Cowboys, Armageddon, and The Truth: How a Gay Child Was Saved from Religion offers an illuminating glimpse into a child's sequestered world of abuse, homophobia, and religious extremism. Scott Terry's memoir is a compelling, poignant and occasionally humorous look into the Jehovah's Witness faith-a religion that refers to itself as The Truth-and a brave account of Terry's successful escape from a troubled past. At the age of ten, Terry had embraced the Witnesses' prediction that the world will come to an end in 1975 and was preparing for Armageddon. As an adolescent, he prayed for God to strip away his growing attraction to other young men. But by adulthood, Terry found himself no longer believing in the promised apocalypse. Through a series of adventures and misadventures, he left the Witness religion behind and became a cowboy, riding bulls in the rodeo. He overcame the hurdles of parental abuse, religious extremism, and homophobia and learned that Truth is a concept of honesty rather than false righteousness, a means to live a life openly, for Terry as a gay man."
"For many people the word theology suggests seminary-educated scholars who sit in ivory towers, isolated from the real world, studying the Bible. Such study is often viewed as esoteric and unrelated to the world where men and women live, work, play, raise families, and struggle with the realities of day-to-day life. Nothing could be further from the truth." ---Tony Evans What we think about God, also known as theology, influences what we believe, do, and say. And what we think, whether true or false, makes a big difference in real life. Tony Evans wants you to know the truth about God, so Theology You Can Count On communicates truths about God in language you can understand. He walks through what the Bible teaches, topic by topic, truth by truth. The great thing is, these truths aren't reserved for people with PhDs. They're for real life. They're for you.
This holy book is the finale of the ultimate truth of all theological, religious, and spiritual ideas. It is the real deal of a literal armageddon genuine of the final spiritual battles. This book is physical proof of the invisible entities as incorporeal conscious forces of the universe. The supernatural fighting can be scientifically proven as reflected with ideological debate from religious humans of spiritual psychology. However, from the atheists, natural, and nonreligious states of minds, the scientific understanding does not call it spiritual war. Such alternative states of minds will perceive it to be called ideological debate. Whether religious or nonreligious towards figuring out what is truth, consistent orderly understanding is the one and only guide line into the absolute truth. This instinctive faith will fulfill the Almighty Truth, unto all righteousness once and for all times to come.
Jehovah's Witnesses, well known for their enthusiastic evangelism, are a global religious movement boasting over 8 million members. Despite being a familiar sight on doorsteps and street corners, little is known about their doctrines and practices. What are their expectations regarding Armageddon, and who do they believe will survive? How do they justify their ban on blood transfusions? What happens to members who decide to leave? In this remarkably candid part-memoir, part-history guide, former Witness Lloyd Evans comprehensively explores the religion of his upbringing, charting the organization's metamorphosis from unassuming 19th Century brethren to global brand in the modern age. The Witness rules on sex are dissected, as are their far-reaching ramifications on the private lives of millions of devotees. Evans also delves into the controversies surrounding child abuse and the prohibition on blood transfusions with the aid of first hand accounts from those who have been personally impacted. Intertwined with the historical narrative and commentary is the story of the author's journey from devout Witness youth to outspoken ex-Witness activist and atheist. Evans lays bare the circumstances leading to his "awakening" with startling honesty and reveals how the heartbreaking loss of his mother played a profound role in keeping long-held doubts suppressed. In the final chapters, the author discusses the various means by which Witnesses are controlled by their leadership. Evans analyzes the role of shunning (disfellowshipping) and the stigmatization of "apostates" in enforcing loyalty among Witnesses, and reflects on the indifference of society in general to human rights violations by high-control groups. The phenomenon of fundamentalist brainwashing, or "undue influence," is also scrutinized, and those in search of a new life free from its pervasive effects are given reasons for hope. Rather than being a sensationalist rant by an embittered ex-member, The Reluctant Apostate offers a relaxed, good-humored tour of Witness history and teachings supported by extensive references (to be found in the "Notes" section). Though written predominantly with the non-Witness reader in mind, special boxes are also provided for Jehovah's Witness readers. Reviews "Both memoir and reference book, Lloyd Evans' work is an extensive compilation of Jehovah's Witness history and theology. In his honest and exhaustively researched expose, Evans has written what is sure to be the most important book on the religion in this century. The Reluctant Apostate is a must-read for Jehovah's Witnesses and anyone else who has been touched by the faith." -Scott Terry, author of Cowboys, Armageddon and the Truth "Insight only an 'insider' can bring to a subject difficult to understand for those who have never been part of this world, and unthinkable to contemplate for those inside its bubble. Lloyd does a magnificent job of speaking to both audiences and everyone in between. Compassion for the plight of those still held captive bleeds through every page." -Mike Rinder, former senior executive of the Church of Scientology, as featured on the A&E series Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath "A compelling and informative window on the world of the Jehovah's Witnesses that will be a vital and life changing resource for former members and many others too in forming an authentic understanding of this group, its beliefs, methods and effects on individuals and families." -Professor Rod Dubrow-Marshall, Ph.D. Co-Editor International Journal of Cultic Studies and co-founder RETIRN UK Dr. Linda Dubrow-Marshall, Ph.D. Co-founder RETIRN UK
A timeless approach to investing wisely over an investment lifetime With the current market maelstrom as a background, this timely guide describes just how to plan a lifetime of investing, in good times and bad, discussing stocks and bonds as well as the relationship between risk and return. Filled with in-depth insights and practical advice, The Investor's Manifesto will help you understand the nuts and bolts of executing a lifetime investment plan, including: how to survive dealing with the investment industry, the practical meaning of market efficiency, how much to save, how to maintain discipline in the face of panics and manias, and what vehicles to use to achieve financial security and freedom. Written by bestselling author William J. Bernstein, well known for his insights on how individual investors can manage their personal wealth and retirement funds wisely Examines how the financial landscape has radically altered in the past two years, and what investors should do about it Contains practical insights that the everyday investor can understand Focuses on the concept of Pascal's Wager-identifying and avoiding worst-case scenarios, and planning investment decisions on that basis With The Investor's Manifesto as your guide, you'll quickly discover the timeless investment approaches that can put you in a better position to prosper over time.
¿Cómo cambiaría nuestra forma de ver el mundo si nos planteásemos que todos los estamentos de la sociedad serán pronto abolidos? ¿Veríamos la vida de la misma forma si diéramos lugar a la idea de que nuestra historia ha estado ligada a influencias que no son de este mundo? “Armagedón, Encuentros Cercanos en la Quinta Fase” es una obra que no pasará desapercibida, mucho menos delante de los acontecimientos que están ocurriendo, aunque el mundo no esté al tanto de ellos -porque está siendo distraído. Hablamos de un cambio a escala planetaria en la conciencia humana y del sistema de vida que tenemos, el destape de grandes y sumamente relevantes mentiras que han mantenido engañado al hombre del siglo XXI, y así mismo el inicio de una existencia libre, sólo posible tras una guerra sin precedentes. Nuestro mundo está a punto de tener los cambios más significativos de toda la historia humana, desde que se tiene constancia de ella. La vida extraterrestre es una realidad, tal como lo es el hecho de que sabremos toda la verdad sobre la vida fuera de la Tierra y los misterios del universo en esta década. El Nuevo Orden Mundial, del cual pocos han oído hablar -aún a estas alturas y con el terreno ya ganado por esos psicópatas en todos los medios globales- no conseguirá sus fines de eliminación poblacional y control totalitario, aunque conseguirán por un periodo muy breve de tiempo muchas de sus agendas. Toda la humanidad está al borde de un cambio de paradigma, no sin antes presenciar la experiencia de la vida extraterrestre inteligente, un mundo dominado por las corporaciones, dueños de la banca y de los oleoductos. Entonces el cambio será radical y no dejará lugar a dudas a más cuestionamientos, suposiciones o teorías sobre el origen del hombre y de la vida fuera de nuestro orbe azul; de igual modo que no habrá más medias tintas sobre el conocimiento y realidad de la existencia de Jesucristo, no como una religión sino como una realidad. Esta será una verdad inamovible que no está sujeta –ni nunca lo ha estado- a religiones, ni a dogmas, ni a espiritualismo, ni a teorías conspiratorias, ni a ciencia ficción, ni a fábulas, ni a cualquier otra creencia abstracta, sino al modernismo de esta centuria y a la revolución mundial que hoy nos atañe. Parece difícil reconciliar la imagen de aquel carpintero que fue clavado en una cruz junto con la ciencia, pero recordemos que los estamentos religiosos que conocemos son relativamente recientes y no fueron impuestos por Jesucristo. Sus enseñanzas aparecieron sobre el 26 y/o el 33 d.C. aprox., en cambio las posteriores fueron ciertamente tardías: Catolicismo (325 d.C.), Islam (600 d.C.), Protestantismo (inicios del siglo XIV) Mormonismo (mediados de 1800 d.C.), Testigos de Jehová (1870), etc. En otras palabras, las enseñanzas de Jesús no estuvieron sujetas a religiones “cristianas”, ya que estas se crearon en nombre de él siglos después, mayormente con fines lucrativos o de control de masas. Tengamos presente, antes que nada, que todas las profecías, que han venido de parte de Dios, hasta su momento se han cumplido y nada sugiere que las que aún han de cumplirse dejen de tener lugar; mucho menos cuando estamos viviendo las concisas advertencias que hicieron hombres modelo en tiempos antiguos, y además con lujo de detalles. Así que tenemos que citar a hombres de otrora para ver cómo se han dado los hechos que anunciaron y qué otros acontecimientos han de tener lugar en nuestra década y en los años que precederán nuestra era. Ciertamente cada vez podemos ver más cerca un final de esta edad y el inicio de una nueva historia para la civilización humana. Un cambio que se palpa y comenta en todos los círculos sociales y culturales. Este cambio viene acompañado de mucha incertidumbre, dudas sobre cómo será ese desenlace final y qué ocurrirá después de ello. La historia de nuestra raza se ha visto constantemente salpicada por grandes extinciones, donde nuestros antecesores han sido diezmados, eliminados tácitamente por sucesos catastróficos que han dado origen a nuevos eones. Así se ha visto en lejanas edades desde la prehistoria y así se ve hoy, muy próximos a experimentar eventos nunca antes vistos en ninguna etapa anterior de nuestro devenir como civilización. Como hijos de la Tierra hemos de conocer los hechos que han modelado nuestro presente y que han colocado a nuestra raza en el borde del colapso y de la aparente auto-extinción. Tenemos que ser conscientes de que tal como la arqueología nos sirve para revelar los acontecimientos de antaño, también han existido desde otrora métodos para vaticinar el tiempo por venir, y éstos han marcado hechos memorables en el registro histórico. Nosotros los llamamos “profecías”, y si bien, desde tiempos de la Grecia clásica los helenos consultaban el polémico oráculo de Delfos, el que se cree era el más preciso de todos, aunque se especuló que alguna vez se equivocó (más bien diríamos que dijo lo que sus consultores debían saber).
Missiologist and church planter JR Woodward offers a blueprint for the missional church--not small adjustments around the periphery of the infrastructure but a radical revisioning of how a church ought to look that entails changing how we think about leadership and what we expect out of discipleship.
During the last third of the twentieth century, white supremacists moved, both literally and in the collective imagination, from midnight rides through Mississippi to broadband-wired cabins in Montana. But while rural Montana may be on the geographical fringe of the country, white supremacist groups were not pushed there, and they are far from "fringe elements" of society, as many Americans would like to believe. Evelyn Schlatter's startling analysis describes how many of the new white supremacist groups in the West have co-opted the region's mythology and environment based on longstanding beliefs about American character and Manifest Destiny to shape an organic, home-grown movement. Dissatisfied with the urbanized, culturally progressive coasts, disenfranchised by affirmative action and immigration, white supremacists have found new hope in the old ideal of the West as a land of opportunity waiting to be settled by self-reliant traditional families. Some even envision the region as a potential white homeland. Groups such as Aryan Nations, The Order, and Posse Comitatus use controversial issues such as affirmative action, anti-Semitism, immigration, and religion to create sympathy for their extremist views among mainstream whites—while offering a "solution" in the popular conception of the West as a place of freedom, opportunity, and escape from modern society. Aryan Cowboys exposes the exclusionist message of this "American" ideal, while documenting its dangerous appeal.
(FAQ). Mankind has been predicting its own demise through various methods, from fables and religious scriptures to hard-core scientific studies since the dawn of time. And if there is one thing Hollywood knows how to exploit, it is the fears of Things to Come. Movies about the end of the world have been around since the early days of cinema, and Armageddon Film FAQ is a look into the various methods we have destroyed ourselves over the years: zombies, mad computers, uptight aliens, plunging objects from space, crazed animals, Satan, God, Contagions, the ever-popular atomic bomb, sometimes even a combination of these in the same movie! Armageddon Films FAQ goes from the silent days of filmmaking to the most recent (literally) earth-shattering epics, from cinema to television and even the novels, from comedies to dramas, from supernatural to scientific. It also explores other aspects of the genre, such as iconic but unfilmable apocalyptic novels, postnuclear car-racing flicks, domestic dramas disguised as end-of-the-world actioners, and more from the most depressing to the happiest Armageddons ever!
