https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/congresswoman-blocked-touring-mail-facility-postal-service-police-n1239359
“There are no children, defense secrets or sick patients behind those doors," Wasserman Schultz said.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2020/09/04/qanon-and-evangelicals-its-time-address-qanoners-column/3446756001/
Evangelicals need to address the QAnoners in our midst
QAnon has been making headlines but Evangelical Christians should not be swept up in the bizarre movement.
QAnon has been making headlines in recent weeks. It's going to make more.
QAnon is, among many things, an expansive conspiracy theory built around the idea that a "deep state," or cabal of elite leftists, is clandestinely working against President Donald Trump. A person (or small group) known as "Q" drops revelations in various forms online. At the core of the appeal is its ability to generate fear. Suggesting that there is a powerful figure or group subverting the country and empowering all manner of evil is frightening.
Some of the headlines about QAnon in recent days have connected it with evangelical Christians. In addition, many proponents describe their mission in religious and quasi-religious terms.
Legitimizing a new religion?
Some talk about QAnon as if some messianic figure is at work. Similar to the ancient heresy of Gnosticism in the early church, it lures people with promises of secret knowledge. It provides a sense of identity and belonging with code phrases like: "Where we go one, we go all." Many people, including active church members, are being drawn in.
QAnon is starting to shift things in ways that will particularly impact churches. According to a recent NPR article, many pastors believe it already has.
Here are ways Christians can engage this issue.
First, cultivate discernment:
In a 2018 poll we conducted at Wheaton College Billy Graham Center Research Institute, we found that 46% of self-identified evangelicals and 52% of those whose beliefs tag them as evangelical "strongly believes the mainstream media produces fake news."
The level to which people attended church correlated with this belief; the more active in church, the less trusting of news media.
Yes, news agencies have biases; this fact is not synonymous with producing fake news. CNN leans left; Fox leans right. But bias doesn't equal fake news, and too many are rejecting legitimate news sources while being discipled by their social media.
QAnon describes a deep state cabal of pedophiles. There are many of us, including evangelicals, who are strongly opposed to problems of child trafficking and pedophiles. Yet, one can oppose evil within the world without subscribing to the conspiracy theories like QAnon.
Second, recognize the resistant:
Many people and groups have issues with QAnon. The FBI expressed concerns about this group regarding potential domestic terrorism. Vice President Mike Pence said: “We dismiss conspiracy theories around here out of hand.”
It is problematic that Trump noted his appreciation for QAnon supporters because of their support of his presidency. I am glad the vice president didn't, along with other notable leaders of their party such as Sen. Ben Sasse and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. We need to hear them.
Point QAnon adherents to people they trust that have already spoken out against the bizarre nature of its claims.
Third, don't be duped by religious language:
QAnon says there is a coming storm or great awakening. They mention pedophile rings, the pandemic, and the deep state as part of a cosmic battle between God and Satan.
In Christianity, we believe God is at work, and if something happens we don't understand, God had a different plan, and we look to him for guidance. QAnon is following similar patterns — knowing the Q always has a plan in this cosmic struggle of good against evil.
Religious language appeals to religious people, but QAnon is not for Christians — it is a replacement, with its own messiah and demons, unrelated to Christianity and unmoored from the Bible.
Just because it's on social media doesn't mean it's true
Finally, pursue things that are true:
This is primarily a social media conspiracy. Social media is a petri dish for conspiracies, causing far too many to believe things like QAnon are true. I have often pointed out my disagreements with Democratic politicians. But that doesn't mean they are running a secret pedophile ring, nor should I believe that because it went viral on Twitter.
Believers are to be people of the truth as the Jesus we follow literally calls himself “truth” (John 14:6). Without a rigorous pursuit of truth we can see anger to the point that people will take up arms as we saw in Pizza-gate, where a guy came with a gun to rescue the children trapped in the basement — in a store with no basement.
Years ago, Mark Noll wrote about the "Scandal of the Evangelical Mind." If there is anything that represents the scandal of the evangelical mind right now, it's the gullibility of Christians who need to be discipled into critical thinking about how to engage the world around them. We need to be able to see through the bias and discern conspiracy theories that have risen to the level of messianic religion.
As seekers of truth, we need pastors, leaders, and everyday Christians to address this conspiracy, and others like it, before others are fooled. It's the Christian's role to speak up about this and against this, even when the president does not, and before more people get hurt.
Ed Stetzer is a dean and professor at Wheaton College where he leads the Wheaton College Billy Graham Center.
>riots in Kenosha were for a dude that’s in the hospital
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jacob-blake-makes-brief-court-appearance-from-hospital-on-charges-filed-in-july/
Jacob Blake makes brief court appearance from hospital on charges filed in July
Jacob Blake, the 29-year-old Black man who was shot seven times in the back by a Kenosha, Wisconsin, police officer in late August, made a brief court appearance on Friday for charges that were filed in July. Blake, who remains in the hospital, pleaded not guilty to charges of criminal trespass, third-degree sexual assault and disorderly conduct.
The charges stem from a May 3 incident in which he's accused of breaking into the home of his ex-girlfriend, the mother of his three children, and allegedly sexually assaulting her before stealing her truck and debit card, according to a criminal complaint.
In his first public appearance since the shooting, Blake appeared before the court in a shirt and tie from his hospital bed. He entered not guilty pleas to all three charges and has waived his preliminary hearing.
The judge set his bond at $10,000 on the condition that he can't have violent contact with the alleged victim, possess any weapons or commit further crimes while on bond. The bond is a signature bond, meaning Blake did not have to pay any more than the $500 he previously spent to clear the arrest warrant against him.
Blake also promised not to leave Wisconsin other than to obtain medical care.
The judge primarily spoke to Blake's attorney, but addressed Blake on a few occasions. Blake gave short replies, mostly "yes sir."
Blake's shooting sparked nationwide protests against racism and police brutality. Those demonstrations turned deadly in Kenosha, where two people were fatally shot. A 17-year-old has been arrested and charged with their deaths.
The August 23 incident began after a woman called police to report that her boyfriend, who was not supposed to be on the premises, was present, the DOJ said. It's not clear what role Blake played in the initial incident — but video showed Blake walking to an SUV and opening the driver's side door before Kenosha police officer Rusten Sheskey grabbed his shirt and fired his service weapon seven times into his back.
On August 27, the Department of Justice said the case is under a federal civil rights investigation.
Blake survived the shooting, but is now paralyzed, his attorneys said. Blake was initially handcuffed to his hospital bed because of the active arrest warrant against him, but the handcuffs were removed after he posted bond on the warrant.
Wisconsin officials have not disclosed whether Sheskey was aware of the charges against Blake at the time of the shooting. The police union claims that the officers were aware of the arrest warrant.
>Black Lives Matter: They’re ‘the KKK in blackface’ and ‘a terrorist organization’
You'll learn.
http://twittervideodownloader.com/
>According to the Department of Justice in 2019, a jury found that Farmer, “as part of the racketeering conspiracy, on June 25, 1999, beat Marion Lowry, 74, and Harvey Siegers, 67, to death with a hammer at their Hammond business, Calumet Auto Rebuilders.”
>https://twitter.com/GoJackFlynn/status/1302052255059906561
The checks and balances of power are essential to our freedom.
>Who is the “John Roberts” on Epstein flight logs?
>https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3cszcnc
Contributors
Travis View - Co-host of the podcast 'QAnon Anonymous'
Aoife Gallagher - Analyst at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue and co-author of a report on QAnon
Professor Kevin Grisham - Associate Director at the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino
Karen Douglas - Professor of Social Psychology at the University of Kent in England
Also featuring …
Ed Stetzer - The Billy Graham Chair of Church, Mission and Evangelism at Wheaton College, Illinois
>seems to be an engine slide with obvious errors for bait
>https://twitter.com/rosemcgowan/status/1302088001384669189
My real name is Rósa Arianna McGowan. I have lived a double life. Being a radical has been my only way out of being controlled by three letters that start with C. It’s nice to meet you all. Go to my IG for more. #CulturalReset
https://www.instagram.com/p/CEvTN92h4cf/
>https://www.instagram.com/p/CEvTN92h4cf/
My real name is Rósa Arianna McGowan. I am here to subvert the dominant paradigm. I am here to force a hard Cultural Reset. I came to finish my father, Daniel McGowan’s work. My mother Saffron’s work. There are two agencies that rule your mind. They both being with C. Being a Radicaj Utopian, I consider myself a social Anarchist. It has been my life’s unwavering mission to get those in the greater cult of bordered nations, of bordered minds. I affect the System because I can. Because I was born into a world not like yours, not like almost anyone on Earth. Understand this, I am not like most of you. I was not raised to think, act or be like you. Your collective values, by and large, are not mine. Your System is not mine. But the way I got out of the Cs was by going public in 2014, at first with my work, Dawn. Best laid plans. I had to break my way out of two iconic evils. Hollywood. DC. I know them both all too well. They are united against all of us.its not you, it’s them. Trust me. I want nothing from anyone, I only wish to educate and make those unaware aware. I have lived in both evils, worked with both evils, I know cults well. What has the system you are in done for you mentally? How do you feel? Going well? No. I offer an alternative way of thinking and seeing traditional thought. I’ve lived behind the scenes in a life that would be unimaginable to most, but necessary and vital for me, and lifesaving for many. I thank you all for going through another bloody round in this exodus.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seth
https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2014/07/26/ISIS-destroy-Prophet-Sheth-shrine-in-Mosul-.html
ISIS destroys Prophet Sheth shrine in Mosul
26 July 2014
In another offensive to destroy Mosul’s religious heritage, radical militants from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) group blew up Nabi Shiyt (Prophet Seth) shrine in the northern Iraqi city, Agence France-Presse reported Saturday.
“ISIS militants stopped people from coming close, set explosives in and around the shrine and then detonated them as a crowd looked on,” one resident who witnessed the demolition told AFP.
A video published on YouTube on Friday showed how ISIS detonated the entire shrine.
Seth is revered in Christianity, Islam and Judaism as the third son of Adam and Eve.
Sami al-Massoudi, the deputy head of the Shiite endowment agency overseeing holy sites, confirmed that militants blew up the Nabi Shiyt shrine and added that they took some of the artefacts to an unknown location.
“These people follow this impossible religious doctrine according to which they must destroy or kill anything or anybody deviating from their views,” he said.
“That simply has nothing to do with Islam.”
>These people follow this impossible religious doctrine according to which they must destroy or kill anything or anybody deviating from their views.
https://twitter.com/rosemcgowan/status/1302090932150439946