The Dalai Lama Meets with Students from the USA & Israel

Thekchen Chöling, Dharamsala, HP, India - This morning, His Holiness the Dalai Lama met with a group of 51 students and 6 staff members of Kivunim. This department of Hebrew College offers an academic gap year program for North American High School graduates based in Jerusalem with field trip visits to 11 other countries. His Holiness welcomed them to Dharamsala—his home for the last sixty years.

"All of us seven billion human beings are mentally, emotionally and physically same,” he told them. “Whether you are a Muslim, a Jew, a Christian or belong to any other faith, there is no difference in the way we are born or the way we die. We begin our lives basking in our mother’s affection, without which we would not have survived.

“Scientists have evidence that basic human nature is compassionate. They have also found that the opposite, constant anger and hatred, weaken our immune systems. Therefore, just as we teach physical hygiene to preserve our physical health, in order for people to learn how to maintain a happy, peaceful mind, they need to learn emotional hygiene—how to tackle their destructive emotions.”

His Holiness explained that he is committed to promoting basic human values because of his concern that people should be able to lead their lives in joy and peace. In this connection he is also committed to encouraging religious harmony because, despite differences in their philosophical views, all major religious traditions convey a similar message of love and compassion, patience and tolerance and so forth. He acknowledged that belief in a merciful creator God is a powerful basis for viewing our fellow creatures as brothers and sisters. Being responsible for your own actions, as taught among non-theistic traditions, has a similar effect.

His Holiness mentioned how sad he feels to see conflict in the name of religion:

"Religion is supposed to bring people closer together, so it’s unthinkable that it should be used create conflict. It is particularly sad when members of different denominations of the same religion, such as Sunni and Shia Muslims, quarrel with each other, however this doesn’t seem to be a problem in India.”

Although he has retired and passed his political responsibilities to an elected leadership in 2011, His Holiness remains deeply concerned about keeping Tibet's rich culture and language alive.
"As far as the Nalanda tradition is concerned, its approach to reality, which depends on the use of reason, is scientific and unique among Buddhist traditions."

Regarding the need to protect Tibet’s ecology, His Holiness reported that scientists have told him that because the natural environment at high altitude is more fragile, when it is damaged it takes much longer to recover.

“Historically, according to Chinese documents, Tibet, Mongolia and China were independent nations in the 7th, 8th and 9th centuries,” His Holiness remarked. “However, the past is past. We need to take account of the reality today. We are not seeking separate status for Tibet. We are prepared to remain with the People’s Republic of China (PRC), provided there is mutual benefit. I have great admiration for the spirit of the European Union that puts the common interest ahead of the interests of its individual members.”

His Holiness answered several questions from the audience and posed for a photographs with them before returning to his residence.

original link & photos: https://www.dalailama.com/news/2019/meeting-with-students-from-the-usa-and-israel

Dalai Lama Meets with an Interfaith Forum

Meeting with an Interfaith Forum

Bodhgaya, Bihar, India - Members of an Inter Faith Forum from Gaya, comprising Buddhists, Hindus, Christians, Muslims, Jains, Sikhs and Brahmakumaris came to meet His Holiness the Dalai Lama at Gaden Phelgyeling today. The Secretary, AK Khan speaking on behalf of the Forum welcomed His Holiness to this sacred place once more. He told him that the Inter Faith Forum was established in 2001. Among their activities members visit each others’ places of worship and join each other in celebrating their festivals, acknowledging their common message of love and compassion. They reject terrorism at any level and work to encourage respect for all major religions.

“Spiritual brothers and sisters,” His Holiness said, addressing the group with a fond smile, “as I always say, we belong to the seven billion human beings. With two eyes, one nose and so on, we are the same; some of us just have more hair. Mentally we are the same, emotionally we are the same. Each one of us wants to live a happy, joyful life. In our childhood we learn that love and affection are a source of happiness as our mothers care for us.

“My mother was essentially kind. She would weep when she encountered people who were really poor, but always found something to give them. She was my first teacher of compassion. Now, scientists tell us, based on experiments I’ve seen, that basic human nature is compassionate. So, our education systems need to teach how to develop peace of mind, how to be a happy individual in a happy family and a happy community here and now.

“I sometimes ask if religion is relevant today and since everyone needs love and affection, the answer seems to be “Yes”. However, it’s crucial that members of different religious traditions live in harmony with each other. If instead we quarrel and fight, people are entitled to ask, “What’s the use of religion?” Therefore, we need to be active in promoting religious harmony. In June next year, there will be an All-India Muslim Conference in Delhi focussed on encouraging Sunnis and Shias in the Middle East and elsewhere to befriend one another.”

His Holiness remarked that if we follow religion properly, all our various traditions have the potential to bring about peace of mind. He added that paying lip service to tradition is not enough, nor should religion be a vehicle of exploitation; he insisted that we have to be sincere in our practice. He observed that materialistic education has brought many problems from too much competition to dividing people into ‘us’ and ‘them’. To counter this, His Holiness suggested it should be possible in India to combine modern education with ancient Indian understanding of the workings of the mind and emotions.

original link & photos: https://www.dalailama.com/news/2018/meeting-with-an-interfaith-forum

The Destruction of the Canaanites & Paranormal Activity/Beliefs

By Reverend Mark Hunnemann

The book of Joshua presents the sensitive reader with a problem; the slaughter of the indigenous Canaanite population in order for Israel to occupy their land.How are we to understand this today, and what lessons can we learn from it in general, and particularly regarding how we understand God and the paranormal? This is a legitimate issue that deserves a reply--but I will only be able to touch on some basics--for fuller reflection one will need to see more in-depth articles. Any similar actions today would rightly be condemned by Christians, but there are special features to Israel's actions which are unique, which means their actions are not to be imitated today.This command to Israel is one reason that the Pentateuch goes into so much detail regarding the singular divine calling of Moses.The commands given and written by Moses originate in God's own mind (Deuteronomy 18:15-20). Without this certainty of Moses as God's spokesman, Israel would have had no right to the land.In fact, in Deuteronomy 18:9-14 God tells us how much He hates occult sins (e.g.psychics/mediums, and attempts to speak to the dead) and this is intentionally juxtaposed to Moses call...showing that the prohibition is trans-cultural and trans-generational in authority. It was these very sins which called forth God's wrath, using Israel as His vessel of judgement.

A second preliminary point is that He sets out laws of warfare which distinguish between battles fought against cities outside the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 20:16-18) and those fought against cities in the Promised Land. Only the latter were required to be devoted to complete destruction (Deuteronomy 20:1-20). With these clarifications, let us now (in mere outline form) show why this command is not an unsovable problem.

1. It is crucial to understand that Yahweh is the Creator and owner of all people and lands. Hence, He has the right to distribute lands according to His good and holy will (Exodus 19:5; Psalm 24:1) He is also (and this is so very important in the ghost debate) the universal Judge, to whom all people everywhere are accountable.This can be seen in the Flood account in Genesis 6-8; the judgement on the Tower of Babel, and all throughout both the Old and New Testament. Thus, God alone has the ultimate rights over the land of Canaan, and bring them into judgement for cosmic treason against His holy character and will.

In addition, as the Creator of life, the Lord has the right to end one's life..or an entire nation.. In fact, God is sovereign over your death, and that moment is in His hands (Psalm 139) God has the right to "kill" anyone at anytime....which we call 'death'.. We are not God, so abortion is not our prerogative. Behold, your God!

2. Since all people are sinners  (Romans 3:23), they are subject to God's judgement (6:23). The bible gives a moral rationale for the destruction of the Canaanites. (Deuteronomy 7:1-5) If the Jews did not kill all the Canaaanites, then they would lure them into idolatry. We are told in the New Testament that believers will participate in the final judgement (1 Corinthians 6:2). Likewise, Israel was God's instrument of judgement, expressing to the watching world the holy character of God, and foreshadowing the Day of Judgement (hell) and our participation in the carrying out of the final judgement. To the extent that Israel mirrored God's holiness and justice, the surrounding nations outside the Promised Land were blessed by this holy war. In nations which were drowning in occult darkness, being exposed to the light of truth regarding the True God, was very much a blessing, to those who received it.Behold, your God!

The Amorites and other Canaanites were not "innocent people"....they hated Israel and they were unspeakably depraved.... They were given 400 years to repent, but unlike Ninevah, most did not repent.

Some people have wrongly called this "ethnic cleansing", but there was no double standard. Israel herself experienced God's wrath multiple times--they were blessed if they obeyed but they were cursed by God if they committed spiritual adultery. Ethnic cleansing is occurring today and Christians should be the first to oppose it.

3. The Sinai covenant set up a unique entity--a theocracy--in which church and state were combined.Hence, the distinction between sin and crime was not as it is today (since we are not a theocracy).Sin would pollute God's covenant community. Over and over and over again, the Lord warned the Israelites that they HAD to destroy the Canaanites or they would most certainly be dragged down by them. Sadly, that is precisely what happened. We could call it "the Canaanization of the Jews". The first city they destroyed was Jericho (one of the oldest cities on earth..perhaps the oldest), which was symbolic of the whole land. The city's name has reference to the moon, so they likely were worshippers of the moon...a moon idol behind which were demons.Canaan was teeming with idolatry and ritualistic murder, and as a result it was a stronghold of Satan...teeming with demons.Idolatry, injustice, and evil were everywhere, and this triad is what Yahweh wanted to protect His elect people from, the apple of His eye. As we are told, the Canaanites sin had reached "fullness', making them ripe for judgement. The people had become so corrupt the very land is said to have vomited them out. Behold, your God!

4. The apparent implacability of total slaughter with no exceptions was just that, an appearance. The verbiage is strong, but provision was made for any who were converted to Yahweh (e.g. Rahab) It was not ethnic cleansing that occurred, but rather it was spiritual cleansing.Ethnicity had nothing to do with the Canaanites destruction because, from day one, the Jews were a mixed bunch.  They were supposed to be a light to the nations, according to the Abrahamic covenant.

In summary, God's ownership of all land and the One who judges the world with perfect justice, the need to protect the purity of the Israelite theocracy, the depravity of the Canaanites had reached a critical mass,and provisions for even the Canaanites to be saved--all illustrate the justice behind this holy war of annihilation. That was a unique part of Israels mission, and nobody today can follow in their footsteps. Again, it was not ethnic cleansing (Christians should strongly oppose any such actions) but it was spiritual cleansing.

When I watched the Dead Files last Friday, I was alarmed that, once again, Amy put the blame on evil dead kids who were out to kill the living adults. This trio of alleged earthbound children supposedly pushed a woman down the steps (according to this medium), and she is blessed she wasn't killed. Last week she recommended a curandero (sorta like a shaman), and this week (not sure if it was a re-run) she said, "I was going to recommend an exorcism, but you need a chaos magickian."  Even many occultists are fearful or least wary of these people. I mention all this as an application of what we have learned. 2 Corinthians 10 tells us that we are to destroy (not the Canaanites) but arguments or ideas contrary to God's holy word. We are in a holy war, not jihad as Muslims practice, but a holy war nevertheless.How can one believe in children being trapped here (and killing people)? It is madness. The cure for such monstrous beliefs is a fresh vision or understanding of God's absolute holiness. Wrestling with the destruction of the Canaanites should make it abundantly clear how holy God is, and how contradictory to God's holiness are the foundational beliefs of the paranormal community.Christians, behold your God!

Mark Hunnemann is the author of Seeing Ghosts Through God's Eyes: A Worldview Analysis of Earthbound Spirits. It's also available in eBook format.  

Dalai Lama Calls Inter-faith Meeting in India Amid Rising Tension

Buddhist spiritual leader to convene unprecedented talks in attempt to boost religious harmony in emerging economic power

By Jason Burke in Delhi

The Dalai Lama is to convene an unprecedented meeting of Indian faith leaders in an effort to encourage religious harmony in the emerging economic power.

Aides said the Buddhist spiritual leader was concerned about rising communal tension in India as well as a number of other important issues, from environmental degradation and natural disasters to discrimination against women.

"His Holiness is concerned by the things that are happening. The aim is to come up with an action plan to promote religious harmony," said Gelek Namgyal, a spokesman.

Though aides stressed that the initiative was apolitical, it comes amid concern at increasingly fractious relations between majority Hindu and minority Muslim populations in the country.

In the election campaign this year, candidates from the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were accused of playing on deep-seated sectarian prejudices to boost support. Narendra Modi, who took power after a landslide victory in May, told supporters during the campaign that refugees from Bangladesh, who are largely Muslim, should be deported, while suggesting that India was the "natural home" of Hindu refugees. A key aide, Amit Shah, is facing criminal charges of hate speech.

Supporters say Modi believes in true equality for India's minorities by ensuring fair opportunities and development for the country's 1.6 billion people. His critics accuse him of undermining decades of official secularism.

One BJP minister said recently that profits made from slaughtering cattle for export – a trade dominated by Muslims – funded terrorism, while another BJP official said Muslim religious schools were "manufacturing terrorists".

Politicians and activists from a variety of hardline Hindu organisations have claimed that Muslims in India engage in "love jihad", a supposed systematic campaign to convert Hindu women through marriage. Some Christian groups have backed the allegation, which is denied by Muslim community leaders.

Since fleeing to India from Tibet in 1959, the Dalai Lama has scrupulously avoided any intervention in Indian domestic politics. Aides said the meeting had "nothing to do with any political party being in power" and simply stemmed from the Nobel peace laureate's concern for the country which has hosted him for decades.

"Religious leaders have a great role and influence here in India. After living here for so long he wants to do something for this country," one said.

When "politicians disharmonised" it was possible for religious leaders to "bring harmony", the aide explained.

Representatives of all faiths are expected to participate in the meeting this weekend. They include the Hindu guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, a senior Shia Muslim cleric, the archbishop of Bombay, and leaders of India's small Jewish community.

At the top of the agenda is "promoting such human values as kindness and compassion, tolerance and forgiveness" and "fostering inter-religious harmony and understanding".

The Dalai Lama, who is revered by his followers as the 14th reincarnation of the Buddha Avalokiteshvara, who achieved spiritual enlightenment, gave up his political functions in 2010.

Beijing considers the 79-year-old, who left Tibet after an abortive uprising against Chinese rule, to be a violent separatist.

The conclave was originally scheduled early this week but would have clashed with the first visit to India of China's president, Xi Jinping. Indian media reported that it was postponed after a request from the prime minister's office.

Modi used his Twitter feed on Monday to issue a statement welcoming Xi to Ahmedabad, the capital of Gujarat state, which will be the Chinese leader's first stop on Wednesday. Xi is on a week-long tour of South Asian states including the Maldives, Sri Lanka and Nepal.

"Am sure his visit will strengthen India-China ties. Buddhism is a very strong bond between China & India. In fact, Gujarat too has a very rich Buddhist heritage," Modi tweeted.

Modi has previously been accused of failing to prevent rioting in Gujarat when he was chief minister there in 2002. An estimated 1,000 people, largely Muslims, died in the violence. A supreme court judicial inquiry found no evidence to substantiate the charge.

See original photo and article here: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/15/dalai-lama-inter-faith-meeting-india-rising-tension

The Destruction of the Canaanites & Paranormal Activity/Beliefs

By Reverend Mark Hunnemann

The book of Joshua presents the sensitive reader with a problem; the slaughter of the indigenous Canaanite population in order for Israel to occupy their land.How are we to understand this today, and what lessons can we learn from it in general, and particularly regarding how we understand God and the paranormal? This is a legitimate issue that deserves a reply--but I will only be able to touch on some basics--for fuller reflection one will need to see more in-depth articles. Any similar actions today would rightly be condemned by Christians, but there are special features to Israel's actions which are unique, which means their actions are not to be imitated today.This command to Israel is one reason that the Pentateuch goes into so much detail regarding the singular divine calling of Moses.The commands given and written by Moses originate in God's own mind (Deuteronomy 18:15-20). Without this certainty of Moses as God's spokesman, Israel would have had no right to the land.In fact, in Deuteronomy 18:9-14 God tells us how much He hates occult sins (e.g.psychics/mediums, and attempts to speak to the dead) and this is intentionally juxtaposed to Moses call...showing that the prohibition is trans-cultural and trans-generational in authority. It was these very sins which called forth God's wrath, using Israel as His vessel of judgement.

A second preliminary point is that He sets out laws of warfare which distinguish between battles fought against cities outside the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 20:16-18) and those fought against cities in the Promised Land. Only the latter were required to be devoted to complete destruction (Deuteronomy 20:1-20). With these clarifications, let us now (in mere outline form) show why this command is not an unsovable problem.

1. It is crucial to understand that Yahweh is the Creator and owner of all people and lands. Hence, He has the right to distribute lands according to His good and holy will (Exodus 19:5; Psalm 24:1) He is also (and this is so very important in the ghost debate) the universal Judge, to whom all people everywhere are accountable.This can be seen in the Flood account in Genesis 6-8; the judgement on the Tower of Babel, and all throughout both the Old and New Testament. Thus, God alone has the ultimate rights over the land of Canaan, and bring them into judgement for cosmic treason against His holy character and will.

In addition, as the Creator of life, the Lord has the right to end one's life..or an entire nation.. In fact, God is sovereign over your death, and that moment is in His hands (Psalm 139) God has the right to "kill" anyone at anytime....which we call 'death'.. We are not God, so abortion is not our prerogative. Behold, your God!

2. Since all people are sinners  (Romans 3:23), they are subject to God's judgement (6:23). The bible gives a moral rationale for the destruction of the Canaanites. (Deuteronomy 7:1-5) If the Jews did not kill all the Canaaanites, then they would lure them into idolatry. We are told in the New Testament that believers will participate in the final judgement (1 Corinthians 6:2). Likewise, Israel was God's instrument of judgement, expressing to the watching world the holy character of God, and foreshadowing the Day of Judgement (hell) and our participation in the carrying out of the final judgement. To the extent that Israel mirrored God's holiness and justice, the surrounding nations outside the Promised Land were blessed by this holy war. In nations which were drowning in occult darkness, being exposed to the light of truth regarding the True God, was very much a blessing, to those who received it.Behold, your God!

The Amorites and other Canaanites were not "innocent people"....they hated Israel and they were unspeakably depraved.... They were given 400 years to repent, but unlike Ninevah, most did not repent.

Some people have wrongly called this "ethnic cleansing", but there was no double standard. Israel herself experienced God's wrath multiple times--they were blessed if they obeyed but they were cursed by God if they committed spiritual adultery. Ethnic cleansing is occurring today and Christians should be the first to oppose it.

3. The Sinai covenant set up a unique entity--a theocracy--in which church and state were combined.Hence, the distinction between sin and crime was not as it is today (since we are not a theocracy).Sin would pollute God's covenant community. Over and over and over again, the Lord warned the Israelites that they HAD to destroy the Canaanites or they would most certainly be dragged down by them. Sadly, that is precisely what happened. We could call it "the Canaanization of the Jews". The first city they destroyed was Jericho (one of the oldest cities on earth..perhaps the oldest), which was symbolic of the whole land. The city's name has reference to the moon, so they likely were worshippers of the moon...a moon idol behind which were demons.Canaan was teeming with idolatry and ritualistic murder, and as a result it was a stronghold of Satan...teeming with demons.Idolatry, injustice, and evil were everywhere, and this triad is what Yahweh wanted to protect His elect people from, the apple of His eye. As we are told, the Canaanites sin had reached "fullness', making them ripe for judgement. The people had become so corrupt the very land is said to have vomited them out. Behold, your God!

4. The apparent implacability of total slaughter with no exceptions was just that, an appearance. The verbiage is strong, but provision was made for any who were converted to Yahweh (e.g. Rahab) It was not ethnic cleansing that occurred, but rather it was spiritual cleansing.Ethnicity had nothing to do with the Canaanites destruction because, from day one, the Jews were a mixed bunch.  They were supposed to be a light to the nations, according to the Abrahamic covenant.

In summary, God's ownership of all land and the One who judges the world with perfect justice, the need to protect the purity of the Israelite theocracy, the depravity of the Canaanites had reached a critical mass,and provisions for even the Canaanites to be saved--all illustrate the justice behind this holy war of annihilation. That was a unique part of Israels mission, and nobody today can follow in their footsteps. Again, it was not ethnic cleansing (Christians should strongly oppose any such actions) but it was spiritual cleansing.

When I watched the Dead Files last Friday, I was alarmed that, once again, Amy put the blame on evil dead kids who were out to kill the living adults. This trio of alleged earthbound children supposedly pushed a woman down the steps (according to this medium), and she is blessed she wasn't killed. Last week she recommended a curandero (sorta like a shaman), and this week (not sure if it was a re-run) she said, "I was going to recommend an exorcism, but you need a chaos magickian."  Even many occultists are fearful or least wary of these people. I mention all this as an application of what we have learned. 2 Corinthians 10 tells us that we are to destroy (not the Canaanites) but arguments or ideas contrary to God's holy word. We are in a holy war, not jihad as Muslims practice, but a holy war nevertheless.How can one believe in children being trapped here (and killing people)? It is madness. The cure for such monstrous beliefs is a fresh vision or understanding of God's absolute holiness. Wrestling with the destruction of the Canaanites should make it abundantly clear how holy God is, and how contradictory to God's holiness are the foundational beliefs of the paranormal community.Christians, behold your God!

Bad Bad Thing Award Goes to Muslims Exploiting Underage Girls/Late Term Abortion/Chrislam

By Kirby Robinson

Muslims Exploiting Underage Girls
Late Term Abortion
Chrislam

BAD BAD THING MONDAY folks. Gangs exploiting underage girls coming soon to America. These Muslims want your daughters, your sisters, and your granddaughters for the sex trade

If you’ve seen the action adventure thriller TAKEN, you know the story. It stars Liam Neeson who plays a former CIA agent running through the streets of Paris to save his kidnapped daughter from being lost into the sordid underworld of slavery. By the end of the movie, he saves her. In reality, it’s not just a movie. In Britain and Europe, it’s been going on for years. Gangs of Muslim men are doing this and the media refuses to cover the story. But we found this article. Grooming Gangs in the UK & ‘Lover Boys’ in the Netherlands Exploit Underage White Girls.

http://sheikyermami.com/2012/11/24/grooming-gangs-in-the-uk-lover-boys-in-the-netherlands-exploit-underage-white-girls/ 

Moms and dads grandparents, sisters, and brothers are warned this type of sex slavery is coming to the US and that is a bad bad thing.

Late Term Abortion Trial

We have to ask why? Ever since the beginning of the year, you’ve heard about the Jodi Arias murder trial. However, the media has remained almost completely silent on former abortion doctor, Kermit Gosnell of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Gosnell performed late term abortions, and reading or hearing about the details of them is stomach churning. Here is more information about the case:

http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Abortion-Trial-Stirs-Debate-on-When-Life-Ends-205330781.html

Crislim 

There is a conspiracy at work here. Call it a liberal agenda, call it new age, call it demonic, but the times are changing for the worse. We now have Chrislam, sometimes spelled Chrislim, which is the merging of Christianity and the Muslim faith. Sharia Law is creeping into the courts and the media remains silent.

Do you know of a para-celeb, psychic, ghost hunter, demon chaser or false teacher who’s eligible for the award? You can take part by sending us a name and why you think they should receive the BAD BAD THING award. Contact freeallspirits@live.com for more information.

Keep current and follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/eyeonparanormal

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Dalai Lama Speaks at William and Mary Hall

October 10, 2012, By Rusty Carter, editor@vagazette.com

WILLIAMSBURG – Like a man dispensing advice and humor to his grandchildren, the 14th Dalai Lama took a crowd of 8,200 people on a journey Wednesday afternoon at William and Mary Hall, covering a range of topics that meandered from green eye shadow, and ugly wives, to 9/11 and the end of the world.

The spiritual leader of the Buddhist world spoke for just over 45 minutes, delivering folksy, simple wisdom.

His reaction to a standing ovation that grew louder when he donned a William & Mary visor? "So, sit down."

He greeted his audience as brothers and sisters, noting that "fundamentally, we are the same beings."

The lecture centered on compassion, cautioning that many of man's problems are self-created.

"There's too much emphasis on the secondary level of differences in religion, differences in race, in color, in nationality. If I say Buddhism is better, my attitude creates a barrier.

"Nobody wants problems. Even those able to handle problems, this person wishes for less problems. No one is thinking, 'I want more serious problems to handle.' That's foolish thinking."

The Dalai Lama suggested there is a new reality to the world, discounting the idea that history repeats itself. "We have to find a new way of thinking, new approaches to problems. We must study the reality."

To that end, he felt the United States was too quick to rely on force, noting that "unexpected consequences often happen."

He recalled meeting former President George W. Bush. "I really love him. He's a nice person ... on a human level. Some of his policies, I have reservations about."

That led into an explanation of compassion. The Dalai Lama recalled attending a conference in Delhi, India that dealt with health care. "No one asked religion or nationality. They took care of the sick as human beings.

"We're the same. We're born the same. We die the same. Our reproduction is the same."

He said that animals show compassion for their own, as mothers care for their young. Humans, however, have the ability to extend companion to enemies. "Only humans have that compassion. If we extend that compassion to our enemies, maybe one day they will become good friends."

The Dalai Lama sprinkled humor into his lecture at regular intervals. While talking about compassion, he spoke of a group of Cubans he once met. "They said they prayed to God to please bring [Fidel] Castro to heaven as soon as possible. They didn't like him as a leader, but they wanted a good ending."

Talking about young adults, the Dalai Lama noted that young ladies "spend lots of money on cosmetics. They put this green color on," waving his hand in front of his face and just above his eyes. "It looks very strange."

That served as a metaphor to talk about inner beauty and lasting relationships. With it came another story.

"In the '60s in India, one Tibetan, his wife was not ... attractive." Laughter spread throughout the hall. "I told him that his wife was not that attractive. He said 'attractive no, but inner beauty is very good.' I had no further argument."

Responding to pre-submitted questions from students, the Dalai Lama took on a few more serious topics.

Asked about how people of diverse religions can work and live together, he talked about speaking at a 9/11 commemoration a year after the terrorist attacks.

"Because of one act by one group of people, to characterize the whole Muslim religion as bad is totally wrong," he said.

He noted that Buddhists suffered greatly under Muslim rule in India. "The past is the past," he added.

To a question about the use of technology in today's world, the Dalai Lama said he went two years without "opening his television." When a young visitor asked how he passed the time, he said "Mostly, I think. I meditate about life, about the world. I analyze."

The Dalai Lama recalled a question from one person about the prediction based on a Mayan calendar that the world will end this December. The person wanted to know if he believed it was true.

"I said, 'No.' Buddha's teachings are supposed to last 5,000 years. It's only been 2,500 so there's at least another 2,500 years to go."

The Paranormal Christian – Freemasonry: Christian or Occult?

By Pastor Michael Frisbee, DD/DM

Though Freemasonry is not considered by many as a subject or a part of the paranormal, there are many aspects of Freemasonry that falls into special rituals, oaths, and such that fall into a quasi-religious aspect, and I will outline, have a pagan and non-Christian origin.  As always, I know I will be stepping on a lot of toes here, but considering the dangers for Christian and my mission to shine the light of God’s Truth, I feel that I must tackle this age old subject.

There is a great deal out there regarding Freemasonry.  For those who only have a passing awareness of this organization, here is a description:

Freemasonry is a fraternal organization that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th century. Freemasonry now exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around six million, including approximately 150,000 under the jurisdictions of the Grand Lodge of Scotland and Grand Lodge of Ireland, over a quarter of a million under the jurisdiction of the United Grand Lodge of England and just under two million in the United States.

The fraternity is administratively organized into independent Grand Lodges or sometimes Orients, each of which governs its own jurisdiction, which consists of subordinate (or constituent) Lodges. The various Grand Lodges recognize each other, or not, based upon adherence to landmarks (a Grand Lodge will usually deem other Grand Lodges who share common landmarks to be regular, and those that do not to be "irregular" or "clandestine").

There are also appendant bodies, which are organizations related to the main branch of Freemasonry, but with their own independent administration.
Source – Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freemasonry

The most basic unit is your local “Masonic Lodge”.  Members join and begin as initiates known as an Entered Apprentice.  The member then works through the various rituals and requirements to attain the 2nd degree, titled Fellow Craft.  Then upon completing the various goals for advancement, becomes a Master Mason.  This comprises what is called the Blue Lodge Masonry.  Once completing the three degrees of the Blue Lodge, a mason is then allowed to go into either the Scottish rite of Freemasonry which has 32 degrees or the York rite which has 13 degrees. These are advanced degrees, where you pay more dues, and expect to learn (and don't) the secrets of Freemasonry. As one progresses through the degree work of these rites, they tell you that you are on a quest to find the lost name of God.

The most disturbing part of Freemasonry is the large number of Christians that have come under sway and membership of this organization.  They are drawn by the alleged networking of fellow businessmen, of the community work being done, etc.  Back in 1993, the Southern Baptist Convention took notice of this, formed an investigative commission, and it created a report that was one of the most in-depth.  There were eight areas of concern the commission identified as being “contrary to Christian belief.”

1) Freemasonry uses offensive, non-biblical, and blasphemous terms relating to God.
2) Freemasonry insists on the use of “bloody oaths” or obligations, which are strictly forbidden by the Bible (Matt.5:34-37).
3) Freemasonry urges that occultic and/or pagan readings be used, and that their teachings be appropriated in interpreting such concepts as the Trinity.
4) Freemasonry includes the Bible as part of the “furniture of the lodge,” but only as an equal with non-Christian symbols and writings.
5) Freemasonry misuses the term “light” to refer to moral “reformation” as a means to salvation.
6) Freemasonry teaches that salvation may be attained by “good works” and not through faith in Christ alone.
7) Freemasonry advocates in many of its writings the non-biblical teachings of universalism.
8) In some of its lodges, Freemasonry discriminates against nonwhites.
Source - Annual of the Southern Baptist Convention, 1993

Under the Scottish Rite, once you achieve the 33rd Degree, you can now join additional advancement organizations, such as the Shriners.  We all recognize them, Red Fezzes, funny little cars at the parades, they have a front of doing great works in the community, much leaning towards charity work for children.

What many ignore is the very symbolism of what they proudly display.  The fez itsef is an affront to Christianity.  So named after the city of Fez, Morocco…which by the way has been the site of numerous documented massacres of both Jews and Christians by various Muslim conquerors. The Fez is a distinctly Muslim symbol and, at least indirectly, celebrates the Muslim conquest of the area.

The emblem found on the fez is that of Muslim origin. It contains the Arabic pagan god symbols of the Crescent Moon and Star, originally the symbol of the Ottomon Empire, now an international symbol of Islam. The symbols are hung under a "scimitar" or an Arabic sword of war. This is the sword that has killed the "infidels" down through the ages under Muslim conquest.

The Shriner meets in a "temple" most of which have distinctly Arabic names. They are often built to resemble a Mosque. He wears his fez with the Muslim symbols on it. He takes his oaths and says his prayers in the name of ALLAH. Many of his secret passwords and code phrases are in Arabic, which he is required to memorize in order to be in the "order".

Candidates for induction into the Shriners are greeted by a High Priest, who says: “By the existence of Allah and the creed of Mohammed; by the legendary sanctity of our Tabernacle at Mecca, we greet you.”  The inductees then swear on the Bible and the Koran, in the name of Mohammed, and invoke Masonry's usual gruesome penalties upon themselves:

“I do hereby, upon this Bible, and on the mysterious legend of the Koran, and its dedication to the Mohammedan faith, promise and swear and vow that I will never reveal any secret part or portion whatsoever of the ceremonies and now upon this sacred book, by the sincerity of a Moslem's oath I here register this irrevocable vow in willful violation whereof may I incur the fearful penalty of having my eyeballs pierced to the center with a three-edged blade, my feet flayed and I be forced to walk the hot sands upon the sterile shores of the Red Sea until the flaming sun shall strike me with livid plague, and may Allah, the god of Arab, Moslem and Mohammedan, the god of our fathers, support me to the entire fulfillment of the same. Amen. Amen. Amen."


Source - Excerpt from The Origins and Influence of Masonry by Lee Penn, SCP Journal Vol. 25:2-25:3 2001

With this oath, Christians swear on the Koran, and declare Allah to be the god of our fathers. From the perspective of Christianity and Islam alike, Shriners take the name of God in vain, and mock both faiths.  I know many Shriners will deny this, but many who have left and re-committed their lives to Christ have shared this truth.

Tomorrow night, Rev. Hunneman and I will cover in more detail what the SBC found, as well as other researchers into Freemasonry.  There is a great deal that is not openly shared, and what many do not know, is that there are degrees above the 33rd.  Join us tomorrow at 7 PM EST – show link can be found at http://www.theparanormalchristian.com