Category Archives: Human Rights
Hindus concerned about racist violence against Indians in Ukraine
First of May on Maidan Nezalezhnosti in Kyiv, Ukraine. Українська: Майдан Незалежності (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
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Hindus are concerned about the reported incidents of racist violence against people of Indian descent in Ukraine.
Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that if Ukraine could not ensure the safety of people of Indian descent from such incidents, Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) should withdraw the 2012 UEFA European Football Championship (Euro 2012) from Ukraine.
Euro 2012, the 14th European Championship for national football teams organized by UEFA, is scheduled to be held at Kyiv, Donetsk, Kharkiv and Lviv in Ukraine (besides Poland) from June eight to July one. Sixteen teams are said to be participating.
According to reports, horrified Indian students faced vicious racially motivated assault in Metalist Stadium in Kharkiv few weeks back. In capital Kyiv; an Indian man was attacked near Libidskaya metro station in front of many people in December last, another Indian was beaten at Maidan Nezalezhnosti in March, while another was attacked near his apartment in April, reports suggest.
Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, urged leaders of the majority Orthodox Christian Church and other religions/denominations in Ukraine to openly come out against racism, because religion told us to help the helpless. Authorities needed to monitor hate crimes closely. This reported abuse of people of Indian descent, just because they looked different, was not acceptable, Zed stressed.
Rajan Zed urged personal intervention of Ukrainian President Viktor Fedorovych Yanukovych and Prime Minister Mykola Yanovych Azarov on the issue of reported racism. Europe’s second largest country and world’s third biggest grain exporter and the country of Zbruch idol, Saint Sophia Cathedral, musician Mykola Lysenko and legendary pole-vaulter Sergey Bubka should be more welcoming of the foreigners who looked different, Zed added.
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Hindus concerned for Gypsies’ safety after new Czech Republic study
A Romany old woman from the Czech Republic by Zdenek Bobek via Wikipedia
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Hindus are concerned at the recent Czech Republic Interior Ministry study reportedly suggesting prevalent racism in the country and possibilities of attacks against Roma (Gypsies) in the future.
Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that Czech Republic government should take this report seriously and ensure safety of its Roma populace, who were facing apartheid like conditions. Czech Republic needed better protection system for Roma.
If Czech Republic was unable or unwilling to ensure the safety and security of its Roma people, then European Union should urgently intervene, Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, added.
Rajan Zed pointed out that Roma people in Czech Republic reportedly had faced violent attacks, stereotyping, racism, prejudice, growing gap between Roma and other Czechs, fear, beatings, poor quality housing, systemic employment and overall discrimination, persecution, throwing of Molotov cocktails, social exclusion, segregated schools, forced sterilization, marginalization; refused service at restaurants, stores, discos, etc.; municipalities/towns failing to support them; and the state being unwilling or unable to offer protection.
Zed further said that Czech religious leaders and religious groups, especially the majority Roman Catholic Church, should take-up the cause of Roma people and raise the issue of their continuous maltreatment; as religion taught us to plead for the oppressed, stand with the poor, and seek justice for those whom God loved and too often the world overlooked.
Rajan Zed hoped that the country of Franz Kafka, Antonin Dvorak, Jaroslav Hasek, Karlovy Vary, and rich cultural heritage would not continue staying apathetic and silent spectator ignoring Roma apartheid and would come to their rescue. Vaclav Klaus, Petr Necas and Jan Kubice are President, Prime Minister and Interior Minister respectively of Czech Republic.
References to Roma people in Europe, who are believed to have their roots in the Indian subcontinent, reportedly went as far back as ninth century CE.
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Should Christian women be able to preach?
The Exhortation to the Apostles - James Tissot (1836-1902) via Wikipedia
Author: Roxy R
The question of whether Christian women should be allowed to preach the gospel has been haunting the collective Christian conscience ever since the modern era, when women started being considered as equal and free members of the society, at par with men in every aspect. The traditional view, however, has been that even the thought of a woman preaching is considered anti religious. Maybe now is the right time to take a good, hard look at this debatable topic and come out with some honest conclusions.
Throughout the scriptures, women have been shown as holding important positions in the society. One of the many women who played important roles in society was Deborrah, who was one of the prominent judges of Israel. There are many other examples throughout the religious texts where women have been shown to hold essential positions. It is therefore time to let them hold the prestigious position of a pastor or preacher too.
The Corinthian Church incident, in which God ordered women to stay quiet in the church and to ask their husbands questions only upon reaching the privacy of their homes, is one isolated incident. It was ordered thus because God wanted his disciples to be orderly, and the Corinthian women were in disarray. Therefore, this is a unique order which should not be taken to be applied to every woman at all times and for all churches.
The incident in the upper room, where the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles, also includes women. When the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles, it also descended upon the women present in the room, and did not selectively descend only upon the males. When the Apostles started speaking in the Holy tongue, so did the women. Therefore the Divine knowledge was conferred not only upon the men but also upon the women, equally. This should have been proof enough that God does not differentiate between men and women when it comes to divine knowledge.
In Galatians 3:28, 29, Paul tells us that God does not consider the religion, status or gender of His children, all are one in Christ. Nowhere in the Bible does the text prohibit women from preaching. There is no specific or even general prohibition on women when it comes to preaching the Gospel.
Perhaps the only reason why women came to be barred from preaching the Gospel is that their function was supposedly primarily one of a more domestic nature. Women were instructed to help and assist their husbands, to bring up the children in a Christian home and to render their assistance whenever required by the head of the family, the male. However, just because this was supposed to be their main function does not necessarily indicate that they are prohibited from preaching.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/christianity-articles/should-christian-women-be-able-to-preach-4149746.html
About the Author
Founder of the I am a Woman of God movement. Christian Woman Christian Women Shirts
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What to do if you are being abused spiritually
Woman by aeneastudio via Flickr
By: Veronica fasan
Many people in places of worship find it difficult to intervene even when they suspect a person is being spiritually abused. Spiritual abuse in this case means a form of power and control being used by one in position of authority in the place of worship or under the pretense of a religious belief. This can include sexual abuse, verbal, emotional, ritual, spousal abuse, whatever robs the other person of his or her dignity, confidence, trust in leaders, in men in the church. Intimidation may be used, economic abuse, brainwashing, using isolation, coercion, threat, put downs, harass shifting responsibility, blame, mind games, guilt trip, humiliation . False prophesy to hold people bound and not leave or to donate more money than they can afford under undue influence.
Those who are supposed to help are in denial or turn a blind eye because the abuser may be a person of influence, a big donor, child of the leader of the organization or that of an influential member’s child . There have been cases where a deacon’s son impregnated a faithful single parent’s daughter and even when the victim is a minor, there are cover ups and blames heaped on the minor. Threats, gossips, warnings and possibility of excommunications.
Like Eli’s sons in the bible , there were lots of complaints but because of their position as the leaders’ children, nothing was done about it till judgment came upon that family.
In most cases, parents are reluctant to seek help themselves from social services, or from those who can help because they believe their children might be taken from them .Some members of the organisation that express their concern might be treated like traitors, The abuser might be a saint, respected in the place of worship and transforms to a tyrant that bullies his wife and abused his family. They command fear and absolute obedience, using scripture out of context to suit their need to bully, punish and terrorize them.
Some have anger issues and slap their wife or victim into submission. To notice signs of extreme control and abuse, one should first realize that a place where there is no freedom of worship has something missing . most people join a place of worship for freedom, to be free from loneliness, rejection,to be in a family where they can worship God together with joy , peace of mind and grow in a safe environment and community.
Secrecy feeds the power and control of the abuser. If you are not comfortable telling a member of the church or place of worship tell a friend , family member that can be trusted with confidentiality. How do you know when an abuse starts and recognize them, and how do you get out of it before it begins to mess with your brain.
Signs of extreme control in the church or place of worship are : to ask yourself this questions are you made to look like there is something wrong with you when you say what you are going through, are you made to look like no body will believe you any way , are you made to believe you would destroy the reputation of the organization?,
Evaluation of the situation to determine the least harmful environment for you and your family might need to be done so you don’t keep up you morale and self esteem down .Those who attend places of worship joined voluntarily and must be free to leave without been made to feel guilty and stigmatized . They should not think all churches and places of worship are all the same . do a lot of research look before you join and if there is any thing illegal, unethical or unspiritual going on ,flee. Those who have been through years of spiritual abuse need to heal, emotionally and if there was sexual abuse or ritual abuse report should be made to the appropriate organization so that other people will not go through the same kind of abuse. as some might lead to death if it is witch hunting, or a ritual abuse. Counter – cult counseling is available, life coaching and other ways of dealing with unresolved issues and healing emotional wounds. It is important to break the silence,stop the cycle of abuse.No one has the right to batter you, physically or verbally.
About the Author
Veronica has a legal and educational background, a member of the Law society England and Wales, National Association of Licensed paralegal, An Institute of Leadership management member, she is a Life coach and owner of F C Coaching and consultancy. She is a leader in Prayer and faith Clinic London.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ – What to do if you are being abused spiritually
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Indo-Americans critical of India’s failure at curbing frequent stampedes
Evening view of Har-ki-Pauri, Haridwar. This is an older photograph as it shows the old Ganga Temple... via Wikipedia
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Indo-Americans are critical of frequent occurrences of deadly stampedes at religious gatherings in India.
Indo-American statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that although India was on track to become a global power but it had yet to come up with a foolproof plan to manage large crowds.
Zed, who is Chairperson of Indo-American Leadership Confederation, was expressing grief over the loss of lives at November eight stampede tragedy at centenary celebrations involving Mahayagya in Haridwar (Uttarakhand) on Ganga bank reportedly claiming 20 lives and injuries to about 60 people in an estimated gathering of up to two million.
India failed or refused to learn lessons from the previous stampedes as these continued to happen. It was blight on a country, which prided herself on having joined the league of hottest growth economies, Rajan Zed pointed out.
According to reports, about 1,000 lives have been lost at stampedes at religious gatherings in India during the last decade. Last such melee was around Sabarimala (Kerala) shrine in January last, killing over 104 pilgrims and injuring many others. Other such tragedies happened in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra during the past decade.
Suffocation and panic were reportedly some of the causes of tragedy. A magisterial probe has reportedly been ordered into the mishap and the five-day event, which began November six, has been curtailed. Haridwar is among India’s most popular pilgrim destinations.
Margaret Alva and Bhuwan Chandra Khanduri are Governor and Chief Minister of Uttarakhand state, while Pratibha Devisingh Patil and Manmohan Singh are President and Prime Minister of India respectively.
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Hindus upset over Fox News labeling them as “fringe group”
Countries where Fox News is provided - by Connormah via Wikipedia
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Channel’s Gretchen Carlson, Fox & Friends co-host, in September seven segment, reportedly apparently labeled Hindus and others as “sort of fringe groups”.
Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that Hinduism was oldest and third largest religion of the world with a rich philosophical thought and about one billion adherents. How such a religion, which gave the world its oldest existing scripture Rig-Veda and yoga (practiced by about 16 million Americans), could be classified as a fringe group, Zed asked.
Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, argued that such remarks were very hurtful to the devotees. Besides apparently denigrating the religion, it was belittling the entire community. No faith, larger or smaller, should be taken lightly and ridiculed at.
Rajan Zed urged Fox and its owner News Corporation to be more sensitive when handling faith related subjects, as television was a forceful medium. He asked News Corporation Chairman Rupert Murdoch, Fox News Channel Chairman Roger Ailes and Gretchen Carlson to immediately issue a statement on this matter.
In December 2009 also, Glenn Beck remarked on Fox News channel that river Ganges (whom Hindus consider holy) “sounds like a disease” and later reportedly apologized after Hindus protested.
News Corporation, reportedly with assets of about US$62 billion, is a diversified global media company with operations in cable, film, television, satellite broadcast, publishing; and activities principally in USA, Continental Europe, United Kingdom, Australia, Asia and Latin America. Fox News claims to reach over 90 million homes. Gretchen Elizabeth Carlson, 45, joined Fox News Channel in June 2005 and Fox & Friends is claimed to be “the No. 1 cable morning program”.
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Hindus critical of Sofia international interfaith conference for ignoring them
St. George Rotunda in Sofia, Bulgaria; in the foreground remains of Serdica via Wikipedia
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Hindus have commended International Conference “Religion for the Benefit of People” held at Sofia (Bulgaria) on August 3-4 for attempts at building bridges, but were critical of it for ignoring Hindus.
Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that it was wonderful to bring various religions/denominations together at one platform for dialogue and arriving at a common ground, but Sofia Conference organizers should have included Hindus in the summit because Hinduism was the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about a billion adherents and a rich philosophical thought.
Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, stressed that serious and honest interfaith dialogue was the need of the hour. More religions/denominations/organizations should come forward for interreligious summits about common religious concerns like human improvement, peace, ecological responsibility, social & economic development, etc., Zed added.
Participating religions/denominations/organizations in this international religion conference reportedly included Bulgarian Orthodox Church, Catholic Exarchate, Armenian Apostolic Church, Islam, Organization of the Jews in Bulgaria “Shalom”, Russian Orthodox Church, etc. Besides Bulgaria; Christian, Muslim and Jewish leaders from about 20 countries, including Turkey, Israel, Russia, Georgia, Romania, Cyprus, Greece, Macedonia; attended. Some of the religious leaders reportedly present were: Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, Head Rabbi of Tel Aviv (Israel) Meir Lau, Metropolitan Cyril of Varna, Bulgaria Head Mufti Mustafa Hadgi, Xanthi Bishop Panteleimon of Greece, etc.
Conference topics of discussion reportedly included religious and ethnic peace, upbringing of young people, challenges for religions in the current world crisis, poverty, rising nationalism, tolerance in society, etc. “Can different religions solve their problems together?” was also discussed. Second such conference is proposed for October 2012 in Varna (Bulgaria).
Some other world religions; like Buddhism, Sikhism, Baha’ism, Jainism, Shinto, Confucianism, Daoism, and Zoroastrianism; also reportedly went unrepresented in this Conference.
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Religion and War
John Locke's A Letter Concerning Toleration helped provide an intellectual foundation for religious tolerance via Wikipedia
Beware of the false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves
— Matthew 7:15
Religious leaders often emphasize the sweet side of religion, publicly calling for truth, peace and love. But underneath their peaceful prayers and intentions, most public figures, be they religious or not, have to come to grips with the harsh realities of aggression and war.
When we dig a little deeper into the sacred teachings and formal laws of the world’s traditions, we usually find explicit or implicit support for the notion of the Just War.
It’s a misconception to believe that religious persons only pray for peace and, perhaps, the safety of troops at war. On the contrary, many religious adherents accept and justify war as a necessary evil.¹
Christianity and Aggression
In Catholicism, the Just War doctrine condones the organized killing of other human beings who are deemed extremely harmful to the common good. Killing is thought to be necessary if all peaceful solutions have failed, the enemy poses some kind of grand-scale threat, and there’s reasonable expectation of victory.
But this isn’t just a part of Catholic belief. The prominent Lutheran theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer was executed by the Nazis when implicated in a plot to assassinate Hitler.
Hinduism and Aggression
As more fully detailed in The Bhagavad Gita in a Complicated World, the Hindu holy scripture, The Bhagavad-Gita, tells of the deity, Krishna, who urges Arjuna to slay kith and kin to fulfill his dharma (divine duty) as a member of the kshatriya (warrior) caste.
While some say this is a only minor part of a story that’s really about love, devotion and spiritual knowledge, anyone who actually reads the Gita will see, quite clearly, that it’s largely about Krishna sanctioning warfare. In fact, the whole storyline revolves around war.
If taken literally, the Gita sanctions physical killing because of the twofold teaching that (a) the soul is immortal and (b) a greater ethical balance must be preserved through apparently sacred warfare.
However, there are subtler, psychological interpretations of the Gita that don’t involve physical violence. But these interpretations go beyond the original text, just as we might reinvent the bellicose parts of the Jewish and Christian Bibles to try to ignore or, possibly, transform its ugly aspects.
Buddhism and Aggression
While many say that Buddhism is a non-violent path, this is a severely misguided perception.
Moojan Momen indicates scriptural, philosophical, and folkloric justifications for killing in the Buddhist tradition (The Phenomenon of Religion: A Thematic Approach, Oxford: Oneworld, 1999, p. 410). And John Ferguson draws on scripture, legend and history to outline five justifications for war in the Buddhist tradition (War and Peace in the World’s Religions, London: Sheldon Press, 1977, pp. 55-57).
Isaiah 42:13-16, KJV
The Other
In today’s world religious fanatics often feel it’s their holy duty to purify the world from those perceived as the other.
The idea of the other is described by sociologists and anthropologists as the stereotyping of another human being as “the bad guy” or “the enemy.” This characterization, or rather lack of it, apparently makes it easier to treat people harshly or, perhaps, kill them.
The enemy isn’t viewed as a complete human being with a full range of feelings, but as a dangerous object—a poison, vermin, etc. Anyone different is perceived as an evil scourge to be subjugated or eradicated.
And this is where so-called sacred texts may come in. Sociopaths and violent fanatics cherry pick the most judgmental and turbulent aspects of the holy books and, instead of placing these passages in their proper historical context, read them as instructions on how to behave in the 21st century.
This differs from the Jesus of the New Testament who teaches that, when someone strikes us, we should “turn the other cheek” and not retaliate. (Matthew 5:39, Luke 6:29).
But as noted at the outset, it’s not just the deranged and angry who advocate war under the aegis of religious belief. In extenuating circumstances, most contemporary religious traditions endorse aggression.²
This may not sit well with the peacemakers. And it may not be the ideal that any decent person would hope for. But it’s a sad fact that, despite all the lofty speeches and front page smiles of dignitaries, mankind hasn’t really gotten over its barbarous impulses.
—
1. To say that religious doctrine advocates war in certain circumstances is quite different from saying that religion is the cause of all war. On violence and religion, John Locke wrote in A Letter Concerning Toleration (1689):
If men enter into seditious conspiracies, it is not religion inspires them to it in their meetings, but their sufferings and oppressions that make them willing to ease themselves. Just and moderate governments are everywhere quiet, everywhere safe; but oppression raises ferments and makes men struggle to cast off an uneasy and tyrannical yoke. I know that seditions are very frequently raised upon pretence of religion, but it is as true that for religion subjects are frequently ill treated and live miserably. Believe me, the stirs that are made proceed not from any peculiar temper of this or that Church or religious society, but from the common disposition of all mankind, who when they groan under any heavy burthen endeavour naturally to shake off the yoke that galls their necks.
2. For more on world religions and violence, see the articles listed at Crosscurrents. It should also be noted that religious aggression may be direct or, as suggested by Michel Foucault, convoluted and subtle.
Copyright © Michael Clark. All rights reserved.
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Hindus condemn dismantling of Gypsy camp in Rome
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Hindus condemn dismantling of Gypsy camp in Rome
Hindus have strongly criticized the reported dismantling of a Gypsy (Roma) camp in Rome forcing families homeless and some taking refuge in an ancient basilica.
Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that it was barbaric to dismantle Roma settlement without providing them alternate accommodation.
Terming it as “misplaced attitude of Italian authorities towards Roma population”, Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, stressed that Italy should come out with long-term solutions on Roma issue. Crackdowns, forcible evacuations and frequent dismantling of Roma campsites without offering proper alternatives was simply inhuman and a dark stain on Italy and Europe and did not solve anything. Italy should show responsibility and arrange housing for all Roma where they could live their lives with dignity. About 150,000 Roma reportedly live in Italy, with about 100 camps in Rome alone.
Rajan Zed further said that religion clearly told us to help the helpless, defenseless and downtrodden and love them, but His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, who lived in the heart of Europe and only few miles away from this dismantled campsite, had hardly ever come out with a strong statement supporting the Roma cause. Pope, being the claimed representative of God on earth, should voice against continuous Roma maltreatment and thus act as God wanted him to act.
Zed argued that Roma maltreatment in Europe was like an undeclared apartheid. Roma reportedly regularly faced social exclusion, racism, substandard education, hostility, joblessness, rampant illness, inadequate housing, lower life expectancy, unrest, living on desperate margins, stereotypes, mistrust, rights violations, discrimination, marginalization, appalling living conditions, prejudice, human rights abuse, etc.
Rajan Zed also criticized the management of ancient Roman Catholic basilica St. Paul’s Outside-the-Walls for reportedly not letting back in the Roma who had gone outside for work and securing food. Basilica should shelter the displaced Roma till City provided them with alternative accommodation. Bible said: “…let the outcasts of Moab sojourn among you; be a shelter to them from the destroyer… (Isaiah 16:4).”
In February, three brothers and a sister, aged 4-11 years, perished while asleep when fire swept through their shack, while adults were out running errands in a Roma settlement in Rome outskirts, according to reports.
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Features of Modern Christianity: A few Christian Misconceptions Pertaining to Modern Culture
Image via Wikipedia
Author: L.Steven Sanders
If you feel compelled to choose from serving Christ or enjoying modern culture, you aren’t alone. Nowadays more than ever, conventional Christians have trouble trying to sync cultural fun with Christian values, a battle that causes some of them to quit church. But does being a conventional Christian actually imply that you can’t enjoy contemporary culture? In some instances, the reply is yes. But in other cases, the traditional Faiths are more legalistic as compared to Bible based, meaning they aren’t necessary to live a life that respects and honors Christ. Below, we look at three legalistic beliefs that form some Christians’ view of modern culture, but that do not result in living a more righteous life.
1. You Can’t Be Warm and Friendly With Homosexual People
The Apostle Paul talks about homosexuality being a sin, and Jesus implies its sinfulness by instructing his original audience, the Jewish people, not to abandon Mosaic Law. Yet nowhere does the New Testament say that gays ought to be socially mistreated or refused civil rights. In defense of the legalistic, anti-gay position, some Christians explain that homosexuality is viewed as an ‘abomination’ from the Old Testament. Well, so is greed on the market place, and no one favors punishing greed by withdrawing civility. While you may see homosexuality as a sin, you can certainly be friendly, or even a friend, with somebody that is gay without violating scripture.
2. You Cannot Dress in the Latest Fashions
Many conventional Christians attack contemporary fashions, viewing them as immoral and indicating wantonness. But there’s a difference between being modest and being morally paranoid; and when it comes to trendy clothes, some Christians are the latter. The Bible teaches us to be of modest appearance, however it does not say that people should dress in a way that satisfies the neuroses of religious zealots. Even though it may oppose what you have been taught in church, wearing the latest fashions, so long as you do it with taste, doesn’t indicate a lack of virtue, a fact that some Christians are too small and legalistic to admit.
3. Modern Day Pop Music is Actually from the Devil
Stating that modern pop music is from the devil is much like saying that modern theology is of Christ. Some of it is, but certainly not all of it. If you want to know whether your music is detracting from your walk with Christ, there’s two ways to discover: ask whether or not the lyrics indicate anti-Christian positions, and notice the way the music makes you feel. If the lyrics are neutral and the music doesn’t cause you to feel arrogant, negative, sexually aggressive, etc., it probably isn’t standing in the way of your walk with Christ. So have fun and pump up the volume.
About the Author
When writing this article I found some great information about Leo Wells Worship Blog at www.leo-wells-on-worship.com.
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