South African Council of Churches

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 Featured Article

Author: Mr. Thabo Koole
Media and Communication Co-ordinator
The Ecumenical Service for Socio Economic Transformation (ESSET)

Reflecting on the gist of Women’s month

ESSET certainly support and agree with the original intent of Women’s Month that seeks to honour women from all walks of life in our country. Off course tribute goes to the famous Women's march against the pass laws of 9th August 1956 which challenged the Apartheid era policies and altered how women are perceived in society today. This famous march organized by the Federation of South African Women challenged the idea that 'a woman's place is in the kitchen’. We should always be inspired by the valiant feats of women of 1956 because they rose to fight for their emancipation though they were in the margins of society and naturally considered feeble.
In order to appreciate and better advance the contribution of women, our society needs to understand that women are fearfully and wonderfully made in God’s image. Thus we should utilise Women’s Month as a time to thank women for being the gifts God has placed on the earth and the many hats they wear; from raising children, helping with household chores, providing for their families etc. The story of the creation of Adam and Eve is the first place where we would trace the worth of women. Genesis 1: 27-28 tells us that when God created human beings, he made them to be like himself. He created them male and female. In fact before God created human beings, as He was creating animals and objects He pronounced different aspects of it as "good." The first "not good" ensued on the sixth day after God had created Adamand then said it was "notgood for the man to be alone" (Genesis 2:18). After this, God caused Adam to fall into deep sleep, then He took a rib from him and created Eve (Genesis 2:21). The exclamation: “At last! This one is bone from my bone, and flesh from my flesh! She will be called ‘woman,’ because she was taken from ‘man.” made by Adam when he first saw Eve is telling how very good God had made her (Genesis 2: 23).

However, it is interesting that though God has created women in His image the society that we leave in today, still look down on women. Some people seem to have traditionally justified giving women a subservient and oppressive role in society based on the fact that God made Eve from Adam's rib. They remain ignorant that Eve was taken from Adam's rib because she was his equal and God intended for her to stand beside him, not below him, not behind him and not above him. In South Africa, despite efforts to dedicate the month of August to celebrate and honour women as well as putting in place legislations and policies to recognise and protect them, many of them are still prejudiced by some men and the system of the day. Therefore, a pertinent question we need to ask ourselves as we commemorate Women’s Month is whether there has been any significant shifts made since we declared 9th August a public holiday and dedicated the whole month to show respect to women. Has the many encouraging speeches made during Women’s Month by government leaders and glitz events often organised to celebrate women ever helped to better their lives?

Women traders, the community partners that ESSET works with have on numerous occasions complained about how some men hides behind religion and culture to abuse them. They told us how spiritual healers often accuse them for practising witchcraft when they are in contact with them during their menstrual periods. Sometimes they could tell them that they are possessed by an evil spirit whilst not knowing that it’s because they are only on their periods. Women traders also complained of traditionalist male customers who refuse to buy food that is cooked and served by women trader who is on her menstrual period. These men argue that women traders must stay at home when having their periods. Meanwhile, the recent findings of the Participatory Research conducted amongst the informal and cross border traders within the Southern African Development Community shows that there are also unequal gender power relations between the men and women traders. Men traders exclude women traders from organizational discussions and decision-making processes.

On the other hand, women traders also silence each other’s voices and contribute to their own subordination. It is a sad reality that for many years’ women were socially treated as an inferior gender and often put under the guidance of either their husbands or fathers. For instance, the Customary law gave black women the status of minors and excluded them from rights regarding children and property whilst the common law deprived white women of guardianship and various economic rights. It was only after the introduction of the Bill of Rights that women were considered equal citizens as men. However, the fact that women are recognized did not mean that they instantaneous saved from the shame of working in lowly paid jobs. According to the survey by Women24, South African women earn 65% less than their male counterparts, sometimes even when they are employed to do the same jobs. This put more burdens on women, especially single parents who will have to make ends meet to have less money to take care of the needs of their families. The fact that women tend to live longer than men and often with less income in retirement make their economic distresses even agonizing.

ESSET is of the view that Women’s Month is also an opportune time to reflect on the progress made to advance the struggle of women. A time to challenge stereotypes that a woman’s role is only limited to the kitchen, child rearing or being a helper to her husband? Interestingly, the Bible is not limiting of the roles women can play, instead it affirms women in many positions, including business. In Acts 16:13-15, we are told of Lydia from the city of Thyatira (Asia Minor) who was a prudent dealer of purple cloth. Her city was also known for its commerce and abundant crops. Purple cloth was expensive and valuable as a sign of nobility or royalty so as a dealer of the cloth she would have probably been a wealthy businesswoman herself. The famous Proverbs 31 woman story is an archetypal of what would happen in our society if we help to support and advance women in their many endeavours of life. The Proverbs 31 woman was a successful businesswoman who not only was able to take care of her family, but also made her husband to be respected within his community.

As we dialogue and reflect on women issues, challenges and advancement during Women’s month we should not be selectively. We must also cater for the needs and issues of women who are put to the margins of our society either by birth or their deeds. We should not feel ashamed to talk of even sensitive and moral issues such as that of prostitution. It is common knowledge that there is marginalisation and stigma of women prostitutes in our communities and many of them are often deprived of basic rights and remain victims of hate crimes. The encounter between Jesus and a Samaritan woman in John 4: 3-42 demonstrate that Jesus also came for the outcasts. Jesus did something that was a Jewish culturally forbidden at Jacob’s well: he spoke to a woman in public. Jesus asked her for a drink of water. She was justifiably shocked: a Jewish man was speaking to her, a Samaritan woman? He also should not have wanted to share a vessel with her for drinking water since it would be considered unclean.

As their conversation continued Jesus eventually told her that she has had five husbands, and was now living with a man who was not her husband. After Jesus told the woman about her life, she knew that he was a prophet. It would be possible that the reason she was on the sixth men was because men had married her, then found out that she couldn’t have children and divorced her. The other possibility would be that her only other choice after husband number five died or divorced her was prostitution. Therefore, it could also be possible that this woman was an outcast and looked down by her community hence she even came to the well alone. Jesus was probably sensitive to her needs, to be restored of her dignity and reconciled with those who used to laugh at her. After their conversation with Jesus she went and told her people about Jesus and brought them to him, so they could see and hear for themselves. This demonstrates the restoration and transformation that has taken place in her life and her community.

Whilst passing through sadness, trials and tribulations women have inner strength to withstand pain. The story about Ruth in the first chapter of Ruth in the Bible helps to capture the fortitude, sacrifice, integrity and loyalty of women during trying times. Unlike her sister in law, Ruth, a gentile from the country of Moab refused to return to her parent’s home and remarry after the death of her husband. She told her mother-in-law, Naomi: “Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, and there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts you and me” (Ruth 1:16–17). At the end we see Ruth’s commitment and character paying off (Ruth 4:9-10); she was married by Boaz, a rich farmer and one of Naomi’s relatives. With Ruth married to Boaz, Naomi knew that she would not have to worry about lacking food any more. She is also named as one of four females named in the genealogy of Jesus at the beginning of the Gospel of Matthew.
In the 21st century women ought not to shy away from displaying their God given talents and leadership capabilities. Like the women 1956 today’s women must challenge the current status quo which asserts men as superior gender whilst disregarding their capabilities and worth. Judges 4: 4 shows that women also have leadership abilities. The chapter narrates how Deborah, a prophetess and a female judge in Israel devised a battle strategy that gave the out-numbered and badly-equipped Israelite troops victory over their Canaanite enemy. As a prophetess and a judge, Deborah was a tribal leader, who settles disputes and problems of her people and in times of war acted as a rallying point to gather the tribes and organize resistance. She had authority rather than power, and people respected her for the qualities she had, rather than for her military might or physical strength. Unlike her predecessors who were mostly male judges, Deborah stands out from them for her wisdom, courage and faith in God.
We must not sit on our laurels as the country and say that we have Women’s month to celebrate and dialogue around pertinent issues affecting women. Certainly, more need to be done to address the gender prejudice that still exists in our society today. We must do more to afford women equal opportunities that are often given to men and ensure that the role of women in society is enhanced. For God created a woman in His image not lesser than a man. Liberia and Malawi have set good examples for Africa and the entire world by having women Presidents and thus demonstrating the abilities of women. The recent election of Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, the first woman to Chair the African Union is also a welcomed move in allowing women to take greater responsibilities and to display their God given talents. In our churches and ecumenical organisations that have women in leadership let us not seek to demean them but rather  be supportive and celebrate their ascendency to positions of power as the feat for gender justice.

 

e-tolling

e-Tolling

Submitted by Pastor Harry Heydon
Senior Pastor – Peniel Ministries South African

IFP: COVER-UP ON E-TOLLING PROJECT REMINISCENT OF PRE-1994 TACTICS

It is absolutely UNTHINKABLE.......!!!
IFP: COVER-UP ON E-TOLLING PROJECT REMINISCENT OF PRE-1994 TACTICS

The IFP said today that it was shocked to learn the real reasons behind government's push to ensure the controversial Gauteng e-tolling project succeeds It is reported today, that the Public Investment Corporation – an investment manager for state institutions - has bought R17 billion in SANRAL bonds. 89% of this investment is made-up of the Government Employees Pension Funds.

"Finally it is clear why government wants to save this project at all cost, despite it being unfeasible and despite it receiving so much public resistance. These types of cover-ups were prevalent during the apartheid regime, but never could one have imagined such a huge cover-up in our post-democratic dispensation," said Narend Singh MP, the IFP's spokesperson on Finance and on the e-tolling project. It is now clear that there are huge economic issues at stake.

If the tolling project fails, Government will not only have to bail-out SANRAL, but it will also have to bail-out the civil servants' pension funds as well.
"It is clear that Government finds itself between a rock and a very hard place," said Singh. He added, "This matrix that we find ourselves in now is totally untenable, especially since the pensions of ordinary citizens are at stake. Government has misled the public. We believe that this might possibly be one of the biggest post-democratic era scandals to date.

I will raise this matter at the next possible opportunity at Parliament, as the taxpayer deserves answers on this matter," concluded Singh. Statement issued by Mr Narend Singh MP, Inkatha Freedom Party, March 11 2012

 

 

 

SOUTH AFRICAN COUNCIL OF CHURCHES-(EAPPI) CALLS FOR ALTERNATIVE TOURISM TO THE HOLY LAND

The Kairos call from Palestinian Christians to Churches around the world: Come and see. We will fulfil our role to make known to you the truth of our reality, receiving you as pilgrims coming to us to pray, carrying a message of peace, love and reconciliation. You will know the facts and the people of this land, Palestinians and Israelis alike. At the same time we call on you to say a word of truth and to take a position of truth with regard to Israel’s occupation of Palestinian land.

For decades, millions of Christians have journeyed to the Holy Land and returned home without even realising that their pilgrimage was missing something very important; face-to-face human encounters with those who share their faith. Palestinian Christians continuous presence for more than 2000 years in the land of Christ’s life, death and resurrection gives them a unique connection to Christianity and its traditions.

A true Christian pilgrimage to the Holy Land is an invitation to “come and see”; a journey to find new and deeper truths about ourselves and the meaning of our Christian faith and be transformed so that we may test and approve what is the will of God, what is good and well pleasing and perfect.

In most of the time, the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land and the oppression this brings to their daily lives is not well understood and is often obscured in the media and by powerful interests.  While some are misled and disempowered to speak or act, many Christians and other people of conscience feel disturbed by a one sided narrative that justifies the ongoing occupation and its gross human rights violations.

Yet true faith requires more from a Christian than purveying stereotypes and untruths and supporting injustice. The genuine Christian pilgrim seeks the living Christ in the now, in solidarity with the oppressed, the poor, and the marginalised. They look for truth and seek for justice, supporting both Palestinian and Israeli peacemakers.

Each time a group of South Africans were to travel to Israel we would urge them to include in their itinerary Palestine. Such tours must be organised and planned in such a way that relevant guides are found who could tell the story of Israel/Palestine in a more objective way.
The SACC would just be too happy to share more information and guidelines with the local organisers of such tours.

For more information contact Ms Dudu Masango at dudu@sacc.org.za and (011) 241 7828.

 

 

 

  A strong family unit in communion with the Lord Jesus Christ is the foundation for a happy, healthy and financially strong
  country over the long term.
   By Adrian De Villiers - 15 February 2012

It also produces adults that were raised with discipline and love as kids, making responsible, generous, honest and caring adults.
Parents live balanced lifestyles balancing time for work and family and sport, so the parents spend enough time with their kids, giving them the attention and love they need.
 
So people are less lonely, as its easier to make friends if you are one of these kinds of people, and because you've been brought up right and you are going to Church and praying daily and fasting regularly, you are constantly hearing what the Lord has to say helping you have the right direction on where to go and what to do in fulfilling the calling on one's life.
 
This also sees a society that lives by God's standards, accepting life in the womb of the mother being from the moment of conception, the sanctity of marriage being between one man and one women only, and this is the only covenant relationship for sexual inter course. We will also be living below our means in order to give 10% of our gross salary, or companies giving 10% of a bottom line figure towards charity, churches, helping someone's parents pay for their kid's education whose parents can't afford it, etc. If we accept the New Testament, Jesus Christ showed us a new way, of non violent, unbiased diplomacy with prayer and fasting to bring change, every single one of Jesus' disciples lived out this example of been pacifists, and it cost everyone of them their lives, except John who got confined to a island.

But when we abandon the laws God gave us to live by, and the new laws ushered in under the New Testament covenant,(re pacifism vs military wars), and replace these laws with our own manmade laws, because we are so smart and high tech, and are able to improve on God's laws, we get a society that accepts consensual sex over marriage, to satisfy our lusts, and use our bodies as skateboards for a quick thrill, only to abort the unwanted babies, because we would rather murder than err on the side of caution to satisfy our self centeredness, we don't live below our means in order to give 10% sacrificially(tithes), instead we become bling orientated and upgrade either our car or home, making us easy pray for the banks to get us debt ensnared and become debt slaves only to be dispossed of the house we bought with our tithes, making bust and boom economies.

So we have a society that is selfish, greedy and only for ones self, and a honest person finds them self in a very dark and lonely world. And our pop music reflects these selfish, satanic values.

So the banking exec's make millions, but it's not enough, they want more, the Auditors who should've blown the whistle, don't because been honest would cost too much in dollars spent on covering the crime of our time up with $15 trillion having gone missing. Because gone are the days of been honest and doing what's right, because now it's all about profits and me, myself and I.

And then our dear leaders in the Arms & oil industrial complex want to make more money, and so we have wars through out the middle east, Iraq, Libya and now trying for Syria and Iran simultaneously, It's just greed and lies behind these wars, Afghanistan was allowed to happen, Bin Laden was driven to do what he did in pursuit of the Palestinian cause, but the elite gave him the loop holes he needed to pull it off, as this would explode the war on terror, giving the elite the excuse to justify restricting freedom of speech, invading our privacy, censoring the internet all the "catch terrorists", opening the door for a One World government with a dictator in charge and us the people with no rights re freedom of speech, privacy etc

it's never enough, I mean really, what do our lives and our kids lives been used as cannon fodder in these wars mean to them, after all it's for a higher cause, to help mankind achieve a dream of peace and prosperity for all by establishing a One World Government, so our sacrifice in blood and tears is all part of the price and acceptable, they really mean well, even if we the 99% get raped and pillaged and put into coffins in the process, with more and more inequalities of wealth distribution moving to the pockets of the top 1%, but it's all for our own good. 

So we've we've become to smart for God and his laws, and reap the whirlwind of our selfishness and arrogance, and got the leaders we deserve, that are only for themselves, with Jamie Daimon, the devil in the flesh and his other demon's Blankfein, Mofaz(Israel) and the like taking over and plundering the world and using us as puppets, and now trying to get a war with Iran and Syria to collapse the world economy and enslave the nations in debt to take over. JP Morgan is infamous for profiteering from war, that's why when he was alive, someone shot him because of how ruthless he was in pursuit of profits.

We can put as many economic policies in place as we like, but when we the people are corrupt, selfish and greedy, we have a world in a state of emergency, because we put our own selfish pleasures and agenda's before anything else and become a corrupt society.

We need to humble ourselves and pray, and turn from our wicked ways so that God will hear us from heaven and heal our nations and see the family unit restored and then things will come right. Don't give up, instead channel your hurt and pain in trying to ix this world, regardless of how small a footprint you make, when billions of us unite and make many small oot prints, it adds up to a giant foot print. We can win, and we must win!!!

Adrian de Villiers
www.lionofjuda.com

Just some extra points

In South Africa, the Education minister is trying to shift responsiblity from empowering our youth with a skill via the education system to instead be with the corporates, both the Corporate sector and the Education department need to come up with a plan on expanding our education system and over hualing it so that the right infrasturucture is in place, so kids who come from disadvantaged backrounds can choose at high school level to study a trade of some sort, e.g artisans, tool makers, fitters and turners, electrical, plumbing etc, these kids can't afford to go to university for 3 years, so why are they spending their high school academic career on subjects that won't help them get a job after school, we need to spend money on a infrastructure to overhual our education system, so there is a balanace of academic and technical subject available to choose from, and budget well spent on training and raising up teachers to teach our kids these skills.

Corporates are still hiring foreigners to do these jobs, because our youth who are unemployed in the millions can't do it, then why is the goverment not forcing them to put training programmes into place to force them to recruit our youth and raise them up and train them, so in the long term , this shortfall in skills shortages can be plugged. It's fine to hire foreigners, but there must be a long term plan in place to train locals do the job, this can also be co-ordianted with the Education department

Money must be spent on infrastructure to process our raw materials, and ensuring there are training schools to train our youth to be able to do this work, which ranges from highly skilled workers to medium, i.e creating massive employment oppotunities

Everyone needs to get their savings out of the Big American and British banks, they are corrupt, and fraud is rife within them, and they are trying everything to stop the fraud investigations into them stopped, because they are guilty, your money is not safe in these rotten banks, get it out, Loyd Blankfein will rape you all over again, his a demon in the flesh. All of a sudden promoting gay rights, Daniel the prophet saw that these mixed seed humans would have no desire for woman, and interest rates are low and who knows how much money the FED and the ECB are printing , that alone is cause for concern, or if the $15 trillion surfaces with all the extra printed money makes it's way into the economy, there will be massive tidal waves in the economy, so get your money out of the big banks.

We the public would like to know, how much money per year since 2001 to current date the FEd and ECB have been printing
Who does Greece, Ireland, Portugal and Spain owe it's debt to, is it the big American/British banks or the IMF<ECB, was there a housing buble in these countries driven by reckless homeloan policies, if we know this, we can work out, why the European union shouldn't just right down these countries debts, or why these countires shouldn't simply just default on payment and save the 99% and end these recessions

Many of you are asking billionaires for there input, remember thay are the elite, and have caught on how much we resent these wars and the Blankfein,Daimon banking cartel who have raped the 99%, so they are tellling the truth then twisting it to persue their agenda's, if the American wage rates are competitve, why are American goods been manufactured in China, these guys are catching on and are getting very clever with their lies, in order to protect the banks from writing down the middle class home loan debt, because if the expose how the high mortgage payment are keeping the economy anemic, there will be a major push for them to write the home loan debt down 25-50%, everyone must default on their over inflated mortgages, just default, lynch these banks, makes alternative iving arrangements and get your money somehwere they can't steal it and default!!!!!
Occupy Wallstreet protesters need to get more vigilant and get more support, and remain non violent, even in the face of police brutality, we must keep this oing, our future depends on us the 99% standing together, united we will break this elite gang up, but we must remain non violent, and be patient, even if it takes years, we must keep the OWS movement going, and default on mortgages, the forensic Audit team who did Enron should do the audit on the banks, they should lead it, as long as we keep the cause going , the cracks will begin to show, and the elite leadership will turn on Blankfein and Daimon and Mofaz and the clique ruling the roost, so be patient everyone, we will get them, Daniel the prophet saw us tearing apart from these Demons ruling our world for our own destruction.

There are more and more UFO and alien experiences surfacing, this is all demonic to get mankind to discredit God's Word as soveriegn, because it says it's us and us and us alone, bar the spirit world around, but in terms of the physiacal, it's only us, but Satan is geting his demons do trick us and deceive us to thinking their are aliens etc to discredit God's Word, which is soveriegn, eternal, and without a beginning and without a end and speaks the TRUTH. Chuck Missler has done a lot of research on UFO's, and Wendy Alec's books "The Chronicle brothers" on human cloning, that the demons are using to inhabit our earth

The big American banks raped the 99%, and even cleaned out the middle class saving and pension fund accounts to pay their elite fees for swapping toxic home loans bundled into a financial derivative, which brought about a black hole to some of $15 trillion dollars, the Government bailed them out, so the money stolen from the saving accounts was never noticed, and they went on business as usual, repossessing homes, paying themselves performance bonuses for a job well done, will our taxpayer money, and now want to give a 25 billion dollar write down of over inflated home loans, 25 billion is nothing but drops in the bucket, let's get real, they got $15 trillion of our taxpayer money, and our lifeblood of the economy they originally stole of $15 trillion, and now in return for these drops of $25 billion , they want us the people to waive our rights for investigating their fraudulent activities and taking further legal action against them, the cheek of of it, they know they are guilty.

This banking Cartel of the big American and British banks, together with the arms & oil industrial complex are driving the political agenda's to strip our freedoms away, to make martial law the standard, so we the people have no chance, so they can enforce us to take the micro chip, and any resistance will be severely clamped down as all the laws will be in place to stop any resistance. With the micro chip comes complete control, and we will be forced to accept a world religion, and the micro chip will flag you, if you don't accept and comply with the use of interactive audio visual peace of high tech hardware, similar to the smart phone that links with the micro chip.

They are trying to get their people into the Whitehouse, re Rommney or Ginrich ( Geitner is already  there, he was part of the scam re the housing bubble), who will appoint a Vice President if Rommney or Gingrich get elected, that will either be a mixed demon/human, or who will be in strong relations with the Anti Christ(could be Jamie Demon/Daimon/Blankfein), who will have the president assassinated, allowing the VP to become president, who will try impose taxes on the 99% and bring massive wars with Israel, Iran and America expanding into a world war, with the potential for China to get sucked into this war as China can't do without oil. Russia will also get sucked in, as Iran is a big business partner of Iran, with many other strategic interests. So people will be in despair and resent this leader, then this President stands down, and a new leader (the Anti Christ, could be Jamie Daimon) who ushers in peace and a world goverment with the nations all debt ensnared to the IMF, ECG, WB from these wars under his control, and share the spoils from the plunder of $15 trillion stolen from us during the boom of 2001-2007, to bring in a sense of euphoria and so we trust him. This is what a Jewish prophet, Daniel saw over 2500 years ago of the end time wars, famines and recessions.

The below laws are all happening right now , and right under our noses, we must fight them, but with a non violent resistance.

Patriot act (Allows wire tapping and search and seizure without a warrant or just cause)
 
NDAA (Allows the military to detain U.S Citizens indefinitely without Charge or trial) Obama signed it in on new years eve, happy news everyone. I though Obama put an exclusion in to exclude legal American and foreign citizens, but under Section 1021 of the NDAA, any person, US citizen or not, can be held without trial by American armed forces if they are suspected of being engaged in hostilities against the country by al-Qaeda or associated forces. 

 
SOPA (allows the government to censor the internet)

ACTA -- a global treaty -- could allow corporations to censor the Internet. Negotiated in secret by a small number of rich countries and corporate powers, it would set up a shadowy new anti-counterfeiting body to allow private interests to police everything that we do online and impose massive penalties -- even prison sentences -- against people they say have harmed their business.

Europe is deciding right now whether to sign ACTA -- and without them, this global attack on Internet freedom will collapse.

Many of you are speaking to billionaires, becareful, they are the elite and have caught on how we resent these wars and the banking cartel and how obvious it is they are gunning for the oil in the middle east, as they need control thereof to have real power in this world re the  One World government, so they are saying what we wnat to hear, but then tweeking the truth just a bit to favour war with Iran or military intervention with Syria. And speaking trash about the wage rate, if America and Britians wages are competive why are there products been manufactured in China.

China needs to gives it's wage earners , fair working conditions, they should have at least one day off a week, and not more than 8-9 hour working hours per day, ensuring political stability, because eventually the people will revolt when they can't take the abuse any more.

That's why internet freedom is so vital, because, we the people can co-ordiante our resistance, henceforth the elite driving internet censorship

 Keep praying for Ron Paul. Sanatorum seems solid, but why on earth is he for militry covert or overt strikes against Iran, and why is he so silent about our freedoms, what are his agenda's ?

Obama needs us the people to speak louder, he's buckling, and paving the way for war with Iran

The Bohemian Grove is the devils play ground, it has the owl as it's symbol and so does the euro coins, The Cremation of care ceremony under a massive owl, has sounds of people hallowing and howling and screaming, to numb the elite of the pain of the people to get their consious numb to accept the brain washing that it's okay to do what they are doing re these wars and banking cartels, and arms industrial complex elite driving the wars to strip us of our rights etc, as it's all for a comman good, just as world war 2 was with Winston Chirchill and how noble he was.

The Council on foregin relations, The SENIOR FELLOWS are in bed with the Anti Christ and the Arms  & oil industrial complex, and are very clever in how they are now promoting military intereventions in Syria and Iran.

Iraq was a disaster, Iran will be far worse and will collapse the world economy, and it has nothing to do with protecting Israel, it's bout oil, and getting control their of, as their elite did in Iraq, it's American and Eoropean oil companies now pumping Iraqi oil. The straight of Hormuz will be a Pearl Harbour for the American navy because of Iran's missile capabilities, the Military brass know this, that's why they can't sleep at night, will be a human disaster this war. The straight is nothing more than a trap for the American Navy, the elite know this, and that's why they push the navy in there, they trying to bait Iran into throwing the first punch, which then gives them the green light for the war they want, hospitals are already been built in Georgia for the American troops that will get slaughtered in this war.

Libya was a disater, the rebels should never have been armed, the only resistance is a non violent one, or none at all, Libiya is fast spiralling out of control, it's becoming a lawless land, with tribal conflicts , sectarian violnce, as the Strong man is Gone, Gadafi.
Syria must have a non violent resistance or none at all and wait for a better time, period, this will be far worse than Libiya, Assad is their strong man and won't go will arms, dictators that cling to power don't pack up in the face of armed resistances, it's non violence that rattles them, as it's the conscience of other leaders and the ruling class that's get's to them when they see their people been slaughtered with non violent resistances, which cracks part the old alliances, then the leadership topples, but armed resistance stengthens the old alliances, as then their is justification to clamp down, when there is arms involved.

The Illumanati, Tri lateralists, The Bilderburger's and Rothchild's are satanists persuing the One World Goverment agenda

  
The Boom period saw the middle class come into a lot of money and pushed the mortgage repayments sky high and also saw everyone in busniess push their prices up too with wages also going up, and then we go bust, but we still left with a very high cost of living because of the high mortgage repayments, and so wages don't go down, reducing our competiveness, the mortgages must get written down 25-50%, $25 billion is drops in the bucket, China has strick control over it's housing market to stop inflation on house prices, because as soon as their is a housing price hike, they know the people's disposable income shrinks, making the economy weaker, and also puts pressure on the wage rates, as peoples fixed costs needs to be offset by their wages/income

http://www.4thmedia.org/2012/01/14/beating-the-drums-of-war-provoking-iran-into-firing-the-first-shot

 

The following people are Hamon's, ie they want to destroy Israel, America and Iran, they might be American but want ot destroy it, They might might be Israeli, but they want ot destroy it, they might be Iranian but they want ot destroy it , they are corrupt and are pushing wars and agenda's to collapse the world economy and pounce a one world goverment

  
Mofuz, Kadima is  demon in the flesh
 
Jamie Daimon  is  demon in the flesh

 
Goldman Sach's CEO  Loyd Blankfein  is  demon in the flesh

A bipartisan group of U.S. senators will present a resolution calling on the Obama administration to make a "nuclear-weapons capability" by Iran a red line. The non-binding resolution, introduced Thursday by Sens. Robert Casey (D-Pa.), Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), "urges the President to reaffirm the unacceptability of an Iran with nuclear-weapons capability and to oppose any policy that would rely on containment as an option in response to the Iranian nuclear threat."  (JTA)

John Bolton, former Bush united nations ambasador, saying the only remaining option against Iran is military strikes

The document, written by strategy specialist Alireza Forghani, outlined the reasons why, "In the name of Allah, Iran must attack Israel by 2014."

http://www.jpost.com/IranianThreat/News/Article.aspx?id=257112

 

 
 SACCYF Eastern Cape on World AIDS Day
 Rev. Mxolisi Sonti (The SACCYF – EC Provincial Secretary) - 5 Dec 2011

Negative:

  • The Church has sinned/ not done enough.
  • The Church stigmatizes people living with HIV and AIDS.
  • The Church is an exclusive body, not open to all people.

Positive:

  • The Church is a compassionate, healing community
  • The Church welcomes all people living with HIV and AIDS
  • The Church is a loving, inclusive community that embraces all people who suffer.

As Martin Luther said, we are all justified and sinners at the same time, “simul Justus et peccator”. These words describe an existential mystery, a truth that touches all people individually, as well as the Church as a community. But this basic understanding should not give us a false sense of security. It should never be an excuse not to act, to do “nothing” in the face of the crucial questions of both local and global relevance raised by the HIV and AIDS pandemic.

As part of our journey, we the SACCYF committed to promote Treatment education, advocacy, care and Support so that we really fulfill this year WAD (World Aids Day) theme; “Zero infection to HIV and AIDS”.

In Romans 14: 7 – 8 Paul writes: “We do not live to ourselves and we do not die to ourselves. If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord: so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s”. These words can speak directly to the existential loneliness that many people with HIV experience – as a reminder from the gospel that we are never abandoned, even though it sometimes feels that way.

But my point was – and is – precisely that HIV and AIDS concern us all. The AIDS Epidemic is a challenge to all of us. As Christians we must be concerned about the suffering that our brothers and sisters in Christ endure. We must show compassion and take upon ourselves our share of responsibility, if we are to stop the catastrophe.

Only if we work together, can we get rid of the disease and the prejudices surrounding it. The Christian Church has the resources to open up for a fellowship that can embrace everybody. And in that fellowship we can give one another the possibility to unfold, just as we are.

In Christ Jesus name, we pray for God Almighty to Guide our Actions!!!

Rev. Sonti writes in his own capacity. He is the ordained minister of the Anglican Church and the Provincial Secretary of the SACCYF in Eastern Cape.

Given that South Africa continues to experience one of the highest national rates of HIV infection in the World; the South African Council of Churches Youth Forum in the Eastern Cape commemorated World Aids Day by hosting an Ecumenical Prayer Service in collaboration with the Eastern Cape Provincial Council of Churches (ECPCC), Eastern Cape AIDS Council (ECAC), Nelson Mandela Metro Regional Council of Churches, and other stakeholders.  The service was held in Port Elizabeth on the 29th November as one of the Build – Up activities to the National commemoration honored by the State President.

The purpose of the ecumenical prayer service is marked as one of the main activities in the calendar of the SACCYF-EC, agreed on during the Provincial Youth Consultation held in East London on the 14th – 16th October 2011; to have health issues highlighted.

The Gospel of Luke 4:18 is noted for its emphasis on Jesus as the Humble, Loving, Compassionate Christ who holds the poor, the outcast and the dispossessed in special regard. The personal tragedies, unmet needs and social failures with regard to HIV/AIDS seem endless. As part of healing of the memories in the entire world we value the Church as an inclusive Community.

The Church has not always acted as it should have in relation to HIV and AIDS epidemic. It’s time for the Church to take responsibility. But how best can the Church approach this issue?
The notion,”Church”, did not really exist in the Bible. Rather, Jesus talked about friendship, discipleship, and community. Today the worldwide Church consists of many different communities and many “bodies”. Ecumenically, the Church embodies a huge diversity of people and faith perspectives. And still this amazing diversity is part of one body, the Body of Christ. As individuals, we are all members of this universal body.

The Church and its Diversity

Often our image of God influences our view of the Church. What is the role of the Church? Is it good or bad? This question can’t be answered simply. We have to view the Church in all its diversity. The following statements about the role of the Church in relation to HIV and AIDS, are equally true and part of the same reality:

 

 
 
Vuyani Pule - SACC Forum President Mr Vuyani Pule
President – SACC Youth Forum
 

The SACCYF will be holding its elective conference in December 2011 with church youth structures of member churches of the SACC.

As such Koinonia and many other issues will be reflected upon. An agenda for the ecumenical youth movement in South Africa would be paved. Church youth structures would be composed of youth leaders and members from various sectors of society in which they serve besides their respective churches. The conference would provide an opportunity to have critical theological reflections on many thematic issues which affects both our spiritual and physical lives.

Quiet critical to these discussions would be to also discuss the role of the ecumenical youth movement in South Africa moving forward. Youth play a very important role through their churches in public life and thus as such placing the church’s role towards society at the center of life.

The conference seeks to place member church youth structures at the center of being the main “change agents” of the society. Member churches must own the ecumenical youth movement in South Africa and at the same time play a key role in undertaking the task of driving the ecumenical agenda. These would include making Koinonia part and parcel of the life of churches, church youth and the society in general. The conference would bring young people in South Africa to fellowship on many matters of the history of the SACCYF, organizational renewal and growth, programs, governance, ecumenism, theology, spirituality, organizational sustainability, relations, and the ecumenical growth path through cohesion.

Koinonia teaches us that historically the Christian faith has contributed on many changes that happened in society even during the era of the Roman Empire. There were challenges of tolerance of the Christian faith by then. These challenges then gave rise to new reflections on the relationship between Christian faith and political power. The SACCYF would go to the conference to reiterate its purpose of promoting cooperation among young people, conduct advocacy for socio – economic justice, peace, human rights and responsible and accountable leadership in South Africa. SACCYF aims to further utilize its influence to call on young people in churches to work jointly on issues of common mission and identity.

There would also be an opportunity to dwell further on engaging on theological questions such as: How is the power of God, & Christ who died for us to political power? How is God, & Christ involved through Holy Spirit in the affairs of the world? These and many other critical theological reflections would be discussed by conference. We hope that the fellowship of the conference would propel us to speak of God in complementary images that would describe our ecumenism (oneness) on how we have experienced God’s activity and presence in our churches and communities.

For many centuries young people and religion have separately and jointly changed the course and shaped histories of many nations of the earth. With this consideration and recognition SACCYF is looking forward to a wonderful fellowship of the conference that would yield desired outcomes which would benefit our society.   

Vuyani Pule comes from a backround of being active in the Student Christian Movement. He has served in various capacities in the Student Union for Christian Action (SUCA) in university. Served as the national chairperson of Federation of South African Christian Students. Served in various working committees of World Student Christian Federation(WSCF) Africa Region.

Participated in World Council of Churches' program of Decade to overcome violence; Ecumenical Accompaniment Program in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI). Currently serving as the national chairperson of SACC Youth Forum and he is the elected National Executive Committee member of the SACC.

 Koinonia: Church creating community

The ecumenical movement in South Africa has had critical theological thinkers of their time in abundance even to this date. As such critical theological thinking became an important tradition within the ecumenical movement; the critical theological thinking reflected by these thinkers has helped to shape the ecumenical movement in South Africa and informed its agenda which included playing a key role of being active towards defeating the evil system of racial discrimination. The above thematic concept has been explored by Dr Wolfram Kistner, one of the fathers of the ecumenical movement in South Africa. As such part of the positive outcomes of defeating the evil system of racial discrimination was the dawn of the democratic dispensation in South Africa. The democratic era brought with it the constitution in which all enjoyed equal human rights, and then there were political changes which included changing of the legislations on discrimination and many other forms of laws which undermined the value of humankind.

However in the midst of all of these democratic developments inequality and poverty are some of the challenges still posing real challenges to the South African society. Koinonia concept bases itself on close fellowship and sharing of life and / or its resources. Koinonia in the ancient Greek was applied in relation to how far communal property should be the basis of the political, socio – economic order and on how far the scope should be given to private property. The current economic meltdown in Greece and probably Italy actually tempts us to dwell on this aspect however it could be a discussion for another day. One of the key values of Koinonia is the teaching of communities about collectivism and inclusive participatory process. These aspects have been able to shape discourses in societies for the better. Like in the book of the Corinthians where Apostle Paul teaches about participatory process during the taking of the holy communion (1 Corinthians 10:16 – 17). The consumption of the communion by believers is an inclusive process because Christ came into this world and died for all humanity so that humanity can have life and have it in abundance (John 10:10).

Dr Kistner reflects on Koinonia to teach our society about the importance of sharing of resources. Sharing of resources would bring about communal growth and it will also be for the common good in the society. As mentioned earlier South Africa remains one of the most unequal societies. Therefore as Dr Kistner reflects further, the church is at the center of raising its voice regarding creating a community of a Koinonia character like. These kind of community would be able to acknowledge the importance of making Koinonia part of our daily life.