Religious Propaganda
We already have a thread on holy books. This specific thread is about other religious writings from the influential and disturbing to the silly and absurd. Feel free to post articles, videos, images, etc.
Disclaimer: In keeping with PPR guidelines, the critique is on beliefs/ideologies, not the people who hold them.
Chick Tracts , especially Dark Dungeons
I never counted how many of those tracts I received after I "came out" as a player and DM of Dungeons & Dragons.
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I find that Dark Dungeon tract too relatable. We were encouraged to burn occult stuff, too. There were absurd stories going around about stuff not burning/catching on fire due to Satan and his buddies. Crazy.
I knew a guy who claimed to have had trouble throwing away an item in a dumpster. Allegedly, it kept on dropping out of his hands. I can easily picture him being clumsy due to being scared s**tless.
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No, this particular man wasn’t doing that. He was a close friend of the family who was rather earnest and simple-minded in an endearing way. If he would’ve lied, I would’ve been able to tell.
Demon experiences were pretty common in my church. If people believe something is real, they often mistake one thing (clumsy moments, doors slamming in drafty houses, lights flickering, etc) with whatever their belief is (ghosts, spirits, demons, etc.), especially if they think they might’ve done something to make a presence more likely. People who don’t believe usually go with a rational explanation.
I can perfectly understand mistaking clumsiness for demons in that situation/set of circumstances due to their specific beliefs. It was by no means unusual.
In the Jerusalem Post:
Rabbi Nir Ben Artzi, a prominent Israeli mystic and spiritual leader, issued a stark warning in a YouTube video on his official channel on Saturday night, stating that nations threatening Israel will face unexpected consequences, specifically earthquakes in Lebanon. "This is exactly what's going to happen," he declared.
Rabbi Ben Artzi, known for his prophetic messages, addressed the various threats to Israel, emphasizing that any nation planning to disturb Israel will be struck in unforeseen ways. "Any country that disturbs Israel will be dealt with by the Holy One, blessed be He, through the forces of nature," he said. "They will be struck from all sides, facing internal conflicts and wars between states."
He further warned, "There will be earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis in these places. This is what will happen to anyone who threatens the Jewish people. The Holy One, blessed be He, will cleanse 8 billion people until there is peace for the Jewish people. Mark my words, this is exactly what will happen."
Recent seismic activity seems to align with Rabbi Ben Artzi's warnings. Over the past few days, a 5.4-magnitude earthquake struck Lebanon, coinciding with the Jewish day of Tisha B'Av, which some view as a divine intervention that may have thwarted Hezbollah's plans to launch an attack on Israel. This earthquake, among others felt in the region, has caused widespread concern, although no casualties or significant damage were reported.
Natural disasters and supernatural prophesies
These events have amplified the urgency around Israel's preparedness for natural disasters and reinforced the belief in Rabbi Ben Artzi's prophetic insights among his followers.
Ben Artzi is an Israeli mystic and spiritual leader known for his prophetic messages, often focusing on the divine protection of Israel and warnings of natural disasters as a response to threats against the country. He gained prominence in the 1990s and has a dedicated following who view his predictions as spiritual insights. His teachings frequently predict that nations threatening Israel will face divine retribution through natural events like earthquakes and tsunamis. Rabbi Ben Artzi shares his messages through sermons, YouTube channels, and religious gatherings.
https://m.jpost.com/judaism/article-814623
In our collective memory, Tisha B'Av has always been a solemn day, marked by the destruction of the First and Second Temples. This year, however, the day bore witness to what many of us view as a modern-day miracle—a testament to divine intervention that could not have come at a more crucial time.
Reports confirmed a 5.4-magnitude earthquake that struck Syria and Lebanon, profoundly impacting the region. This was not just any seismic event; it may have served as an unanticipated yet divine act that thwarted a grave threat against the Jewish nation. Hezbollah, an established proxy of Iran, had been preparing to launch an attack on Israel—a direct affront planned deliberately for Tisha B'Av. Many of the group's underground tunnels, teeming with armaments, may have been reduced to rubble by an act of God to protect His children, which could effectively halt Hezbollah's nefarious plan before it could materialize.
It is hard to perceive it as mere coincidence that the earth shook on the very day Hezbollah had intended to send Israel into mourning once more. With tunnels collapsing and their arsenals buried, what could have been a devastating assault turned into a day of bewildering relief and gratitude.
Throughout history, Jews have faced adversaries who sought to dismantle our spirit and our faith. This recent event is yet another example that, irrespective of the gathered forces against us, divine protection remains steadfast. Tisha B'Av, usually a day of sorrow and reflection, was transformed into a moment where we could see the hand of God in action, turning our potential despair into potential reassurance.
It is possible that say that Iran and Hezbollah must now be reeling from this unforeseen disruption. As Jews, this event could be a sign for us to come together—not in mourning, but in jubilation for the divine interception that may have averted what could have been a catastrophic event. While Tisha B'Av continues to remind us of our past losses, it also serves as a potent symbol of resilience and divine guardianship.
Burying Hezbollah's underground ambitions
Our historical lens allows us to see that despite the tragedies of our past, God’s protection has not waned. Hezbollah's underground ambitions may now lie buried, turned to ashes before they had any chance to harm us.
Let us take this unexpected turn of events as an affirmation of our faith and as a powerful signal that our remnants of destruction can give rise to moments of salvation. Each tremor of that earthquake echoed not just physical destruction but a spiritual victory—a reminder that the forces protecting us are far greater than those threatening us. May we continue to find strength and solace in knowing that even in our darkest times, we are not alone and God will always be protecting us.
https://m.jpost.com/omg/article-814496? ... tfy%2Bzdkj