READ THE NEWS ON ONE CLICK 1. Assange On Tick Box Justice - Make This Case Bigger Than Me READ THE NEWS ON ONE CLICK
http://www.theoneclickgroup.co.uk
Julian Assange
Speaking outside Belmarsh Magistrates Court yesterday, WikiLeaks Editor Julian Assange said: I call on all those people in Sweden that have seen evidence of abusive process to step forward, to not be scared to talk to their local newspapers, to not be scared to talk to the international press and to not be scared to talk to us. Come forward. Talk about it. I call on the Swedish press, many of you whom I've met, to be brave and to start talking about these problems in Sweden. I call upon editors in Sweden to open up your editorial spaces, let your bravest journalists speak. Let those people who have been victimised by these abuses of process speak because this is not just about me. It is not just about the pressure the United States brings to bear on the United Kingdom, upon Sweden and the media, it offers a real hope for reform of key aspects of the Swedish justice system. It offers hope for a reform of the EU arrest warrant system, that system of rubber stamp deportation. I call on you to make this case bigger than me.
Julian Assange, WikiLeaks Editor, YouTube
Related Links:
* Swedish Newspaper Aftonbladet Hosts Chat with Julian Assange
kgosztola, WL Central
* Tweet Record, Julian Assange Extradition Trial Judgement Day 2011-02-24
Information Release, The One Click Group et al
* The judicial authority in Sweden -v- Julian Paul Assange
Judiciary Of England And Wales
2. PayPal Avoids Moral Bankruptcy By Restoring Bradley Manning Account
While it is generally not our policy to comment publicly on account dealings, we are sharing the following statement to clarify information regarding the Courage To Resist organization’s PayPal account and their claim that this is somehow associated with their support of U.S. Army Pfc. Bradley Manning. We recently placed a temporary limitation of the Courage to Resist organization’s PayPal account as they had not complied to our stated policy requiring non profits to associate a bank account with their PayPal account. In a press release issued today, the Courage to Resist organization claimed that their resistance to follow our policy is because PayPal sought to withdraw funds from their checking account. Upon review, and as part of our normal business procedures, we have decided to lift the temporary restriction placed on their account because we have sufficient information to meet our statutory ‘Know Your Customer’ ob ligations. The Courage to Resist PayPal account is now fully operational.
Anuj Nayar, director of communications, PayPal
Related Links:
* PayPal cuts service to Courage To Resist for Bradley Manning support
Press Release, Bradley Manning Support Network
* Bradley Manning Advocacy Fund Launched
Information Release, Bradley Manning Advocacy Fund
3. PhRMa R&D Costs Are Much Lower Than Claimed
For decades, the pharmaceutical industry has claimed that its high prices for drugs in the developed world, are justified by the very high costs of research and development (R&D). Industry-funded economists at Tufts Center for the Study of Drug Development, produced a wholly artificial R&D cost of $1.3 billion for a new drug. That artificial estimate, which is widely cited by government and industry-- has served to hugely enrich the pharmaceutical industry. A just published article, Demythologizing the High Cost of Pharmaceutical Research, by Donald Light and Rebecca Warburton, debunks industry's inflated claim by dissecting the calculations in the authoritative Tufts-PhRMa supported study that concocted the extraordinary high R&D cost estimate.
Vera Hassner Sharav, AHRP
4. U.S. Supreme Court Betrays U.S. Consumer: Big Pharma Given Total Liability Shield for Vaccines
The National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC), whose co-founders worked with Congress on the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986 (PL-99-660), is calling the U.S. Supreme Court's Feb. 22 decision giving drug companies total liability protection for injuries and deaths caused by government mandated vaccines a "betrayal" of the American consumer.
National Vaccine Information Center
5. 4/5ths of Medical Devices recalled by FDA were not approved using standard procedures
Dr Meryl Nass MD and other panelists at Anthrax Letters seminar, Washington, D.C., November 29, 2010
Steve Nissen et al hit another homer; the authors examine why bad medical devices (those eventually recalled) were initially approved by FDA, and learn it was due to skirting the standard review process. Does abbreviated review of products benefit the public in any way? Shouldn't this abbreviated approval process be eliminated for all but emergency use?
Dr Meryl Nass MD
6. ConDem Government Provokes £480m Worth Of Civil Unrest - UK Census 2011
Ladbrokes are offering 4/1 that more than 400,000 people will state their religion as “Jedi” in next month’s census. My opposition has nothing to do with US arms firm Lockheed Martin being paid £150million to organise the census, although that is offensive on many levels. These days the census is senseless. My point is simply what IS the point? In pre-internet, pre-hard-sell days when we didn’t have to submit every intimate fact about ourselves to buy a toaster, there was a point to us divulging 32 pages of personal details, every decade. But today when computer databases hold so much information it would take a six-year-old two minutes to find out the precise strain of crabs we picked up in 1983, why bother? Why is this government wasting £480million on an out-dated paper exercise when they’re telling councils to sack thousands of staff because they’re skint? Especially when only law-abidin g people will fill the census in, whereas those who have something to hide (illegal immigrants, benefits cheats, serial tax-avoiders) will use it to light-up a spliff. Cuts aside, the timing is a joke because we’ve never felt less trust towards the faceless people who run our lives. How much of the information we’ve given to civil servants in recent years, such as tax returns, child benefit records and health test results, have they mis-used or left in the back of cabs?
Brian Reade, Daily Mirror
Related Links:
* UK Census 2011: ConDem Government vs. Electorate Unrest
JP Floru, Adam Smith Institute
* UK ConDem Government Launches Census 2011 Bureaucratic Assault
Ian Dunt, politics.co.uk
* The census has become far too nosey
Philip Johnston, Daily Telegraph
* Census spies will track every home: Anger at 'intrusion of vast computer network'
Steve Doughty, Daily Mail
7. UK Census 2011 - Ridicule ConDem Government Competition
The biggest issue this week at BBW Towers was the launch of the 2011 census, a 32 page form on which the government demand you outline your proficiency in English, the state of your health, when you last worked, the identities of your overnight guests and the type of central heating you have. Those who fail to complete the form are liable for fines of up to £1000 and a criminal conviction. Throughout the week, we have made the case against this unwanted piece of state intrusion, with appearances on the Today programme, BBC News and ITV, as well as significant national media coverage. While the majority of the questions on the census are compulsory, you will not be forced to tell the government what your religion is. Indeed, there will be an "other" box provided in order for you to write in your own response. BBW would like to offer a prize of a free copy of our new book to the person to come up with the best comment to enter into the "other" box. Please e-mail your answers.
Big Brother Watch
8. Lord Chief Justice Attacks Legal Aid Plans
Lord Judge, the Lord Chief Justice, attacks plans to cut legal aid
Lord Judge, the Lord Chief Justice, said the proposed reform of public funding for civil cases will “damage access to justice” and lead to a “huge increase” in the number of people having to fight legal battles on their own. He also warned moves to keep legal aid in family cases where there is a risk of physical harm could provide a “perverse incentive for allegations of domestic violence” to gain access to funds. The plans have already met with widespread opposition from the legal profession, with actress Joanna Lumley adding her voice to the calls for Mr Clarke to rethink his plans. In a formal response on behalf of the judiciary to the proposals, Lord Judge said the Government's consultation paper "fails to recognise the depth of the problem". The judges' warning comes after legal experts said the proposals will cost more than they save and could leave more than half a million people "silenced in court ".
Tom Whitehead, Daily Telegraph
http://www.theoneclickgroup.co.uk
Friday, 25 February 2011
Your action on one of our recent Action Alerts helped saved a man's life. AFA is thrilled to report to you that Said Musa, an Afghan Christian who was arrested last May and threatened with execution for his conversion to Christianity, has been released from prison. I am grateful to the Lord for answering our prayers and actions. God has allowed the AFA family of supporters to be a part of His work in the freedom of a fellow believer held in a prison. I was especially touched by one AFA supporter who offered to let Said Musa and his entire family stay in their home, should Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, and the State Department grant asylum to Said's family in the United States. Tens of thousands of Christians wrote to Secretary Clinton, asking her to press for Said's freedom. This week, an official from the U.S. Embassy in Kabul has confirmed that Said Musa was released and safely out of the country to reunite with his family. This Easter will be extra special because of Said's personal testimony and faithfulness to our risen Savior. Join me in sharing the good news that "He Is Risen!" by wearing and sharing a beautiful Easter button everywhere you go. I wear one, you can too! When you make a suggested donation to AFA, you help us continue our mission of sharing God's truths to the world. As our way of showing our appreciation, we want to send you a pack of 10 Easter buttons to wear and share! Order enough for your family and friends, so they can also share the good news, "He Is Risen!"
Online Version
Afghani Christian Said Musa released from prison!
An official from the U.S. Embassy in Kabul has confirmed that Said Musa was released and safely out of the country.
February 25, 2011
Dear peter,
Sincerely, 
Tim Wildmon, President
American Family Association
On Thursday we released research showing that secondary schools in England spent £293 million on supply teachers last year. It comes after the Department for Education released extensive data on schools' spending. Our paper was the first to present an analysis of the data, highlighting key factors such as spending on teaching and the number of pupils on free school meals. Full time parent Simon Cook, who authored the paper, found that schools in deprived areas spent an average of over £140,000 each on supply teachers (the average for England is £100,000). This suggests that the pupils who need stable teaching the most do not get it. There's been much talk of the Government introducing a 'pupil premium', but we found this already exists as schools with higher numbers of poorer students received an income of over 26 per cent more per child. The report shows what can be done when government departments release full data. Read our report in full. Simon Cook, author of the report, said: "This new information on school budgets offers an invaluable insight into how our education system is functioning. It is clear that schools in more deprived areas are getting a substantial premium in terms of funding, but most aren't able to overcome the challenges of working with more deprived children and deliver better results. It is really important that more information like this is released so that we can have a real, informed debate about how we can make public services work." We want our supporters to join us in saying NO to the EU tax, you can sign a petition here. It's crucial to get as many voices behind this as possible to stop Eurocrats raiding the pockets of hard pressed UK taxpayers. New Grassroots activist, Anna Bailey, wrote her first blog post for us this week. Anna is currently finishing a PhD, and getting involved in TPA campaigning for her home county of Leicestershire. She knows the Nottingham area too, and she posted on the shameful decision of the City Council not to publish all spending above £500 online. If you are a taxpayer in Nottingham write to your councillor here and let them know that you want to see how your money is spent. You might remember from last week's Best of the Blogs that Tameside TPA coordinator Liam Billington's investigation had uncovered a silly waste of taxpayers' money. The blog titled How Tameside Council Spent £5,000 on Teaching Staff how to Walk was reported in the Manchester Evening News. This discovery became a big news story as it emerged that this wasn't a one off mistake but that other public sector bodies around the country were spending your hard-earned taxes in this ridiculous way, then the Mail on Sunday, and The Sun ran the story. Liam was also interviewed by radio stations in the Manchester area. The media reaction showed what a disgraceful waste of money this scheme was. If you have a good story of waste in your area, share it with us by contacting our National Grassroots Coordinator Andrew Allison. This week we've heard that David Chaytor, the former MP, will be challenging the 18 month jail term handed out in the courts after he was found guilty of fiddling his parliamentary expenses to the tune of £22,000. This is an unfortunate setback in the cleanup of MPs' expenses. The judge had said Chaytor's custodial sentence would help restore public confidence. This delay and further cost to the taxpayer is a step backwards in this recovery. Emma Boon writes about her reaction to this development in the case here. Chaytor's application will be heard by judges at the Court of Appeal on March 22nd, they will then decide whether or not to let him appeal his sentence. 2020 Tax Commission: Left Foot Forward continue to be confused on the 50p rate - More misinformation on the 50p rate - Matt Sinclair takes Left Foot Forward to task Better Government: TPA reply to REC criticisms of education spending paper - Simon Cook on the Recruitment and Employment Confederation's confusion over our school spending paper Campaign: Public sector pensions need reforming - Charlotte Linacre on resistence to increasing pension contributions and need for reform of this ticking timebomb Campaign: Reaction to Charity Commission release- Matt Sinclair has responded to The Guardian's smears - read the real story on our blog Grassroots: Non-job of the week - Andrew Allison with another non job - Surrey County Council take the title this week 2020 Tax Commission: Strong revenue in January doesn't mean the 50p rate is working -January revenue figures don't mean the 50p rate has been effective, explains Matt Sinclair Better Government: Using competition for taxpayer value in public services - Rory Meakin on the Government's plans to overhaul public services Grassroots: St Valentine's Day Massacre - In a sombre mood, TPA supporter John Martin describes Norfolk County Council's budget meeting and its aftermath. Grassroots: The war on non-jobs and waste- Andrew Allison with an update on our war against non-jobs
TaxPayers' Alliance Bulletin - 25th February 2011
Supply teacher spending
The report was mentioned on BBC Radio 4's Todayprogramme and covered in many national newspapers. The Guardian compared the figures from our report with resultsaround the country (pictured). It's great that these findings got people talking.Say No to EU Tax
Here in the UK we are already over-taxed. We've been strong critics of the rises in VAT and fuel duty, which have both pushed up the cost of living. One area we have, and will continue to, highlight that adds an unnecessary burden of tax on the UK is the EU. You may have seen Dr Lee Rotherham speaking about the cost of the EU. Now the EU would like to add to that burden, and plans to introduce direct taxes on financial transactions, electronic communications and CO2 emissions. Not only that, Brussels wants us to increase the VAT contributions that we already give over to the wasteful and unaccountable bureaucracy at the EU Commission. We think these plans are a disgrace and they would mark a huge turning point that would be difficult to reverse.TPA in action around the country
Lee Canning, TPA Coordinator in Cardiff, was interviewed for BBC Wales Today. He rightly described the recently announced Council Tax hikes in Wales as "a true slap in the face to the Welsh people". Other councils in Wales have managed to freeze rates, there's no excuse. Any increase in Council Tax is something families will struggle to afford. Watch Lee Canning speaking on BBC Wales here, read more from Lee on his blog.MP appeals jail sentence
Challenge your council over LGA membership
Residents of Windsor and Maidenhead, will be glad to know that the time has almost come for the council to leave the LGA. After providing the statutory 12 months notice of intention to leave, the council has spent the interim period assessing the benefits of membership against the huge £40,000 annual cost to taxpayers. They have concluded that this is an easy saving to make. The LGA is a trade association representing almost all councils in England and are always there to defend the actions of councils, whether in the interests of residents or not. The LGA act as a barrier to accountability, and councillors should answer directly to their residents rather than relying on the LGA to put out responses on their behalf. Other councils should follow suit, and if your council hasn't then you should write to them by clicking here to ask them why not.Best of the Blogs
Grassroots: South Somerset outrage - Tim Newark on the eyewatering sums given to South Somerset District Council's outgoing executives
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The following is research published today from MEMRI’s Special Dispatch Series and the MEMRI Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor.
Special Dispatch No. 3621—Egypt/Jihad & Terrorism Studies Project
Jihadists View Upheaval in Egypt as Opportunity, Call for Military Organization in Sinai
The upheaval in the Arab world, especially the events in Tunisia and Egypt, both of which resulted in the resignations of these countries' leaders, is being followed closely by jihadi operatives, ideologues, and online supporters. The jihadists welcomed the ouster of president Hosni Mubarak, whom they considered a tyrant and apostate, and responded by discussing the role they are to play in Egypt's future. Their responses can be divided into two main categories: political-ideological and operational. The following report will address the operational opportunities the jihadists see in the new situation in Egypt.
Some in the global jihad movement consider the upheaval in Egypt an opportunity to promote global jihad and to elevate the war against the Arab regimes to a new level. Specifically, they consider the anarchy in Egypt to be a chance for jihad groups to establish a presence there, after a long absence of such groups following an extensive crackdown by the regime. The numerous jihad operatives reported to have been released from prison in the wake of Mubarak's ouster, as well as those rumored to have escaped in the midst of the chaos, may well avail themselves of this opportunity.
More importantly, the global jihadists see the instability in Egypt as propitious to the establishment of operational jihad organizations, especially in rural areas, particularly the Sinai, in light of the security vacuum there resulting from the military's preoccupation with keeping general order.
The complimentary full text of this report is made available from the JTTM. To read the full report, visit http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/5045.htm.
AQIM Announces Its Solidarity With Libyan Revolution, Calls On Libyans To Remain Steadfast And Escalate Their Jihad And Revolution To Oust Qadhafi
On February 24, 2011, Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) released a statement in support of Libya's revolution and expressing solidarity with the Libyan people's revolution against Libyan leader Mu'ammar Al-Qadhafi.
In the statement, AQIM said that they were following events in Libya, with mixed feelings of joy – at the Libyan people's rebellion and the imminent end of the Libyan tyrant (i.e. Qadhafi) – and sadness – at the cowardly massacres being perpetrated against innocent Libyans.
The statement said that these massacres of his own Muslim people, perpetrated by Qadhafi with the aid of African mercenaries, reveals the true face of such oppressive tyrants who have lied and accused the mujahideen of targeting and killing innocent people.
The complimentary full text of this report is made available from the JTTM. To read the full report, visit http://www.memrijttm.org/content/en/blog_personal.htm?id=4494¶m=GJN.
Fear of Renewed Muslim-Copt Tensions in Egypt over Murder of Coptic Priest
It is reported that hundreds of Copts demonstrated outside the church in the village of Shatab, in the Asyut Governorate, after Coptic priest Father Daoud Boutrus was found dead in his home there on February 22, 2011, and that security and military forces were sent to the scene to restore calm.
The Asyut branch of Al-Gama'a Al-Islamiyya issued a communiqué in which it condemned the murder, "regardless of who perpetrated it, and regardless of his motivations." The organization called on the Copts to demonstrate forbearance and not to accuse anyone of the crime until the results of its investigation were released, in order to avoid playing into the hands of any instigator wishing to incite clashes among the Egyptian people.
The complimentary full text of this report is made available from the JTTM. To read the full report, visit http://www.memrijttm.org/content/en/blog_personal.htm?id=4497¶m=GJN .
Special Dispatch No. 3620—Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor
In Second Installment of 'Message of Hope and Glad Tidings to Our People in Egypt,' Al-Qaeda Deputy Leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri Denies Al-Qaeda's Involvement in Alexandria Church Bombing, Calls Upon Muslims To Differentiate Between Christians
On February 24, 2011, Al-Qaeda's media wing Al-Sahab released the second installment of an audio recording from the organization's second-in-command, Ayman Al-Zawahiri, titled "Message of Hope and Glad Tidings to Our People in Egypt." In his message, which is 35 minutes and 48 seconds in duration, Al-Zawahiri reiterates some of the points he made in his first installment, but the majority of his message is focused on the Coptic-Muslim sectarian tension in Egypt.
Referring to the New Year's Day bombing of Saints Church in Alexandria, Al-Zawahiri denies any Al-Qaeda involvement in the attack, instead pointing an accusing finger at Coptic leaders in Egypt, as well as at the Egyptian regime and its security apparatuses. It is these, he said, with the U.S. behind them, that are behind the continuous provocation of Muslims in Egypt – which is, he said, is what led to the church bombing.
Aside from providing historical and political background on Egypt, similar to what he gave in the first part of his message, Al-Zawahiri makes several noteworthy points:
Al-Zawahiri began his message by re-emphasizing the legitimacy of targeting Muslims – or, more correctly, the restrictive circumstances under which Muslims may be targeted. He added that harming Muslims must be avoided during mujahideen operations unless the requirement of jihad makes it necessary for them to become targets, or to be collateral targets.
To read the full report, visit http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/5044.htm.
Special Dispatch No. 3619—Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor
Al-Qaeda Leader 'Atiyyat Allah Al-Libi: Revolutions in the Arab Countries – A Historical Turning Point
On February 24, 2011, the jihadi forum Shumukh Al-Islam posted an article by Al-Qaeda ideologue and leader 'Atiyyat Allah Abu 'Abd Al-Rahman, also known as 'Atiyyat Allah Al-Libi, titled "The Revolution of the Peoples and the Collapse of the Corrupt Arab Order: Smashing the Idol of Stability, and the New Beginning." The article was published by the Al-Qaeda affiliated Al-Fajr media company. Its publication also serves to refute the reports of Al-Libi's death in an October 7, 2010 air strike in Pakistan.
The article, dated February 16, 2011, is the first comprehensive response from the Al-Qaeda leadership to the recent turmoil in the Middle East. In it, Al-Libi expresses satisfaction at the unrest which has swept the Arab countries, and joy over the toppling, thus far, of two leaders, anticipating and hoping that additional Arab and Muslim peoples will take advantage of the chance to topple their regimes. Furthermore, in his view, the current unrest is not merely a temporary crisis, but a watershed that signals the end of the Arab order as we know it and the collapse of the notion of stability in the Middle East.
On the operational side, Al-Libi encourages jihadists to focus on building up a military presence in the Sinai. This is the second time a senior jihadist leader has recommended this course of action there. Al-Libi also urges the mujahideen of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) to seize the opportunity to topple the regime in Yemen and establish a stronghold in that country.
To a certain extent, the article is evidence that Al-Qaeda is currently in a difficult predicament, from an ideological and political viewpoint. According to Al-Qaeda's ideology, the Arab regimes are considered the arch-nemesis, and the primary justification for, and target of, violent jihad. It would seem that the popular uprisings usurped from Al-Qaeda the role of toppling these regimes, rendering them superfluous. In their defense, Al-Libi explains that Al-Qaeda cannot deploy large armies at the drop of a hat, in order to come to the aid of Muslims. Moreover, he presents a set of updated priorities according to which the West, Israel, and the remaining Arab regimes – the Saudi royal family foremost among them – are Al-Qaeda's raison d'etre, regardless of the fact that "apostate" and "tyrant" regimes were toppled by peaceful means and without the jihadists' help.
To read the full report, visit http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/5043.htm.
Special Dispatch No. 3618—South Asia Studies Project/Taliban/Afghanistan
Taliban Spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid Comments on the Political and Military Situation in Afghanistan, Says: 'Day by Day There is [an] Increase in Our Jihadi Activities; Our Armed Forces are More Disciplined Than Ever Before; We are Countering the Enemy and are Opening New Jihadi Fronts'
The website of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (the Taliban's shadow government) has published an interview with its spokesman, in which he questions the Western claims of military "progress" in Afghanistan.
The spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, says in the interview that the Western countries ensured the victory of some Afghans in the September 2010 parliamentary elections so that they can raise demands for dividing Afghanistan.
He also says that U.S. General David Petraeus's claim of "progress" in Afghanistan was meant to give some points to President Barack Obama to claim progress in Afghanistan during his State of the Union speech.
Following are excerpts from the interview:
Question: "Mr. Mujahid, after months of disputes, Hamid Karzai finally announced the so-called 'peoples congregation' (Jirga). Could you please share with us your view regarding it?"
To read the full report, visit http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/5042.htm.
To view these reports, you must be a paying member of the Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor Project (JTTM). For membership information, send an email tojttmsubs@memri.org with "Membership" in the subject line.
Question: "Is the deity of Christ biblical?" What's new on GotQuestions.org? GotQuestions.org seeks to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by providing Biblical answers to spiritually-related questions. To continue in this mission, we need your support! For more information, please visithttps://www.gotquestions.org/support.html We apologize, but with over 194,000 QOTW subscribers, we simply cannot handle email replies to our QOTW. If you would like to discuss the QOTW, you can do so at http://www.gotquestions.org/gqblog. Got Questions? The Bible has Answers! We'll find them for you!
Answer: In addition to Jesus’ specific claims about Himself, His disciples also acknowledged the deity of Christ. They claimed that Jesus had the right to forgive sins—something only God can do—as it is God who is offended by sin (Acts 5:31; Colossians 3:13; Psalm 130:4; Jeremiah 31:34). In close connection with this last claim, Jesus is also said to be the one who will “judge the living and the dead” (2 Timothy 4:1). Thomas cried out to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). Paul calls Jesus “great God and Savior” (Titus 2:13) and points out that prior to His incarnation Jesus existed in the “form of God” (Philippians 2:5-8). God the Father says regarding Jesus: “Your throne, O God, will last forever and ever” (Hebrews 1:8). John states that “in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word [Jesus] was God” (John 1:1). Examples of Scriptures that teach the deity of Christ are many (see Revelation 1:17, 2:8, 22:13; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Peter 2:6-8; Psalm 18:2, 95:1; 1 Peter 5:4; Hebrews 13:20), but even one of these is enough to show that Christ was considered to be God by His followers.
Jesus is also given titles that are unique to YHWH (the formal name of God) in the Old Testament. The Old Testament title “redeemer” (Psalm 130:7; Hosea 13:14) is used of Jesus in the New Testament (Titus 2:13; Revelation 5:9). Jesus is called Immanuel—“God with us”—in Matthew 1. In Zechariah 12:10, it is YHWH who says, “They will look on me, the one they have pierced.” But the New Testament applies this to Jesus’ crucifixion (John 19:37; Revelation 1:7). If it is YHWH who is pierced and looked upon, and Jesus was the one pierced and looked upon, then Jesus is YHWH. Paul interprets Isaiah 45:22-23 as applying to Jesus in Philippians 2:10-11. Further, Jesus’ name is used alongside God’s in prayer “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Galatians 1:3; Ephesians 1:2). This would be blasphemy if Christ were not deity. The name of Jesus appears with God's in Jesus' commanded to baptize “in the name [singular] of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19; see also 2 Corinthians 13:14).
Actions that can be accomplished only by God are credited to Jesus. Jesus not only raised the dead (John 5:21, 11:38-44) and forgave sins (Acts 5:31, 13:38), He created and sustains the universe (John 1:2; Colossians 1:16-17). This becomes even clearer when one considers YHWH said He was alone during creation (Isaiah 44:24). Further, Christ possesses attributes that only deity can have: eternality (John 8:58), omnipresence (Matthew 18:20, 28:20), omniscience (Matthew 16:21), and omnipotence (John 11:38-44).
Now, it is one thing to claim to be God or to fool someone into believing it is true, and something else entirely to prove it to be so. Christ offered many miracles as proof of His claim to deity. Just a few of Jesus' miracles include turning water to wine (John 2:7), walking on water (Matthew 14:25), multiplying physical objects (John 6:11), healing the blind (John 9:7), the lame (Mark 2:3), and the sick (Matthew 9:35; Mark 1:40-42), and even raising people from the dead (John 11:43-44; Luke 7:11-15; Mark 5:35). Moreover, Christ Himself rose from the dead. Far from the so-called dying and rising gods of pagan mythology, nothing like the resurrection is seriously claimed by other religions, and no other claim has as much extra-scriptural confirmation.
There are at least twelve historical facts about Jesus that even non-Christian critical scholars will admit:
1. Jesus died by crucifixion.
2. He was buried.
3. His death caused the disciples to despair and lose hope.
4. Jesus' tomb was discovered (or was claimed to be discovered) to be empty a few days later.
5. The disciples believed they experienced appearances of the risen Jesus.
6. After this, the disciples were transformed from doubters into bold believers.
7. This message was the center of preaching in the early Church.
8. This message was preached in Jerusalem.
9. As a result of this preaching, the Church was born and it grew.
10. Resurrection day, Sunday, replaced the Sabbath (Saturday) as the primary day of worship.
11. James, a skeptic, was converted when he also believed that he saw the resurrected Jesus.
12. Paul, an enemy of Christianity, was converted by an experience which he believed to be an appearance of the risen Jesus.
Even if someone were to object to this specific list, only a few are needed to prove the resurrection and establish the gospel: Jesus' death, burial, resurrection, and appearances (1 Corinthians 15:1-5). While there may be some theories to explain one or two of the above facts, only the resurrection explains and accounts for them all. Critics admit that the disciples claimed they saw the risen Jesus. Neither lies nor hallucinations can transform people the way the resurrection did. First, what would they have had to gain? Christianity was not popular and it certainly did not make them any money. Second, liars do not make good martyrs. There is no better explanation than the resurrection for the disciples’ willingness to die horrible deaths for their faith. Yes, many people die for lies that they think are true, but people do not die for what they know is untrue.
In conclusion, Christ claimed He was YHWH, that He was deity (not just “a god” but the one true God); His followers (Jews who would have been terrified of idolatry) believed Him and referred to Him as God. Christ proved His claims to deity through miracles, including the world-altering resurrection. No other hypothesis can explain these facts. Yes, the deity of Christ is biblical.
Recommended Resource: The Case for the Real Jesus by Lee Strobel.
What is the Job’s Daughters program?
Who was Molech?
Is the Catholic concept of absolution biblical?
What does the Bible mean when it refers to holy ground?
What does the Bible mean when it refers to the diaspora?
How can I become a prayer warrior?
How can the Bible bring comfort during a difficult time?
How should we understand the Lion and the Lamb passage?
Should we worship Jesus?
Is the atonement of Christ unlimited?
www.GotQuestions.org
Here is your Crux AM update:
This frightening report shows investors are bingeing on risk all over again
"Ben Bernanke is stoking a speculative boom at the Wall Street casino..."
Forget the "fear trade"... This is the No. 1 reason gold is soaring
Accounts for nearly 60% of worldwide demand...
Pimco's El-Erian: The Mid-East crisis is creating huge opportunity in these countries
"For them, all these geopolitical issues are good things..."
Buyer beware: Don't get scammed by counterfeit silver
Here's how to spot a fake...
Six ways to prepare for a surge in gas prices
"The scary news is that just about everything we need to survive will go up in price...."
This tiny country could determine the fate of the Middle East
"While the world is focusing on the fighting in Libya, there is a much more profound development taking place in the Persian Gulf..."
Regards,
Justin Brill
Managing Editor, The Daily Crux
www.thedailycrux.com
Yusuf Qaradawi's U.S. minionsEarly Bird Registration!
2011 NATIONAL
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June 22 – 24, 2011
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The real aim of the Fiqh Council of North America
By Alyssa A. Lappen
ACT! for America special report
Those who believe Muslim Brotherhood spiritual leader Yusuf Qaradawi doesn't threaten Egypt --- or the U.S. --- should reconsider. The U.S. banned Qaradawi as a terror-sympathizer in late 1999, 1 yet his MB emissaries continue working to implement his brand of sharia in North America.
Since its 1963 inception within the Muslim Students of Americareligious committee 2 the Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA), it has been key to MB plans for the U.S. Indeed, the MB so designated FCNA (by an earlier moniker) in an internal 1991 strategic memo.3FCNA focuses on implementing sharia: individually and collectively, FCNA advises and educates “members and officials on matters related to the application of sharia,” here.4
For at least a decade, FCNA has also espoused an unique version of classical Islamic law.5 Drawn largely from Qaradawi's frequently odious rulings, this temporary “fiqh al aqalliyyat” 6covers Muslim minorities in the West, according to sharia finance adviser and FCNA secretary Yusuf TalalDeLorenzo, 7 a Dow Jones Islamic Indexes adviser to date.8
Like classic sharia, fiqh al aqalliyyat is highly illiberal. Unlike classic law, it is only interim: It encourages Muslims to temporarily accept non-Muslim rule but heavily populate the West.9 The thesis posits that Dar al-Islam exists wherever Muslims live. It prefers to call the Muslim world “dar-al ijaba,” land of response, and non-Muslim nations, “dar ad-dawah,” i.e., where Islam “has to be spread.” Traditional fatwas banning citizenship in the West block Muslims from fulfilling dawa requirements and calling non-Muslims “kufir” doesn't persuade converts. Whether by conversion or war, the MB goal remains conquest of the West.10
Sharia criminal law, for example, demands and routinely applies capital punishment for apostates from Islam,11directly contradicting U.S. constitutional rights to freedom of faith. In late Sept. 2009, Former Muslims United sent polite, respectful requests to several dozen U.S. Muslim leaders, that they sign its Freedom Pledge to protect lives, property and rights to freedom of faith for all former Muslims. Pledge recipients included FCNA chairman Muzammil Siddiqi,12 vice chair Muhammad Nur Abdullah, executive director Zulfiqar Ali Shah, executive council members Mohamad A. El Sheikh, FCNA executive trustee Jamal Badawi, Abdur Rahman Khan and Zainab Alwani and member Ishan Bagby.13 All falsely attest to moderation. None replied. None signed.
Apart from unindicted terror-financing co-conspirator Badawi, a onetime trustee of the U.S. arm of the globalMuslim Brotherhood itself --- and a decades-long trustee on ISNA's 18-member board14 --- the FCNA executives and members include many figures whose troubling associations, rulings and deeds are equally difficult to digest:
In 2008, a federal jury unanimously convicted five Holy Land Foundation officers of 108 counts of funding Hamas, money laundering and tax fraud. 25 Prosecutors also pronounced FCNA executive trustee Jamal Badawi and FCNA member, trustee and former Islamic Association of Palestine (IOP) director Muhammad al-Hanooti 26 unindicted co-conspirators (with many MB organizations). A circa 1978 immigrant 27 --- and unindicted co-conspirator in the 1993 World Trace Center attack --- Hanooti remains in Washington D.C. 28 A preponderance of publicly accessible evidence prompted the New Orleans 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in Oct. 2010 to leave all HLF unindicted co-conspirator designations unsealed and intact. 29 Badawi, Hanooti et all remain highly suspect.
Alysssa A. Lappen, an ACT for America contributing editor and investigative journalist, is a former senior fellow at American Center for Democracy (2005-2008); former senior editor of Institutional Investor (1993-1999),Working Woman (1991-1993) and Corporate Finance (1991), and writes for many print and internet publications. ACT for America commissioned this work.
(TO SEE THE FOOTNOTES PLEASE CLICK HERE)
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