Commentary

Commentary & News Briefs
December 9, 2005
Compiled by Jenni Parker

...One of the most talked-about films of the season opens today in theaters across America: C.S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia: the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. The lead-up to the opening has generated much discussion about the Christian message in the Disney-produced film; but according to an Associated Press report, Lewis' stepson, Douglas Gresham, admits he has grown a little tired of that. "I think it's been blown out of all proportion," he says. "What we have done with this film is produce a very fair and straight, faithful adaptation .... Let the viewers make their own minds up." The film's director, Andrew Adamson, feels similarly. "Some people see it and don't see any kind of tie-ins. Other people see it and find a religious message," he notes. "I think it really depends on the individual and their own beliefs." Meanwhile, actress Georgie Henley, who plays Lucy in the film, has provided an example of the childlike wonder Adamson hopes the film will elicit from moviegoers. Henley says at one point during filming the director blindfolded her to make sure she would have a genuinely amazed reaction upon first entering Narnia. [AP/Fred Jackson] (Apostle1.com's Editorial Commentary: This type of film would not be sanctioned by true Orthodox Catholic Christianity as being "Christian" for it is another attempt by the evil one to ensnare Christians into a false understanding for children and the possibly of what Christian morality is about... There is no escaping the gaining of true Orthodox (roots) Christian understandings from those who have and hold to the Life and Teachings of Jesus Christ, not man's fantasy ideas (this movie) of what could or should be, but only by and through Jesus Christ and the Church He established which has carried His message down through time and history. The film is nice for those in the Harry Potter set... but a very horrible and unchristian approach to the truth of this life we presently have in Christ if we are true to Orthodox Catholic Christianity for the life to come. This movie is more for those who want and go to those so-called churches who follow and "entertainment mentality" in their heretical approaches to the Gospel Message and worship as given by the great deceiver and his minion who, unknowing to themselves who follow this path, follow in the Great Deceiver's footsteps and not the footsteps of Jesus Christ, the Holy Apostles and those who have followed down through time and history!)...

...A new addition to Trinity Broadcasting Network's (TBN) Christian television family, the "Smile of a Child Television Network" will sign on later this month and begin offering quality Christian children's programming 24 hours a day. The new network, scheduled to debut December 24, is the special project of TBN co-founder Jan Crouch. Years ago, with the help of her husband, TBN co-founder Paul Crouch, and key ministry partners, Jan Crouch began the Smile of a Child ministry as a vehicle to reach out to hurting and needy children worldwide. "It began simply with providing dolls to poverty-stricken children in Haiti," she explains. "It's grown to taking many thousands of toys to children all over the globe, as well as providing needed medical care through building hospitals in places like Haiti and Costa Rica. And now we've added the powerful medium of television to take Smile of a Child to countless thousands more precious children." Brenda Rossman, programming director for the new network, says Smile of a Child TV will entertain and morally instruct young people, supplying "the crucial element of spiritual instruction that will really bear fruit in the lives of children for many years to come." Rossman adds that Crouch and all others involved in this labor of love are committed to bringing the best moral and biblical teachings to children through fun and constructive television. [RNS]

...Concerned Women for America is pleased that an advocate of the "morning-after" pill, also called Plan B, has admitted easy access to the drug has not reduced the incidence of unwanted pregnancies and abortions. Pro-abortion activists and politicians have demanded the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) make the high-dose morning-after pill available over-the-counter, although the same drug in lower doses requires a prescription. Plan B proponents' argument that easy access would reduce unintended pregnancies and abortions is partly based on a hypothesis from the Alan Guttmacher Institute; however, the experience in countries where the drug is available without a prescription show equal or higher rates of teen pregnancies and abortions and sexually transmitted diseases. Pressed by CWA executive vice president Wendy Wright at the National Press Club's Newsmaker Forum, the CEO of the Reproductive Health Technologies Project, Kirsten Moore, admitted there is no real evidence that easy access to the morning-after pill decreases the incidence of pregnancy or abortions, and she also conceded that increases have occurred in countries where it is easily accessible. Wright says Moore's admission "knocks the legs out from the hard-charging coalition intent on making this drug as easy to get as toothpaste." The CWA spokeswoman insists their claim that Plan B could reduce unwanted pregnancies and abortions by half is "based not on fact, but 'faith' with no substance in reality." [Jenni Parker]

...Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney has abandoned plans to exempt Catholic and other private hospitals from a law requiring them to offer the "morning-after" pill to rape victims. Romney had initially backed regulations proposed by his public health commissioner, who said the new law conflicts with an older law barring the state from forcing private hospitals to dispense contraceptive devices or information. The Republican governor says his legal advisers told him that the new law supersedes the old law and that all hospitals should be required to offer the morning-after pill, although many Catholics and other Christians consider it to be a form of abortion. The law, which takes effect next Wednesday, was passed by the Legislature over Romney's veto. [AP]

...In one of the biggest cases of its kind in recent years, a U.S. appellate court has reinstated federal obscenity charges against a couple who sold pornographic videos depicting simulated rape and murder. The Third U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals' decision reversed a January ruling by a federal judge who threw out the 10-count indictment against Robert Zicari and Janet Romano and their company, Extreme Associates, Inc., on the grounds that they had a right to distribute their materials under constitutional privacy protections. Federal prosecutors argued that the right to possess obscenity does not include the right to receive or distribute it. Daniel Weiss, the senior analyst for media and sexuality for Focus on the Family, called the Third Circuit Court's ruling "a breakthrough for American families." Now that the court has rejected the arguments and "faulty reasoning" that previously got the case against the pornographers thrown out, Weiss says, "we fully expect a quick trial ending in a guilty verdict, given that the defendants have already admitted they have violated federal obscenity law." The media and sexuality analyst says Focus on the Family applauds the Justice Department and U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan for conducting "a vigorous investigation and defense of the government's position" and for looking out for families and children. [Jenni Parker]

...A man who won in the Texas lottery says he is not going to play anymore. Mike Sargent of Alvarado won $25,000 last month on a scratch-off ticket at a local store. He quickly signed the ticket and filled in his name and address, then called his wife to say he had a big Christmas present for her. But by the time he got home, the ticket was gone. Sargent and his friends from church searched for the ticket for days along fields, in dumpsters, and in ditches, even putting up signs and offering a reward. Five days later a man named Gerardo Ruiz called Sargent to say he found the ticket. Ruiz says he was not going to give the ticket back at first, but his wife encouraged him to realize that returning it would be the right thing to do. Sargent gave Ruiz $2,500 as a reward and also gave some money to his own church as a thank you. The prize winner says he believes his ordeal was God's way of telling him to stop playing the lottery and to trust in God to provide for him. Sargent, who founded a prison ministry, says he plans to use the money to pay off some debt and to help an inmate get a paralegal certificate. [Mary Rettig]

...An immigration reform organization says it goes along with the contention of the former "9/11 Commission" that the Bush administration has shown a lack of urgency in addressing the ongoing threats to U.S. homeland security. The commission has released what it calls "The September 11 Discourse Project," which contends that terrorists will strike again because the administration has failed to implement the reforms recommended in the 9/11 Commission's July 2004 report. Ira Mehlman of the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) says his organization also gives U.S. border security an "F." The White House and Congress "are still failing to take the necessary steps to protect this country from future attacks," Mehlman says. Also, he asserts, several members of Congress "have stated that there is ample evidence that suggests that al Qaeda recognizes the vulnerability of our open borders and has taken advantage of it." In light of this, Mehlman says FAIR believes Congress needs to pass the True Comprehensive Enforcement and Border Security Act of 2005, legislation providing a multifaceted approach to border control. [Chad Groening]

...A United Nations report states that human trafficking has now tied illegal arms dealing as the second largest and fastest growing criminal enterprise, behind only the illegal drug trade. The U.N. report states that nearly 30 million people are caught in modern-day slavery and the industry now brings its perpetrators $10 billion a year. Human trafficking includes sex trafficking, forced marriage, and labor trafficking to provide migrant workers, domestic servants, and sweatshop employees. With victims bought and sold over the Internet on popular sites such as eBay and Craig's List, human trafficking victims in the U.S. number more than 50,000 -- and a third are believed to be children. Dr. Janice Shaw Crouse, senior fellow of Concerned Women for America's Beverly LaHaye Institute, has worked for nearly ten years to combat national and international sex trafficking. Commenting on the saddening United Nations report, she notes, "While the U.N. blames social and economic disparities for fostering trafficking, the demand for prostitutes is the driving force ... where the victims overwhelmingly are victims and girls." Crouse says U.S. lawmakers are working to end the demand for "sex slaves," and more and more states are passing legislation targeting pimps and johns rather than further punishing the victims. [Jenni Parker]

When Viewing a News Article (as of Friday 11/11/2005) click on the link to either the Return to "Home Page" for today's current Daily/weekly News and Information or the: 2005 News Archive.

Our Daily/Weekly News and information gathering has enlarged. As a result, we will be posting, on the entry page, only those current News and Informational Items for the day/week. All other news and informational items for previous days in the month will be moved to our Archive Pages for that month and year, as shown above...

NOTICE to VISITORS ABOUT our Web Page Content

and OUR sending and receiving - E-MAIL Policies and Telephone calls

(A Sort of Rules of "Engagement" and "Disclaimer")

From Our Metropolitan Archbishop, Archabbot and Primate, +Joseph Thaddeus (Stanford), OSB, SSJt., Ph.D.

A Fool For Christ who believes

"Prejudice Makes Prisoners of the Hated and the Hater"

(Why the Photo Image as seen above? See Quotes for September-October-November 2005 from "Franklin")

At:

Apostle1.com, Apostle1.org and Apostle1.net

We are an educational, News-informational and research Web Site dedicated to providing such as befits those who seek things pertinent to the Orthodox Catholic Christian Faith and life.

Apostle1.com's NOTE: A few have sent inquiries as to why we post information and/or articles relating to what might be considered as political and sometimes from other Protestants . And the reply is much the same as it states on the entry page.... We Are:

A Non-Profit Religious Hosting Service

and

an Educational, News, Informational and Research Web Site dedicated to providing such as befits those who seek things pertinent to the Orthodox Catholic Christian Faith and life for various

Traditional Orthodox Jurisdictions

While the answer and question above is not sufficient for some to understand, we take the view (which we believe is ORTHODOX) that all things pertinent to life and living affects, and has an effect, upon not just our belief (Orthodox), but (for many) the way in which we act in accordance with our belief, our very faith.

Because this is a highly Protestant Country in which we live, having an effect upon the laws of the land, we should know something of what is on-going and where efforts by those denominations may affect and have a intrinsic effect on our very laws, for such does have an effect upon our daily lives as Orthodox Catholic Christians.

If one is not cognizant of the real events happening both locally and in the world, although many are removed from the world... one will not know what to expect or what to do, or how one can or cannot act which might betray one's faith and accrue the wrath of civil authorities as laws change. Yet, we are also reminded that these things must happen and it was for that which there exists many early Christian Martyrs and Saints.

While we can remove ourselves from the world, we still live in it. And for the faithful, theirs is a struggle for knowledge and understanding. All things are pertinent to the Orthodox Catholic Christian Faith which is the very foundation of Christianity. As such, we can not abandon them and leave them blind to events and happenings.

What we post as related to those things similar to various articles which might have a political theme or non-Orthodox Catholic Christian content, of sorts, does not mean or imply that we are supportive of, or against something articulated in an article, so much as it is NEWS and our faithful should be made aware, for such may be the very thing that will impact their day-to-day life.

Remember, not all Protestants, especially hard core cultic groups such as "Charismatic" - "Evangelical" and other people are not so generous in their viciousness toward anyone and anything that appears "Catholic" whether of the Roman or Orthodox jurisdictions, for they do not know or want to learn that which makes them "different" in their walk and talk as being far from the roots of Christianity.

Remember, it is the Roman jurisdiction which has more outwardly shown that it can be one of the most vicious toward those who are not Roman but are very much "Catholic" - for the sun and moon does not rise and set on the Vatican (Latin or Roman) jurisdiction as to who is or is not "Catholic" for the Roman jurisdiction split (schismed) from the roots of "Catholicism" which is founded in what is termed and called today as "Orthodoxy".

Any good article or piece of information will be considered so long as it is not defamatory or slanderous toward an individual when not based on TRUTH or FACT, or which is altered out of context from its original publishing by recognized sources.

+Joseph Thaddeus (Stanford), OSB, SSJt., Ph.D.

“I prefer a defeat accompanied by humility to a victory accompanied by pride.”

--An Elder

A Curse or a Blessing? Depending on to whom it may...

There are unscrupulous people on the internet these days. Some of them are not who they claim to be and in order to disrupt honest spiritual pursuits, they are known to send out e-mail under someone else's name or the name of another church or jurisdiction with attachments. Anyone can do this, if they want. Some of them exist in Toledo, Ohio... Some in Texas... Others in Michigan, California and many other places... Some are "haters of truth" who follow (whether they are willing to admit it) those who have sway over less educated or ignorant people... as their are also those who do not even know what they are doing because they seek glory to satisfy their own vanity and selfish pride to take over a church or jurisdiction of another, or to wreck havoc over those whom they hate without considering the Gospel Message of Jesus Christ.

If you should ever receive an e-mail with an attachment purporting to be from anyone at "apostle1.com" - "apostle1.org" or even "apostle1.net" - - - know that our policy is to not send out e-mail from any of our domain names with an attachment. Therefore, don't open it! If you receive any e-mail from apostle1.com, apostle1.org or apostle1.net and have never before communicated with us... even if you have communicated with us... verify, verify and again, verify.

Unless we know exactly from whom an e-mail comes... nothing is clicked on or opened, not even attachments! You would be surprised from whom 'hate' e-mail arrives and what attempts and extremes they go to make their e-mails "look" official when it is a lone person or persons who hate TRUTH and love lies, hate anything from being posted that involves TRUTH because they may be affected with exposure to the LIVING TRUTH of Jesus Christ's Love.

Also: Hang Up Telephone Calls constantly get to you?

We get them all the time. But one thing we do that many are unaware of... We keep an automatic telephone log and then we turn them over to the same group who monitors and interacts with the hackers, etc.

It no longer matters if the caller calls once in a day, every other day or every day or several times a week, once a week for several months... All get logged, even those who think they have escaped notice by using the actual I.D. Caller number of "000-000-0000" which is being used of late.

It is known that a telephone number showing up may actually be a telephone service provider phone number, yet... they too keep logs and information as to each individual cellular or local (their locale) phone usage...

In the not-to-distant future, we intend to post some of those telephone numbers which constantly show up as "harassing hang-up" callers. May be, you too have the same? If so, may be we can assist in interacting to go further in bringing them to justice...

Contact us by E-Mail... provide us with your telephone number (U.S. residents only)... so that we may telephone you and assess the information.

Keep Watch!

Those who do such unscrupulous things, HATE some of the news, quotes, and such as to inform the general public. Some of them pose as clergy, while a few are actually clergy from various "other" offshoot AMERICAN ORTHODOX CHURCH or other jurisdiction(s) of the same or similar name of which we are, in some instances, their former MOTHER CHURCH (as is the same named Toledo, Ohio based, an offshoot, who had once been a part of us and unknowingly to our unworthy selves, were once a part of the clergy but they did not obtain permission to leave the jurisdiction they were under, according to Canon, and thus obtained for themselves re-ordination and consecrations, several times... and then using a variety of church names, including our own after they were defrocked and excommunicated, having more than three (3) times being excommunicated by other legitimate apostles/bishops); having joined in and with "Independent" churches who have nothing to do with us or even true Orthodoxy.

They seek to go out of their way to character assassinate and disparage religious web sites who do not meet their own brand of standardization which is evidence of their being not "Orthodox" "Christian" or even "Catholic" no matter what their nomenclature corporate name may be. The Toldeo, Ohio based same name group under their so-called leader has been deposed, defrocked and excommunicated more than three different times by various bishops/apostles. He, and several others, have become just as bad as the modern day Ecumenists of the National Council of Churches, World Council of Churches, the World Council of Bishops and more. Their ultimate aim and goal is destruction to those from whom they had either originated from or gone through to obtain the same named "church" they claim to hold to by the state's civil law in which they reside alone. They are not a "Schema-monk" or even a true "monk" for they were deposed and excommunicated for violations of the Holy Rule they claim to subscribe to, giving and openly providing false misleading and inaccurate information about other more honorable clergy. These 'wolves in sheep's clothing attract other nefarious and questionable persons whose aims are similar: for fame, image, power and glory.

Remember, anything that is a HALF TRUTH is not truth but a lie! Many there are that you may know who fit those descriptions... pray for them. Pray that God will send his Spirit of Truth upon them and lead them to Salvation through tears of Repentance, conversion of their cold and calculating hearts toward seeking forgiveness from God and those whom they attempt to harm.

Those who receive e-mail from us, know who we are and from where we send mail. There are also many who know that they can send e-mail under another group or person's e-mail address, which has been happening. If you receive e-mail that purports itself to be from us, verify first by hitting your "reply" button and ask, "I received this e-mail but would like verification if it is from you."

If you are of another jurisdiction, you too could find that your parishioners, clergy and faithful might become subject to the same as we have recently found.

Let this be a warning to visitors so as to be safeguarded against unscrupulous e-mails which contain viruses, worms and unsavory material from person(s) organizations or institutions that are more self-serving than uplifting and informatively news worthy.

For ourselves, we have, as in the past, so once again, acquired the assistance of those who are able and capable of tracing e-mails back to their source and taking appropriate action in North America.

We have learned that the organization we subscribe to, whose members come from various legal and law enforcement backgrounds amongst other areas of society, are committed to the faith even though they may hold different theologies. Yet, in their monitoring of electronic communications of various persons or people, they do not always make haste to bring perpetrators to justice until after enough evidence has been gained in order to build a solid case. We do not always know what information they have gained, but we do know the organization, whom we've been asked not to name, has had a 97% success rate in bringing to justice and obtaining a conviction against individuals, people, and sometimes even religious organizations of a persona that gives the appearance of both secular and religious bearing but who abuse and misuse technology. The organization views those who abuse and misuse the internet and other technologies as nothing more than a form of "domestic terrorism" - - - - and, it would seem to appear that the courts are in agreement!

Those kinds of people, organizations, etc. who misuse and abuse communication technologies are no different than those who attempt to use coercive measures, and in some instance, even blackmail for the same idea is involved... to cause havoc and wreckage, to destroy the spirit and activity of those who struggle in the faith out of pain of heart for the Orthodox Church which is TRUTH. The degree that some have been known to go to, as seen by other jurisdictions, is to take advantage of questionably mentally challenged or those who have a lack of education and understanding to get them to make statements, even outright lies, in writing, in order to destroy. Such persons or groups are spiritual terrorists for unholy and un-Orthodox causes, aims and goals.

Yes, our Metropolitan Archbishop, +Joseph Thaddeus, SSJt., Ph.D. strongly defends the Seals of the Confessional for such leads to true Repentance in thought, word and deed whereby the penitent is required to make amends, where possible, to seek forgiveness of those harmed by his actions whether real or imagined, and to give his forgiveness to those who have harmed him before taking the Holy Body and Blood in the Eucharist, Jesus the Christ. The reality of this understanding is bound up in and with the findings for which cause he, himself, had been character assassinated by his detractors who claim the courts prevented him from breaking the Seals of the Confessional which is not the truth at all.... Click here to see what another bishop's findings are...

The workings of Holy Spirit will not be daunted by those who attempt to cause disruption! It is for these and other reasons that you are urged to read what true repentance and forgiveness means for real "Christians".

"It would be better to have ten (10) true repentant X-felons who ask for and give true forgiveness than it would be to have one (1) non-x-felon or common person whose self-righteousness exceeds even the Pharisees, Sadducees, the gossip mongers, slanderers and un-repentant; for the repentant x-felon understands the true meaning of the Church's purpose as being the spiritual hospital." (siq) +Joseph Thaddeus, OSB, SSJt., Ph.D., Metropolitan Archbishop, Archabbot, Primate

Yes... "Prejudice Makes Prisoners of the Hated and the Hater..." (1992-Fr. Alan Stanford)

One can ask, "What part of 'Prejudice' and 'hate' do you not understand? Are you a complacent person? In light of the saying, examine yourself! You may be surprised if you are honest with yourself for your soul may convict you before Jesus Christ convicts you in the times to come!

"When tested by some trial you should try to find out not why or through whom it came, but only how to endure it gratefully, without distress or rancor."

St. Mark the Ascetic.

"Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit." Psalms 32:1-2

For further information about how spammers, hackers and those who are angry with you can or will attempt to do damage, we offer the following link as regards some of the computer - internet problems:

http://msn.pcworld.com/howto/article/0,aid,116258,00.asp

(Click On The Above Icon/link for More Information)

+About Monastic Holy Orders: a basic

+ Our Monastic Community

+Society of St. Jude Thaddeus (SSJt.)

+Orthodox Order of Friars Minor (OOFM)

+Benedicinte (OSB)

+Servants (In Service) to Christ (SC)

A Message from Our metropolitan Archbishop - UPDATED

Keep Up-To-Date by clicking on:

Quotes from Metropolitan Archbishop +Joseph Thaddeus, SSJt., Ph.D. Continuously updated

If You have a question that you wish to ask, please feel free to submit it. However, may it be suggested that you review all previous questions for the Month and also the Archive of questions previously asked for your question may have already been answered.

Click Here For Archive Quotes

Click Here for AOC HISTORY PAGES