Rebellion

There are many  stories out there that scare me to the extent  that , I begin to wonder whether God has left us to our vices? though this stories might not be anything new in life but the fact that despite the word of God out there people are still following this route to destruction. My Prayer is that God should keep being merciful to us all in Jesus Mighty Name Amen.

2 Peter 2:1 (New International Version)

False Teachers and Their Destruction

1But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves

Christianity without Christ Worldwide

There is a Bible on a pedestal in Gretta Vosper's West Hill United Church in Toronto. She would prefer it did not have a special place, she said, because it is just a book among other books. In a similar way, the cross that is high above the altar has no special meaning, but there are a few older congregants for whom the Bible and the cross are still nice symbols so there they remain. Though an ordained minister, she does not like the title of reverend. It is one of those symbols that hold the church back from breaking into the future -- to a time "when the label Christian won't even exist" and the Church will be freed of the burdens of the past. To balance out those symbols of the past inside West Hill, there is a giant, non-religious rainbow tapestry just behind the altar and multi-coloured streamers hang from the ceiling. "The central story of Christianity will fade away," she explained. "The story about Jesus as the symbol of everything that Christianity is will fade away." Even Rev. Giuliano agrees that the name Christian -- which carries the baggage of colonialism and other ills -- should probably be phased out. Instead, he would replace "Christian" with "Follower of the Way" or "Follower of Jesus." But it is an absolute certainty that Ms. Vosper would not go for "Follower of Jesus." Ms. Vosper does not believe in the Virgin Birth, the Resurrection, the miracles and the sacrament of baptism. Nor does she believe in the creeds, the presence of Christ in communion or that Jesus was the Son of God. In With or Without God, her book that was formally launched this week, she writes that Jesus was a "Middle Eastern peasant with a few charismatic gifts and a great posthumous marketing team." The Bible is used in her services, but it gets rewritten to be more contemporary and speak to more people. Even the Lord's Prayer -- also known as the Our Father -- does not make the cut because it creates an image of a God who intervenes in human existence. And then there is the "Father" part that is not inclusive language and carries with it the notion of an overbearing tyrant who condemns people to hell.

Satanism Growing Wildly in Rome

In this predominantly Catholic nation the devil is gaining a foothold. "There is a greater openness towards the devil," Rev. Gabriele Amorth, the Vatican's chief exorcist, said. In fact, Rome has been called the most 'satanized' city in Italy. "Satanism and the occult are in fashion," said Father Pedro Barrajón, a professor of theology. There are an estimated 800 satanic cults operating in the country, with more than 600,000 followers. And their numbers are growing. "The devil's diabolical influence is growing in so many areas of our society. He needs to be driven out!" Pastor Silvano Lilli of International Evangelical Church said. Leading the battle to drive the devil out of Italy is 82-year-old Amorth. Amorth, as the Vatican's Chief Exorcist, is the driving force behind the Catholic Church's renewed campaign against the devil. Amorth says "exorcism is God's true miracle" to confronting the devil and his handmaidens. The devil's growing influence has even gotten the attention of the Vatican. Last year it started offering courses to its bishops on exorcisms. "Our bishops need to know how to confront the devil," Barrajón said. "They need to know how an exorcism is conducted and how to help set people free from the influence of the devil." Italians got a taste of the devil's influence a couple of years ago when two teenagers were stabbed, bludgeoned and buried alive here in the woods northwest Milan. Members of a heavy metal band named the Beasts of Satan were convicted in the double murder. One of the victims was allegedly killed because she resembled the Virgin Mary. Many Italians are forsaking priests for magicians, fortune-tellers and faith healers. "The actions of the devil are not just limited to here in Italy- his evil spirit is roaming the earth, tempting people. We are trying to educate the society and families about the dangers of his influence."