The Benny Hill Show

21st January

folks,
many are familiar with the vulgar show on american TV called 'the
Benny Hill Show'.

this 'Benny Hinn Show' is even more obscene.

aren't there laws about hate speech? i suppose 'hate speech' only
applies if the target is semitic religionists.

rajeev


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Date: 20 Jan 2005 09:31:51 -0000
Subject: [ConversionWatch] Digest Number 304
To: ConversionWatch@yahoogroups.com



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There are 14 messages in this issue.

Topics in this digest:

1. Benny Hinn is a False Prophet
From:
2. Jakkur airfield turns into virtual fortress
From:
3. Hinn's Festival of Lights: High risk for patients, says Doctors' forum
From:
4. Court orders probe into Hinn show
From:
5. Protesting Hinn\'s Show, BJP Activists Block Bangalore-Mysore Road
From:
6. Mixed reactions to Hinn show - Catholics Join Protest
From:
7. My Brush with Evangelists
From:
8. Benny Hinn Miracle Begins to Unfold
From:
9. Swamijis March to Vidhana Soudha, Stage Dharna
From:
10. Opus Dei: Vatican\'s Mafia
From:
11. Southern Baptists Pray for Destruction of Hindu Temples
From:
12. Faith healing?
From:
13. `Festival of Blessings\' can\'t be banned, says Govt.
From:
14. Order on Seizure of Benny Hinn Publicity Material Stayed
From:

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Message: 1
Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2005 15:05:58 -0500 (EST)
From:
Subject: Benny Hinn is a False Prophet

Benny Hinn is a False Prophet

http://www.kentaxrecords.com/iaca/php/item_display.php?id=1106165157&type=articles

P.N.BENJAMIN
Coordinator
Bangalore Initiative for Religious Dialogue(BIRD)
186 Wheeler Road Extn.
Bangalore 560 084

Benny Hinn is a false prophet and a ferocious wolf. The Holy Bible
says, "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's
clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves."

The doctrines he preaches, his misquotations and misinterpretations of
the Bible, his false prophecies, his alleged visions of angels and
contact with the
dead, and his emphasis on the prosperity of the Gospel and physical
healings are controversial and exaggerated. Three centuries ago, he
probably would have been burned as a heretic!

The Chief minister has said that every one has the right to preach his
religion. But, what the CM has forgotten is that the right to profess,
practise and
propagate one's faith is given ONLY to the citizens of this country
and NOT to a foreigner like Benny Hinn.

The massive build up for Benny Hinn's Festival of Blessings, supported
by vast sums of money from abroad, using expensive advertising
techniques, claiming the participation of 30 lakh people in Bangalore
has already created tension among the peace loving citizens. They
justifiably apprehend violent eruptions in the City.

I am filled with fears about the impending disaster the Festival will
cause to communal peace and harmony in the City and elsewhere. I feel
like a paralytic
watching a rising flood. The portents are clear and you keep trying to
alert everyone you can reach to the coming danger. Few listen. And
none act in time.

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Message: 2
Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2005 16:18:12 -0500 (EST)
From:
Subject: Jakkur airfield turns into virtual fortress

Jakkur airfield turns into virtual fortress

http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEK20050119013055&Page=K&Title=Southern+News+%2D+Karnataka&Topic=0&

Wednesday January 19 2005
BANGALORE
newindpress.com

The organisers of Benny Hinn's ''Festival of Blessings'' are sparing
no effort in the run-up to one of the most spectacular mega meets
Bangalore has witnessed.

Jakkur aerodrome, the venue for the three-day festival beginning
January 21, has turned into a virtual fortress with over 100 policemen
and the festival's own security guards patrolling every entrance and
exit point round the clock.

Says an observer, ''With such security, one wonders if the venue is
being readied for a prayer meeting or a rock concert.'' Entry into the
venue is possible only by identity passes issued by the organisers.

Two platoons - of the Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) and the
City Armed Reserve (CAR) - have been stationed there, apart from 20
other officers and men drawn from various city police stations.

When questioned about the high security levels, a festival official
sporting an identity badge, said: ''We have been receiving threat
calls, some even threatening to burn the place down. We have to be
careful.''

Several Hindu organisations have been holding demonstrations in the
city against the meet.

''We have engaged around 2,500 men from private security agencies,''
says former DGP F.T.R. Colaso who is heading the festival's security
committee.

The sprawling Jakkur airfield is undergoing a metamorphosis. The
arrangements for Bryan Adam's rock concert in 2001-02 pales before
what is on at Jakkur. Within the cordon, a gigantic stage with
state-of-the-art lighting is being erected near the runway for Hinn.

While the he will remain unseen to the sick and the disabled cramped
in the many bamboo enclosures, his image will be blown up on the giant
screen right before them (one of 67) powered by 1,50,000 Watts of
sound. A large plot adjoining the airfield periphery belonging to the
State Bank of Mysore has been appropriated by the organisers, cleared
of debris and turned into a massive parking lot. Nearly 100 lighting
poles have been installed.

Police sources said that an estimated Rs. 40 crore was being spent on
the programme.

Residents of surrounding Jakkur Layout, Amruthahalli and Judge's
Colony are worried. ''We have been witnessing the work going on for
the last one month. On enquiring we were told the airfield is being
readied for an American who is going to bring dead people to life,''
said Raghu, a resident and tailor by profession.

As you approach the venue on Bellary Road, you encounter dozens of
banners shrill with slogans against the pastor. Even the police admit
that public sentiment against the pastor is strong. ''Over 5,000 men
and officers will be stationed at the venue because we anticipate
trouble,'' a police officer remarked.

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Message: 3
Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2005 16:19:42 -0500 (EST)
From:
Subject: Hinn's Festival of Lights: High risk for patients, says Doctors' forum

Hinn's Festival of Lights: High risk for patients, says Doctors' forum

http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEK20050119012708&Page=K&Title=Southern+News+%2D+Karnataka&Topic=0&

Wednesday January 19 2005 11:48 IST
BANGALORE
newindpress.com

The Bangalore Doctor's Forum has expressed their ire against US
evangelist Benny Hinn's Festival of Lights and said there is high risk
involved for patients suffering from chronic diseases like brain
tumour, cancer, crippled leg and other ailments.

Members of the Forum are also conducting a public awareness programme
regarding the risks involved in getting healed by Hinn.

They have also requested the State Government to restrict his
programme to prayers, for which the organisers have taken permission.

The Forum is organising an awareness campaign, and will protest on
Wednesday at 2.30 pm near Mahatma Gandhi Statue on MG Road.

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Message: 4
Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2005 16:20:45 -0500 (EST)
From:
Subject: Court orders probe into Hinn show

Court orders probe into Hinn show

http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEK20050119013950&Page=K&Title=Southern+News+%2D+Karnataka&Topic=0&

Wednesday January 19 2005 12:01 IST
BANGALORE
newindpress.com

The Chief Metropolitan Magistrate on Tuesday passed an order on a
private complaint against evangelist Benny Hinn, directing the Hebbal
police to investigate and report.

The private complaint was filed by V Shashidhar, a social activist,
under Section 153 A, 295 and 420 of IPC. The magistrate has directed
the police to submit a report before Jan 25.

On Tuesday, the magistrate directed the JC Nagar ACP to submit a
report before Jan 20. The court had passed the order on Jan 13 on a
private complaint lodged by Manjunath Swamy.

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Message: 5
Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2005 16:22:30 -0500 (EST)
From:
Subject: Protesting Hinn\'s Show, BJP Activists Block Bangalore-Mysore Road

Protesting Hinn's Show, BJP Activists Block Bangalore-Mysore Road

http://www.vijaytimes.com/news/subsection.aspx?articleid=17625&colno=4

Vijay Times
Channapatna
20 January 2005

The Hindu Jagrana Vedike unit here along with BJP activists blocked
the busy Bangalore-Mysore highway for an hour near the Spun Silk Mill
in protest against the Benny Hinn show scheduled to be held in
Bangalore from Friday.

The agitators threatened of bloodbath at the event venue if the
Government failed to stop the show. The pamphletes distributed by the
organisors of the show have hurt Hindu sentiments. The main intention
of the event is to convert Hindus to Christainity.

They also came down heavily on the `so called' secular politicians,
who had barred Hindus from staging the Shoba Yatra in Bababudangiri
hill shrine.
In Sidlaghatta, BJP leaders led by Baluvanahalli Lokesh and Janata
Party leader Muthur Rajendra urged the Government to cancel the Benny
Hinn show. Addressing a joint press meet, they said the organisers had
hurt Hindu sentiments.
They saw a conspiracy to convert people into christainity. They said
if he had divine healing powers let him cure the illness of his people
and then pray for India.

In Srinivaspur, local Bajrang Dal activists led by taluk convenor G S
Chandrashekar took out a procession through the main thoroughfares of
the town demanding cancellation of the show.

Addressing the protestors, he said Benny Hinn was raking in crores of
rupees from the show. They submitted a memorandum to Governor through
the tahsildar to cancel the show.

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Message: 6
Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2005 16:24:06 -0500 (EST)
From:
Subject: Mixed reactions to Hinn show - Catholics Join Protest

Mixed reactions to Hinn show - Catholics Join Protest

http://www.vijaytimes.com/news/subsection.aspx?articleid=17633&colno=%204

Vijay Times
Bangalore
20 January 2005

American evangelist Benny Hinn continued to draw reactions for and
against his discourses with constitutional expert Raviverma Kumar
supporting his scheduled rally while historian M Chidananda Murthy
terming it as a secret mission to encourage mass conversions in the
country.

Citing provisions laid down by the Constitution, Raviverma Kumar told
reporters on Wednesday that Article 25 provided an individual a right
for freedom of conscience, profession and religion. "Hinn is a
preacher and has the right to propagate Christianity, irrespective of
his nationality," he observed.

However, brushing aside the claim that Hinn could cure the incurable
diseases with supernatural powers, Kumar called it "a hoax and a
blatant lie," adding that however Hinn was free to conduct mass
prayer.

Branding Hinn "a liar and a fraud", noted historian M Chidananda
Murthy said "his secret intention is to encourage mass conversion
under the garb of praying for India."

Reacting sharply to leaflets denouncing idol worship which were
distributed by the organisers of the event, Murthy said, "It is like
telling indirectly that accept Jesus as God."

Meanwhile, the Karnataka Catholic Christara Kannada Sangha has
demanded a ban on the event to be held from Jan 21 to 23. President of
the Sangha, J R Perara called upon the Catholics not to attend the
mass prayer. The Sangha would stage a 'go-back' protest against Hinn,
he added.

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Message: 7
Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2005 19:12:40 -0500 (EST)
From:
Subject: My Brush with Evangelists

My Brush with Evangelists

http://news.hinduworld.com/click_frameset.php?ref_url=%2Findex.php%3F&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indiacurrents.com%2Fnews%2Fview_article.html%3Farticle_id%3D7d12d93692d8b932958add7a799a0e17

My Brush with Evangelists
SARITA SARVATE, Jan 17, 2005
indiacurrents.com

When I first came to America, people would ask me why my native
country couldn't get along with its neighbor. After all, memories of
India's three wars with Pakistan were still fresh in American minds
then. I would try to explain a millennium of history, but my audience
would soon lose interest, saying instead, "Well, what's the big deal
about religion anyway; Hinduism, Islam, they are all the same, right?"

I wanted to ask them, "How do you explain the abundance of churches
around the Berkeley campus then?"

"Haven't you heard of the missionaries in Africa who persecuted the
natives until they converted to Christianity?" I wanted to say.

But looking askance at people's hypocrisy, even among the elite in
Berkeley, where I was then a student, I would shut up.

That summer—my first in America—I drove across the country with a
Jewish friend. I got a lesson in geography, history, and civics along
the way. What I discovered was that Berkeley was an anomaly; that
elsewhere in this country people eyed me as if I was a native from the
reservation, avoiding addressing me directly.

In Georgia, another surprise awaited me. My relative, who was studying
at Georgia Tech, experienced overt racism at the university, so much
so that the student lounge in his department was only used by white
students. The campus had few non-white students then, and the only
people he could make friends with were Southern Baptists out to
recruit pagans.

I remember vividly a Sunday morning when two white men and two white
women arrived at his studio apartment near campus to escort us to an
outing. Before I had a chance to protest, I was huddled into the front
pew of a brick church, dressed in a fine sari, facing a pale priest
clad in scarlet robes. The reverend looked us straight in the eyes
that morning, and spoke of "foreign guests" he hoped to enlighten with
Christ's message.

I have not felt more embarrassed in my entire life. Afterwards, the
congregation posed for pictures, marveling at my gold-bordered sari,
my red kunku, my glittering earrings.

That was my first taste of American Christian fundamentalism. The
Southern Baptists, it turned out, were innocuous compared with their
mutations to follow; like Billy Graham and the evangelists, Newt
Gingrich and his Family Values crusaders, the Christian Coalition, and
now George Bush's Faith-based Initiative.

We are told today that it was the religious fundamentalists and their
passion over issues like creationism, abortion, and gay marriage that
defeated Kerry.

So I want to ask all Americans a question: What is the difference
between your fundamentalists and ours? What is the difference between
a Christian zealot who fights over the ownership of a woman's uterus
and an Islamic fundamentalist who fights over his land in the Gaza?
The way I see it, at least the Palestinian in the Gaza is fighting for
something far more crucial, namely the very survival of his people who
have been relegated to the confines of a concentration camp called a
refugee settlement. At least the insurgents in Kashmir are fighting
over a magical valley where they have lived for hundreds of years. At
least the Taliban, born in a land ravaged by Russians and Americans,
are incited by a passion for a lost culture.

On the other hand, it is hard to understand the passion of a
Budweiser-swilling, Walmart-shopping Joe Blow, who argues that the
world was created in seven days just because some ignoramus dressed in
a robe tells him so from the pulpit.

Perhaps human beings need something to be passionate about, be it the
rites of marriage or a piece of land. But what I don't understand is
why Americans, elite or otherwise, fail to understand the religious
fundamentalism of a Muslim or a Jew or a Hindu or a Sikh, while
practicing it themselves. It seems to me a classic case of "Do as I
say, not as I do."

Half a century after my first visit there, I was back in the Bible
belt recently, to attend a convention in Nashville, Tenn. Flicking the
channels on television the first evening, I found what I thought was a
PBS documentary. My jet-lagged brain took a few minutes to realize
that this was no PBS, but a Christian fundamentalist program
discussing the evil effects of the Kinsey sex studies, complete with
made-up facts. There were in fact four evangelical channels and not
much else on television, I soon discovered, and the city's one
attraction was the Andrew Jackson Plantation where visitors were told
only about the seventh president's devotion to his wife and her
guitar, but not of his removal of "savage" Indians to the west of the
Mississippi, causing a "Trail of Tears." At the nearby Opry, one white
musician after another played the banjo, while not a single African
American appeared in the line-up, even though the instrument
originally came from Africa, and was introduced t
o America by slaves.

It dawned on me then that Christian fundamentalism had its roots in
greed, hunger for power, and cruelty towards those who are deemed
"different," and I experienced once again the panic I have felt ever
since Nov. 2.

Sarita Sarvate writes commentaries for Pacific News Service and KQED.

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Message: 8
Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2005 21:56:42 -0500 (EST)
From:
Subject: Benny Hinn Miracle Begins to Unfold

Benny Hinn Miracle Begins to Unfold

http://www.starofmysore.com/main.asp?type=news&item=5035

Madikeri, Jan. 19 (KBM&MRS)
Stare of Mysore Online

Faith Healer turns Fake Healer as 18 agents including 16 from
Kanyakumari arrested in Kodagu village. Chair-bound paralytic patient
walks up to journalists and shakes hands!

Madikeri, Jan. 19 (KBM&MRS)- T.J.S. George, the noted journalist, in
his weekly column Point of View last Sunday in The New Sunday Express,
under a revealing headline 'How to abuse Gods with lies and boasts,'
had requested the readers to 'Pray for India' as follows with a play
on words from the Bible: "Father, do not forgive them, for they know
damn well what they are doing."

And what they are doing is now clearly revealed not by Benny Hinn but
by the Kushalnagar Police who arrested 18 of Benny Hinn agents 16 of
them from Kanyakumari at Virupakshapura JP Colony village, 13 km from
Kushalnagar a tiny village near Kushalnagar, at around 2.45 in the
early hours of today. The Police team was led by Circle Inspector
Girijesh.

Tension prevails in the premises of Kushalnagar Police Station as a
group of activists led by Kodagu District BJP President S.G. Madappa
began demonstration this morning demanding action against the Hinn's
agents for alleged conversion bid.

Police have also seized the Mini-bus (TN. 29 D 7102) of the agents
from Kanyakumari and another jeep belonging to Kempanna, the agent in
JP Colony.

The trouble started last night around 11.45 when about 20 youths from
the village went to the house of Kempanna to enquire about the
Kanyakumari team, who were staying in his house since two days as they
suspected something fishy about the team's activities.

Bharathi, wife of Kempanna, challenged their interference claiming
that it was her 'personal matter.' The situation was aggravated as
Bharathi threw chilli powder on the youth.

Talking to media persons, who rushed to the spot on receiving
information, Bharathi said that the Kanyakumari team had come to their
house to ferry five families, converted to Christianity, to Bangalore
to attend the 'Pray for India' congregation of Christian evangelist
Benny Hinn.

She told media persons that she along with her husband and
mother-in-law Gowramma had long back embraced Christianity. She said
she used to conduct prayers in the makeshift Church behind her house
every Sunday and invited some neighbours too. Five families were also
converted to Christianity on her advice as they believed in Jesus
Christ.

She, however, maintained that she did not force anyone to embrace Christianity.

Bharathi disclosed that she and her husband visit Tellycheri every
three months to attend congregation where she befriended the
Kanyakumari team.

Nagaraj, one of the youths, who protested near Bharathi's house last
night, made a startling disclosure before the media that Bharathi
tried to lure him into Christianity with an offer of Rs. 25,000.

The protesting youths included H.T. Sannaswamy, A.E. Kumar, B.S.
Suresh, H.S. Shekhar, Shankar, Krishna, Harish and Umesh apart from
Nagaraj.

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Message: 9
Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2005 21:59:09 -0500 (EST)
From:
Subject: Swamijis March to Vidhana Soudha, Stage Dharna

Swamijis March to Vidhana Soudha, Stage Dharna

http://www.starofmysore.com/main.asp?type=news&item=5036

Madikeri, Jan. 19 (KBM&MRS)
Stare of Mysore Online

Nearly a thousand cops provided security to a dozen Swamijis who
staged a dharna near the Vidhana Soudha here this morning protesting
against the prayer meeting of US- based evangelist Benny Hinn from
Jan. 21.

Sri Vishveshathirtha Swamiji of Pejawar Mutt, who was to lead the
rally, however, did not turn up.

The Swamijis, who came in a procession from the Basaveshwara Circle,
presented the memorandum to Revenue Minister M.P. Prakash in front of
Kengal Hanumanthaiah's statue.

The memorandum urged the Government to withdraw the permission granted
to Hinn to conduct a three-day prayer meeting.

Alleging that he is anti-Hindu, the memorandum said his activities
were not spiritual and that he was spreading ill-will against
Hinduism.

The memorandum said Henn was a hoax and his claims were false and misleading.

The Swamijis also urged the Government to subject the officers and the
retired judge of the High Court supporting Hinn's programme to public
enquiry.

The Swamijis withdrew their protest dharna following an assurance by
the Revenue Minister that the Government would not give way for
provocation and conversion.

Swami Harshanandaji of Ramakrishna Mutt, Swami Yogeshwaranandaji,
Shivapuri Swamiji, Vivekananda Sharana Swamiji, Shanthaveera Swamiji
of Kolada Mutt, Kumara Chandrashekara Swamiji and others participated
in the protest.

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Message: 10
Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2005 22:04:52 -0500 (EST)
From:
Subject: Opus Dei: Vatican\'s Mafia

Opus Dei: Vatican's Mafia

N.S. Rajaram

Hand behind the coup

Anyone following the brazen attack on the Kanchi Mutt and the
relentless witch hunt against its leaders and officials cannot be in
doubt that it must have a powerful organization directing its every
move. It is no coincidence that these attacks, which were little more
than pinpricks when the NDA government was in power, have become
suddenly bold and open once the UPA came to power with Sonia Gandhi
as the power behind the Government.

Two developments have brought a sense of urgency to the
conspiracy or campaign behind this assault on the nation: (1) the
rapidly eroding base of the Congress, especially in North India, with
the natural implication that the 'Dynasty' will have difficulty
holding on to power for any length of time by strictly constitutional
means; and (2) the growing fear in Europe, especially in Italy, that
Christendom is losing the civilizational war against Islam. The
survival of Christianity is at stake.

The first is dynastic while the second is geopolitical.
Rapid changes in national and international politics and a creeping
sense of fear bordering on paranoia have led to an unholy alliance
between anti-national forces in India and Christian organizations of
the world hoping to use India's vast resources in Europe's and
Christianity's desperate struggle for survival in the West. The
Vatican's mafia

The country most vulnerable to the Islamic invasion of
Europe is Italy. The institution that is at the greatest risk is the
Vatican, seen the world over as the seat of Christianity though in
religious matters, many Christians do not accept its leadership. But
financially and organizationally, it is unmatched by any other
Christian sect. Most importantly, the Vatican has an intelligence
apparatus and a network of agents all over the world that
non-Catholic denominations lack. Also, the Vatican's patronage of
this machinery ensures complete secrecy since the Vatican is probably
the world's most secretive organization and a sovereign state to
boot.

This intelligence organization is the sinister but little
known Opus Dei. The Time magazine recently had a feature on it, but
the Indian media, a good part of it under the influence of the Opus
Dei, has maintained complete silence over its activities and even its
very existence.

What is this mysterious organization that carries out operations that
would put the CIA to shame in the name of God and Christ? (Opus Dei in
Latin means the work of God.)

Opus Dei was founded shortly before the Spanish Civil War by a Spanish
adventurer and Christian fanatic by name Jose Maria Escriva de
Belaguer. Born in the sleepy town of Barbastro, he rose by the dint of
his determination, industry and ruthlessness to be the virtual
dictator of the Vatican, and came to be known as the 'Super Pope.'

This was no idle boast. In 1978, Albino Luciani was elected Pope as
John Paul I. He threatened to change the Vatican with his reforms, but
died within a month of assuming office under mysterious
circumstances— without an autopsy or even a death certificate. This
led to the election of the reactionary Karol Woztyla, better known as
Pope John Paul II. And he showed his gratitude by rushing the Opus
Die founder Excriva's nomination to sainthood in record time, though
Mother Teresa's name still languishes.

With more than 100,000 members worldwide and more than a million
activists, the Opus Die that Escriva founded now controls the Catholic
Church and many other Christian and secular organizations. The
Vatican regards Escriva as "God's gift to the Church in our time."
When Escriva died in 1975, its officials openly boasted: "In 20 or 30
years, all that remains of the Church will be Opus Dei." This has
proven remarkably prophetic.

The Opus Dei agenda at the time was to combine economic and political
control with thought control. It believes that the first two cannot be
achieved without the third. And here is where conversion, especially
in India comes into play. With Europeans unwilling to lay down their
lives to defend Christianity, much less the Vatican, Christian
organizations and nominally Christian nations of Europe have cast
their covetous eyes on India with its vast manpower and material
resources. This is now made all the more urgent by the Islamic
threat to Europe from within and without, and by the fact as the Pope
has himself admitted: "Christianity has lost the West." This
realization has made some non-Catholic churches (like the evangelical
outfits) to join in the rush for gaining converts in India.

Europe, especially the Vatican, would like nothing better than a
Musharraf-like puppet in India, willing to place India's resources,
especially its vast manpower, in the service of defending Europe
against Islam.

Crusade driven by paranoia

The vision of the Opus Dei founder Escriva was spelled out
by an internal document in the following words: "The labor of placing
Jesus [i.e., the Christianity] at the summit of human activity
throughout the world." This now sounds like a pipedream, with
Christianity itself struggling for survival in Europe, and with
Islamic warriors in Kosovo less than a hundred miles from Trieste on
the Italian border. By breaking up Yugoslavia, the Western powers
virtually cut their own throats, by destroying the buffer state that
had protected Europe for nearly a century.

The situation today is different. Christianity, much less
the Vatican no longer sees Christianity triumphing in the world. The
concern today is over survival. Here is Vatican's nightmare vision. In
the first millennium, Christianity lost Jerusalem to the Arabs. In
the second millennium, in 1453, Constantinople fell to the Islamic
warriors of the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II; the Eastern Roman
(Byzantine) Empire disappeared from the map. Now, with Islamic
warriors poised in Kosovo, waiting to make the short leap to Italy,
Christianity may next lose Rome itself.

Probably this is what the Pope had in mind when he said that the third
millennium would see Christianity in Asia. It also may be read to
mean that he sees Christianity disappearing from Europe. This is not
helped by the fact that Italy is not known for the heroism of its
soldiers as many Indian veterans who fought against Mussolini's army
will attest. (Roman pickpockets are a greater menace than the Italian
army.) This nightmare scenario is reflected in Opus Dei sources.
Participants at an Opus Dei seminar in Barcelona concluded: "A
parallel exists between the present situation in the Occident [West]
and the fall of the Roman Empire." A leading Canadian expert on Opus
Dei observed: "Now this was an alarmist, not to say scare-mongering
conclusion. But it was perfectly in line with the Opus Dei's use of
the psychology of fear." The point is not whether this doomsday
scenario is valid, but the undeniable fact that the Opus Dei (and the
Vatican) is driven by this fea
r. To make matters worse, many Islamic leaders also believe that
Rome, and even Europe, is theirs for the taking and all they have to
do is mount a determined assault. They point out that they defeated
one superpower — the Soviet Union — and are now on the verge of
defeating America— or so they believe. Europe they feel will be a
pushover.

Cyber-crusade

In view of the Vatican's inability to mount a military
offensive against encroaching Islam, it has resorted to cunning and
subterfuge— something at which it has always excelled. Opus Dei is now
at the forefront of what it calls "cyber-crusade." The idea is to use
its propaganda muscle and subversion of state institutions in
countries like India to gain converts for defending Christianity. Its
principal assault is on higher education and the media.

Opus Dei has set up several universities and research
institutions with names like the Institution for Human Sciences in
Vienna, University of Human Rights in Geneva, the Weatherford
Foundation for African Students in New York and many others. It even
attempted to set up a college in Oxford but was thwarted. As early as
1979, an Opus Dei memorandum stated:

"Members of Opus Dei already work in the following
professional enterprises… 479 universities and institutes of higher
learning in five continents; 604 newspapers, magazines and scientific
publications; 52 radio and television stations; 38 news and publicity
agencies; 12 film production and distribution companies…"

Today, 25 years later, it is at least twice as extensive.
And the list does not include individuals journalists and scholars who
work for Opus Dei in institutions not owned by it (and also NGOs). It
is a virtual certainty that Opus Dei has significant presence in
India. As recently as 1993, Opus Dei opened a new center in India
headed by a Spanish wool merchant— or so he claimed. A decade before
him, the cultural attaché at the Italian Embassy in Delhi was rumored
to be in the pay of Opus Dei. (He was later removed for running an
antique smuggling racket under diplomatic cover.)

More than forty years ago, the Indian-Spanish theologian
Raimundo Panikkar came to India armed with a scholarship from the
National Science and Research Council (NSRC)— an Opus Dei front. Has
anyone looked at the possibility that some Indian foundations might
also be fronting for Opus Dei activities— like the Heritage
Foundation of Washington?

What has all this got to do with the assault on Kanchi
Mutt? Subramanian Swamy and several others have charged that it is
part of an international conspiracy and a threat to national
security. If such is the case, it cannot possibly be the handiwork of
just a few adventurers and politicians. Opus Dei is one of the few
organizations with the resources and the motive. Its plan calls for
fighting Islam to the last Indian.

This is what India is really up against. The Kanchi Mutt
case is just the tip of the iceberg.

Reference Their Kingdom Come: Inside the Secret World of Opus Dei
(1997) by Robert Hutchison. London: Corgi Books.

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Message: 11
Date: Thu, 20 Jan 2005 00:12:50 -0500 (EST)
From:
Subject: Southern Baptists Pray for Destruction of Hindu Temples

Southern Baptists Pray for Destruction of Hindu Temples

http://www.kentaxrecords.com/iaca/php/item_display.php?id=1106197970&type=news

Indians Against Christian Aggression

The website of the International Mission Board (IMB), a branch of the
infamous Southern Baptist Convention, is calling for American Southern
Baptist missionaries to visit a prominent Hindu temple in India and
pray for its destruction.

The mission assignment entitled "Jericho Prayerwalk" calls for
missionaries to visit the temple "one of the holiest temples "temple
once a day (at differing times) to walk around the complex praying for
the people group. Pray specifically that the walls to the Gospel
message will collapse like the walls of Jericho in Joshua." In other
words, missionaries should pray that all the local Hindus convert to
Christianity and that their temple will be destroyed.

In the past, the Southern Baptist Convention distributed 30,000 copies
of a handbook just before the most important Hindu festival of 1999,
Diwali, stating that ''Hindus seek power and blessing through the
worship of gods and goddesses and the demonic powers that lay behind
them."

The missionary assignment can be viewed online at:
http://going.imb.org/vim/Step_1/Details.asp?JobID=74546

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Message: 12
Date: Thu, 20 Jan 2005 00:41:53 -0500 (EST)
From:
Subject: Faith healing?

Faith healing?

http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/jan192005/edit2.asp

Deccan Herald
Wednesday, January 19, 2005

Dubious claims of the Hinn kind should not be encouraged

The miracle healer from God channel, Benny Hinn, is not going to have
an easy 'crusade' in Bangalore when he arrives on a three-day trip on
January 21. His "Prayer for India" has already attracted widespread
protests across the board, from fundamentalists, traditionalists and
rationalists. The protestors range from Hindu seers from various mutts
and groups like the Bajrang Dal to Christian groups to intellectuals
and others. Many suspect that the pastor's agenda is religious
conversion, especially as pamphlets criticising idol worship have
surfaced, forcing the organisers to go on the backfoot and issue an
apology. A petition in the Karnataka high court has also been filed
against him. Demands have been made that the state Chief Minister, Mr
N Dharam Singh, refrain from gracing the pastor's platform. The chief
minister of Kerala, Mr Oomen Chandy, has already announced that he
would not attend. However several other celebrities are likely to
grace the prayer meeting which is e
xpected to be attended by tens of thousands of people from India and
neighbouring countries.

But this is not the first time that the tele-evangelist is facing
opposition. He has faced criticism from the orthodox church and
rationalists for his alleged heretical theology, prophecies and
claims. The most public criticism of Hinn's teachings has come from
the Christian Research Institute and an HBO television special on
miracles, which investigated five persons for a year, names that were
produced by the Benny Hinn ministries from the 76 miracles performed
by him at a public programme. They found that his claims were not true
and rationalists found that Hinn resorted to mass hypnosis and worked
on auto suggestion, leading his patients to believe that they had been
cured, when they had not. Doctors have expressed the danger of people
believing themselves cured and refusing to take medicine any more.

India has its own share of quacks and godmen who constantly dupe the
gullible with stories of miracle cures, playing on their faith.
Rationalists have had an uphill task convincing people that these
claims by the godmen were not true, even explaining the methods
employed scientifically. Accepted that in a secular democracy,
everyone is welcome to expound his views and beliefs, but the state
should not be seen to be associating with a pastor with dubious claims
of miracle cures.

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Message: 13
Date: Thu, 20 Jan 2005 00:43:45 -0500 (EST)
From:
Subject: `Festival of Blessings\' can\'t be banned, says Govt.

`Festival of Blessings' can't be banned, says Govt.

http://www.hindu.com/2005/01/20/stories/2005012005590400.htm

Staff Reporter
The Hindu
JAN. 19. 2005
BANGALORE

The State Government will file an affidavit in the Karnataka High
Court on Thursday stating its position on the "Festival of Blessings"
to be held in Bangalore for three days from Friday.

To be filed by the Commissioner of Police, S. Mariswamy, the affidavit
will be the Government's answer to the charges and allegations in the
three public interest litigation (PIL) petitions likely to come up
before a Division Bench on Thursday.

The Government advocate, V.Y. Kumar, said the affidavit will make
clear the Government stand on the issue. The Government is likely to
contend that there is no law to prevent conversions and as such it is
not possible to ban the event. Permission for the event will not
amount to encouraging communalism, it says. Article 25 (1) of the
Constitution guarantees every person and not merely to a citizen of
India, freedom of conscience and the right to preach, profess,
practice and propagate religion.

The affidavit states that Paul Thangaiah and T. Yeshwanth Kumar have
published a pamphlet in which idol worship is grouped with
prostitution, magic and alcoholism and those practising them are asked
to pray by accepting Jesus Christ. Four private complaints have been
lodged before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate who had referred them
to the police for investigation. The affidavit states that steps have
been taken to ensure that the event passes off peacefully.

Letter

Meanwhile, a letter from the Government Flying Training School,
Jakkur, to the Chairman of the "Festival of Blessings" said Rs. 10
lakhs should be paid as fees to use the ground.

This amount should be deposited as caution money against any damage to
government property.

The letter said any damage to Government property in excess of Rs. 10
lakhs should be borne by the organisers and they have to give an
indemnity bond.

Any structure put up by the organisers that may be useful to the shool
will be retained.

Another letter by the Director of the Flying School said the airfield
belongs to the State Government and several events, festivals and
cinema shootings have been held there.

It said utmost care will be taken to ensure that the day-to-day events
are not affected when such functions are held. It says at least 14
films have been "shot" in the 210-acre airfield.

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Message: 14
Date: Thu, 20 Jan 2005 00:45:05 -0500 (EST)
From:
Subject: Order on Seizure of Benny Hinn Publicity Material Stayed

Order on Seizure of Benny Hinn Publicity Material Stayed

http://www.hindu.com/2005/01/20/stories/2005012005600400.htm

Staff Reporter
The Hindu
JAN. 19. 2005
BANGALORE

The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday stayed the January 13 orders of
the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) directing the issue of search
warrants for seizure of publicity materials used by the organisers of
the "Festival of Blessings" to be held in Bangalore from Friday.

Justice N. Kumar admitted a writ petition by Gul Kirpalani, National
Chairman of the "Festival of Blessings" and stayed the magistrate's
order pending disposal of the writ petition. The judge ordered that
the interim order be confined to the complaint made under Section 153
A and 295 A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

The petitioner challenged the magistrate's order directing the police
to search and seize publicity materials and investigate the "Festival
of Blessings." He said the magistrate had no powers or jurisdiction to
order seizure and sought for quashing of the order.

He said the magistrate had issued the order on a private complaint by
Manjunatha Swamy of Sharada Nagar, Bangalore, without the mandatory
notification of forfeiture by the State Government.

The judge said in case of offences under Sections 153 A and 295 A
where public interest is involved it is for the Government to act in
accordance with Section 95 and issue a notification for seizure. The
provisions in the IPC empower the Government to issue such a
notification and not anybody else.

A search warrant can be issued only if the Government issues the
notification. Prima facie, an order passed by the magistrate ordering
seizure is without jurisdiction, he said. Mr. Justice Kumar said it is
open to the complainant to approach the magistrate for any order
required to be passed under Section 420 of the IPC.

In another order, Justice K. Ramanna on Wednesday stayed the operation
of the magistrate's order for two weeks.

The judge passed this order on a petition by Paul Thangaiah and
Yeshwanth Kumar questioning the January 13 order.

The petitioners said the magistrate has not held an inquiry before
passing the order. This apart there is neither a request for an
application for the issue of a search warrant as contemplated under
Section 94 of the Criminal Procedure Code (Cr.PC). Therefore, the
order is not sustainable.

The magistrate has not ordered an investigation into the allegations
made by the complainant under Section 156 (3) of the Cr. PC. he had
not taken cognisance of the offences.

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