Like a grilled bratwurst and a satisfying brew, beer historian Bob Skilnik's latest book, "Beer & Food: An American History" ($24.95, hardcover, 280 pages, Jefferson Press, ISBN: 0977808610) is the perfect complement to A&E's recent television airing of "The American Brew."
From the quirky brews of the colonial era, the food rationing of world wars and the devastation of National Prohibition, Skilnik's sixth book weaves a tale of beer's movement from a homebrewed colonial staple, the key to saloons with their "Free Lunch" practice, and today, as a growing part of contemporary American cuisine.
"The convergence of centuries of brewing technology and the introduction of refrigeration into American households in the 1920s, plus the return of legal beer in 1933, probably led to one brave man hollering out to his wife in her Repeal-era kitchen, 'Honey, while you're up; can you get me a beer from the fridge?'
While it's an amusing anecdote, it demonstrates that historically, beer's role as an everyday household commodity is a relatively recent occurrence." Post-Prohibition is also the time when beer's pairing with food became solidified, in large part due to the efforts of the now defunct United States Brewers Association. It's not an accident that when we think of certain foods, we also think of enjoying a beer with them. The U.S.B.A. was responsible for one of the most effective marketing campaigns in U.S. history, promoting the idea that at home or away, "Beer Belongs."
The success of its post-Prohibition efforts helps explain why there might be a beer in your refrigerator today.With a foreword by Jim Koch, founder of the Boston Beer Company and its growing portfolio of Samuel Adams beers, "Beer & Food: An American History" weaves a fascinating history of the evolution of American beer and its eventual pairing with food. The book also contains over 90 beer-related food recipes, including contributions from contemporary breweries, brewpubs and beer trade organizations.
Bob Skilnik is an alumnus of Chicago's Siebel Institute of Technology - the oldest brewing school in the U.S. - where he earned a degree in brewing technology.
He is the former associate editor for the American Breweriana Journal, and has contributed to the Chicago Tribune's Good Eating food section, trade journals, magazines and newspapers. He has appeared on ABC's "The View," the Fox News Channel, ESPN2, and Chicago Public Television. "Beer & Food: An American History" is his sixth book. For more information about Bob Skilnik and "Beer & Food: An American History," visit www.beerinfood.com.
Spare some change and change America!
Three young entrepreneurs searching for capital for their startup business are taking a unique approach to fundraising; and they are calling on all Americans to help them out. What does America get in exchange?
The opportunity to help write a book detailing what Americans want to see changed in America. Who will get that book? The current President of the United States, and the field of candidates for the 2008 presidential election will receive it.
Jason Timm, Nick Ewing, and Michael Brown of Vancouver, Washington have launched www.HelpWithChange.com. For a one dollar donation every American is invited to contribute what they want to see changed in America.
Everyone is then able to vote on the ideas for changes they most agree with. The top suggestions for change as voted on will then be included in the book.
HelpWithChange.com was launched on April 4th, 2007 and will be taking suggestions for change, and the spare pocket change that goes with them until July 4th, 2007. The top 500 ideas will then be selected, published, and distributed.
Many people have already logged on and contributed what they want to see changed.When asked what inspired them to do this the trio replied "We want help change America by pursuing the American dream and launching our business. Who better to include in that process than America itself?"Jason, Nick, and Michael have all experienced the difficulty of finding someone to listen to them and that has become the driving force behind this project.
"It takes so much effort to get someone to listen to what your business idea is, and to have them show interest in funding you," Michael states.
"The same seems to go for the average American as well, sometimes they feel like they have no individual voice in the political world."Anyone can get their message for change to their political leaders and help Jason, Nick, and Michael pursue the American dream by visiting: http://www.helpwithchange.com/. For further information write via email to info@helpwithchange.com .
Thieves, stopped!
The air was electric as central station operators at HSM Electronic Protection Services worked tirelessly to help police apprehend three would-be thieves that had broken into a customer's store.Their persistence and dedication to their customer was what earned HSM the 2007 First Line of Defense Award. The Award is presented annually by the National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association (NBFAA) in conjunction with SDM Magazine to the company that goes above and beyond the call of duty to save lives and property.The First Line of Defense event took place on Sept. 8, 2006 at a Sports Authority store in Houston, when three suspects entered the premises after hours through a roof opening and tried to make off with merchandise.The first burglar alarm, an interior motion alarm, was received at the HSM central station around 10:36 that evening.Within seconds, HSM dispatcher Toni Brask received the signal and immediately contacted the location. Upon receiving no answer she contacted the Houston police and then proceeded to make the appropriate customer notifications.When the Houston police arrived at the location they could see no visible sign of a break-in and cleared the call as a false alarm."We continued to receive alarm signals in clearly defined patterns that suggested someone was walking around inside the store so we contacted the police and requested that they return to the location and take another look," said Steve Walker, director of HSM's ProtectionNet Customer Service Centers in Plymouth, Minn. and Santa Ana, Calif.At this time the store manager called into the HSM central station and provided an update that he was in route to the store and would meet the police on location.After the store manager arrived at the site several police units with well over a dozen officers showed up with a helicopter circling overhead. Three suspects were quickly apprehended. Police canine units were used to search and secure the area. All of the stolen merchandise was recovered. For winning the award, HSM received a free trip to Las Vegas for select staff and their customer along with a full spread article in SDM Magazine.Visit www.alarm.org and in its quarterly magazine, Newsline.
Labels: alarm, thief
posted by Thatsnews at 8:02 PM 0 comments links to this post
Urban Music Celebrities to Cosmetic Brands
Urban music industry song writer for Brit Award winner Shola Ama and Mobo Award winner Rishi Rich has launched her own award winning cosmetics brand, Yana Cosmetics, suitable to include all skin tones from very light to very dark.Finding the perfect foundation has been a serious challenge for the majority of makeup wearing women for decades. Yana Cosmetics puts an end to that quest with its fantastic ‘Custom Blended Foundation’, makeup individually mixed to match your skin.“I was frustrated by the small range of foundations colours available for my skin”, remarks Yana, owner of the brand, “nothing matched and the formulations were often unsuitable.” The custom blended foundation is appreciated by all skin tones with the ability to conceal dark circles under the eyes, Pink blotches, birth marks and scars.The Yana team custom blend your foundation and can compliment your cosmetics needs with a Yana Beauty Treatment by booking eyebrow or body waxing, a facial, professional make over. Once in possession of your individual blend you will find it hard to try another.Not only does the foundation give the results it promises but it also represents great value for money. The brand has recently launched a franchising display option with ready to wear premium cosmetics, suitable for all skintones.
Labels: Asian, make-up, makeup, Rishi Rich, Yana
posted by Thatsnews at 7:55 PM 0 comments links to this post
Stopping the Major Cause of Accidents and Injuries in the Workplace - The 90% Solution
Human error is involved in over 90% of all accidents and injuries in the workplace. The remedy, relative to both process safety and occupational safety, requires a focus on worker behaviors and work methods (the culture) at all levels within the organization.Until now, few organizations have been able to devote the resources required to gain any real ground in this area. The Practicing Perfection Institute, Inc. is now directly offering safety professionals the tools and strategies by which to rapidly, sustainably, and cost effectively effect the necessary culture change within their organisations.The statistics involved in virtually all recent studies of process safety and worker safety confirm that over 90% of all accidents and injuries involve human error. As a remedy, study after study has recommended a focus on worker behaviors and the methods by which people do their work. This is a grand idea; however, outside of academic recommendation, there is little indication that this approach has gained much ground.Culture Profiles conducted by the Practicing Perfection Institute, Inc. (PPI) over the past two years have revealed that(1) most organisations recognize the benefit of taking safety performance to the 'next level' (and have a genuine desire to do so),(2) inconsistencies between organizational, process and front line priorities continue to set people up to make mistakes, and(3) the results of downsizing combined with competitive pressures have created organizational workloads that afford little time for understanding and tackling issues that will create substantive and sustainable improvements in process and worker safety.PPI further indicates that while responsible and forward-thinking organisations have a stated desire to take safety performance to the 'next level', they tend to balk when it comes to planning, execution, and making real progress.This is because most of the arrows are pointing to the "human element" within the organization (at all levels, not just the front line)."Between 84 and 94 percent of all human errors can be directly attributed to process, programmatic, or organisational issues," stated Tim Autrey, Founder/CEO of PPI."It is fundamental to understand this, and it is fundamental to understand that people created (and continue to create) this 84 to 94 percent. Mistakes don't just happen on the frontline."So, what's the answer?"The answer is to engage the workforce at all levels within the organization," continued Autrey, "and do so in a manner that actually changes the culture. Apply enough resources, and you can drive performance within any organization in one direction or another for a period of time, but if you want to achieve 'next level' performance (and sustain it), you must change the culture. Culture ultimately determines results."PPI has worked with many organizations over the past two years, helping them to enhance their cultures to 'next level' performance through a process known as Practicing Perfection®. "There are hundreds of maps that promise to get you there," offered Allan Reed, Safety Trainer at the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), "but very few deliver. Practicing Perfection helped us discover our most powerful weapon against accidents…our employees."Until now, the culture enriching process of Practicing Perfection® has only been available to organizations directly through PPI; however, the Institute is announcing a First Wave opportunity for dedicated safety professionals to become Certified in the use of these powerful strategies and tools."Achieving PPC Certification," said Autrey, "will be an amazing career opportunity for individuals fortunate enough to grab a participant slot (especially in this First Wave). Likewise, it will be an incredible tool for any organization wanting to elevate its Safety Culture and jump ahead of its competition. We're rapidly approaching the 'knee in the curve'. As the proven effectiveness of Practicing Perfection® takes hold, it's destined to become the next "excellence" in organizational performance."Details on this First Wave Certification opportunity are available via the following link: First Wave for Safety.
Labels: health, safety, workplace
posted by Thatsnews at 7:47 PM 0 comments links to this post
Over a Million Make Friends Online
MakeFriendsOnline.com, one of the web's most successful UK-based Dating & Friendship Communities, has today announced the acquisition of its Millionth Member.This reflects a runaway 40% growth in the past year and is a huge milestone for the website launched in 2000 by two school friends hoping to meet new people. It also proves an online community can still be successful whilst refusing to be drawn into the seedier side of online dating.True to their founding ethics, MakeFriendsOnline owners, Martin Bysh and Marcus Hamilton, have always insisted their community exists for people to make friends, not to wreck marriages. Uniquely in it’s online environment, MakeFriendsOnline removes and excludes users who attempt to use the site to cheat on a partner.This has resulted in an average 250 users being removed from the site each month and has resulted in voluntary refunds totalling over £300,000 since the site was founded. It is therefore with undeniable pride they are now able to announce a membership of over a million despite refusing to be drawn into profit-led but ultimately unsavoury membership recruitment methods.Today’s MakeFriendsOnline is a huge online community featuring bustling Chat Rooms, lively Message Boards, private messaging facilities and on-site support in the shape of the highly popular Dating Doctor and Agony Aunt sections. In common with most sites, MakeFriendsOnline can boast countless marriages and babies but, unlike most sites, those couples usually remain part of the community which bought them together, enjoying the ongoing social gatherings and friendships whilst encouraging and supporting new members.With MakeFriendsOnline thriving, Martin & Marcus have recently been eyeing the market with a view to seeing where else their skills and ethical approach might benefit. They noted there was a great demand for free-membership sites but such sites were almost always populated by users seeking ‘a bit on the side’ or banner ads for highly questionable services and products.From this observation, MakeFriendsOnline’s sister site, Smooch.com was born. Smooch is not a cheap alternative; it is a fully faceted online portal providing most of the features which have made MakeFriendsOnline so popular.And like it’s sister site, Smooch is also ethically led, disallowing dishonest members and undesirable contributions. Unlike MakeFriendsOnline, however, Smooch will be sustained solely by advertising, thus making such a site accessible to those who cannot afford monthly membership fees.In the 16 weeks since it’s launch, Smooch.com membership has exceeded all expectations in both member acquisitions and page views, while www.MakeFriendsOnline.com continues to grow from strength to strength, making it clear to those who doubted that there is plenty of room in this market for both free and premium services.
Labels: friends
posted by Thatsnews at 7:20 PM 0 comments links to this post
Whatprice Launches New Pricing Calculators
Whatprice are proud to announce the launch of a new suite of pricing calculators to help budding home improvers understand how much their projects should cost them. Whatprice have trawled their extensive pricing database and analysed pricing trends in certain home improvement areas.With a bit of online wizardry these pricing trends are transformed into simple forms to fill in and present you with detailed estimated costs of your home improvement activity. There are 3 pricing calculators available at present with many more in the pipeline:Conservatory Costs “Specify the size and design of your desired conservatory along with a few details such as type of glass, air conditioning and types of blinds. The results are a complete breakdown of rough estimates to get the entire conservatory build by a professional. www.whatprice.co.uk/tools/conservatory.phpCentral Heating Installation Enter your property dimensions, the number of radiators you think you need and the type of boiler you want. With these figures Whatprice can estimate your total central heating installation costs including labour costs, pipe work, water tanks and anything else required to complete the installation. www.whatprice.co.uk/tools/central-heating-costs.phpPainting a Room “This calculator works out how much of each type of paint you will need and estimates the total cost of decorating a room. Just enter the rough size of the room, number of doors, windows and the type of paint you want to use. You'll get a full breakdown of costs and well as the amount of time it should take to complete the job. www.whatprice.co.uk/tools/decorating-costs.phpAll of these calculators make a few assumptions about the type and quality of work that is required; however they are valuable estimates that will allow consumers to judge what sort of home improvements they can afford, and more importantly, whether they are paying over the odds. After all, no one likes to get ripped off!
Labels: building, calculator
posted by Thatsnews at 3:55 PM 0 comments links to this post
UK needs to move forward to accept higher broadband speeds
A recent report has highlighted how the UK needs to move its technology forward in order to cope with the very high speed broadband that is expected in the future.According to the report,the UK is running short of time to update its technology in order to cope with the faster broadband speeds of the future, and telecom companies will have to quickly start looking at ways in which to create faster networks.The report comes from the Broadband Stakeholder Group. According to the BSG unless these technological changes are made, the UK could face financial and social problems because of the effect that the dated technology will have upon broadband use.With the Internet and broadband become an ever increasing part of our business and personal lives, the BSG believes that next generation networks are essential to enable the UK to cope with increasing broadband speeds that will be available in the UK and other developed countries.The group states that it is now essential that telecom companies start thinking to the future with regards to their network speeds, so that very high speed broadband can be handled by the networks in the future. The chairman of the group, Kip Meek, stated: "Broadband matters. There's plenty of evidence that broadband itself has had a very beneficial impact on economic performance. The move from narrowband to broadband has been very important and our hunch is that the move from low-speed broadband will be just as important."He also added it was unlikely that the current telecom infrastructure in the UK would be able to handle very high speed broadband and enable consumers to benefit from these high speeds.He said, however, that there was little encouragement for providers to improve the network speeds, adding: "The point we have come to, whatever technology is adopted be it fibre, wireless or whatever, is that there will be a hefty bill. We have to create the circumstances in the UK where someone is prepared to write out the cheques to do that."His views were echoed by Yvan Bamping of broadband comparison site www.broadband-expert.co.uk who stated: "There have been massive advances in broadband speeds and availability over recent years, it's important the UK has the correct infrastructure to continue this trend."
Labels: broadband, Internet
posted by Thatsnews at 3:52 PM 0 comments links to this post
The Cornish Candle Company launches new handmade teacup candles
The Cornish Candle Company are proud to launch a new range of handmade teacup candles from their website www.thecornishcandlecompany.co.uk.The pretty teacup candles are available in 4 wonderfully yummy English fragrances; Parma violets, Cinnamon and Rose water, Cottage linen and Cucumber and Fig. Each candle is handmade in the Cornish countryside from 100% natural soy wax, and 10% quality fragrance oils.Each individual candle will arrive wrapped in white tissue paper and a pretty ribbon, making them the perfect indulgent treat, or gift for someone special. At only £7 (with 10% for the first month), these beautiful handmade candles are not to be missed!
Labels: candle, Cornish
posted by Thatsnews at 3:49 PM 0 comments links to this post
Think you can't afford your own plane? Think again.
Introducing the newest, lightest jet on the market, The Eclipse 500 (www.eclipseaviation.com)This is a small 6-seat very light jet produced by Eclipse Aviation and it is making waves in the aviation industry. It is the second in its class of business jets, known as Very Light Jet, previously termed Microjet.The aircraft is powered by two lightweight turbofan engines in tail-mounted nacelles. When it was first launched, the purpose was to bring a new marketplace to small jet aircraft and the Eclipse is attempting to market the jet to a segment of the marketplace that has not had a jet participating in its product line.This makes it a strong competitor for turbo aircraft, The Eclipse is centralizing its marketing plan on low service costs as well as a comprehensive service and maintenance program for its consumer.With its ability to land at well over 10,000 airports in America, the Eclipse and other light jet producers are hoping this will create an air taxi role for their planes. With over 2,500 orders on the books, the expected success of the Eclipse is said to skyrocket. Eclipse has yet to clarify what an order actually means as there are different deposit amounts for the individual customer.They had hoped to have 10 aircraft delivered by the end of 2006, but were only able to provide even their second plane. The initial cost of the Eclipse is said to be around the 1.52 million USD mark which is even still much lower than any of its competition which sits around the 2.62 million USD point.Eclipse plans to produce about four aircraft each day by the end of 2008. "We look forward to receiving our jet sooner rather than later," said Peter Klamka, an Ann Arbor, Michigan investor with extensive travel needs.Currently DayJet is Eclipse's largest customer hoping to obtain about 250 light jets for air taxi roles. Low operating costs are the focus of the Eclipse and they hope to guarantee owners such as DayJet a cost of $209 per flight hour for a minimum of three years.The company is utilising advanced electrical systems, manufacturing practices, and business economics to produce very light jets that will cost a third of today's standard small jet plane. Eclipse has as its goal the notion of bringing 'personal' into the aviation marketplace, making it feasible for commercial passengers to move between cities in an efficient, affordable fashion.This will make the Eclipse a much safer and simpler aircraft to operate than those in today's market. This will then lower the cost of ownership every obtained in a jet plane. "We see an opportunity to service corporations with immediate travel needs with services like DayJet," added Kimberly Tavil, an independent corporate travel planner.www.eclipseaviation.comhttp://williamkilgore.livejournal.com/617.html
Labels: airport, aviation, Eclipse, fly, jet
posted by Thatsnews at 3:43 PM 0 comments links to this post
Brand new Maternity website makes mums sexy, again!
There's a brand new maternity website, www.onesexymother.com, which aims to hlep mothers feel and be sexy again.The site has been designed to make life easier for mums to be and mums just been. With a range of shopping partners, including ebay and Blooming Marvellous, www.onesexymother.com is looking to put fun and sexy back into motherhood."There is a plethora of maternity websites on the we," said a spokesperson for the founders, "but most of them take a somewhat 'mumsy' approach to the maternity lifestyle. Onesexymother.com is aiming to take a different approach with lifestyle tips, the right kind of advice and the best shopping partners on the web"."Onesexymother will soon be adding to the site with articles from lifecoaches and parenting experts, so keep checking back for updates."
Labels: Mother, sexy
posted by Thatsnews at 3:28 PM 0 comments links to this post
Beat Inflation By Increase Your Real Rate of Return on UK Savings Accounts
Shahla Walayat of Moneyforums.co.uk writes - Inflation as measured by the Retail Price Index (RPI) hit 4.8% this week. Which means that many savings accounts on the market are failing to keep pace with inflation and the value of your hard earned savings is falling.Some of the most popular accounts such as Halifax Websaver at 5% and Cahoot Saving Account at 5.25% are paying basic rate tax payers a net return of just 4% and 4.2%. Which is less than the rate of inflation. Even at the top of the market range accounts such as ICICI Savings account at 5.65% fails to deliver a return in real terms, coming in at a net 4.52%.The effect of this failure of UK savings accounts to keep pace with inflation means that your savings are losing value in real-terms. Where even a top rate account will lose you 0.25% in real-terms. let alone the bottom end of the market with poor rates of less than 3%.How to beat inflation ?The key here is to take advantage of tax free savings accounts and instruments such as -The Cash ISA, of which the best paying is Barclays. Despite persistent problems with poor customer service in opening the account with Barclays as reported by people experiencing attempts at opening an account or the that Barclays in a recent survey by fool.co.uk came top as the least trusted bank in Britain.Still it may be worth the extra effort in persisting in opening an account with Barclays given the 1.7% premium over the rate of inflation. This account does include a 1% bonus for 12 months so after a year, savers should contemplate moving their cash isa to a better interest rate. The maximum investment is £3000 per Tax year (rising to £4000 in April 2008).Index Linked National Savings Certificates - These are guaranteed to beat the rate of inflation as measured by RPI, by paying approx 1% plus RPI on the amount invested (depending on the bond term).And as with the Cash ISA, the return is free of UK income tax. Therefore a must have savings product to beat inflation especially for higher rate tax payers where the equivalent return before tax is 9.9% !The maximum investment is £15,000 per issue.Don't delay in making the switch from taxable savings accounts to tax free savings and investments, as every day you delay, your hard earned savings are losing their value in real terms !www.moneyforums.co.uk
Labels: inflation, invest, saving
posted by Thatsnews at 3:26 PM 0 comments links to this post
Luxury Wedding Planners Introduce Their Associates
Susan Smith & Mark Niemierko of Smith & Niemierko, the leading wedding planners in London, introduce their Associations with other high-end brands. Smith and Niemierko pride themselves on their associations with other like-minded organisations who also share their vision and high-level of service.Through associations and relationships with established and sought after brands Smith and Niemierko can provide an unrivalled level of dedication to their clients. Smith and Niemierko couples are given privileges ranging from hotel upgrades, access to private members bars, discounted products, preferential service and appointments at well known fashion, jewellery and beauty houses. Further information on each Associate is listed below.VAN CLEEF & ARPELS, renowned diamond and jewellery houseS&N CLIENT PRIVILEGE: privileged VIP service and appointments at the New Bond Street boutique or at Harrods fine jewellery room.FIRMDALE HOTELS luxury boutique hotels including The Covent Garden, The Charlotte Street, The Soho and the forthcoming Haymarket HotelS&N CLIENT PRIVILEGE: complimentary upgrade, upon arrival, when booking a room at any hotel in the Firmdale group along with a complimentary bottle of champagne and chocolates CARRIER luxury travel, as no two sets of eyes ever see the world the same, so Carrier never create the same holiday twice S&N CLIENT PRIVILEGE: 10% discount on honeymoonsMR & MRS SMITH boutique hotel guides S&N CLIENT PRIVILEGE: discount on Mr & Mrs Guides MILK & HONEY London and New York high-quality members bar S&N CLIENT PRIVILEGE: To make a reservation at Milk & Honey London, or the Clubhouse, Chamonix, please contact the S&N teamMILLER HARRIS PERFUMER LONDON With 17 fragrances including 'classics' such as: 'Coeur de Fleur', 'Fleur Oriental' and 'Terre de Bois' Miller Harris exudes luxurious style in both their products and their shops S&N CLIENT PRIVILEGE: 20% discount on Miller Harris products and complimentary private personal fragrance consultationsJEMMA KIDD fresh and glamorous beauty through make-up S&N CLIENT PRIVILEGE: privileged and complimentary make-up consultations with Jemma Kidd trained Make Up ArtistsAVEDA a trendsetter in hair styling and colouring, makeup, skincare, spa services and professional products S&N CLIENT PRIVILEGE: complimentary Manicure and Make-up consultation during a hair styling appointment LADUREE fine French tea rooms S&N CLIENT PRIVILEGE: priority reservations and 10% off Laduree cakes for your wedding dayNORTON & SONS one of Savile Rows oldest ans most distinguished tailoring houses S&N CLIENT PRIVILEGE: complimentary fully bespoke hand made shirtBROWNS BOUTIQUE including designers such as Oscar de la Renta, Monique Lhuillier & Peter Langner, Browns is second to none for service & style S&N CLIENT PRIVILEGE: preferential appointments at Browns BrideJIMMY CHOO shoes and accessories with elegance, beauty and sexiness S&N CLIENT PRIVILEGE: privileged service and appointments at the Bond Street BoutiqueMYLA LINGERIE elegant, feminine and deeply seductive S&N CLIENT PRIVILEGE: preferential treatment at Myla's Boutiques as well as a 15% discount on Myla lingerie & toysSmith & Niemierko Limited is a luxury wedding design and management company dedicated to bringing a high level of quality and service to discerning couples. Founded in 2005 by Susan Smith (whose previous event clients include P Diddy and Vivienne Westwood) and Mark Niemierko, who have more than 10 years combined experience in organising, designing and managing private and corporate events, specialising in weddings, civil partnerships and society parties.Their full range of wedding services include a Luxury Engagement Service, Wedding Guest Concierge facilities, Fashion styling and Beauty treatments. For further information and enquiries contact: www.smithniemierko.com
Labels: Niemierko, Smith
posted by Thatsnews at 3:12 PM 0 comments links to this post
Look after your HIPS!
Homeowners are being offered buy now, pay later options for Home Information Packs (HIPs), but that could lead to trouble warns one property expert.The introduction of Home Information Packs is now less than six weeks away. Many estate agents are already priming potential clients with 'special deals' such as Buy Now - Pay Later, Pay on Completion; and Sell your home and get a free pack.But are these offers really beneficial to the owner? "Many of these deals are designed so that the contents of the pack are actually owned by the agent and not the property seller," says David Roberts of tickeverybox.com."This could have important consequences if the owner decides to bring in a second agent, switch agents entirely or even pull the property from the market. If the agent owns the rights to the pack, the sellers options could be seriously restricted as they will be inadvertently tied in to a sole agency agreement".The government has started a national advertising campaign to introduce HIPs to the public, but little is being done to tell homeowners about their options when shopping for a HIP. In the majority of cases, sellers will be educated about HIPs by agents who have a vested interest in arranging the pack.Property sellers are urged to check ownership clauses with agents before instructing them to prepare a pack. David added: "There is a danger that a financial incentive that looks attractive at the commencement of marketing could be of no benefit to the seller in the long term."There is potential for homeowners to become unwittingly tied in to an agent. If the agent 'owns' the pack the seller could end up paying for another pack if they want to switch agents or bring in a second agent."There are several ways of obtaining a pack if sellers want to be geared up and ready for marketing."David urges homeowners to shop around for their HIP. "Independent pack providers and conveyancing firms will prepare packs for the public, whether selling with or without an agent. If sellers want to take control, then good research is more important than ever".To see what options are available, property owners can view an impartial guide to Home Information Packs at www.tickeverybox.com/hips
Labels: HIPS, house
posted by Thatsnews at 3:08 PM 0 comments links to this post
Blog Started Around Justin.TV
Justin.TV is a live Internet 'web cam' show starring young San Franciscan- Justin Kan. It's a simple idea - the site broadcasts live video of Justin, living in San Francisco with his friends and spending his time meeting with local startups and personalities.At any given time, hundreds of people might be watching and chatting in real time on the site. Justin.TV is a website created by the partners involved in the calendar Web site Kiko.com. Justin broadcasts utilising a mobile camera (not a webcam) attached to his cap. The camera then streams a continuous live video and audio of what he is experiencing.Justin wears a hat with the camera and microphone attached to it. This shoots the action which is then connected to a computer in a backpack he wears that is powered by a battery pack which lasts approximately eight hours.The feed is then sent to the main website by a battery of Sprint EVDO modems. This mobile system was developed by Kyle, one of the Justin.TV founders. Sometimes, the system overheats in the backpack and stops the show.Internet cam shows have been around since the Nineties but Justin.TV has done something entirely different by strapping the camera to his head. Now viewers can see the world through Justin's eyes.Justin.TV is the first show to go entirely mobile, transforming it from a static video to a 'live action' feed. Now there has been a blog started at: http://justintv247.com. According to the Blogger it's not going to be entirely devoted to Justin.TV but more around the idea of the power of the individual marketer; the process of developing content around domain names that revolve around a person's special interests, passions or even their personality.The Blogger says, "The phenomenon of Justin.TV is just the logical extension of the idea of a 'Global Village' becoming a reality. Now, individuals have the incredible power to harness imagination & ingenuity with technology & communications to reach millions. This blog will explore those possibilities."The http://justintv247.com blog utilises a process called: 'Moguling' pioneered by Phoenix Internet company- DotVentures. Interested in learning more about Moguling? Go here: http://moguling.com
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Friday, April 13, 2007
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Sometimes, things take you unawares
Like when I prayed to God to tell me how I was getting it wrong, asking for my testimony in the Mormon Church to be returned to me. I worked so hard at getting my testimony back. I worked hard at being a perfect Mormon, never breaking the Word of Wisdom, for example.
Eventually, after much praying and heart-searching and angst and worry and fear and being so desperate for the answer I got an answer that blew my mind. God told me that the Mormon Church was not his church.
How it actually happened was this: I asked one last time “why can’t I be a good Mormon? How come if the Mormon church is your one, true church, membership makes me feel so bad? Why am I such a horrible, evil sinner?”
To my shock and then joy the answer I got back was: The Mormon Church does not have to be my one, true church.”
In shock, I said: “God, Lord, are you telling me that it ISN’T?”
I am sure I heard a chuckle, and then: “If you need me to spell it out for you, then, it is not my church.”
It was as if a ton weight had been lifted from my shoulders. I suddenly felt free. It was also as if a long, long sentence in jail had been scrapped and I was allowed out to breathe the free, clean air, again.
A total subject change. And a plea for information!
I run several online magazines using Blogger to publish them all. It is free and I get income from Google ads, too.
Until recently, I got a modest number of hits. I got 154 page impressions on a very good day. On a bad day? About a quarter of that amount.
Until, that is, when I decided to get a My Yahoo button installed on my site, htpp://thatsnews.blogspot.com. Suddenly my page impressions went up from 154 a day to 65,134 page impressions…With a fairy surprising rise in advert income, too.
Could adding the My Yahoo link have done that? Anyone else wanna give it try?
Eventually, after much praying and heart-searching and angst and worry and fear and being so desperate for the answer I got an answer that blew my mind. God told me that the Mormon Church was not his church.
How it actually happened was this: I asked one last time “why can’t I be a good Mormon? How come if the Mormon church is your one, true church, membership makes me feel so bad? Why am I such a horrible, evil sinner?”
To my shock and then joy the answer I got back was: The Mormon Church does not have to be my one, true church.”
In shock, I said: “God, Lord, are you telling me that it ISN’T?”
I am sure I heard a chuckle, and then: “If you need me to spell it out for you, then, it is not my church.”
It was as if a ton weight had been lifted from my shoulders. I suddenly felt free. It was also as if a long, long sentence in jail had been scrapped and I was allowed out to breathe the free, clean air, again.
A total subject change. And a plea for information!
I run several online magazines using Blogger to publish them all. It is free and I get income from Google ads, too.
Until recently, I got a modest number of hits. I got 154 page impressions on a very good day. On a bad day? About a quarter of that amount.
Until, that is, when I decided to get a My Yahoo button installed on my site, htpp://thatsnews.blogspot.com. Suddenly my page impressions went up from 154 a day to 65,134 page impressions…With a fairy surprising rise in advert income, too.
Could adding the My Yahoo link have done that? Anyone else wanna give it try?
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Focus on genealogy
Everything you need to create and share your family tree! (But NOT with Mormons!)
If you want to research, create and share your family tree quickly and easily, then this fantastic software pack is the complete solution. Focus Multimedia is proud to announce the release of Create your own Family Tree Genealogy Suite, an incredible all-in-one pack that contains everything you could possibly need to create and share your family’s history from start to finish, all for just £9.99.
Whether you’re preparing to take your first steps in tracing your family tree or are already an experienced genealogist, this easy-to-use yet powerful package will provide you with all you need to record your family history.
From tracking down long-lost ancestors on the Web, interviewing relatives, creating beautiful family keepsakes, or if you simply need a hand in getting started, then this remarkable pack will guide you every step of the way.
Designed exclusively for the UK market, this feature-packed product is so easy to use, that you’ll be able to start sharing your family history in minutes!
1. Family Tree Legends™ Deluxe Edition Watch your family tree come to life as you start entering all the information you already know about your relatives. Store unlimited information about your ancestors; add photos, documents, video and audio into the multimedia scrapbook. Create a wide variety of customisable charts and reports, publish your family tree direct to the Web, or even burn a shareable CD-ROM that allows your family to view and print all your research using any PC. Even those family members that don’t have computers can benefit. Print an heirloom quality family book containing all your trees, reports, charts, stories and much more! Nick Barratt, TV’s family history expert, commented: “Family Tree Legends is easy enough for beginners to understand, but includes powerful features that can be used by serious genealogists.”
2. Access over 350 million UK records online* - no credit card required! Trace your ancestors online using the free 30 day free trial to The Genealogist.co.uk. Search from over 350 million records including UK Census, Birth, Marriage and Death records. Discover everything you need to know about your ancestors and then enter the information directly into the Family Tree Legends software.
3. Family History Guide Book This printable step-by-step resource will guide you from start to finish on everything you need to know about researching and creating your family tree.
4. Research Workbook Still don’t know where to begin? Then these printable blank forms will guide you through the research process, ensuring that you collect all the valuable data you need to enter directly into your family tree.
5. Internet Research Centre We’ve trawled the web for all the best genealogy sites so you don’t have to! Save time and money with this invaluable resource which puts the best genealogy web sites at your fingertips.
6. Digital Reference Library View and print four historic books containing maps, statistics, heraldry and much more: • Gazetteer of the British Isles 1904 • Handbook of Heraldry • Origin of English Surnames • Kelly’s Titled, Landed & Official Classes 1890 This amazing pack also contains a wealth of bonus content, including; three free copies of Ancestors**, the official magazine of The National Archive; money off photo restoration and cine-film transfer services; and £250 off Census CDs.
Craig Johnson, managing director of Focus Multimedia commented: “Last year we released Family Tree Legends Starter Edition to great critical acclaim. Now Create your own Family Tree Genealogy Suite includes the superb Deluxe Edition of Family Tree Legends which has never been published before in the UK.
"We've also added essential genealogy tools and resources, yet have managed to keep the suggested retail price at an absolute minimum. At just £9.99, Create your own Family Tree Genealogy Suite is quite simply the best value family history software package available."
Create your own Family Tree Genealogy Suite is available now for a suggested retail price of £9.99 including VAT, and can be purchased from all good retail outlets of PC software. This product, and the rest of Focus Multimedia’s range, is available to purchase direct from www.focusmm.co.uk.
If you want to research, create and share your family tree quickly and easily, then this fantastic software pack is the complete solution. Focus Multimedia is proud to announce the release of Create your own Family Tree Genealogy Suite, an incredible all-in-one pack that contains everything you could possibly need to create and share your family’s history from start to finish, all for just £9.99.
Whether you’re preparing to take your first steps in tracing your family tree or are already an experienced genealogist, this easy-to-use yet powerful package will provide you with all you need to record your family history.
From tracking down long-lost ancestors on the Web, interviewing relatives, creating beautiful family keepsakes, or if you simply need a hand in getting started, then this remarkable pack will guide you every step of the way.
Designed exclusively for the UK market, this feature-packed product is so easy to use, that you’ll be able to start sharing your family history in minutes!
1. Family Tree Legends™ Deluxe Edition Watch your family tree come to life as you start entering all the information you already know about your relatives. Store unlimited information about your ancestors; add photos, documents, video and audio into the multimedia scrapbook. Create a wide variety of customisable charts and reports, publish your family tree direct to the Web, or even burn a shareable CD-ROM that allows your family to view and print all your research using any PC. Even those family members that don’t have computers can benefit. Print an heirloom quality family book containing all your trees, reports, charts, stories and much more! Nick Barratt, TV’s family history expert, commented: “Family Tree Legends is easy enough for beginners to understand, but includes powerful features that can be used by serious genealogists.”
2. Access over 350 million UK records online* - no credit card required! Trace your ancestors online using the free 30 day free trial to The Genealogist.co.uk. Search from over 350 million records including UK Census, Birth, Marriage and Death records. Discover everything you need to know about your ancestors and then enter the information directly into the Family Tree Legends software.
3. Family History Guide Book This printable step-by-step resource will guide you from start to finish on everything you need to know about researching and creating your family tree.
4. Research Workbook Still don’t know where to begin? Then these printable blank forms will guide you through the research process, ensuring that you collect all the valuable data you need to enter directly into your family tree.
5. Internet Research Centre We’ve trawled the web for all the best genealogy sites so you don’t have to! Save time and money with this invaluable resource which puts the best genealogy web sites at your fingertips.
6. Digital Reference Library View and print four historic books containing maps, statistics, heraldry and much more: • Gazetteer of the British Isles 1904 • Handbook of Heraldry • Origin of English Surnames • Kelly’s Titled, Landed & Official Classes 1890 This amazing pack also contains a wealth of bonus content, including; three free copies of Ancestors**, the official magazine of The National Archive; money off photo restoration and cine-film transfer services; and £250 off Census CDs.
Craig Johnson, managing director of Focus Multimedia commented: “Last year we released Family Tree Legends Starter Edition to great critical acclaim. Now Create your own Family Tree Genealogy Suite includes the superb Deluxe Edition of Family Tree Legends which has never been published before in the UK.
"We've also added essential genealogy tools and resources, yet have managed to keep the suggested retail price at an absolute minimum. At just £9.99, Create your own Family Tree Genealogy Suite is quite simply the best value family history software package available."
Create your own Family Tree Genealogy Suite is available now for a suggested retail price of £9.99 including VAT, and can be purchased from all good retail outlets of PC software. This product, and the rest of Focus Multimedia’s range, is available to purchase direct from www.focusmm.co.uk.
Monday, April 02, 2007
Srendib Tea Introduces New Variety of Health Tea
Serendib Tea – www.efrontires.com, Colombo Sri Lanka, has sent out the following delightful press release:
Dear Sir / Madam, We Serendib Tea Exporters would like to introduce ourselves as a pure Ceylon Tea Exporter (Quality, Exquisite flavor, Fresh and Full bodied from Sri Lanka). Please find the main varieties below on which our company operates. Nuwaraeliya - Teas from the highest region on the island are often described as the "champagne" of Ceylon teas.
The leaf is gathered all year round, but the finest teas are made from that plucked in January and February. The best teas of the area give rich, golden, excellent quality liquor that is smooth, bright, and delicately perfumed. Uva - on the eastern slopes of the central mountains, produces teas with a distinctive mellow flavor whose reputation stretches world-wide. The best teas are plucked between June and September The dry wind that blows towards Uva during this period gives the teas their fine taste and aroma.
Dimbulla - like Nuwara Eliya, Dimbula is drenched by the monsoon during August and September and produces its best teas during the dry months of January and February. The teas are noted for their body and strength, and a powerful aroma. Ratnapura - produces low-grown teas that are mainly used in blends, but also drink well alone with a little milk.
CEYLON GREEN - in recent years, the tea factories and tea estates have experimented with the production of Oolong and Green teas which are simply a style or process.
SPECIAL SERENDIB HEALTH TEA – We specially do Cardamom and Cinnamon Teas for your health and wellbeing requirements. Regards Marketing Manager, Ms. Jeevani Udukala.
Website: www.eFrontires.com tea@Serendibsl.com CeylonTea@efrontires.com ecommerceken@yahoo.com
Dear Sir / Madam, We Serendib Tea Exporters would like to introduce ourselves as a pure Ceylon Tea Exporter (Quality, Exquisite flavor, Fresh and Full bodied from Sri Lanka). Please find the main varieties below on which our company operates. Nuwaraeliya - Teas from the highest region on the island are often described as the "champagne" of Ceylon teas.
The leaf is gathered all year round, but the finest teas are made from that plucked in January and February. The best teas of the area give rich, golden, excellent quality liquor that is smooth, bright, and delicately perfumed. Uva - on the eastern slopes of the central mountains, produces teas with a distinctive mellow flavor whose reputation stretches world-wide. The best teas are plucked between June and September The dry wind that blows towards Uva during this period gives the teas their fine taste and aroma.
Dimbulla - like Nuwara Eliya, Dimbula is drenched by the monsoon during August and September and produces its best teas during the dry months of January and February. The teas are noted for their body and strength, and a powerful aroma. Ratnapura - produces low-grown teas that are mainly used in blends, but also drink well alone with a little milk.
CEYLON GREEN - in recent years, the tea factories and tea estates have experimented with the production of Oolong and Green teas which are simply a style or process.
SPECIAL SERENDIB HEALTH TEA – We specially do Cardamom and Cinnamon Teas for your health and wellbeing requirements. Regards Marketing Manager, Ms. Jeevani Udukala.
Website: www.eFrontires.com tea@Serendibsl.com CeylonTea@efrontires.com ecommerceken@yahoo.com
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Carnival of the Veil
http://tomanyquestions.blogspot.com/2007/03/welcome-to-this-edition-of-carnival-of.html
A link to the latest issue of Carnival of the Veil
A link to the latest issue of Carnival of the Veil
Freedom comes wth a price
As exmormons, freedom comes with a price. We must make sure that the price for our freedom does not impinge on other people.
For example, we cannot expect to be able to drink alcohol and drive, nor must we expect out family to accept it with a laugh and an indulgent smile, should we decide to start taking drugs or to enjoy a so-called alternative lifestyle.
With freedom comes responsibility. We do not want to mess up the lives of our family members in a pursuit of a hedonistic lifestyle. Because life is very rarely "all about me."
And whilst we can "do exactly what we want" to paraphrase from Jurasic Park: "The question you should ask yourselves is not: "Can we do it. The question you should ask yourselves is Should we do it?"
For example, we cannot expect to be able to drink alcohol and drive, nor must we expect out family to accept it with a laugh and an indulgent smile, should we decide to start taking drugs or to enjoy a so-called alternative lifestyle.
With freedom comes responsibility. We do not want to mess up the lives of our family members in a pursuit of a hedonistic lifestyle. Because life is very rarely "all about me."
And whilst we can "do exactly what we want" to paraphrase from Jurasic Park: "The question you should ask yourselves is not: "Can we do it. The question you should ask yourselves is Should we do it?"
Sunday, March 25, 2007
The Bag Tea, Facts and Fiction, conversation with Master Wu.
Are teas bags the same as loose teas?
No
Why not?
Teas are a generic name that is given to any form of herbs, or leaves in multiple forms, and processing conditions. The key element is which are the, really good leaves? Which ones can deliver the especial flavour, aroma? Which one can provide the nutrients and natural elements that will benefit the health and well-being?
So how can one go about and choose the best tea?
Easy, follow the three steps;
1. Buy Teas that are closer to its natural form as possible
2. Buy Teas which have no manufactured or industrial process involved.
3. Buy teas, which are pure, with no added flavours or gimmicks to look or taste different from its original form.
Its like eating an apple from the tree ; the purest, the fresher and without any additives , it’s the best one as far as taste and nutrition. Teas are no different.
So how Tea bags and Loose Teas compare to the three steps to a good cup?
Bag teas, are cooked, crushed, and mixed with all sorts of additives and most of the time through an industrial process, which really means that this drink is really far from what I would consider, real Tea. If one just give it a try, anyone will notice that one is aromatised processed herbs, while loose teas, you can see, smell and taste what you are drinking; Not to mention the wealth of great nutritional health benefits that only Tea, in its pure form can provide.
When we go to the shop, how can we find the good organic pure Tea?
The word organic is rather confusing since the definition has now been so much altered that leaves the consumer at loss as far as the quality of the Tea is concern. The best way is to try to find the simpler and the most natural leaves that one can find. Labels can be highly deceiving so one must look to what it is inside the box not in what it’s written outside. Let the Tea speak to your mind and body, and then you will know.
Master Wu
www.innteas.com
No
Why not?
Teas are a generic name that is given to any form of herbs, or leaves in multiple forms, and processing conditions. The key element is which are the, really good leaves? Which ones can deliver the especial flavour, aroma? Which one can provide the nutrients and natural elements that will benefit the health and well-being?
So how can one go about and choose the best tea?
Easy, follow the three steps;
1. Buy Teas that are closer to its natural form as possible
2. Buy Teas which have no manufactured or industrial process involved.
3. Buy teas, which are pure, with no added flavours or gimmicks to look or taste different from its original form.
Its like eating an apple from the tree ; the purest, the fresher and without any additives , it’s the best one as far as taste and nutrition. Teas are no different.
So how Tea bags and Loose Teas compare to the three steps to a good cup?
Bag teas, are cooked, crushed, and mixed with all sorts of additives and most of the time through an industrial process, which really means that this drink is really far from what I would consider, real Tea. If one just give it a try, anyone will notice that one is aromatised processed herbs, while loose teas, you can see, smell and taste what you are drinking; Not to mention the wealth of great nutritional health benefits that only Tea, in its pure form can provide.
When we go to the shop, how can we find the good organic pure Tea?
The word organic is rather confusing since the definition has now been so much altered that leaves the consumer at loss as far as the quality of the Tea is concern. The best way is to try to find the simpler and the most natural leaves that one can find. Labels can be highly deceiving so one must look to what it is inside the box not in what it’s written outside. Let the Tea speak to your mind and body, and then you will know.
Master Wu
www.innteas.com
New website launched to help parents in custody fights with Jehovah's Witnesses
A website has been launched to Assist in Child Custody Disputes
It is cliamed that within Jehovah’s Witnesses 90% of 1,000 Custody Cases fought Each Year are Lost Due to Manipulation of the Legal System .
A new organization has been launched to assist parents in custody disputes with Jehovah’s Witnesses. William H. Bowen founder of silentlambs, inc. is working with key experts to provide legal strategies to assist law firms in winning child custody disputes with Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Associates with JW child custody have over 86 years experience as active Jehovah’s Witnesses and have served in key positions throughout the organization. Their experience will be used to assist caring parents to protect their children from cult mind control.
It is estimated that over 130 Jehovah’s Witness children die each year due to the religion’s application of religious doctrine to health care. Children are alienated from their non-JW parents and family as well as isolated from society due to mind control use of church doctrine.
“We feel this is a long overdue service for parents that wish to give their children a normal life,” states William H. Bowen. “At silentlambs we protected children from sexual abuse, now we can expand that work to help kids have a happier future.”
JW Child Custody will offer expanded services to assist attorneys with legal consulting for a variety of issues surrounding Jehovah’s Witness legal entity “Watchtower.” They will also have a “Child Custody Packet” to educate parents and attorneys in preparing for custody cases. Recent cases involve such issues as wrongful death and tax evasion.
Bowen states, “Due our detailed knowledge of the inner workings of Watchtower we can enable litigants to overcome the practice of ‘Theocratic Warfare,’ which is perjury approved by God according to Jehovah’s Witness doctrine.” (see JW Child Custody Booklet) The website www.jwchildcustody.com offers a toll free number to set up a free consultation as well as email correspondence for specific legal issues.
(NOTE: I wonder if it would be useful for ex-Mormon lawyers to create a similar service for ex-Mormon and never-Mormon parents and family members?)
It is cliamed that within Jehovah’s Witnesses 90% of 1,000 Custody Cases fought Each Year are Lost Due to Manipulation of the Legal System .
A new organization has been launched to assist parents in custody disputes with Jehovah’s Witnesses. William H. Bowen founder of silentlambs, inc. is working with key experts to provide legal strategies to assist law firms in winning child custody disputes with Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Associates with JW child custody have over 86 years experience as active Jehovah’s Witnesses and have served in key positions throughout the organization. Their experience will be used to assist caring parents to protect their children from cult mind control.
It is estimated that over 130 Jehovah’s Witness children die each year due to the religion’s application of religious doctrine to health care. Children are alienated from their non-JW parents and family as well as isolated from society due to mind control use of church doctrine.
“We feel this is a long overdue service for parents that wish to give their children a normal life,” states William H. Bowen. “At silentlambs we protected children from sexual abuse, now we can expand that work to help kids have a happier future.”
JW Child Custody will offer expanded services to assist attorneys with legal consulting for a variety of issues surrounding Jehovah’s Witness legal entity “Watchtower.” They will also have a “Child Custody Packet” to educate parents and attorneys in preparing for custody cases. Recent cases involve such issues as wrongful death and tax evasion.
Bowen states, “Due our detailed knowledge of the inner workings of Watchtower we can enable litigants to overcome the practice of ‘Theocratic Warfare,’ which is perjury approved by God according to Jehovah’s Witness doctrine.” (see JW Child Custody Booklet) The website www.jwchildcustody.com offers a toll free number to set up a free consultation as well as email correspondence for specific legal issues.
(NOTE: I wonder if it would be useful for ex-Mormon lawyers to create a similar service for ex-Mormon and never-Mormon parents and family members?)
Sunday, March 18, 2007
A service the Mormon church will NEVER use!
Recent studies show that sexual offenders are turning to God in increasing numbers and attending church in secret; "Keeping Kids Safe Ministries" (www.KidsSafeMinistries.com) is helping churches discern who is attending church for the right or wrong reasons.
Here are some hard-core facts regarding sexual offenders:
Registered offenders attend church to worship and spirituality is part of their recovery. * Non-convicted offenders are turning to God in desperation to quit their sin before they are discovered.
Churchgoing men who are in secret sexual sin are going deeper and darker into sin, leading to sexual crimes, followed by shame, guilt, and a temporary return to God.
In an effort to deal with sexual offenders who have turned to God, two therapists, Greg Sporer and Steve Vann, quit their jobs to develop "Keeping Kids Safe Ministries."
"Neither of us could sit idle with the knowledge that sexual offenders may be attending church for the wrong reasons," Sporer said. Sporer worked in prison sexual offender treatment programs and Vann was employed as a treatment provider for adolescent offenders. Both men are concerned about children's safety.
They now use their 40,000 hours of combined experience working with sexual offenders to keep kids safe at churches. They have biblical solutions to deal with offenders who attend church for the right or wrong reasons.
According to Vann, God offers forgiveness for all sinners including offenders. He explains that it is good news that offenders are turning to God; however, the bad news is that most church leaders are not prepared for the increase in offenders who worship at church or the church members who are there to offend children.
Sporer, who has specialised in church sexual offenders since 1989, believes that churchgoers continue to be naive about their own church members - most church sexual abuse cases involve members of their church.
Some churchgoers will witness suspicious behaviors, but not report it because the behaviors do not match up with their perceptions of a sexual offender. Church offenders display Christian character, and are often married, and use their spotless criminal record to gain positions working with kids. So, are churches defenseless with hidden sexual offenders in their congregation? "Absolutely not," Vann said. "Church sexual abuse is preventable. All church offenders have two weaknesses that are on display prior to any offense: boundary violations with a teen or child; and suspicious behaviors."
Vann continues that it is too risky for a hidden church offender to stay in a church that is skilled in dealing with boundary violations and suspicious behaviors. "Keeping Kids Safe Ministries" invests in church leaders and church youth workers to create an environment where an offender's behavior is questioned and dealt with appropriately.
The ministry has a team of experts who help churches better discern which offenders are praying to God or preying on kids. They assign a professional with years of experience working with sexual offenders to churches to enable them to better deal with problem situations before children are harmed.
Both Sporer and Vann are passionate about serving church leaders so all kids can be safe at church. For more information about this important ministry visit: www.KidsSafeMinistries.com.
Here are some hard-core facts regarding sexual offenders:
Registered offenders attend church to worship and spirituality is part of their recovery. * Non-convicted offenders are turning to God in desperation to quit their sin before they are discovered.
Churchgoing men who are in secret sexual sin are going deeper and darker into sin, leading to sexual crimes, followed by shame, guilt, and a temporary return to God.
In an effort to deal with sexual offenders who have turned to God, two therapists, Greg Sporer and Steve Vann, quit their jobs to develop "Keeping Kids Safe Ministries."
"Neither of us could sit idle with the knowledge that sexual offenders may be attending church for the wrong reasons," Sporer said. Sporer worked in prison sexual offender treatment programs and Vann was employed as a treatment provider for adolescent offenders. Both men are concerned about children's safety.
They now use their 40,000 hours of combined experience working with sexual offenders to keep kids safe at churches. They have biblical solutions to deal with offenders who attend church for the right or wrong reasons.
According to Vann, God offers forgiveness for all sinners including offenders. He explains that it is good news that offenders are turning to God; however, the bad news is that most church leaders are not prepared for the increase in offenders who worship at church or the church members who are there to offend children.
Sporer, who has specialised in church sexual offenders since 1989, believes that churchgoers continue to be naive about their own church members - most church sexual abuse cases involve members of their church.
Some churchgoers will witness suspicious behaviors, but not report it because the behaviors do not match up with their perceptions of a sexual offender. Church offenders display Christian character, and are often married, and use their spotless criminal record to gain positions working with kids. So, are churches defenseless with hidden sexual offenders in their congregation? "Absolutely not," Vann said. "Church sexual abuse is preventable. All church offenders have two weaknesses that are on display prior to any offense: boundary violations with a teen or child; and suspicious behaviors."
Vann continues that it is too risky for a hidden church offender to stay in a church that is skilled in dealing with boundary violations and suspicious behaviors. "Keeping Kids Safe Ministries" invests in church leaders and church youth workers to create an environment where an offender's behavior is questioned and dealt with appropriately.
The ministry has a team of experts who help churches better discern which offenders are praying to God or preying on kids. They assign a professional with years of experience working with sexual offenders to churches to enable them to better deal with problem situations before children are harmed.
Both Sporer and Vann are passionate about serving church leaders so all kids can be safe at church. For more information about this important ministry visit: www.KidsSafeMinistries.com.
Saturday, March 17, 2007
New online green news magazine now published
The That’s News organisation in association with AFJ Media Services and MelaMedia have launched a new online magazine called That’s Green.
A spokesman said: “The new channel is aimed at complementing our range of other online magazines. We are very aware that green issues and the environment are a major concern for most people these days, and we want to do our bit to ensure that green issues and environmental stories are given the prominence that they so rightly deserve.”
He went on to say: “We will cover a wide range of issues, from new, greener heating systems for domestic and commercial use, new green technologies and green campaign groups, That’s Green will bring you the environmental and green news that matters, news that will help keep you up-to-speed and aware of what is happening.”
You can either reach That’s Green direct at http://thatsgreen.blogspot.com, or via the Thatsnews portal at www.thatsnews.org.uk.
That’s News now publishes nine different news channels from books to entertainment, from business news to construction, from food and drink to health, from the environment to education.
A spokesman said: “The new channel is aimed at complementing our range of other online magazines. We are very aware that green issues and the environment are a major concern for most people these days, and we want to do our bit to ensure that green issues and environmental stories are given the prominence that they so rightly deserve.”
He went on to say: “We will cover a wide range of issues, from new, greener heating systems for domestic and commercial use, new green technologies and green campaign groups, That’s Green will bring you the environmental and green news that matters, news that will help keep you up-to-speed and aware of what is happening.”
You can either reach That’s Green direct at http://thatsgreen.blogspot.com, or via the Thatsnews portal at www.thatsnews.org.uk.
That’s News now publishes nine different news channels from books to entertainment, from business news to construction, from food and drink to health, from the environment to education.
Monday, March 12, 2007
New film about Mormons set in London
Piccadilly Cowboy Rides In with Special Screening
A new romantic comedy, ‘Piccadilly Cowboy’ (www.piccadillycowboy.com), will be given a special screening in London on Saturday ahead of this month’s release in the United States. The 100 minute film has been shot on location in London and the Scottish Highlands on a budget of less than £300,000, by Utah based Ford Films (www.fordfilms.com).
The screening of ‘Piccadilly Cowboy’, which will take place at 6pm on Saturday, March 17, at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts’ Princess Anne Theatre, 195 Piccadilly, London, WIJ 9LN.
‘Piccadilly Cowboy’ is a classic ‘fish out of water’ romantic comedy about a Montana cowboy, living in London, who can’t marry the girl he falls in love with until he first finds a suitable husband for her older sister.
Jaelan Petrie plays Carson Wells, the 30-year-old who has never been a real ladies’ man until his cowboy hat, boots and American charm win the heart of beautiful British girl Lucy Armstrong (Kate Foster-Barnes). Everything seems to be going well for Carson in the big smoke, and after three months of dating he asks Lucy’s grandfather, Mr Armstrong (James Greene), for her hand in marriage.
The unexpected reply is that he must first find a husband for Lucy’s older sister, Gemma (Sophie Shaw). While finding her a potential mate, Carson’s life changes for ever… ‘Piccadilly Cowboy’ will be released in Salt Lake City, Utah, this month. It has been directed, produced and co-written by Mormon filmmaker Tyler Ford, who started the project after graduating from the London Film School in 2004.
“I wanted ‘Piccadilly Cowboy’ to be light-hearted, and watchable, and I hope cinema-goers will find it an entertaining alternative to the kind of violent gangster movies a lot of British filmmakers seem to be preoccupied with,” says Ford.
“As an independent production. we were able to get some great discounts on London services and equipment hire, enabling us to shoot this film on a budget of less than £300,000. Although it was a struggle at times, I’m extremely happy with the film, and confident it will be well received.”
‘Piccadilly Cowboy’ was shot on high definition video at 3 Mills Studios, in East London, as well as on location in the capital and in Scotland. Ford recruited Daniel Shantakumar, a fellow Mormon from Utah, to act as executive director.
It is the first film to be made in England with Mormons as the main characters since ‘Trapped by the Mormons’ was made 1922, and the filmmakers hope to find their core audience in the mountainous US States around Utah. Jaelan Petrie has previously starred in ‘Handcart’, and James Greene was in both ‘Empire of the Sun’ and ‘Johnny English’.
Other principal cast members include Gwyneth Powell (‘Back to the Secret Garden’, ‘Face of Darkness’), Tom Butcher (TV’s ‘Doctors’ and ‘The Bill’), Dermot Keaney (‘Pirates of the Caribbean 2’ and ‘Pirates of the Caribbean 3’), Sophie Shaw, and Kate Foster-Barnes.
The film was shot by English director of photography Gareth Pritchard, and casting director was Lucy Jenkins. ‘Piccadilly Cowboy’ features music by Alan Hawkshaw, who was nominated for a ‘Best Drama Score’ BAFTA for the TV series ‘Love Hurts’, and awarded ‘Best Arrangement’ by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for ‘I Honestly Love You’. A re-recording of the song, originally sung by Olivia Newton-John, was produced for ‘Piccadilly Cowboy’. Hawkshaw’s ‘Move, Move, Move’ featured in ‘Nacho Libre’, and was on the soundtrack.
Ford Films is an independent production company based in Salt Lake City, Utah. The company was launched in 2005 to develop and produce high-quality and commercially viable productions for film and television. It recently completed ‘Piccadilly Cowboy’, its first feature film.
www.piccadillycowboy.com Ford Films 8415 South Colene Drive Sandy Utah 84094 USA Tel:+ 801-674-9591 www.fordfilms.com
You might also like to check out the following links to the film that the producers proudly mention, Trapped by the Mormons (a UK-made anti-Mormon film from 1922) www.imdb.com/title/tt0013705
Nobody seems to have told Ford Films that in Britain a Piccadilly Cowboy has another meaning. fortunately nothing too distasteful. A member of the British Household Cavalry is referred to as a Piccadilly Cowboy.
Incidentally a remake of Trapped by the Mormons has been made. But for some reason the producers decided to have an undead Zombie Joseph Smith strutting his funky stuff which was certainly NOT found in the original film. Although maybe it should have been...
It seems that Cherry Red, an experimental theatre group, makers of the remake (whew! THAT was clumsy done by yours truly!) were responsible for other such exciting and interesting projects as: "Cannibal Cheerleaders on Crack" and "Baked Baby".
You can link to the remaked film at www.trappedbythemormons.com
And for those of you who have not seen the Ausie Atheist John Saffren, you can find his film/movie/programme/program at www.ifilm.com/video/2798459
A new romantic comedy, ‘Piccadilly Cowboy’ (www.piccadillycowboy.com), will be given a special screening in London on Saturday ahead of this month’s release in the United States. The 100 minute film has been shot on location in London and the Scottish Highlands on a budget of less than £300,000, by Utah based Ford Films (www.fordfilms.com).
The screening of ‘Piccadilly Cowboy’, which will take place at 6pm on Saturday, March 17, at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts’ Princess Anne Theatre, 195 Piccadilly, London, WIJ 9LN.
‘Piccadilly Cowboy’ is a classic ‘fish out of water’ romantic comedy about a Montana cowboy, living in London, who can’t marry the girl he falls in love with until he first finds a suitable husband for her older sister.
Jaelan Petrie plays Carson Wells, the 30-year-old who has never been a real ladies’ man until his cowboy hat, boots and American charm win the heart of beautiful British girl Lucy Armstrong (Kate Foster-Barnes). Everything seems to be going well for Carson in the big smoke, and after three months of dating he asks Lucy’s grandfather, Mr Armstrong (James Greene), for her hand in marriage.
The unexpected reply is that he must first find a husband for Lucy’s older sister, Gemma (Sophie Shaw). While finding her a potential mate, Carson’s life changes for ever… ‘Piccadilly Cowboy’ will be released in Salt Lake City, Utah, this month. It has been directed, produced and co-written by Mormon filmmaker Tyler Ford, who started the project after graduating from the London Film School in 2004.
“I wanted ‘Piccadilly Cowboy’ to be light-hearted, and watchable, and I hope cinema-goers will find it an entertaining alternative to the kind of violent gangster movies a lot of British filmmakers seem to be preoccupied with,” says Ford.
“As an independent production. we were able to get some great discounts on London services and equipment hire, enabling us to shoot this film on a budget of less than £300,000. Although it was a struggle at times, I’m extremely happy with the film, and confident it will be well received.”
‘Piccadilly Cowboy’ was shot on high definition video at 3 Mills Studios, in East London, as well as on location in the capital and in Scotland. Ford recruited Daniel Shantakumar, a fellow Mormon from Utah, to act as executive director.
It is the first film to be made in England with Mormons as the main characters since ‘Trapped by the Mormons’ was made 1922, and the filmmakers hope to find their core audience in the mountainous US States around Utah. Jaelan Petrie has previously starred in ‘Handcart’, and James Greene was in both ‘Empire of the Sun’ and ‘Johnny English’.
Other principal cast members include Gwyneth Powell (‘Back to the Secret Garden’, ‘Face of Darkness’), Tom Butcher (TV’s ‘Doctors’ and ‘The Bill’), Dermot Keaney (‘Pirates of the Caribbean 2’ and ‘Pirates of the Caribbean 3’), Sophie Shaw, and Kate Foster-Barnes.
The film was shot by English director of photography Gareth Pritchard, and casting director was Lucy Jenkins. ‘Piccadilly Cowboy’ features music by Alan Hawkshaw, who was nominated for a ‘Best Drama Score’ BAFTA for the TV series ‘Love Hurts’, and awarded ‘Best Arrangement’ by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for ‘I Honestly Love You’. A re-recording of the song, originally sung by Olivia Newton-John, was produced for ‘Piccadilly Cowboy’. Hawkshaw’s ‘Move, Move, Move’ featured in ‘Nacho Libre’, and was on the soundtrack.
Ford Films is an independent production company based in Salt Lake City, Utah. The company was launched in 2005 to develop and produce high-quality and commercially viable productions for film and television. It recently completed ‘Piccadilly Cowboy’, its first feature film.
www.piccadillycowboy.com Ford Films 8415 South Colene Drive Sandy Utah 84094 USA Tel:+ 801-674-9591 www.fordfilms.com
You might also like to check out the following links to the film that the producers proudly mention, Trapped by the Mormons (a UK-made anti-Mormon film from 1922) www.imdb.com/title/tt0013705
Nobody seems to have told Ford Films that in Britain a Piccadilly Cowboy has another meaning. fortunately nothing too distasteful. A member of the British Household Cavalry is referred to as a Piccadilly Cowboy.
Incidentally a remake of Trapped by the Mormons has been made. But for some reason the producers decided to have an undead Zombie Joseph Smith strutting his funky stuff which was certainly NOT found in the original film. Although maybe it should have been...
It seems that Cherry Red, an experimental theatre group, makers of the remake (whew! THAT was clumsy done by yours truly!) were responsible for other such exciting and interesting projects as: "Cannibal Cheerleaders on Crack" and "Baked Baby".
You can link to the remaked film at www.trappedbythemormons.com
And for those of you who have not seen the Ausie Atheist John Saffren, you can find his film/movie/programme/program at www.ifilm.com/video/2798459
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Why the Mormon Church will NEVER admit Brigham Young was wrong!
There's a simple reason why the Mormon Church (Utah offshoot) will never, ever admit that Brigham Young was in the wrong, about anything, ever.
If they admit that Young introduced and practiced the evil blood atonement doctrine (and that people were subjected to what amounted to ritualistic killing for "crimes" like having a Mormon leader covert your wife and or goods) and admitted that Young ordered and covered up the Mountain Meadows Massacre, and that he made millions of Dollars by ripping off the handcart pioneers, and that he ordered and covered up the murder of dozens of outsiders in case they might be government spies and that he almost certainly 'stole' the presidency of the Mormon Church, tThey would then have to admit that Young was not only a "fallen prophet" but that he stole the leadership by subterfuge and criminal acts.
So, therefore in admitting that Brigham Young was not the rightful successor to Joseph Smith, they would have to acknowledge that the RLDS (or one of the other offshoots) was the rightful successor to Joseph Smith.
That will not happen anytime soon. Although I suppose there is a Small chance that such a rapprochement might occur some time within the next 50 years, though this does very muh depend on how the Utah Mormon leaders react and if they can take the majority of the people with them. Some diehard Utah Mormons wold probably seek out the polygamous sects to join.
If they admit that Young introduced and practiced the evil blood atonement doctrine (and that people were subjected to what amounted to ritualistic killing for "crimes" like having a Mormon leader covert your wife and or goods) and admitted that Young ordered and covered up the Mountain Meadows Massacre, and that he made millions of Dollars by ripping off the handcart pioneers, and that he ordered and covered up the murder of dozens of outsiders in case they might be government spies and that he almost certainly 'stole' the presidency of the Mormon Church, tThey would then have to admit that Young was not only a "fallen prophet" but that he stole the leadership by subterfuge and criminal acts.
So, therefore in admitting that Brigham Young was not the rightful successor to Joseph Smith, they would have to acknowledge that the RLDS (or one of the other offshoots) was the rightful successor to Joseph Smith.
That will not happen anytime soon. Although I suppose there is a Small chance that such a rapprochement might occur some time within the next 50 years, though this does very muh depend on how the Utah Mormon leaders react and if they can take the majority of the people with them. Some diehard Utah Mormons wold probably seek out the polygamous sects to join.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
New study shows black tea helps with stress relief (Sorry, Mormons!)
Drinking tea can help you recover more quickly from the stresses of everyday life, according to a new study by UCL (University College London) researchers. New scientific evidence shows that black tea has an effect on stress hormone levels in the body.
The study, published in the journal Psychopharmacology, found that people who drank tea were able to de-stress more quickly than those who drank a fake tea substitute. The study participants - who drank a black tea concoction four times a day for six weeks - were found to have lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol in their blood after a stressful event, compared with a control group who drank the placebo tea for the same period of time.
In the six week study, particpants gave up their normal tea, coffee and caffeinated beverages, then one group was given a fruit-flavoured caffeinated tea mixture made up of the constituents of an average cup of black tea whilst the control group was given a caffeinated placebo identical in taste. Both groups were subjected to challenging tasks, while their levels of stress were measured.
When measured both groups showed evidence of similar stress levels, however, 50 minutes after the task, cortisol levels had dropped by an average of 47 per cent in the tea drinking group compared with 27 per cent in the placebo tea group.
Bill Gorman of The UK Tea Council said; "This new research adds to the evidence that drinking tea is good for you. Not only does tea hydrate and offer some protection against heart disease and some cancers, it's now proven to de-stress too. It's great to know that a cuppa, one of life's great comforts, can be enjoyed not just for the taste but also for its health benefits."
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Something very good from Utah. Grow your own vegies training videos for free
First ever availability of FFEF new Vegetable Gardening Training videos as digital downloads
The Non-Profit Food For Everyone Foundation (FFEF) www.foodforeveryone.org, headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, is pleased to announce the first ever availability of their new Vegetable Gardening Training videos as digital downloads, via the internet.
These videos constitute a college-level agronomy course that is being used in many countries around the world to create highly successful family growers of gardens of all sizes, including commercial enterprises, that are models of productivity and sustainability. The packages are as follows:
Package I - Soil-Bed Gardening Basics
Package II - Grow-Box Gardening Basics
Package III - Recognizing and Correcting Nutrient Deficiencies
Package IV - Greenhouse Vegetable Production Training & Examples Package V - Successful Gardening in Any Soil or No Soil - Worldwide #1
Package VI - Successful Gardening in Any Soil or No Soil - Worldwide #2 The foundation is also excited to offer an affiliate program through “RightCart”, so that interested online website owners can help the foundation spread the word about highly productive vegetable gardening, and also share in the income generated from sales of these valuable materials.
Information on the digital training materials can be found on http://www.howtoorganicgarden.com/videos.htm Foundation humanitarian training projects have been conducted for 43 years in 31 countries around the world, first by Dr. Jacob R. Mittleider, and most recently by current foundation President, Jim Kennard.
Locations for humanitarian assistance are chosen on the basis of need and willingness of the governments and people to accept and implement the improved methods. Examples of lives changed by the Foundation’s work are inspiring.
From Papua New Guinea to Africa and Madagascar, and from Russia to America’s Indian reservations, it is reported that many thousands of families have been empowered to improve their lives dramatically and permanently by following these improved growing methods. Questions, requests for, and offers of assistance can be directed to Jim Kennard, Foundation President at 848 Woodruff Way, SLC, UT 84108 – (888) 548-4449, or to Jim(at)Foodforeveryone.org
The Non-Profit Food For Everyone Foundation (FFEF) www.foodforeveryone.org, headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, is pleased to announce the first ever availability of their new Vegetable Gardening Training videos as digital downloads, via the internet.
These videos constitute a college-level agronomy course that is being used in many countries around the world to create highly successful family growers of gardens of all sizes, including commercial enterprises, that are models of productivity and sustainability. The packages are as follows:
Package I - Soil-Bed Gardening Basics
Package II - Grow-Box Gardening Basics
Package III - Recognizing and Correcting Nutrient Deficiencies
Package IV - Greenhouse Vegetable Production Training & Examples Package V - Successful Gardening in Any Soil or No Soil - Worldwide #1
Package VI - Successful Gardening in Any Soil or No Soil - Worldwide #2 The foundation is also excited to offer an affiliate program through “RightCart”, so that interested online website owners can help the foundation spread the word about highly productive vegetable gardening, and also share in the income generated from sales of these valuable materials.
Information on the digital training materials can be found on http://www.howtoorganicgarden.com/videos.htm Foundation humanitarian training projects have been conducted for 43 years in 31 countries around the world, first by Dr. Jacob R. Mittleider, and most recently by current foundation President, Jim Kennard.
Locations for humanitarian assistance are chosen on the basis of need and willingness of the governments and people to accept and implement the improved methods. Examples of lives changed by the Foundation’s work are inspiring.
From Papua New Guinea to Africa and Madagascar, and from Russia to America’s Indian reservations, it is reported that many thousands of families have been empowered to improve their lives dramatically and permanently by following these improved growing methods. Questions, requests for, and offers of assistance can be directed to Jim Kennard, Foundation President at 848 Woodruff Way, SLC, UT 84108 – (888) 548-4449, or to Jim(at)Foodforeveryone.org
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Reverand Craig X Rubin and family to be rendered homeless by LAPD?
When Reverend Craig X Rubin was arrested at his house of worship he asked the lead LAPD officer for the special rights accorded to clergy under California Penal Codes 1524 and 1525, but was told by the officer that his Bible-based Judeo-Christian organization, that was recognized by the state of California, was "not practicing a real religion."
Temple 420 is a registered religious organization with the State of California (CA Corporation #C2791851) and Reverend Rubin has been ordained by a church that has passed the State's organizational test in court. Members of the congregation use cannabis in their temple - a practice that has gotten them into trouble with the LAPD.
People know Reverend Craig X Rubin for the role he plays, as the owner of the medical marijuana club, on the hit show "Weeds" on Showtime; but what people don't know is that he is a messianic Jewish preacher on the weekends.Temple 420 on Hollywood Blvd.
(http://www.temple420.org/) has services every Saturday and Sunday at 4:20 p.m. The Old Testament is taught on Saturday and the New Testament on Sundays. The unusual thing about Temple 420 is their faith that cannabis is the "Tree of Life," spoken about in several places in the Bible; most notably the Book of Genesis and the Book of Revelation, where it describes the leaves of this plant as being, "for the healing of all nations" because cannabis, sometimes called hemp, is so versatile as a natural resource.
"Ending the prohibition on cannabis will get us out of the Middle East sooner," claims Reverend Rubin, "because we can use cannabis to make fuel, thus making us more energy independent. The President keeps talking 'switch grass' and I know which grass he should switch. Henry Ford built a hemp car that ran on hemp fuel back in the 1930s."
(Photo Caption: Image of Henry Ford and his hemp car.) The congregation feels burning the Tree of Life reminds them to follow the Laws of God, the Ten Commandments, that emanated from a burning bush. Further, they use the smoke of the plant as an intercessory to carry their prayers to God.
Both Jewish and Christian members of the sect agree that cannabis is the Biblical Tree of Life and wonder why they are treated differently than the Catholic Church who actually did recently commit crimes and allegedly covered them up.
"Could you imagine the type of paramilitary force that invaded our temple, kicking down the doors of the Catholic Church to get information on alleged pedophile priests? Yet that is exactly what they did in our house of worship."
Officers kicked their way into the sanctuary with weapons pointed, without the slightest thought or care of putting their paramilitary boots on the Holy Cross and Star of David on the custom made temple doors.
The Reverend continued, "I was taught in California public schools all the way through graduating from UCLA. I have seven children, have no criminal record, and yet without a conviction the LAPD has seized all of my personal assets, leaving my family penniless and about to be homeless."
On February 13, 2007 the Reverend responded as the City of Los Angeles tried to permanently seize control of the Reverend's life savings. He had 30 days to respond or his worldly assets became their property.
When filing his response and requesting a quick resolution he was told by Sharon Terry of the District Attorney's Office, "Not to expect a hearing anytime soon" as the City was busy. Meanwhile, the Reverend and his family are being evicted, as their assets are held for an indefinite period of time, and the Temple's only income comes from donations via the Internet.
According to the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, the authorities can only use "the least restrictive means necessary" if they feel a religious organization is violating rules of general applicability.
That is why Reverend Rubin has filed a complaint with the LAPD (CF07-000151) and has given notice to the city of his intent to sue for religious discrimination and violations of his civil rights.
The complaint alleges that Officer Trayce Fields knew on August 25, 2006 that Reverend Rubin was an ordained minister teaching the Bible at his Hollywood Temple and she did not give that information as required by law to the judge who issued the warrant."
American churches should be concerned about religious freedoms at this time in our history. That is why I took this case. Temple 420 is reaching people other churches don't," says defense council La'Chelle Woodert, as she represents Reverend Rubin, who is facing seven years in prison for his religious beliefs.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Celebrate the ' Year of the Pig ' with Tetley Green Tea!
On 18 February, 1.3 billion people in China and around 160,000 Chinese residents in the UK begin a 15-day celebration of Chinese New Year.
A truly global celebration, Chinese NewYear includes many centuries-old customs. Red envelopes containing money are given to unmarried adults and children and there is the ritualistic serving of green tea on the ninth day to pay respect to an honoured person.
But there is also more widespread drinking of green tea throughout the celebrations (and, of course, throughout the year), making New Year's drinks a rather healthier option in China than they tend to be in the UK!
And now you can join in the celebrations and welcome the 'Year of the Pig 'with a cup of authentic Tetley Green Tea. With leaves gently steamed to preserve the delicate flavour of the Camellia Sinensis plant it comes from,Tetley Green Tea gives a great taste of this ancient Chinese tradition.
Tetley green teas are naturally rich in antioxidants, hydrating like waterand without any calories or fat whatsoever. If you want to extend your New Year celebrations, remember there are fourdifferent varieties from Tetley to try.
As well as Green Tea Pure, thereis Tetley Green Lemon which is a perfect pick me up, Tetley Green Mint with extra zest thanks to its real mint and even a Decaffeinated Green tea. Whichever one you choose, you'll open a treasure-trove of flavour and benefits to your health.
So go out, wish your friends and family good health, good fortune and prosperity - and share with them a cup of Tetley Green Tea.
Overview of Britain's favourite tea maker: Tetley is the biggest manufacturer and distributor of tea in the UK. It has exactly one quarter of the country’s £530m-a-year tea market, and its main brand tea bags are regularly bought by over eight million UK households.
The four popular varieties of Tetley Green Tea make it a strong contender in the UK’s fast-growing green tea market, currently worth £14.8m.
Tetley are experts in tea, and have a huge range of other brands of teas and infusions, and these are becoming an increasingly important part of its business. Some, such as luxury teas Earl Grey and English Breakfast or old favourites Quick Brew and Lyons Red Label, are aimed at more traditional markets.
Others address the growing demand for alternative, overtly healthy hot drinks. Tetley already has a strong range of herbal and fruit infusions, and it is expanding its offering still further with new brand like Tetley Redbush and Tetley Organic.
Combining tradition with innovation in this way, Tetley is well placed to consolidate its place as Britain's favourite tea maker. Tetley really is ‘Everyone’s cup of tea!'
Just think! All those poor faith Mormons missing out on the benefits of green tea. It is quite sad, isn't it?
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
A letter to the Mormon President
I found this on a press release service and decided I just had to share it on Notamormon
A letter to the Mormon President requesting a name to be removed --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DANIEL EVANS dano@open.org (Please feel free to write) Nov. 15, 1993 Ezra Taft Benson, President The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Dear President Benson: This letter is to inform you that I wish to be removed permanently from membership in, and the rolls of, the Mormon Church (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints).
I request that this be done immediately. This is not an action that I take lightly, but it is something I do gladly, as I have found great joy, peace and freedom in my Lord Jesus Christ. I wish the members of the Mormon church well, and will always think of them as fine, upstanding, and loving people.
I was an earnest and faithful Mormon for many years. I got married in the Temple, believed in the Church wholeheartedly, and sacrificed for it. The following are a few of my reasons for leaving the Mormon Church. I know they will not be easy for you to read, but please try to do so with an open mind.
I am concerned about discrepancies between what the Church teaches, and the teachings of the Bible. The Mormon church teaches that there are many Gods. The Bible teaches that there is one only. Joseph Smith taught "that God the Father of Jesus Christ had a Father," and that "you may suppose that He had a Father also." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith) Orson Pratt said, "If we should take a million worlds like this and number their particles, we should find that there are more Gods than there are particles of matter in those worlds." (Journal of Discourses, vol.2, page 345)
The Bible teaches throughout it's pages of there being only one God. Even the Book of Mormon teaches monotheism: "And Zeezrom said unto him: Thou sayest there is a true and living God? And Amulek said: Yea there is a true and living God. Now, Zeezrom said: Is there more than one God? And he answered, No." Alma 11:26-30 "...I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end." 3 Nephi 9:18 "so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting men may know there is none besides me. I am the LORD and there is no other." Isaiah 45:6 " ...I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me." Isaiah 46:9 "...Is there any God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any." Isaiah 44:8
"Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein..." Nehemiah 9:6 The God who made the universe says he is LORD alone. I believe he leaves no room for doubt. If God had a father wouldn't he know of him? If there really were other Gods why is there no mention of them in the Book of Mormon or the Bible? The message God sends time and time again is that he is the only God.
The Mormon Church teaches heretically that man can become a God, and that God was once a man. Joseph Smith taught, "First God himself who sits enthroned in yonder heavens, is a man like unto one of yourselves, that is the great secret.... I am going to tell you how God came to be God. We have imagined that God was God from all eternity.... God himself; the Father of us all dwelt on an earth the same as Jesus Christ himself did,... You have got to learn how to be Gods yourselves;...No man can learn you more than what I have told you." This teaching is one of the root evils of Mormonism. Think about it- isn't this very idea, that man can work his way up to being a God, a major tenant of humanism and new age belief?
Think about it again- where is the first place in the Bible that one finds the idea of a man becoming like God? It was whispered by the serpent to Eve; saying eat of the apple and "...ye shall be as gods..."(Genesis 3:5) This was not whispered as a good thing, but as an enticement by the father of lies himself! The Bible does not teach about a changing God who once was a man, once died, and once sinned. I
t does not teach that a man can become a God. It teaches exactly the opposite. Again the Book of Mormon is in agreement: "For I know that God is not a partial God, neither a changeable being; but he is unchangeable from all eternity to all eternity." Moroni 8:18 "For behold, God knowing all things, being from everlasting to everlasting,.." Moroni 7:22 "Behold I say unto you, he that denieth these things knoweth not the gospel of Christ; yea, he has not read the scriptures; if so, he does not understand them.
For do we not read that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and in him there is no variableness neither shadow of changing?" Mormon 9:8,9 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8 "(God has)...no variableness, neither shadow of turning." James 1:17 " ...I am God, and not man..." Hosea 11:9 "Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God." Isaiah 44:6 "God is not a man that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind..." Numbers 23:19 "O LORD are you not from everlasting?..." Habakkuk 1:12 "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God." Psalms 90:2 "I the LORD do not change..." Malachi 3:6 "Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD...before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me." Isaiah 43:10 This is clearly the first and last God. We have not "imagined" that God was God from all eternity, the Bible says so definitively. The Bible leaves no room for other "Gods" to be formed.
It emphatically states throughout its pages that God has always existed as God and has never changed. How could the Bible have made it more clear? God is God alone, and there never were, nor will there ever be any others. Also see Mosiah 3:5, Alma 11:39, Psalms 41:13, 93:2, 103:17, Proverbs 8:23, Revelation 1:8. It is important to note that when you study one of these passages in Hebrew, the case is made even more unambiguous. In Isaiah 43:10 for example, the word used for God is El meaning " mighty one".
Once this is understood, it is obvious that the scripture is not talking about idols per Se, but about Gods. Thus read the scripture would say: "... Before me there were no 'mighty ones' formed, neither shall there be after me." The Mormon church does not understand grace, faith or salvation, and in fact teaches doctrine turned 180 degrees from the Biblical truth. The Mormon church teaches that "
There are sins that men commit for which they cannot receive forgiveness in this world, or in that which is to come...(Sermon by Brigham Young given Sept. 21, 1856, Journal of Discourses, vol. 4, pp.53-54) It teaches a works oriented salvation that "puts the cart before the horse" in its approach. It denies the power of Christ and exalts the pride of man. I learned as a Mormon to try to "make myself perfect".
I learned that I needed to follow a laundry list of do's and don'ts. I believed that I needed to follow a highly organized system of men placed between me and my maker to obtain God's forgiveness or work within his authority.
I learned that these men had control in my life, and that when one of them in authority spoke I was to take it as having come from the mouth of the LORD. When my ears were open enough for me to really understand the New Testament I understood that you had lied to me. Men are sinners- born into it- and cannot make themselves perfect. The Bible teaches that men are accepted by Christ in their sins, that he loves them, and takes them how they are. It teaches that this is a result of faith in him.
It says that though their nature still remains sinful, Christ changes them from the inside as a result of faith, but not as a result of their works. The Bible teaches that Christ's infinite atonement covers all sin of all men who believe in him. It teaches that the Old Testament order of having to have an intermediary between man and God is done away with, and that Christ is the only way to God. All through the New Testament the pattern of faith preceding an unwarranted action is set. Jesus never says anything like, "you've done very well in your keeping of the word of wisdom - therefore I'll heal you."
But he frequently says things like, "Take heart, daughter...your faith has healed you." (Matthew 9:22) When a woman who "was a sinner" came to see Jesus, and washed his feet with her tears, he did not say, "That's a good start, now go and undo all the sins you've committed, clean up your life, clean up your thoughts, do some worthy work and when you are finished come back to me and I'll appoint some people to see about forgiving you."
No, he very simply said, "Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace." You see, she was already forgiven. Nothing she could do could earn it, and she didn't have to; Jesus gave it to her freely because of her faith. Can't you see how simple and beautiful this is? Jesus has done this for me also and I weep when I think of it because I am so very grateful. I plead with you to let him take you just as you are too.
Please see Matthew 8:10-13, 9:2, 9:29 and 15:28. The Bible teaches plainly that we are saved by grace through faith. It teaches that no one will be saved by their good works. Truly, faith that produces no good works is a dead faith, but when there is a real faith it produces its work as a result of Christ and the changes he makes in the believer.
The Bible is definitive in its argument for faith as being the ingredient for salvation: "Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. But now a righteousness from God, apart from the law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.
There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." Romans 3:20-24 "THEREFORE BEING justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 5:1 "What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; but Israel who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works..." Romans 9:30- 32 "I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!" Galatians 2:21 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9 It fits well within Mormonism's humanistic model that they have put the emphasis on becoming perfect.
After all, they have put the emphasis on becoming a God. When we seek goodness through our works we try to say to Christ, "I know you couldn't pay the whole debt - here let me pay it too." We deny his power to accept us as what we are. We say, "hands off- I can change myself into what you ( I ) want."
But the fact is that HE makes the changes in us through faith. The Bible teaches the simple truth on this matter: When we believe in Christ he sets us free. When God looks upon us in judgment he sees only an imperfect man, but one saved by faith in Jesus Christ. Please see Acts 15:8-11, 26:18, Romans 1:5, 4:1-10, 4:14-16, 5:7-9, 10:4, 10:9, 2 Corinthians 5:7, Galatians 2:15-16, 3:22-25, Philippians 3:7-9, Titus 2:11-12 The Book of Mormon is a largely plagiarized document with no historical, anthropological, ar archaeological basis in reality. The Mormon church claims that the Nephites had the Old Testament books which were written prior to the time they left Jerusalem (around 600 B.C.).
Therefore it comes as no surprise that the Book of Mormon contains many quotations taken right from the Old Testament (over 18 chapters of Isaiah alone). What is surprising is that many of these passages were quoted word for word from the King James version of the Bible. What is more surprising still is that the Book of Mormon authors were able to quote from books written after 600 B.C.
Let's think about this: How could Joseph Smith have translated exact word for word quotes from "reformed Egyptian" into King James style English? Why would these match word for word with the King James translation of the Bible which itself had been translated from Hebrew and Greek? The King James translators who unfortunately lacked the "Urim and Thummim" did very well to produce the exact translation Joseph Smith did!
The Book of Mormon contains many examples of stories and ideas lifted from the Bible (see Alma 19 and John 11). The Book of Mormon proves itself a forgery when it quotes from King James version New Testament verses word for word: "...to be carnally-minded is death, and to be spiritually-minded is life..." 2 Nephi 9:39 "... to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life..." Romans 8:6 "...O wretched man that I am..." 2 Nephi 4:17 "O wretched man that I am..." Romans 7:24 "...steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works..." Mosiah 5:15 "...steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work..." 1 Corinthians 15:58 "...seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things." Moroni 7:45 "...seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things." 1 Corinthians 13:5-7
There are many more examples of plagiarism in the Book of Mormon. One study found over four hundred. Remember, these are New Testament scriptures that the Nephites did not have. How could they have gotten into the Book of Mormon word for word? Not only does the Book of Mormon use the exact same wording (even unusual wording like "stinketh" found in Alma 19:5 and John 11:39) as the New Testament, but it frequently uses it in exactly the same order! Mark Twain, in his book Roughing It remarked that the Book of Mormon "seems to be merely a prosy detail of imaginary history, with the Old Testament for a model; followed by a tedious plagiarism of the New Testament."
I think he hit the nail right on the head. The Book of Mormon condemns itself. The Book of Mormon purports to be the record of ancient Jews who came to the new world. This being the case, where in its text is there evidence of Jewish religion and tradition such as Passover, Circumcision, any of the Jewish festivals, etc.?
These things were very important to the people of that time and are mentioned frequently in the Bible. Why not in the Book of Mormon? Also, why would these Israelites have written their record in Egyptian? Lehi had lived all his life in the city of Jerusalem, where they only spoke the Hebrew language. The Jews hated the Egyptians, and even if he could have written in their language (highly unlikely) he certainly wouldn't have; The Jews were known to have an unusual love for their mother tongue. Also, is there any biological evidence connecting the American Indians with the Jews? There is none.
In fact the genetic evidence suggests quite the opposite. When a city, a sight of battle, person's name, or even a type of coin is written about in the Bible, there is archaeological evidence to support it. I have seen coins mentioned in the Bible with my own eyes, right here in Salem, Oregon. When the Bible talks of the city of Jericho - there is evidence to support that it existed; namely Jericho itself!
The Bible states that Jesus was crucified under Pontius Pilate, and an inscription has been found with the name of Pontius Pilate in theater excavations at Caesarea. There are mountains of physical evidence to support biblical archaeology.
Why is this not the case with the Book of Mormon? The Book of Mormon talks about names and places. It contains the story of entire civilizations, and their cities, their battles, their leaders names, their religion, even the value and names of some of their coins. In all this mass of civilization, where is even one single piece of anthropological evidence to support the claims of the Book of Mormon?
There are no coins. There are no inscriptions of leaders names. There is no evidence of the huge battles mentioned in its text. There isn't even evidence of the cities mentioned in The Book of Mormon! Where are Zarahemla and Bountiful?
There is plenty of anthropological evidence of the civilizations that really were present during Book of Mormon times. Unfortunately, none of this evidence even suggests a Christian civilization present in America. Many Mormon anthropologists have dedicated their lives to finding Book of Mormon archaeology, and the Mormon church has financed many expeditions and much research to prove its case. Still, there remains not one piece of evidence in support of the Book of Mormon.
Why not? Because it simply is not there. The Mormon Church's history, doctrine, and even scriptures have been changed many times to suit the present needs of its leadership. There have been many deliberate changes in the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, History of the Church, etc. The Church has made a deliberate effort to distort its own history, and keep its members in the dark.
As a Mormon I learned about Joseph Smith's martyrdom. I learned that he went to his death "like a lamb to the slaughter." I was taught that he went humbly and without resistance just as Jesus did. Can you imagine what a shock it was to me to learn that he had in fact died in a gunfight, doing his level best to kill his attackers?
The following accounts from the History of the Church are given of Joseph Smith's death: Immediately there was a little rustling at the outer door of the jail, and a cry of surrender, and also a discharge of three or four firearms followed instantly...Joseph sprang to his coat for his six-shooter, Hyrum for his single barrel.... When Hyrum fell, Joseph exclaimed, "Oh dear, brother Hyrum!" and opening the door a few inches he discharged his six shooter in the stairway (as stated before) , two or three barrels of which missed fire. (History of the Church, vol. 6, pp. 617- 18) John Taylor, who was to become the third president of the Church, added his testimony concerning Joseph Smith's death: He, however, instantly arose, and with a firm, quick step, and a determined expression of countenance, approached the door, and pulling the six-shooter left by Brother Whellock from his pocket, opened the door slightly, and snapped the pistol six successive times; only three of the barrels, however, were discharged.
I afterwards understood that two or three were wounded by these discharges, two of whom, I am informed died. (History of the Church, vol. 7, pp.102-3) This was not the Joseph Smith you had taught me about. He did not go like Jesus Christ, "who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not..." (1 Peter 2:23)
No, Joseph Smith went out shooting. Why don't you teach the truth about this? I learned as a Mormon that while the Bible was not reliable because it had been changed, (with later study I learned it was indeed reliable) the Book of Mormon was reliable and, "the most correct of any book on earth." Why then has it been changed over three thousand times? Many of these changes are grammatical, or spelling errors, but this book was supposed to have been translated directly by the power of God.
I remember the missionaries asking me how a boy could have written such a book without mistakes, without to help of God. Well, the first editions of the Book of Mormon are chock full of mistakes!
All one has to do to prove it to themselves is compare. My wife Stacey, was surprised when she looked up 2 Nephi 30:6 in a copy of The Book of Mormon that her grandmother had given her, and then in a newer copy of mine, and found that it had been changed. There is no footnote to explain why, no asterisk, or anything else. At the time of this change the church had been embarrassed by their teaching that the Indians who received the Gospel would turn white! Stacey's edition reads, "...and many generations shall not pass away among them, save they shall be a white and a delightsome people."
My edition reads, "...save they shall be a pure and delightsome people." This is just a recent change. There are other important doctrinal changes in the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants.
For more information see The Changing World of Mormonism by Jerald and Sandra Tanner, Moody Press, Chicago. Where are those good old doctrines of the early Mormon Church like Blood atonement, and the Adam-God doctrine? How come they aren't taught with the zeal that the "prophets" had for them?
As a Mormon I knew nothing about things like Blood atonement. You taught me that a prophet would never lead his people astray. That God would prohibit it. Well, lets look at what the "Prophet" Brigham Young taught: There are sins that men commit for which they cannot receive forgiveness in this world, or in that which is to come, and if they had their eyes open to their true condition, they would be perfectly willing to have their blood spilt upon the ground, that the smoke thereof might ascend to heaven as an offering for their sins; and the smoking incense would atone for their sins... (Sermon by Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, vol. 4, pp.53-54; also published in the Desseret News, Oct. 1, 1856, p.235 ) J.M. Grant, a member of the first presidency under Brigham Young, followed up on this idea: ...there are men and women that I would advise to go to the President immediately, and ask him to appoint a committee to attend to their case; and then let a place be selected, and let that committee shed their blood. (Journal of Discourses, vol. 4, pp.49-50)
Brigham young proposed this situation in which Blood atonement might occur. As you read it think to yourself if it in any way relates to the Savior of love and compassion written about in the Bible.
The "let he who is without sin cast the first stone" Savior. The Savior who is powerful enough to save all men from all sin, and paid the ultimate price to do so for you. (1 John 1:7-9) Let me suppose a case. Suppose you found your brother in bed with your wife, and put a javelin through both of them, you would be justified, and they would atone for their sins, and be received into the kingdom of God.
I would at once do so in such a case; and under such circumstances, I have no wife whom I love so well that I would not put a javelin through her heart, and I would do it with clean hands... There is not a man or woman, who violates the covenants made with their God, that will not be required to pay the debt.
The blood of Christ will never wipe that out, your own blood must atone for it... (Journal of Discourses, vol. 3, p.247) Is this true? If we are to atone for our own sins, then Jesus died for nothing!
What is our blood worth to God? What good does it do for our salvation? If it is true, then why isn't the Mormon church teaching and practicing "God's doctrine" of blood atonement today? No, the Bible totally repudiates this heretical teaching of blood atonement, and Brigham Young led his people astray.
One need only read it to find out. Brigham Young also taught that, "When our father Adam came into the garden of Eden, he came into it with a celestial body, and brought Eve, one of his wives, with him. He helped to make and organize this world.
He is MICHAEL, the Arch-angel, the ANCIENT OF DAYS! about whom holy men have written and spoken - HE is our Father and our God, and the only God with whom we have to do." (Journal of Discourses, vol. 1, pp. 50-51) Brigham Young reaffirmed this doctrine and taught it many times.
It is even found in the journals of the Mormons of that time. If this "Prophet" didn't lead people astray, then why does the church teach that this is a false doctrine today? There are those who believe, or say they believe, that Adam is our father and our God,... The devil keeps this heresy alive... It is contrary to the plan of salvation...and anyone who has received the temple endowment and who yet believes the Adam-God theory does not deserve to be saved." (Apostle Bruce R. McConkie, talk given at the BYU Marriot Center on June 1, 1980)
Okay, who's lying? The "Prophets" and "Apostles" of Brigham Young's time, or the "Prophets" and "Apostles" of today? I was married to Stacey in the Seattle, Washington temple on May 3, 1984.
I attended that temple with the belief that I would be instructed in sacred and ancient ceremonies, right from the Lord himself. As was expected of me, I obediently promised to slit my throat etc., rather than reveal the secrets of the temple. I was very surprised to learn in 1989 from a Mormon who wanted me to "come back to the temple, because I would like it better now" that the Lord had changed his mind yet again, and redone his sacred temple ceremony.
Even as a Mormon who did not yet understand that the temple ceremony is really a Masonic ceremony copied word for word, I knew that something was wrong! Why would God just suddenly change his mind about his own "sacred ceremony", eliminating the "penalties" and other sacred portions? Maybe God is rather a "politically correct" God. When confronted with opposition on the issue of polygamy, he simply changes his stance on it.
When confronted with Civil Rights he ignores his "prophet" who said, "If there was one drop of Negro blood" a black man could never hold the Priesthood, and caves in under the pressure. When people like me are made uncomfortable with the temples' bloody oaths, God just rewrites the program.
How convenient for the leadership of the Mormon Church to have such a changeable, malleable, saleable God. The God of the Bible is a much different God. He doesn't change his mind. He doesn't change. I hope you get to know him. (John 17:3) In closing I wish to tell you my greatest reason for leaving the Mormon Church.
It is in finding Jesus Christ. He also found me. He pulled me toward him and made me ready to listen. I tell you, reader of this letter, that he will do the same for you. I pray this for you. It will be my great joy to bring his message to all the people (including Mormons) I can.
The Gospel is simply that Christ lived, was crucified for each and every one of every man's sins, and was resurrected on the third day. (1 Corinthians 15:1-8, Galatians 1:8-9) Those who take away from this Gospel; who mock Christ's suffering on the cross by saying that it was not sufficient for all men and all sin; and those who would add to this Gospel legalism, secret (not sacred) ceremonies and signs as condition for salvation are terribly wrong. They are making a literally hellish mistake.
Jesus is my hope and my joy. I love him with all my heart, and am glad to let him make of my life what he wants. This is the truth, and I leave it with you in His name. Thank you, Dan Evans dano@open.org"
I am not quite sure why it was posted up so many years after it was written, but, there is is, I hope you found it interesting.
A letter to the Mormon President requesting a name to be removed --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DANIEL EVANS dano@open.org (Please feel free to write) Nov. 15, 1993 Ezra Taft Benson, President The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Dear President Benson: This letter is to inform you that I wish to be removed permanently from membership in, and the rolls of, the Mormon Church (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints).
I request that this be done immediately. This is not an action that I take lightly, but it is something I do gladly, as I have found great joy, peace and freedom in my Lord Jesus Christ. I wish the members of the Mormon church well, and will always think of them as fine, upstanding, and loving people.
I was an earnest and faithful Mormon for many years. I got married in the Temple, believed in the Church wholeheartedly, and sacrificed for it. The following are a few of my reasons for leaving the Mormon Church. I know they will not be easy for you to read, but please try to do so with an open mind.
I am concerned about discrepancies between what the Church teaches, and the teachings of the Bible. The Mormon church teaches that there are many Gods. The Bible teaches that there is one only. Joseph Smith taught "that God the Father of Jesus Christ had a Father," and that "you may suppose that He had a Father also." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith) Orson Pratt said, "If we should take a million worlds like this and number their particles, we should find that there are more Gods than there are particles of matter in those worlds." (Journal of Discourses, vol.2, page 345)
The Bible teaches throughout it's pages of there being only one God. Even the Book of Mormon teaches monotheism: "And Zeezrom said unto him: Thou sayest there is a true and living God? And Amulek said: Yea there is a true and living God. Now, Zeezrom said: Is there more than one God? And he answered, No." Alma 11:26-30 "...I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end." 3 Nephi 9:18 "so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting men may know there is none besides me. I am the LORD and there is no other." Isaiah 45:6 " ...I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me." Isaiah 46:9 "...Is there any God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any." Isaiah 44:8
"Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein..." Nehemiah 9:6 The God who made the universe says he is LORD alone. I believe he leaves no room for doubt. If God had a father wouldn't he know of him? If there really were other Gods why is there no mention of them in the Book of Mormon or the Bible? The message God sends time and time again is that he is the only God.
The Mormon Church teaches heretically that man can become a God, and that God was once a man. Joseph Smith taught, "First God himself who sits enthroned in yonder heavens, is a man like unto one of yourselves, that is the great secret.... I am going to tell you how God came to be God. We have imagined that God was God from all eternity.... God himself; the Father of us all dwelt on an earth the same as Jesus Christ himself did,... You have got to learn how to be Gods yourselves;...No man can learn you more than what I have told you." This teaching is one of the root evils of Mormonism. Think about it- isn't this very idea, that man can work his way up to being a God, a major tenant of humanism and new age belief?
Think about it again- where is the first place in the Bible that one finds the idea of a man becoming like God? It was whispered by the serpent to Eve; saying eat of the apple and "...ye shall be as gods..."(Genesis 3:5) This was not whispered as a good thing, but as an enticement by the father of lies himself! The Bible does not teach about a changing God who once was a man, once died, and once sinned. I
t does not teach that a man can become a God. It teaches exactly the opposite. Again the Book of Mormon is in agreement: "For I know that God is not a partial God, neither a changeable being; but he is unchangeable from all eternity to all eternity." Moroni 8:18 "For behold, God knowing all things, being from everlasting to everlasting,.." Moroni 7:22 "Behold I say unto you, he that denieth these things knoweth not the gospel of Christ; yea, he has not read the scriptures; if so, he does not understand them.
For do we not read that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and in him there is no variableness neither shadow of changing?" Mormon 9:8,9 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8 "(God has)...no variableness, neither shadow of turning." James 1:17 " ...I am God, and not man..." Hosea 11:9 "Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God." Isaiah 44:6 "God is not a man that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind..." Numbers 23:19 "O LORD are you not from everlasting?..." Habakkuk 1:12 "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God." Psalms 90:2 "I the LORD do not change..." Malachi 3:6 "Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD...before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me." Isaiah 43:10 This is clearly the first and last God. We have not "imagined" that God was God from all eternity, the Bible says so definitively. The Bible leaves no room for other "Gods" to be formed.
It emphatically states throughout its pages that God has always existed as God and has never changed. How could the Bible have made it more clear? God is God alone, and there never were, nor will there ever be any others. Also see Mosiah 3:5, Alma 11:39, Psalms 41:13, 93:2, 103:17, Proverbs 8:23, Revelation 1:8. It is important to note that when you study one of these passages in Hebrew, the case is made even more unambiguous. In Isaiah 43:10 for example, the word used for God is El meaning " mighty one".
Once this is understood, it is obvious that the scripture is not talking about idols per Se, but about Gods. Thus read the scripture would say: "... Before me there were no 'mighty ones' formed, neither shall there be after me." The Mormon church does not understand grace, faith or salvation, and in fact teaches doctrine turned 180 degrees from the Biblical truth. The Mormon church teaches that "
There are sins that men commit for which they cannot receive forgiveness in this world, or in that which is to come...(Sermon by Brigham Young given Sept. 21, 1856, Journal of Discourses, vol. 4, pp.53-54) It teaches a works oriented salvation that "puts the cart before the horse" in its approach. It denies the power of Christ and exalts the pride of man. I learned as a Mormon to try to "make myself perfect".
I learned that I needed to follow a laundry list of do's and don'ts. I believed that I needed to follow a highly organized system of men placed between me and my maker to obtain God's forgiveness or work within his authority.
I learned that these men had control in my life, and that when one of them in authority spoke I was to take it as having come from the mouth of the LORD. When my ears were open enough for me to really understand the New Testament I understood that you had lied to me. Men are sinners- born into it- and cannot make themselves perfect. The Bible teaches that men are accepted by Christ in their sins, that he loves them, and takes them how they are. It teaches that this is a result of faith in him.
It says that though their nature still remains sinful, Christ changes them from the inside as a result of faith, but not as a result of their works. The Bible teaches that Christ's infinite atonement covers all sin of all men who believe in him. It teaches that the Old Testament order of having to have an intermediary between man and God is done away with, and that Christ is the only way to God. All through the New Testament the pattern of faith preceding an unwarranted action is set. Jesus never says anything like, "you've done very well in your keeping of the word of wisdom - therefore I'll heal you."
But he frequently says things like, "Take heart, daughter...your faith has healed you." (Matthew 9:22) When a woman who "was a sinner" came to see Jesus, and washed his feet with her tears, he did not say, "That's a good start, now go and undo all the sins you've committed, clean up your life, clean up your thoughts, do some worthy work and when you are finished come back to me and I'll appoint some people to see about forgiving you."
No, he very simply said, "Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace." You see, she was already forgiven. Nothing she could do could earn it, and she didn't have to; Jesus gave it to her freely because of her faith. Can't you see how simple and beautiful this is? Jesus has done this for me also and I weep when I think of it because I am so very grateful. I plead with you to let him take you just as you are too.
Please see Matthew 8:10-13, 9:2, 9:29 and 15:28. The Bible teaches plainly that we are saved by grace through faith. It teaches that no one will be saved by their good works. Truly, faith that produces no good works is a dead faith, but when there is a real faith it produces its work as a result of Christ and the changes he makes in the believer.
The Bible is definitive in its argument for faith as being the ingredient for salvation: "Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. But now a righteousness from God, apart from the law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.
There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." Romans 3:20-24 "THEREFORE BEING justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 5:1 "What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; but Israel who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works..." Romans 9:30- 32 "I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!" Galatians 2:21 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9 It fits well within Mormonism's humanistic model that they have put the emphasis on becoming perfect.
After all, they have put the emphasis on becoming a God. When we seek goodness through our works we try to say to Christ, "I know you couldn't pay the whole debt - here let me pay it too." We deny his power to accept us as what we are. We say, "hands off- I can change myself into what you ( I ) want."
But the fact is that HE makes the changes in us through faith. The Bible teaches the simple truth on this matter: When we believe in Christ he sets us free. When God looks upon us in judgment he sees only an imperfect man, but one saved by faith in Jesus Christ. Please see Acts 15:8-11, 26:18, Romans 1:5, 4:1-10, 4:14-16, 5:7-9, 10:4, 10:9, 2 Corinthians 5:7, Galatians 2:15-16, 3:22-25, Philippians 3:7-9, Titus 2:11-12 The Book of Mormon is a largely plagiarized document with no historical, anthropological, ar archaeological basis in reality. The Mormon church claims that the Nephites had the Old Testament books which were written prior to the time they left Jerusalem (around 600 B.C.).
Therefore it comes as no surprise that the Book of Mormon contains many quotations taken right from the Old Testament (over 18 chapters of Isaiah alone). What is surprising is that many of these passages were quoted word for word from the King James version of the Bible. What is more surprising still is that the Book of Mormon authors were able to quote from books written after 600 B.C.
Let's think about this: How could Joseph Smith have translated exact word for word quotes from "reformed Egyptian" into King James style English? Why would these match word for word with the King James translation of the Bible which itself had been translated from Hebrew and Greek? The King James translators who unfortunately lacked the "Urim and Thummim" did very well to produce the exact translation Joseph Smith did!
The Book of Mormon contains many examples of stories and ideas lifted from the Bible (see Alma 19 and John 11). The Book of Mormon proves itself a forgery when it quotes from King James version New Testament verses word for word: "...to be carnally-minded is death, and to be spiritually-minded is life..." 2 Nephi 9:39 "... to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life..." Romans 8:6 "...O wretched man that I am..." 2 Nephi 4:17 "O wretched man that I am..." Romans 7:24 "...steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works..." Mosiah 5:15 "...steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work..." 1 Corinthians 15:58 "...seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things." Moroni 7:45 "...seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things." 1 Corinthians 13:5-7
There are many more examples of plagiarism in the Book of Mormon. One study found over four hundred. Remember, these are New Testament scriptures that the Nephites did not have. How could they have gotten into the Book of Mormon word for word? Not only does the Book of Mormon use the exact same wording (even unusual wording like "stinketh" found in Alma 19:5 and John 11:39) as the New Testament, but it frequently uses it in exactly the same order! Mark Twain, in his book Roughing It remarked that the Book of Mormon "seems to be merely a prosy detail of imaginary history, with the Old Testament for a model; followed by a tedious plagiarism of the New Testament."
I think he hit the nail right on the head. The Book of Mormon condemns itself. The Book of Mormon purports to be the record of ancient Jews who came to the new world. This being the case, where in its text is there evidence of Jewish religion and tradition such as Passover, Circumcision, any of the Jewish festivals, etc.?
These things were very important to the people of that time and are mentioned frequently in the Bible. Why not in the Book of Mormon? Also, why would these Israelites have written their record in Egyptian? Lehi had lived all his life in the city of Jerusalem, where they only spoke the Hebrew language. The Jews hated the Egyptians, and even if he could have written in their language (highly unlikely) he certainly wouldn't have; The Jews were known to have an unusual love for their mother tongue. Also, is there any biological evidence connecting the American Indians with the Jews? There is none.
In fact the genetic evidence suggests quite the opposite. When a city, a sight of battle, person's name, or even a type of coin is written about in the Bible, there is archaeological evidence to support it. I have seen coins mentioned in the Bible with my own eyes, right here in Salem, Oregon. When the Bible talks of the city of Jericho - there is evidence to support that it existed; namely Jericho itself!
The Bible states that Jesus was crucified under Pontius Pilate, and an inscription has been found with the name of Pontius Pilate in theater excavations at Caesarea. There are mountains of physical evidence to support biblical archaeology.
Why is this not the case with the Book of Mormon? The Book of Mormon talks about names and places. It contains the story of entire civilizations, and their cities, their battles, their leaders names, their religion, even the value and names of some of their coins. In all this mass of civilization, where is even one single piece of anthropological evidence to support the claims of the Book of Mormon?
There are no coins. There are no inscriptions of leaders names. There is no evidence of the huge battles mentioned in its text. There isn't even evidence of the cities mentioned in The Book of Mormon! Where are Zarahemla and Bountiful?
There is plenty of anthropological evidence of the civilizations that really were present during Book of Mormon times. Unfortunately, none of this evidence even suggests a Christian civilization present in America. Many Mormon anthropologists have dedicated their lives to finding Book of Mormon archaeology, and the Mormon church has financed many expeditions and much research to prove its case. Still, there remains not one piece of evidence in support of the Book of Mormon.
Why not? Because it simply is not there. The Mormon Church's history, doctrine, and even scriptures have been changed many times to suit the present needs of its leadership. There have been many deliberate changes in the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, History of the Church, etc. The Church has made a deliberate effort to distort its own history, and keep its members in the dark.
As a Mormon I learned about Joseph Smith's martyrdom. I learned that he went to his death "like a lamb to the slaughter." I was taught that he went humbly and without resistance just as Jesus did. Can you imagine what a shock it was to me to learn that he had in fact died in a gunfight, doing his level best to kill his attackers?
The following accounts from the History of the Church are given of Joseph Smith's death: Immediately there was a little rustling at the outer door of the jail, and a cry of surrender, and also a discharge of three or four firearms followed instantly...Joseph sprang to his coat for his six-shooter, Hyrum for his single barrel.... When Hyrum fell, Joseph exclaimed, "Oh dear, brother Hyrum!" and opening the door a few inches he discharged his six shooter in the stairway (as stated before) , two or three barrels of which missed fire. (History of the Church, vol. 6, pp. 617- 18) John Taylor, who was to become the third president of the Church, added his testimony concerning Joseph Smith's death: He, however, instantly arose, and with a firm, quick step, and a determined expression of countenance, approached the door, and pulling the six-shooter left by Brother Whellock from his pocket, opened the door slightly, and snapped the pistol six successive times; only three of the barrels, however, were discharged.
I afterwards understood that two or three were wounded by these discharges, two of whom, I am informed died. (History of the Church, vol. 7, pp.102-3) This was not the Joseph Smith you had taught me about. He did not go like Jesus Christ, "who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not..." (1 Peter 2:23)
No, Joseph Smith went out shooting. Why don't you teach the truth about this? I learned as a Mormon that while the Bible was not reliable because it had been changed, (with later study I learned it was indeed reliable) the Book of Mormon was reliable and, "the most correct of any book on earth." Why then has it been changed over three thousand times? Many of these changes are grammatical, or spelling errors, but this book was supposed to have been translated directly by the power of God.
I remember the missionaries asking me how a boy could have written such a book without mistakes, without to help of God. Well, the first editions of the Book of Mormon are chock full of mistakes!
All one has to do to prove it to themselves is compare. My wife Stacey, was surprised when she looked up 2 Nephi 30:6 in a copy of The Book of Mormon that her grandmother had given her, and then in a newer copy of mine, and found that it had been changed. There is no footnote to explain why, no asterisk, or anything else. At the time of this change the church had been embarrassed by their teaching that the Indians who received the Gospel would turn white! Stacey's edition reads, "...and many generations shall not pass away among them, save they shall be a white and a delightsome people."
My edition reads, "...save they shall be a pure and delightsome people." This is just a recent change. There are other important doctrinal changes in the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants.
For more information see The Changing World of Mormonism by Jerald and Sandra Tanner, Moody Press, Chicago. Where are those good old doctrines of the early Mormon Church like Blood atonement, and the Adam-God doctrine? How come they aren't taught with the zeal that the "prophets" had for them?
As a Mormon I knew nothing about things like Blood atonement. You taught me that a prophet would never lead his people astray. That God would prohibit it. Well, lets look at what the "Prophet" Brigham Young taught: There are sins that men commit for which they cannot receive forgiveness in this world, or in that which is to come, and if they had their eyes open to their true condition, they would be perfectly willing to have their blood spilt upon the ground, that the smoke thereof might ascend to heaven as an offering for their sins; and the smoking incense would atone for their sins... (Sermon by Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, vol. 4, pp.53-54; also published in the Desseret News, Oct. 1, 1856, p.235 ) J.M. Grant, a member of the first presidency under Brigham Young, followed up on this idea: ...there are men and women that I would advise to go to the President immediately, and ask him to appoint a committee to attend to their case; and then let a place be selected, and let that committee shed their blood. (Journal of Discourses, vol. 4, pp.49-50)
Brigham young proposed this situation in which Blood atonement might occur. As you read it think to yourself if it in any way relates to the Savior of love and compassion written about in the Bible.
The "let he who is without sin cast the first stone" Savior. The Savior who is powerful enough to save all men from all sin, and paid the ultimate price to do so for you. (1 John 1:7-9) Let me suppose a case. Suppose you found your brother in bed with your wife, and put a javelin through both of them, you would be justified, and they would atone for their sins, and be received into the kingdom of God.
I would at once do so in such a case; and under such circumstances, I have no wife whom I love so well that I would not put a javelin through her heart, and I would do it with clean hands... There is not a man or woman, who violates the covenants made with their God, that will not be required to pay the debt.
The blood of Christ will never wipe that out, your own blood must atone for it... (Journal of Discourses, vol. 3, p.247) Is this true? If we are to atone for our own sins, then Jesus died for nothing!
What is our blood worth to God? What good does it do for our salvation? If it is true, then why isn't the Mormon church teaching and practicing "God's doctrine" of blood atonement today? No, the Bible totally repudiates this heretical teaching of blood atonement, and Brigham Young led his people astray.
One need only read it to find out. Brigham Young also taught that, "When our father Adam came into the garden of Eden, he came into it with a celestial body, and brought Eve, one of his wives, with him. He helped to make and organize this world.
He is MICHAEL, the Arch-angel, the ANCIENT OF DAYS! about whom holy men have written and spoken - HE is our Father and our God, and the only God with whom we have to do." (Journal of Discourses, vol. 1, pp. 50-51) Brigham Young reaffirmed this doctrine and taught it many times.
It is even found in the journals of the Mormons of that time. If this "Prophet" didn't lead people astray, then why does the church teach that this is a false doctrine today? There are those who believe, or say they believe, that Adam is our father and our God,... The devil keeps this heresy alive... It is contrary to the plan of salvation...and anyone who has received the temple endowment and who yet believes the Adam-God theory does not deserve to be saved." (Apostle Bruce R. McConkie, talk given at the BYU Marriot Center on June 1, 1980)
Okay, who's lying? The "Prophets" and "Apostles" of Brigham Young's time, or the "Prophets" and "Apostles" of today? I was married to Stacey in the Seattle, Washington temple on May 3, 1984.
I attended that temple with the belief that I would be instructed in sacred and ancient ceremonies, right from the Lord himself. As was expected of me, I obediently promised to slit my throat etc., rather than reveal the secrets of the temple. I was very surprised to learn in 1989 from a Mormon who wanted me to "come back to the temple, because I would like it better now" that the Lord had changed his mind yet again, and redone his sacred temple ceremony.
Even as a Mormon who did not yet understand that the temple ceremony is really a Masonic ceremony copied word for word, I knew that something was wrong! Why would God just suddenly change his mind about his own "sacred ceremony", eliminating the "penalties" and other sacred portions? Maybe God is rather a "politically correct" God. When confronted with opposition on the issue of polygamy, he simply changes his stance on it.
When confronted with Civil Rights he ignores his "prophet" who said, "If there was one drop of Negro blood" a black man could never hold the Priesthood, and caves in under the pressure. When people like me are made uncomfortable with the temples' bloody oaths, God just rewrites the program.
How convenient for the leadership of the Mormon Church to have such a changeable, malleable, saleable God. The God of the Bible is a much different God. He doesn't change his mind. He doesn't change. I hope you get to know him. (John 17:3) In closing I wish to tell you my greatest reason for leaving the Mormon Church.
It is in finding Jesus Christ. He also found me. He pulled me toward him and made me ready to listen. I tell you, reader of this letter, that he will do the same for you. I pray this for you. It will be my great joy to bring his message to all the people (including Mormons) I can.
The Gospel is simply that Christ lived, was crucified for each and every one of every man's sins, and was resurrected on the third day. (1 Corinthians 15:1-8, Galatians 1:8-9) Those who take away from this Gospel; who mock Christ's suffering on the cross by saying that it was not sufficient for all men and all sin; and those who would add to this Gospel legalism, secret (not sacred) ceremonies and signs as condition for salvation are terribly wrong. They are making a literally hellish mistake.
Jesus is my hope and my joy. I love him with all my heart, and am glad to let him make of my life what he wants. This is the truth, and I leave it with you in His name. Thank you, Dan Evans dano@open.org"
I am not quite sure why it was posted up so many years after it was written, but, there is is, I hope you found it interesting.
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