ISRAEL - The law, proposed by Likud's deputy interior minister Yaron Mazuz, will set much sterner fines for businesses which open on Shabbat. Under the current labour laws, shops are not allowed to open on Shabbat, however, the enforcement is under the discretion of local authorities, most of which traditionally ignore those businesses which do choose to open. The new law would make enforcement the responsibility of the interior ministry and fines for offenders could be as high as three times their profit on Shabbat - or even prison time.
BRUNEI - Tiny conservative nation on Borneo warns citizens that putting up festive decorations or singing carols could threaten the country's Muslim faith. Brunei has banned public celebrations of Christmas, warning that putting up festive decorations or singing carols could threaten the country's Muslim faith. The conservative Islamic country on the island of Borneo allows non-Muslims to celebrate Christmas, but only within their communities, and they must first alert the authorities. Last year, the sultan caused controversy by introducing Sharia criminal law, which allows for punishments including stoning, whipping and amputation.
CHINA - As if further proof were needed Orwell’s dystopia is now upon us, China has now gamified obedience to the State. Though that is every bit as creepily terrifying as it sounds, citizens may still choose whether or not they wish to opt-in — that is, until the program becomes compulsory in 2020.
USA - Just in time for Christmas, The Satanic Temple of Detroit held a Satanic ceremony on the steps of the state Capitol in Lansing, Michigan on December 19, 2015. Members dressed in black held black and white American flags. The speech began with, “Hail comrades. Hail sisters and brothers. Hail Satan.” “We are gathered here to celebrate the spirit of humanity and the dawn of a New American Era…” While some argued this constitutes freedom of speech and religion, others argued it is a sign that America is (literally) going to Hell.
GREECE - Greek lawmakers passed a law Tuesday allowing for same sex unions despite opposition from the powerful Church of Greece. The legislation caused the first rift between the two parties forming the coalition government, left wing Syriza and the small right-wing group Independent Greeks, since September’s elections. Independent Greeks voted down the law that was passed with a majority in Greece’s 300 seat parliament. Along with Syriza, the bill was backed by three opposition parties: the socialist Pasok, centrist To Potami and the Union of Centrists parties. Greece was one of the last countries in Europe not to recognize civil unions among gay couples. Resistance to the law had largely revolved around the Church of Greece, which holds considerable sway in the country.
UK - Education Secretary Nicky Morgan has called for a review of home schooling amid concerns that thousands of children are being radicalised by their own parents. It is unclear how many children and young adults are being home schooled but it is thought to be in the region of 20,000 to 50,000. Parents do not have to inform their council that they are educating their children at home, leaving the government in the dark about the number of kids at risk of radicalisation through education at home. 'There has always been the freedom in this country for people to educate their children at home. Many people do it very well,' a senior government source told the Independent on Sunday. 'But we need to know where the children are and to be certain that they are safe.'
ZIMBABWE - The Chinese yuan may soon become a legal currency in Zimbabwe after Beijing confirmed it would cancel the African country’s $40 million debt. “They [China] said they are cancelling our debts that are maturing this year and we are in the process of finalizing the debt instruments and calculating the debts,” said Patrick Chinamasa, Finance Minister of Zimbabwe. He added that the country plans to increase local use of the yuan which was added to Zimbabwe’s basket of currencies last year. A multi-currency system has been in operation for the last six years, with the South African rand and US dollar in use since hyperinflation in 2009. At the peak of the crisis, the local currency became almost worthless, with 35 quadrillion Zimbabwean dollars equaling one US dollar.
USA - The Department of Homeland Security is intentionally placing local law enforcement in harm's way by knowing (and falsely) entering the license plates of patriot-oriented radio hosts in the federal "terror watch" database.
EUROPE - Even as we speak, the most significant political, economic, social, and cultural experiment in the world is in jeopardy. Until recently, the nations of Europe appeared to be inexorably knitting their societies together into a United States of Europe. But now the fabric is unravelling, and the European Union threatens literally to disintegrate.
USA - Pope Francis sure does say a lot of strange things. I don’t think that any other Pope throughout history has ever called Christmas a “charade” or has suggested that for many people this Christmas “may be their last”. What in the world would cause Pope Francis to adopt such an ominous tone?
VATICAN - Is a belief in the strict, literal interpretation of the Bible “a sickness”? Pope Francis appears to think so. Just a few days ago, multiple reporters heard Francis describe fundamentalism as “a sickness that is in all religions” – including Christianity.
UKRAINE - Members of the Ukrainian neo-Nazi Azov volunteer battalion and their ultranationalist civilian sympathizers have conducted a torchlit procession in the center of the eastern Ukrainian city of Mariupol, held under the slogan “coming after you!” The gathering, called ‘March Khorobrikh’ (March of the Brave) by its organizers, was arranged to mark the opening of the monument to 10th century Slavic ruler Svyatoslav. According to its organizers, up to 5,000 ultranationalist activists marched through the central avenue of the city alongside the Azov fighters carrying burning torches and Azov flags with the battalion’s insignia – “Wolfsangel” or wolf hook, which was used during WWII by two of Nazi Germany’s SS divisions.
UNITED NATIONS - For the first time in its 70-year history, the United Nations has officially recognized a Jewish holiday. UN employees who observe the Jewish faith will have the day off and no official meetings will take place on this date from now on, according to the Israeli mission to the organization. Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, considered the most important Jewish religious holiday, will join two of the world's other monotheistic religions in having one of its high holidays observed by the world body.
GERMANY - With impressive scholarship programs, the German government seeks to establish firm ties to the future elite of post-war Syria. Already last year the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs began to bring more than 200 selected Syrian students to Germany, within the "Leadership for Syria" program, to be instructed - alongside their academic studies - in advanced training in "governance," organizational setup and similar courses.
NIGERIA - Britain will send more troops to its former colonial possession Nigeria in an effort to combat the threat of militant Islamist group Boko Haram, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon announced on Monday. The troops will not take part in active combat against the group, but will provide training and assistance to the Nigerian army, including a specialist counter-IED (improvised explosive device) team and a Royal Air Force (RAF) training team. Fallon made the announcement during a visit to the country to meet with Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari. He said up to 300 British troops could be sent to Nigeria during 2016.
“Just what is an APOSTLE?”
Today we find the Church of God in a “wilderness of religious confusion!”
The confusion is not merely around the Church – within the religions of the world outside – but WITHIN the very heart of The True Church itself!
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