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...
About a year ago I allowed my wife to talk me into going to one of those dreaded marriage seminars that churches like to host from time to time. I came in prepared to have my discomfort index sharply appreciated, but the only pain I was forced to endure was in my sides (no, not my wife poking me) from all the laughter. The couple that presented the seminar, Drs Les & Leslie Parrott , hit home some really insightful points with no shortage of humour. I mean, if you can't laugh about your marriage, who can? Aside from doing seminars and writing books, this couple also helped create the eHarmony Marriage website to help couples build stronger relationships. Getting to my point, I was shocked to learn today that eHarmony has been forced, as a result of a lawsuit claiming sexual discrimination against homosexuals, to start an online dating service for gays and lesbians. See Foxnews' article by Josh Miller . There's a very real threat out there from those that seek not pure...
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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