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Satan, the great motivator The curious economic effects of religion By Michael Fitzgerald  |  November 15, 2009What makes economies grow? It’s a question that has occupied thinkers for centuries. Most of us would tick off things like education levels, openness to trade, natural resources, and political systems.Here’s one you might not have considered: hell. A pair of Harvard researchers recently examined 40 years of data from dozens of countries, trying to sort out the economic impact of religious beliefs or practices. They found that religion has a measurable effect on developing economies - and the most powerful influence relates to...

Linda Blair, Max Von Sydow and Jason Miller in the 1973 film The Exorcist (CNS Photo) An American exorcist has said the film The Exorcist led people to believe wrongly that the devil could "come and zap them" when in fact the devil is afraid of the power of Jesus inside them. Mgr John Esseff, retired exorcist of the Diocese of Scranton, Pennsylvania, told an audience of 400 students at Bowling Green State University, Ohio that the power of Jesus within them was "enormous". He said: "The devil is afraid of you - if you would just awaken to who...

To some (like the man from Communist China who created the thing) this may represent Obama the trailblazer ... To others a great representation of Obama as Satan.

The devil, so the saying goes, is the ape of God. And so one of his standard methods for deceiving is to create parodies of good things and send them into the world in pairs.Why parodies? Because he cannot make, he can only mock. So instead of love, he offers lust. Instead of justice he offers merciless vengeance. Instead of dignity, he offers pride. Instead of contentment with the world’s goods he offers greed.Why does he send errors into the world in pairs? So that, in fleeing one lie, you will embrace the opposite lie. And so, for instance, he...

I think that to completely dismiss the "alien" abductions and UFO sightings is just not very intelligent. The truth is that SOME THING is doing these things. People have their unborne babies taken with no trace. People awake with peices of symetrical metal under their skin with no visible mark. People have thousands of hours of UFO videos, of which SOME are quite legitimate. There have been millions who have said they've been abducted. I highly doubt that every single one is lying. Even if just 5 people are telling the truth then there IS somthing "out there". As a...

by Emanuel A. Winston, Middle East Analyst & Commentator thelastcrusade.orgIn Tanach (the Jewish Bible), it speaks about the Nations of the North assembling and descending upon Israel in a conquest of savage killing. In the Prophecy the attacking Nations from the North succeed in occupying, first the lowlands along the sea and then they begin to ascend the foothills toward Jerusalem. They succeed with much carnage, raping, killing until the earth heaves; the skies turn black wherein a man cannot see to the end of his arm. This phenomenon speaks of volcanic ash so dense that nothing can be...

When MTV first appeared, back in 1981, like many other American young adults, I watched it with interest because it showcased videos of many of the bands that were popular then: The Police, Duran Duran, Squeeze, Genesis, The Go-Gos, Hall & Oats, Blondie, etc. But after the initial novelty of 24-7 music videos wore off and it became apparent that MTV was lurching steadily toward a darker, more erotic, and increasingly decadent format, I tuned out for good. The rapid transmogrification of MTV from a purveyor of meaningless, if at times mildly entertaining, videos of pop rock bands, to full-on,...

During last month's MTV music video awards ceremony, actor Jack Black urged the audience join hands and pray to "dear dark lord Satan." In his prayer, the actor prayed that the musicians and nominees would have "continued success in the music industry." The awards program was broadcasted on the MTV network (a subsidiary of the Viacom Corporation) throughout the country through cable and satellite television. The Radio City Hall audience readily acquiesced to Black's invitation to pray to the devil. In a video posted on YouTube, Black encouraged the large audience to join in by saying, "let me see those...

It is very difficult not to turn on the news or experience first hand, in some form or another, frustration, stress, or in some extreme cases, even harm. People seem to be getting crazier and crazier, and it seems like its getting out of control. Recent news headlines alone serve as a perfect indicator for what I’m talking about. In local News: Corruption, crime, murder, domestic disturbances, or other. National News: Political Corruption (money laundering, politicians writing laws to advance the interests of lobbyists and not the people), secrecy, betrayal, national sellouts to an international elite, population control (inflicting sickness...

Satan is eating your babies! Well, not Satan himself. The Beautiful Red Master is obviously too busy for such detail, so the work has been farmed out to his willing minions, who as we know, by the very definition of the word, are a dedicated bunch. Why dedicated? Lucifer is the wisest of the angels, and he starts minion training early; most recruiting efforts are focused on nursery schools, girl scout packs and the like. Don’t laugh. A not dissimilar version of this story was widely believed in the States back in the 1990s. A very large—a disturbingly large—proportion of...

GENETICS, UFOS AND THE BIRTH OF THE ANTICHRIST Written by Vladimir Moss Introduction If the first half of the twentieth century was distinguished by an amazing increase in our knowledge of the physical world, the second half was distinguished by an even more amazing increase in our knowledge of the biological world, and especially the world of human genetics and human reproduction. The vital break-through here was the discovery of DNA in 1953. Then came the introduction of the contraceptive pill, in vitro fertilisation and surrogate motherhood. As one journalist put it: “First, contraception severed the connection between sex and...

WASHINGTON – Millions of older people face shrinking Social Security checks next year, the first time in a generation that payments would not rise.

President Barack Obama needs some outside help pushing health care reform, and he's turning to rabbis to get it. In a morning conference call with about 1000 rabbis from across the nation, Obama asked for aid: "I am going to need your help in accomplishing necessary reform," the President told the group, according to Rabbi Jack Moline, who tweeted his way through the phoner. "We are God's partners in matters of life and death," Obama went on to say, according to Moline's real-time stream. The 15-minute morning briefing was sponsored by the Religion Action Center of Reform Judaism, and included...

Cancer-stricken Sen. Kennedy asks state leaders for speedy process to replace him in Congress BOSTON (AP) — A cancer-stricken Sen. Edward M. Kennedy has written a poignant letter to Massachusetts leaders asking that they change state law to allow a speedy replacement of him in Congress. The note to Gov. Deval Patrick and the state's Senate president and House speaker acknowledges the state changed its succession law in 2004 to require a special election to fill any vacancy. At the time, legislative Democrats were concerned Republican Gov. Mitt Romney would be able to fill any vacancy created as Sen. John...

Glenn Beck will be on vacation this week but when he returns on the 24th he has invited me to come to New York to talk to him on camera about Saul Alinsky, the strategy guru of the Obama era. For the the Hillary-Soros generation of johnny-come-lately radicals and their ACORN footsoldiers Alinksy is their Sun-Tzu and his book Rules for Radicals is the field manual for their struggle. I thought while I’m refreshing my acquaintance with this destructive fellow and re-reading his text, I would share my thoughts with you, serially over the next week. For this first post,...

FRIDLEY, Minn. - The Rev. Dave Glesne stood before the members of Redeemer Lutheran Church a few weeks ago and told them there might be some painful decisions in the near future. Glesne is against letting people in same-sex relationships serve as pastors of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, and he says his congregation is behind him. They're worried this suburban Minneapolis church could find itself on the losing side as leaders of the nation's largest Lutheran denomination vote on whether to take that step at their biennial national convention, which starts Monday in Minneapolis. "Of course the question...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3j2ajWTTQ8

"HE WHO HAS EARS TO HEAR< LET HIM HEAR" The Bible's last and final (sealed) prophetic book of Revelation depicts 4 main accursed players leading up to the endtime scenario. They can be found in Revelation chapters 13, 17 and 18. The 4 players are: - the two personas called the beast and his false prophet - an all-powerful nation/city which is a globally powerful commercial center depicted by a harlotrous woman - ten nations who hate the harlotrous nation (depicted as ten horns on the beast's head) and plot to destroy her. The endtime scenario involving these players can...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXMAnlMmEPw

Did Jesus actually reveal name of the 'antichrist'? via kwout

I'm not saying this is true but found it kind of upsetting honestly, this disturbed me. VIDEOIs this just an anti-obama attack?

DALLAS — Police said they found a 3 1/2-week-old infant stabbed and decapitated in a Texas home on Sunday and his mother "screaming that she killed her baby" after the devil told her to do it. The mother, Otty Sanchez, 33, of San Antonio, was taken to a local hospital in critical condition with self-inflicted stab wounds to her chest and stomach, said San Antonio police spokesman Joe Rios. Investigators took a sword, a machete and a kitchen knife from the home.

MEMO To: Minions and Dwellers in Eternal Night From: Bill Zeebob Re: Mid-year status, challenges ahead Here we are, just past the half-way mark in 2009, so I wanted to give you all a general business update, and let everybody know how things look from my chair. So far, ’09 is on track to be one of our best years since they dismantled the Gulag, and it’s largely thanks to your hard work. The Che Guevera T-shirt sales continue to bring in revenue. While we took a hit when Madoff went out of business, Senator Dodd assures me that our...

In 1964, I was flying with several companions to the Massachusetts Democratic Convention when our small plane crashed and burned short of the runway. My friend and colleague in the Senate, Birch Bayh, risked his life to pull me from the wreckage. Our pilot, Edwin Zimny, and my administrative assistant, Ed Moss, didn't survive. With crushed vertebrae, broken ribs, and a collapsed lung, I spent months in New England Baptist Hospital in Boston. To prevent paralysis, I was strapped into a special bed that immobilizes a patient between two canvas slings. Nurses would regularly turn me over so my...

What is the difference between art and entertainment? There is, obviously, some overlap: Not all art entertains (though some does); not all entertainment is art (though some is). At bottom, it seems, the difference is one of intent - the artist seeks to connect us with larger meanings, larger truths about the world, about ourselves. The primary focus of art is therefore to illuminate, with any entertainment had in the process merely a bonus. The goal of the entertainer, on the other hand, is perhaps less sublime, though no less worthy - to distract, to tickle, to stimulate the fancy....

Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera, Archbishop of Mexico City and Primate of Mexico Mexico City, Mexico, Jul 16, 2009 / 02:26 pm (CNA).- The Archbishop of Mexico City, Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera, said yesterday that the existence of the devil must be taken as fact, without exaggerating or minimizing his actions out of skepticism or credulity taken to the extreme. During a conference for exorcists in Mexico, the cardinal said skepticism leads many to deny the existence of the devil and dismiss his actions as psychological, socio-cultural or paranormal phenomena.  Others, out of extreme gullibility, see the devil everywhere and grant...

Nearly six out of ten Christians either strongly agreed or somewhat agreed with the statement that Satan "is not a living being but is a symbol of evil," the survey found. Forty percent strongly agreed with the statement while 19 percent of American Christians somewhat agreed. In contrast, about 35 percent of American Christians believe Satan is real. Twenty-six percent strongly disagreed with the statement that Satan is merely symbolic and about one-tenth (9 percent) somewhat disagreed. The remaining eight percent of American Christians responded they were unsure what to believe about the existence of Satan. Interestingly, the majority of...

KANSAS CITY, MO. - The U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear Missouri's appeal to allow the state to enforce it's law restricting protests near funerals. The law targeted a Topeka Baptist church that protests military funerals. The Westboro Baptist Church filed a lawsuit against the state after it passed two laws creating a no protest buffer zone around funerals and processions. Westboro Baptist Church out of Topeka protests the funerals saying soldiers deaths are God's punishment because of U.S. policy toward homosexuals.

“In Nixon tapes, Billy Graham refers to ‘synagogue of Satan’” That headline, which appeared yesterday in USA Today, is the latest damaging revelation about the great evangelical leader to come out of his conversations with President Richard Nixon. In the Bible, the term “synagogue of Satan,” which appears in Revelation 3:9, referred to those “who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie.” But in contemporary times the phrase has been grifted by conspiracy theorists and anti-Semites to refer to a Jewish cabal hell-bent on, and only moments away from, world domination; a Google search for “synagogue of...

With his nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor for the U.S. Supreme Court, President Obama has abandoned all pretense of being a post-partisan president. While he may like to think of himself as a thoughtful moderate soaring above the issues that divide America, his actions reveal what hides under that hopeful lining. Presidents usually nominate judges that espouse their philosophy. So what does this nomination tell us about Mr. Obama's true colors? Even the liberal establishment worries that Judge Sotomayor tilts too far to the left. New Republic essayist Jeffrey Rosen reports that fellow liberals who have watched or worked with...

WASHINGTON – The Beatles meteoric rise, unprecedented in popular culture and unrivaled nearly four decades after the band broke up, is at least partly explained, says a new book, by a pact John Lennon made with the Devil. In "The Lennon Prophecy," author Joseph Niezgoda reveals that Lennon himself, obsessed with the occult, magic, numerology and being bigger than Elvis Presley, confided in his friend Tony Sheridan that he made such a deal. The book also makes the case that the "death clues" long associated with Paul McCartney were actually subliminal messages hinting at Lennon's fate. Written by a lifelong...

The president of a Christian mission organization is trying to help believers become better equipped to battle their biggest enemy. Dr. Jerry Rankin is president of the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. In his new book Spiritual Warfare: The Battle for God's Glory, Rankin examines the causes for spiritual warfare, and the methods and disciplines Christians can use for victory. Rankin says spiritual warfare is real for all believers. "Satan is not just going to roll over and relinquish the kingdoms of the world to become the kingdoms of our Lord," he counsels. And in much more...

The original “Yes we can!” Obmama song played backwards….this song was played at all his rallies and continues at events today…. When played backwards the phrase “Yes we can” phonectically translates to “Thank you satan”, regardless of who speaks the phrase. www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajsov1M4h50

It's commonly believed to be the number that identifies the Antichrist. So perhaps the owner of this Dodge Viper supercar shouldn't have been surprised when their car went up in flames. The registration plate was '666': it was almost an invitation. It's not known what happened to the car in the Russian city of Kostroma - but whatever it was, it certainly appears apocalyptic. The top of the car was ripped off in an explosion. The seats have burned away and the charred engine is exposed. Melted, twisted metal is everywhere. Strangely, the inferno appears to have been concentrated on...

The majority of American Christians do not believe that Satan is a real being or that the Holy Spirit is a living entity, the latest Barna survey found. Nearly six out of ten Christians either strongly agreed or somewhat agreed with the statement that Satan "is not a living being but is a symbol of evil," the survey found. Forty percent strongly agreed with the statement while 19 percent of American Christians somewhat agreed. In contrast, about 35 percent of American Christians believe Satan is real. Twenty-six percent strongly disagreed with the statement that Satan is merely symbolic and about...

A new nationwide survey of adults’ spiritual beliefs, conducted by The Barna Group, suggests that Americans who consider themselves to be Christian have a diverse set of beliefs – but many of those beliefs are contradictory or, at least, inconsistent. The survey explored beliefs about spiritual beings, the influence of faith on their life, views of the Bible, and reactions to faiths other than their own. Views on Spiritual Beings The Barna survey asked questions about God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, Satan, and demons. All 1,871 self-described Christians were asked about their perception of God. In total, three-quarters (78%)...

There has been an ongoing effort in the liberal, secular Mainstream Media here in the United States and in the Global Media abroad to demonize Israel at every opportunity. As I was following the many different news outlets especially during the recent Gaza War, I was astounded over the anti-Israeli bias. This Bias was so blatantly obvious that even a fan of MSNBC couldn’t miss it. The Mainstream Media was hell-bent on slamming Israel on all fronts of the war in Gaza, and Hamas knows this.

Most debates never settle anything and are usually held so someone can be proclaimed a winner; even if they are dead wrong. In a world where popular acceptance is the new morality what might we expect? Can we eliminate the father of lies with an opinion? Let’s see. ABC’s ‘Nightline’ Face-Off: Does Satan Exist moderated by Dan Harris and aired on Thursday March 26, 2009 ignored both scriptural admonishments from Romans 1:29 and 1Corinthians 12:20 that warn against entering into debates to try to prove the faith to anyone. Christianity can only proclaim the gospel for best effect. The rest...

New age guru Deepak Chopra and Bishop Carlton Pearson debate Seattle pastor Mark Driscoll and former prostitute Annie Lobert.

<p>A self-described Satan worshipper pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder and weapons charges in the vicious stabbing death of a New York City radio newsman.</p>

Two controversial preachers, a former Las Vegas escort and an author on spirituality have been recruited by ABC to debate the existence of Satan on Friday. The unexpected line-up will tackle the issue at Mars Hill Church in Seattle for ABC's "Nightline Face-Off" series, which will air on March 26. Arguing that the devil does exist will be Pastor Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church and Annie Lobert, founder of Hookers for Jesus. On the other side of the debate are Deepak Chopra, author of Jesus: A Story of Enlightenment, and Bishop Carlton Pearson who is often labeled as a...

ARLINGTON, Wash. (AP) — A woman accused of taking more than $73,000 from the Arlington church where she was an administrative assistant blames the devil. Papers filed with a theft charge Wednesday in Snohomish County Superior Court say the 62-year-old Arlington woman told detectives "Satan had a big part in the theft." The Everett Herald reported the woman was accused of forging the pastor's signature on 80 checks from the Arlington Free Methodist church. She was fired in February 2008.

VATICAN CITY, FEB. 8, 2008 (Zenit.org.- Demons, Satanism and other related phenomena are quite topical today, and they disturb a great part of our society.Our technological and industrialized world is filled with magicians, wizards, occultism, spiritualism, fortune tellers, spell trafficking, amulets, as well as very real Satanic sects. Chased away from the door, the devil has come in through the window. Chased away by the faith, he has returned by way of superstition.The episode of Jesus' temptations in the desert that is read on the First Sunday of Lent helps us to have some clarity on this subject. First of...

MARYVILLE, Ill. (AP) — The widow of a pastor killed in mid-sermon urged mourners to reject hate and to take comfort in their faith at his funeral Friday, in the church where he was gunned down five days earlier. "On Sunday, my husband didn't die. He simply got a promotion," Cindy Winters said. She raised a hand to the sky as the "Movin' on Up" theme from "The Jeffersons" blared from the loudspeakers and the standing-room-only crowd rose to its feet at First Baptist Church in this St. Louis suburb. Fred Winters was eulogized as a coupon-clipping brainiac who never...

Today, Lucifer (i.e.,Satan) and his Satanic "Spin Machine" are well oiled and more powerful then ever. The Media outlets at his disposal greatly abound. From the Internet to TV and Radio Networks, from Hollywood to the Music Industry, from College Campuses to the Federal Courthouses to the Supreme Courts, and from Cultural Ideologies to the Fashion World. With this powerful arsenal at his disposal he has the might and authority to sway public opinion and multitudes "24/7" and at a moments notice. Never in the history of mankind has this Fallen Cherub been so powerful.

The Dark Backward: Demons in the Real World by Tom Hoopes    2/14/09     "The lunatic is on the grass."   It was an hour before midnight. Ten-year-old James was in his bedroom, alone, when he was suddenly gripped by terror. A Pink Floyd song rang out through the empty room. The radio turned on by itself.   "The lunatic is on the grass. The lunatic is in the hall."   James lay paralyzed, locked in that helpless state that is itself as terrifying as whatever causes it. He wanted to move or cry out but couldn't. So...

Man Of PeaceLook out your window, baby, there's a scene you'd like to catch, The band is playing "Dixie," a man got his hand outstretched. Could be the Fuhrer Could be the local priest. You know sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace. He got a sweet gift of gab, he got a harmonious tongue, He knows every song of love that ever has been sung. Good intentions can be evil, Both hands can be full of grease. You know that sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace. Well, first he's in the background, then he's in the...

An exorcist authorized to perform exorcisms in several dioceses spoke at a religious ministry luncheon on Sunday, explaining the basics of exorcism and its connection with abortion. Fr. Thomas Euteneuer, president of Human Life International and an exorcist, spoke at a luncheon hosted by In His Sign Network (IHS). He is an exorcist authorized to perform exorcisms in several states, and highlighted the connection between the abortion industry and demonic influence. “Abortion is a demonic industry,” he told The Bulletin. “Abortion is blood sacrifice of innocent blood to the devil. The clinics are like temples, the doctors are like priests,...

This is a way personal thing to post on such an open forum, but I believe fellow Christians will understand. My wife of 30 years has announced that she is leaving me. I am faithful to her and I love her. She is the woman God made for me and that fact has been revealed so many times through the years that it would be impossible to count. She too is a Christian but she has closed her heart and mind to God's will on this issue. I can't share great detail here, but suffice to say that she is...

Sex and the Seminary? Posted: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at 6:08 am ET The release of a report entitled "Sex and the Seminary" is certain to attract attention -- which is no doubt why the report was produced in the first place. In this case, the report is an attempt to push the sexual revolution through institutions designed for the training of ministers. As "Sex and the Seminary" makes clear, many liberal institutions joined the sexual revolution long ago. The report was released January 8, 2009 by the "Sexuality Education for the Formation of Religious Professionals and Clergy" project, which...