The Trumpet Herald

Inspired Commentary

Obviously there is a disagreement expressed about the above "Action Alert," whether or not it is a (perhaps wishful thinking?) fraud or an authentic communication from Christian Coalition. It would seem prudent and fair to share both statements if either is publicized.

Further we understand that if not now, sometime the "National Day of Rest" will become an issue:

"While men are sleeping, Satan is actively arranging matters so that the Lord's people may not have mercy or justice. The Sunday movement is now making its way in darkness. The leaders are concealing the true issue, and many who unite in the movement do not themselves see whither the under-current is tending." ("The Coming Crisis" in The Watchman, Dec. 25, 1906).

"Zionist Christianity" Condemned

"Arabic News.com," dateline May 11, 2002 reported ("Zionist Christianity is American heresy") the Patriarch (Coptic Orthodox) of Alexandria, Egypt, as calling "Zionist Christianity" an American heresy and a by-product of a "bizarre environment that has no existence in the Arab world."

"‘It is a by-product of a bizarre environment in the U.S. under which any radical group has the right to establish a religious belief, giving way to unacceptable political ideologies under the cover of religion,’ he added.

"‘It is from this American environment that Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Adventists emerged, whose doctrines are much closer to Zionist Judaism than Christianity,’ he said.

"‘Christianity in general advocates peace and love and rejects suppression, occupation, usurping the rights of others or liquidating the opposition, which are basic principles in world Zionism,’ he added. …

"‘Among the doctrines of these radical groups is the sanctification of the Sabbath and the belief that the return of Christ is linked to the Jewish regrouping in Israel, which are all Zionist beliefs,’ he added."

Inspired Commentary

It would seem that the above quoted religious leader is either misinformed or malicious. Nonetheless, inspiration has warned that such depictions of Sabbath keepers will occur:

"Those who honor the Bible Sabbath will be denounced as enemies of law and order, as breaking down the moral restraints of society, causing anarchy and corruption, and calling down the judgments of God upon the earth. Their conscientious scruples will be pronounced obstinacy, stubbornness, and contempt of authority. They will be accused of disaffection toward the government. Ministers who deny the obligation of the divine law will present from the pulpit the duty of yielding obedience to the civil authorities as ordained of God. In legislative halls and courts of justice, commandment keepers will be misrepresented and condemned. A false coloring will be given to their words; the worst construction will be put upon their motives" (The Great Controversy, p. 592).

Clerical Pedophilia

A growing scandal is rocking the Roman Catholic Church over priests sexually molesting children, mostly young boys. An article on "washingtonpost.com" dated May 21, 2002 ("Okla. Archbishop Failed to Oust Priest") is an example:

"The Rev. James Cryan, the Oblates provincial in Toledo, did not act on the demands. But there is no evidence that [Archbishop] Beltran followed up on them either. A month later Beltran received a copy of a prior medical evaluation of [priest] Rapp stating that it is ‘very important’ that Rapp not be around children without supervision, but the archbishop left the priest in his job."

The article reported the effect on the Duncan, Oklahoma, Catholic community:

"Indeed, the events of the past three years have torn apart Duncan's Catholic community. Several people said they were stunned when Rapp pleaded no contest. Until the end, they said, the archdiocese did not level with them."

Inspired Commentary

Given the Bible account of the spiritual fall of mankind in the Garden of Eden, one would expect tendencies to sin as the basis of human experience. No group efforts should be expected to be free of spiritual danger in this regard.

"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good," (1 Tim. 3:1-3).