By Robert Clarita
Iligan City, Philippines (12.13.07) – Getting resurrected is not ideal at this point in time, especially in the Philippines. This striking assessment comes from the outspoken International Evangelist Eliseo Soriano, in his religious program Itanong Mo Kay Soriano (Ask Bro. Eli). Through satellite broadcast from the United States, Bro. Eli, the name he is most known for, answered all the queries of the audience that came in thousands to bask in his wide biblical knowledge through his interactive program.
One of the intriguing questions asked was about resurrection and its possibility of coming about presently. The evangelist answered that the resurrection of the dead will take place at a time that God destined it to be. However, if ever resurrection would come about in the country, it is not quite ideal at this point in time.
Soriano explained that a dead person raised from the dead in this country may actually be remorseful of having to live all over again. The resurrected one might even get angry about his supposed luck as he has to deal all over again with the impoverished conditions of the country which has gone from bad to worse.
Resurrection has a specific time destined by God, he said. For some who claim they are able to raise people from the dead, this is outright presumptuousness of God’s will, at the same time cruelty towards the dead who happen to be in their privileged rest, Soriano said. For resurrection to happen at this point in time in the country is indeed not something to wish for.
Currently, the Philippine economy is not showing any promise of favoring the citizens’ welfare, but rather graft and corruption abound in high places. According to the International Herald Tribune (03.13.07), the Philippines topped the list of 13 most corrupt countries from a survey conducted by Political and Economic Risk Consultancy (PERC), based in Hong Kong. In online Asian magazine called In Asia (03.28.07), Ky D. Johnson wrote that The Asia Foundation for the Philippines and Pacific Island Nations affirmed the results of the survey done in Hong Kong by PERC.
Meanwhile, Dieter Frisch of Euforic (08.15.96), a ten-year internetworking cooperation and development European site, defined corruption as “the abuse of public power for personal ends”. In it, Frisch suggested that most of those being corrupted are finances, properties, and income privileges, which actually are critical in order for people to live in a society conveniently.
Discrepancies in social and economic development obviously come from inequality brought about by corruption. According to Rosario Bella Guzman of IBON surveys (05.19.07), in 2006 there were some 9.8 million poor households whose impoverished conditions are growing worse because of income inequalities. This news, along with organized crimes and news of famine in some parts of the country hog the headlines of any news media today, attesting to the overwhelming corruption in the Philippines today.
Soriano said that if the news of the sorry state of affairs in the country would be heard by the resurrected ones, they would understand that it will mean a life burdensome for them. He said that the privileged rest in their tomb where they were formerly placed would be a sweeter option than for them to live once again with fear of threat from destitution and the cruelty of others.
On the side, some cults in the country claim they can resurrect the dead from the grave, but this is only a claim just so they can gain followers, Soriano said. Their claim is as good as their other claims like the laying on of hands to heal the sick, giving sight to the blind, and the promise of immediate wealth. If even just one of these acts were factual, it would have been a newsworthy item worldwide, Soriano said. Through time immemorial, however, there was no data to support their claim, he said.
The sensible preacher and host of the The Old Path program can be heard and seen preaching in an international channel with the same name, covering some states in America and a number in Europe. His propagations could also be trailed internationally through his weblog www.esoriano.wordpress.com.
Judgment Day and the Society
An inquirer wondered about the absence of an exact date of the judgment day destined by God in the last days. He said he doesn’t find it in the Bible. Evangelist Soriano replied that if the exact date were written in the Holy Scriptures or could be discerned easily by people, societal status will be more risky and perilous than it is presently.
Soriano explained that most probably people will take advantage of the remaining time to do more grievous activities, knowing that the judgment day is very far yet. People might get more abusive, he said, and when the declared date is approaching, that might be the only time that people will do good, such goodness not being an honest intention at all, but a scheming and deceitful one.
The evangelist however said that there are signs before judgment day will come and that is the time that the world is clad with exceeding evil – the perilous times. He cited the book of Matthew, followed by Revelation that say the resurrection of the dead will come first so that all humanity, except the holy ones of Christ, will face the judgment day.
Scriptural Niceties
In the course of replying to an inquirer, Soriano told of some additional important details regarding the Scriptures. He said Moses had an assistant writer during his period of leading the Israel, who happened to be the one writing after Moses.
He explained that even though Moses was put to rest, the historical records of the people of God in their journey were trailed because of Joshua, the assistant writer and the appointed leader after Moses. This mode also applied to other writers of the Holy Scriptures, particularly in the New Testament.
St. Paul, known for his numerous letters addressed to churches in different parts, was also aided with assistant writers. The evangelist said that the assistant writers were even acknowledged in the corresponding letters where they had been a help to Paul while writing those, as evidences of this knowledge he shared.
Tertius was Paul’s assistant during the time he was writing letters to the Romans, Sosthenes in his letters to the Corinthians, Timothy in his letters to the Thessalonians and Colossians, and Sylvanus with the ones for the Thessalonians as well.
Bro. Eli Abroad
To the query of an aged man why the evangelist left the country, Soriano found an opportunity to explain his sudden need to go abroad. He said that he had already served 40 years in the Philippines, and it covered just a very little percentage of the world population. He said it’s about time for the international brethren and wider audiences to be attended to by him regarding their spiritual needs.
The inquirer thus wished to see Soriano in person. The evangelist said that he also misses a lot his native country and fellow countrymen but he needs to sacrifice his personal preferences for the wider and higher level of propagations, which is that of the worldwide scale.
He also pointed out that in order for him to go home it will take a million dollars for fare. On the side, he said that his possible homecoming in the future shouldn’t be a hindrance for the already established international labors and propagation of the Church of God International to continue.
He said, if ever he comes home, he should also bring along his massive television production and IT staff, so he could resume broadcasting everywhere. Yet he said that the situation is impractical to realize for now, as the possible fare if ever produced could be spent for a more worthy cause - the salvation of many souls through multiple broadcasts via international channels, the internet, and weblog.
Spirits and Insanity
“What happens to the spirit of people who get insane?” asked an inquirer. Bro. Eli explained that in the spiritual perspective, the reason for the insanity of a person is that his own spirit gets influenced by evil spirits from the spirit world. He explained that it also depends upon the form of insanity that a person has, or upon how the malady was acquired.
When a person is not using his mind anymore to think rationally in his decisions, it is evident that he is being driven by evil spirits, Soriano said. He cited the example of a drug-dependent person who knows that abusing himself with drugs is hazardous, personally and socially, yet he persists with his habit. The spirit of this person, according to the preacher, is under the influence of an evil spirit which is the cause of his insanity.
Loaves and Fishes
A doubting young man asked Soriano, “How did the loaves and fishes happen to be sufficient as told in John 6:1-22 and how were they able to feed the masses?” The evangelist replied, “You will have to understand that in this world there are normal things as well as supra- or sub-normal incidences that cannot be explained by science or any study, but by spiritual positions. Jesus performed a miracle in that event, he said. Miracles are matters that science cannot explain. This may be impossible to you and to other people, but to God it is not, Soriano said. It is a matter of faith. Jesus is God who can do these things, and whether you are a believer or not, he did all those unexplainable things as written and recorded in the Bible,” the sensible preacher and host of The Old Path program added.
Showing posts with label Robert Clarita. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Robert Clarita. Show all posts
Friday, January 4, 2008
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Preacher Uncovers December 25th as Christ’s Birthday a Roman Catholic Lie
By Robert Clarita
Roman Catholic teachings and traditions were derived from pagans in Rome and not from Christianity, as what they usually suppose, including Christmas. This was the answer of Preacher Eliseo Soriano, famous for the name Bro. Eli, who holds the long standing program “Ask Bro. Eli” that started as a radio program of the evangelist.
In a live interactive program held recently (9/10/2007, Vigan Ilocos Sur, Philippines) via satellite from the United States, an inquirer asked Soriano if December 25 is Jesus Christ’s birthdate. Bro. Eli then answered consulting the Catholic Encyclopedia since the tradition came from the Roman Catholic belief.
In that Encyclopedia, it is stated that original pagans of Rome celebrated December 25 as the birth of their sun god, Ra. When Catholicism begun, the Catholic officials adopted the pagan tradition as Jesus Christ’s birthdate, due to their lack of understanding about the time from the Bible.
Dr. Samuel Bayo Arowolaju, a history scholar and author of Nigeria World Online, in his statements supported the answer of Soriano. He said, “We have said earlier that the pagan city of Ancient Rome was the first place that Christmas was celebrated and on December 25. This day, historically, was the climax for the celebration of the festival marking the rebirth of the Unconquerable Sun god or what was called "Dies Natalis Solis Invicti" or simply "Solis Invictus.” The festival that usually started on December 22 was later concluded to be celebrated on December 25 instead. Accordingly, it was the celebration of the time or day when the daylight began to be longer than nighttime in winter, the so-called the rebirth of the sun.
Soriano also emphasized that in Bethlehem, during December, the place is covered with snow, making it impossible for any manger to accommodate a baby or give space for Joseph and Mary for delivery that time. A manger is a small place where sheep and other cattle are kept until the end of the winter season.
Soriano informed the viewers that it is impossible for the sheep to lie in fields outside, as the fields are covered with thick snow, or the sheep will surely freeze and die. Around the time of Jesus’ birth too, the Roman government under Caesar Augustus required a census. The Roman government would not be that foolish to be requiring its own people to travel at a most vicious time if December 25 which falls at winter time is Jesus’ birthday, he said. Soriano didn’t cite any exact birth date of Jesus Christ as the bible did not mention any, but he said he is certain that the December 25 belief of the Catholics is a lie.
Soriano even noted before the viewers the dishonest lyrics of a Christmas song, The First Noel, in relation to the topic. The line goes…
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep
On a cold winter’s night that was so deep
Catholicism is claiming this stand of Christianity as stated in the Catholic Online Encyclopedia: New Advent (2007). Stated is their claim that “the Christianity of which we speak is that which we find realized in the Catholic Church alone.” However, facts and documentary evidences deny this claim.
Of the same topic, Soriano also said that Christmas, the most celebrated tradition in many parts of the globe, is only of commerce. No one can refute this thought. In terms of simple business talk, Christmas season is the time in the whole year round that business establishments are in at high sales. From Christmas decors to the expensive Christmas feast, people are willing to spend even beyond their budget just to trail along with the wrong tradition of which origin they are unaware of. In the poor countries like in the Philippines, crimes like hold up and robbery are in their peak during this season, based on news reports.
Thea Alberto and Alcuin Papa of Philippine Daily Inquirer.Net reported about the recent warning of Chief Superintendent Eric Javier of the National Capital Region Police Office. In the article titled, Brace for rise in crimes during ‘ber’ months, cops warn (16/10/2007), Javier was saying that crime rate rises when Christmas season is approaching. Previous reports also showed that when culprits were asked about their motives, they pointed to the need to catch up with their families with the traditional Noche Buena, which many in the upper social strata enjoy every year.
A tradition then that is founded upon lies and false beliefs results in serious mishaps to society, as well as create a disastrous effect on the character of many. The Christmas the way the Catholic world celebrates it is quite different from the spirit of Christ’s birth, according to Soriano. Supposedly a peaceful one as Christ’s birth was, it is too noisy. “I am sorry,” Soriano said, “I am just telling you the truth. Your pasko is different from the pasko in the Bible.”
Other Catholic Issues Discussed
Salvation in Priesthood?
Someone asked regarding the condition in salvation of his relative who is in a Catholic priesthood. Soriano answered straightforward “I am sad to say that he, as well as those in the same position, is identified in the Bible as false preacher.”
An Issue of Good Relations
An inquirer who happened to be a Catholic mother of one of the member of Bro. Eli’s congregation asked why it is forbidden for the members to go to family affairs like church weddings and child baptisms.
Soriano corrected her that the question might lead to misconceptions about relating to one’s family. He said that in the congregation he is leading, he is imposing and encouraging the members to have good relations with their own families, regardless of their religious beliefs and differences. In order to have good relations with the people around us, good manners are required. Thus this is encouraged and imposed by the TOP preacher among the members in the congregation. However, to acknowledge or to follow the doctrines of other religions is a different thing. Soriano explained, “Ask your son (a member of the congregation) to do some errand’ he should obey you; but ask him to acknowledge false gods, that is forbidden!”
Sinning through idolatries
Another Catholic inquirer asked if what other Catholic folks are saying that people are sinning when they were not going to church for their traditional mass is true. Bro. Eli answered that people are actually sinning when they are attending the mass services of the Catholic Church where idolatry is practiced and known for.
Roman Catholic teachings and traditions were derived from pagans in Rome and not from Christianity, as what they usually suppose, including Christmas. This was the answer of Preacher Eliseo Soriano, famous for the name Bro. Eli, who holds the long standing program “Ask Bro. Eli” that started as a radio program of the evangelist.
In a live interactive program held recently (9/10/2007, Vigan Ilocos Sur, Philippines) via satellite from the United States, an inquirer asked Soriano if December 25 is Jesus Christ’s birthdate. Bro. Eli then answered consulting the Catholic Encyclopedia since the tradition came from the Roman Catholic belief.
In that Encyclopedia, it is stated that original pagans of Rome celebrated December 25 as the birth of their sun god, Ra. When Catholicism begun, the Catholic officials adopted the pagan tradition as Jesus Christ’s birthdate, due to their lack of understanding about the time from the Bible.
Dr. Samuel Bayo Arowolaju, a history scholar and author of Nigeria World Online, in his statements supported the answer of Soriano. He said, “We have said earlier that the pagan city of Ancient Rome was the first place that Christmas was celebrated and on December 25. This day, historically, was the climax for the celebration of the festival marking the rebirth of the Unconquerable Sun god or what was called "Dies Natalis Solis Invicti" or simply "Solis Invictus.” The festival that usually started on December 22 was later concluded to be celebrated on December 25 instead. Accordingly, it was the celebration of the time or day when the daylight began to be longer than nighttime in winter, the so-called the rebirth of the sun.
Soriano also emphasized that in Bethlehem, during December, the place is covered with snow, making it impossible for any manger to accommodate a baby or give space for Joseph and Mary for delivery that time. A manger is a small place where sheep and other cattle are kept until the end of the winter season.
Soriano informed the viewers that it is impossible for the sheep to lie in fields outside, as the fields are covered with thick snow, or the sheep will surely freeze and die. Around the time of Jesus’ birth too, the Roman government under Caesar Augustus required a census. The Roman government would not be that foolish to be requiring its own people to travel at a most vicious time if December 25 which falls at winter time is Jesus’ birthday, he said. Soriano didn’t cite any exact birth date of Jesus Christ as the bible did not mention any, but he said he is certain that the December 25 belief of the Catholics is a lie.
Soriano even noted before the viewers the dishonest lyrics of a Christmas song, The First Noel, in relation to the topic. The line goes…
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep
On a cold winter’s night that was so deep
Catholicism is claiming this stand of Christianity as stated in the Catholic Online Encyclopedia: New Advent (2007). Stated is their claim that “the Christianity of which we speak is that which we find realized in the Catholic Church alone.” However, facts and documentary evidences deny this claim.
Of the same topic, Soriano also said that Christmas, the most celebrated tradition in many parts of the globe, is only of commerce. No one can refute this thought. In terms of simple business talk, Christmas season is the time in the whole year round that business establishments are in at high sales. From Christmas decors to the expensive Christmas feast, people are willing to spend even beyond their budget just to trail along with the wrong tradition of which origin they are unaware of. In the poor countries like in the Philippines, crimes like hold up and robbery are in their peak during this season, based on news reports.
Thea Alberto and Alcuin Papa of Philippine Daily Inquirer.Net reported about the recent warning of Chief Superintendent Eric Javier of the National Capital Region Police Office. In the article titled, Brace for rise in crimes during ‘ber’ months, cops warn (16/10/2007), Javier was saying that crime rate rises when Christmas season is approaching. Previous reports also showed that when culprits were asked about their motives, they pointed to the need to catch up with their families with the traditional Noche Buena, which many in the upper social strata enjoy every year.
A tradition then that is founded upon lies and false beliefs results in serious mishaps to society, as well as create a disastrous effect on the character of many. The Christmas the way the Catholic world celebrates it is quite different from the spirit of Christ’s birth, according to Soriano. Supposedly a peaceful one as Christ’s birth was, it is too noisy. “I am sorry,” Soriano said, “I am just telling you the truth. Your pasko is different from the pasko in the Bible.”
Other Catholic Issues Discussed
Salvation in Priesthood?
Someone asked regarding the condition in salvation of his relative who is in a Catholic priesthood. Soriano answered straightforward “I am sad to say that he, as well as those in the same position, is identified in the Bible as false preacher.”
An Issue of Good Relations
An inquirer who happened to be a Catholic mother of one of the member of Bro. Eli’s congregation asked why it is forbidden for the members to go to family affairs like church weddings and child baptisms.
Soriano corrected her that the question might lead to misconceptions about relating to one’s family. He said that in the congregation he is leading, he is imposing and encouraging the members to have good relations with their own families, regardless of their religious beliefs and differences. In order to have good relations with the people around us, good manners are required. Thus this is encouraged and imposed by the TOP preacher among the members in the congregation. However, to acknowledge or to follow the doctrines of other religions is a different thing. Soriano explained, “Ask your son (a member of the congregation) to do some errand’ he should obey you; but ask him to acknowledge false gods, that is forbidden!”
Sinning through idolatries
Another Catholic inquirer asked if what other Catholic folks are saying that people are sinning when they were not going to church for their traditional mass is true. Bro. Eli answered that people are actually sinning when they are attending the mass services of the Catholic Church where idolatry is practiced and known for.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Adultery a Multiplication Mode of the Devil
By Robert Clarita
Tarlac, Philippines (10.04.07) - The work of the devil is to multiply the people who will follow their wicked ways through adultery. This is just one of the many intriguing yet logically inclined lines of the Ang Dating Daan (The Old Path) host/leader, Eliseo Soriano, popularly known as Bro. Eli.
Soriano pointed out in his equally known religious program Itanong mo kay Soriano (Ask Bro. Eli), held recently that adultery is generally known as an immoral act since the Ten Commandments were given to Moses and implemented among Israelites. The nature of the work came from the devil as it is his desperate mode in multiplying people who will be adherents to his vicious ways.
The evangelist said that by adultery, a person committing it is influencing the partner of the act, thus one act is already an equivalent to two souls in danger. This is not even to mention if the doer is committing adultery with multiple partners - and this is not impossible, considering the degrading state of morality these days, where statistics of broken family, annulment, and divorce cases are very high.
Many of the families nowadays are facing serious marital/domestic-damage through a partner’s infidelity. An online social statistic watcher, Woman Savers, came up with a research finding that “70 percent of married women and 54 percent of married men did not know of their spouses' extramarital activity”.
In the percentage stated, an individual estimation would range from 38 to 53 million unfaithful partners. Applying this to the multiplication mode of the devil means twice of it then. This is not to mention even the number of adultery cases not included in the statistics given,
The Associated Press (2/22/06) also came up with a report on adultery cases. They studied that 22 percent of married men have strayed at least once during their married lives, while 14 percent of married women have had affairs at least once during their married lives. They also stated that younger people are more likely candidates of infidelity in marriage.
To quote Laura Guiles, a marriage counselor of All Experts Online, she said that “when a parent betrays a spouse, he or she is really also betraying the entire family. The child internalizes that distrust and either plays it out by becoming a cheater too or she will not get close to people.”
It is alarming enough to know that that the multiplication mode through adultery doesn’t just stop with the persons committing it but the affected offspring as well. The seed of infidelity could be planted in the minds of the children through internalizing the effect of the affair in the family, and themselves as well are potential adulterer in the future. Thus Soriano’s words were affirmed.
Use of Language. In the Ask Bro. Eli. Program, the topic turned to Soriano’s style of being frank and bold in delivering truth from the Holy Scriptures. Often, he encounters questions such as why he uses ‘foul’ language such as ‘fool’ before the viewers, like in this event.
He explained to the questioner that he is not using foul language if the subject is really a fool. He said he is just using the appropriate words or proper adjectives for false preachers who are evidently using religion for personal profit, or is referring to the ignorance of some boastful atheists about the bible, and the like.
In the end he said, “Even if I am saying ‘fool,’ you will still join in the congregation I am tasked to lead, if you are really searching for the truth.”
Personal Savior. Another inquirer asked Soriano about the biblical basis of the term ‘Personal Savior’ that many Born Again cults are teaching regarding the being of Jesus Christ in their own biblical interpretation. In an easy swipe, Soriano answered the inquirer regarding the usage of the term ‘personal.’
He pointed out that one’s toothbrush, undergarment, and cosmetics are of personal use and shouldn’t be used by others if hygiene is to be considered. The same logic goes that if ‘personal savior’ is to be used, it will be meaning that Christ is only owned by one person and cannot be shared, which is a very irrational and unbiblical belief.
Citing a verse in the bible, Soriano said that Christ is savior of the true church He founded - not by the individual - pointing to the fact that God places his name in the name his church.
Bones. One of the interesting points discussed in Ask Bro. Eli was prompted by the inquiry of a female student. She asked Soriano if scholars who are studying the supposed bones of known holy figures, like the apostles, are sinning before God.
To this question, Bro. Eli answered that “we are actually learning from the bones!” He justified his response in the fact that forensics, or the scientific analysis of evidence relating to crime, is using bones of corpses to discover how they died when needed in a certain investigation.
Also, Soriano noted that through the discoveries of the bones of the dinosaurs wherein scientists learned through advance technology, these species existed billions of years ago, giving us an idea how old this earth is, refuting some ideologist’s contemptuous thinking of the other way around.
The evangelist said that through bones, non-believers became believers, and it would be favorable for the technical credibility of some biblical figure’s existence if scientists are able to confirm their bones. Perhaps critics of the bible will be enlightened, Soriano said.
Manifestation of Faith. Also in this event, Eli Soriano’s moral concern for society was all the more marked when an inquirer asked him how a person can encourage others to believe in God.
Answering with true sincerity drawn in his face, he said that good manners can influence and entice others to follow one’s own faith. He supported this with a biblical verse stating that one’s manners can really influence others. He cited St. Paul’s words.
According to Soriano, the manifestation of the goodness that one’s own faith can do to a person should be visible in his lifestyle, as this is what other people use as basis of their conformity before believing. Obviously Soriano is doing the very thing he advised as his followers are growing by leaps and bounds, not just in the country but in other nations. Soriano who is now known as the most sensible preacher in our times has his international broadcasts in the TOP channel, various internet broadcasts, including his very recent podcasting program, with the same title, Ask Bro. Eli in Talkshoe.com.
Media Today and Influence. Watching Bro. Eli in his programs is a relief away from the usual programs that major local channels are promoting during the primetime. Fantasy/romance inclined programs and soap operas are the ones being promoted before the viewers regardless of age sensitivity, where serious heavy themes like adultery are depicted as the very conflict of stories in various forms. It is suggested that the devil suggests these kinds of programs to implant the seed of their mode of operation of multiplying.
According to a British social study in Psychology of Communication, media is incredibly powerful in influencing society. Exemplified is Nazism in Germany, or Communism in Soviet Union that would not have been successful had it not been for “massive propaganda machines which kept the public's support for abhorrent régimes.”
This simply affirms the suggestion that media influences the thought of society, as Hovland implied in his treatise on political propaganda and advertising. Accordingly, views regarding morality and perception of certain social issues can be affected through mass media messages.
With media’s manipulation, themes like adultery can be rationalized, and people can become loose without any pangs of guilt. If consummated, it becomes a serious threat to society, leading to the devil’s multiplication mode, according to Soriano.
Tarlac, Philippines (10.04.07) - The work of the devil is to multiply the people who will follow their wicked ways through adultery. This is just one of the many intriguing yet logically inclined lines of the Ang Dating Daan (The Old Path) host/leader, Eliseo Soriano, popularly known as Bro. Eli.
Soriano pointed out in his equally known religious program Itanong mo kay Soriano (Ask Bro. Eli), held recently that adultery is generally known as an immoral act since the Ten Commandments were given to Moses and implemented among Israelites. The nature of the work came from the devil as it is his desperate mode in multiplying people who will be adherents to his vicious ways.
The evangelist said that by adultery, a person committing it is influencing the partner of the act, thus one act is already an equivalent to two souls in danger. This is not even to mention if the doer is committing adultery with multiple partners - and this is not impossible, considering the degrading state of morality these days, where statistics of broken family, annulment, and divorce cases are very high.
Many of the families nowadays are facing serious marital/domestic-damage through a partner’s infidelity. An online social statistic watcher, Woman Savers, came up with a research finding that “70 percent of married women and 54 percent of married men did not know of their spouses' extramarital activity”.
In the percentage stated, an individual estimation would range from 38 to 53 million unfaithful partners. Applying this to the multiplication mode of the devil means twice of it then. This is not to mention even the number of adultery cases not included in the statistics given,
The Associated Press (2/22/06) also came up with a report on adultery cases. They studied that 22 percent of married men have strayed at least once during their married lives, while 14 percent of married women have had affairs at least once during their married lives. They also stated that younger people are more likely candidates of infidelity in marriage.
To quote Laura Guiles, a marriage counselor of All Experts Online, she said that “when a parent betrays a spouse, he or she is really also betraying the entire family. The child internalizes that distrust and either plays it out by becoming a cheater too or she will not get close to people.”
It is alarming enough to know that that the multiplication mode through adultery doesn’t just stop with the persons committing it but the affected offspring as well. The seed of infidelity could be planted in the minds of the children through internalizing the effect of the affair in the family, and themselves as well are potential adulterer in the future. Thus Soriano’s words were affirmed.
Use of Language. In the Ask Bro. Eli. Program, the topic turned to Soriano’s style of being frank and bold in delivering truth from the Holy Scriptures. Often, he encounters questions such as why he uses ‘foul’ language such as ‘fool’ before the viewers, like in this event.
He explained to the questioner that he is not using foul language if the subject is really a fool. He said he is just using the appropriate words or proper adjectives for false preachers who are evidently using religion for personal profit, or is referring to the ignorance of some boastful atheists about the bible, and the like.
In the end he said, “Even if I am saying ‘fool,’ you will still join in the congregation I am tasked to lead, if you are really searching for the truth.”
Personal Savior. Another inquirer asked Soriano about the biblical basis of the term ‘Personal Savior’ that many Born Again cults are teaching regarding the being of Jesus Christ in their own biblical interpretation. In an easy swipe, Soriano answered the inquirer regarding the usage of the term ‘personal.’
He pointed out that one’s toothbrush, undergarment, and cosmetics are of personal use and shouldn’t be used by others if hygiene is to be considered. The same logic goes that if ‘personal savior’ is to be used, it will be meaning that Christ is only owned by one person and cannot be shared, which is a very irrational and unbiblical belief.
Citing a verse in the bible, Soriano said that Christ is savior of the true church He founded - not by the individual - pointing to the fact that God places his name in the name his church.
Bones. One of the interesting points discussed in Ask Bro. Eli was prompted by the inquiry of a female student. She asked Soriano if scholars who are studying the supposed bones of known holy figures, like the apostles, are sinning before God.
To this question, Bro. Eli answered that “we are actually learning from the bones!” He justified his response in the fact that forensics, or the scientific analysis of evidence relating to crime, is using bones of corpses to discover how they died when needed in a certain investigation.
Also, Soriano noted that through the discoveries of the bones of the dinosaurs wherein scientists learned through advance technology, these species existed billions of years ago, giving us an idea how old this earth is, refuting some ideologist’s contemptuous thinking of the other way around.
The evangelist said that through bones, non-believers became believers, and it would be favorable for the technical credibility of some biblical figure’s existence if scientists are able to confirm their bones. Perhaps critics of the bible will be enlightened, Soriano said.
Manifestation of Faith. Also in this event, Eli Soriano’s moral concern for society was all the more marked when an inquirer asked him how a person can encourage others to believe in God.
Answering with true sincerity drawn in his face, he said that good manners can influence and entice others to follow one’s own faith. He supported this with a biblical verse stating that one’s manners can really influence others. He cited St. Paul’s words.
According to Soriano, the manifestation of the goodness that one’s own faith can do to a person should be visible in his lifestyle, as this is what other people use as basis of their conformity before believing. Obviously Soriano is doing the very thing he advised as his followers are growing by leaps and bounds, not just in the country but in other nations. Soriano who is now known as the most sensible preacher in our times has his international broadcasts in the TOP channel, various internet broadcasts, including his very recent podcasting program, with the same title, Ask Bro. Eli in Talkshoe.com.
Media Today and Influence. Watching Bro. Eli in his programs is a relief away from the usual programs that major local channels are promoting during the primetime. Fantasy/romance inclined programs and soap operas are the ones being promoted before the viewers regardless of age sensitivity, where serious heavy themes like adultery are depicted as the very conflict of stories in various forms. It is suggested that the devil suggests these kinds of programs to implant the seed of their mode of operation of multiplying.
According to a British social study in Psychology of Communication, media is incredibly powerful in influencing society. Exemplified is Nazism in Germany, or Communism in Soviet Union that would not have been successful had it not been for “massive propaganda machines which kept the public's support for abhorrent régimes.”
This simply affirms the suggestion that media influences the thought of society, as Hovland implied in his treatise on political propaganda and advertising. Accordingly, views regarding morality and perception of certain social issues can be affected through mass media messages.
With media’s manipulation, themes like adultery can be rationalized, and people can become loose without any pangs of guilt. If consummated, it becomes a serious threat to society, leading to the devil’s multiplication mode, according to Soriano.
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