—it is New Testament doctrine. those problems! These men were warning that any peo- Christ Himself prophesied that in the last Peter, the chief apostle, spoke of the ple getting caught up in those sins should days, evil conditions would again warrant the cataclysmic destruction that Sodom faced (Luke 17:28-30). He warned about destruction so thorough that unless He personally intervened, no flesh would be n Be honest with them. They hobbies such as photography, saved alive (Matthew 24:22). must learn to trust you. If you arts and crafts, sewing, cooking, Jesus also reminded us of Noah’s day, want them to be honest and open gardening, woodworking, building saying, “And as it was in the days of with you, especially as they grow model cars, planes or trains. If time [Noah], so shall it be also in the days older, you have a better chance of and grades allow, a part-time job of the Son of man. They did eat, they securing their trust if they know would help them learn to handle drank, they married wives, they were you are always candid with them. responsibilities in the world of given in marriage, until the day n Teach your children about sex. work and prepare them for that [Noah] entered into the You need to start teaching them the “real” world. Overall, ark, and the flood came, and as soon as little minds begin to keep them busy with destroyed them all” (Luke become curious about little bod- fun and whole- 17:26-27). Obviously God ies. Most importantly, make sure some activities! doesn’t condemn eating you stay ahead of the gutter-talk n Stay involved or drinking; nor does He they will be exposed to from their with your chil- condemn marrying and peers. Our free book The Missing dren as much giving in marriage. This Dimension in Sex can help you do as possible is a prophecy of a so- this. It is available upon request. and keep the ciety whose behavior n Apply these principles before lines of com- in these areas has ca- your children go to school so you munication reened completely off- build a strong foundation of pa- open with your track! It is speaking of rental respect. By the time they go teens. This is the horrific effects of to school, your children should be of paramount today’s war on family! convinced that you are their rock- importance. And God says that, solid provider, confidant, nurturer You need to just as He left Sodom and protector. They should know know what and Gomorrah in ashes, that they are fully loved and fully they are think- and just as He inflicted secure under your care. ing about. And worldwide destruction in n When your children do go they need to Noah’s time, He is about to school, don’t relinquish your know that they to destroy today’s sin-sick position as the most important can confide in you world. influence in their life. Continue to about anything. But the prophecies do be heavily involved with your chil- Provide opportuni- not end in that destruction. dren. Become familiar with their ties to simply talk They end in hope! And it teachers and friends. Participate about whatever is on is there that we find the as much as possible in school their minds—daily solutions we seek—solid activities. Every day, rehearse and family meal time answers on how to win review with them what they were and a weekly family this war on family in our taught. If necessary, be prepared fun night are ideal. own homes, even today. to counter any wrong teaching. Ensure that you carve n As they start into their teen out that time for them! The Answer Is Family years, make sure they stay busy. n Above all else, teach Once God brings a Encourage them to excel in school your children from in- swift, decisive end to the and to participate in sports; music fancy the correct truth anti-family trends, He programs such as band or choir; about God, His law, way will begin to set things and computer, language or chess of life and moral author- right. And do you know clubs. In addition, cultivate their ity. Teach them to pray daily how He will do so? interests. Help them to develop as soon as they can speak. B y e d u c a t i n g

The Philadelphia Trumpet September 2009 7 mankind in and implementing the same his hand for very age. And the streets of the governing the family! Even if one lacks the family law that He put in place from the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in spiritual understanding of their spiritual beginning! the streets thereof” (Zechariah 8:4-5). purposes, keeping those laws—set in inex- When He establishes His Kingdom These are the wonderful effects that im- orable motion by the Creator of marriage, after Jesus Christ’s return, family will be plementing God’s law will produce. Among family and all that exists—will bring sta- restored to its rightful place at the heart of these laws are those governing the marital bility, harmony, happiness and peace into civilization. Christ will marry His bride, roles (e.g. Ephesians 5:29-33; 1 Timothy 5:8), your own home. the Church (Revelation 19:7). That bliss- the safeguarding of sex within the marital God is a Family! He created the physi- fully perfect marriage will set the exam- relationship (e.g. Exodus 20:14, 17), and the cal family as a means to introduce us into ple for marriages throughout the Earth. lifelong nature of the arrangement (Luke His Family! What is more beautiful than a strong, godly family? We must learn the beauty of family. That is where the ex- God created the citement is. Once you understand God’s purpose, it is clear that real hope comes through the family—as God designed physical family as it! What it leads into boggles the mind! We can be thankful to God that His supernatural intervention in the affairs of a means to introduce mankind, as prophesied in hundreds of biblical passages, is now just ahead of us. us to his family! In the not-too-distant future, the world- ruling Family of God will vigorously teach “Thus saith the Lord; Again there shall be 16:18; 1 Corinthians 7:39). Also among all of mankind the just and holy laws He heard … in the cities of Judah, and in the them are the laws and principles governing always intended to govern the sacred insti- streets of Jerusalem, that are desolate … the parent-child relationship (e.g. Exodus tutions of marriage and family! n The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, 20:12; Deuteronomy 6:6-7) and establishing the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice godly government and order in the home. Our free booklet Why Marriage!—Soon Ob- of the bride, the voice of them that shall Those laws are as absolute as the physi- solete? gives a stirring explanation of the say, Praise the Lord of hosts: for the Lord cal laws governing the universe. When they reasons for marriage and family. The Miss- is good; for his mercy endureth for ever are broken, unhappiness and dissatisfaction ing Dimension in Sex goes further into the …” (Jeremiah 33:10-11). result—as our sick society amply proves. God-ordained purposes for sex. The Incred- Children will no longer oppress their But when they are kept—when they are ible Human Potential explains in hope-filled elders. They will be taught respect, and taught, cherished and obeyed—everyone detail the inspiring future these institutions everyone will be the happier for it. “Thus benefits! are intended to prepare us for. You need saith the Lord of hosts; There shall yet old This is how—even today—you can this knowledge! You need the genuine hope men and old women dwell in the streets of successfully fight the war on family. that comes from a deep understanding of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in Study and obey God’s basic spiritual laws this beautiful, inspiring subject. marriage will be saved! Looking at all the attacks on marriage and family coming from society, one might ask, “Will we see the institution of the home and family disappear? Will marriage survive?”

How and where did marriage originate anyway? Does it actually serve any necessary purpose?

In the Bible, the Creator of marriage, home and family life reveals the inspiring meaning of this vital institution. This revelation is a beautiful, exciting truth that, when fully understood, will leave you in awe of the Creator’s eternal purpose for marriage! To learn more, request our FREE booklet Why Marriage!—Soon Obsolete?

8 September 2009 The Philadelphia Trumpet getty images (2) America’s Decline— From Sinatra to Jackson It happened to ancient Rome—and all great world powers: You can track the moral descent of a nation by its cultural decline. By Ron Fraser

edia coverage of the Mi- social values. The lower the standard of so- was promiscuous sex, ‘pot,’ drugs, divorce, chael Jackson funeral was cial values, the more popular they become broken homes. massive and global. Such was in a misguided and deceived humanity” “The world will deify and worship one the almost universal appeal (Worldwide News, Dec. 22, 1980). who can start humanity on such a down- ofM the Jackson entertainment machine. Ever one to seek the cause of a phenom- ward plunge. … [T]hat’s ok with the Yet, just a single lifetime ago, the style of enon rather than just highlight its effect, public as long as he was in ‘show biz’ …. “entertainment” embraced by generations Mr. Armstrong traced the history of the Lennon even made the statement at one of Jackson worshippers would have been postwar trend to idolize the human icons time that the Beatles were more popular relegated to the world of the weird and the of entertainment: “In a way, the Beatles than Jesus Christ. He had millions—un- perverse, if not the downright demonic. started this modern trend in a new Satan- told millions—of worshippers.” How did the sense of taste and the so- influenced lifestyle of a degenerating cul- Clearly, the spirit that uses the enter- cial values of society descend to such a ture and sense of social values. But John tainment industry as a tool to aid in the morally destructive level? Lennon was their bandleader in this. destruction of the moral fiber of whole na- “It picked up what had been started tions was not finished when John Lennon Tracking a Phenomenon by Frank Sinatra, when teenage girls ran met his demise. There would be one more In Newsweek’s July 13 cover story, journal- screaming half out of their minds for his “idol,” and his influence on generations of ist David Gates placed Jackson in order autograph. It was revived and intensified children would mold their minds into a of descent in a line of pop idols that have by Elvis Presley. Then the Beatles deliv- state where no longer could they differen- emanated from postwar Anglo-American ered Satan’s knockout blow to any public tiate between that which was clearly manly “culture.” “True, for a while he was the sense of social values in the world.” and upright on the one hand and soundly king of pop,” he wrote, “and he’s the last It is interesting that Gates would feminine on the other. A whole confusion we’re ever likely to have. Before Michael choose the same trend, employing the of spirit as to the intended orientation of Jackson came Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley same examples, as Herbert Armstrong to God-created humanity would result. and the Beatles ….” describe this phenomenon. But Mr. Arm- Thirty years ago, Herbert W. Armstrong strong highlighted the result of 35 years of Glorifying the Weird wrote a timeless article about society’s re- pop idol worship—each of those “idols” “As the prepubescent frontboy of the Jack- action to Beatle John Lennon’s murder. In becoming more degenerate than the rest. son 5, he sang in a cherubic mezzo-soprano it he nominated the same entertainment Commenting upon the powerful influ- of sexual longing he could not have fully icons of the postwar era as being part of ence of the Beatles on society, Mr. Arm- felt,” David Gates wrote. “As a young man a trend that indicated “[t]his world is fast strong observed: “The hippie fad followed. … he seemed to never fully inhabit him- losing all sense—if it ever had any—of true Down went morality, rising triumphantly self—whoever that self was. In middle age,

The Philadelphia Trumpet September 2009 9 he consciously took on the role of Peter Pan impressionable, immature minds clouds dict that one day they shall place one who … with what he seemed to believe was an the judgment of parents when faced with embraces confusion of gender at the helm ageless, androgynous physical appearance a choice between exposing their children of the nation. … thanks to straightened hair and plastic to entertainment that is educational, up- It’s that same influence that leads the surgery. … He did his best to construct an lifting and morally sound and that which American president to infer (at a Lesbian- alternative reality on top of what must have is clearly perverse. Gay-Bisexual-Transgender Pride Month been an initially miserable life ….” In short, it creates confusion— reception he hosted at the White House) In essence, Jackson embodied elements and that points right to its source that he will work to endorse historically of the two pop idols who preceded him, by (1 Corinthians 14:33). antisocial behavior “step by step, law by marrying Elvis’s daughter and buying the law, mind by changing mind.” This is most Beatles’ catalog of songs. But as Gates point- Just One Hope worrying of all to those who embrace the ed out, Jackson was to descend even fur- The upshot is, we now have a generation fundamental virtues upon which success- ther down the slippery slope of decadence in their 30s and 40s who, having grown ful societies are built. than Elvis and Lennon, becoming “the up exposed to Jackson idolatry, their so- Trouble is, these days it takes a really most sinister of superstars” (emphasis mine cial standards shaped by such weirdness as enlightened mind to see such an insidious throughout). He was to eventually morph into what looked “like both a vampire and a mummy—Peter Pan’s undead evil twins.” In its eulogy for Jackson, the Economist noted that “He told his biographer, Randy Taraborrelli, that he had ‘deep, dark se- crets.’ They were encased in a voice as soft as a whisper, a handshake that felt like a cloud, a face as pale and delicate as plastic surgery and Porcelana skin-bleach could make it. Dark glasses and surgical masks kept the world away from him. … He shared his meals with a chimpanzee and his bed with young boys …” (July 2). To pre-baby boomers, that’s just plain weird! Ours was a generation when men were overwhelmingly really men, and influence The concerts, albums women really women, and very happy to and even memorial service for the be so! To appear as anything else, to in any “King of Pop” reached millions. way have the slightest doubt of one’s gen- der—or very humanness for that matter— would have then rendered one ostracized portrayed in his top-selling Thriller album, process for what it is and to deduce where from society … for the good of society! make decisions at government and corpo- it is ultimately leading. Then, when one As to dining with a monkey? The great rate level that affect multiple millions. The does see it, comes the question, as asked problem with presenting such a confusing White House currently houses a president by Herbert Armstrong, “What hope is image to the world, wrapped in the trap- who stated he grew up with Michael Jack- there in such a world?” pings of huge success as an entertainer, is son’s music and is happy he’s “being re- It truly takes a mind enlightened by the the effect on the minds of the young. The membered primarily for the great joy that Creator of mankind to provide the answer Economist noted, “But he had sold 750 he brought to a lot of people.” “Still have all to that burning question. Herbert Arm- million albums and, from Riga to Rio, his stuff on my iPod,” the president said. strong gave the only patently true answer children danced like him.” Herbert Armstrong was right: “This 30 years ago, upon the death of an earlier Yes, children all over the world danced world is fast losing all sense—if it ever had pop icon, in words that are even more ap- like Michael Jackson—their idol. Believe any—of true social values. The lower the propriate today in the wake of Michael it or not, having such a confused individ- standard of social values, the more popu- Jackson’s death. ual as an “idol” has a deep effect on the lar they become in a misguided and de- Of that hope, Herbert Armstrong de- molding of a child’s mind, particularly ceived humanity.” clared, there is “[j]ust one. It’s time we all influencing what it ultimately accepts as It’s that loss of true social values, once pray, ‘Thy kingdom come, thy will be normal. It creates an impression that the reflected in Anglo-American society dur- done on Earth as it is in heaven.’ And perverse is acceptable. It places the stamp ing the heights of its greatness, that now put our hearts and energies in our prayers, of approval on social behavior that is way results in the leading lights of the gender- as disciples, like this now dead ‘hero’ put his beyond the bounds set by generations of bending movements being entertained into the raucous loud squawk and scream the past when a nation was great, a nation at the White House and at Number 10 with the fast beat. The world can put real founded upon clear guidelines as to what Downing Street. energy into the things of Satan. Can we put is truly male and truly female behavior— It’s such a degenerative influence in so- some real energy into our prayers?” true social standards. ciety that leads the oldest political party How seriously do we really want God’s The all-too-ready acceptance of the in the world, the British Tories, to strongly Kingdom to come? Let’s put some energy “appeal” that outlandish behavior has on endorse perverse lifestyles and even pre- into our prayers for it! n

10 September 2009 The Philadelphia Trumpet ➤ Father from page 1 But what do most Christians today believe? Why, they think American Institute of Family Relations as saying, “No society that everything revolves around Jesus! has ever survived after its family life deteriorated” Read those scriptures again. Do you realize that Christ spe- (emphasis mine). cifically and repeatedly told us not to do that? When we overlook Look around today! Wouldn’t you say that institute founder the Father, we insult both Christ and the Father! That is rebelling knew what he was talking about? Family breakdown is having against God! disastrous effects—and they are going to get far worse. We must learn to honor the father! That is true in Remember what Mr. Armstrong wrote: “The very founda- our homes and families, and in our spiritual lives. tion of any stable civilization is the solid family struc- When I read verses like this, it makes me realize more deeply ture. … Nothing in this material world is as important as a how most of Christianity rebels against Christ and the Father! happy home life with father, mother and well-taught happy Christ directed us to the Father over and over and over and over children—a close-knit family.” and over and over and over—and people still refuse to get it. Why? The fact that the physical family is an exact type of the God Here is why. Christ said to some hard-headed religious people, Family should inspire us all to forsake the filth of this world and “I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that strengthen our families! which ye have seen with your father” (John 8:38). What did He Every father should study the example of God the Father to mean, “your father”? “Ye do the deeds of your father,” He told see how to lead his family. God says to His children, “I will nev- them in verse 41. Who was their “father”? er leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5). When He begets Christ continued, “If God were your Father, ye would love a child, He commits Himself to fulfilling His responsibility to- me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I ward that child! If you study this scripture in the original Greek of myself, but he sent me” (verse 42). Again, He continually language, you will see it is written for maximum emphasis. There honored and declared the Father. Then He said plainly, “Ye are are five negatives. Though a good literal translation isn’t really of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will possible, in essence God is saying, “I will never, never, never, do” (verse 44). never, never forsake you!” What a wonderful Father! The religious people of Christ’s day didn’t honor God the Fa- God honors His children. Think about when a physical father ther. After all, they killed His Son! They obeyed their father, the is watching his young child learn to walk. The baby is bound to stumble and fall. The father doesn’t focus The religious people of Christ’s day didn’t on the stumbles. He looks at when the child takes a step! As soon as the child steps, that honor God the Father. After all, they killed really excites him! The same is true of God the Father. He is moved and stirred when He sees His Son! They obeyed their father, the His children take spiritual steps, and begin to walk and live and act like Him! That kindles devil. And Satan hates family. He is deter- within Him strong feelings of love. In 1 Corinthians 10:13, He tells His people mined to fight it with everything he has! that He will never allow them to suffer a trial greater than they can bear. Yes, He does al- devil. And Satan hates family. He is determined to fight it with low trials at times. He does chasten and correct His children everything he has! (e.g. Deuteronomy 8:5; Hebrews 12:5-11). But He knows His chil- The same is true of so many people today—including religious dren so intimately that He knows exactly where to draw the line people. Satan has deceived the whole world (Revelation 12:9). He in a trial that will develop their character! That is a promise wants to blot out the Father and destroy the Family of God. Most that reveals His great depth of understanding about you and people fail utterly to understand family. love for all His children. Did you know that family is at the heart of the gos- The parable of the prodigal son, recorded in Luke 15, also pel that Jesus Christ preached? How many religious people shows that love. The son rebelled against his father and fled to understand that? (Request a free copy of The Incredible Human the world. He soon realized that his life had become a wreck. Potential to understand this truth.) He recognized just how good he had lived under his father. He Satan is the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4). His society decided to turn things around, and he returned to his father in a is filled with attacks against God’s plan for family. These attacks repentant state. How did the father in this parable respond? Ex- are succeeding in some frightening ways. The institution of the actly the way God the Father responds when one of His children family is suffering the death of a thousand wounds. repents: He hugged and kissed his son! He was full of joy! He We see many politicians, celebrities and sports figures—who truly celebrated his son’s return. receive so much adulation and attention—with wretched family Yes, God is a loving Father. He’s not like a father—He is the problems. Loose living, adultery, drug addiction, sexual devian- ultimate Father! And He’s perfect. He said, If you, being evil, cy—everything you can imagine. know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more do I, God says that when you find a wife, you find a good thing and in whom there is no evil? (Matthew 7:11). have God’s favor (Proverbs 18:22). That is inspiring! Don’t those God gave His own Son to pay for our sins so that, when we re- politicians realize that—when they betray their wives and have pent and accept that sacrifice, God can open up His Family to us! shameful love affairs? Don’t they realize what a good thing they He gives us incredible honor. We all must learn to honor Him have, and that they are trashing it? back, as Jesus Christ did. As Christ told us in Matthew 18:1-4, in Forty years ago, Time magazine warned that the crisis in the order to enter God’s Kingdom we must humble ourselves as little family has implications that extend far beyond the walls of the children. That means seeing God, and honoring Him, as our Fa- home. In a Dec. 28, 1970, article, Time quoted the founder of the ther! n

The Philadelphia Trumpet September 2009 11 The Truth Behind Iran’s Election Protests The real struggle isn’t between

conservatives revolution? Some Western reports and moderates. hailed unrest in Iran as real change, By joel Hilliker but demonstrators in the streets are mere distractions compared to what goes on behind Persia’s closed doors.

n the broad scheme, Iran’s star is supporting terror and pursuing nuclear doesn’t create foreign policy; he is essen- rising. It is ready to seize the advantage weapons. There are several reasons this is tially a caretaker of domestic matters. Even from a fading United States in both Iraq true. then, everything he does is subject to ap- Iand Afghanistan. In fact, it has effec- proval by the ayatollah. Consider how tively neutralized the long-standing threat A Sham Election Iran’s nuclear program has developed vir- from the U.S. It has prepared its terrorist For one, the election—like all Iranian tually uninterrupted through several presi- proxies in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip for elections—was a charade. This isn’t dencies, both “radical” and “moderate.” a future attack on Israel. It is about to go merely a question of whether or not votes The stranglehold these religious lead- nuclear. Many long-held dreams of Iran’s were counted correctly, as European and ers have on the nation is far more com- radicals appear about to come true. American leaders disingenuously claim. plete than Western media are leading And yet, trouble stirs at home. Cracks Iran is not a democracy—it is a theo- people to believe. in the ayatollah’s power have appeared. cratic republic. The religious leaders de- In truth, it is erroneous to view recent After allegations of fraud sullied its June cide who can run for office and who can’t. events as a battle between conservative 12 presidential election, the streets filled “In practice,” American Thinker wrote, “a and liberal camps within Iran. Rather, we with angry protest. As the weeks passed, president of Iran is already chosen through are witnessing a power struggle between clerics began to defect from the supreme a farce process of giving the voters a chance rival conservative factions, both hungering leader and voice their dissent over the re- to elect one of the men hand-picked from for the same goal: nuclear-armed domina- gime’s heavy-handed, even corrupt rule. the regime’s functionaries, as was the case tion of a Jew-free Middle East en route to Could it be that Iran is on the verge of with President Ahmadinejad” (June 16). broader, global ambitions. The two sides a transformation? What is going on here? Out of 470 candidates who entered the pre- only disagree on how to go about it. Many outsiders have viewed the pro- screening process, only four came through. tests as a sort of prelude to a long-awaited Ahmadinejad’s main opponent, Mirhos- The True Struggle in Iran Islamic counter-revolution. They are go- sein Mousavi—whom many seem to think There has not in fact been an uprising ing to be disappointed. would shepherd Iran into the peace-loving against the regime. As Stratfor wrote, “The The Trumpet believes categorically brotherhood of nations—has a history as a post-election unrest in Iran … was not a that this is not the herald of a new age of hardliner from the days when he was prime matter of a repressive regime suppressing moderation in Iran. Though there may minister under the Islamic Republic’s liberals … but a struggle between two Is- be bumps along the way, ultimately the founder, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. lamist factions that are each committed Islamic Republic will roll on toward its Of course, the mullahs control more to the regime, but opposed to each other” goal of regional dominance and general than just elections—they control every- (June 29). Any truly reformist faction sim- mayhem in the name of Allah. It will keep thing. The president, whoever he may be, ply doesn’t exist as a credible political force.

12 September 2009 The Philadelphia Trumpet getty images, Saul loeb/afp/getty images Why Trouble in Iran Will Lead to War CANNY enemy of Iran may view that country’s recent political With these bold moves, turmoil as an opportunity. The regime faces opposition. There is Germany is clearly taking Amurmuring in the camp. On the street are some—perhaps many— the lead in the EU’s response who seek genuine liberalization and are willing to fight for it.M aybe these against Iran. “European rifts could be exploited, pried apart, in order to rock the establishment—if Union ministers may be not to overthrow the regime, then at least to delay or perhaps even halt ready to push for tougher Iran’s otherwise relentless drive toward achieving its nefarious goals. sanctions against Iran after That the U.S. is not that canny enemy has become patently clear. Germany has shown growing The Obama administration has no intention of rocking the Iranian willingness to take a harder establishment. President Obama wants to work with Khamenei and line,” wrote the London Ahmadinejad. Formal recognition of Iran’s theocracy is a cornerstone of Times (June 26). his foreign policy. Thus, he says preventing a nuclear Iran has “gotten Yes, of all nations to more difficult” because of the popular challenge to the regime. seize the opportunity to un- The realization that America is out of the picture puts other nations dermine Iran, it is Germany in an intriguing position. Outside of Israel—which now unenviably must that is taking advantage. Many say its brash meddling in Iranian politics face the Iranian threat without its staunchest ally—the most crucial of will actually backfire against the Iranian dissidents, for whom any asso- these nations to watch is Germany. ciation with the West is essentially a death sentence. “Interference by With America in paralysis, Germany is realizing that if anything is the West would be extremely harmful to the movement,” said Iran ex- going to be done about Iran, it will have to do it. pert Bahman Nirumand. The movement “would be immediately accused Chancellor Angela Merkel sternly condemned Iranian leaders for of being guided by the West and its leaders branded as collaborators.” their crackdown against election protests. She openly demanded a Berlin doesn’t seem to care. vote recount and warned that Germany would “not forget” the mullahs’ After years of Iranian provocations, Germany is beginning to push brutality against their own citizens. Germany’s human rights commis- back. America’s disappearing act on Iran is accelerating the trend. sioner published an op-ed article saying that Germany should “openly Germany is deeply interested in expanding its influence in the encourage those who are calling for an end to the Islamic Republic.” Middle East. The fact that Iran—the most dominant and prickly power Germany’s parliament is filling with calls for more confrontation with in the region—is its biggest obstacle is very plain. Germany’s appetite Iran. Bundestag member Philipp Mißfelder proposed reducing Ger- for a confrontation appears to be growing. many’s economic ties with Iran in order to “make our own contribution Watch Iran and Germany closely. Tension is clearly growing and to destabilizing the Ahmadinejad regime.” could be approaching an explosive climax. Hundreds of German companies in Iran are freezing operations What makes this situation so important is the fact that the Bible there or have pulled out altogether. Some are going much further: pro- specifically prophesies a spectacular clash between these two na- actively working to foment the political tension. “German organizations tions—a clash that will spark a world war! are trying to escalate the internal power struggles in Iran,” reported The Prophet Daniel wrote, “And at the time of the end [the time just German-Foreign-Policy.com (June 22). Deutsche Welle broadcasted ahead of us] shall the king of the south [an Iranian-led, radical Middle Farsi-language encouragement to protesters. Politically affiliated Eastern power] push at him: and the king of the north [a German-led Eu- foundations have offered to partner with those challenging the regime. ropean power] shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and Apparently these seditious activities were going on for months even with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the coun- before the election. tries, and shall overflow and pass over. He shall enter also into the glo- The ayatollah and his agents are incensed. “The Iranians are reject- rious land, and many countries shall be overthrown …” (Daniel 11:40-41). ing this interference and threatening to break diplomatic relations with That we are witnessing a German-led Europe getting agitated by Berlin. Still, German organizations close to the government are continu- and taking steps to confront Iran suggests just how soon we will see ing unabated their activities, fanning domestic protests in Iran” (ibid.). the fulfillment of Daniel’s end-time prophecy! joel Hilliker

The primary struggle within the regime Republic’s founder, Ayatollah Khomeini. “a single atomic bomb has the power to is between the hard right, under President He is no liberal reformer. He has a lengthy completely destroy Israel, while an Israeli Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and the pragmat- public record of supporting and driving counterstrike can only cause partial dam- ic conservatives led by influential cleric and Iran’s radical policies. age to the Islamic world.” former Iranian President Akbar Hashemi Yes, both sides claim to speak for the For the time being, Rafsanjani wants to Rafsanjani. Both of these men are sons of Khomeinist cause. Both factions also want avoid confrontation with the U.S. so the the 1979 revolution, as are the rest of Iran’s Iran to become a nuclear powerhouse ca- Iranian nuclear program can progress un- political and religious leaders. As Stratfor pable of dominating the Middle East. hindered and the Iranian government can pointed out, “It would be a massive mistake Ahmadinejad, of course, has made this play a larger role in Iraq. Ahmadinejad’s to think that any leadership elements have clear. But Rafsanjani, despite being con- ultraconservative faction, on the other abandoned those principles” (ibid.). sidered a moderate by some in the West, hand, opposes any sort of rapprochement On July 17, in his first sermon after has the same national goals. In a 2001 with the West. the election, Rafsanjani claimed that he speech, Rafsanjani spoke of a nuclear Iran While Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was the true heir to the Islamic Revolu- and said Iran would one day vomit Israel has worked to build a consensus between tion and that he spoke for the Islamic “out from its midst” in one blast, because See iran page 34 ➤

The Philadelphia Trumpet September 2009 13 Germany’s Stealth Attack on the EU What it means for the future of Europe and the world. By Brad Macdonald

he German high court has Why Europe Was Excited constitution would provide fresh, much- ambushed the European Union. Peter Gauweiler, member of the right- needed impetus to Ireland, the Czech Re- At first, Europe’s leaders didn’t wing Christian Socialist Union (csu), public and Poland, which have all yet to see it. Some are now coming to spearheaded the challenge against the ratify the treaty. gripsT with it. But it could be too late. Lisbon Treaty. Although he lost his ap- The more the other EU states mulled it Germany’s Federal Constitutional peal and Germany is preparing to ratify over, however, the clearer it became that Court recently ruled that the Lisbon Trea- the treaty, Gauweiler was more than satis- they had indeed been ambushed by the ty is compatible with the German consti- fied with the federal court’s far-reaching German high court. “[T]here is a danger tution. On June 30, the court rejected com- stipulation. “It’s a very sweeping decision that, given the country’s size, the German plaints by some German lawmakers that on the Lisbon Treaty as a whole,” he told parliament will be the tail that wags the the treaty violated the constitution, and Spiegel Online. “In 91 pages, the Federal EU dog,” noted the Irish Examiner, nearly decided that “the substance of German Constitutional Court expressly held that three weeks after the ruling had passed. “It state authority is protected” in the treaty. the treaty and its accompanying law must can dictate a direction for laws or, if it ve- EU leaders were so relieved Berlin said conform to Germany’s constitution, the so- toes legislation, then it cannot proceed at ja to Lisbon that they gave little thought called Basic Law …” (July 1). EU level” (July 20). at the time to a colossal caveat attached to Germany has been chiseling itself a the ruling. seat atop Europe ever since its reunifica- The Truth Comes Out Germany’s constitution “says yes to the tion in 1989. With its location at the geo- Really, there was no excuse for Europe’s Lisbon Treaty,” stated presiding judge An- graphic heart of the Continent, its large slow uptake. After all, it was only a matter dreas Voßkuhle in his verdict, which was population and its economic and political of hours before the German media was re- televised nationally, “but calls at national clout, it has been quite successful. Because porting on the far-reaching reality of the level for a strengthening of parliamentary re- of its size and influence, Germany’s accep- ruling. sponsibility” (emphasis mine throughout). tance or rejection of an EU law or policy The court’s verdict “takes the German What did Voßkuhle mean by the has a major impact on the decisions of parliament to task,” observed the German “strengthening of parliamentary respon- other member states, and ultimately on paper Süddeutsche Zeitung. “German poli- sibility”? He meant this: Before Germany whether or not the law or policy is written ticians will need to become involved with ratifies the Lisbon Treaty, it must strength- into the books in Brussels. This legal stip- every new law, no matter how small. … en the German parliament’s influence on ulation will now give Germany unparal- And with this decision European integra- decisions made in Brussels. Therefore, a leled influence in Brussels. With German tion becomes part of Germany’s domestic law is now being created that will demand politicians weighing every EU law and politics. … This spectacularly clever verdict members of the Bundestag approve any policy more carefully, EU lawmakers will artfully says that European integration will change to the Lisbon Treaty, or any expan- be forced to take the German constitution not be stopped—but will be making a little sion of EU power, before it can be imposed and German opinion into account when detour through Germany, where it will ben- on Germany. The Bundestag (the lower formulating virtually every law, every efit from some added democracy.” house of the German parliament) hopes policy and every decision. “This is the end of European integra- to draft the law and add it to Germany’s Essentially, it will make Berlin, not tion as we know it,” wrote the Frankfurter official ratification of the Lisbon Treaty Brussels, the epicenter of EU law and Allgemeine Zeitung. “Germany will sup- before national elections on September 27. policy! port the Lisbon Treaty, but only under This law essentially will equip Germa- After the June court ruling, at first EU strict conditions. And anyone who wants ny with the power to hijack the EU! The leaders were tickled that Germany was be- to found a European state must now ask biblically prophetic implications of this ing so expeditious in ratifying the treaty. for the permission of the German people.” move are profound. They hoped Berlin embracing the EU Multiple issues are already lining up,

14 September 2009 The Philadelphia Trumpet reuters how it’s going to be The German Constitutional Court is making sure Berlin controls the EU, not vice versa.

waiting for adjudication by the German It must comfort German citizens to Germans in complete domination. IT’S court, the article said, and the “message is know they stand above EU law. But what PROPHESIED! It is hurtling on toward loud and clear: We wear the pants.” about the lawmakers in Brussels, or the the destruction of America and Britain” Observed Handelsblatt: The German citizens of the other 26 EU member na- (co-worker letter, Sept. 18, 1954). Mr. court clearly sees the “European Parlia- tions? Brussels will be forced to formulate Armstrong was referring to prophecies ment as a minor instrument which is ‘not laws and policies with the German high in the biblical books of Isaiah, Daniel, suited to major political decisions.’” The court peering over its shoulder, ready to Nahum, Hosea, Revelation and elsewhere German business daily continued: “For shred any decision that doesn’t align with that foretell the emergence in the last days Karlsruhe [the German Constitutional German interests or the German constitu- of a newly resurrected Holy Roman Em- Court], democracy has only one impor- tion. Citizens of other member states will pire—led by Germany! tant organ: the national constitution. And have to stand idly by as the EU is stealthily This new law will not make the EU that’s not exactly an altruistic move—be- put under subjection by Berlin. more democratic. Germany will be the cause by saying this, the Constitutional That’s democracy, German-style! only member with a greater voice. It’s a Court is also increasing its own claim to Even some prominent Germans are stealthy ambush of Brussels that will only legislative power. Only Karlsruhe can stop openly admitting the blatant national- make the European Union even more Brussels from going overboard, only Karl- istic spirit behind this new ruling. The German-centric, German-dependent and sruhe can protect principles of democracy. court ruling is “outrageous,” declared German-dominated. This legal decision And that secures Karlsruhe a long sought- former German Foreign Minister Joschka will equip Berlin with far-reaching lever- after advantage over various European Fischer. “The decision comes at a time at age over EU law and policy, and will ul- tribunals.” which our European neighbors and the timately advance Germany’s prophetic The ruling of the German high court Americans are increasingly gaining the march to become the unchecked leader of could not have been more plain. When it impression that Germany is more and a united European empire. comes to EU affairs, Germany considers more turning away from Europe and is If you haven’t already started, now is the European Parliament a minor instru- mainly interested in its own affairs,” he the time to begin studying Bible proph- ment, and the German constitution and wrote. “The Constitutional Court’s deci- ecy, specifically those prophecies relating Federal Constitutional Court the supreme sion strengthens this impression” (Spiegel to Germany and the Holy Roman Empire. authority! Online, July 17). A German-led, Catholic-inspired Euro- Under the new law, the German high In its ruling, the German high court pean empire is building. Take the time court will be able to overrule the EU’s expressed concern that the EU in its cur- to become familiar with how it will af- highest court, the European Court of Jus- rent form is an undemocratic institution. fect America, Britain and the rest of the tice. The ecj is designed to establish and It argued that this new law strengthening world, how powerful it will ultimately uphold the supremacy of EU law over the the role of the German parliament in Brus- become, how its reign will end, what will national law of member states. One of sels would make the EU more democratic. come after it is gone, and what you can do its primary functions is to interpret and Don’t believe it. Both history and to escape its grip. provide the last word on EU law. Under prophecy tell us that is a bald-faced lie! We can help you answer these ques- the proposed new German law, if the ecj tions. Request your free makes a decision at odds with German Germany and the Holy Roman Empire copy of Germany and the national law, or if Germany perceives that In 1954, Herbert Armstrong wrote, Holy Roman Empire. it oversteps its authority, German citizens “Nothing can prevent Germany from Believe it or not, this res- will have the right to legal protection by completely dominating Europe. Soon there urrected German empire is the Federal Constitutional Court, even will be the prophesied united Europe— coming, and it will touch against EU regulations and the ecj. the resurrected Roman Empire—with your life! n

The Philadelphia Trumpet September 2009 15 Sweden russia

WorldWatCh United Kingdom

France EUROPE Azerbaijan North n July 1, Sweden Georgia Korea Otook over the rotat- U.S. turkey turkmenistan Japan ing presidency of the Lebanon Afghanistan China European Union. One Iraq Iran of the biggest challenges pakistan Swedish Prime Min- India ister Fredrik Reinfeldt will face is pushing the Honduras Lisbon Treaty forward despite the increased Venezuela number of right-wing euroskeptics who gained seats in the European Parliament’s elections in June. As European leaders focus on holding the Zimbabwe Union together, Pope Benedict xvi issued a South Africa call for a “true world po- litical authority” in his 144-page encyclical released of much higher and stron- in the european Parliament. Argentina Items in the memo included a turned them over to Iraqi July 7 (article, page 20). ger representation than any At the official opening joint Afghanistan-Iran cham- authorities, who promptly Europe’s economic outlook other EU member nation in of the new European Parlia- ber of commerce in Kabul released them to the Iranians. continues to deteriorate. Ac- this Parliament. The new eu ment on July 13, the depart- and a preferential trade agree- U.S. spokesmen said Wash- cording to the EU’s statistics Parliament president, Jerzy ing president, Germany’s ment. Iran has stepped up its ington had no choice but to office, industrial production Buzek, will have an uphill Hans-Gert Pöttering, gave an involvement with Afghanistan release the Iranians under the in the 16-nation eurozone fell battle resisting pressure from indication of how Germany (and Pakistan), not only as a terms of the Status of Forces an astounding 21.6 percent the powerful German lobby is likely to use its dominance means of increasing its influ- Agreement made with Iraq from April 2008 to April within the new Parliament’s in the new Parliament when MIDDLE ence in that country, but also last year. Stratfor reported, 2009. Germany was one of the ranks. German he “urged meps to in an effort to increase its le- however, that it appears the hardest-hit countries, with a parliamentary unite to freeze ‘anti- EAST verage against America. captured Iranians were a 23.2 percent annual fall. As members have Europeans’ out of the he U.S. began imple- Four EU countries and tur- bargaining chip for the U.S. the largest economy in Europe been elected to decision-making pro- Tmenting its new strategy key signed an agreement on to use in its negotiations with and the world’s biggest ex- three of the most cess for the next five for afghanistan in early July, July 13 formally launching the Iran, and that their release porter, Germany is the main powerful legisla- years” (Times, July 14). mounting an offensive into Nabucco gas pipeline project, could indicate that Wash- driver of economic activity on tive committees If the Lisbon Treaty the Taliban’s opium-growing which will take natural gas ington intends to continue hinge as much on Iran as the It seems that as lebanon’s the Continent. As an indica- in the new Parlia- is ratified by Germany stronghold in the south of from the Caspian Sea region its policy of diplomacy with Iraqi government.” Iran has ruling March 14 alliance tion of the general fear on the ment: the influ- and the remaining the country. A surge of 4,000 and the Middle East through Iran. Regardless, the U.S. has strong ties to Iraq’s Shiite gov- battles to form a new govern- street, “Gold to go” vending ential industry, dissenting nations troops was sent to Helmand Turkey to Europe. “Nabucco’s proven unwilling to prosecute ernment, and where it refuses ment following the country’s machines are being unveiled research and en- sign up to it, Germany province with the aim of viability critically depends Iranian agents responsible for to do Tehran’s bidding, Iran parliamentary elections on across Germany, as firm TG- ergy committee; the environ- will gain even more political “winning hearts and minds.” on gas supplies from turk- the deaths of U.S. soldiers. has another tool: terror. “Iran June 7, its aim is to reconcile Gold-Super-Markt tries to ment committee; and the new power. “If and when the Lis- Time is on the Taliban’s side, menistan and Iran,” said Asia Iraq’s actions also reveal that is still supporting, funding with Hezbollah. The ruling take advantage of widespread legal affairs committee. In bon Treaty comes into force, however, and as casualties Times Online (July 15). The its sympathies lie more with and training surrogates who party knows that the Iran- economic uncertainty. His- addition, a German member Germany stands to be the big mount, fragile public support pipeline is designed to de- Iran than with America. operate inside of Iraq,” said sponsored Hezbollah terror- torically, the price of gold go- of the European Parliament winner,” reported European for the war in the U.S., and in crease the EU’s dependence on American troops com- Gen. Ray Odierno, America’s ist group will retain its grip ing up indicates probable eco- now heads a special commit- Voice. “The introduction of a its main ally, Britain, are cer- Russian gas. But reliance on pleted their withdrawal from top military commander in on the country one way or nomic trouble. Gold becoming tee investigating the financial system of voting in the Coun- tain to falter. Iran and the Middle East for Iraqi cities June 30. about Iraq. “They have not stopped, another—which is why it is so popular that people can buy crisis. This means that indus- cil of Ministers by double ma- On July 2, iran and Af- energy will prove to be every 130,000 u.S. soldiers will re- and I don’t think they will accommodating Hezbollah it from vending machines is a try, energy, environment, legal jority, taking into account the ghanistan signed a 17-article bit as dangerous for Europe. main in urban outposts to help stop.” Watch for Iraq to rather than standing up to big warning sign for Europe. affairs and the financial cri- population represented by the memorandum of understand- On July 9, the U.S. released iraqi forces if called upon. Fox strengthen its ties to Iran as it it. While Saad Hariri, leader The European parlia- sis—about the sum total of all member states as well as their ing to promote bilateral trade five Iranian agents accused News military analyst Col. acknowledges the current re- of the ruling alliance, is re- mentary election in June has major EU business—will now allocation of votes, will favor and expand commercial ties of supporting Shiite terror David Hunt warned that the ality: that America is leaving, sisting granting Hezbollah placed Germany in a position be under German leadership Germany” (July 9). between the two countries. cells in iraq. The U.S. military security situation in Iraq “will and Iran is there to stay. formal veto power, Stratfor

16 September 2009 The Philadelphia Trumpet GettY ImAGeS; JeNS SCHLUeter/AFp/GettY ImAGeS tArIQ mAHmOOD/AFp/GettY ImAGeS Sweden russia

WorldWatCh United Kingdom

France EUROPE Azerbaijan North n July 1, Sweden Georgia Korea Otook over the rotat- U.S. turkey turkmenistan Japan ing presidency of the Lebanon Afghanistan China European Union. One Iraq Iran of the biggest challenges pakistan Swedish Prime Min- India ister Fredrik Reinfeldt will face is pushing the Honduras Lisbon Treaty forward despite the increased Venezuela number of right-wing euroskeptics who gained seats in the European Parliament’s elections in June. As European leaders focus on holding the Zimbabwe Union together, Pope Benedict xvi issued a South Africa call for a “true world po- litical authority” in his 144-page encyclical released of much higher and stron- in the european Parliament. Argentina Items in the memo included a turned them over to Iraqi July 7 (article, page 20). ger representation than any At the official opening joint Afghanistan-Iran cham- authorities, who promptly Europe’s economic outlook other EU member nation in of the new European Parlia- ber of commerce in Kabul released them to the Iranians. continues to deteriorate. Ac- this Parliament. The new eu ment on July 13, the depart- and a preferential trade agree- U.S. spokesmen said Wash- cording to the EU’s statistics Parliament president, Jerzy ing president, Germany’s ment. Iran has stepped up its ington had no choice but to office, industrial production Buzek, will have an uphill Hans-Gert Pöttering, gave an involvement with Afghanistan release the Iranians under the in the 16-nation eurozone fell battle resisting pressure from indication of how Germany (and Pakistan), not only as a terms of the Status of Forces an astounding 21.6 percent the powerful German lobby is likely to use its dominance means of increasing its influ- Agreement made with Iraq from April 2008 to April within the new Parliament’s in the new Parliament when MIDDLE ence in that country, but also last year. Stratfor reported, 2009. Germany was one of the ranks. German he “urged meps to in an effort to increase its le- however, that it appears the hardest-hit countries, with a parliamentary unite to freeze ‘anti- EAST verage against America. captured Iranians were a 23.2 percent annual fall. As members have Europeans’ out of the he U.S. began imple- Four EU countries and tur- bargaining chip for the U.S. the largest economy in Europe been elected to decision-making pro- Tmenting its new strategy key signed an agreement on to use in its negotiations with and the world’s biggest ex- three of the most cess for the next five for afghanistan in early July, July 13 formally launching the Iran, and that their release porter, Germany is the main powerful legisla- years” (Times, July 14). mounting an offensive into Nabucco gas pipeline project, could indicate that Wash- driver of economic activity on tive committees If the Lisbon Treaty the Taliban’s opium-growing which will take natural gas ington intends to continue hinge as much on Iran as the It seems that as lebanon’s the Continent. As an indica- in the new Parlia- is ratified by Germany stronghold in the south of from the Caspian Sea region its policy of diplomacy with Iraqi government.” Iran has ruling March 14 alliance tion of the general fear on the ment: the influ- and the remaining the country. A surge of 4,000 and the Middle East through Iran. Regardless, the U.S. has strong ties to Iraq’s Shiite gov- battles to form a new govern- street, “Gold to go” vending ential industry, dissenting nations troops was sent to Helmand Turkey to Europe. “Nabucco’s proven unwilling to prosecute ernment, and where it refuses ment following the country’s machines are being unveiled research and en- sign up to it, Germany province with the aim of viability critically depends Iranian agents responsible for to do Tehran’s bidding, Iran parliamentary elections on across Germany, as firm TG- ergy committee; the environ- will gain even more political “winning hearts and minds.” on gas supplies from turk- the deaths of U.S. soldiers. has another tool: terror. “Iran June 7, its aim is to reconcile Gold-Super-Markt tries to ment committee; and the new power. “If and when the Lis- Time is on the Taliban’s side, menistan and Iran,” said Asia Iraq’s actions also reveal that is still supporting, funding with Hezbollah. The ruling take advantage of widespread legal affairs committee. In bon Treaty comes into force, however, and as casualties Times Online (July 15). The its sympathies lie more with and training surrogates who party knows that the Iran- economic uncertainty. His- addition, a German member Germany stands to be the big mount, fragile public support pipeline is designed to de- Iran than with America. operate inside of Iraq,” said sponsored Hezbollah terror- torically, the price of gold go- of the European Parliament winner,” reported European for the war in the U.S., and in crease the EU’s dependence on American troops com- Gen. Ray Odierno, America’s ist group will retain its grip ing up indicates probable eco- now heads a special commit- Voice. “The introduction of a its main ally, Britain, are cer- Russian gas. But reliance on pleted their withdrawal from top military commander in on the country one way or nomic trouble. Gold becoming tee investigating the financial system of voting in the Coun- tain to falter. Iran and the Middle East for Iraqi cities June 30. about Iraq. “They have not stopped, another—which is why it is so popular that people can buy crisis. This means that indus- cil of Ministers by double ma- On July 2, iran and Af- energy will prove to be every 130,000 u.S. soldiers will re- and I don’t think they will accommodating Hezbollah it from vending machines is a try, energy, environment, legal jority, taking into account the ghanistan signed a 17-article bit as dangerous for Europe. main in urban outposts to help stop.” Watch for Iraq to rather than standing up to big warning sign for Europe. affairs and the financial cri- population represented by the memorandum of understand- On July 9, the U.S. released iraqi forces if called upon. Fox strengthen its ties to Iran as it it. While Saad Hariri, leader The European parlia- sis—about the sum total of all member states as well as their ing to promote bilateral trade five Iranian agents accused News military analyst Col. acknowledges the current re- of the ruling alliance, is re- mentary election in June has major EU business—will now allocation of votes, will favor and expand commercial ties of supporting Shiite terror David Hunt warned that the ality: that America is leaving, sisting granting Hezbollah placed Germany in a position be under German leadership Germany” (July 9). between the two countries. cells in iraq. The U.S. military security situation in Iraq “will and Iran is there to stay. formal veto power, Stratfor

GettY ImAGeS; JeNS SCHLUeter/AFp/GettY ImAGeS tArIQ mAHmOOD/AFp/GettY ImAGeS The Philadelphia Trumpet September 2009 17 WorldWatCh reports that he and his Saudi lambasted President Obama $950 million in credit lines patrons are “formulating a more than once and is con- from China as well as pledges new working relationship tinuing to build relationships totaling more than $500 with the Shiite militant group with Iran and China that will million from the U.S. and that protects and pays tribute undermine U.S. interests in Europe. The tattered country to the ‘Resistance’” (June 16). the region. For now, Venezuela says it needs $10 billion to Fearing Hezbollah would take still needs the U.S. When that rebuild its infrastructure. Un- matters into its own hands is no longer the case, expect employment is at 90 percent. violently, Hariri has set out to Chavez to close the door again. South africa’s Medical appease the group by giving it Meanwhile, the Venezuelan Research Council (mrc) has security guarantees, meaning president is continuing his released a shocking survey: Hezbollah will not be called war on his country’s media, One in four South African upon to disarm. promising to take over more males admits to having raped than 200 radio stations and someone, with about half say- bring cable television under ing they had multiple victims. government oversight. The survey included 1,738 ASIA argentina’s President Cris- men in the Eastern Cape and fter testing its first tina Fernandez de Kirchner KwaZulu-Natal. According first time ever. It could grow uk remains nuclear-armed.” Anuclear bomb on Inde- suffered a major political de- to bbc News, the mrc said to nearly $2 trillion by this Britain’s defense forces are pendence Day three years feat in June 28 elections when that “practices such as gang fall, intensifying fears about undergoing a full-scale offi- ago, and then detonating its her party lost its majority and rape were common because higher interest rates, inflation cial review for the first time in second nuclear bomb this her husband, himself a former they were considered a form and the strength of the dollar. more than a decade. Three of past Memorial Day, north president of Argentina, lost of male bonding” (June 18). The deficit has been widened Britain’s most influential in- korea chose July 4 this year the election for a parliamen- Seventy-three percent of re- by the huge sum the govern- dependent research institutes to launch seven missiles east- tary seat in Buenos Aires. spondents said they carried ment has spent to ease the forecast that Britain’s defense ward into the Sea of Japan, While President Fernandez’s out their first attack before recession, combined with a budget will be drastically cut. likely in an effort to demon- space forces, an indication flights through Russian air- the timing, are a definitive populist policies they were 20 years old. sharp decline in tax revenues Britain is also facing an strate it would not hesitate to that Beijing is moving ahead space to supply U.S. and nato response,” said Russia’s envoy have backfired, One in 20 admitted to and the cost of the wars in “energy crunch” in the North seek to overwhelm the missile with plans to wage space war troops in Afghanistan. A cap to nato, Dmitri O. Rogozin. she may well try committing a rape in Iraq and Afghanistan. Foreign Sea. New oil and gas explora- defense systems of its enemies. in a future conflict. The Bei- of 4,500 flights per year has Russia’s growing power and to push through the last year. For every investors, on whom the U.S. is tion there plunged almost The U.S. State Department jing Zhongguo Xinwen She, been put in place, however, confidence are becoming in- as many of her 25 men accused of dangerously reliant—includ- 60 percent in the first half spokesman’s response was to the official news service for which, while shortening the creasingly visible. agenda items as rape in South Africa, ing some American allies like of this year. Companies are say, “This type of North Ko- overseas Chinese, reported supply line, will not allow a Russia’s energy weapons are possible before however, only one is France and india—are ques- cutting back on new projects rean behavior is not helpful.” that space is now a fourth do- greater quantity of supplies growing stronger too. Russia the newly elected convicted. tioning whether it’s a good because the recession is forc- Such a response reinforces the main after land, sea and air. to reach Afghanistan. It is signed a major deal with azer- legislators idea to invest in the dollar. ing costs higher and making international perception of In 2007, China tested its first land routes through Russian baijan on June 29 to purchase take office in The Centers for Disease credit tighter. The majority America’s weakness. anti-satellite weapon by firing territory that the U.S. really natural gas beginning next December. Control and Prevention (cdc) of the UK’s energy needs are thousands of Chinese a ground-based missile that wants—and a deal on this is year. Moscow wants to be- The Honduran Supreme ANGLO- stated in late June that up to supplied domestically, but troops flooded into urumqi, destroyed a Chinese weather unlikely without a great deal come the middleman between Court ordered the military 1 million americans may be with domestic production a Chinese city of 2.5 mil- satellite. The test shocked U.S. of haggling and a substantial Azerbaijan and Europe, and to remove President manuel AMERICA carrying the new h1n1 swine dropping 5 percent every year, lion near the Pakistan and military planners because pay-off for Russia. remove a potential supplier Zelaya from office on June he Bureau of Labor flu. Nearly 28,000 U.S. cases Britain is being forced to rely Afghanistan borders, in it demonstrated a strategic On June 29, Russia began for europe’s planned nabucco 26. Many news outlets, ap- TStatistics reported that of the illness, including more more and more on imports. early July to separate feuding asymmetric warfare capability its largest war games since the pipeline. That way Russia parently following the lead of the u.S. officially lost 460,000 than 3,000 hospitalizations The UK has the worst ethnic groups after riots left that could be used against the fall of the Soviet Union. The could continue to use the Venezuelan President Hugo jobs in June. For its calcula- and 127 deaths, had been re- violent crime record in the more than 190 people dead U.S. to devastating effect. exercises near the Georgian threat of cutting off gas sup- Chavez, reported his legal tions, the bureau automati- ported to the cdc. EU, according to reports by and hundreds more injured. During President Barack border raised tensions just plies as a geopolitical weapon. removal by the judiciary and cally adds between 150,000 The Christian Science the European Commission Chinese officials allege that Obama’s visit to Moscow in under a year after Russia’s replacement by his constitu- and 200,000 jobs. The actual Monitor reported on July 9 and the United Nations. For the fighting between Mus- early July, America and russia invasion of Georgia. Russia’s tionally mandated successor job loss was probably closer to that Britain, formerly an em- every 100,000 residents there lim Uighurs and ethnic Han signed an agreement that will Defense Ministry said that as a “coup.” On July 15, Ro- 600,000. When discouraged pire, now faces big military are 2,034 instances of violent Chinese was whipped up by allow U.S. military transport more than 8,500 troops, 200 LATIN berto Micheletti, the interim and “underemployed” workers cuts: “[A]t a time of over- crime. The UK also reported U.S.-exiled Uighur activist tanks, armored vehi- president, offered to resign are included, the unemploy- whelming public support for the fourth-highest burglary Rebiya Kadeer and her over- cles, 100 artillery units AMERICA/ as long as Mr. Zelaya was not ment rate is already above its service men and women, rate (523 per 100,000) in the EU seas supporters. The ethnic and several units from reinstated. Three days earlier, 16 percent, and duration of the global recession is causing and the fifth-highest robbery violence may be a sign that Russia’s Black Sea AFRICA Micheletti said Zelaya could unemployment now is at an Britain to face hard choices rate (164 per 100,000). Com- China’s economic slowdown is naval fleet took part he United States and be granted amnesty as long as all-time high. Although exact about its future military role paring Britain’s current rates becoming more severe, at least in the week-long exer- TVenezuela are restoring he returned home quietly to data from the 1930s is unavail- in the world—putting at risk to the late 1990s, the number in the interior provinces. cises. Just a few weeks full diplomatic ties, with their face any legal consequences. able, economists are seeing plans to build new aircraft of violent crimes in Britain The World Tribune re- earlier, nato held its ambassadors having returned This behavior reinforces the 2009 mimic the early stages of carriers and heralding conse- has risen almost 80 percent. ported July 7 that Chinese own military exercises to each other’s countries in obvious: There was no mili- the Great Depression. quences for everything from military experts are calling in Georgia. “The Rus- June. But Venezuelan Presi- tary coup in honduras. The federal deficit topped operations alongside the U.S. for the setting up of military sian exercises, given dent Hugo Chavez has already Zimbabwe has secured $1 trillion in June for the in Afghanistan to whether the

18 September 2009 The Philadelphia Trumpet DAVID SILVermAN/AFp/GettY ImAGeS; AFp/GettY ImAGeS mArWAN NAAmANI/AFp/GettY ImAGeS WorldWatCh reports that he and his Saudi lambasted President Obama $950 million in credit lines patrons are “formulating a more than once and is con- from China as well as pledges new working relationship tinuing to build relationships totaling more than $500 with the Shiite militant group with Iran and China that will million from the U.S. and that protects and pays tribute undermine U.S. interests in Europe. The tattered country to the ‘Resistance’” (June 16). the region. For now, Venezuela says it needs $10 billion to Fearing Hezbollah would take still needs the U.S. When that rebuild its infrastructure. Un- matters into its own hands is no longer the case, expect employment is at 90 percent. violently, Hariri has set out to Chavez to close the door again. South africa’s Medical appease the group by giving it Meanwhile, the Venezuelan Research Council (mrc) has security guarantees, meaning president is continuing his released a shocking survey: Hezbollah will not be called war on his country’s media, One in four South African upon to disarm. promising to take over more males admits to having raped than 200 radio stations and someone, with about half say- bring cable television under ing they had multiple victims. government oversight. The survey included 1,738 ASIA argentina’s President Cris- men in the Eastern Cape and fter testing its first tina Fernandez de Kirchner KwaZulu-Natal. According first time ever. It could grow uk remains nuclear-armed.” Anuclear bomb on Inde- suffered a major political de- to bbc News, the mrc said to nearly $2 trillion by this Britain’s defense forces are pendence Day three years feat in June 28 elections when that “practices such as gang fall, intensifying fears about undergoing a full-scale offi- ago, and then detonating its her party lost its majority and rape were common because higher interest rates, inflation cial review for the first time in second nuclear bomb this her husband, himself a former they were considered a form and the strength of the dollar. more than a decade. Three of past Memorial Day, north president of Argentina, lost of male bonding” (June 18). The deficit has been widened Britain’s most influential in- korea chose July 4 this year the election for a parliamen- Seventy-three percent of re- by the huge sum the govern- dependent research institutes to launch seven missiles east- tary seat in Buenos Aires. spondents said they carried ment has spent to ease the forecast that Britain’s defense ward into the Sea of Japan, While President Fernandez’s out their first attack before recession, combined with a budget will be drastically cut. likely in an effort to demon- space forces, an indication flights through Russian air- the timing, are a definitive populist policies they were 20 years old. sharp decline in tax revenues Britain is also facing an strate it would not hesitate to that Beijing is moving ahead space to supply U.S. and nato response,” said Russia’s envoy have backfired, One in 20 admitted to and the cost of the wars in “energy crunch” in the North seek to overwhelm the missile with plans to wage space war troops in Afghanistan. A cap to nato, Dmitri O. Rogozin. she may well try committing a rape in Iraq and Afghanistan. Foreign Sea. New oil and gas explora- defense systems of its enemies. in a future conflict. The Bei- of 4,500 flights per year has Russia’s growing power and to push through the last year. For every investors, on whom the U.S. is tion there plunged almost The U.S. State Department jing Zhongguo Xinwen She, been put in place, however, confidence are becoming in- as many of her 25 men accused of dangerously reliant—includ- 60 percent in the first half spokesman’s response was to the official news service for which, while shortening the creasingly visible. agenda items as rape in South Africa, ing some American allies like of this year. Companies are say, “This type of North Ko- overseas Chinese, reported supply line, will not allow a Russia’s energy weapons are possible before however, only one is France and india—are ques- cutting back on new projects rean behavior is not helpful.” that space is now a fourth do- greater quantity of supplies growing stronger too. Russia the newly elected convicted. tioning whether it’s a good because the recession is forc- Such a response reinforces the main after land, sea and air. to reach Afghanistan. It is signed a major deal with azer- legislators idea to invest in the dollar. ing costs higher and making international perception of In 2007, China tested its first land routes through Russian baijan on June 29 to purchase take office in The Centers for Disease credit tighter. The majority America’s weakness. anti-satellite weapon by firing territory that the U.S. really natural gas beginning next December. Control and Prevention (cdc) of the UK’s energy needs are thousands of Chinese a ground-based missile that wants—and a deal on this is year. Moscow wants to be- The Honduran Supreme ANGLO- stated in late June that up to supplied domestically, but troops flooded into urumqi, destroyed a Chinese weather unlikely without a great deal come the middleman between Court ordered the military 1 million americans may be with domestic production a Chinese city of 2.5 mil- satellite. The test shocked U.S. of haggling and a substantial Azerbaijan and Europe, and to remove President manuel AMERICA carrying the new h1n1 swine dropping 5 percent every year, lion near the Pakistan and military planners because pay-off for Russia. remove a potential supplier Zelaya from office on June he Bureau of Labor flu. Nearly 28,000 U.S. cases Britain is being forced to rely Afghanistan borders, in it demonstrated a strategic On June 29, Russia began for europe’s planned nabucco 26. Many news outlets, ap- TStatistics reported that of the illness, including more more and more on imports. early July to separate feuding asymmetric warfare capability its largest war games since the pipeline. That way Russia parently following the lead of the u.S. officially lost 460,000 than 3,000 hospitalizations The UK has the worst ethnic groups after riots left that could be used against the fall of the Soviet Union. The could continue to use the Venezuelan President Hugo jobs in June. For its calcula- and 127 deaths, had been re- violent crime record in the more than 190 people dead U.S. to devastating effect. exercises near the Georgian threat of cutting off gas sup- Chavez, reported his legal tions, the bureau automati- ported to the cdc. EU, according to reports by and hundreds more injured. During President Barack border raised tensions just plies as a geopolitical weapon. removal by the judiciary and cally adds between 150,000 The Christian Science the European Commission Chinese officials allege that Obama’s visit to Moscow in under a year after Russia’s replacement by his constitu- and 200,000 jobs. The actual Monitor reported on July 9 and the United Nations. For the fighting between Mus- early July, America and russia invasion of Georgia. Russia’s tionally mandated successor job loss was probably closer to that Britain, formerly an em- every 100,000 residents there lim Uighurs and ethnic Han signed an agreement that will Defense Ministry said that as a “coup.” On July 15, Ro- 600,000. When discouraged pire, now faces big military are 2,034 instances of violent Chinese was whipped up by allow U.S. military transport more than 8,500 troops, 200 LATIN berto Micheletti, the interim and “underemployed” workers cuts: “[A]t a time of over- crime. The UK also reported U.S.-exiled Uighur activist tanks, armored vehi- president, offered to resign are included, the unemploy- whelming public support for the fourth-highest burglary Rebiya Kadeer and her over- cles, 100 artillery units AMERICA/ as long as Mr. Zelaya was not ment rate is already above its service men and women, rate (523 per 100,000) in the EU seas supporters. The ethnic and several units from reinstated. Three days earlier, 16 percent, and duration of the global recession is causing and the fifth-highest robbery violence may be a sign that Russia’s Black Sea AFRICA Micheletti said Zelaya could unemployment now is at an Britain to face hard choices rate (164 per 100,000). Com- China’s economic slowdown is naval fleet took part he United States and be granted amnesty as long as all-time high. Although exact about its future military role paring Britain’s current rates becoming more severe, at least in the week-long exer- TVenezuela are restoring he returned home quietly to data from the 1930s is unavail- in the world—putting at risk to the late 1990s, the number in the interior provinces. cises. Just a few weeks full diplomatic ties, with their face any legal consequences. able, economists are seeing plans to build new aircraft of violent crimes in Britain The World Tribune re- earlier, nato held its ambassadors having returned This behavior reinforces the 2009 mimic the early stages of carriers and heralding conse- has risen almost 80 percent. ported July 7 that Chinese own military exercises to each other’s countries in obvious: There was no mili- the Great Depression. quences for everything from military experts are calling in Georgia. “The Rus- June. But Venezuelan Presi- tary coup in honduras. The federal deficit topped operations alongside the U.S. for the setting up of military sian exercises, given dent Hugo Chavez has already Zimbabwe has secured $1 trillion in June for the in Afghanistan to whether the

DAVID SILVermAN/AFp/GettY ImAGeS; AFp/GettY ImAGeS mArWAN NAAmANI/AFp/GettY ImAGeS The Philadelphia Trumpet September 2009 19 introduction of the theme of globalism, calling for all peoples to live as one com- munity working for the common good, in his encyclical titled “Mater et Magistra” (“Christianity and Social Progress”), is- sued May 15, 1961. This publicized the concept of a global “common market,” working for the good of the “global com- munity,” themes deeply embedded in the general philosophy that undergirds the EU. The theme of solidarity then threaded its way into Catholic social doctrine with the release of the encyclical “Populorum Progressio” (“The Development of Peo- ples”) by Pope Paul vi, March 26, 1967. Twenty years later, “Solidarity” became the motto of the Vatican-sponsored Polish workers’ movement, which underpinned the effort to break the Communist yoke on Eastern Europe, thus enabling the EU to build its long-awaited eastern leg (Dan- iel 2:33). On the eve of that momentous change in the map of Europe, Pope John Paul ii marked the 20th anniversary of Pope Benedict and “Populorum Progressio” with the release of his own encyclical on social doctrine, “Sollicitudo Rei Socialis” (“On the Social Concerns of the Church”), Dec. 30, 1987. National Socialism— That encyclical, produced less than two years before the fall of the Berlin Wall, was a reflection on the great social changes the Connection that had affected the world over the previ- ous 20 years, destined to consummate in the collapse of Communist rule in Eastern Europe at the turn of the last decade of the Few commentators have picked up on the connec- 20th century. tion between the pope’s recent encyclical on the In his latest encyclical, Pope Benedict xvi expresses the conviction that Pope global economy and Nazi ideology. By Ron Fraser Paul vi’s “Populorum Progressio” “de- serves to be considered ‘the “Rerum No- varum” of the present age,’ shedding light ause and effect. There’s a bind- traditionally known as Catholic social doc- upon humanity’s journey towards unity.” ing universal law that connects the trine. It is crucial to understand the true It is a peculiarity of papal encyclicals two. So it is with Pope Benedict source of this thinking. It traces back much on social doctrine that—from the found- Cxvi’s recent, long-awaited encyc- further in history than most people realize. ing document defining Catholic social lical, “Caritas in Veritate” (“In Charity doctrine, Leo’s “Rerum Novarum,” to Paul and Truth”). That encyclical is inherently State Intervention vi’s overtly socialist “Popularum Progres- joined to a consistent theme that has run Catholic social doctrine is founded upon so”—all support the intervention of the through Catholic social doctrine over the Pope Leo xiii’s encyclical “Rerum Novar- state in economic planning and control, past 120 years, finding its most extreme um” (“On the Condition of Labor”), issued rather than the free enterprise system. political outlet in the National Socialism in 1891 in response to the tensions between This, of course, has ancient origins that gripped Europe in the wake of the capital and labor in the wake of the Indus- tracking back to the interventionism of great global crisis of the 1920s and ’30s. trial Revolution. It endorsed an essentially the Holy Roman Empire, and even more Is it entirely coincidental that this pope socialist approach to economic control. anciently to old Babylon. would choose the worst global economic Building upon that theme, Pope Pius xi Knowing the history of Rome’s ap- crisis since the Great Depression to pro- issued his encyclical of May 15, 1931, titled proach to economic theory and, more foundly endorse those same principles “Quadragesimo Anno” (“On the Recon- importantly, the Bible prophecies that be- that laced the economic theories of fas- struction of the Social Order”). The text speak its effect on our immediate future, cism and Nazism just one lifetime ago of that encyclical introduced the concept it ought to come as no surprise that Pope during a similar crisis? of subsidiarity that has long since become Benedict has endorsed such a central role Pope Benedict’s encyclical is the latest a catch cry of the European Union. for the state. In fact, reading both the lines contribution to Catholic economic theory, Pope John xxiii followed up with the and in between the lines of his latest encyc-

20 September 2009 The Philadelphia Trumpet GETTY IMAGES lical, this pope is calling for a world order eration for the development of all peoples claimed today” (Cambridge Encyclopedia). regulated and controlled by a central power in solidarity. To manage the global economy Lassalle founded the first workers’ party that would govern the world economy. … there is urgent need of a true world polit- in Germany, the General German Work- And what does he think that central ical authority …. Such an authority would ers’ Association, which later changed its power should be? need to be regulated by law, to observe con- name to the Social Democratic Party un- sistently the principles of subsidiarity and der Hitler’s finance minister, Dr. Hjalmar A World Political Authority solidarity, to seek to establish the common Schacht. It is said Schacht played a cru- Here’s a hint. Check the vocabulary of the good …” (emphasis mine). cial role in bringing the Hitler regime to public communication surrounding the Where is there, today, a political, jurid- power, laying the economic and financial one institution—a “common market”— ical and economic order, a common mar- foundation for the Third Reich (Executive that possesses an overwhelming lust to ket, established for the “common good” Intelligence Review, July 16, 2004). become a recognized world power despite under central control, incorporating the It is a fact of our own recent history its present hodgepodge of 27 differing principles of subsidiarity and solidarity? that, to use Benedict’s own terms, “a politi- bickering nationalities. Which great trad- We need look no further than that very cal, juridical and economic order which can ing empire has used the following terms German-Roman Catholic idea that has increase and give direction to international in the process of its evolution to global become a political reality in the form of cooperation for the development of all peo- power status: “one community,” “solidar- the European Union. ples in solidarity [and] manage the global ity,” “subsidiarity”—terms that come right If we truly can connect the dots be- economy” has already been tried. It was ag- out of encyclicals on the global economy tween Pope Benedict’s latest encyclical, gressively pursued between 1939 and 1945 emanating from Rome? the Germanic European Union, the EU- by those who slavishly followed that same If you guessed the European Union, controlled Financial Stability Board (to social doctrine as propounded by Lassalle, you’re right on the money! whose regulatory power all major world von Ketteler and Pope Leo xiii. The result was the annihilation of over 60 million souls and the devastation of the Pope Benedict’s call for a global “new economies of literally dozens of nations! If you are still with us, here’s the big one. financial order” is based upon the very Where can you find, in your own Bible, di- vinely inspired prophecies of a world power foundational tenets of fascism and Nazism! that reflects such ideological origins, fore- cast to be extant in our day, today? Now, which institution has maneu- economies must now submit) and the ori- Our long-time readers will go straight vered to have all 20 of the world’s greatest gins of Catholic social doctrine, then we to Revelation chapters 12, 13 and 17. There’s economies sign up to one central power, will begin to understand that we are being a direct connection between those proph- one governing global authority, to regulate led by the nose down the road to global ecies and Pope Benedict’s latest encyclical. their individual and collective national disaster. Believe it or not, Pope Benedict xvi’s economies? Here’s the real shocker. Pope Benedict’s encyclical released July 7, titled “Caritas in You’re right if you again guessed the EU! call for a global “new financial order” is Veritate,” is the most powerful sign that Finally, which head of a powerful reli- based upon the very foundational tenets we have yet seen of the rise of that power gious institution has recently recommend- of fascism and Nazism! prophesied in your Bible as destined to ed that the world submit to a singular cen- exert its brutal rule over the whole global tral authority to govern the world economy? The Nazi Connection economy for a brief moment in time! n Pope Benedict xvi, in “Caritas in Veritate.” The connection between the fathers of Connect the dots. both National Socialist doctrine and There’s much more yet to be said on this The cruncher is contained in paragraph modern Catholic social doctrine is irre- subject. Tune in to the Key of David televi- 67 of chapter 5 of this latest papal missive. futable. One of the principal minds that sion program to monitor its progress. As It is a statement that has been anticipated crafted the earliest economic philosophy you do, study the prophecies by many, ever since Herbert Armstrong of 20th-century Nazism belonged to Ger- referred to above with an open prophesied over 70 years ago of its com- man theologian and politician Wilhelm mind. To assist you in this pro- ing reality “in our time.” Here are relevant Emmanuel Freiherr von Ketteler. cess, request our free booklets excerpts from that section of Benedict’s As bishop of Mainz, von Ketteler had Who or What Is the Prophetic message, which was released July 7 to co- profound influence on the framing of Beast?, The Rising Beast—Ger- incide with the meeting of the leaders of Pope Leo xiii’s encyclical “Rerum No- many’s Conquest of the Balkans, the top eight economies of the world at the varum.” He was a disciple of Ferdinand and Daniel Unlocks Revelation. G-8 summit in L’Aquila, Italy: “[T]here is Lassalle, a German Jewish socialist and The study of these booklets is a a strongly felt need, even in the midst of a political activist of whom it was said, must if you wish to truly compre- global recession, for a reform of … econom- “Lassalle was the first man in Germany, hend current world events and ic institutions and international finance, so the first in Europe, who succeeded in or- where they are imminently lead- that the concept of the family of nations ganizing a party of socialist action. Nev- ing—toward the direct interven- can acquire real teeth. … This seems neces- ertheless, if he had not unfortunately tion in world affairs by the Savior sary in order to arrive at a political, juridi- been born a Jew, Lassalle could also be of mankind to enforce the only cal and economic order which can increase hailed as a forerunner in the vast halls global government guaranteed to and give direction to international coop- where National Socialism [Nazism] is ac- bring peace to all nations!

The Philadelphia Trumpet September 2009 21 f you were given the perfect country, could you mess it up as bad as California? Begin with fertile, pro- A State of Iductive, well-irrigated soils capable of growing just about anything. Add vast agricultural tracts and miles upon miles of wine country with lush, bountiful vine- Emergency yards. Include majestic mountain ranges containing rich deposits of gold, silver and other useful metals, and covered with California has thick, immense forests with every type of been the most timber imaginable. Toss in critical navi- gable rivers to move these resources to blessed state in market. Insert vast oil and natural gas de- the Union. Today posits while you are at it, along with wind, water, geothermal and solar resources. it is the most Give it a long coastline with beautiful troubled. If it goes beaches, plentiful fresh water, ocean fish- eries, many natural harbors, a well-con- down, will it take nected transportation grid with first-class America with it? roads, rails and airports too. By Robert Morley Bestow all the natural building blocks necessary for a well-balanced, diversified, leading economy that is virtually guaran- teed to bring unparalleled prosperity to your people—a smorgasbord of natural blessings. Then on top of it all, throw in days spent skiing at sunrise on Lake Tahoe and swimming at sunset in San Francisco the same day. This is the Golden State. Yet California is imploding. And it is dragging the rest of the country with it. California is home to America’s lead- ing manufacturing belt, the nation’s larg- est high-tech center (Silicon Valley), and one of its most productive agricultural ar- eas (the Central Valley). As a stand-alone economy, it is bigger than Canada, Brazil, India and even Russia. It is also the most bearish outlook Gov. populous state, with one in eight Ameri- Arnold Schwarzenegger has a cans calling California home. beast of a fiscal crisis on his But just look at the next headline you back and almost no hope of see that says “California.” Whether it’s getting California back on top. an article on finance, economics, govern- ment, crime, morals or some other sub- ject, it’s sure to be announcing bad news. The glaring question is: What went hurting the people of California,” Gov. followed a string of executive orders is- wrong? This is important to answer. With Arnold Schwarzenegger said in June. sued to save an agriculture sector on the California being America’s most impor- “These are dire circumstances—no wa- brink. On June 4, 2008, Schwarzenegger tant economy and most populous state, ter means no work—and no work means issued an executive order proclaiming what happens there can’t help but affect people cannot feed their families. This a statewide drought. Four days later, he the rest of the nation. As famed investor drought is truly an emergency ….” Al- ratcheted it up to a state of emergency for Warren Buffet once remarked, “If Califor- though the Central Valley contains less 9 of 18 Central Valley counties. Then, this nia prospers, the country prospers,” but than 1 percent of the total farmland in the February, he proclaimed a state of emer- “if California has troubles, the country United States, it produces close to 8 per- gency for the entire state. has troubles.” cent of the nation’s agricultural output by California received only 53 percent of Sadly, California is going down quickly. value. its normal rainfall in 2007 and 58 percent Schwarzenegger declared Califor- in 2008. Up to June this year, it had re- Agricultural Collapse nia’s Fresno County a disaster zone and ceived only 77 percent of normal volumes. “California’s Central Valley is our na- took the extreme step of asking President Around 450,000 acres of normally prime tion’s agricultural engine, and unemploy- Barack Obama to declare the region a fed- agricultural land are lying fallow this year ment here is devastating the economy and eral disaster zone as well. The declaration in California due to water shortages. And

22 September 2009 The Philadelphia Trumpet getty images the drought is an emergency for more job growth and sending jobs out of state— than just the farmers. Before the Spanish and out of country. arrived in 1769, there were 12 large natu- The New York Times reported that Cal- In Numbers ral lakes in California. Today, four have ifornian businesses are being slammed by been completely de-watered for agricul- new requirements to curb carbon dioxide percentage of ture. Man-made reservoirs are running emissions at a time when they are already normal rainfall low, and sedimentation is reducing even struggling to survive in a very tough econ- 58 received in ‘08. their remaining lifespans. Los Angeles omy. In 2006, the state passed laws to curb announced in February what was, in ef- carbon dioxide emissions from all eco- fect, water rationing for the first time in nomic sectors, including transportation, Unemployment its 200-plus-year history. manufacturing and real-estate develop- 11.6 as of June ment. The result: People are paying more Fisheries in Crisis to travel and make purchases, and manu- On April 21, Governor Schwarzenegger facturers are moving out of state or to Percent decline also renewed a state of emergency for Cal- places like China, taking jobs with them. in exports from ifornia’s fishing industry, citing a “com- And just look at the real-estate industry. 25 1 year ago. mercial fishery failure due to a fishery re- CalPortland’s formerly profitable source disaster.” This is the second year in Mount Slover limestone cement facility is a row that both the commercial and recre- a powerful example. The state of Califor- Percent of residents ational fisheries will be closed statewide. nia says the company must reduce carbon who are illegal Last year’s declaration, which stemmed dioxide emissions by 12 percent per ton 7 immigrants. from the sudden collapse of the Chinook of cement. The company estimates that salmon in California’s Sacramento River, to retrofit its operations will cost in ex- was the first such ban in 160 years. cess of $220 million—for just one plant. real unemployment rate, after including California has a rich history of fishing. There is not nearly enough limestone in those people who are stuck working part- Back in the winter of 1883 to 1884, more its quarry to justify such an expense. This time and those who have given up look- than 700,000 salmon from the Monterey plant, which has produced cement for over ing for work, is closer to 20 percent. The Bay Delta alone were caught and 100 years, will probably be shut unemployment rate may be even greater in processed. But today, there are Los Angeles down. Workers will be laid off. counties such as Los Angeles, due to losses no commercial fish canneries announced in The state will take a tax revenue in what the Los Angeles Business Journal in operation—a result of habi- hit. Future shipments of cement calls “informal employment”—involving tat destruction. There are other February what will probably be imported from cash for hire, off-company books, and un- reasons California’s fisheries are was, in effect, Mexico. counted illegal workers. suffering as well. Every manufacturer across And the unemployment rate is prob- River water volumes are water rationing the state will be subject to what ably about to get dramatically worse, espe- plummeting due to irrigation for the first time is essentially a massive carbon cially since the state budget is in such a big and other industrial use. As less tax. So multiply CalPortland’s hole. Moody’s ratings agency joined Stan- water reaches the oceans, the in its 200-plus- problems by the thousands. dard & Poor’s investors service and Fitch river deltas get inundated with year history. All this environmental Ratings in warning the state that if it does saline sea water, destroying regulation and strangulation not resolve its enormous budget woes, the ecosystems. Fish populations struggle to couldn’t come at a much worse time for agency will be forced to lower the state’s make it to open ocean water. Lower water California. credit rating several notches again. The volumes also provide less nutrients and state’s credit rating largely determines the feed for fish populations. Toxic chemical Economic Collapse cost of borrowing money from the mar- discharges take their toll too. It is economic judgment day in California. ket. In California’s case, it already has the “It breaks my heart to report this,” said In spite of its natural resources, the state’s worst rating of any state in the country and author and fisheries sustainability expert economy and budget are in a complete is having extreme difficulty finding any Alex Rose. “I believe we are at the tipping shambles. lenders at a price it can afford. point. The Pacific salmon fishery may very On April 17, Governor Schwarzenegger The federal government can’t neces- well go the way of the Grand Banks cod.” declared a state of emergency for unem- sarily be relied on for a bailout either. “[I]n a generation we’ve gone from un- ployment. He said that the “current and After bailing out an insurance company, believable abundance to a crisis,” he said. continuing economic downturn and re- a credit card company, Fannie Mae and sulting unemployment” represented “con- Freddie Mac, underwater homeowners, Suffocating Environmental Regulation ditions of extreme peril to the safety of per- the Wall Street big banks, General Motors A crisis of another sort is strangling Cali- sons and property” in California. At that and Chrysler, President Obama said in fornian industries. California has some of time, state unemployment was 11.2 per- May that he would not bail out states and the most progressive environmental laws cent—which was then the highest for the advised California to “make some very in the world. It needs environmental laws, state since statistics began to be collected, difficult choices.” because vast swaths of the state are a pol- and far above the national average of 8.5 In July, California began issuing over luted mess. percent. Since then, the situation has wors- $3 billion worth of ious to contractors and However, misdirected and poorly ened. As of June, unemployment stood at state employees in lieu of payments owed. timed environmentalism is also inhibiting a new record high: 11.6 percent. And the But California is seen as such a credit

The Philadelphia Trumpet September 2009 23 risk, many big banks, including Bank of report, the state spends billions of dollars “functionally bankrupt,” as one legislator America, Wells Fargo & Co., J.P. Morgan per year on illegal immigration costs— from New Jersey described her state. Chase & Co. have refused to cash Califor- primarily for prisons and jails, schools And the federal government isn’t in nia’s ious. and emergency rooms. Then there are the any better shape than the states. That is Massive spending cuts will be needed costs to other parts of local government, why President Obama doesn’t want to bail to cover the projected $24 billion deficit— including police and fire protection, high- out California. Washington is afraid that which means thousands more teachers, way maintenance, libraries and other pub- if it bails out one state, it will have to bail police, firemen and garbage collectors will lic services. Additionally, the state spends out them all. lose their jobs. The Anderson Forecast hundreds of millions of dollars per year “[P]eople always say that the United projects that Schwarzenegger’s budget providing welfare for the U.S.-born babies States maybe has to bail out California,” cuts will eventually result in 64,000 job of illegal aliens. And since most illegals noted Schwarzenegger when he declared cuts from state government plus countless hold low-paying jobs and are often paid an economic state of emergency on July 1. private-sector and local government jobs. under the table, the amount paid back to But “who is to say that the United States The slowing economy is reflected in the state in taxes does not nearly cover should bail us out? We are actually in the now eerily quiet great ports of Los what the state gives out. much better shape than the United States.” Angeles, Long Beach and San Francisco. But here is the rub. With the state in The scary thing is, he’s right. Clobbered by the weak global economy, such economic distress, employers shed- exports from California fell 25.5 percent in ding jobs and banks no longer indiscrimi- What Went Wrong? April from a year earlier. Massive tankers nately giving out home mortgages, some The Trumpet has repeatedly written about sit idle. Air traffic is down too. Exports illegals are heading back south of the bor- the many curses California has experi- from San Francisco International Airport der. And when they go, they take whatever enced in recent decades—the fires, the plummeted 34 percent. money they have accumulated with them. drought, the riots, the earthquakes and Green shoots are nowhere to be found, so on. Of course, many scoff at the idea according to Money and Markets’ Martin California: A Harbinger that an ever living, supremely powerful Weiss. He says California is home to the As ugly as conditions are in California, God is actually intervening in the affairs highest concentration of 90-days-past- they are an indicator of what is to come of mankind. due mortgages in the country. And the for the rest of the country. Where did the Abraham Lincoln didn’t. “I believe,” number of foreclosures is continuing to housing bubble first form? California. Lincoln said, “that it is meet and right to skyrocket. So the housing and real-estate Where did the housing bubble first burst? recognize and confess the presence of the industries that provided the jobs during California. Where did the first banks that Almighty Father equally in our triumphs failed—IndyMac Bank, and in those sorrows which we may justly Countrywide Finan- fear are a punishment inflicted upon us cial and Washington for our presumptuous sins to the needful Mutual—come from? end of our reformation” (emphasis mine). California. Where did Just as God rewards us for obedience the bulk of the job loss- to His laws, He lovingly punishes us for es first hit? California. disobedience so we might be reformed, What state pioneered Lincoln said. the industry-stran- It is this God who has set before all get in line gling environmental of mankind two ways of life: the way of Business is regulations that feder- blessings and the way of curses, as it good at the al politicians are now says in Deuteronomy 28. God will not Golden State’s seeking to copy? Yes, force us to choose His way. But we all must unemployment California too. make a choice. And there are consequenc- offices. California is a lead- es, whether good or bad. If we choose the ing indicator of state way that results in curses, no amount of budgetary problems as wishful thinking will magically transform the boom years are probably not coming well. Every single state except North Da- a curse into a blessing. back anytime soon. kota and Montana faced budget deficits In the case of California—and Amer- “California’s day of reckoning is here,” this year. All but four states eventually ica—we are now experiencing the curses. Schwarzenegger told the state legislature balanced their budgets, but the reality is But there is hope, and it is found in the in June. “Our wallet is empty. Our bank is that few of those states would have had reason America had such a lavish array closed. Our credit is dried up.” any hope of balancing their budgets if the of fantastic physical blessings in the first federal government hadn’t given them a place. If you believe your Bible, those bless- Immigration Problem one-time lump-sum stimulus package of ings were a direct result of a promise God California is home to an estimated 2.7 $135 billion. The crisis has only been tem- made 4,000 years ago to the great patriarch million illegal immigrants—an astound- porarily postponed. The money will soon Abraham. Request a free copy of The Unit- ing 7 percent of the state’s population. be spent, and the state funding gap for fis- ed States and Britain in Prophecy to see the While a low-paid workforce comes with cal year 2010 alone is projected to be $166 prophecies of how and why those blessings some benefits for the state, the net costs billion. If the economy doesn’t improve, would be taken away—and of when the are substantial. the rest of America will be in the same loving God would ultimately restore them According to a Los Angeles Times boat next year that California is in today: again to a chastened people. n

24 September 2009 The Philadelphia Trumpet getty images, alexey nikolsky/afp/getty images cal alliance developing in Europe,” wrote Stratfor (op. cit.). It was indeed a glimpse, but it wasn’t the first. The world got a hard look at the Russian-German alliance August last year when Russia steamrolled Georgia and Ger- many barely raised an eyebrow. Trumpet Another Molotov- editor in chief Gerald Flurry wrote at the time: “I believe Germany may well have By Brad Macdonald been complicit in Russia’s plan to attack Ribbentrop Pact? Georgia!” That bold statement was sup- ported by later events. In January, when lose to midnight on Aug. 21, with Russia is thriving as its relationship Russia shut off natural gas supplies to 1939, music stopped playing on with the U.S. is melting down. Tension be- Ukraine, Germany sided with the Kremlin. Berlin radio for the following an- tween America and Germany is flaring on Now Russia has reciprocated by coming to Cnouncement: “The Reich govern- a range of issues—the war in Afghanistan, Germany’s rescue and bailing out Opel. ment and the Soviet government have the global financial crisis, Guantanamo It’s also noteworthy that every time agreed to conclude a pact of nonaggression prisoners, Russia. These are not superfi- Russia or Germany meets with America, with each other.” The Molotov-Ribbentrop cial, short-lived differences. Fundamen- soon after comes a meeting between Ber- Pact was signed two days later. Hitler had tally, Stratfor wrote, they are “symptoms of lin and Moscow. Steinmeier’s meeting allayed his primary fear; the eastern front a long-term trend—Germany’s rise to a with Putin and Medvedev in Russia in was secure. Russia was his friend. preeminent position in Europe” (June 5). June occurred just after Obama met with Eight days later, World War ii began. Berlin’s ascendancy is undermining U.S. Merkel in Dresden. In July, Medvedev got Germany and Russia have a long his- interests in Europe. Stratfor continued: “In together with Merkel shortly after meet- tory of conflict. There have been bouts almost 65 years of diplomacy following ing with Obama. Stratfor wrote that “the of cooperation, such as the Treaty of Ra- the defeat of the Third Reich, the key U.S. Russian and German leaders are present- pallo in 1922 and the Molotov-Ribbentrop strategy in Europe has been to prevent the ing a united front after every substantial Pact. But these were marriages of conve- rise of a single powerful political entity that meeting with Washington” (ibid.). nience—forged out of mutual strategic ne- could block U.S. interests in the region. The The trend is obvious: Russia and Germa- cessity before major conflict—that always Germany of 2009 is giving the United States ny are forging a relationship almost in defi- ended in divorce, often violent. the first glimmer of such an entity.” ance of the United States. Though proph- History is consistent on this point: Ger- Germany’s decision to engage Russia, ecy does foretell of a temporary warming many and Russia are not close friends. Any even though it means upsetting the U.S., is of U.S.-German relations, that will end in appearance that they are is a herald of war. a sign that “a single powerful political en- a vicious betrayal (explained in our free tity” has emerged in Europe! booklet Ezekiel: The End-Time Prophet). A Significant and Underrated Trend Russia recognizes this reality and is During a visit to Russia in June, German positioning itself accordingly. The Krem- Where Will This End? Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier lin knows European history and sees that History tells us where this will end. The praised the relationship between Russia Germany has restored itself as the domi- formation of a peace pact between Rus- and Germany, calling Russia “an indis- nant power of Europe. The Russians are sia and Germany is a sure sign that one pensable partner for Germany and the Eu- thus forging closer ties with the political, or both are preparing for an imperialistic, ropean Union” and touting “German-Rus- military and economic entity that will de- violent mission. sian cooperation as a model of interaction, termine Europe’s future. Henry Kissinger Watch German-Russian relations care- so that both sides will benefit if our poten- once famously asked: “If I want to call fully: It appears another Molotov-Rib- tial is united” (emphasis mine throughout). Europe, who do I call?” Well, the Kremlin bentrop pact is imminent. In fact, as Mr. Steinmeier’s remarks should be deeply knows exactly who to call: That’s why it Flurry wrote last year, such an agreement disturbing to students of history. “One has established a direct line to Berlin! may already exist. “I believe that Germa- cannot fault the rest of the world if it takes The Kremlin also sees the fissures in ny’s leaders may have already agreed to a Steinmeier’s comments with a bit of appre- the U.S.-German relationship and is woo- deal with Russia, a modern Hitler-Stalin hension,” mused Stratfor. “The last time ing Berlin further away from Washington. pact where Germany and Russia divide Germany and Russia ‘united their poten- Consider the Opel saga. Until recently, this countries and assets between themselves,” tial,’ the result was the Molotov-Ribben- European subsidiary of America’s General he wrote. “This agreement would allow trop Pact, which carved up Eastern Europe Motors, like gm itself, faced collapse—a each to turn its sights on other targets” between the Soviet Union and the Third collapse that would have hammered parts (Trumpet, November-December 2008). Reich in 1939” (June 11). This premier intel- of the German economy. Despite cries for He wrote that before Germany sided ligence organization sees Russian-German help from Berlin, Washington made no with Russia in the Ukraine gas crisis, be- relations through the grim prism of histo- attempt to save Opel. Seeing an oppor- fore things really began to fall apart in the ry and recognizes cause for apprehension. tunity, the Kremlin swooped in with an U.S.-Germany relationship, and before Truth is, this forming Russian-Ger- eleventh-hour deal that saved Opel—and Russia came to Germany’s aid by bailing man axis is one of the most significant the jobs of thousands of Germans. out Opel. Time and events are proving and underrated trends on the world scene! “The last-minute assist by the Kremlin that analysis correct. Significantly, Germany’s relationship might be the first glimpse of a new politi- Watch for fireworks to follow! n

The Philadelphia Trumpet September 2009 25 Keep the Ghetto Out of Your Bedroom It’s more difficult than ever. By Joel Hilliker

ornography used to be more the next time. friend’s porn hurts,” wrote Pornified author difficult to get to—confined to the This is why pornographers produce Pamela Paul. “Women view men’s relation- other side of the tracks, hiding in more and more perverted and extreme In- ship with pornography as a sign of betrayal, the hardscrabble, no-go zones of ternet sex. It’s not that people have natu- even cheating.” And so they should. theP city. The shame used to be prohibitive. rally perverse sexual appetites. They learn The horrible effects of pornography Now pornography lurks in your home, it. And often, they can’t stop. supply ample and vivid proof that the right inside your computer. All you have Society has come to portray pornogra- spiritual law of God is as much in effect to do is click. phy as exciting, fun, trendy—even healthy. today as the physical law of gravity. Two out of three 18-to-34-year-old men That’s a sick lie. Jesus Christ roundly condemned such you meet on the street use Internet pornog- images: “I say unto you, That whosoever raphy at least once a month. A survey pub- It Makes People Miserable looketh on a woman to lust after her hath lished in February by New Scientist found Men, who make up three out of four In- committed adultery with her already in his that in the U.S. the states that consume the ternet porn users, waste hours viewing heart” (Matthew 5:28). Adultery breaks the most online porn tend to be the more con- increasingly worse forms of degradation. Seventh Commandment. God outlawed it servative and religious. Eight of the top 10 Work and home life bend and warp to fit because it makes our lives miserable. porn-consuming states voted Republican the habit. These men develop perverse at- in last year’s presidential election. titudes, coming to view the opposite sex A War Against the Soul Why? In areas with higher social stig- through a shallow, highly sexualized lens, Whether you consume pornography or ma attached to such behavior, people may comparing them to the distorted images just live in this pornophilic culture, you be less inclined to visit a sex shop. But the they have become addicted to. need to know how to keep yourself pure anonymity and accessibility offered by the “The men … who become hooked on and clean. Internet is proving too great a temptation. this bilge are often miserable about it,” God doesn’t just tell us to avoid por- A 2007 ChristaNet.com poll found that wrote Mona Charen in the National Re- nography. He gives practical instruc- one in five women and half of men calling view (Dec. 19, 2008). She quoted psychia- tion—that is up-to-the-minute relevant in themselves Christian are addicted. Despite trist Norman Doidge as saying, “Pornog- today’s world—on how to do so. their publicly professed faith, in the secre- raphers promise healthy pleasure and a It isn’t easy. The Apostle Paul called it cy of their bedroom or study they view just release from sexual tension, but what they a life-and-death struggle: “Put to death, as much pornography as the next guy. often deliver is an addiction, tolerance, and therefore, whatever belongs to your earth- an eventual decrease in pleasure. Paradox- ly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, The Path to Addiction ically, the male patients I worked with of- lust, evil desires and greed, which is idola- It begins with just a mouse click. In fact, ten craved pornography but didn’t like it.” try” (Colossians 3:5, New International it begins before that, with hundreds of ad- The effects are devastating. Relation- Version). The Apostle Peter called it war: vertisements for normal products empha- ships suffer. Men lose the ability to relate “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers sizing sexuality, desensitizing your mind with and respect women. They lie about and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, and making your definition of actual por- their addictions and deceive their wives, which war against the soul” (1 Peter 2:11). nography a little more graphic. families and friends. They can’t spend Staying pure and “unspotted from the Then there are the pervasive ads, pop- time together with others and have fun world,” as James 1:27 advocates, is diffi- ups, e-mails and other lures to snag you. the same way they used to. Healthy emo- cult. But Scripture commands us to bring If you click, you can soon become hooked tion evaporates. Trust shatters. The more into captivity every thought to the obedi- on “soft” pornography. Then you want a they watch, the more mundane actual sex ence of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). little more, and a little more. That’s how becomes. Their opinion of their wives Don’t think “moderate” porn con- addiction works. Pornographers know it. and girlfriends changes. Their opinion of sumption is okay. Just a “little bit” of mud They distribute this “soft” version of for- themselves changes. in a glass of water makes it impure. Just a nication, often for free, because they know And how do the women in their lives “little bit” of poison can make food lethal. that minds will become more and more feel? “Though pressured to accept pornog- Just a “little bit” of pornography can scar numb to it, build up a “tolerance,” and raphy as a sign of being sexy and hip, many your mind. then want something a bit more perverse women admit that in practice, their boy- Human nature wants to get as close to

26 September 2009 The Philadelphia Trumpet “Pornographers promise healthy pleasure and a release from sexual tension, but what they often deliver is an addiction …” Norman Doidge

a temptation as we can. That is a guar- In many cases, willpower alone will anteed path to failure, because, as Christ not solve the problem. So often, the spirit said, “[T]he spirit indeed is willing, but is willing—but the flesh is just too weak the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41). to produce lasting change! True freedom The Bible tells us, simply and frankly: from pornography and lust cannot come Flee fornication (1 Corinthians 6:18). That from the “flesh.” means not rationalizing about what we can But it can come. “handle,” but rather being truthful with The Bible is filled with promises of spir- ourselves and with God, and seeking to haps only—moment you can make a genu- itual help in overcoming such obstacles! keep ourselves—and our families—as far ine choice to block it. Once you’ve tossed it Read this guarantee in Psalm 119:9: away from unsuitable material as possible. around mentally a few times, it can be vir- “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse To become pure, we must be vigilant tually impossible to then get rid of it before his way? by taking heed thereto according to gatekeepers for what goes into our minds. it leads to a sinful act (James 1:14-15). At thy word.” Christ Himself supported this Shun entertainment with inappropriate the first moment of temptation, break that fact in John 8:32: “And ye shall know the sexual content. Strictly avoid movies that thought before it takes root. Immediately truth, and the truth shall make you free.” contain nudity or lust-inducing sexual- force yourself to think on something else. Notice James 4:7-8: “Submit yourselves ity. Before deciding to see a movie, check The longer you let the wrong thoughts lin- therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he reviews from moral-based film critics; ger, the likelier they are to lead to action. will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and websites such as MovieGuide.org provide If you do fail, remember the command he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your much more comprehensive explanations to flee fornication. Don’t wrestle in your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, of possibly objectionable material than the mind. Don’t try to be cool, calm and col- ye double minded.” only-vaguely trustworthy mpaa system lected. Flee. Physically run—get away These are promises God makes to His employed in the United States. Consider from the source of temptation. Immedi- begotten children—those in whom, upon cutting out “r” or even “pg-13” rated mov- ately change the channel, turn off the tv, His calling them and their responding in ies altogether. walk out of the theater, turn off the com- repentance, He has imparted a measure Get a program or add-on to your In- puter, end the conversation. of His Holy Spirit. He then fulfills these ternet browser that blocks objectionable The point is, do whatever you must to promises through the power of that Spirit. material. I use ProCon Latte on Firefox. conquer the problem. Remember Christ’s This awesome spiritual power is not avail- Romans 13:14 instructs us to “make not instruction. After explaining that simply able to any but those whom He has called provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts looking lustfully can constitute adultery, and to whom He has given it upon their thereof.” The Living Bible translates this, He said, “And if thy right eye offend thee, repentance. “[D]on’t make plans to enjoy evil.” Rid pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is Perhaps God is convicting you and your life of all the temptations you can, profitable for thee that one of thy mem- calling you to repentance—a complete and then burn your bridges. bers should perish, and not that thy whole turnaround from a life of sin to a life of body should be cast into hell” (Matthew overcoming. God wants all people to come When to Win the Battle 5:29). If you have to get radical, do so. to repentance (2 Peter 3:9), but at this point What if you do find yourself drawn to- He is calling only a very few to do so. If ward sexually explicit material? Ironclad Promises you believe you may be one of them, re- Understand: It is not a sin in and of These strategies are essentially tangible, quest immediately a free copy of our po- itself to have a tempting thought. The physical means of eliminating or at least tent and convicting little booklet Repen- sin is allowing ourselves to dwell on that minimizing the temptations presented tance Toward God. It could temptation. by this world and our own minds. The be the first step toward truly That’s why it is important to become trouble is, many people have deep-rooted ridding yourself of the evils skilled at directing our thoughts—to get in sexual addictions that cannot be solved by of pornography and lust, and the habit of immediately stopping a sinful such methods. They suffer the effects of achieving the true purity line of thinking the moment we recognize childhood trauma, deep emotional empti- God wants in your life! n it. That is realistically the best—and per- ness, and/or simple entrenched habit.

istockphoto The Philadelphia Trumpet September 2009 27 Why Rest on the Sabbath Day? o you know that God has a Hebrews 7:1-3)—right here on Earth—at And so, God reveals His great purpose sign by which He recognizes the present site of the city of Jerusalem. for mankind to His obedient friends: “Let His spiritual children? And do And what was the result of this close us make man in our image, after our like- you know that only those hav- friendship? ness …” (Genesis 1:26). And, “Behold, ingD this sign will be born into His ruling Because Abraham continued in this what manner of love the Father hath be- Family? obedient relationship with God (Genesis stowed upon us, that we should be called That vital, overwhelmingly important 26:5), God promised him the greatest and the [Spirit-begotten] sons of God …. [W]e sign is God’s Sabbath day! most abundant blessings imaginable— know that, when he [Christ] shall appear, Yes—God’s Sabbath! this whole Earth for an inheritance, son- we shall be like him …”! (1 John 3:1-2). Not a “Sabbath of the Jews,” or any ship in God’s Family, and eternal life God’s plan is to create Gods out of “day” that seems more or less important with which to enjoy it! mortal mankind—very sons of God’s di- to any man, or group of men—but the But God blessed Abraham even more vine Family! Sabbath of Almighty God Himself! because of his loving obedience and mutual Notice Christ’s earnest desire to make “But,” you might ask, “what does any friendship! God placed before Abraham’s friends of humanity so they may become ‘day’ have to do with entering into the spiritual offspring—we who become his God’s Spirit-born sons: “Greater love hath happy, glorious World Tomorrow and the “seed” through Christ—the same oppor- no man than this, that a man lay down his very Kingdom of God?” tunity to receive these same great blessings! life for his friends,” Christ said (John 15:13). It has a great deal to do with it! God is always the close, loving friend Then Christ proceeded to show the To human beings using only fallible of those who obey Him. He says, “Ye are extent of His great love for mankind by human reasoning, it may seem strange my friends, if ye do whatsoever I com- laying down His own life for the world— indeed that God would place stress and mand you” (John 15:14). laying down His precious life for all who importance on a specific day of the week! It is within God’s plan to become a very would become His obedient friends—for “Why,” some might reason, “would God close friend of all who lovingly obey His you and for me! want me to rest on one day of the week wishes. And God shows great love in re- Christ is overjoyed to be the close Friend more than any other?” “What real differ- turn by doing wonderful things for them! of us all and will do great things for us if ence does it make anyhow?” ask others. God is going to shower those of us we become His obedient friends. “Submit It makes a tremendous difference—to who now learn our lessons of loving obe- yourselves therefore to God [obey Him]. … Almighty God! dience with far greater blessings than we Draw nigh [near] to God [as His obedient can imagine! He says, “Eye hath not seen, friend],” James was inspired to write, “and God Blesses the Obedient nor ear heard, neither have entered into he will draw nigh to you [as your loving Noah “walked” with God (Genesis 6:9). the heart of man, the things which God Friend and Father]” (James 4:7-8). They were that friendly! And because hath prepared for them that love Him” Noah “walked” in obedience to God, He (1 Corinthians 2:9). Sabbath Pictures Eternal “Rest” saved Noah and his family from the great In addition to Christ’s great sacrifice for us, Flood that destroyed sinful mankind (vers- God’s Purpose for Mankind what else did He say He would do? Notice: es 11-14). That was real friendship! God is love (1 John 4:8). And the way of Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that After the Flood, Abraham also became God’s love is giving and sharing. As our labour and are heavy laden [be my obe- an obedient friend of God (James 2:23, loving friend and Father, God wants to dient friends], and I will give you rest” 21). Abraham and Christ (Melchizedek) share with us the glory and riches of His (Matthew 11:28). A gift! And what kind of were very close friends (Genesis 14:18-20; Kingdom—His divine Family! rest is this?—“glorious” rest! (Isaiah 11:10).

28 September 2009 The Philadelphia Trumpet Why Rest on the Sabbath Day? As our loving Friend and Father, God spiritually speaking, “Abraham’s seed”— No Sabbath Keeping—No Holy Spirit wants to give each of us His greatest gift of those who surrender themselves to the God, who is the loving Friend of man- all—eternal life—glorious, eternal “rest” will of Christ and are spiritually begotten kind, offers us the priceless gift of His in the Kingdom of God. by the Holy Spirit. “[I]f ye be Christ’s, then Holy Spirit—a gift that imparts all the In the fourth chapter of Hebrews, the are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs accord- peace and joy the human heart really Apostle Paul plainly shows us that rest- ing to the promise” (Galatians 3:29). longs for. Yes, and ultimately eternal ing from our daily labors on God’s holy As Abraham’s “seed,” we become heirs life—eternal “rest” from this carnal, mun- Sabbath day pictures our glorious future of the same promise made to Abraham— dane life! as Spirit-born sons in God’s Family! He the promise of eternal life and sonship But to whom will God give the precious shows that Sabbath keeping actually pic- in the Kingdom of God. But that is true gift of His Holy Spirit? What does God tures rest from our struggles against sin only if we obey God and rest from all our expect of those who are recipients of His which God promises to give His obedient labors on God’s weekly Sabbath that pic- Spirit? Notice the answer in Acts 5:32: “the children (Hebrews 4:1-11). tures this glorious future. Holy [Spirit] … God hath given to them When born of Spirit, we will no longer God reveals this great spiritual truth to that obey him”—obey His Ten Command- suffer the downward pulls of our carnal those who have become sick of the pagan ments, which includes Sabbath keeping! flesh and sinful human nature. We will ways of this world and have begun to obey To carnal man, there is seemingly no then possess the mind of God in full. We Him. He reveals it as a Friend to a friend. earthly reason to keep the Sabbath. Man, will have the ability to remain perfectly But only those who continue to obey so he reasons, could rest as well on other obedient to God’s will forever! (1 John 3:9). God’s command to keep the Sabbath will days he would choose for himself. And when born into God’s Kingdom— finally enter the glorious “rest” of God’s But keeping, or not keeping, God’s Sab- when we become very Gods—we will also Kingdom and receive the gift of eternal, bath days reveals an attitude! Keeping possess the same kind of gloriously radi- spiritual life! them shows a willingness to forsake our ant and powerful spirit body that Christ own thoughts for periods of time specified and the Father now have! We will no lon- by God. It shows a willingness to learn—to ger be limited by our weak mortal bod- study, to think and to meditate on the re- ies. For it is then that we will possess the ally important matters of the universe— powerful capacity for infinite accomplish- and an attitude toward development of ment with our supremely efficient spirit God-like character! bodies! Bodies that will be, by compari- And keeping God’s Sabbath reveals an son to our weak mortal bodies, gloriously attitude of simple obedience just because efficient and effortless! God says so! To the carnal, unrepentant God promises to give us all of this mind, Sabbath keeping seems so unfath- when we become His Spirit-born sons! If you enjoyed this article, we en- omable, unnecessary and sometimes an- Isn’t it astonishing what God will do for courage you to become a student of noying! (Although to the repentant, Spir- us if we now become His obedient friends our Herbert W. Armstrong College it-begotten mind, the Sabbath is eagerly and Spirit-begotten children? looked forward to every week.) . Each Bible Correspondence Course Sabbath keeping plainly is a test of Eternal Life Offered to All Mankind month, you will receive a lesson that our attitude to reveal whether we really God promises His gift of eternal life to guides you in discovering the answers want to obey and depend on God and re- all peoples of the Earth who become, to life’s most important questions in ceive His Holy Spirit! n your own Bible. Your enroll- ment has already been paid for. Sign up today! You may also be interested in our free booklet Which Day Is the Christian Sabbath?

istock photo The Philadelphia Trumpet September 2009 29 Growing Up in the Worldwide Church of God For former members, it’s not an unfamiliar story. By Stephen Flurry

erbert W. Armstrong once I guess my eagerness and persistence fi- where they played all the “A” games. My said that 11 years of age must nally paid off. Three weeks before my 13th game was up behind the bleachers, on a be the happiest, most enjoy- birthday, I was allowed to play in a y.o.u. tiny practice court surrounded by con- able time for a young boy. To basketball tournament. The December 1982 crete walls that were barely 18 inches out- beH honest with you, there’s not a lot that tournament was in Portland, Oregon—a side the court’s out-of-bounds line. stands out in my life from that year. But five-hour drive from my house. To be in- Not a lot of hoopla surrounding those growing up in the Worldwide Church of cluded in that teenage group, on that road “B” games. It consisted of two teams of God, I do remember age 12 being the lon- trip, was one of the biggest thrills of my life. youngsters on the court with immediate gest year of my life. That was the final year It was also nerve-wracking. On Satur- family members lining the walls. But what every boy in the church had to endure be- day night, before the Sunday games, there a thrill. fore finally crossing the 13-year threshold was a family dance. The thought of asking Over the next several years, my family into what was called Youth Opportunities a teenage girl to dance was terrifying. The traversed all over the Pacific Northwest United—or y.o.u., for short. next day, before our first game, I was over- to attend y.o.u. activities. My sister and I As a 12-year-old, I went to y.o.u. bas- come with nervousness. I actually felt my played in basketball and softball games, ketball practice every week—waiting— heart pounding in my throat! ran and jumped in track meets and per- hoping—that after practice I could get in The tournament was inside a huge formed in talent shows all over Washing- on a pick-up game if the guys needed an gymnasium complex, with three full- ton, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Utah— extra player. size courts running side by side. This was in places like Pasco, Spokane, Vancouver,

30 September 2009 The Philadelphia Trumpet Seattle, Coeur d’Alene, Boise, Portland, Salt I finished his Bible correspondence course life had a tremendous impact on me per- Lake City and Missoula. It was much the as a teenager. (We have produced an up- sonally. Besides drawing me closer to my same when we moved to Oklahoma in the dated version of the course if you would parents, they strengthened my relation- middle of my teen years. From here in Ed- like to enroll.) I also studied The Missing ships with other like-minded peers who mond, we traveled to Tulsa, Stillwater, Ada Dimension in Sex every day with my dad wanted to succeed in life and avoid the and Lawton. In Texas, we visited Big Sandy, before school in junior high. common pitfalls of youth in this evil age.” Dallas and Amarillo. Everywhere we went, After high school, I applied for Ambas- I have Mr. Armstrong to thank for we stayed with members of the Worldwide sador College in Pasadena, California, and that—as well as two wonderful parents for Church of God—sometimes me along with was accepted as a freshman in the fall of upholding his biblical teachings and em- my family—and sometimes just me with a 1988. I remember vividly, like it was yes- bracing his family-oriented work. bunch of guys at a chaperon’s house. terday, the cross-country trip with my Those were some great trips. And parents, who drove me from Oklahoma to Radically Transformed sometimes things would happen during drop me off at my new home. Earlier this year, Worldwide Church of God those excursions to make the journey It was the opportunity of a lifetime. officials announced that they had changed more memorable—like one time when Besides offering a Bible-based educa- the name of their church to “Grace Com- a snowstorm blocked the roads over the tion that concentrated on teaching young munion International.” The church’s presi- Cascades and we had to spend an extra people how to live, Ambassador was like dent, Joseph Tkach—who is the son of Mr. night with church members at a remote y.o.u., Packwood Lake, weekend tourna- Armstrong’s handpicked successor, Joseph location. I also have fond memories of the ments, youth camp, family get-togethers Tkach Sr.—explained the change to church traditional stops at pizza parlors on the and summer jobs all wrapped in one. members this way: “We are a church that way home from tournaments. During my freshman year, along with God has changed radically from what we My sister and I also attended World- nine other AC students, I ran the Los An- once were to what we are today.” wide Church of God youth camps in Orr, geles marathon. And in a way, that mara- The church I grew up in has indeed Minnesota, and Big Sandy, Texas. As won- thon was a lot like my teenage life. When been radically transformed. Over the derful as my upbringing was, I still have to I started, I thought it would last forever. past 20 years, the Tkach administration say that my first camp experience in Orr, But soon enough it was all over. It all went has denounced Herbert W. Armstrong. when I was 15, dramatically altered my life by so fast. To this day, when I hear people parroting for the better. It gave me a burning desire But what a wonderful upbringing I Tkachism propaganda about how horrible to attend Ambassador College, which had as a youth in the Worldwide Church it was to be a member of the Worldwide Herbert W. Armstrong established in 1947. of God—the things I learned, the places Church of God, I have to wonder: Are they Besides y.o.u., our family enjoyed nu- I saw, the people I met and the many, referring to the same church I grew up in? merous other outings with our local church many experiences I had. I had an excit- To read much more about the church congregation—like the time we hiked 8 ing, interest-packed life as a teenager in Mr. Armstrong established—and the ca- miles to Packwood Lake, where no cars or the Worldwide Church of God, which co- bal of leaders who took control of the motorized boats were allowed. I remember incided with the last years of Herbert W. church he founded, after pledging to “fol- how excited several of the dads were to help Armstrong’s long, productive life. low in his footsteps,” and then proceeded my father understand the intricacies of As I wrote in Raising the Ruins, “These to methodically destroy all he had built— fishing. My dad was never much of an out- many youth activities established and em- request your free copy of Raising the Ru- doorsman. And so they worked with him, phasized at the end of Mr. Armstrong’s ins. We’ll even pay for the shipping. n told him all about special kinds of bait and lures needed for this particular lake. Several hours later, after about a dozen disappointed fishermen returned to the campsite empty-handed, my father showed What happened up with two beautiful rainbow trout. He was the only one who caught anything! My parents also encouraged my sister to the Worldwide and me to participate in extracurricular activities at school. They always taught us to look upon our weekly Sabbath obser- vance not as an obstacle, but as an oppor- Church of God? tunity. So what if I couldn’t play basketball You’ve read it, serialized, in the Trumpet magazine. games on Friday nights or with the con- Now receive a free personal copy of this full-length, cert band on Saturdays—I could do those hardcover book. This is the shocking, gripping untold things on Tuesdays or Thursdays! My sister and I also worked numerous story of the doctrinal hijacking and spiritual destruc- jobs and side-jobs outside the home. I threw tion of the WCG after the death of its founder. It is newspapers, flipped burgers, sanded and the story of the life-and-death, six-year court battle refinished hardwood floors, mowed lawns, that ensued when a faith-filled few held fast to Mr. planted flowers and made photocopies. Armstrong’s mission and sought to defend his legacy. Through it all, following my parents’ Request your free copy of Raising the Ruins today. lead, I studied Mr. Armstrong’s teachings.

The Philadelphia Trumpet September 2009 31 The Tie That Binds America, Britain and Israel uring his famous “Iron Cur- Though divided by about the arrangement Washington made tain” speech in 1946, Winston contention and strife, with Britain’s oldest colony. Churchill described the alliance the three remain Said one Labor mp, “The U.S. is clearly Dbetween the United States and determined to act in what it perceives as its Britain as a “special relationship.” Mid- prophetically linked. own national interest even riding rough- way through the 20th century, that special shod over what it should have done, which relationship helped forge the existence By Stephen Flurry is spoken to the British government” (Daily of a new Jewish state in the Middle East. our simultaneous fall. Mail, June 15; emphasis mine throughout). In 1962, President John F. Kennedy told Coinciding with this precipitous decline Investor’s Business Daily wrote that by se- Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir, “The in world power and influence is the unrav- cretly foisting terrorists off on a British col- United States has a special relationship eling of the relationship that once bound ony, the United States was effectively scrap- with Israel in the Middle East really com- these three brothers so tightly together. The ping its special relationship with the UK. parable only to what it has with Britain Prophet Isaiah described this dramatic un- This relationship has been rapidly de- over a wide range of affairs.” raveling, which occurs just before the lat- teriorating since the beginning of the year. This brotherhood among three peo- ter-day appearance of the prophesied Mes- Barely a month into office, U.S. Presi- ples—the Americans, the British and the siah. “Manasseh shall devour Ephraim,” dent Barack Obama ditched the term Jews—has been intimate the last two centu- Isaiah wrote, “and Ephraim Manasseh; To- “relationship” in favor of “partnership” ries because of historical ties rooted in the gether they shall be against Judah” (Isaiah when describing America’s association very first book of the Old Testament—and 9:21, New King James Version). with Britain. This change coincided with because of God’s hand in establishing these These three Israelite nations—which his administration rejecting Britain’s of- end-time nations and raising them to un- have maintained such strong and dura- fer to extend the loan of a bust of Winston precedented heights of world power. This ble alliances through generations—were Churchill that had been situated in the critical historical context is fully explained prophesied, in our day, to forsake their Oval Office since Sept. 11, 2001. in Herbert W. Armstrong’s book The Unit- special alliance and to engage in furious Then there was President Obama’s ed States and Britain in Prophecy. (We will strife and contention with one another. chilly reception for British Prime Minis- send you a free copy upon request—see the That is happening before our eyes. ter Gordon Brown in early March, which back cover of this magazine for details.) consisted of a 30-minute chat inside the You can see from newspaper headlines America Devours Britain, and Britain America White House. Afterward, as a parting that these three nations are now in the In June, the United States concluded a deal gift, Obama presented Brown with a dvd midst of an astonishing free fall from their that allowed four Guantanamo detainees collection of 25 Hollywood movies. When former positions of world dominance. to settle in the British colony of Bermuda. the British responded angrily to what they That’s because, just as God prophesied of According to several reports, British of- saw as a snub from President Obama, a our rise to power, He also prophesies of ficials at Downing Street knew nothing White House official excused the slight by

32 September 2009 The Philadelphia Trumpet saying the new president had been “over- suburbs, by demanding, “It is time for Authority prime minister to express his whelmed” by the economic meltdown. these settlements to stop.” “frustration” over the settlement activity. The real views of Obama’s administra- Blaming the failure of the peace pro- “The UK is now looking at what effective tion were laid bare by one State Department cess on settlement growth is ludicrous. It action we can take to discourage settle- official who helped plan for the Brown vis- is not settlement activity that’s obstruct- ment expansion,” he wrote. it. “There’s nothing special about Britain,” ing the process for peace—it’s the presence Also in December, the British govern- the Washington insider told the London of Jews. Palestinian leaders remain stead- ment issued an advisory warning to Brit- Telegraph. “You’re just the same as the oth- fast in their aspirations for a homeland ish citizens telling them not to purchase er 190 countries in the world. You shouldn’t that includes all of “Palestine”—from the property in East Jerusalem, the West expect special treatment” (March 7). banks of the Jordan River to the shores of Bank or the Golan Heights—territories The dustup between the two countries the Mediterranean Sea—being ethnically 10 Downing Street envisions as a future in June over the Guantanamo detainees cleansed of any Jewish presence. Palestinian state. Israelis viewed the advi- certainly attests to that. Whitehall officials Why would the United States now el- sory “as the latest in a series of less-than- accused the United States of treating Brit- evate the marginal issue of settlement friendly steps toward Israel,” the Jerusa- ain “with barely disguised contempt.” The growth to the top of its Middle East peace lem Post wrote (Dec. 23, 2008). Independent quoted one senior official as agenda? This only applies intense pressure Another of those steps came in July, saying, “The Americans were fully aware on an already fractured relationship be- when London partially halted arms exports of the foreign-policy understanding we tween Washington and Jerusalem. to the Israeli Navy. Britain revoked five of have with Bermuda and they deliberately This, as several commentators noted, its 182 weapons export licenses, thereby chose to ignore it. This is not the kind of be- is exactly what the new American govern- blocking the sale of spare parts for Israeli havior one expects from an ally” (June 13). ment wants. In creating this crisis, Stratfor gunships. The British made the decision Even as the United States and Britain explained, Obama wins no matter what because these gunships were used in Is- exchange blows with one another, there Israel’s response. “If Netanyahu gives in, rael’s military operation in Gaza in Janu- remains one common goal that both of then [Obama] has established the prin- ary—even though one of Britain’s top com- them share: hostility toward Israel. ciple that the United States can demand manders has said that “the idf did more to concessions from a Likud-controlled gov- safeguard the rights of civilians in a combat Breaking an Alliance ernment in Israel and get them” (June 8). zone than any other army in the history of President Obama’s speech in Cairo on And if Netanyahu doesn’t give in, which is warfare.” Meanwhile, British politicians June 4 perfectly summarized Washing- much more likely when viewing the colli- have voted to pledge $30 million to train ton’s renunciation of any special relation- sion from a prophetic standpoint, Obama and support Palestinian security forces. ship it once had with Israel (see our cover can drive a wedge between the U.S. and Is- America against Britain—Britain story from last month). rael and then “use that split as a lever with against America—both of them united In the speech, President Obama said the Islamic states,” Stratfor noted. only in their blatant hostility toward Israel. historic bond between the U.S. and Israel The United States, in other words, has Exactly as Isaiah prophesied. was based on Jewish aspirations for a home- effectively decided to abandon its most de- land that were “rooted” in the tragedy of the pendable ally in the Middle East in hopes of The End Result Holocaust. In fact, Jewish aspirations for boosting its standing in the Muslim world. We’ve been predicting this division for statehood not only predate the Adolf Hitler Britain has followed a similar course many years, thanks to two specific proph- era, they predate the Zionist movement. for some time now. ecies found in Hosea 5:13 and Zechariah In 1879, ten years before Adolf Hitler was 11:14. In the latter verse, God said He even born and nearly two decades before Together Against Judah would “break the brotherhood between Theodore Herzl published The Jewish State, Earlier this year, amid widespread Euro- Judah [modern-day Israel] and Israel [pri- the venerable New York Times made this pean protests against Israel’s operation marily the United States and Britain].” prediction: “So much has been said for gen- in Gaza, anti-Semitic hatred and violence This is why in Hosea, God says that Ju- erations of the Jews regaining possession of was especially ugly in London, where dah, after being mortally wounded by the Jerusalem that it is agreeable to think that more than 100,000 protestors took to the peace process, will seek help from Ger- they are likely to do so at last. They certainly streets in open support for Hamas. More many rather than from the United States. deserve Jerusalem.” Much had been said, of telling than the mass demonstration it- Yet, despite the unraveling ties that course, because of the Jews’ millennia-old self was the astonishing fact that British once bound these three brothers together, roots that run through Jerusalem and the authorities did nothing to curb the incite- all three nations are inextricably linked by surrounding hills of Judea and Samaria. ment of hatred toward Jews. another end-time prophecy, which points Palestinians have reinvented this his- In fact, more and more, Britain’s do- to our simultaneous downfall. Hosea 5:5 tory, claiming the Jews are without legal mestic and foreign policies actually en- tells us, “[T]herefore shall Israel [including or historic right to their homeland and courage anti-Semitic behavior. Last De- the United States] and Ephraim [Britain] that modern-day Israel exists only because cember, for example, Britain spearheaded fall in their iniquity; Judah [the Jewish state of the guilt left hanging over Europe after an unsuccessful push in the European called Israel] also shall fall with them.” the Holocaust. In Cairo, the president of Union to tie any special favors for Israel These two prophecies are, in fact, close- the United States legitimized this bit of directly to the Jewish state’s diplomatic ly related. For the weakening of those once- Arab propaganda. progress with the Palestinians. mighty ties that bound together the United In the same speech, he delegitimized the That same month, several weeks before States, Britain and Judah is only making “natural growth” of Israeli settlements in President Obama was sworn in, Gordon our peoples more vulnerable to the threat Judea and Samaria, as well as Jerusalem Brown wrote a letter to the Palestinian of invasion by ascending world powers! n

getty images (3) The Philadelphia Trumpet September 2009 33 ➤ iran from page 13 the two camps, the election in June brought the dispute to a head. Ahmadinejad had been stacking the Iranian government with his loyalists for years, and prominent politicians and north Carolina, Fayetteville WFPX 6:00 am, Fri Vermont, Burlington WVNY 10:00 am, Sun north Carolina, Greensboro clerics came to see him as a threat to WGPX 6:00 am, Fri Virginia, Charlottesville WVIR-DT 9:30 am, Sun north Carolina, Greenville WEPX 6:00 am, Fri; Virginia, harrisonburg WVIR-DT 9:30 am, Sun their own political careers. It wasn’t voter WNCT-DT 9:30 am, Sun Virginia, norfolk WPXV 6:00 am, Fri fraud they were concerned about in Ah- north Carolina, lumber Bridge WFPX 6:00 am, Fri Virginia, roanoke WPXR 6:00 am, Fri madinejad’s reelection. It was the threat north Carolina, new Bern WNCT-DT 9:30 am, Sun Washington d.C. WDCW 8:00 am, Sun; WPXW to their own power. north Carolina, raleigh WRPX 6:00 am, Fri; 6:00 am, Fri 9:00 am, Sun Washington, kennewick KCWK 9:30 am, Sun north Carolina, Washington WNCT-DT 9:30 am, Washington, richland KCWK 9:30 am, Sun What to Expect Sun Washington, Seattle-tacoma KWPX 6:00 am, Fri The challenge that Rafsanjani and the north Carolina, Wilmington WBW 9:30 am, Sun Washington, Seattle kVoS 8:30am, Sun other clerics are mounting is worth north dakota, Bismarck KWMK 10:30 am, Sun Washington, Spokane KGPX 6:00 am, Fri north dakota, dickinson watching. It could prove to make Aya- KWMK 10:30 am, Sun Washington, yakima-Pasco-richland-kenne- north dakota, Fargo WDAY-DT 8:30 am, Sun wick KCWK/KCWK-LP 9:30 am, Sun tollah Khamenei even more dangerous. north dakota, minot KWMK 10:30 am, Sun West Virginia, Beckley KVVA-DT 9:30 am, Sun Tests of his absolute authority undermine north dakota, Valley City WDAY-DT 8:30 am, Sun West Virginia, Bluefield KVVA-DT 9:30 am, Sun the very nature of the Islamic Republic. ohio, Cleveland WVPX 6:00 am, Fri West Virginia, Charleston WLPX 6:00 am, Fri united states Florida, tallahassee-thomasville michigan, Cadillac ohio, Cincinnati He could well take more extreme and WTLF-DT/ WGTU/WGTQ 9:30 am, Sun WSTR 8:30 am, Sun West Virginia, Clarksburg WVFX-DT 9:30 am, Sun nationwide satellite Galaxy 3 Trans. 21 11:30 WTLH-DT 9:30 am, Sun michigan, detroit WPXD 6:00 am, Fri; WADL ohio, lima WLIO-DT 9:30 am, Sun West Virginia, oak hill KVVA-DT 9:30 am, Sun brutal measures to reestablish his author- am ET, Tue/Th u; Galaxy 5 Trans. 7 8:00 am Florida, tampa WXPX 6:00 am, Fri; WTTA 8:30 am, Sun 10:00 am, Sun ohio, Steubenville WBWO 9:30 am, Sun West Virginia, Parkersburg WBPB 9:30 am, Sun ity and demonstrate his power. The weap- ET, Sun Florida, West Palm Beach WPXP 6:00 am, Fri michigan, Grand rapids WZPX 5:00 am, Fri ohio, Zanesville WBZV 9:30 am, Sun West Virginia, Weston WVFX-DT 9:30 am, Sun ons in his arsenal include the Revolution- direct tV dBS WGN Chan. 307 8:00 am ET, Sun Georgia, albany WBSK 9:30 am, Sun michigan, lansing WLAJ-DT 9:30 am, Sun oklahoma, ada KSHD 8:30 am, Sun West Virginia, Wheeling WBWO 9:30 am, Sun ary Guard, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas direct tV dBS ION Ch. 305 6:00 am ET, Fri Georgia, augusta WAGT-DT 9:30 am, Sun michigan, marquette WBKP 9:30 am, Sun oklahoma, lawton KAUZ 8:30 am, Sun Wisconsin, eau Claire WQOW-DT/WXOW-DT dish network Georgia, Brunswick michigan, traverse City-Cadillac oklahoma, oklahoma City in Gaza, operatives in Pakistan, Afghani- ION Ch. 181 6:00 am ET, Fri WPXC 6:00 am, Fri WGTU-DT/ KOPX 5:00 am, Fri 8:30 am, Sun dish network dBS WGN Chan. 239 8:00 am Georgia, Columbus WLGA 9:30 am, Sun WGTQ-DT 9:30 am, Sun oklahoma, tulsa KTPX 5:00 am, Fri Wisconsin, la Crosse WQOW/WXOW 8:30 am, stan and Iraq, and many more terrorist ET, Sun Georgia, macon WBMN 9:30 am, Sun minnesota, duluth-Superior WDLH 8:30 am, Sun oregon, Bend KTVZ-DT 9:30 am, Sun Sun sleeper cells around the world. nationwide cable WGN 8:00 am ET, Sun Georgia, Savannah WGSA/WGCW-LP 9:30 am, Sun minnesota, mankato KWYE 8:30 am, Sun oregon, eugene KMTR-DT 9:30 am, Sun; KEVU Wisconsin, milwaukee WPXE 5:00 am, Fri The battle for power will continue on alabama, Birmingham WPXH 5:00 am, Fri hawaii, hawaii na leo Chan. 54 6:30 am, Sun; 8:30 minnesota, minneapolis KPXM 5:00 am, Fri 10:00 am, Sun Wisconsin, rhinelander WAOW/WYOW 8:30 behind the scenes, but at the end of the alabama, dothan WTVY-DT 8:30, Sun am, Wed mississippi, Biloxi WBGP 8:30 am, Sun oregon, klamath Falls KMFD 9:30 am, Sun am, Sun alabama, montgomery WBMM/WBMM-DT hawaii, kaui ho’ ike Chan. 52 9:30 am, Tue mississippi, Columbus WCBI-DT 8:30 am, Sun oregon, medford KMFD 9:30 am, Sun Wisconsin, Wausau WAOW-DT/WYOW-DT 8:30 day the struggle is not over foreign policy. 8:30, Sun hawaii, maui/lanaii/molokai/niihau/akaku Chan. mississippi, Greenville WBWD 8:30 am, Sun oregon, Portland KPXG 6:00 am, Fri am, Sun That will remain the same. The regime alaska, anchorage KIMO-DT 8:30 am, Sun 52 6:30 pm, Sun; 3:30 am, Mon mississippi, Greenwood WBWD 8:30 am, Sun Pennsylvania, erie WBEP 9:30 am, Sun Wyoming, Casper 10:30 am, Sun may even take a more aggressive stance alaska, Fairbanks KATN-DT 8:30 am, Sun idaho, idaho Falls KPIF/KBEO 10:30 am, Sun mississippi, Gulfport WBGP 8:30 am, Sun Pennsylvania, Philadelphia WPPX 6:00 am, Fri Wyoming, Cheyenne KCHW 10:30 am, Sun in its foreign policy and nuclear develop- alaska, Juneau KJUD-DT 8:30 am, Sun idaho, Pocatello KPIF 10:30 am, Sun mississippi, hattiesburg WBH 8:30 am, Sun Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh WPCW 9:00 am, Sun Wyoming, riverton 10:30 am, Sun arizona, Phoenix idaho, twin Falls mississippi, laurel Pennsylvania, Wilkes Barre ment in an effort to unify the country. KPPX 5:00 am, Fri KMVT-DT/KTWT-LP 10:30 am, WBH 8:30 am, Sun WQPX 6:00 am, Fri arizona, yuma-el Centro KSWT-DT 9:30 am, Sun mississippi, meridian WTOK-DT 8:30 am, Sun rhode island, Providence WPXQ 6:00 am, Fri c a n a d a For 17 years, the Trumpet’s editor in Sun illinois, Bloomington WHOI-DT 8:30 am, Sun mississippi, tupelo WCBI-DT 8:30 am, Sun South Carolina, Charleston WCBD-DT 9:30 am, Sun nationwide satellite Galaxy 3 Trans. 21 11:30 am chief has been drawing readers’ atten- arkansas, Fayetteville KWFT 8:30, Sun lllinois, Chicago WCIU 9:30 am, Sun; WCPX 5:00 mississippi, West Point WCBI-DT 8:30 am, Sun South Carolina, Florence WWMB/WWMB-DT ET, Tue/Th u; Galaxy 5 Trans. 7 8:00 am ET, Sun tion to Iran—particularly its aim to seek arkansas, Fort Smith KCWA 8:30, Sun am, Fri missouri, Columbia KOMU-DT 8:30 am, Sun 9:30 am, Sun nationwide cable WGN 8:00 am ET, Sun; Vision undisputed leadership of the radical Is- arkansas, Jonesboro KJOS 8:30 am, Sun illinois, Peoria WHOI-DT 8:30 am, Sun missouri, hannibal WGEM-DT 8:30 am, Sun South Carolina, myrtle Beach WWMB/WWMB- TV 4:30 pm ET, Sun; Th e Christian Channel arkansas, rogers KWFT 8:30, Sun illinois, rockford WREX-DT 8:30 am, Sun missouri, Jefferson City KOMU-DT 8:30 am, Sun DT 9:30 am, Sun lamic camp and how this factors into 11:00 am ET, Sun. arkansas, Springdale KWFT 8:30 am, Sun indiana, Fort Wayne WPTA-DT 21.2 9:30 am, Sun missouri, Joplin-Pittsburg KSXF 8:30 am, Sun South dakota, mitchell KWSD 8:30 am, Sun British Columbia, Vancouver KVOS 8:30 am, Sun; its significant part in the unfolding of California, Bakersfield KGET-DT 9:30 am, Sun indiana, indianapolis WIPX 6:00 am, Fri missouri, kansas City KPXE 5:00 am, Fri South dakota, rapid City KWBH-LP 10:30 am, Sun CHNU 5:30 pm, Sun end-time biblical prophecies. Through California, Chico KHSL-DT 9:30 am, Sun indiana, terre haute WBI 8:30 am, Sun missouri, Quincy-keokuk WGEM-DT 8:30 am, Sun South dakota, Sioux Falls KWSD 8:30 am, Sun British Columbia, Victoria CHNU 5:30 pm, Sun most of those years, reports have perco- California, el Centro KWUB 9:30 am, Sun iowa, austin KTTC-DT 8:30 am, Sun missouri, St. Joseph WBJO 8:30 am, Sun tennessee, Jackson WBJK 8:30 am, Sun ontario, toronto WADL 10:00 am Sun; CHNU 8:30 California, eureka iowa, Cedar rapids montana, Billings tennessee, knoxville lated of Iran’s moderate youth movement KUVU-DT 9:30 am, Sun KPXR 5:00 am, Fri KTVQ-DT 10:30 am, Sun WPXK 6:00 am, Fri pm, Sun; WUTV 10:00 am, Sun California, los angeles KPXN 6:00 am, Fri iowa, des moines KFPX 5:00 am, Fri montana, Bozeman-Butte KBZK-DT/KXLF-DT 10:30 tennessee, memphis WPXX 5:00 am, Fri Quebec, montreal WVNY 10:00 am, Sun preparing to take over. American leaders California, monterey KMWB 9:30 am, Sun iowa, keokuk WEWB 8:30 am, Sun am, Sun tennessee, nashville WNPX 5:00 am, Fri have kicked the Iran can down the road California, Palm Springs KESQ/KCWQ-DT 9:30 iowa, kirksville KWOT 8:30 am, Sun montana, Glendive KWZB 10:30 am, Sun texas, abilene KTWS-DT 8:30 am, Sun in hopes that its dissidents would muster am, Sun iowa, mason City KTTC-DT 8:30 am, Sun montana, Great Falls KRTV-DT 10:30 am, Sun texas, amarillo KVII-DT/KVIH/KVIH-DT 8:30 latin america regional satellite the strength to overthrow the mullahs. California, redding KHSL-DT 9:30 am, Sun iowa, ottumwa KWOT 8:30 am, Sun montana, helena KMTF-DT 10:30 am, Sun am, Sun Galaxy 3 Trans. 21 11:30 am ET, California, Sacramento KSPX 6:00 am, Fri iowa, rochester KTTC-DT 8:30 am, Sun montana, missoula KPAX-DT 10:30 am, Sun texas, Beaumont KFDM-DT 8:30 am, Sun Tue/Th u But Gerald Flurry only became further California, Salinas KION 9:30 am, Sun iowa, Sioux City KTIV-DT 8:30 am, Sun nebraska, lincoln-hastings KCWL-TV 8:30 am, texas, Brownsville KSFE-LP/KTIZ-LP 8:30 am, Sun el Salvador WGN 6:00 am, Sun convinced over time that Iran would California, San Francisco KKPX 6:00 am, Fri kansas, topeka KSNT 8:30 am, Sun Sun texas, Corpus Christi KRIS-DT 8:30 am, Sun Guatemala WGN 6:00 am, Sun grow more radical—eventually to fulfill California, Santa Barbara KSBY-DT 9:30 am, kentucky, Bowling Green WBKO 8:30 am, Sun nebraska, kearney KCWL-TV 8:30 am, Sun texas, harlingen KSFE-LP/KTIZ-LP 8:30 am, Sun honduras WGN 6:00 am, Sun the prophesied role of “king of the south” Sun kentucky, lexington WUPX 6:00 am, Fri nebraska, north Platte KWPL 8:30 am, Sun texas, houston KPXB 5:00 am, Fri mexico WGN 7:00 am, Sun Colorado, denver KPXC 5:00 am, Fri; KWGN louisiana, alexandria KBCA 8:30 am, Sun nebraska, Scottsbluff KCHW 10:30 am, Sun texas, laredo KTXW 8:30 am, Sun Panama WGN 7:00 am, Sun (Daniel 11:40). Request a free copy of his 10:00 am, Sun louisiana, el dorado-monroe KNOE-DT 8:30 am, nevada, reno KREN/KREN-DT 9:30 am, Sun texas, longview KCEB 8:30 am, Sun booklet The King of the South to under- Colorado, Grand Junction KKCO-DT 10:30 Sun new york, albany WYPX 6:00 am, Fri texas, lubbock KLCW 8:30 am, Sun c a r i b b e a n stand this pivotal scripture. am, Sun louisiana, lafayette KLWB 8:30 am, Sun new york, Binghamton WBXI 9:30 am, Sun texas, midland KWWT 8:30 am, Sun regional satellite Galaxy 3 Trans. 21 11:30 am ET, We stand by that prophecy today, even Colorado, montrose KKCO-DT 10:30 am, Sun louisiana, lake Charles WBLC 8:30 am, Sun new york, Buffalo WPXJ 6:00 am, Fri; WUTV texas, odessa KWWT 8:30 am, Sun Tue/Th u; Galaxy 5 Trans. 7 8:00 am ET, Sun while political turmoil swirls in Tehran. Connecticut, hartford WHPX 6:00 am, Fri louisiana, new orleans WPXL 5:00 am, Fri 10:00 am, Sun texas, Port arthur KFDM 8:30 am, Sun aruba WGN 8:00 am, Sun delaware, dover WBD 9:30 am, Sun maine, Bangor WABI-DT 9:30 am, Sun new york, elmira WBE 9:30 am, Sun texas, San angelo KWSA 8:30 am, Sun Bahamas WGN 8:00 am, Sun The situation is still developing. delaware, Salisbury WMDT-DT 9:30 am, Sun maine, Presque isle WBPQ 9:30 am, Sun new york, new york City WPXN 6:00 am, Fri; texas, San antonio KPXL 5:00 am, Fri Barbados CBC Chan. 8 10:30 am, Sun Though it looks like Ahmadinejad, sup- Florida, Gainesville WCJB-DT 9:30 am, Sun maryland, hagerstown WJAL 12:00 pm, Sun WLNY 10:00 am Sun texas, Sherman-ada KTEN-DT 8:30 am, Sun Belize WGN 7:00 am, Sun ported by Khamenei, firmly has the upper Florida, Jacksonville WPXC/WPXJ-LP 6:00 maryland, Salisbury WBD 9:30 am, Sun new york, Syracuse WSPX 6:00 am, Fri texas, Sweetwater KTWS-DT 8:30 am, Sun Cuba WGN 8:00 am, Sun hand, we can absolutely say that should am, Fri massachusetts, Boston WBPX 6:00 am, Fri; new york, utica WBU 9:30 am, Sun texas, tyler KCEB 8:30 am, Sun dominican republic WGN 8:00 am, Sun Florida, miami WPXM 6:00 am, Fri WZMY 8:00 am, Sun new york, Watertown WWTI-DT 9:30 am, Sun texas, Victoria KWVB 8:30 am, Sun haiti WGN 7:00 am, Sun that change and Rafsanjani succeed in Florida, orlando WOPX 6:00 am, Fri massachusetts, holyoke WBQT 9:30 am, Sun north Carolina, Charlotte WLMY 8:30 am, Sun texas, Weslaco KSFE-LP/KTIZ-LP 8:30 am, Sun Jamaica WGN 9:00 am, Sun this power struggle, Iran’s geopolitical Florida, Panama City WJHG-DT 9:30 am, Sun massachusetts, Springfield WBQT 9:30 am, Sun north Carolina, durham WRPX 6:00 am, Fri; texas, Wichita Falls KAUZ-DT 8:30 am, Sun Puerto rico WGN 8:00 am, Sun course will remain steadfast. n Florida, tallahassee WTXL 7:30 am, Sun michigan, alpena WBAE 9:30 am, Sun 9:00 am, Sun utah, Salt lake City KUPX 5:00 am, Fri trinidad and tobago WGN 8:00 am, Sun

34 September 2009 north Carolina, Fayetteville WFPX 6:00 am, Fri Vermont, Burlington WVNY 10:00 am, Sun north Carolina, Greensboro WGPX 6:00 am, Fri Virginia, Charlottesville WVIR-DT 9:30 am, Sun north Carolina, Greenville WEPX 6:00 am, Fri; Virginia, harrisonburg WVIR-DT 9:30 am, Sun WNCT-DT 9:30 am, Sun Virginia, norfolk WPXV 6:00 am, Fri north Carolina, lumber Bridge WFPX 6:00 am, Fri Virginia, roanoke WPXR 6:00 am, Fri north Carolina, new Bern WNCT-DT 9:30 am, Sun Washington d.C. WDCW 8:00 am, Sun; WPXW north Carolina, raleigh WRPX 6:00 am, Fri; 6:00 am, Fri 9:00 am, Sun Washington, kennewick KCWK 9:30 am, Sun north Carolina, Washington WNCT-DT 9:30 am, Washington, richland KCWK 9:30 am, Sun Sun Washington, Seattle-tacoma KWPX 6:00 am, Fri north Carolina, Wilmington WBW 9:30 am, Sun Washington, Seattle kVoS 8:30am, Sun north dakota, Bismarck KWMK 10:30 am, Sun Washington, Spokane KGPX 6:00 am, Fri north dakota, dickinson KWMK 10:30 am, Sun Washington, yakima-Pasco-richland-kenne- north dakota, Fargo WDAY-DT 8:30 am, Sun wick KCWK/KCWK-LP 9:30 am, Sun north dakota, minot KWMK 10:30 am, Sun West Virginia, Beckley KVVA-DT 9:30 am, Sun north dakota, Valley City WDAY-DT 8:30 am, Sun West Virginia, Bluefield KVVA-DT 9:30 am, Sun ohio, Cleveland WVPX 6:00 am, Fri West Virginia, Charleston WLPX 6:00 am, Fri united states Florida, tallahassee-thomasville WTLF-DT/ michigan, Cadillac WGTU/WGTQ 9:30 am, Sun ohio, Cincinnati WSTR 8:30 am, Sun West Virginia, Clarksburg WVFX-DT 9:30 am, Sun nationwide satellite Galaxy 3 Trans. 21 11:30 WTLH-DT 9:30 am, Sun michigan, detroit WPXD 6:00 am, Fri; WADL ohio, lima WLIO-DT 9:30 am, Sun West Virginia, oak hill KVVA-DT 9:30 am, Sun am ET, Tue/Th u; Galaxy 5 Trans. 7 8:00 am Florida, tampa WXPX 6:00 am, Fri; WTTA 8:30 am, Sun 10:00 am, Sun ohio, Steubenville WBWO 9:30 am, Sun West Virginia, Parkersburg WBPB 9:30 am, Sun ET, Sun Florida, West Palm Beach WPXP 6:00 am, Fri michigan, Grand rapids WZPX 5:00 am, Fri ohio, Zanesville WBZV 9:30 am, Sun West Virginia, Weston WVFX-DT 9:30 am, Sun direct tV dBS WGN Chan. 307 8:00 am ET, Sun Georgia, albany WBSK 9:30 am, Sun michigan, lansing WLAJ-DT 9:30 am, Sun oklahoma, ada KSHD 8:30 am, Sun West Virginia, Wheeling WBWO 9:30 am, Sun direct tV dBS ION Ch. 305 6:00 am ET, Fri Georgia, augusta WAGT-DT 9:30 am, Sun michigan, marquette WBKP 9:30 am, Sun oklahoma, lawton KAUZ 8:30 am, Sun Wisconsin, eau Claire WQOW-DT/WXOW-DT dish network ION Ch. 181 6:00 am ET, Fri Georgia, Brunswick WPXC 6:00 am, Fri michigan, traverse City-Cadillac WGTU-DT/ oklahoma, oklahoma City KOPX 5:00 am, Fri 8:30 am, Sun dish network dBS WGN Chan. 239 8:00 am Georgia, Columbus WLGA 9:30 am, Sun WGTQ-DT 9:30 am, Sun oklahoma, tulsa KTPX 5:00 am, Fri Wisconsin, la Crosse WQOW/WXOW 8:30 am, ET, Sun Georgia, macon WBMN 9:30 am, Sun minnesota, duluth-Superior WDLH 8:30 am, Sun oregon, Bend KTVZ-DT 9:30 am, Sun Sun nationwide cable WGN 8:00 am ET, Sun Georgia, Savannah WGSA/WGCW-LP 9:30 am, Sun minnesota, mankato KWYE 8:30 am, Sun oregon, eugene KMTR-DT 9:30 am, Sun; KEVU Wisconsin, milwaukee WPXE 5:00 am, Fri alabama, Birmingham WPXH 5:00 am, Fri hawaii, hawaii na leo Chan. 54 6:30 am, Sun; 8:30 minnesota, minneapolis KPXM 5:00 am, Fri 10:00 am, Sun Wisconsin, rhinelander WAOW/WYOW 8:30 alabama, dothan WTVY-DT 8:30, Sun am, Wed mississippi, Biloxi WBGP 8:30 am, Sun oregon, klamath Falls KMFD 9:30 am, Sun am, Sun alabama, montgomery WBMM/WBMM-DT hawaii, kaui ho’ ike Chan. 52 9:30 am, Tue mississippi, Columbus WCBI-DT 8:30 am, Sun oregon, medford KMFD 9:30 am, Sun Wisconsin, Wausau WAOW-DT/WYOW-DT 8:30 8:30, Sun hawaii, maui/lanaii/molokai/niihau/akaku Chan. mississippi, Greenville WBWD 8:30 am, Sun oregon, Portland KPXG 6:00 am, Fri am, Sun alaska, anchorage KIMO-DT 8:30 am, Sun 52 6:30 pm, Sun; 3:30 am, Mon mississippi, Greenwood WBWD 8:30 am, Sun Pennsylvania, erie WBEP 9:30 am, Sun Wyoming, Casper 10:30 am, Sun alaska, Fairbanks KATN-DT 8:30 am, Sun idaho, idaho Falls KPIF/KBEO 10:30 am, Sun mississippi, Gulfport WBGP 8:30 am, Sun Pennsylvania, Philadelphia WPPX 6:00 am, Fri Wyoming, Cheyenne KCHW 10:30 am, Sun alaska, Juneau KJUD-DT 8:30 am, Sun idaho, Pocatello KPIF 10:30 am, Sun mississippi, hattiesburg WBH 8:30 am, Sun Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh WPCW 9:00 am, Sun Wyoming, riverton 10:30 am, Sun arizona, Phoenix KPPX 5:00 am, Fri idaho, twin Falls KMVT-DT/KTWT-LP 10:30 am, mississippi, laurel WBH 8:30 am, Sun Pennsylvania, Wilkes Barre WQPX 6:00 am, Fri arizona, yuma-el Centro KSWT-DT 9:30 am, Sun mississippi, meridian WTOK-DT 8:30 am, Sun rhode island, Providence WPXQ 6:00 am, Fri c a n a d a Sun illinois, Bloomington WHOI-DT 8:30 am, Sun mississippi, tupelo WCBI-DT 8:30 am, Sun South Carolina, Charleston WCBD-DT 9:30 am, Sun nationwide satellite Galaxy 3 Trans. 21 11:30 am arkansas, Fayetteville KWFT 8:30, Sun lllinois, Chicago WCIU 9:30 am, Sun; WCPX 5:00 mississippi, West Point WCBI-DT 8:30 am, Sun South Carolina, Florence WWMB/WWMB-DT ET, Tue/Th u; Galaxy 5 Trans. 7 8:00 am ET, Sun arkansas, Fort Smith KCWA 8:30, Sun am, Fri missouri, Columbia KOMU-DT 8:30 am, Sun 9:30 am, Sun nationwide cable WGN 8:00 am ET, Sun; Vision arkansas, Jonesboro KJOS 8:30 am, Sun illinois, Peoria WHOI-DT 8:30 am, Sun missouri, hannibal WGEM-DT 8:30 am, Sun South Carolina, myrtle Beach WWMB/WWMB- TV 4:30 pm ET, Sun; Th e Christian Channel arkansas, rogers KWFT 8:30, Sun illinois, rockford WREX-DT 8:30 am, Sun missouri, Jefferson City KOMU-DT 8:30 am, Sun DT 9:30 am, Sun 11:00 am ET, Sun. arkansas, Springdale KWFT 8:30 am, Sun indiana, Fort Wayne WPTA-DT 21.2 9:30 am, Sun missouri, Joplin-Pittsburg KSXF 8:30 am, Sun South dakota, mitchell KWSD 8:30 am, Sun British Columbia, Vancouver KVOS 8:30 am, Sun; California, Bakersfield KGET-DT 9:30 am, Sun indiana, indianapolis WIPX 6:00 am, Fri missouri, kansas City KPXE 5:00 am, Fri South dakota, rapid City KWBH-LP 10:30 am, Sun CHNU 5:30 pm, Sun California, Chico KHSL-DT 9:30 am, Sun indiana, terre haute WBI 8:30 am, Sun missouri, Quincy-keokuk WGEM-DT 8:30 am, Sun South dakota, Sioux Falls KWSD 8:30 am, Sun British Columbia, Victoria CHNU 5:30 pm, Sun California, el Centro KWUB 9:30 am, Sun iowa, austin KTTC-DT 8:30 am, Sun missouri, St. Joseph WBJO 8:30 am, Sun tennessee, Jackson WBJK 8:30 am, Sun ontario, toronto WADL 10:00 am Sun; CHNU 8:30 California, eureka KUVU-DT 9:30 am, Sun iowa, Cedar rapids KPXR 5:00 am, Fri montana, Billings KTVQ-DT 10:30 am, Sun tennessee, knoxville WPXK 6:00 am, Fri pm, Sun; WUTV 10:00 am, Sun California, los angeles KPXN 6:00 am, Fri iowa, des moines KFPX 5:00 am, Fri montana, Bozeman-Butte KBZK-DT/KXLF-DT 10:30 tennessee, memphis WPXX 5:00 am, Fri Quebec, montreal WVNY 10:00 am, Sun California, monterey KMWB 9:30 am, Sun iowa, keokuk WEWB 8:30 am, Sun am, Sun tennessee, nashville WNPX 5:00 am, Fri California, Palm Springs KESQ/KCWQ-DT 9:30 iowa, kirksville KWOT 8:30 am, Sun montana, Glendive KWZB 10:30 am, Sun texas, abilene KTWS-DT 8:30 am, Sun am, Sun iowa, mason City KTTC-DT 8:30 am, Sun montana, Great Falls KRTV-DT 10:30 am, Sun texas, amarillo KVII-DT/KVIH/KVIH-DT 8:30 latin america California, redding KHSL-DT 9:30 am, Sun iowa, ottumwa KWOT 8:30 am, Sun montana, helena KMTF-DT 10:30 am, Sun am, Sun regional satellite Galaxy 3 Trans. 21 11:30 am ET, California, Sacramento KSPX 6:00 am, Fri iowa, rochester KTTC-DT 8:30 am, Sun montana, missoula KPAX-DT 10:30 am, Sun texas, Beaumont KFDM-DT 8:30 am, Sun Tue/Th u California, Salinas KION 9:30 am, Sun iowa, Sioux City KTIV-DT 8:30 am, Sun nebraska, lincoln-hastings KCWL-TV 8:30 am, texas, Brownsville KSFE-LP/KTIZ-LP 8:30 am, Sun el Salvador WGN 6:00 am, Sun California, San Francisco KKPX 6:00 am, Fri kansas, topeka KSNT 8:30 am, Sun Sun texas, Corpus Christi KRIS-DT 8:30 am, Sun Guatemala WGN 6:00 am, Sun California, Santa Barbara KSBY-DT 9:30 am, kentucky, Bowling Green WBKO 8:30 am, Sun nebraska, kearney KCWL-TV 8:30 am, Sun texas, harlingen KSFE-LP/KTIZ-LP 8:30 am, Sun honduras WGN 6:00 am, Sun Sun kentucky, lexington WUPX 6:00 am, Fri nebraska, north Platte KWPL 8:30 am, Sun texas, houston KPXB 5:00 am, Fri mexico WGN 7:00 am, Sun Colorado, denver KPXC 5:00 am, Fri; KWGN louisiana, alexandria KBCA 8:30 am, Sun nebraska, Scottsbluff KCHW 10:30 am, Sun texas, laredo KTXW 8:30 am, Sun Panama WGN 7:00 am, Sun 10:00 am, Sun louisiana, el dorado-monroe KNOE-DT 8:30 am, nevada, reno KREN/KREN-DT 9:30 am, Sun texas, longview KCEB 8:30 am, Sun Colorado, Grand Junction KKCO-DT 10:30 Sun new york, albany WYPX 6:00 am, Fri texas, lubbock KLCW 8:30 am, Sun c a r i b b e a n am, Sun louisiana, lafayette KLWB 8:30 am, Sun new york, Binghamton WBXI 9:30 am, Sun texas, midland KWWT 8:30 am, Sun regional satellite Galaxy 3 Trans. 21 11:30 am ET, Colorado, montrose KKCO-DT 10:30 am, Sun louisiana, lake Charles WBLC 8:30 am, Sun new york, Buffalo WPXJ 6:00 am, Fri; WUTV texas, odessa KWWT 8:30 am, Sun Tue/Th u; Galaxy 5 Trans. 7 8:00 am ET, Sun Connecticut, hartford WHPX 6:00 am, Fri louisiana, new orleans WPXL 5:00 am, Fri 10:00 am, Sun texas, Port arthur KFDM 8:30 am, Sun aruba WGN 8:00 am, Sun delaware, dover WBD 9:30 am, Sun maine, Bangor WABI-DT 9:30 am, Sun new york, elmira WBE 9:30 am, Sun texas, San angelo KWSA 8:30 am, Sun Bahamas WGN 8:00 am, Sun delaware, Salisbury WMDT-DT 9:30 am, Sun maine, Presque isle WBPQ 9:30 am, Sun new york, new york City WPXN 6:00 am, Fri; texas, San antonio KPXL 5:00 am, Fri Barbados CBC Chan. 8 10:30 am, Sun Florida, Gainesville WCJB-DT 9:30 am, Sun maryland, hagerstown WJAL 12:00 pm, Sun WLNY 10:00 am Sun texas, Sherman-ada KTEN-DT 8:30 am, Sun Belize WGN 7:00 am, Sun Florida, Jacksonville WPXC/WPXJ-LP 6:00 maryland, Salisbury WBD 9:30 am, Sun new york, Syracuse WSPX 6:00 am, Fri texas, Sweetwater KTWS-DT 8:30 am, Sun Cuba WGN 8:00 am, Sun am, Fri massachusetts, Boston WBPX 6:00 am, Fri; new york, utica WBU 9:30 am, Sun texas, tyler KCEB 8:30 am, Sun dominican republic WGN 8:00 am, Sun Florida, miami WPXM 6:00 am, Fri WZMY 8:00 am, Sun new york, Watertown WWTI-DT 9:30 am, Sun texas, Victoria KWVB 8:30 am, Sun haiti WGN 7:00 am, Sun Florida, orlando WOPX 6:00 am, Fri massachusetts, holyoke WBQT 9:30 am, Sun north Carolina, Charlotte WLMY 8:30 am, Sun texas, Weslaco KSFE-LP/KTIZ-LP 8:30 am, Sun Jamaica WGN 9:00 am, Sun Florida, Panama City WJHG-DT 9:30 am, Sun massachusetts, Springfield WBQT 9:30 am, Sun north Carolina, durham WRPX 6:00 am, Fri; texas, Wichita Falls KAUZ-DT 8:30 am, Sun Puerto rico WGN 8:00 am, Sun Florida, tallahassee WTXL 7:30 am, Sun michigan, alpena WBAE 9:30 am, Sun 9:00 am, Sun utah, Salt lake City KUPX 5:00 am, Fri trinidad and tobago WGN 8:00 am, Sun

The Philadelphia Trumpet September 2009 35 letters indeed, even the once-proud Judaic na- I am studying to become a paleon- Obama’s Cairo Speech tion of Israel—reduced to the laughing- tologist, but on the creationist side. I have Gerald Flurry’s article about Presi- stock nations of the world. We have only never believed that humans evolved from dent Obama’s speech really hits the nail on ourselves to blame. … I used to be proud apes. I took an evolution class in college, the head (“How President Obama’s Cairo of America. Now I pity her and our “elder and I don’t find a single shred of proof Speech Will Shake the Na- brother” across the Atlantic. that we did evolve from apes. Everything tions,” August). Iran is an … Thank you for a message that I studied points me to truly believing evil empire and will stop of hope amidst the incredibly in the creation. There seems to me to be at nothing to destroy Israel unhopeful events in the world more evidence for the creation than for and the United States. It today. … evolution, but scientists are desperately seems that Obama is trying Dan Koenig—Arkansas trying to prove that there is no God—that to be nice to the terrorists life just happened. … Sondra—Idaho to win them over. The ter- rorists must be laughing in North Korea Unapologetic Pope their fists at how the United North Korea isn’t Ameri- This is so glaring that everyone in States has been economical- ca’s problem, but China is this world should see the bias and one- ly destroyed due to flagrant (“Why China Won’t Stop sided way of this “church” (“The Un- corruption and massive debt. They are like North Korea,” August). The problem was apologetic Pope,” August). As you have jackals going in for the kill on a weakened created by your government by doing said, this is documented in history and gazelle. It is too bad that many innocent business with Communist China and prophecy. Thanks for the article. people may be hurt in the process. abandoning your principles of freedom Marcello Sukhdeo—Guyana George Leonty—Willingdon, Alta. and free enterprise. Instead you went for cheap labor and cheap money. I cannot American Gold? I can’t help noticing that all of understand why you hated the Soviet Being involved in a financial con- Obama’s policies—be it the trillions of dol- Union so much and still you are in love trolling job, I often wonder why the “per- lars he is stealing from future generations with an even greater enemy. ceived” strong dollar still persists among to prop up the economy or his Middle Andrzej Jaworski— several markets (“American Gold? No East policy—fall into the Esau category. Manitoba, Canada Thanks!”, August). It amazes me to see Esau sold his birthright for a bowl of soup. that the dollar being the world’s only ac- This is the essence of Satan’s way and the It is unfortunate indeed that the cepted reserve currency is losing the lus- opposite of God’s way of profit. Obama societies of the U.S. and Canada, which at ter it once had. The viability of the dollar is buying short-term relief at the expense one time stood for apple pie and mother- has been rapidly depreciated. And only of long-term destruction, as your article hood, now stand for depravity, perverted time can tell when the next, far more points out. Alex Smith—Sydney, lifestyles … homosexual special rights, catastrophic financial crisis will be—but N.S.W., Australia full-term abortions on demand, corrupt this time, it will be fueled by a lack of politicians, and the list goes on and on faith and character in the U.S. currency. I really thank God for this revela- (“Happy Memorial Day. I Have a Nuclear Alain Ralph Cortes—Taguig City, tion and also for your boldness. Now I Bomb,” August). So it is difficult to com- Philippines know where the world is moving towards ment on Iran, North Korea, or any other and I am not afraid when I think about country who opposes us, because who Clear Analysis God’s redemption. I pray a lot of people really are the terrorists and the despots? I have discovered your writings will see this and believe since this world Is it them or us? In our societies, right has only recently. Your analyses of world will come to an end soon. Thank you become wrong, and vice versa … and this events are made so clear, it’s hard to be- again. Enoch Abronyeh—Kumasi, Ghana is only the beginning. Jim—Canada lieve it’s not common knowledge. Your book The United States and Britain in May the Philadelphia Church of Let the Stones Speak Prophecy for me is life-changing. I am God continue to be blessed in blowing Next to fulfilled prophecy, the amazed at the truths you unfold for all to the trumpet and prophesying. Thanks greatest faith builder is the unearthing see who will see. for giving us articles like this that shows of the stones of David (“Let the Stones Wallace—Newfoundland, Canada prophecies as they are being fulfilled and Speak,” August). come to pass. Ron—Michigan Russell—Staten Island, N.Y. Outstanding analysis! (“Five Proph- ecies to Watch,” August). Thank you for Crazy for Ida clearly pointing out the most important Britain’s Forgotten Veteran The first time I have seen a chal- issues we all need to be watching right How sad (“Britain’s Forgotten Vet- lenge to this ridiculous hype (“Crazy for now. Please keep up the great work your eran,” August). How very, very sad. Ida,” August). Thank you for blowing it magazine is doing! S.L.W.—U.S. This slight, no, this egregious effrontery out of the water. I knew someone would against the Crown is unforgivable. Shame get around to exposing it for what it on all—of whatever nationalities—who truly is. All these fossils and no missing Comments? allowed it to happen. It deeply troubles link. … By the way, how could anyone be [email protected] and pains me to see the once-great na- excited that we came from apes? Seems or: The Trumpet, P.O. Box 1099, tions of Great Britain and America—and kind of shameful. J.V. Edmond, OK 73083

36 September 2009 The Philadelphia Trumpet Commentary A Solution for Social Depravity Abortion is becoming birth control. How can we stop this? By Brad Macdonald

bortions were rare 100 years ago. Here’s one Is there a more glaring and disgusting testament to Britain reason why, from the life of the late Herbert W. Arm- and America’s moral devolution? strong: “I distinctly remember one incident—after I One hundred years ago, a strong moral compass prevented had passed 20. A girl I frequently dated and I were be- a young, unmarried man from even accidentally brushing his Aing driven to her home by a young man with his girl friend. In date’s neck. In 2009, the tattered shreds of our “morality”—of those days all cars were completely air-conditioned—they were the “dating” couple perfunctorily having sex, of their parents, open cars. It began to rain. We buttoned on the side-curtains. even of our national leadership—is apparently helpless to prevent To hold the curtain down, on my girl friend’s side, I was obliged thousands and thousands of women and girls from killing their to stretch my arm over the seat behind her. I shall never forget unborn babies, multiple times! the difficulty I experienced in keeping my arm far enough to the Does it not reveal something about our morality, our parent- rear to avoid any contact with the back of her neck. I was ter- ing skills and the character of our leadership, when American ribly afraid she would think I was ‘fresh’ if any part of my arm and British girls as young as 12 are 1) getting pregnant, and 2) touched her!” (The Missing Dimension in Sex; emphasis mine having abortions? Does it not scream something vile about our throughout). moral and mental health that Can you imagine a young around 50 percent of all British man today going to such ex- and American abortions are re- tremes to protect his reputa- peat visits? It started with “just” tion? And what girl would fornicating and “just” becoming view the brush of a man’s arm pregnant. Then it was “just” the over her neck as a sign he was fatal mistake of having an abor- getting “fresh”? tion. Now it is having sex over Consider just how much and over and getting pregnant times have changed. “Doz- over and over—and killing lives, ens of girls as young as 12 or over and over. 13 are regularly having Surely this is a sign of our abortions,” the Daily Mail society’s mental and emotional reported June 29, citing a De- case closed Arguments that aborting callousness. partment of Health study. Just babies would never be used merely as birth The Apostle Paul prophesied last year, we learned that the control are now out with the bathwater. of this selfishness. “[U]nderstand number of British girls under this,” he wrote, “that in the last 14 having abortions shot up a days will come … perilous times shocking 21 percent in 2007 as compared to 2006. During the of great stress and trouble”—“last days” referring to human so- same period, girls under 16 had 10 percent more abortions. Now, ciety just prior to the return of Jesus Christ. “For people will be however, we see that repeat abortions in Britain are soaring. lovers of self and [utterly] self-centered …. [They will be] with- “Across all age groups,” the Daily Mail said, “64,715 repeat abor- out natural [human] affection (callous and inhuman) … uncon- tions were carried out last year.” Among those, 46 women had trolled and fierce …” (2 Timothy 3:1-3, Amplified Bible). terminated at least eight pregnancies. Between 2005 and 2008, Are there better terms to describe the growing number of 52 teenage girls terminated four or more pregnancies before they women repeatedly getting pregnant and repeatedly aborting reached age 18! This news confirms research from earlier this their unborn children? Surely these are the actions of year “that the number of abortions performed on teenage girls a reckless, loveless, wholly selfish existence. who have had at least one before has risen by almost 70 percent Mr. Armstrong described the solution to abortion since 1991” (ibid.). and all marriage and family problems in The Miss- This trend is not unique to Britain. In the United States, re- ing Dimension in Sex, which we’d like to send you for peat abortions have rocketed since 1973, when abortion became free. Many people would consider the anecdote about protected by law in Roe v. Wade. In 1989, the Association for In- Mr. Armstrong corny. If only more people considered terdisciplinary Research in Values and Social Change wrote: “In it a major part of the solution to some of this world’s greatest 1973 it was estimated that only about 12 percent of the induced problems. How can we avoid premarital pregnancy, venereal dis- abortions were repeat abortions. By 1979 the national repeat rate eases and abortions? How can we prevent repeat abortions from had risen to 29.4 percent and by 1983 it had reached 38.8 percent. ever occurring? In 1987 [research] found that 42.9 percent of the women said they Simple, as Mr. Armstrong stated in his book: “By simply not were having repeat abortions.” starting the ‘necking’ in the first place!” In America today, about half of abortions are repeat abortions! It’s a humorous story with a weighty lesson: The morally up- A disturbingly high number of women are aborting three, right man who worries about even accidentally brushing his arm four, five, six, seven, eight or more children! For some, abortion across a lady’s neck will never worry about impregnating his date has become an acceptable form of birth control. or catching an std. And neither will his date. n

istockphoto The Philadelphia Trumpet September 2009 37 What You Don’t Know About Sex

e live in an age where sexual information, Wimages, and innuendo pummel us from every direction. If it has to do with sex, surely we know all about it by now, right? Don’t be fooled! There is a vital dimension to this subject that is woefully missing from the onslaught of sexual information available today. Education doesn’t teach it. Religion hasn’t revealed it. Medicine hasn’t discovered it. There is only one source where you will find it; the Holy Bible. Our free book The Missing Dimension in Sex contains biblical revelation that will revolutionize your social life, your family, your marriage—and it will answer the most basic yet profound questions about sex. Join over 1.5 million readers and discover God’s purpose for man—and how He is fulfilling that purpose through love, marriage and sex. Request your free copy today! Must be at least 18 to order.

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