Artikel von Dr. Firpo Carr

[Brigitte 58]

http://firpocarr.com/article.html

Beat Down in Bulgaria

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What would MJ say?

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by Firpo Carr

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The Firpo Files

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May 5 - 11, 2011

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Fans of Michael Joseph Jackson feel persecuted as hard-earned nonrefundable money was spent on airfare and accommodations to the trial of Dr. Conrad Murray, only to see it continued yet again until September this time. But what if MJ fans were beat by Murray supporters for peacefully meeting together? Well, less than three weeks ago, that's exactly what happened in Bulgaria to spiritual brothers of Michael.


"On April 17 five followers of the Jehovah Witnesses were injured in a clash provoked by a rally against their sect, organized by VMRO," reports the Sofia News Agency (April 26, 2011). "The incident happened in the Black Sea city of Burgas, in front of the Jehovah Witnesses House of Prayer." Having been a Witness himself, and with family members still currently worshiping as Witnesses, Michael would have been horrified to hear that during the memorial celebration of Christ's death on April 17, 2011, Jehovah's Witnesses in peaceful assembly were attacked!

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Background of the Beat Down: "About 20 minutes before the program was to begin," say Witness officials, "an angry mob of about 60 men [described by others familiar with the incident as "football hooligans"], some waving flags of the political party VMRO, gathered in front of the Kingdom Hall." Another source reveals: "Several smoke bombs were thrown into the hall where they were standing, not to mention rocks, a planter and anything else they could find."

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Watchtower officials note that the "Witnesses called the police immediately, but they were slow to respond. At the time of the attack, more than 100 people were inside the hall, including women, children and elderly ones. Injuries resulted from the attack, and five victims were taken to the hospital by ambulance with severe injuries, including concussions." Reportedly, none of the injuries (stitches, and a broken nose requiring surgery) was life-threatening. As of this writing, the utterly disturbing scenes can be viewed on several YouTube videos. Viewer discretion is advised.

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Who are the VMRO?: The VMRO-BND is a nationalist political party. "Their political platform is run on the idea of a ‘clean Bulgaria'," says one unofficial Witness source close to the action, "or getting rid of all influences that are not Bulgarian in origin." Perhaps in an effort to bolster a more formidable political platform, the VMRO has targeted the peaceful, docile Witnesses. "For over ten years they have spread lies about us through the media calling us a ‘dangerous sect' and claiming that we encourage suicide, kill our children and refuse medical treatment."

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Witness ‘Mafia'?: VMRO allegedly claims that the Witnesses are "funded by organized crime." However, it's doubtful that powerful criminal organizations would allow their members to be beat down without a violent--or even deadly--response. The Witnesses still maintain a calm, peaceful serenity about themselves, and are content to pursue legal remedies. The police were caught off guard because the VMRO "never registered with the authorities to do this protest," says the source, "which again was an illegal thing to do."

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Early Christians: Christ and his followers also suffered threats of violence--and even violence itself--from unruly mobs. (1) "When they heard this, the people in the synagogue were furious. Jumping up, they mobbed [Jesus] and forced him to the edge of the hill on which the town was built. They intended to push him over the cliff." (Lu 4:28-30, New Living Translation); (2) "While they were listening to these things, they became more and more furious and began to grind their teeth at him. ... [T]hey shouted out loud, stopped listening, and together they all rushed at him, ran him outside of the city, and began to stone him to death." (Ac 7:54-60, International Standard Version); (3) "But Jews ... persuaded the crowds, and they stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, imagining he was dead. "--Ac 14:19, New World Translation.

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Legal Remedy: So far, 15 of the 60 have been charged, and Bulgarian Witness officials have lodged a human rights complaint with the European Court. A violent hate crime against a peaceful religious group has never happened in all of Bulgaria's history. Surely, the vast majority of Bulgarians (including those who consistently visit firpocarr.com, along with other visitors from over 155 countries, lands, territories, and islands that dot our seas and oceans), are also appalled by the attacks. The Bulgarian language, with its distinctive Cyrillic alphabet, is one of about 34 languages this column is translated into. Peace and blessings to all. Amen.

[Brigitte 58]

The Wealth of Michael Jackson

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What of it?

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by Firpo Carr

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The Firpo Files

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May 12 - 18, 2011

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When Michael Joseph Jackson passed he was reportedly worth up to five billion dollars. He wanted to ensure his children's financial future by retaining his comprehensive catalogue, a mega goldmine of music. It seemed he always put others, including his children, before himself. He didn't have the reputation of being a vain man.

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For example, when he made a generous donation, a Los Angeles hospital named its burn ward after him; and although the elementary school he attended named an auditorium after him, he was not like some of the wealthy who "have called their landed estates by their names." (Psalms 49:11, New World Translation) Vanity didn't compel him to stamp his name on a plethora of buildings and land estates in an effort to keep his name alive.

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‘You can't take it with you': Michael knew full well that he couldn't take his money with him. "For at his death," says the Bible, neither rich nor poor can "take along anything at all." (Psalms 49:17, NWT) "Naked came I out of my mother's womb," said Job, "and naked shall I return thither." (Job 1:21, King James Version) "We all come to the end of our lives as naked and empty-handed as on the day we were born," proclaimed wise King Solomon. "We can't take our riches with us." (Ecclesiastes 5:15, New Living Translation) Indeed, it is an inescapable truth, the rich "leave their wealth to others." (Psalms 49:10, New International Version) So, what balanced view of money does the Bible outline?

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The Proper Perspective: "A godly life brings huge profits to people who are content with what they have. We didn't bring anything into the world, and we can't take anything out of it. As long as we have food and clothes, we should be satisfied [as opposed to trying to get rich]. But people who want to get rich keep falling into temptation. They are trapped by many stupid and harmful desires which drown them in destruction and ruin. Certainly, the love of money [not money itself] is the root of all kinds of evil. Some people who have set their hearts on getting rich have wandered away from the Christian faith and have caused themselves a lot of grief."--1 Timothy 6:6-10, God's Word Translation.

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Celestial Savings: By being generous and doing good works Michael stored up treasures in heaven. (Matthew 6:19-21; 1 Timothy 6:17-19) When alive, he made liberal donations to the Witnesses as well. How do they utilize tax-deductible donations? By engaging in works that place the emphasis on spiritual values. Note these examples:

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For the spiritual edification of interested ones the Witnesses have constructed a Web site (www.watchtower.org) that carries a Biblical message in 418 languages. In 2010, there were 51 million site hits, an average of 113,000 daily. Site analytics reveal that visitors spent 4.5 million hours exploring the site, resulting in over one hundred daily requests for Bible studies.

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There is a global need for Kingdom Halls, the primary place of worship for JWs. A program of KH construction (involving 2,000 brothers from 144 countries) began in 1999, when there was a need for 22,613 worldwide. Now it's down to 6,877, with 1,942 being built in 2010 alone. In Malawi JWs were described as worshipers without churches. But by last September one thousand KHs were built in this African country. Unbelievably, the dictionary there now defines JWs as ‘a people who build many churches.'

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Witnesses in Haiti now live in 1,700 wood with galvanized sheeting homes built by JWs with funds from worldwide donations. Pre-fabricated missionary homes, made in China, are currently scheduled to be shipped in containers to Haiti, along with a trained crew to assemble them. Appliances, furniture, and other necessary items will come from a Witness facility in upstate New York.

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And 161 million copies of What Does the Bible Really Teach?--one of a number of record-settings books produced by the Witnesses--is published in 216 languages. Remarkably, Witness literature is available in over 500 languages earth wide! The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, a Bible used by both Witnesses and non-Witnesses, is available in 90 languages, along with an additional six sign language editions. To date, 166 million copies of the New World Translation have been distributed.

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Conclusion: Generous Michael was obviously not among those who are "forgetters of God." (Psalms 50:22, NWT) And I am certain God won't forget him either. (Hebrews 6:10) Peace and blessings to all. Amen.

[Christine3110]

Das macht er schon clever der Gute...egal über was er schreibt, er referiert am Anfang erstmal über Michael...das weckt Interesse.
Wahrscheinl. würd sonst kein Mensch seine Ergüße zur Kenntnis nehmen.

[Brigitte 58]

http://firpocarr.com/article.html

Michael Jackson & the "Ace of Race"

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Issues with Watchtower issues?

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(Part 1 of 2)

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by Firpo Carr

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The Firpo Files

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May 19 - 25, 2011

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As one of Jehovah's Witnesses, Michael Joseph Jackson was disappointed when he saw the occasional, oftentimes subconscious racist attitudes displayed by certain White Witnesses. But it particularly bothered him when he detected occasional bias in the Watchtower and Awake! magazines, both published by the Witnesses. The Watchtower candidly admits: "If we are honest with ourselves, we may realize that we are inclined to feel at least a little superior, or perhaps inferior, to people of another race. Since neither viewpoint is compatible with God's thinking, we should work hard to remove any such feelings from our heart.--Psalm139:23, 24." (July 1, 2011) Michael felt that either the superiority of White brothers or the inferiority of Black brothers bleeds through the page from time to time.
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"Many people believe that one race (usually their own) is superior to others," says The Watchtower. "Such bias reflects the thinking of Charles Darwin, who wrote: ‘At some future period,...the civilised races of man will almost certainly exterminate, and replace, the savage races.' Sadly, many have indeed been victimized by those of other races who saw themselves as superior." Though omitted here, it has been members of the White race "who saw themselves as superior" and have decimated the cultures of "savage races," some of which they have indeed ‘exterminated' during the period of European expansionism, especially in Africa.

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Though these facts are mentioned elsewhere in Watchtower publications, when the White race (the "Ace of Race" as White supremacists see it) is presented piecemeal in the context of slavery, the wrong impression can be created. Or, the omission of pertinent facts can change the whole complexion of an event. Take the case of Biblical slavery. Awake! (July 2011) states:

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"In the days of Jesus and his apostles, slavery was an entrenched practice in the Roman Empire. As Christianity spread, it was inevitable that individuals who were slaves and others who were slave owners would come in contact with the good news and become Christians. Neither Jesus Christ himself nor his apostles preached a gospel of social liberation, as if trying to reform the existing system. Rather, both slaves and slave owners were admonished to love one another as spiritual brothers.--Colossians 4:1; 1 Timothy 6:2."

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One could easily get the impression that slaves and slave owners were simply resigned to accept the status quo. So, if you were a Christian slave in Bible times, you were to love your Christian slave master, and he was to reciprocate.

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However, this reasoning doesn't take into account what the apostle Paul said elsewhere. "In whatever state each one was called, let him remain in it. Were you called when a slave? Do not let it worry you; but if you can also become free, rather seize the opportunity." (1 Co 7:20, 21, New World Translation) While he didn't teach "social liberation" per se, Paul did commanded Christian slaves to break free where possible.

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Neither have many religious denominations--Jehovah's Witnesses included--commented in detail (or at all) on "kidnappers" (or, "manstealers") mentioned at 1 Timothy 1:10. These were not your everyday garden variety "kidnappers." They were slave makers.

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Bible scholar Albert Barnes says "kidnappers" here "occurs nowhere else in the New Testament." He further explains: "It properly means one who steals another for the purpose of making him a slave--a kidnapper. This is the common way in which men are made slaves," writes Barnes. "Children are stolen from their parents, or wives from their husbands, or husbands from their wives, or parents from their children, or whole families are stolen together. None become slaves voluntarily, and consequently the whole process of making slaves partakes of the nature of theft of the worst kind."

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No wonder the inspired apostle Paul encouraged Christian slaves to "seize the opportunity" to liberate themselves!

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"The guilt of manstealing," continues Barnes, "is incurred essentially by those who purchase those who are thus stolen--as the purchaser of a stolen horse, knowing it to be so, participates in the crime. A measure of that criminality also adheres to all who own slaves, and who thus maintain the system--for it is a system known to have been originated by theft." Whether you sold a ‘stolen man' or purchased one with the knowledge of his illegal acquisition, you were a criminal in God's sight!

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Stay tuned for Part 2, "MJ & Shades of Gray." Peace and blessings to all. Amen.

[Brigitte 58]

MJ & Doomsday

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The world's frettin' over 'Stormageddon'!

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by Firpo Carr

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The Firpo Files

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May 26, 2011 - June 1, 2011

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With storms ripping through mid-America and other natural disasters tearing holes in the fabric of our global society, it seems the curtain is about to fall on all humanity. The fat lady is about to sing--or so it would seem.

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According to one Internet news source, "Nearly 1,200 tornadoes have swarmed the United States this year, according to preliminary numbers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Four of these storms have been rated at the highest tornado strength, an EF-5. The death toll from these tornadoes has likely topped 500, a number not seen since 1953."

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As one of Jehovah's Witnesses, Michael Joseph Jackson went to people's doors telling them that the end is nearer now than ever before. (Luke 21:5-36; Romans 13:11-14) But, was the Gloved One a calamity howler? Before answering this question, let's take a good look at Harold Camping.

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Calamity Howler: In case you haven't heard of Harold Camping, a preacher based in Oakland, California, he predicted the world would end this past May 21, 2011. By all accounts, he may have been off a little. While some things doubtlessly ended then, it doesn't appear the world was one of them. The Christian Science Monitor offers this elucidating commentary:

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"As crestfallen followers of a California preacher who foresaw the world's end strained to find meaning in their lives, Harold Camping revised his apocalyptic prophecy, saying he was off by five months and the Earth actually will be obliterated on Oct. 21. Camping, who predicted that 200 million Christians would be taken to heaven Saturday before global cataclysm struck the planet, said Monday that he felt so terrible when his doomsday message did not come true that he left home and took refuge in a motel with his wife. His independent ministry, Family Radio International, spent millions--some of it from donations made by followers--on more than 5,000 billboards and 20 recreational vehicles plastered with the Judgment Day message."

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Serious students of the Bible recognize that no one on earth knows the exact day of reckoning. (Matthew 24:36) Though predicting with precision the exact moment the meltdown occurs would be elusive for angels and humans, Jesus did reveal a number of clues that, when woven together like distinct patches in a quilt, make for a big picture.

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It looks like one patch identified by the apostle Paul is being sown in.

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"Peace and Security": "Whenever it is that they are saying: ‘Peace and security!'", writes Paul, "then sudden destruction is to be instantly upon them just as the pang of distress upon a pregnant woman; and they will by no means escape." (1 Thessalonians 5:3, New World Translation) For decades, long before the advent of the Internet, Michael Jackson and the rest of Jehovah's Witnesses predicted the United Nations would at some point--near the end of the world in its present form--adopt the expression "Peace and security."

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In explaining a mysterious symbolic beast of Revelation some three and a half decades ago (Revelation 17:10, 11; see also Daniel 7:17, 23, 24; 8:20-22), the Witnesses wrote:

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"This composite political power is here represented by a ‘beast,' this one having ‘seven heads,' to represent the seven previous world-dominating ‘kings' from which it has sprung. But it also has ‘ten horns.' (Rev. 17:3, 7) What they represent and what they do are very significant.

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"The ‘ten horns,' continues the prophecy, ‘are ten kings, who have not as yet received a kingdom [in the prophet's time]; but for one hour they will receive royal authority along with the beast.' (Rev. 17:12, Berkeley; NWT) The prophetically complete number of ‘ten kings' represents the totality of political governments today that are ruling for a short time along with the U.N.

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"During this short period, like ‘one hour' compared to past history, conditions would be such that, for the first time, though disagreeing on almost everything else, they would finally come to ‘have one purpose; they give over power and authority to the beast [the U.N.]' in a human scheme for establishing global peace and security.-Rev. 17:13, Berkeley; NWT."

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Fascinatingly, the first tab on the homepage of the UN is labeled, "Peace and Security" (http://www.un.org/en/index.shtml). Is this labeling coincidence or significant? Contact the Witnesses for the answer.

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Selective Destruction: Abraham, God's friend, knew that it was "unthinkable" for Jehovah to "sweep away the righteous with the wicked." (Genesis 18:23-25, NWT) Be righteous my friends. Peace and blessings to all. Amen.

[Brigitte 58]

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[Brigitte 58]

MJ & Shades of Gray

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Seeing life in "Black or White"

(Part 2 of 2)

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by Firpo Carr

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The Firpo Files

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June 2-8, 2011

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Part 1 of this two-part series titled "MJ's Views on the ‘Ace' of Race" (May 19, 2011) discussed the July 1, 2011, issue of The Watchtower, as well as the July 2011 issue of Awake! Both of these magazines are published by Jehovah's Witnesses, and were distributed by Michael Joseph Jackson when he belonged to the group. The purpose of Part 1 was to illustrate why Michael sometimes took issue with the Eurocentric flavor occasionally (but consistently) found in the incomparably popular international magazines.

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Fading Ink: For example, Almighty God Jehovah (when his face is illustrated), Jesus Christ (while on earth and after his resurrection to heaven), and all the holy angels (whether in heaven or materialized on earth) have white skin--complete with European features--the vast majority of times in Witness literature. "You know the Watchtower people make their own ink," notes "Jawan" from Brooklyn. "And you'll see Jesus and the apostles with a little color in them every once in a while. But then that ink begins to fade--you know what I mean-and then everybody's White all over again."

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Jesus Christ as James Bond?: Interestingly, during a worldwide campaign inviting millions to attend the commemoration of Jesus' death this past April, the Witnesses issued countless colorful invitations with an artist's conception of Jesus. Worldwide, various individuals tweeted their reaction to Witness encounters. One of the more revealing tweets reads: "I got a flyer from the Jehovah's Witnesses and their drawing of Jesus looks remarkably like Sean Connery." Jawan's response? "They sure aren't going to make him look like Sidney Poitier."

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The Colored Christ: Factually, Jesus Christ had color, and did not look like a European White man. For, not only did the people have color in the region of the world where Jesus grew up (compare Song of Solomon 1:5, 6), Jesus is said to have camouflaged himself among these same People of Color on several occasions. (Luke 4:28-30; John 7:10-13; 11:56-57) "If his skin wasn't enriched with melanin," insists Jawan, "the police back then could have easily said: ‘We're looking for a White guy.'"

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Speaking Up: Should harboring cultural bias exclude the Witnesses from being contenders for the title of "true" Christians? Intriguingly, it didn't disqualify Christ's followers when a case of discrimination reared its ugly head in the first century.

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"But with the believers multiplying rapidly," writes historian and physician Luke, "there were rumblings of discontent. Those who spoke only Greek complained that their widows were being discriminated against." (Acts 6:1, Living Bible) Another translation says, "the Greek-speaking followers had an argument with the other Jewish followers."(Acts 6:1, New Century Version) Indeed, "there were rumblings of discontent" which gave birth to ‘complaints' from the ones "discriminated against."

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Not content with the status quo, certain ones from the discriminated group spoke up, arguing their case. When the issue reached the apostles, they wisely appointed a task force of responsible Christian men to squash any discriminatory behavior. (Acts 6:3-6) Should similar situations arise again within the future Christian community, responsible elders could use this incident (and how it was handled) as an instructional template for resolution.--Romans 15:4.

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Position of Prejudice: As quoted in Part 1, the July 1, 2011, issue of The Watchtower states: "If we are honest with ourselves, we may realize that we are inclined to feel at least a little superior, or perhaps inferior, to people of another race." It should be noted, however, that if a racist White man is the janitor, that's one thing; if he's the general manager, that's quite another. While this is not to suggest that all White men in responsible positions are racists, the fact remains that the overwhelming majority of CEOs in Fortune 500 companies are White men.

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Africa in the "Black"-ground: In the August 1, 2011, Watchtower, Africa is credited with an ingenious invention, but obscurely so. Besides using the sundial, ancient Jews used the clepsydra or "water clock" to tell time on cloudy days and at night. "Besides the Jews," says The Watchtower, "the ancient Egyptians, Persians, Greeks, and Romans also used this device. According to The Jewish Encyclopedia, both the Mishnah and the Talmud mention the clepsydra." Tucked away in these revelatory statements is the fact that Africans ("the ancient Egyptians") came up with the clepsydra, and other cultures adopted it.

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Conclusion: Despite shades of gray, MJ loved everybody, every day. Peace and blessings to all. Amen.

[Brigitte 58]

Was Michael Jackson "Spirit-Directed"?

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Struggling with Scripture

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(Part 1 of 4)

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by Firpo Carr

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The Firpo Files

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June 9-15, 2011

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As angelically beautiful as Michael Joseph Jackson was in doing all he did in behalf people of all races everywhere, he would've been the first tell you he wasn't a messianic figure with special inspiration from God. There are millions of fans, however, who would respectfully disagree with the out-of-this-world Moonwalker. Whatever the case, "God is not unrighteous so as to forget your work and the love you showed for his name." (Hebrews 6:10, New World Translation) But MJ struggled with how the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses sees itself. While it states emphatically that it's neither inspired nor infallible, it does claim to be "spirit-directed."
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"God's Spirit-Directed Organization"?: About 22 times since 1980 the Watchtower magazine and other Witness publications have used the expression "spirit-directed organization" with reference to Jehovah's Witnesses. In plain language, this is ultimately understood to mean that seven men making up the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses are directed by God's holy spirit. But, interestingly, some have noted that the term "spirit-directed" has never been clearly defined in Witness literature. Further, one would be hard-pressed to find a Scriptural basis for the term.

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Others are troubled, however, that the Governing Body equates "spirit-directed" with inspiration and infallibility.

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The Fuss over Afflatus: The basic meaning of afflatus is "divine inspiration." The Governing Body renounces the thought of being ‘divinely inspired.' The council describes itself thusly: "The Governing Body consists of a group of anointed Christian men...These preside over the worldwide activities of Jehovah's Witnesses. They are not inspired by God and hence are not infallible." (Jehovah's Witnesses--Unitedly Doing God's Will Worldwide, 1986) So it's plain that it doesn't claim inspiration or infallibility. What about the average Witness?

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"In most ways Jehovah's Witnesses are like everyone else. They have normal problems--economic, physical, emotional. They make mistakes at times, for they are not perfect, inspired, or infallible." (Jehovah's Witnesses--Who Are They? What Do They Believe?, 2000) So your typical everyday Witness isn't inspired or infallible either. What about Witness literature? "Jehovah's Witnesses today recognize the Watchtower magazine and kindred publications to be the ones used by the faithful and discreet slave to dispense spiritual food. They do not claim that this slave class is infallible." (Jehovah's Witnesses--Proclaimers of God's Kingdom, 1993) The Governing Body represents a small group of Witnesses slated for heaven who, along with the Body, comprises the composite "faithful and discreet slave" (or "slave class") of one of Jesus' parables. (Matthew 24:45, NWT) So, what's all the fuss?

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A Proclamation of Inspiration?: "Out of one corner of their mouth they say they're not inspired; but out of the other they say they are," complains "Rodney." What he's saying is that the Body believes what they write is in reality INSPIRED--it just uses what "Tristan" calls the "unscriptural" term "spirit-directed" instead. Concerned ones who sympathize with Rodney note some rather interesting references in Witness publications.

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For example, of the first-century "apostles and older men" (who the Witnesses identify as the "governing body" of that period), the Governing Body speaks of the "spirit-directed decree of the apostles and older men" (Watchtower, March 15, 1986); "spirit-directed body [that] ruled on doctrinal questions in the first century" (Watchtower, September 1, 1986); "spirit-directed decision of the governing body on circumcision." (Watchtower, September 15, 1972) The Body also professes that the "deliberations ["of the apostles and elders at Jerusalem"] were spirit-directed" (Watchtower, May 15, 1986); and that the apostles wrote "a spirit-directed letter" (Watchtower, February 15, 1979). Perhaps most telling to some is the mention of "the spirit-directed words of Jesus Christ" (Watchtower, May 15, 2003). [Emphasis added.]

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There is also the "spirit-directed counsel that Paul wrote" (Watchtower, March 1, 1972); and the "spirit-directed counsel" found in the Bible (Watchtower, January 1, 1968). [Emphasis added.] "Carol" asserts: "But what the apostles and older men at Jerusalem wrote was inspired. The message transmitted from Jehovah to Jesus to an angel to John was INSPIRED!"

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The Governing Body says that the apostles and "older men were not infallible" (United in Worship of the Only True God, 1983; see also Worship the Only True God (2002), p. 131, par. 9; and The Watchtower, June 15, 2008, p. 21, par. 15). "Don't you see what they're saying?," laments Jerry. "GB members today are infallible too. But what they write--like the apostles and elders--is INSPIRED, as far as they're concerned!" A fair assessment? Stay tuned for Part 2!

[Brigitte 58]

The Gloved One Gives a Grade

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What did he think of the Governing Body?

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(Part 3 of 4)

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by Firpo Carr

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The Firpo Files

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June 23-30, 2011

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Michael Joseph Jackson was not shy about saying how he felt about leaders among Jehovah's Witnesses. All one has to do is read the chapter, "Jehovah's Witnesses Years and Religion" in the book The Michael Jackson Tapes (2009) by Rabbi Shmuley Boteach. Some of the subheadings in the chapter are quite intriguing: "Did Michael See Himself as God's Chosen? Did He Have Special Healing Powers?," "Racism, Religion, and Anti-Semitism," "Feeling Godlike, Connecting to the Divine," and, "Rejection by the Jehovah's Witnesses Church." Given all these subheadings, the Gloved One only spoke specifically about local congregation elders. He never explicitly discussed the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses on the tapes. So, how did he feel about the Governing Body?
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Homework: As detailed in Part 2 of this series, the ancient Beroeans performed a full ‘body scan' of the apostles and older men in Jerusalem--the first-century governing body--as represented by Paul and Silas. (Acts 17:11; 13:1-3; 15:1-16:5; Galatians 1:13-2:14) Irrespective of how the highest administrative body of Jehovah's Witnesses may feel about it, many Witnesses (and non-Witnesses alike) are quietly doing their homework, and are issuing grades on Governing Body decisions in the spirit of 1 John 4:1.

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Commentator Albert Barnes provides this critique of 1 John 4:1: "The true and the false teachers of religion alike claimed to be under the influence of the Spirit of God, and it was of importance that all such pretensions should be examined. It was not to be admitted because anyone claimed to have been sent from God that therefore he was sent. Every such claim should be subjected to the proper proof before it was conceded. All pretensions to divine inspiration, or to being authorised teachers of religion, were to be examined by the proper tests, because there were many false and delusive teachers who set up such claims in the world."

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Wayward Students?: As teachers of Jehovah's Witnesses, some of the faithful claim Governing Body members may not take too kindly to congregants discovering and disseminating Scriptural truths before they do. This is unofficially labeled "running ahead." But, one "wayward" student asks: "Can I truly outrun God's ‘spirit-directed' organization? Does God's spirit sometimes lead his earthly organization in the wrong direction?" The answer is no. The Bible is available to the world for study, and any who lives by it is led by His spirit.

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The Governing Body, too, is "spirit-directed" when it allows God's inspired Word to direct it. When it doesn't--which happens on occasion--it isn't "spirit-directed" for that moment in time. God's perfect spirit never misleads or misdirects anyone. Neither do the faithful seriously question the collective motive of the Governing Body. Bible students know that the Governing Body is capable of mistakenly drawing the wrong conclusion on Scripture, or arriving at an incorrect understanding of it. Congregants recognize that a group of imperfect men--no matter how well intentioned-will at times make imperfect decisions. Quoting Scripture isn't enough.

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"Convincing Evidence": Acts 1:3 speaks of "positive proofs" in connection with Jesus' resurrection. The word for "proofs" is related to the English word "token." It is "properly, a marker (sign-post) supplying indisputable information, ‘marking something off' as unmistakable (irrefutable)" and "is akin to tekmor a ‘fixed boundary, goal, end'; hence fixed or sure," says one source. The Governing Body should not be held to this standard. However, when making a Scriptural point, there is an expectation of "convincing evidence" or ‘arguments.' (Hebrews 11:1, New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures--With References, footnote) Truth is not automatically innate within the Governing Body itself. Believe when scripturally convincing arguments are made, some observers affirm. This seems reasonable.

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Though Jehovah used Moses, the priests, and Levites, the Israelites weren't to believe these leaders based solely on their organizational status. Instead, Moses was directed to record "all the words of this law, making them quite clear," and to encourage Israel to "carry out his commandments and his regulations." (Deuteronomy 27:8-10; NWT) GOD'S "words," "commandments" and "regulations" were to be made "quite clear"!

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Final Grade: Frankly, the Governing Body received a few "needs improvement" on Michael's report card, but still received a very good overall grade. In this regard, two questions have been asked and answered: "Is Jehovah's organization ever wrong?" Yes. "But is it ever the wrong organization?" Michael would say no. That's why he never joined another. Up next, Part 4!

[Brigitte 58]

Did he think the Governing Body was?

Was Michael Joseph Jackson inspired by God? If by "inspired" you mean like Bible writers, absolutely not. He'd tell you that himself if he were here. Was he inspired by life to give the world a brightness it sorely lacked? Most definitely! Did the Gloved One think the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses was inspired in the same way as ancient writers of the Bible were? Certainly not! In fact, he felt that the message found in Witness literature (or any literature claiming to reflect the teachings of the Bible), should be measured against what the Bible itself says. This is precisely what the Beroeans did in the first century.

Assessing an Apostle: Although there were other "apostles" selected after the death of Jesus Christ, Paul was the only one handpicked by the resurrected Lord--in dramatic fashion at that--to serve in that capacity. (Acts 1:23-26; 9:3-8; 13:1-4; 14:4, 14; 20:24; 22:6-11; 26:12-18; 1 Corinthians 9:4-6) When he and Silas preached as God's representatives to Jews in the ancient city of Beroea, the Beroeans--who already worshipped God--"searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth." (Acts 17:11, New Living Translation) Irrespective of Paul's extraordinary background as a divinely chosen apostle, the Beroeans checked the Bible "day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth"! These daily checks were labor intensive.

The Beroeans didn't have the Bible in book form as we do today. They had Old Testament or Hebrew Bible scrolls of various sizes and weights, some of them heavy and bulky, and none of them containing chapter and verse divisions. After work, they poured over the writings, either by daylight or lamplight, tediously searching for quotes referenced by Paul and Silas. Then, they'd go home; eat; fall asleep; wake up the next day; and at some point repeat the process all over again--"day after day"--for who knows how long. Why? "To see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth"!

Commendably, there is no indication that Paul took umbrage with the Beroeans as they validated the truth of his words. He didn't take it personally; neither did it matter to him that he did more than all the other apostles--and that he possessed the God-given ability to resurrect. (1 Corinthians 15:9-11; Acts 20:7-12) If the apostle Paul got checked, Michael felt today's Governing Body certainly isn't above scrutiny. The Gloved One reasoned that only good can come from such an examination. Indeed, in the case of the Beroeans, not only did Jews convert to Christianity, but so did a number of "reputable" Greek women and men. (Acts 17:12, New World Translation) Be that as it may, this begs the question: Did they still search the Scriptures "day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth" AFTER becoming Christians?

They did if they followed Paul's inspired admonition to all spirit-anointed Christians found at 1 Thessalonians 5:21 where it says to "test everything that is said" (NLT); or, "examine everything carefully" (International Standard Version); or, simply stated, "prove everything." (King James Version) This was in perpetuity, for Paul later encouraged anointed Christians in Corinth: "Keep testing whether you are in the faith. Keep proving what you yourselves are." (2 Corinthians 13:5, NWT) In the spirit of spiritual testing a sincere apostle Paul wrote: "As you test yourselves, I hope you will recognize that we have not failed the test of apostolic authority." (2 Corinthians 13:5, 6, NLT) First-century Christian leaders welcomed close scrutiny; and, significantly, the last apostle encouraged it.

Testing the "Inspired Expression": Frankly and pointedly, decades after Paul wrote what he did on the matter, the inspired apostle John cautioned: "Do not believe every inspired expression." And, regardless of the source, he commanded Christians to "test the inspired expressions to see whether they originate with God." (1 John 4:1, NWT) How? By doing as the Beroeans did; by measuring any message supposedly originating from God against "the pattern of healthful words," the totality of his universal, infallible, Word of Truth, the Holy Bible.--1 Timothy 1:13, NWT.

In short, Michael felt that his personal relationship with Jehovah was not predicated on how the Governing Body viewed him. "They didn't hire me," he said in effect, "so they can't fire me." (John 6:44) Still, the Governing Body has done incomparable good. But, does it make the grade? Part 3 comes next!
MJ & the "faithful slave"

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When slaves become kings

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(Part 4 of 4)

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by Firpo Carr

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The Firpo Files

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July 7-13, 2011

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As stated in Part 1, "The Governing Body represents a small group of Witnesses slated for heaven who, along with the Body, comprises the composite ‘faithful and discreet slave' (or ‘slave class') of one of Jesus' parables. (Matthew 24:45, NWT)" Interestingly, Witnesses of all races with heavenly expectations accept the Bible's characterization of them as "slaves" of God and Christ. (Romans 6:22; 7:14; Philippians 1:1) But, Paul wrote that anointed Christians with heavenly hopes who were slaves under the Roman system should "take advantage of the opportunity" to be free. (1 Corinthians 7:21, International Standard Version) After all, who wants to be enslaved by another human?

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The Savagery of Slavery: "And one who kidnaps a man and who actually sells him or in whose hand he has been found is to be put to death without fail." (Exodus 21:16; 1 Timothy 1:10, NWT) If such slave-making happened during the African slave trade and before, Arabic, African, and European slave traders would have been put to death according to Jehovah's law. Famed 19th-century abolitionist preacher Nat Turner, who was also a slave, took it upon himself to extend the death penalty down to his day.

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Author Stephen B. Oates in his book The Fires of Jubilee (1975) writes: "By signs in the heavens would Jehovah show Nat when to commence his great work, whereupon ‘I should arise and prepare myself, and slay my enemies with their own weapons.'" Indeed, Nat Turner went from plantation to plantation slaying White slave masters and their families. "Mere oppression may make a wise one act crazy." (Ecclesiastes 7:7) While Bible commentator Albert Barnes notes that "slavery is...always evil, and only evil" when commenting on "kidnappers" at 1 Timothy 1:10, freedom could be obtained without "violence and bloodshed." He goes on to expound:

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"It would not teach the slave to rise on his master, and imbrue his hands in his blood; to break up the relations of society by violence; or to dishonor his religion by the indulgence of the feelings of revenge and by murder....Avail yourselves of the privilege if you can, and be a freeman. There are disadvantages attending the condition era slave, and if you can escape from them in a proper manner, it is your privilege and your duty to do it. The apostle does not speak of insurrection, and the whole scope of the passage is against an attempt on their part to obtain freedom by force and violence." The same inspired apostle Paul outlined an amazing transformation that would change anointed Christian slaves of God, Christ, or men into royalty. How could that be?

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A New Creation!: Even as slaves of God and/or man, spirit-anointed Christians became God's new creation, as it were. Unlike God's faithful servants found in what is commonly called the Old Testament, this new creation that was to be manifested in the future was destined for heaven. The psalmist proclaimed: "This is written for the future generation; and the people that is to be created will praise Jah." (Psalms 102:18) Paul later penned: "For neither is circumcision anything nor is uncircumcision, but a new creation is something. And all those who will walk orderly by this rule of conduct, upon them be peace and mercy, even upon the Israel of God." (Galatians 6:15, 16) "Consequently if anyone is in union with Christ, he is a new creation; the old things passed away, look! new things have come into existence." (2 Corinthians 5:17) "For he is not a Jew who is one on the outside, nor is circumcision that which is on the outside upon the flesh. But he is a Jew who is one on the inside, and his circumcision is that of the heart by spirit, and not by a written code." (Romans 2:28, 29) Whether Jew or Gentile one could become part of that "new creation."

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Slaves Become Kings: To those Christian slaves who comprised the "new creation" Paul wrote that "if we go on enduring, we shall also rule together as kings." (2 Timothy 2:12) For an impatient few the faithful apostle asked: "You have begun ruling as kings without us, have you?" (1 Corinthians 4:8) The full number of kings tallied 144,000 who would lovingly rule over an unnumbered "great crowd" of mankind. (Revelation 6:11; 7:4, 9; 14:1, 3) This is what MJ believed. Ask JWs for more details. In the meantime, peace and blessings to all. Amen.

Article in additional 33 languages

[Brigitte 58]

The King of Pop & "Carmageddon"

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Is mankind being driven to "the end"?

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by Firpo Carr

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The Firpo Files

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July 14-20, 2011

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In case you haven't heard, before the name "Carmageddon" was associated with Los Angeles' infamous "4-or-5-hour freeway"--officially known as the 405 freeway-- Carmageddon the video game, released in 1997, was "the first of a series of graphically violent vehicular combat video games," and "was inspired by the 1975 cult classic movie Death Race 2000," so says Wikipedia. And as much as you and I may love and respect the Supercool King of Pop--the inimitable Moonwalker; that ever glowing Gloved One--it is a little-known fact that he was a terrible driver.

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For those around Michael at the time, who years ago lived just a few miles away from the 405 ground-zero construction this past weekend, it was "Carmageddon" whenever he got behind the wheel! The guy didn't know how to drive. Brother-in-law Nathaniel Brown, who owned a driving school, finally taught the Gloved One to get a grip on driving. Whew! But what did Michael think about the real Armageddon, from which the word "Carmageddon" was derived?

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"Carmageddon" in California: The reason that the weekend closure of the 405 freeway to dismantle half a bridge made world news is mainly because it is the busiest freeway in the United States. Prior to "Carmageddon" National Public Radio (NPR) wrote: "With some predicting there will be ‘carmageddon' when 10 miles of the 405 Freeway in Los Angeles are shut down from the evening of Friday, July 15 until 5 a.m. local time on Monday the 18th, the Los Angeles Police Department is reaching out for help in urging folks to avoid the area. Officials are asking ‘celebrities with large Twitter followings' to spread the word, the Los Angeles Times reports. According to the newspaper: ‘The LAPD said it is making contact with representatives for Lady Gaga (nearly 11.3 million followers), Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore (7 million and 3.7 million respectively) and Kim Kardashian (8 million followers). None of the celebrities have sent out warning tweets yet, but officials hope they will do so closer to the closure dates.'

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The Movie: The movie Armageddon (1998) starring Bruce Willis captured the attention and imagination of millions. "There seems to be no shortage of end-of-the-world scenarios," says the March 1, 2011, issue of The Watchtower. "Books, movies, and magazines, ranging from the comic to the scientific, portray an assortment of doomsday catastrophes. They include annihilation by nuclear war, asteroid collision, deadly virus, runaway climate change, or invaders from outer space." But what about the Biblical Armageddon?

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Authentic Armageddon: Revelation (or Apocalypse) 16:14, 16 equates Armageddon with "the war of the great day of God Almighty," and the worldwide monumental devastation of the real Armageddon will transcend by far the overblown inconvenience of a weekend "Carmageddon" in Los Angeles. But like most Biblical wars, only God's enemies are targeted. "Consider an illustration," encourages the above Watchtower. "Suppose you owned a beautiful home and allowed people to live in it for free. Some of the tenants lived peaceably with one another and took good care of your home. Others, however, made nothing but trouble, fought with one another, and abused the good tenants. They damaged your property and stubbornly refused to respond to your efforts to stop them. What would you do to correct matters? Would you destroy your home? Not likely. You would probably evict the bad tenants and repair what damage had been done.

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"Jehovah will act in a similar manner. He inspired the psalmist to write: ‘Evildoers themselves will be cut off, but those hoping in Jehovah are the ones that will possess the earth. And just a little while longer, and the wicked one will be no more; and you will certainly give attention to his place, and he will not be. But the meek ones themselves will possess the earth, and they will indeed find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace.'--Psalm 37:9-11."

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Conclusion: They're already calling the removal of the second half of the bridge next summer "Carmageddon II," conveniently after the follow-up video game Carmageddon II: Carpocalypse Now (1998). Interestingly, according to Apocalypse (Revelation), Satan will be defeated once at Armageddon, then again a short while after the end of a 1,000-year period of earthly restoration. (Revelation 20:1-15) Several years before Michael was born Jehovah's Witnesses published the book You May Survive Armageddon Into God's New World (1955). MJ loved books like this. And, yes, you may survive the real Armageddon. Peace and blessings to all. Amen.bahnhof-erfurt.jpg

[Brigitte 58]

The Jackson Journal

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The most popular ever

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by Firpo Carr

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The Firpo Files

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July 21-27, 2011

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No, Michael Joseph Jackson hasn't left a secret tell-all journal with me. True, he told me some secrets; but he didn't leave a journal (at least not with me!) He did, however, have a favorite journal that is an internationally famous magazine. And while he thoroughly enjoyed the likes of Ebony, Essence, Jet, Black Enterprise, and other magazines of varying genres, one of his favorites was a magazine now published in a staggering 188 languages, with a phenomenal printing of over 42 million copies per issue. Yes, until the day he died Michael enjoyed reading The Watchtower magazine, as well as other Bible-based publications produced in some 560 languages by the Watch Tower Society.

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I have several times chronicled the prodigious nature of Watchtower printing operations in this column. But, it seems that before the ink dries they've added several more languages! No other political, religious, educational, or secular organization comes close to the numbers above; neither Google or Wikipedia, nor the Catholic Church or United Nations. Absolutely no one. These facts and figures would have been out of this world to the Moonwalker, who loved being on the leading edge of everything!

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Let's take a brief tour through the pages of the October 15, 2011, Watchtower. I'll pick two or three random points from an assortment of subjects that I think would have interested my dear friend, Michael Joseph Jackson.

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The "Last Days": Pestilence & Prosperity: "Reflect, for example, on what Jesus foretold about ‘pestilences and food shortages.' (Luke 21:11) First, he did not say that these would affect all areas simultaneously or to the same degree. Rather, he stated that these would occur ‘in one place after another.' So we cannot expect the same events everywhere at the same time. Second, shortly after mentioning food shortages, Jesus indicated that some of his followers would have to be alert not to overeat: ‘Pay attention to yourselves that your hearts never become weighed down with overeating.' (Luke 21:34) Thus, all Christians should not expect to experience every aspect of the sign. Rather, Jesus stated: ‘When you see these things occurring, know that the kingdom of God is near.' (Luke 21:31) Modern communication allows us to see all aspects of the sign, no matter what we personally experience in our locality."

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"Jesus admonished Christians everywhere: ‘Prove yourselves ready.' (Matt. 24:44) We should always be ready. Of course, we cannot engage in theocratic activities all day long every day. Besides, none of us know what we will be doing the moment the great tribulation begins. Some may be working in a field or caring for domestic chores."

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Indeed, such a conclusion is in harmony with the following translation of Jesus' words: "During this time two men will be at work. One will be taken along by recognizable truth and thereafter act on it while the other will be content with the status quo and abandoned to his daily way of living. While two women engage in domestic work one will be taken along by recognizable truth and thereafter act on it while the other will be content with the status quo and abandoned to her daily way of living. Stay alert, therefore, because you don't know the day your Lord will suddenly appear." (Matt. 24:40-42, Carr's Christian Bible) The point? Always live as much of a godly life as you possibly can. That's what it means to "stay alert."

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Where to Sit?: Of hypocritical religious leaders in his day Jesus warned that they like "the front seats in the synagogues." (Matthew 23:6, New World Translation) Some Witnesses have apparently taken this very seriously and completely avoid "the front seats." However, The Watchtower notes that "Some have found that sitting near the front of the auditorium is helpful," since there are fewer distractions and concentration is easier.

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Governing Body Humility: Does the Governing Body have all the answers? "Of course, there are some topics and scriptures that our publications have not specifically addressed. And even where we have commented on a particular Bible text, we may not have dealt with the specific question that you have in mind. Also, some Bible accounts raise questions because not all the details are spelled out in the Scriptures. ... Neither the branch office nor world headquarters is in a position to analyze and answer all such questions that have not been considered in our literature." Even so, it was still Jackson's journal. Peace and blessings to all. Amen.

[Brigitte 58]

The Gloved One & White Gangs?

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Putting the Crips & Bloods to Shame!

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by Firpo Carr

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The Firpo Files

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July 28, 2011 - August 3, 2011

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In his Bad video (1987) Michael Joseph Jackson featured rival street gangs. And having lived in Los Angeles, he was quite familiar with the Crips and Bloods--two rival African American gangs. Even in his Black Or White video (1991) he spoke of a "turf war on a global scale." But he never went into detail as to the differences and similarities between rival European "gangs"--the Protestants and Catholics of Northern Ireland--and rival African American gangs--the Crips and Bloods. Note these quotes from one college textbook.

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"Cycle of Violence": "By the end of the 1960s, the Catholic minority was under increasing pressure and assault from Protestant gangs. Catholic enclaves had to be protected from Protestant gangs who were burning, shooting, and bombing Catholic housing districts." "The endless cycle of violence--tit-for-tat killings and bombing--that has typified Northern Ireland life for more than a quarter of century, can be laid squarely at the doorsteps of both Protestant and Catholic paramilitaries."

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Civil Rights Marches: "In October 1968, the newly formed Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association organized a march in Londonberry to show its strength and its frustration at the discrimination by the Protestant majority. The Catholic minority in the North, probably in copycat fashion of the civil rights marches in the United States led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., started marching for better access to jobs, housing and a fairer share of the economy."

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"Rioting broke out in the summer of 1969, and the British government sent troops in to restore order. ... In the thirty-plus years of ‘The Troubles,' more than 3,000 people on both sides of the religious divide have been killed." Now, this figure can be misleading. When compared to the population of the United States, the resulting death toll would exceed 600,000. That rivals the number of Americans killed in the Civil War!

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The Reverend: The Reverend Ian Paisley--to some--is the rough equivalent of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. "Ian Paisley has been the charismatic face of [one faction's] reaction to [the other's]." The book goes on to say, "As the vocal and popular face of the ... movement, he was often sentenced for unlawful assembly as he conducted marches and protests around the province."

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Police Brutality: "The first Catholic to die in the ‘Troubles' was a teenager who was struck on the head by a member of the [local police] during street demonstrations and violence on July 14, 1968. Religion and discrimination have been the battleground, stemming from centuries of social injustice."

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Different Sets of the Same Gang: In Northern Ireland, who would the different equivalent "Crip" factions be? The Red Hand Commandos, The Ulster Freedom Fighters, The Ulster Volunteer Force, and The Ulster Defense Association. What about the "Blood" factions? The Irish Republican Army, The Irish National Liberation Army, The Irish Peoples Liberation Organization, Cumann na mBan (the women's wing of the IRA), and Saor Eire (Free Ireland).

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Are criminal activities in the ghetto in the mix? "In those early days, there was a real struggle for supremacy in the housing districts [or projects] and ghettos of West Belfast. The feuding was partly ideological and partly material in that they were fighting for control of the criminal rackets in Belfast and Londonberry."

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Violence at Funerals: In the movie Colors (1988) one gang was attacked by another while attending the funeral of one of their "homies." Has that happened with White gangs? "At the funeral of the three dead [gang members] at Milltown Cemetery, with the world's press watching, a man approached the gathering from the road and began to hurl grenades at the assembled [rival gang members]." The result? "Mayhem."

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Community Policing: "The challenge for the police service in the North was how it could be accountable to the community it serves."

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Commission Reports: "In 1998, the British government appointed the former Governor of Hong Kong, Chris Patten, to head the Independent Commission on Policing in Northern Ireland. The Commission's report made 175 recommendations for change. When the recommendations were presented, the [community group] was adamant that the only way forward for the Peace Accord was a full implementation of all the recommendations."

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We're not that different after all. As MJ put it, it doesn't matter if you're Black or White. So don't live your life being a color. Peace and blessings to all--including my brothers on both sides in Northern Ireland and Los Angeles. Amen.

[Brigitte 58]

Muting Emotional Murray

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Tears flow, tears rip

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by Firpo Carr

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The Firpo Files

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Sentinel September 29 - October 5, 2011

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The Los Angeles trial of Dr. Conrad Murray finally got underway this past Tuesday. Murray is being tried for involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of Michael Joseph Jackson on June 25, 2009. The salty tears that welled up in Murray's eyes during the defense's opening statement had little medicinal value in soothing the torn hearts of Jackson family members and fans the world over.

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The prosecution came out swinging, landing hard-hitting body blows in the process, but the defense countered with a few well-placed jabs itself, or did it? Does it matter that Dr. Arnold Klein got Michael hooked on Demerol as the defense charges? Does it really make a difference that Michael may have died at his own hands as the defense alleges?

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Deadly Defense: To say that the defense has gotten off on the wrong foot would be the understatement of the year. It has shot itself in one foot and has put the other foot in its mouth--all this after painting itself into a corner. How so? Well, they will argue that Dr. Klein addicted Michael to Demerol. So, the secret's out. Michael was an addict, and it tore another hole in my heart to hear a tape of his slurred, almost indescribable voice. That's not the Michael I remember, and I promised myself that I won't ever listen to it again.

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In any event, the defense says the evidence will show that Michael swallowed eight two-milligram pills of Lorazepam (which ostensibly explains why he had four times the amount Lorazepam in his stomach than in his veins), and that he self-injected what turned out to be a lethal dose of Propofol that effectively created a "perfect storm" that killed him immediately.

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The question is, If Murray knew that Michael was an addict, why would he leave potentially lethal drugs in a place so easily accessible to a known addict, and then conveniently leave the room for a restroom break? You don't have to be from "the ‘hood" to know that if you leave drugs in front of an addict desperately seeking a fix, he'll take them in the blink of an eye.

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Plausible Deniability: If you leave alcohol easily accessible to an alcoholic who has no immediate plans to embark on the road to recovery, you can bet he'll indulge himself. And, speaking of betting, if you leave money lying around when a chronic gambler has depleted her stash, you can believe she'll take it. If you leave a carton of cigarettes out in front of a pack-a-day smoker who ran out of the cancer sticks and has no intention of quitting, rest assured he'll be fired up in no time.

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Leaving the drugs where Michael could get them was analogous to the situation in one of sister Janet's songs: the moth was led to the flame, one lit by Dr. Conrad Murray. What better way to claim plausible deniability? "I didn't shoot Michael up with drugs that killed him," Murray could claim. "Nor did I shove pills down his throat!" Yea, but you put the needle and pills in front of him, then left the room. What did you think he would do with them?

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If, in fact, there was no intent to kill Michael on Murray's part, then the correct charge is criminal negligence, which is at the center of involuntary manslaughter.

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Inexcusable Excuses: The defense will attempt to "humanize" Murray. Brilliant strategy. We already know he's human. He's the human who killed Michael Jackson. The defense says we're all imperfect. True. However, we're not all trained physicians who took the Hippocratic Oath.

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Here's a sampling of two other excuses Murray's team will use. They amount to nothing less than a collective red herring. My responses follow: Excuse (1): ‘Murray treated Michael for a toe fungus.' Response: Oh, why didn't he say this in the first place? That explains everything. Excuse (2): Murray said he sat and watched Michael and left the room "only when I felt comfortable." Response: What exactly made him feel comfortable enough to leave? It seems to me that you would have left when you felt the growing discomfort in your bladder that signals you have to go.

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Excuse (3): The defense says when Murray left the room "there was zero Propofol in his [Michael's] system." Response: So a "perfect storm" of other drugs, negligently made accessible, killed Michael when administered. Note to Murray: What you're doing is speaking so loudly we can't hear what you're saying. Stay tuned.

[Christine3110]

Note to Murray: What you're doing is speaking so loudly we can't hear what you're saying.


Deine Taten dröhnen so laut...wir können nicht hören was du sagst...Conrad Murray.