Preacher exposes celebrating Christmas as false
By Robert Clarita Jr
Manila, Philippines - What’s with the Christmas Season that crime rates go up? What does December have to do with the behavior of men?
Some 1,000 Regional Mobile Groups (RMG) officers of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) are set to deploy in the metropolis this Christmas season for security measures, says NCRPO Director Jeffrey Soriano in an interview with Quismundo.
“We need the RMG as our frontliners for terrorism and other serious crimes . . . in malls and bus terminals, that’s where we have to put additional visibility,” Soriano said addressing the operation.
This is the Philippines. Robbery syndicates were said to have victimized a National Food Authority, a soft drinks company and several commercial establishments during this time according to Tarra Quismundo of Philippine Daily Inquirer (11/20/2008).
In the United States, it is not any different. In there, the incident of crime rate rising during winter also prevails. There are more crimes committed during the months of November and December, says Barboursville Sgt. Jim Bellomy in interview with The Herald- Dispatch last year.
The police officer Bellomy enumerated some crimes regularly committed during the season to be shoplifting, fraud, false pretenses, breaking in cars and forgery. Crimes are observed to be rampant in Huntington Mall, West Virginia as in other similar places.
“Yes, the crime rate as far as larcenies go up during Christmas because people can’t afford certain things or want to have a nice Christmas for someone else,” added Bellomy. He was asked if the perception that more crimes are committed during the holiday.
“Winter months prompt crime rate surge,” reported a study of University of Nottingham in December 2005. It said that winter months leading up to Christmas are when domestic robberies have recently been at their highest. In line with this, warnings are given out to homeowners that Christmas gifts can make an attractive target for thieves.
However, some minor areas have different reports. Crime levels over the Holidays are typically much lighter in the University of Oregon but that is because they have low student population. Spokeswoman Pam Olshanki of Eugene Police Department (EPD), in an interview with Lisa Catto of Daily Emerald in 2004 said crime rate is at peak where there is crowd celebrating Christmas season.
The mounting crime rate during Christmas season also extends in other continents as well, like in Africa. “The crime rate here (North Kivu, Congo) jumps at this time of year because people are desperate to provide something extra to meet their families’ expectations of new clothes and good food on the table,” observed by Nicola Reiss. Reiss maintained a blog, Nicky’s Itchy Feet and on December 18, 2007 gave a graphic description of what happens during this season.
As far back as two centuries ago, Jacques Guerry de Champneuf observed that whereas the crimes against persons are more numerous in the summer, the crimes against property are more numerous in winter. Jacques was the director of affaires criminelles in the Ministry of Justice, France. The Christmas season falls in winter.
These disturbing facts occur within this supposedly peaceful holiday. What is alarming is that this most celebrated holiday is a product of inaccuracy of a traditional belief. Many thought that December 25th was the birthday of Jesus Christ since AD 354.
According to Encyclopedia Britannica Online, the Roman Catholic Christmas links to the Roman Festival of Saturnalia. It was celebrated by Romans from 17th to 25th of December, which had no traits of Christian custom, but actually celebrates the festival of Saturnus.
Roman History also cited that during this period, Roman courts were closed and no one could be punished for damaging property or injuring people, according to the research of William Ramsay, M.A. of University of Glasgow. This implies that some Romans can deliberately do crimes during the period, as if the law and justice also had their holidays. This manner perhaps made transition in our times where crime rates are at its peak during the same season.
The fraudulence of the Christmas tradition has been long being shouted about by Bro. Eli Soriano, an international preacher of Members Church of God International (MCGI), through his popular exposition program Ang Dating Daan Bible Exposition.
Soriano gave a reasonable justification of the absence of the data of Jesus Christ’s birthdate in the Bible. “Christ came from eternity. If we are to put his birth, it will appear he just existed during that time. They said Christ just existed when being borne by Mary. What they don’t know is that before Mary or even the world existed, there is already an entity being called the Son of God.” This was the evangelist’s answer during one of the live Bible Expositions held in Lucena. He supported his statement with a passage in the book of Proverbs as his reference.
Perhaps a tradition that was based on a deception and lies has caused serious mishaps to society, and gave a disturbing effect on the character of those who were affected by it. “I am sorry, am just telling the truth. Your Christmas is different from the Christmas in the Bible,” Soriano, who bears the title, “the most sensible preacher in our times” by the congregation he is leading, added.
Instead of celebrating along with the erroneous Christmas, MCGI celebrates offerings of Thanksgiving that is being participated in by the international chapters of the congregation. This is being celebrated in the manner of the activities cited on the Bible. The MCGI tradition of International Thanksgivings is being done quarterly, and with December being its last quarter.
Bible Expositions hosted by Bro. Eli Soriano and its interactive section Itanong Mo kay Soriano (Ask Soriano) is being regularly aired in Ang Dating Daan (The Old Path), a program in UNTV channel and in TOP channel in United States. This is also accessible online 24/7 though Truthcaster.Com and The Old Path.TV.
Gawad Amerika Awards in California have awarded Soriano the most informative religious program of the year with his Ang Dating Daan program in 2006. Many souls are being continuously served with their spiritual and religious queries that are being answered based on the facts in the Bible with Bro. Eli’s program. It is now being aired, not just in the Philippines, but in different countries like in the United States, and some parts in Europe, Africa and in Asia.
Showing posts with label christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label christmas. Show all posts
Monday, December 22, 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.
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