THE GOLDEN RULE TWISTED ~ PART 1

A few days ago I was reading some recent articles at Watcher's Lamp and came across one entitled "A Sign of Things to Come" (click on the title to read the article for yourself). I sat up and took notice of it because of the symbols on the page representing interfaith cooperation. I had come across a similar combination of symbols some time ago and had stored it on my computer. In fact, as I was deleting some unused information on my computer several days ago I saw it and decided to delete it too. Well, I just downloaded it again so that I could place it on this post, as I now have a better understanding of how it is relevant to what is happening in the churches today, especially with regard to the ecumenical movement.

This movement has now gone beyond crossing denominational borders in its early days, to crossing the borders to different faiths or religions. Tolerance is the by-word of the interfaith movement, regarding all religions as equal and having the same God. No one religion is considered to possess the truth, as they all have their own truth. Those who would remain faithful to God's Word, the Bible, which says that Jesus is the ONLY way to God would be excluded and considered intolerant. Only "nominal Christians" who don't believe that the Bible is the final authoritative Word of God for ALL of mankind will be accepted into this movement. That definitely places me in the "intolerant" and "politically incorrect" category.

In this and following posts you will find a number of resources which will expose the driving force behind this movement, where it shows up, and some of the implications for Bible-believing Christians.

The Roman Catholic church in particular has been at the forefront of this movement. A Roman Catholic organization called Scarborough Missions is heavily involved in interfaith dialogue. They have created a "Golden Rule" poster (the picture at the beginning of the article) and an interactive movie to promote their agenda, with the premise that they can create world peace by implementing it. They say that since every religion has its own golden rule that it can be used to bring harmony amongst the different religions. (Watch the movie by clicking HERE).

The Golden Rule Meditation Exercises on Scarborough Missions' website gives these recommendations on preparing yourself to meditate on their interfaith Golden Rule:

• Choose an appropriate time for your meditation/reflection-a time when you will not be disturbed by other persons, the phone, the TV, and so on.
• Unplug your house phone and turn off your cell phone 10 minutes before your meditation. Do not reactivate your phones until a period of 10 minutes has elapsed after the meditation/reflection.
• It is likely that your meditation will be enhanced if, just prior to your meditation/reflection, you avoid distracting activities e.g. watching television.
• For your meditation, find a suitable place in your home or a favourite locale in nature.
• Take time to slow down your mind, your emotions and your body. You may want to do some deep breathing exercises, yoga or another form of physical movement. Or you may want to simply sit in stillness.
• Realize that harmony of body and spirit is important. Adopt a body stance that is peaceful, balanced, relaxed and alert. Try to keep your back as straight as possible
• You may want to light a candle and close the curtains in order to create a meditative atmosphere.
• Open your heart and mind. As a final preparatory gesture, you may want to centre yourself by:
  • maintaining silence
  • repeating a mantra
  • asking for spiritual help
  • making a prayer of offering or dedication
  • using any appropriate preparatory practice in your faith tradition
  • using any preparatory practice that works for you(1)

Scarborough Missions has created a school curriculum which it promotes, and its products are also available at the official United Nations Bookshop. Below is an account of the presentation of the Golden Rule Poster to the United Nations. It contains some rather interesting information. Please note that it says that schools are one of their biggest audiences for the poster. Guess what junior is learning in the classroom these days?!!

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United Nations gets the Golden Rule poster

The Scarboro Missions Golden Rule poster is now on permanent display at the United Nations headquarters in New York City. On January 4, 2004, Mrs. Gillian Sorensen (pictured here), Assistant Secretary-General of the UN, accepted the poster as a gift from the North American Interfaith Network.

The presentation was part of an interfaith ceremony in which it was pointed out that the Golden Rule is not just a moral ideal for relationships between people, but also for relationships among nations, cultures and religions.

In presenting the poster to the Assistant Secretary-General, a statement was read by a representative of the North American Interfaith Network (NAIN). Read the full statement.

The Progress of a Poster

Scarboro Missions' Golden Rule poster makes its way around the world

The Scarboro Missions Golden Rule poster is making its way around the world. What began as an obscure idea in the basement of Scarboro Missions' headquarters is now emerging as a 'coat of arms' for the international interfaith movement.

This striking and beautiful four-colour poster features a written and symbolic depiction of the Golden Rule in 13 religions. Scarboro Missions has been overwhelmed by both the success and the universal appeal of the poster.

Most striking is the diversity of audiences that are purchasing this piece of multifaith art. This audience includes penitentiaries, airports, seniors' homes, corporate offices, hospitals, schools, religious institutions, universities, social justice groups, stores, Sunday schools and private homes.

Various institutions use the poster as a healing tool. For example, a network of addiction recovery homes in Calgary, Alberta, utilizes the poster in its programs. Jeff Archambeault, chaplain to North Bay Psychiatric Hospital in Ontario, has discovered some very creative ways to use the poster with patients and staff at the hospital. In the words of Archambeault, "this amazing poster just keeps on giving."

In the weeks following the September 11 tragedy, multifaith prayer services took place all over North America. Organizers of many of these prayer services used the Golden Rule poster in a number of ways in their efforts to promote forgiveness and healing.

Schools are the biggest audience for the poster, with accompanying lesson plans now being planned for elementary and high school classes. World religions classes find the poster extremely useful. Joe Wey, a teacher at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School in Toronto, begins his world religions program with the poster. Says Wey, "Most of the students have studied only Christianity, so some of them are surprised to see the similarities among the religions...We teach not just tolerance, but respect for other religions."

In tune with Scarboro Missions' global vision, the poster is travelling the world. Fr. Tony Cereskos of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales writes from Divine Word Seminary in the Philippines: "Thank you very much for the kind gift of the Golden Rule posters. We plan to have one framed for one of our classrooms. The message of the poster is very timely for the Philippines. As you are probably aware, Muslim-Christian relations here are very tense and problematic, especially in the South."

In the coming years, Scarborough Missions will join with people all over the world in translating the poster into several languages. Indeed, we have every reason to believe that this piece of theological art will continue to work its wonders in terms of interreligious healing, unity and reconciliation.(2)

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It will certainly be interesting to see how this all is connected in the one-world government and one-world antichrist religion in the coming days. To those who are alert and watching, the information I am presenting here and in the coming days will be no surprise, although it can be disheartening at times; so I leave you with Jesus' words from Luke 21:28-36

"But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

Then He told them a parable: "Behold the fig tree and all the trees;

as soon as they put forth leaves, you see it and know for yourselves that summer is now near.

"So you also, when you see these things happening, recognize that the kingdom of God is near.

"Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all things take place.

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.

"Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap;

for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of all the earth.

"But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."

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Read the THE GOLDEN RULE TWISTED ~ PART 2
Read the ADDENDUM TO THE GOLDEN RULE TWISTED ~ PART 2
Read the THE GOLDEN RULE TWISTED ~ PART 3

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(1)http://www.scarboromissions.ca/Golden_rule/meditation_exercises.php
(2)http://www.scarboromissions.ca/Golden_rule/poster_at_un.php