SENTINEL INTELLIGENCE SERVICES, LLC
LYLE J. RAPACKI, Ph.D.
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CONSULTANT AT:
Protective Intelligence and Assessment
Behavioral Analysis and Threat Assessment
Private-Sector Intelligence Analyst Lyle@SentinelIntelligenceServices.com
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Tuesday –
February the 10th, 2009
2200Hrs; M.S.T. (Arizona)
I am redistributing this paper three years after I first wrote it due, in part, to a meeting I had this morning (April 17, 2012) with three pastors each who stated they are called to lead a Remnant Church. I also had contact with a couple of pastors and a host of Christians during several presentations I made the past two months; each mightily concerned with America today, and what course WE THE PEOPLE are choosing. For those who have eyes to see and ears to hear, may true insight be gained for you as you ponder what is communicated. May all who read these words be open to the wooing of God’s Spirit calling you to Him and into an intimate relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ. Amen and Amen –
LJR -
WHITE PAPER DISCUSSION:
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Statement of Purpose:
The content of this paper is deliberately intended to stimulate thought and discussion among church leaders and those who proclaim themselves as Christians. As with all White Paper briefings, informational analysis comprising global security, national security of the United States of America, economic forces as a dimension to national security, culture, freedom in human rights, defense and the rule of law are considered within the framework of this treatise. Additionally, the subject of America’s churches, the Christian Faith as a cornerstone of America’s Ideals, and Christian teachings and beliefs as a significant influence upon American society are investigated.
Overview:
A new wind is blowing across the plains of America. Starting as a breeze during the past political season, it now represents a current of change coming against even the firmest of institutions – the church in America. The great French political/social commentator and statesman, Alexis Tocqueville said during America’s War for Independence – The American Revolution: “America is great because America’s churches are great.” The conclusion would be: If America’s churches cease to be great; America would cease to be great. I fear we are at such a time and place where the United States of America is about to lose the spiritual compass that has afforded us the international acclaim and begrudged respect these past two hundred and thirty-three years. Our candle as a nation, so to speak, is
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very much in jeopardy of being extinguished. Our might and influence to prevail against darkness and tyranny is on the wane. Our greatness as a collective people is about to be splintered.
The breeze is a cold one. Blown from the “Author of Darkness” to snuff out the light this nation has held as a beacon of hope; guiding all who care to find the author of light and life. Make no mistake; do not underestimate the calculated work being perpetrated upon the mass citizenry of America in the name of change; do not simply accept the change as mere political. A war of cataclysmic portions has commenced disguised as social change, as political change for the better. This war has been in the planning for ages, and is coming about at this time to neutralize the United States of America; to bring down this great and mighty nation to fall in line with the countries of the New World Order. A new community of nations is being aligned, and America must cease to be great to be brought in line with mediocrity and a world-wide socialism. The United States of America, One Nation under God, can not be allowed to continue unchecked, unbowed. The breeze that is blowing will increase to a wind that will come against the very fabric of our Nation – the Church. Look outside right now and you will see the leaves in the trees already bristling.
The massive stimulus package passed by the Congress yesterday, February the 9th, 2009, holds within the many pages of so-called “benefits” a hidden provision that partially demonstrates my premise stated above. No funding in the bill can be used in any form on a “school or department of divinity.” This is but a beginning to separate any and all funds, support, and eventually recognition and legal standing for schools (regardless of level) to tolerate religious freedom. There was no reason to place such language in financial emergency legislation; unless a motive was to begin the process of degrading church and related institutions. On the surface the section appears innocuous. Similarly…placing a frog in a pan of water on a stove, and slowly, deliberately raising the temperature will not only cause the frog to remain unaware and sit where he is, but will also bring about a slowly cooked frog!
Nationally renowned attorney, Jay Sekulow, chief of the American Center for Law and Justice, stated upon reading the stimulus bill: “President Obama’s proposed stimulus plan makes a deliberate – and unconstitutional – attempt to censor religious speech and worship on school campuses across the nation. This isn’t like a convenient oversight. This is intentional. This legislation pokes its finger in the eyes of the people who hold religious beliefs.” Mr. Sekulow argued successfully several cases before the U.S. Supreme Court 20 years ago on related matters. Now we are back at another attempt to legislate and even rid America from a foundational belief in allowing the church to influence citizens.
The stimulus bill states: “PROHIBITED USES OF FUNDS – No funds awarded under this section may be used for – (C ) modernization, renovation, or repair of facilities – (i) used for sectarian instruction, religious worship, or a school or department of divinity; or (ii) in which a substantial portion of the functions of the facilities are subsumed in a religious mission.”
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It is no wonder most Americans would not even think twice about such wording when the majority of the country’s faithful no longer accept orthodox teachings, and look to themselves than to the church to define their convictions. According to two recent national surveys, more than 71% of American adults say they are more likely to develop their own set of religious beliefs than to accept a defined set of teachings from a church. The same surveys also found that half of all Christians also believe that some non-Christians can get into heaven.
Polls and surveys can be misleading, and we can argue as to construct of the survey, the interpretation of results, and many other factors to dilute the findings, especially if we do not like the findings. Yet, something has changed…there is a clear and present danger of a massive shift away from the inerrancy of Scripture and Biblical Doctrine that has influenced America since its’ founding.
The most striking divergence from historical teaching was first revealed in the 2007 US Religious Landscape Survey conducted by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life. That comprehensive survey of 35,000 Americans found a majority of Christians saying that people of other religions can find
salvation and eternal life. The results stirred great controversy among Christian leaders for whom Jesus as the only path to salvation is a paramount teaching. Many reasons were given for the troubling results, and many factors were cited to demonstrate flawed data or mechanical problems with the survey instruments and questions or those analyzing. The Pew Forum undertook a follow-up survey, and released the results in late December, 2008. The follow-up survey found 65% of American Christians (including 47% of Evangelicals) do indeed think that many different religions can lead to eternal life. Among these Christians: 80% cited one non-Christian faith as a route to salvation; 61% named two or more.
This same follow-up survey asked about views on how one obtains eternal life. Among all adults with a religious affiliation, 30% say correct beliefs are what count, 29% say salvation depends on one’s actions during life, and 10% say both are essential. Those who emphasize the impact of actions are more inclined to believe that practitioners of non-Christian faiths can achieve eternal life. Surprisingly, 42% of religious Americans also say atheists are able to find eternal life.
Conclusion:
Maybe America’s churches began to “cease to be great” many years ago, and it has taken a generation or two for the effects to become evident. With “change” being the motto of the day I have to ask, “Change to what?” If change is part of the breeze blowing (and I believe it is) this new breeze is blowing away the veil of historical Christianity our Nation has accepted as a cornerstone for our ideals. What is being revealed is the new thought: American pluralism is just fine when it comes to beliefs. We no longer need to believe the Christian ideals that guided our Founding Fathers; or rely on the original documents
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which laid the foundation for this great American experiment called a Republic. We can discard these as quaint notions, relics of a bygone era. The new breeze blowing makes a great feeling for those who
have come to accept the notion “that someone is going to burn in hell because they have their own beliefs is just not resonant within our larger political ideals.”
Among this “change” is vocabulary. “Cafeteria Christians:” those who pick and choose what they will believe. Into what are we really changing? “Cafeteria Christians” with a “Micro-wave” (instant) mentality coupled with a sense of entitlement? Is this really change we can believe in or are we facing even greater issues than the seriousness of the economic storm now ravaging our country?
(END OF REPORT)
LYLE J. RAPACKI, Ph.D.
Protective Intelligence and Assessment Specialist
Consultant at Behavioral Analysis and Threat Assessment
Private-Sector Intelligence Analyst
