Origins of All Saints Day All Saints Day, originally known as the Feast of All Martyrs, began after the legalization of Christianity in 313 A.D. This significant day was established to honor the numerous Christian martyrs who perished during the reign of Emperor Diocletian (284-305 A.D.). Initially celebrated in both the Eastern and Western parts of Christianity, the day was observed after Easter or Pentecost and, in some traditions, on May 13. Between the eighth and ninth centuries, the date was universally changed to November 1 to expand the feast to include all saints. The rationale was that there were simply not enough days in the year to honor all the slain Christians and departed saints. Hence, a day was set aside to honor them all—Hallowed All Saints Day. This festival allowed devout Christians to go to church on a particular day of the year to learn about and celebrate the lives of great Christian leaders. The Emergence of Halloween The celebration of Hal...
This is a follow up to my previous blog about the mystery that is Jerusalem and the struggle that still rages over its sovereignty . As if to prove the point I made about President Obama laying a foundation upon which Israel's claim to sole sovereignty is denied, his administration has now been found to have asked Israel not to build apartments in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of East Jerusalem. There are numerous problems with this development. The primary issue goes back to Israel's sovereignty. What's apparent is that Obama, like so many other Presidents before him, lusts after the Holy Grail of world peace; reconciliation between Israel and the Arabs. What's frightening is that he's decided Israel's natural expansion in the land is the greatest impediment to that peace being achieved. On the one hand, it's confirmation of the fact that Israel's contribution to this conflict has little to do with its military endeavors, and a lot more to do with the...
Muslims believe that they can bring peace to the world by making it submit to the rule of shariah law. Islam is much more than a religion; it is a political system, and since the days of its founding father, Mohammed , it has expanded through violence and conquest. Last week, the world watched on with disbelief as a few Muslims terrorised the large Indian city of Mumbai . A group that is being blamed for masterminding the attack, Lashkar -e- Toiba , aims to place India under Islamic rule . Like Muslims elsewhere, they think that these attacks will intimidate the Indians into acquiescing to Islam. Targeting civilians, who are most easily intimidated, is justified in their minds since, after all, they are bringing them the peace of Islam. Contrast that with the " peace that passes understanding ". Jesus offers peace to every individual that transcends the surrounding situation. It is not about subjugation , but emancipation. It involves no coercion , only willful acceptance. It...
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