CUL:World Religions Examined - In the Light of the Bible  by Bob Bevington

   Hinduism

   Hinduism is the religion of India, thought to have originated 4,000
years ago in the Indus River valley of northwest India. The names
Hindustan, Hindi and India all have the same root. This pantheistic
religion had no single founder nor has it a governing body or any
assemplance of ecclesiatical organization. The oldest writings of Hindu
literature are called the Vedas (divine knowledge). The best known
Hindu writings, the Upanishads, written in an unsystematic manner
relating the fundamentals of Hindu philosophy. The main theme of the
Upanishads is that the Soul (Atman) and Brahman (Reality or God) are
one and the same.

   The dominant personalities of Hinduism would include Sankara
(788-820) who wrote commentary on the Upanishads, Ramanuja (1050-1137
A.D. who taught that souls are delivered from the cycle of birth and
rebirth by their devotion to Brahman, and that they are redeemed not by
merger with One but by enjoying communion with him, and Ramakrishna
(1834-1886) who carried the thinking of Hinduism beyond the borders of
India. In modern times the most famous Hindu, often called the father
of his country was Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi wrote, "In spite of my being
a staunch Hindu, I find room in my faith for Christian and Islamic and
Zororastrian teaching and therefore my Hinduism seems to some to be a
conglomeration. Mine is a broad faith which does not oppose Christians.
It is a faith based on the broadest possible toleration." He went on to
say that he did not regard God as a person as Christians do. To Gandhi
taught is God. And as to the person of Jesus Christ he wrote" "Jesus
was a great teacher of humanity but that is all." He could not accept
Him as the eternal son of God. He was very much irritated by the
evangelizing work of Christian missionaries in India and said that if
he had power to legislate, he would outlaw all this "proselytizing."

   Brahman, the Godhead, the infinite center of life is found hidden in
self (Atman). The intellectual Hindu sees life in four areas. 1-Body
2-Personaliutyu 3-Subconscious mind 4-Atman-Brahman. Man's problem,
says the Hindu, is to clear the dross of his being to the point where
his infinite center will be fully manifest.

   We are told that man lives on the brink of the ocean of life's
creative power, carrying it within us. The infinite is down in the
deepest vault of our being, waiting to be tapped as a reservoir of
satisfaction for mans"s deepest needs. Hinduism's agency for reaching
out to man's fullest nature is YOGA. The word means literally, yoke, or
to place under discipline. The object is to yoke man's spirit with God.
He is to become divine while still on earth is the quest that has
inspired the Hindu throught the ages.

   Hinduism's analyses has concluded that there are four types of
persons on earth. Some are reflective, others are emotional. Still
others are basically active, and a fourth type could be called
empirical or experimental. Each one of there types has its own yoga.
Jnana yoga is suggested for intellectuals. It teaches that knowledge is
one path to God. Socrates and Buddha are given as examples of this type
of man. The second path to God, according to classical Hinduism, is
through love. This is called bhakti yoga. It is the type most commonly
practiced by Hindus. All a person need to do in this yoga is love God
dearly for love's sake alone. How does the Hindu propose to foster this
love? First, by the practice of repeating the name of God. Then by
worshiping God in the form of one's chosen ideal. They believe that God
is represented in countless forms, but can best be worshiped by
manifesting love for one of his humankind incarnations. Many Hindus
term Christ as such as god-man while holding that others like Rams,
Krishna, and Buddha are similar examples. A third path to God,
especially suited to the active person, is work. And those who follow
this route are advised to throw themselves into the workaday world with
all the energy at their command. The fourth path to God is through
psychological experiment called raja yoga, appealing to those with
scientific inclination. Experimentation in the form of certain mental
exercises, and observing the effects on their spiritual contidion, is
thought to bring them eventually to God.

   The Bhagvad-Gita (Son of the Blessed One), Hinduism's classical
scriptures, summarizes the religion this way.

   'Some people realize that Atman thought contemplation. Some through
philosophy. Others by following the yoga of right action while others
worship God as their teachers have taught them.''

   These distinctives imply that people of varying natures should
occupy different roles in the social order. On this ground the cast
system came into being.

   India's casts fall primarily into four groups:

   1- the seers

   2- the administrators

   3- the producers

   4- the followers

   Before long another group appeared, the "outcasts" or untouchables
as they came to be called. The Brhmins, intellectual and spiritual
comprise the first group. The governmental leaders at all levels, the
second group. Craftsmen and farmer formed the third caste while the
masses, unskilled laborers comprised the fourth.

   Intellectual Hinduism's and that practiced out in the villages
varied greatly. Brahma can be understood as either personal or
impersonal. As personal creator he is called BRAHMA. As preserver he is
called VISHNU and as destroyer he si known as SHIVA. If God is
conceived as impersonal, he is thought] of as standing above the
troubles and problems of man's world, much like the sun and the moon as
they carry out their functions, regardless of the impact that heat and
light make on the lives of men.

   According to Hinduism, souls, jivas enter the world mysteriously.
They take on the simplest forms of life but do not disintegrate at
death but rather pass on through a series of bodies, a process knows as
reincarnation. The Bhagavad-Gita says:

   "Worn out garments Are shed by the body: Worn out bodies Are shed by
the dweller."

   The soul follows a growth pattern from lower forms of life to
higher, eventually reaching the human level. If in the human arena the
person behaves blamelessly, he may eventually be reincarnated to the
highest status where he loses his identity with the All-One. However,
if he is guilty of misbehavior, he may be reborn into a lower station,
even all the way back to animalhood. This law of retribution know as
KARMA, has made Christian missionary work difficult among the Hindus
for they imagine that since Jesus Christ died such a painful death on
the cross, it must be in retribution of misdeeds of a past life.

   Often people ask, why do Hindus hold animals as cow and horses in
such esteem? The answer lies in their belief in reincarnation. They
believe that the souls of these animals will someday find their way
into the bodies of human beings. Therefore it would be cruel to
mistreat or kill such an animal.

   The great aim of life to a Hindu is to finally escape "the wheel of
existence" whereas our Christian faith holds forth the great promise of
eternal life as God's gift to men through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Hinduism looks forward to the final loss of personal identity whereas
our Christian faith looks to that day when we shall see our Saviour
face to face and be like Him forever.

   Buddhism

   Buddhism is an offshoot of Hinduism, originating in India 2500 years
ago under the inspiration and direction of Siddhartha Gautma. The word
Buddha mean "I am awake." When listeners asked this man his name, he
would reply, Buddha. He felt that while the rest of the world was
encased in the womb of sleep, he was "The awakened one."

   An aura of mystery surrounded his birth at at Benares, India, in 560
B.C. Born into a wealthy home the son of a feudal king and married to a
beautiful young lady, Yasodhara, at age sixteen, he seemed to have all
the requirements for a life of prestige and power. But before many
years passed pomp and wealth only left him with a feeling of emptiness
and at age 29 he set out in search for truth.

   Traveling on foot from one village to another, begging food, talking
with anyone who would listen, he explained what has come to be known as
Buddhism's "Four Noble Truths." First that existence involves
suffering. (Dukkha) Second, the cause of suffering is desire or thirst.
Elaborating, he often spoke of this for pleasure, prosperity, and
continued existence. Third, release from suffering can only be achieved
by the elimination of selfish craving. Fourth this craving can only be
eliminated by a middle path between asceticism and and self-indulgence
with Buddha called, "The Eightfold Path."

   The "Eightfold Path" meant the avoidance of excess and defeat. To
avoid suffering one needs right understanding, right-mindedness, right
speech, right action, right living, right effort, right attentiveness,
and right concentration. All of these were expounded at length by
Buddha and those who have become his followers. Commenting on right
behavior he warned, Do not kill. Do not steal. Do not lie. Do not be
unchaste. Do not drink intoxicants. Buddha's ideas on concentration
follow the line of Hinduism' raja yoga. And he instructed his followers
that they should follow the "Eightfold Path" if there were to
eventually reach NIRVANA. He never clearly spelled out just what
Nirvana meant, however. To some it meant passing out of human
individuality, compared to the blowing out of a flame. To them, it
meant a state of happiness and bliss, a state beyond pleasure and pain.

   Buddha seldom spoke of things metaphysical such as the origin of the
universe, the nature of God or the ultimate nature of man. He respected
the myriad "gods" of Hindu pantheism but taught no concept of God as
the ruler of the world.

   Following Buddha's death (480 B.C.) two schools of thought emerged,
MAHAYNA ("Big Raft") and HIINAYNA ("Little Raft") Buddhism. The later
group holds much closer to the original teachings of Buddha and
predominates in Southern and Southeastern Asia in countries such as
Burma, Viet Nam, Thialand, Laos, and Cambodia. Mahayana Buddhism
predominates in Korea, China, Japan and Tibet. Both school refer to
themselves as "rafts" or "ferries" carry men over the sea of life to
the shore of enlightenment. The Hinayanas take the view that Buddhism
is a full time job and that those who expect to reach Nirvana must
renounce the world and become monks. This school emphasizes the
individuality of men and teaches that salvation is by self-effort. It
knows only one type of prayer - meditation. The Mahayanas look upon man
as he is associated with others.l To them, Buddha is a world savior who
draws all creature to himself "by the rays of his jewel hands." "Big
Raft" Buddhism has exceeded "Little Raft" in size and influence.

   ZEN (meditation) BUDDHISM was developed in China in the 6th century
A.D. It expanded to Japan where today it has more than nine mission
adherents. In Zen Buddhism there is no dualism of Heaven and Hell,
natural and supernatural, God and man. Zenists believe that real truth
can not be expressed in words by can only be understood through an
"instant revelation" which they call a SATORI. This delightful
experience comes througt three means ZAZEN (seated meditation), KOAN,
(problems or puzzles that on the surface are senseless but provoke deep
thought) and SANZEN (private consultation of the student with his
teacher). The sartori is held before the monks as only the beginning of
new realism of withdrawal and aloofness from the world.

   Since Buddhism has no hierarchy or central organization, there is no
accurate way of knowing how many Buddhists there are in the world.
Guesses have placed the number from 200 to 500 million. Like
Christianity it has been missionary minded though concentrating most of
its effort in Asia. The Buddhist pagoda is a familiar sight in the
Orient, built to house sacred writings, images and charms and to serve
all sorts of social function. For children, the pagoda court serves as
a playground. It is also used for funerals, feast days, and memorial
services.

   Confucianism

   Named after a famous Chinese sage, this religion is peculiar in that
is has no creed, nor priesthood nor ecclesiastical organization.
Confucius, in Chinese, Kon fu' she us, was born in the province of
Shantung in 551 B.C. His name means "King the master." His father at
the age of seventy married a young girl of fifteen and Kung was their
only child. When just three years old, his father died and he was left
to be raised by his mother in virtual poverty. At 17 he was made
inspector of corn markets and took a wife two years later. Three
children were born to this union.

   From childhood Confucius showed signs of mental ability and by his
early twenties had opened a school which attracted a large following.
He believed the proper way to get ideas into common usage was through
public office. He felt given the right opportunity, he could reorder
Chinese society. Through a succession of political appointments Kung
rose to the position of Minister of Justice in the principality of Lu.
His administration was so successful, a noticeable change occurred in
the morals of the citizenry. He became the ideal of the people but the
object of hate by neighboring princes which finally lead to his
termination of political life. For thirteen years he trekked from
village to village, offering advice to whomever would receive it. There
were the most discouraging years of his life, both to himself and his
followers.

   At age 69 he returned to his native province whee he spent the final
five years of his life teaching and editing the writings of his
forefathers. Throughout his career he maintained that he authored
nothing original. "I communicate and do not invent. I have faith in
antiquity and correlate all my affection to its cause, " was the way he
put it.

   Confucius taught that "man was by nature good." He believed that a
people must first decide what values are most important to their
collective well-being and them, , by every device of education, drive
these moral values into the minds of the populace. As one of his
followers pointed out, "We believe in getting truth into people's minds
vby every possible mesna - temples, theattres, homes, oys, proverbs,
schools, history, and stories - until they become habits in daily life."

   Five concepts constitute the ideal society of Confucius. He called
them: Jen, Chun Tzu, Li, Te, and When. Jen is regarded as goodn3ess or
benevolence, a feeling fo nhumanity toward other aand a respect for
oneself. In public life he is courteous, kind, and unselfish Chun Tzu
is the attitude and action of a gentleman or manhood at its best. This
man, needing noghtin for himself , can give his all to others. He lives
to accomodate his fellow man. His speedh is clean and feede iof boast
and bulgarity. Confucius beleived that only as persons are transformed
into Chun-tzus can the world hope for peace.

   Li is ggenerally called propriety, of the proper way for things to
be done. It consisted of four parts.

   1- Rectifgicaiton of manes. Giveing discreet meaning to ever word
spoken or written.

   2- Doctrine or the Man. Avoiding extremes and keeping things in
proper balbance..

   3- brothTghe five Relationships: fathyer-son, elder brother or-
younger brother, husmand wife, elder friend - jounior friend, and
ruler-subject. He taught that father should vbe lovine sounds
reverential, elder brother and elder friend considerate, younger friend
deferential, rulers benevolent and subjects, loyal.

   4- attitudes towayre Age and Family.

   Ritual is alos a parrt of Li. When proper consideration is given to
the principles of Li, live will be automatically functionized. Every
step will follow a pre-arranged pattern.

   Te is a term usee to descrive the power by which people are ruled.
The chinese teacher mad eit clear that he did not refer primarily to
physical might but the power that developed from havbin t4eh consent
and trust of the people being governed.

   The final concept of Confucian therey is Wen. It emphasizes "the
arts of peace" rather than "the arets of war."

   He tazught this followers that the ultimate victory goes to the
state that developes the highest Wen (culture).

   As to Heaven, the teacher arrirmed that somewherr in the universe
ther3e awsw as power that was on the right side, . This supreme being
was know as Shang Ti. And his demand was the spread of righteousness.
Confucianists gtotay that that nature and manre are one and inseparable.

   Taoism

   Taoism, prounounced "Dowism," has exercet teemendous influence on
the chinese culture for more than twenty-ficve hundrred hyuears. OnOne
ouft of eveyr ten Chineses have to sme degree embraced this religtion.

   Li-=poy-yang, whose name was changee to Lao-Tze (Old Master) by his
followers, is reputed to be the founder of Taoism. He was born in 604
B.C. The revered textbook of the religion is the "Tao Teh Ching"
(Classic of the Way) compiles by Lao-Tze and given its name by him. Two
other men highly instrumental in early Taoism were Yang Chu and Chauang
Tzu.

   In the third century B.C. another philososphy was introduced into
Taoisme, the Yin Yang theory which affirmed that all beings aare
consitit7uted of two unoveesal energies. Yin (meanign dark, evil) and
Yang (meanign light, good).

   The word Tao means "The way." To Taoists, it means much more than
the way to Heasven. Tao to them measn the first primnciple of being, at
once eternal, immaterial and all-presnetm, that which guides the
destinies fo mena nd rules over the gods. No greater virtue is nkion
that Tao for Tao is befoer all things and superior to all things. This
religion teaches that before Heaven and Earth existed there was
something isolated, silent, standing alone, worthy to be the Mother of
all tyhings. Since it was nameless, "The Old Master" called it Tao. It
is at the same time matter, principle, self-existent, self-actin,
omniopersent, the Real One.

   Tao (the wWay) anet Teh (Virtue) are inseparable, according to
Taoist teaching. Teh is the moreal expression of Tao. It includes:

   1- love

   2- Never too much (moderation)

   3- Never be the frirst.

   The Taoists says that tghe real Tao can never be known, but a
propler way of livfgre can be. The philosophy ofgf achevement through
inacrtion bids the rulers make few laws at the ridk of making people
lawless. The following are Taoists philospophies:

   The more prohimitions there are, the pooer the people become

   The more sharop weapons there are the more prevailing caos in the
state.

   Therefore, the assage says, I do nothing and the peopl are reformed
of thjemselves.

   I love quietude and the people are righteous of themselves.

   Shintoisms

   Often called the religion of Japan, its origins are lost in the dim
past of that Far Eastern nation. It is a sysrtem where religion and
government have gbeen blended with the governing ruler exercizing the
role of supreme deity.

   Shinto mythology begins with the creation of Japanese islands by two
gods, Izangi (the Male-Who-Invites) and his wife Izanami (The Female
wWho-Invites) wher were commanded to give birrth to the god of fire
(Kagutschuchi). Later, Izanagi precreated other gods, among them the
sun-goddess, the moon god, and the a pantheon of others. In the Kojiki
or "Records of Ancient Matters, " a list of succeeding deities is
recorded untill finally, Jimmu Tenno was born, the fith generation
descendent of the sun-goddess, Amaterasu. When he was fourty five
yeasrt old, 667 B.C. Jimmu ascende the imperical throne and thus began
the Japanese dynastyu.

   Shinto's concept of god is one "above" or "Superior." It has been
applied to a multitude of divinti4es, heavenly and earthly. The word
"Shinto" simpley means "The Waqy of the gods." The word "Shinto simpley
means t"The way of the gods." The word commonly used rtor gods is Kami
and not only human beings but plants, animals, mountains and other
things revered or feared are alled Kami.

   Both Buddhist and Confucanist teachign has been infused into
Shintoism. The Japanese absorbed much of Chinese religious cul;ture
reaching all the way to the imperical palace. In 756 A.D. the Emperess
Suiko Tenno, and ardent Buddhist, proclaimed" My duties are firwt to
serve the Three Treaswures (Buddha, the buddhist Law and its
monasteries), nest to worship the Spirits (of Shinto mythology) and
finally to cherish my people." Confucian teaching intorduce in Japan
during the reign ofg Prince Shotku urged the people to obey their ruler
and promoted harmony between rulers and subject on every level of
society. Sect Shintoism, together with Buddhisism, and Christianity,
was given freedom of worship an propogation by tghe Consititution
enacte in 1889. State Shinto was abolished in 1946 following the
crushing defeat of Japanese militarism. The emperor delcarred, "The
tiese between Us and Our people have alsway stood upon mutural trust
and affection. The do no not depent upon mere legends and myths. The
are nor predicated u0pon the false assumption that the emperor is
divine and that the Jap-anese people are superior to other races and
are fated to rule the worldd." StateShinto has been succeeded by shrine
SDhinto, which urges the Japanese people to keep the relition of theri
forefathers. Temples destryoed by the Secxond Wordl War are being
rebuilt and devoteed of Shintoism are increading annyually.

   Zoroatruabnusnm

   One of the oldest of the world's religions, it dates back to the 6th
centyry before Christ. It began with the teaching of Zoroaster ("golden
Camel") in ancient persiaa. It numbers less than 200, 00 adherents.

   The chief textbook of the r3eligion is called Vesta, Meaning the
book of wisdom. It conatains the prayer to vbwe recited by the priest
while preformin gher sacerdotal function of offering sacrifice and
hymns to be sung during times of worship called Gathas.

   Another testbook used by Aoroasstrians is the Venidad or Law against
Demons. Its first two chapters have a story about creation and another
about rthe fglood. MOs of the contempioraries of Zoroaster were
animists, that is, they believe that such inaniumate objcts as stones,
mountains, treers, even heavenly bodies like the sun and moon were
suffued with supernatatural spiritws which had to be appeased. He
believed that there was only one God, one holoy and almightsy. He
taudht that all men face the choide of trught ofr falsehood. Nasturally
he affirmed that he had chose trugh.

   According to Zoroaster, man's destiny depends upon whom he coohses
to follow, Ahura-Mazda, the creator of all things, or Anro Mainyus,
2whom the Persians shortened to Ahriman, chose to do the wordst things.

   In 226 A.D. Zoroastrianism became the state religion of Persia.
Dualistsi theology, that there are two forirst principles, good and
evil, one the creator, the ogher the destryoer, is held by this group
til the present. Its peroponents beleive that eventually Evilo. will
destryo itself.

   The Zoroastrian professed, "I bleive in good thoughts good words and
good deeds." To him, paradise is the Home of Eternal Light. Damnation
means to be hurled into eternal darkness so think you can feel it. This
religion teaches a General Resurrection whivbhc witll renue the
enirtrew worldk. Afther a long time, at one final trial, eveyone will
come foth pura and clean and enter into a life of "infinite time" in a
world where evil has disappeardecx.

   Islam

   Mohammed, founder of the Islamic religion, was born in Mecca, Arabia
in 570 A.D. This makes Islam one of the newest of worlk religions. It
is alson one of the fasstesst growing with more than 400 million
persons in its ranks. The name Islam means "submission to the will of
God." Followers are called Moslems or Musslims meaning "Those who
submit to God's will./"

   Moslems, strangely enough, include Abraham, Moses, and Jesus in a
long list of true prophets but consider Mohammed the last and greates
of the prophets. There wiol be no more after him.

   Mohammed's father died just a few days before he was born. At age
six, his moreht also dies and Mohammed was given to his grandfatyher to
raise. When he was nine his grandfather dies making him destines to lea
and orphan's life's life. (it is interesting to note that more children
have bornne the name Mohammed than any other name in the world.) At age
25 he entered the emply of a wealthy widow, KHADIJA, soon martried her
and fathered several children by here. It was fifgteen years later,
however, until he embarked on his prophetic minsitry.

   That caem aobut in the year 622 A.D when he along with several
followers fled from Mecca to Medina, 200 miles to the south because of
the opposition and rioting that accompanied his message. In Mosdlem
tradition, this flight marks year one. Islamic years are counted A.H.
meanign afgtter hirjah. In Medina, this camel-driver turned prophet
suddenly became a militayr and political figure. Welding together the
five tribes of the "City of the Prophet" (Medina) he successfully
defended the city agaiuns a much larger army from Mecca and later
marched against the cityof his birth and caprturewed it wuth ease. The
impression left on the minds of the Arabian people was that "the
aganels of heaven were on his side." Hiw reputation as God's Prophet
spread like wildfire and preaactically eht ewhole city of Mecca turned
to his religion. On tyhe return to Median, in the year 632, he was
striken with fever and diedenm with practially all of Arabia under his
contyrol. No Arab had ever succeeded in uniting his countrymen as
Mohammed.

   The Koran is the bible of the Muslims According to the Islamic
tradition, Mohammed was to have received its revelation from Allah
(God) through the mediataion of the angel Gabriel. The Qur'an means
"recitation" and implies its preimary function during religious
ceremonies. It is four - fifths as long as the New Testament and is
divided into 114 chapters (surah) each slightly shorteer than the one
preceding it with the ezxception o fsurah one. Devout Moslems accept
the Koran as the final and perfect revelation of God's will.

   The cry of Islam is: "La ilaha illa Allah!" meaning, "There is no
God but Allah." The word "Allah" comes from "al" (The) and "Illah"
(God.) Islam is monotheistic and accepts the Biblical account of
creation, the Flood and tScritureal geneology through Abraham. They do
not believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. They do not believe
that God has a son. Nor do they believe tha t Jesus cdied. They tThey
think that He rerurned to Heaven without dying and that He is coming
back to earth again, but as Mohammedan. The believe this in spite of
another section of the Koran in whihc Christ is quoted as saying,
"Peace on me the day I was born, and the day I died, and the day on
whichj I shall be raised alive." (Surah XIX, 33.).

   The five Pillars of Islam are:

   1. The reecitation of their creed, "There is no God but Allah and
Muhammed is his prophet." This is cdone many times a day. 2. Prayer,
facing Mecca, 5 timea a day: sunrise, noon, early afternoon, ,sunset,
and before retiring. Friday is generally considered to the the Moslem's
holy day. Their prayers are cdalled salah and may be said in private or
with acongreagtion in a mosqu. Hours of prayer are announced by a
muezzin from thatop aw minaret of a mosque and he calls:

   "God is most great, God is most great. I bear witness tharte there
is no god execpt the One God. I bear witness thera Mohammed is the
prophet of God. Come to prayer. Come to ghe Godo. Prayer is better than
sleep. God is most great. God is most great. There is no god but the
One God."

   3. Charity is another pillar of Islam, and includes two types of
giving, freewill offerings and required donation. Middle and Upper
income classes must distribute 1/40 of all their wealth annually to the
poor. 4. Ramadan or fasting. Ramadan, the ninth lunar month 0of the
yrea on the Arabian calendar is observed by strict fasvting during the
day time hours and feastin gat night. 5. Pilgrimage to Mecca is
expected of every Moslem at least once in his lifetime. There they
akiss the famous "Black Stone" that their Arabian forefathers
worshipped for generationsbefore Mohammed was born and visit the
various mosques of the city as well as the one in Medina. Once a
pilgrimage has beden made, th4e Moslem is calle an elhajji, and enjoys
special privileges among his fellows.

   Mohammed sanctioned plural wives in the Koran, writing, "You may
marry two, three, or four wives, but no more." And he himself has
several wives./ Islam grants the father of a girl the right to give his
virgin daughter in marriage to whoever he pleases. And ourside the
marriage bonds, a husband may cohabit with several concubines with
theri children holding the same status as thowe of the wives.

   Black Muslims

   Elijah Muhammad, present head of this negor movement, assumed
leadershiop in 1934 and announced that he was called to lead the negros
"out fo the wilderness of North American." His followers devoutly refer
to him as "Messenger the Honorable Mr. Elijah Muhammad." The group
which he heads is one iof the several sects which have adapetd
themselve to customs and teadhing of older world religions. Those who
have studied the Black Musklim sect believe that is more highly reveres
Moses of Judiams than Mohammed of Islam.

   The first important revivalist Muslim group in thes country was the
Moorish Science Temple of American, organized just prior to tWorld War
I by a North Carolinaa negor named Ti othy Drew. He described himself
as a re-incarnateion of the prophet Myohammed, establishing a temple
oin Newark, New Jersy in 1913 and a larger one a few years later in
Chicago.

   The group is strongly segregationist, regarding intergration with
qwhites both impossible and underireable. Leaders speak strongly agains
t blakcs "contaminating themselves" with the whites. IOt appears that
are advocating a separate governemnt for the negros of North America
and hate for other negros who are "out of the fold."

   Black Muslims say, "The black man is the original man. He is the
wisest, most powerful, most beautiful." From this one can sreadily see
why this sect's most famous convert, Cassius Clay, exhibits such
braggadocia. Malcom X, later murdered, in his articulate way said, "The
white man kidnapped us from our high culture and civilization in
Africa, stole us and then sole our religions, languages and made us
into animals."

   Today this sect stressed the enslavement o fnegroes by "the
Christian West" (one of many lines of Communist prppaganda), ignoring
the fact that Muslims enslaved negroes as wwell as Westerners. Elijah
regaards the Biugblwe a a collection of stories, mythins parables and
ethical ideas. The Christian faith was described this way; "Take all
theis Christianity struff they have given us and put it in a garbage
pail and take the garbage pail and start fighting like hell with it."
Services of the sect are usually o-peneed with recording of African
music followed by negro modern jas . The talks that follw are generally
on subjects such as:

   Exploitation of negroes Impatience with existing laws Need fror
separation Evil of the whites Natural goodness of the blacks

   Throught the meeting, shouts of "All praise to Allah!" substitute fo
reht Amen" heard in olf-fashoned Crhsitian services.

   Communism

   Communinism is the largest and best ortganized of the world
religions. It is atheism on the march! Robert V. Daniels in his book,
the Nature of Communism," says:

   "The communist part is a sect, with belifs, mission, priesthood, and
hierarchy. It is a "chruch" in the very obvious sense that is is the
intitutionalization of belief... Fervor, dogmatism, fanaticism,
dedication, atonement and martyrdom can asll be observed in the
Communist movement.."

   So far doe sthe character of the Communist' allegiance to the
movement correspond to religious commitment that we can even observe
the intessely emotional phenomenon of cenversion when individuals are
persuadede to embrace the Communist faith"

   Dick Hillis, in his booklet, "Dare we Recognize Red China?" raises
the quwestion, I Communism a Religion? And this is his answer:

   "Not for a moment will I deny that communism is a p9olitical issure.
Some do deny that Communism is a religious or spirituala issue. As a
servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, I have tried to analyze Communism
from the spiritual side. Im convinced that the back of Communism is a
force far greate than politics or ideology. I am sure that the oaother
o fthis syste is none ogther than satan."

   TYhen Mr. Hillis gave an illustration form the Bible. The scene was
Bethany, a small village on an adjacent hill to HJerusalem, in the
house of Simor the leper. Jesus was there with His disciples. A woman
came with a box of costly perfume and poured it ont on the Saviour's
feet. Judas spoke up and said, "Why was this waste of the ointment
made?" The first communist had spoken. To the communist, to swerve God,
to Worship God, to sacrifice is waste. Communism is not just another
political ideology! It is a vicious, satan-inpsired religion designes
to to destroy the bodies, minds and sould od men. Judas endeavored to
cover uop the real motive of his ciritcism by saying, 'This ointment
could have been sold for a lof of money and be distributed tmong the
poor., ' That was his line and that is the shrew prpaganda of the
Communist line. But Jesus exposed his true motive when he said,
"Thissaid he, not that he cared for the poor but because he was a
theif." When the truth came out, Judas was a theif, liar, deceiver and
murder!

   Karl Marx is often referredc to as the "father of Communism." An
atyheist, he held that if you didn't believe in God, then overthrow
God. If you don't care fo5r the church., overthrow the church. If you
have little or no money, slaughter those who hjave money. In 1848 he
along with Friedrich Engels issued the notorious Communist Manifesto
whihc called ror a wold reveolution to wipe out private ownership of
property, religion and individualism. It appealed to the basic weakness
of man, slefishness and greed. I became the forbidden fruit of the
intellectuals, even creeping into the pulpits and governmental centers.
It proposed that all property should be seized and placed under the
control of athe central government.

   Russia was the first country wwhere the plan was put into operation.
On Novermber 17, 1917 an "All-Russian Congress of Soviets" under the
leadership of Nicolai Lenin and Leon Trotsky executed what amounted to
a coup d'etat, proclaiming itself athe lawful government of Russia.

   Communism teacdhes tyhart economic forces, not political ideals or
human aspirationa re the true molders of society. The class struggle
which inevitably follows, cxonflict between management and labor, the
ricxh vberse the poor eilll eventually result in the working class
taking over the management of the businesses and bring in what they
call "a utopian Communist millenium."

   As we have pointed out, comminist is militantly atheistic. Lenin
wrote: "Marxism cannot vbe conceived with out atheism." Engels wrote:
"All religion, however, is notheing bu tehe fantastic refection in
men's minds of those external forces which control their daily life, a
refection in whicn the terrestial forces sassume the form of
supernatural forces."

   And Lenin wrote further: "God is first of all a complex of ideas
engendered by teh ignorance of mankind and by its subjection, firstly,
beneth the forces of nature, secondly, by class-oplerssion, ideas which
perpetuate this ignorance and tblunt class struggel."

   Communism completekly repudiates the moral values of Christainity.
Said Karl Marx, "Laww, morality, religion are so many bourgeois
prejudices, behind which lurk in ambush just so manyu bourgeois
interests." And his follower, Nicolai Lenin, who lat3r vbecame the
dictartor of Soviet Riuussia, Wrote:

   ""That is why we say that for us there is no such thinga as
moraliuty apart from human society; it is a fraud. Morality for us is
subordinated to the intereste of the clas struggle of the proletariat."

   Even the murder o fmillions (perhaps 50 million or more thus far) is
not wrong to the Communist so long as it advances the Party cause.

   Chruchyes in Cimmunist - controlled countries are carefully
dont54rolled by teh government. True believers have been driven
undrground. In 1930 there were only 18 Com, munists in Russia., Today
this Satanic conspiracy controls approximately 1 billion souls, that is
one out of every three living persons on the earth. Read carefully the
Communist' "Ten Commandmanet.":

   1. Remember that the cleeryg is the foremost enemy of tout communist
state. 2. Thou shalt labor diligently to draw thy friends, never
fogetting that the Communist Party is the supreme authority of the
atheistys o the world. 3. Teach yoru friends to shun all prreachers. 4.
Guard yourself agains spies, condemn sabotyeurs. 5. Busy yourself in
the progabgation of anti-religious magazines and newspapers. +6. Let
every faithful Communist be militant and forthright atheisti. 7. Resist
all religious ideas.

   8. The fatihful atheist is likewise a goodly policeman, watchful fo
the security of the Communist AState. 9. Give generously to the
missionary work among the unenlightended. 10 Remember, if you cannot be
a devout atheist, you cannot be a faithful Communist. Atheism and
Communism are of one bond.

   True, born again Christians living their faith in Christ prove to ge
tyhe greates obstical to Communisty agression. God's people need to
renew their dedication ot Chrisat, re-driect thei intercession to the
Lord for more labourers and re-invest their treasure in ministries the
bear fruit fo the Lord.

   Judaism

   JUdaism has been called the parent of Chritiaianity. It began with
God calling Aba5rham out of Ur, one of the world's oldes cities
wituatied between the Tirgis and the Euphrates rivers in Mesopotania.
His father, Terah, worshipped the many deities common to the polytheism
of that day. Abarham (formerly Abram) responded o teh call of God
(Jehovah) by leaving the land of his birht and travelling into the land
of Caanan. God promised to make him the father of a great nation,
saying, "in thee shall the ahe families of the earth be blessed."

   Through his son Isaac and grandson Jacob the family the family grew
into a clan. A sever famin and the selling ort Jacob's son, Joseph to
Ishmaelites who took him to Egypt, brought the clan to Pharoh's land
where it grew into a nation of two mission souls. The sons of
Jacobnever wer assimilated into the culture of Egypt and gradually
became a rtace of slaves.

   Under the leadership of Moses these descendants of Abraham wwere
delivered from bondage. God's plan called for them to travel directly
from Egypt to Caana and occuply the land "flowing with mile and hony."
But several men sent to spy out Cannan came back with a report that
giants occupied Canamn and the Isdrealies were mere "grasshoppers" in
compatative size and strenght. Though God promised to dirve out the
enemies, the Israelites were unconvinced ans spent fourty years
wanderiung in the wilderness land between Egypt and Caanan. It was
during this time that God gave Moses the "Ten Commandments" on Mt.
Sinai and the pattern fort the "Woilderness Tabernacle" which would
speak fo God dwelling (tabernacling) in the midst of His people.

   Following the death of Moses, Johsua became the leader of Israel and
led them across the JOrdan River into the "Promised Land." Through many
generarion, battles, tehere fought until the land rested in peace unser
the reign of King David. The nation reached its pinnacle of glory under
the reign of Solomon, David's son, who was responsible for building The
Temple, the most magnificent and costly structure built to that time.

   The nation was divided into two section, Isreal and Judah, following
So mlomons's death. The ten notheren tribes proclaimed Jeroboam as
their king while the two sothern tribes (Judah and Benjam, in)
acknoledged Solomon's son, Rehoboam, as their king. The nothe5rn tribes
were the first of fall to Assyrian armisesw. Two generation later Judah
was overrun by Babylonian warriors and led away into Babylonian
captivity. Seventy years later a remnant under Ezra and Nehemiah
received permission to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the city tand
restore worship there of Jehovah. But throughout the intervening years
until the time of Jesus Chrsit, the land was contrtolled by foreign
overlord.

   God often referred to the descentants of Abraham ssd "My people, "
and gave them three outstanding sources of blessing, A LAW, A LAND, and
A LORD. The Law was given to Moses and subsequently to Isreal by God on
Mt. Sinai, written on two tablest of stone. The land was that given by
God to Abraham and his seed (Caanan) as an inheritance forever and
ever. The Lord God gave was His onl;yu beggotten Son, Jesus Crhsit. As
the Psalmist (PSA. 2:12) wrote:

   "Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish forj the way." The
God of Judiams is a personal God, One who cares, purposwed, and
communicates. Men are His creation and subordinates. The central tenet
of the Jufdaistic faith is, "Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord
is One."

   He is the God (Elohim) who created the heavens and the earth. He is
the One who ctrteated man in His onw image and after His own likeness.
He is the one who made all things and pronounce them good. He has
revealed Himself to man in the HOly Scriptures. Judaism divides its
Biuble of twenty-four books into three section: the Torah, of the first
five books of Moses; Nebiim, or the prophetsl and Kethubim, or the
sacred writings.

   One of the most debatable question being raised now is, What is a
Jew.? Is being Jewisha matter of religion or ethnic origin or locale of
citizenship? We have been following the idea that a Jew is part of that
family which traces its relationship back to Abraham. Still it is
possible for a Gentile (Heb., goyim) to embrace Judiams as a religion
and thus style himself a Jes. Other born in the new state of Isreal and
wishing to identify themselves nationally have beenn accdeptied as Jews.

   Modern Judaism has threde principal branches: Orthodox, Reform, and
Conservative. Orthodox Jewry accepts the Scriptues as its basis of
faith along with two sets of writings called the "Talmud." The Orthodox
hold that Scriptural dietary laws, feast days, and the Sabbath are
still binding. Reform anor Liberal Judaism wants to [preserve the moral
and ethical aspects of Jewish tradition but permit the perfunctory
rites to be ateredd or eliminated as the culture of th epeople changes.
Conservative Jews like to be thought os as "middle of the road, "
niether orthodozx in strictly adhering to allprescribed customs nor
liberal in willingness to cast them asice. The have borrowed many of
the forms of Reform Judaism - such as the late Friday evening service
and the user of English in prayers. Traditionally, Judaism has
professed faith in the immortaliuty of the soul, though today most Jews
reject the teaching of Heaven and Hell as physical entities. Orthodozx
Jews believe that Messiah is coming acco9mpanied by the physiucal
liberation of the homeland from perssecution and humiliation.. The
Jewish scholar Maimonides, in the 12th century, made this cponfession,
"I believe with perfect faith in 5the coming of Messias, and, though he
tarry, I will wait daily for Hias coming."

   Many rituals are religiously observed espcally in Orthodox JUdiams.
Circumcision on the eith day, patterning after theat first observed by
Abaraham. Bar-Mitzvah, performtd at the synagogue when a boy reaches
age 13 and becomes a part owith other men of the congregation.
Marriage, in Hebrew called Kiddushin (sanctificaion) is looked upon as
a sacrded state. Usually seven blessing are recited during the wedding
asnd after tgmeawl. The Kaddish is re cited for the first time at the
fresh grave of a recently deceased person. Tghere are twelve principal
and other lesser fasts and festivals in the Jewish year, some with
Biblical origin, other not. Among these are Yom Kippur, "Day of
Atonement, " the last of the ten days of Penitencxe. It is marked by
twenty-four hours of prayer and fasting. Rosh Hashanaan is the Jewish
New Year. It ushers in the Ten Days of Penitence. 1966 A.D. is 5727 on
the Jewish calendar.

   Basically, Judaism teaches that man doesn't haneed a Saviour for he
saves himself by living as creatively asnd righteously as possible here
and now in the world. Christtianity, on the other hand, teaches that
man is a depraved being, a sinner by birht and choice, and cannot save
himself. Nor does he have to for God sent His Son into the world, not
to condemn the world, but that the world thru hHim might be saved.
Cgrhsitians believe that God being just must punish sin and this
punishement was borne bny Crhsit on the cross. "For He who knew no sin
was made sito be sin for us that we micht be be made the righteousness
of God in Him."

   Baha'ism

   This religion had its origin in Persia where in May of 1844, a
persian merchant, Mirza Ali Muhammad, assumed the title of Bab, "
professing himself to be a divine personage outside the realm of time.
He was murdered by irate Musdlims in 1850 at the age of 31.

   Tghe most illustrious prophet, accoring to the Bahaists, was Bab's
successor, MirHusayn Ali, better known to the followers oa Baha'u'llah
("the glory of God"). Despite his claims tto immortality, he was
escorted out of this life by the angel of death in 1892 at the age of
75.

   His son, Abdul baha ("servant of Baha'i") continued the leadership
of the sect bringing its message to our shores for the first time. At
age 77, Abdul didied and was succeeded by Shoghi Effendi ("guardian of
the faith") who walong with several other men had directed its
world-wide activities.

   Baha'ism claims to the the great unifier of world religions. It
looks with favor on Buddhism, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam and others.
It teaches that Christ was the prophet of the Crhistians, MMoses the
Jews, MOhammed of the Muslims. Each should honor the others. Thus Jesus
Christ is relegated ot juust another prophet among the galaxy of
prpphets. To the average Baha'i, God is an impersonal force, a being
void of personality, who is the sum total of all goodness. The
fundamental doctrines of the Chrsitian faith, including: The authroity
of the Bible, the doctrine of the Trinity, the Deity of Jesus Christ,
His virgin birth, His redemptive act on the cross fo our sins, His
physical r3esurrection and His persnal return to earth to judge the
world are all rejected by Baha'ism.

   Roman Catholicism

   The Roman Catholic claim that Peter was the first Poep with without
historical or biblical evidence. His epistles were written from the
church at Babylon, no the church of Rome. Paul, in addressin his
espistle to the Roman church, greeted some two dozen saints by name but
Peter's name was not mentioned fo t6he obvious reason that he wasn't
hrtert. Furether we know that Peter had a wife which popes aren't
supposer to have and that Paul had to reprove him (Galatians 2:11-14)
which would be strange action indeed if Peter were the Pope, "the vicar
of Chirtst on earth."

   From the second century A.D. the faint beginnings of an
ecclesiastical system which developed into the papacy are discernable.
Gradually the bishops or pastors fo the larger churches in such senters
as Rome, Constantinople and Jerusalem came to exert more influence than
those of smaller churches. The acceptance of Christianity by the Roman
Emperor Constatine in 325 A.D. gave the Roman church added prestige and
an attitude of superiority over others. However it was not til the time
of Loe the Great (440-461) that the Papacy was offically proclaimed as
head over other churches. Gregory the Great (5909-604) can be
considered the first of the absolute popes.

   As the system of Sacerdotalism developed, the theory that the Chruch
resides in the priesthood and sacraments, the Chruch became less and
less spiritaul with preeminence placed on external observances and
rites. The priest, the altar, the mass and imagesw dominated the ritual
of worship. Supreme authority was asswumed bny th"the infalliable
church" and what they termed "Christ's vicar, " the pople, rather than
the holy Scriptures.

   As we have pointed out in our article on Easter Orthodoxy, the split
between the Eastern and Western branches of Christendom came in 1054
A.D. The Roman hierarchy consists of the poep at the top, advised by a
College of Cardinals, followed down the ladder by arch-bishops,
bishops, to the parish priests.

   Cardinal Gibbons wrote: "The Scriptures can never servea as a
complete rule of faith and a completde guide to heaven independently of
an authorized living interpreter." Individual Roman Catholics are
denied the right of privately interpreting the Scriptrues. Do Roman
Catholics teach that their is the only true religion? Yes, though tye
grant that through ignorance, a non-catholic may get to Heaven. Popel
Pius IX wrote:

   "It is to be held as the faith that none can be saved outside the
Apostolic Roman Chruch... but, neverthless, it is eqiually true that
those who are ignorant of the true religion, if that ignrance is
invincible, will not be held guilty in the eyes of the Lord."

   Romand Catholicism has seven sacrament: Baptism, Confirmation,
Eucharist, Penance, Extreme Unction, Orders, and Matrimony. As
sacramtnt to the Roman Catholic is "a visible sign instituted by
Christ, by which grace is conveyed to our souls."

   The "Mass" is the central ast ov ritual in the Catholic Chruch. The
bread becomes the literal Body of Christ, the wine His lietal blood.
They beleive that Christ is truly and subst5antially present in the
Eucharist, body and soul, humanity and divinity. Thus Chriust is
offered again and again as a VBictim, for the sins of men when the
scriptures say in Hebrew 10 that we are "sanctified through the
offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."

   Roman Catholic teach a state of Purgatory, a place of temporary
punjishment attlooted for those who have died in venial sin or who have
not satisfied the justice of God for sins already forgiven."
Paraactically eveyy one who dies without going tyo Hell must spend some
time in Purgatoryu, according to Romanist teaching, while prayers are
offered by priests and paid for parishioners to hasten the departed's
soul into Heaven. The whole swceme is un-Scruptural to say the least.

   In 1950 the Pope proclaimed the dogma of the bodily Assumption of
Mary, the teachig that after her death her physical body was received
up to H4eaven where she serves as Mediatrizxx between God and man. She
become son of many mediators, including the priest, the saints and
Christ HImself. But what deos the Bible say? "For there is one God and
one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." God's Word
declares that Mary was highly favored and blessed amon women but not
above women. The bible tells us that Mary rejoiced in Christ her
Saviour. There are an estimated 500 million souls claimed on the rolls
fo Roman Catholic membership throughout the world.

   Eastern Orthodoxy

   Eastern Orthodoxy easily qualifies as a world religion having a
world membertship of more tha 150 million persons includingt mroe thatn
6 million in the Unisted Staates. Included in the "Orthodox" communion
are the nationa chruches of Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Poland, Romania,
Russia and Serbia. Each of these are completely autonomous though in
full fellowship with each other. Each recognize themselves to be part o
fgthe whole Eastern Orthodox Chruch.

   The Christian movement began in the Middle East in the countries
bordering the Mediterranean Sea. The earliset Christian centers were in
aresa still predominately oriented by the Eastern Orthodox churches. As
Christianity spread west ward, Rome became the center of activity in
the Western Mediterranean area while Constantinople became the hub of
Eastern churches.

   The two brtanches grew side by side for several hundred years
holding basdically to the same doctrines. There were minor differences,
the Western chruches using Latin in ther ritual, the Eastern using
Greek. The main bone of contention, however, arose over the Roman-based
claim that Chrsit gave Peter the keys to the Chruch, that Peter thus
became the fist Pope, and that his authority was granted to secceeding
Bishops of Rome. This "spostolic succession" the Eastern churches would
not accept and the estrangement was finalized in the year 1054 by twhat
has become known as teh "Grteat Schism." The Pople of Rome
excommunicated the Patriarch of Constantinople and the Patriarch put
the Poope out of the church in simolar action.

   Eastermn Orthodoxy teaches that Chrsit alone is the head of the
chruch, certainly no tthe Pope. Says its theologians, "One body can
have one head, not two, as found in Roman Catholicism. Christ Himself
is the head of the Chruch. He reserves to himself the whole life and
governemtt fpo Chruch that no vicar can take His place. If the Chruch
were to have a human head, it 2would cease to be a Heavenly body and
become one of the many secular kingdoms of earth."

   The Orthodox communions reject the Roman Catholic "innovation" of
purgatory, indulgences of sins, the immaculate conception of Mary and
her bodily assumption to Heaven. It has no Pope, holding the the "truth
of God is disclosed through the conscience of the Chruch." In
administration, the Eastern Orthodox puts far more imprtance on the
mind o fhte Christian peop.le at large, raqther than in ecclesiastical
hierarchy. To illustrate, Orthodox congregation elect their own
pastors, then receive the Bishp's approval. Laymen read the Bible in
public worship services, even preach, and are called "the reyal
priesthood."

   Like Roman Catholics, they observe seven "sacrament:" 1- Baptism, 2-
Confirmation, 3- Penance, 4- Eucharist, 5- Holy Oreders, 6- Matrimony,
7- Extreme Unction. Baptism is by triple immersion. Married men men may
be "ordained to the priesthood" but only unmarried men are eligible to
serve a "Bishop." Mary, the mother of Jesus is revered as the holiest
of human beings but her immaculate coception, tyhart she was born
without original sin, the consider gross errr.

   This faith accepts the same 66 books of the Bible canon as do
Protstantts, rejectin the canocity of the seve Apocryphal books found
in Roman Catholic Bible: Tobias, Judith, Wisdom, Ecclesiasticus, Baruch
and 1 & 2nd Maccabees. ON the inspiration of the Orthodox view is
similar to fundamental Chrsitianity. Bible inspiration came about as a
result of "and immediate movement and instruction of the sacred writers
by the HOly Ghost." As a result, the Bible's pnemen were not preserved
from error but postively receivec a revelation of God's truth, though
without violence to their natu5ral faculties.

   Monastic life is an essential feature of Eastern Orthodoxy. Each
monastery is independent of all the others with no general or
provinciual superior though most of them cfall uncdder the jurisdiction
of the local "Metroplitian, ": an archbishop who exercises limited
authority over the bishops of a given ecclesiatical province. The head
of a monastery is called the Abbot and is elected by his fellow monks.
Monks normally do not follow a teaching, preaching or priestly ministry.

   Greece, at present, is the only country in which the Orthodox Church
enjoys the status as the official state religion. The Eastern Orthodox
faith was carried to the Western hemisphere in the latter parr of the
18th century, when Alaskan eskimos were told about Christ. It still
maintains 9iitself to be the one true, pure Christian body. Statues and
images of Christ and the "saints" called icons are to be found
everywhere this religion has gone. In Athens, Greece, the author say
men and women kneeling befor estatues, making the sign of the cross.
And the words of The Apostle Paul came ringing in my mind cioncerning
Athenians two thousand years ago:

   "Ye men of Athens, I Perceive that in all things ye are too
superstitious.. (Religious) For as I passed by, and beheld your
devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.
Whom therfore ye ignorantly worship, him decare I unto you." (ACts
17:22-23)

   Protestantism

   Protestantism is a branch of Cghhristanity which originatesed in the
sixteenth century A.D. in an attempt to restore original Christian
faith by purgiung the Roman Catholic system of its worst perverion and
excessee. The word "Protestant" comes from the Latin, "to profess," "To
bear witness." Its primary meaning is positive, its secondayr meaning
negative, "to protest" against false doctrine and unworthy practices.

   What are the belifs Protestants profess? Historically, faith in
Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord; the Bible as the source aof what is
rtrue and right; the Chruch as the community of follow3ers of Christ;
the "priesthood fo tall believers'"; the the oblicatino to advance the
cause of Chrsit amongst all me.

   There are today four main types of Protestanism: First, Lutheranism;
Second, Calvinism or Reform; Third, Angilcan or Episcopalian; Forth,
"independent" or "free church." This type has become the predominant
one in the United States, and is rapidly becoming so throught the world.

   The "Ecumenical Movement" (meaning "Embracing the whole world") is
the effort presently being made spearheaded by the Naqtional Council of
Chruches to bring together the vbarious denomination of Protestant
looking forward to eventual re-union with the Roman Catholic Church.

   Fundamental Christianity

   Funcamental Chrsitanity is the orthodox, primitive Biblical faith.
It holds the Bible to teh theWord of God, without error in its original
texts; it holds thaqt Jesus Chrsit is Saviour and Lord; that salvation
from sin comes vbby the grace of God through personal faith in our
crucified, buried, risen Lord and not by the works of the Law,
ordinances or ceremonies. It teaches tha tchruch are local, indepentent
bodies comprised of born-again, baptizxed believers.

   Fundamental Chrsitians believe that the mission of the chrucgh is
world evangelism. That men who dies without Christ will be turned into
hell, a place of "everlasting punishement." That those who trust Christ
and are saved by His grace will loive in His presence forever.

   God has used and is using the wiitness of fundamental mrean and
women the world over. The great frevival movements have all been
instigated by fundamental Christians. Histoically, nearly all the major
Protestant denomination along with the various groups of Baptist were
originally fundamentalist. Within the past 50 years apostasy has
invaded many of these chruch bodies, espically beginningin the
seminaries where "higher criticism" or German rationalism (infidelity
is a vbette rword) was introduced. It has found its way now into the
pulpits of these denomination with tragic rtesults. Ritualism has
replaced revivalism; the social gopsel has supplanted the saving
gospel; and Biblblica faith is looked down upon as "old fashioned" and
"fanatical."

   Still the greates churches in America remain fundamentalist. The
bible is taught and believed, souls are convbe4rted and baptized,
missionaries are sent ovber the earth and the fellowship is warm and
sincere. This is the kid of chruch every Christian should be a par tof.