Blaise Pascal was a French mathematician, physicist and religious philosopher in the 1600’s. His probability theory laid the basis for modern economics and social science.
Blaise Pascal is known for Pascal’s Wager, or Pascal’s Gambit. His wager theory is not an actual proof of God’s existence. However after analyzing it, a person has little choice but to live out one’s life as though God does in fact exist.
This simple wager scenario can have a life-changing effect on anyone who honestly studies it. Pascal posed the suggestion that even if a person discards all proofs of God’s existence, he should still live his life as though God does in fact, exist. Why is that? According to Pascal, living one’s life as though God exists has everything to gain, and absolutely nothing to lose. On the other hand, living one’s life as though God does not exist has nothing to gain, and absolutely everything to lose.
It is in Pascal’s Pensees that his wager is detailed. His wager is for all of those who trust neither in faith nor in the logic of reason. Pascal is widely known for the following quote: For after all what is man in nature? A nothing in relation to infinity, and all in relation to nothing, a central point between nothing and all and infinitely far from understanding either.
Pascal did not expect that acceptance of his wager would result in faith, or in salvation. Instead, he expected that acceptance of his wager to result in the beginnings of faith. He wrote, You would like to attain faith, and do not know the way; you would like to cure yourself of unbelief, and ask the remedy for it. Learn of those who have been bound like you, and who now stake all their possessions. These are people who know the way which you would follow, and who are cured of an ill which you would be cured. Follow the way by which they began; by acting as if they believed.
And now, for Pascal’s Wager
God either exists, or He does not exist. This is a fact that cannot be refuted. Every person on the face of the earth is forced to make a wager in life. They must live their lives as though God does exist, or they must live their lives as though God does not exist. It is an absolute impossibility not to make this wager. All of the so-called proofs of God’s existence are in the realm of theory, which cannot be proven beyond the shadow of a doubt. Since reason alone cannot decide the question of God’s existence, one must place a wager on his existence.
The facts are that God exists or he does not exist. And, a person must live his life as though God exists, or as though God does not exist.
Scenario Number One: God does exist.
If a person lives his life as though God exists, and God does in fact, exist, then that person has everything to gain. Eternal life in heaven with God will be the reward. On the other hand, if a person lives his life as though God does not exist, and God does in fact, exist, then that person has everything to lose. Eternal existence in hell will be the punishment.
Scenario Number Two: God does not exist.
If a person lives his life as though God exists, but God does not actually exist, then that person has nothing to gain and nothing to lose. When death overtakes that person, he will simply cease to exist. On the other hand, if a person lives his life as though God does not exist, and God actually does not exit, then that person still has nothing to gain and nothing to lose. When death overtakes that person, he will simply cease to exist.
Below is another way to view this wager for those who would rather see a depiction of it in table-form.
.............................................God exists...........He doesn't exist
Live as if God exists:..............Reward is Heaven...No reward
Live as if God doesn't exist:....Reward is Hell..........No reward
Life’s wager has only three possible outcomes: depending on the person’s choice, he will either 1) have an eternal reward, 2) have an eternal punishment, or 3) simply cease to exist. We are left with one startling revelation. There is only one positive outcome associated with the wager of life.
Imagine a person walking up to a game at a casino. Before he makes a bet, the casino employee says, “There are only two bets in this game. You can bet on Red, or you can bet on Black. If you bet on Red, you will either win a fabulous reward, or you will break even. On the other hand, if you bet on Black, you will either lose everything, or you will break even.” The bettor would be a fool to bet on Black because there is absolutely no chance of winning. Red would be the only bet that has any chance of winning. It is the same with the wager of life. There is only one wager with a positive outcome, living life as though God does exist!
If you are a living and breathing person, you are making a wager on your life. You are either living as though God exists, or you are living as though God does not exist. There are no other choices. There is only one positive outcome available for your wager. Which wager are you making on your life?
For an easy-to-understand depiction of this wager scenario, along with other proofs of God’s existence, read my book, Conversations with a Stranger: A Search for God.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
The Five Ways of St. Thomas Aquinas
St. Thomas Aquinas was a Christian philosopher in the 1200’s. He is known for his Summa Theologica and his Five Ways of proving God’s existence: The Unmoved Mover, The Argument of the First Cause, The Argument from Contingency, The Argument from Degree (or Perfection), and The Argument of Intelligent Design.
The Unmoved Mover
The Argument of the Unmoved Mover tries to explain that God must be the cause of motion in the universe. This argument is the first of St. Thomas Aquinas’ Five Ways. His Argument from Motion is based on the observation that any object had to have some other object or force to put it into motion.
An interpretation of his argument goes as follows:
1. Some things are in motion.
2. Whatever is in motion is put in motion by something else.
3. Whatever put that object in motion must itself be put in motion by something else.
4. Through a chain of events, each object moving another object must have been moved by yet another object further in the past.
5. There cannot be an endless chain of moving events going on to infinity.
6. Without a first mover, there would be no motion.
7. Therefore, it is necessary to arrive at a first mover; a first mover put in motion by no other.
8. This first mover is God.
The Argument of the First Cause
The Argument of the First Cause is the second of St. Thomas Aquinas’ Five Ways. The argument of the first cause tries to prove that God must have been the cause, or the creator of the universe. It is therefore a form of the cosmological argument. The argument states that no object is capable of creating its own self. Every created object had to be created by something or someone else. Going back in time, there had to be the first creator. This first creator could not itself, have been created. A similar philosophy is discussed by St. Augustine.
An interpretation of his argument goes as follows:
1. All things and beings that exist are caused by other things.
2. Nothing can be the cause of its own self. If so, it would exist prior to itself.
3. Through a chain of events, each object of being causing the existence of another object or being, must have been caused by yet another object or being.
4. There cannot be an endless chain of objects or beings causing the existence of other objects or beings.
5. Without a first cause, there would be no objects or beings in existence today.
6. Therefore, it is necessary to arrive at a first cause; a first cause which is caused by no other.
7. This first cause is God.
Another philosopher who spoke out on this subject was Avicenna. According to Avicenna, the universe consists of a chain of actual beings, each giving existence to the one below it and responsible for the existence of the rest of the chain below. Due to the fact that there cannot be an infinite past to our universe, the chain as a whole must terminate in a being that is wholly simple and one, whose essence is its very existence and therefore is self-sufficient and not in need of something else to give it existence. For an enlightening understanding on the impossibility of an infinite past, read the novel, Conversations with a Stranger.
The Argument from Contingency and Necessary Objects
The Argument from Contingency and Necessary Objects is the third of St. Thomas Aquinas’ Five Ways. There are only two kinds of objects in existence: contingent beings and necessary beings. A contingent being is an object or being that cannot exist without a necessary being causing its existence.
An interpretation of his argument goes as follows:
1. Many things in the universe may either exist or not exist. Such things are called contingent beings.
2. It is impossible for everything in the universe to be contingent, for then there would be a time when nothing existed, and so nothing would exist now, since there would be nothing to bring anything into existence, which is clearly false.
3. Therefore, there must be a necessary being whose existence is not contingent on any other being or beings.
4. This being is God.
Another way of stating the argument is as follows:
1. We find things (beings) are possible to be, and possible not to be.
2. That which is possible not to be, at some time is not.
3. If everything is possible not to be, then at one time there could have been nothing in existence.
4. If there was a time when nothing was in existence, then even now there would be nothing in existence because that which does not exist only begins to exist by something else already existing.
5. Therefore, not all beings are merely possible.
6. There must exist something, the existence of which is necessary.
7. This necessary being must have of itself its own necessity, and not receiving it from another.
8. This necessary being is God.
The Argument from Degree, or The Perfect One
The Argument from Degree is St. Thomas Aquinas’ Fourth Way, in which the qualities of all things are judged by something else.
An interpretation of his argument goes as follows:
1. Everything that exists has certain qualities, such as whiteness, greatness and goodness.
2. Among beings, there are some that are more or less of certain qualities, such as: more or less good, true, great, tall, large and hot.
3. For something to be more or less of a certain quality, there must exist something that is the ultimate of that quality, such as: the hottest, the largest, the best, the tallest, and the whitest.
4. If anything is great, there must exist something that is the greatest. If anything is hot, there must exist something that is the hottest. If anything is good, there must exist something that is the most good.
5. Among things in existence, anything which seems to contain the greatest of a certain quality will eventually be replaced by another thing that contains an even greater of that certain quality. 6. There must exist something which expresses the greatest of all qualities by which all other things are judged and compared.
7. This being that expresses the greatest of all qualities is the Perfect One.
8. The Perfect One is God.
The Intelligent Designer
The Intelligent Designer is St. Thomas Aquinas’ Fifth Way. A similar philosophy is found in Paley’s Teleological Argument. This argument suggests that all things must be designed by an intelligent designer. The main idea of this argument is that there exists so much intricate detail, design, and purpose in the world that we must suppose a creator. All of the sophistication and incredible detail we observe in nature could not have occurred by chance. By observing the fulfillment of purpose in nature, the teleological argument moves to the conclusion that there must be a designer.
An interpretation of this argument goes as follows:
1. There are things which lack intelligence.
2. Nevertheless, these things act for an end, by acting in the same way, so as to obtain the best result.
3. It is by design that they act in such a manner as to achieve their end.
4. Whatever lacks intelligence cannot move toward an end on its own. It must be directed by some being endowed with knowledge and intelligence.
5. Therefore some intelligent being exists by whom all things are directed to their end.
6. This Intelligent Being is God.
Another way of stating the argument is as follows:
1. Human artifacts are products of intelligent design.
2. The universe resembles human artifacts.
3. Therefore, the universe is a product of intelligent design.
4. But, the universe is complex and gigantic in comparison to human artifacts.
5. Therefore, there probably is a powerful and vastly intelligent designer who created the universe.
6. This intelligent designer is God.
The Unmoved Mover
The Argument of the Unmoved Mover tries to explain that God must be the cause of motion in the universe. This argument is the first of St. Thomas Aquinas’ Five Ways. His Argument from Motion is based on the observation that any object had to have some other object or force to put it into motion.
An interpretation of his argument goes as follows:
1. Some things are in motion.
2. Whatever is in motion is put in motion by something else.
3. Whatever put that object in motion must itself be put in motion by something else.
4. Through a chain of events, each object moving another object must have been moved by yet another object further in the past.
5. There cannot be an endless chain of moving events going on to infinity.
6. Without a first mover, there would be no motion.
7. Therefore, it is necessary to arrive at a first mover; a first mover put in motion by no other.
8. This first mover is God.
The Argument of the First Cause
The Argument of the First Cause is the second of St. Thomas Aquinas’ Five Ways. The argument of the first cause tries to prove that God must have been the cause, or the creator of the universe. It is therefore a form of the cosmological argument. The argument states that no object is capable of creating its own self. Every created object had to be created by something or someone else. Going back in time, there had to be the first creator. This first creator could not itself, have been created. A similar philosophy is discussed by St. Augustine.
An interpretation of his argument goes as follows:
1. All things and beings that exist are caused by other things.
2. Nothing can be the cause of its own self. If so, it would exist prior to itself.
3. Through a chain of events, each object of being causing the existence of another object or being, must have been caused by yet another object or being.
4. There cannot be an endless chain of objects or beings causing the existence of other objects or beings.
5. Without a first cause, there would be no objects or beings in existence today.
6. Therefore, it is necessary to arrive at a first cause; a first cause which is caused by no other.
7. This first cause is God.
Another philosopher who spoke out on this subject was Avicenna. According to Avicenna, the universe consists of a chain of actual beings, each giving existence to the one below it and responsible for the existence of the rest of the chain below. Due to the fact that there cannot be an infinite past to our universe, the chain as a whole must terminate in a being that is wholly simple and one, whose essence is its very existence and therefore is self-sufficient and not in need of something else to give it existence. For an enlightening understanding on the impossibility of an infinite past, read the novel, Conversations with a Stranger.
The Argument from Contingency and Necessary Objects
The Argument from Contingency and Necessary Objects is the third of St. Thomas Aquinas’ Five Ways. There are only two kinds of objects in existence: contingent beings and necessary beings. A contingent being is an object or being that cannot exist without a necessary being causing its existence.
An interpretation of his argument goes as follows:
1. Many things in the universe may either exist or not exist. Such things are called contingent beings.
2. It is impossible for everything in the universe to be contingent, for then there would be a time when nothing existed, and so nothing would exist now, since there would be nothing to bring anything into existence, which is clearly false.
3. Therefore, there must be a necessary being whose existence is not contingent on any other being or beings.
4. This being is God.
Another way of stating the argument is as follows:
1. We find things (beings) are possible to be, and possible not to be.
2. That which is possible not to be, at some time is not.
3. If everything is possible not to be, then at one time there could have been nothing in existence.
4. If there was a time when nothing was in existence, then even now there would be nothing in existence because that which does not exist only begins to exist by something else already existing.
5. Therefore, not all beings are merely possible.
6. There must exist something, the existence of which is necessary.
7. This necessary being must have of itself its own necessity, and not receiving it from another.
8. This necessary being is God.
The Argument from Degree, or The Perfect One
The Argument from Degree is St. Thomas Aquinas’ Fourth Way, in which the qualities of all things are judged by something else.
An interpretation of his argument goes as follows:
1. Everything that exists has certain qualities, such as whiteness, greatness and goodness.
2. Among beings, there are some that are more or less of certain qualities, such as: more or less good, true, great, tall, large and hot.
3. For something to be more or less of a certain quality, there must exist something that is the ultimate of that quality, such as: the hottest, the largest, the best, the tallest, and the whitest.
4. If anything is great, there must exist something that is the greatest. If anything is hot, there must exist something that is the hottest. If anything is good, there must exist something that is the most good.
5. Among things in existence, anything which seems to contain the greatest of a certain quality will eventually be replaced by another thing that contains an even greater of that certain quality. 6. There must exist something which expresses the greatest of all qualities by which all other things are judged and compared.
7. This being that expresses the greatest of all qualities is the Perfect One.
8. The Perfect One is God.
The Intelligent Designer
The Intelligent Designer is St. Thomas Aquinas’ Fifth Way. A similar philosophy is found in Paley’s Teleological Argument. This argument suggests that all things must be designed by an intelligent designer. The main idea of this argument is that there exists so much intricate detail, design, and purpose in the world that we must suppose a creator. All of the sophistication and incredible detail we observe in nature could not have occurred by chance. By observing the fulfillment of purpose in nature, the teleological argument moves to the conclusion that there must be a designer.
An interpretation of this argument goes as follows:
1. There are things which lack intelligence.
2. Nevertheless, these things act for an end, by acting in the same way, so as to obtain the best result.
3. It is by design that they act in such a manner as to achieve their end.
4. Whatever lacks intelligence cannot move toward an end on its own. It must be directed by some being endowed with knowledge and intelligence.
5. Therefore some intelligent being exists by whom all things are directed to their end.
6. This Intelligent Being is God.
Another way of stating the argument is as follows:
1. Human artifacts are products of intelligent design.
2. The universe resembles human artifacts.
3. Therefore, the universe is a product of intelligent design.
4. But, the universe is complex and gigantic in comparison to human artifacts.
5. Therefore, there probably is a powerful and vastly intelligent designer who created the universe.
6. This intelligent designer is God.
St. Anselm's Ontological Argument
The Greater is St. Anselm’s Ontological Argument. St. Anselm was a Christian philosopher around the year 1100 A.D. His argument is based on reason alone. Rene Descartes had a similar Ontological Argument.
An interpretation of this argument goes as follows:
1. God is a being in which none greater is possible.
2. The concept of God exists in one’s mind.
3. It is possible that God may also exist in reality.
4. It is greater for a thing to exist in both the mind and in reality than in the mind alone.
5. If God exists in the mind only, then a greater than God could be thought, because one could think of God in reality, in addition to being in the mind alone.
6. It cannot be that God exists in the mind only, because God is a being in which a greater is not possible.
7. Therefore, God exists in the mind and in reality.
An interpretation of this argument goes as follows:
1. God is a being in which none greater is possible.
2. The concept of God exists in one’s mind.
3. It is possible that God may also exist in reality.
4. It is greater for a thing to exist in both the mind and in reality than in the mind alone.
5. If God exists in the mind only, then a greater than God could be thought, because one could think of God in reality, in addition to being in the mind alone.
6. It cannot be that God exists in the mind only, because God is a being in which a greater is not possible.
7. Therefore, God exists in the mind and in reality.
Don’t bother me with the little stuff. I’m the President
- Our President doesn’t have a clue when it comes to the whereabouts of Air Force One, but on the other hand, he’s involved in approving every shot the military fires. The following transcript recently surfaced:
Secret Service: Pardon me, Mr. President, does it matter to you what we do with Air Force One?
Obama: (Obama lays the phone down). What are you talking about?
Secret Service: We would like to take it out for a photo-opt.
Obama: Why are you asking me?
Secret Service: Well Sir, I thought you would always want to know where Air Force One is at.
Obama: That’s what you get for thinking. I’m too busy attending to the people’s business to think about small matters like that. I’ve got important business to take care of.
Secret Service: What is that, Sir?
Obama: Don’t you realize that I’m the Commander in Chief?
Secret Service: Yes, Sir.
Obama: Okay. Then let me do my job.
Secret Service: What are you working on, Sir?
Obama: (Obama sighs).This is why I’m President and you’re not. I’m about to take out some Somali Pirates.
Secret Service: So you don’t care if we take it off the tarmac?
Obama: Take what off the tarmac?
Secret Service: Air Force One, Sir.
Obama: Oh, we’re still talking about that? I’m a delegator, son. Can’t you have a little discretion of your own?
Secret Service: We just don’t want to do something we’re not supposed to do.
Obama: Can’t you see that I’m on the phone doing urgent national security business?
Secret Service: I’m sorry, Sir. I’ll be quick. What about the fuel, Sir?
Obama: What’s it going to cost?
Secret Service: Oh, about $320,000.
Obama: Is that all?
Secret Service: Sir?
Obama: I’m just joking. Here, use this CITGO credit card that my friend Hugo Chavez gave me.
Secret Service: You don’t care where we’re taking Air Force One?
Obama: No, I trust you. Have fun. Now, leave me alone so I can take care of some very important National Security issues.
Secret Service: Yes, Sir. (Secret Service leaves the room).
Obama: (Obama picks up the phone). Sorry about the interruption, son. Do you have a good shot at those Somali Pirates?
Navy Seal: Yes, Sir. The rough seas have settled down. Should we shoot now?
Obama: Oh, good grief. No, don’t shoot now.
Navy Seal: Sir, we may miss our only opportunity.
Obama: How am I going to look to the American people if this seems to be as simple as a little more than back yard target practice? I am a President who solves catastrophes and impossible situations. I want this to look difficult, son. Do you understand?
Navy Seal: Yes, Sir.
Obama: Let’s wait until the seas are rough again. A good shot in high seas is what I want. Then I will be admired the way I should be.
Navy Seal: Okay sir, the seas are coming up again. Should we shoot?
Obama: How high are the seas?
Navy Seal: Eight feet and rising, sir.
Obama: Do you have a good shot?
Navy Seal: It’s difficult sir. Just as we get them in our crosshairs, we lose them again.
Obama: Now that’s what I want. Okay son, take the shot when you can.
Navy Seal: Yes, Sir. (Shots heard) Sir, we got them all. I don’t know how we did it, but we did.
Obama: Great, son. Now that’s what I call a rush. It’s really cool being Commander in Chief.
Navy Seal: What did you say, sir?
Obama: Never mind, son. Just transfer me to the ship's cook.
Navy Seal: The cook, sir?
Obama: Yes, the cook. I’m the President of the people. I want to be involved in every part of everyone's lives.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Shadow Truth: The Ultimate Deception
Shadow Truth is a frank depiction of societal and political evolution. Everywhere we look, we find customs, laws, policies and other conditions that cause us scratch our heads and ask, “How did we as a society get to where we are now?”
All one has to do, is open the morning paper or listen to the news on any given day. The headlines are filled with events that just don’t seem right. Long standing traditions, laws and policies are falling to the wayside like autumn tree leaves. Political Correctness has become a worthy goal of our rapidly evolving society.
Instead of wishing a person, “Merry Christmas,” we are now being indoctrinated to offer a more politically-correct, “Happy Holidays.” Prayer and Bible reading on school property is becoming taboo. Prayer at public gatherings can no longer include references to Jesus Christ. Lawsuits are being filed regarding the phrase, “Under God” in our Pledge of Allegiance because such words violate children’s rights to be free from a coercive requirement to affirm God. “Separation of Church and State” has become a never-ending issue of contention.
It seems that without warning, we as a society came to celebrate lifestyles that we once considered to be very wrong. Today, homosexuality is honored and promoted. We see headlines about step-parents losing their rights to nurture children in their care because of their refusal to indoctrinate the children into the pro-homosexuality lifestyle. We hear on the news that some of our schools are now providing birth control to eleven year olds without parental knowledge or consent. Respect for life is losing favor among the people. Abortion and euthanasia are now considered to be an individual’s choice.
Much of the world has embraced the concept of Socialism. Surprisingly, the United States appears to be chomping at the bit to travel down that same road. Every day it seems that our society is increasingly creating an environment that encourages people not to work. The desire to excel is being eliminated from our schools. Playground activities that result in winners and losers are being curtailed. Valedictorian honors that go to just one student are now considered as unhealthy competition. Entitlement seems to be the new philosophy of society. Young mothers are encouraged to stay single so that they can be paid to have children. The concept of re-distribution of wealth is rapidly gaining support. The Global Warming agenda is causing the world to re-examine the “benefits” of Globalism and One World Government.
We have been seduced into falling for the most cunning deception known to man. We got to where we are through a seemingly logical progression of societal change. This change is being brought about through a particular development of policies and beliefs. There is a common thread of deceit passing through seemingly unrelated issues affecting our society today. This thread of deceit is called Shadow Truth. Our great land is now locked in the firm grip of Shadow Truth Deception. How is it that so many people in our society are falling for, and accepting such obviously wrong policies? How is it that we find ourselves obligated to comply with, and be subjected to such policies? How is it that we can be threatened by lawsuits if we refuse to comply with some of Shadow Truth’s newly implemented policies? How can these deceptive things be accepted by the mainstream of today’s society without so much as a whimper? How is it that we can wake up and realize that we have completely lost control of the world we live in? Are we so blind that we can allow this to happen to us?
Read Shadow Truth: The Ultimate Deception, and discover the common thread of deceit traversing the seemingly unrelated evolutionary changes that are occurring every day before our very eyes.
To Order: Go to http://www.tatebook.com/ or order directly from Amazon by going to: http://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Truth-Larry-Tate/dp/0881440124/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1261958242&sr=1-1
All one has to do, is open the morning paper or listen to the news on any given day. The headlines are filled with events that just don’t seem right. Long standing traditions, laws and policies are falling to the wayside like autumn tree leaves. Political Correctness has become a worthy goal of our rapidly evolving society.
Instead of wishing a person, “Merry Christmas,” we are now being indoctrinated to offer a more politically-correct, “Happy Holidays.” Prayer and Bible reading on school property is becoming taboo. Prayer at public gatherings can no longer include references to Jesus Christ. Lawsuits are being filed regarding the phrase, “Under God” in our Pledge of Allegiance because such words violate children’s rights to be free from a coercive requirement to affirm God. “Separation of Church and State” has become a never-ending issue of contention.
It seems that without warning, we as a society came to celebrate lifestyles that we once considered to be very wrong. Today, homosexuality is honored and promoted. We see headlines about step-parents losing their rights to nurture children in their care because of their refusal to indoctrinate the children into the pro-homosexuality lifestyle. We hear on the news that some of our schools are now providing birth control to eleven year olds without parental knowledge or consent. Respect for life is losing favor among the people. Abortion and euthanasia are now considered to be an individual’s choice.
Much of the world has embraced the concept of Socialism. Surprisingly, the United States appears to be chomping at the bit to travel down that same road. Every day it seems that our society is increasingly creating an environment that encourages people not to work. The desire to excel is being eliminated from our schools. Playground activities that result in winners and losers are being curtailed. Valedictorian honors that go to just one student are now considered as unhealthy competition. Entitlement seems to be the new philosophy of society. Young mothers are encouraged to stay single so that they can be paid to have children. The concept of re-distribution of wealth is rapidly gaining support. The Global Warming agenda is causing the world to re-examine the “benefits” of Globalism and One World Government.
We have been seduced into falling for the most cunning deception known to man. We got to where we are through a seemingly logical progression of societal change. This change is being brought about through a particular development of policies and beliefs. There is a common thread of deceit passing through seemingly unrelated issues affecting our society today. This thread of deceit is called Shadow Truth. Our great land is now locked in the firm grip of Shadow Truth Deception. How is it that so many people in our society are falling for, and accepting such obviously wrong policies? How is it that we find ourselves obligated to comply with, and be subjected to such policies? How is it that we can be threatened by lawsuits if we refuse to comply with some of Shadow Truth’s newly implemented policies? How can these deceptive things be accepted by the mainstream of today’s society without so much as a whimper? How is it that we can wake up and realize that we have completely lost control of the world we live in? Are we so blind that we can allow this to happen to us?
Read Shadow Truth: The Ultimate Deception, and discover the common thread of deceit traversing the seemingly unrelated evolutionary changes that are occurring every day before our very eyes.
To Order: Go to http://www.tatebook.com/ or order directly from Amazon by going to: http://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Truth-Larry-Tate/dp/0881440124/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1261958242&sr=1-1
The Journey: Searching for the Promised Land
We’ve all heard the story of the Exodus journey. It is one of the most often-told stories from the Bible. We can practically recite it word for word. But, do we really know what the Exodus story is about?
"The Journey" is a novel which paints a vivid picture of the Exodus Journey from a vantage point not often visualized. Most discussions of the Exodus story are based on Moses’ perspective, what Moses did, and what Moses thought about the unruly and unbelieving Hebrew people he was asked to guide to the Promised Land.
This book is focused on one Hebrew family out of several million people who actually followed Moses out of Egypt and on to the Promised Land. The reader is drawn into the mindset of the common Hebrew, as the basis for the people’s lack of faith and their resulting rebellion unfolds before your eyes.
One day, an un-adored and distrusted man named Moses appeared in the land of Goshen. He announced that he had great plans for the Hebrew nation. On the surface, his plans sounded great, but in practice the people felt that Moses caused more and more hardships as he brought down plague upon plague on the land of Egypt. Finally allowed to leave Egypt behind, the Hebrews encountered difficulties and conflicts at every turn. What should have been a ten-day journey turned into forty years of meager existence in a barren wilderness.
Who was this man named Moses who managed to convince an entire nation to follow him? This is the story of a Hebrew family that journeyed from Egypt to the Promised Land. Without the advantage of radio, TV or newspapers, the typical Hebrew person probably never had a chance to hear Moses speak. Many of the millions of Hebrew people may not have even had the opportunity to see Moses as they made their way across the vast wilderness between Egypt and the Promised Land. Most everyone had to rely on messengers, hearsay and rumors for news and information regarding their seemingly unending journey.
Hunger, thirst, discouragement, doubt and fear permeated the weary traveling Hebrew nation like an uncontrollable plague. Shai was a confused Hebrew boy who was subjected to a host of unending grumbling and complaining from his father, his uncle and most everyone else he knew.
On the other hand, his grandmother was a beacon of light, teaching faith, hope and responsibility to her confused grandson. What could she possibly tell her grandson that would counteract the overwhelming and unending series of negative events that rolled over the Hebrews like a hurricane? What did she tell him that propelled him to the right hand of Joshua, the future leader of Israel? What did his grandmother know, that cultivated Shai’s life into that of an overcomer? Shai’s grandmother knew something profound. She imparted knowledge and wisdom that many of today’s Christians may have forgotten.
The reader soon realizes that The Journey is not a story about a people’s journey to another land; and it is not a story about a great man of God named Moses. It is a story about you and me. It is a story about our journey to the realization of the many gifts that God has promised us. Read The Journey and understand it in the way God wanted you to know it: a story about you; and the problems you face every day. The Journey is about your unpaid bills. It is about your struggling business. It’s about that elusive pay raise you’ve been wanting. It is about the difficulties you’ve been having with your family. After reading The Journey, you may find yourself with a vastly different viewpoint on life, and the many obstacles you face every day. Any study of exodus or study on exodus should include this insightful view of the wilderness journey.
"The Journey" is a novel which paints a vivid picture of the Exodus Journey from a vantage point not often visualized. Most discussions of the Exodus story are based on Moses’ perspective, what Moses did, and what Moses thought about the unruly and unbelieving Hebrew people he was asked to guide to the Promised Land.
This book is focused on one Hebrew family out of several million people who actually followed Moses out of Egypt and on to the Promised Land. The reader is drawn into the mindset of the common Hebrew, as the basis for the people’s lack of faith and their resulting rebellion unfolds before your eyes.
One day, an un-adored and distrusted man named Moses appeared in the land of Goshen. He announced that he had great plans for the Hebrew nation. On the surface, his plans sounded great, but in practice the people felt that Moses caused more and more hardships as he brought down plague upon plague on the land of Egypt. Finally allowed to leave Egypt behind, the Hebrews encountered difficulties and conflicts at every turn. What should have been a ten-day journey turned into forty years of meager existence in a barren wilderness.
Who was this man named Moses who managed to convince an entire nation to follow him? This is the story of a Hebrew family that journeyed from Egypt to the Promised Land. Without the advantage of radio, TV or newspapers, the typical Hebrew person probably never had a chance to hear Moses speak. Many of the millions of Hebrew people may not have even had the opportunity to see Moses as they made their way across the vast wilderness between Egypt and the Promised Land. Most everyone had to rely on messengers, hearsay and rumors for news and information regarding their seemingly unending journey.
Hunger, thirst, discouragement, doubt and fear permeated the weary traveling Hebrew nation like an uncontrollable plague. Shai was a confused Hebrew boy who was subjected to a host of unending grumbling and complaining from his father, his uncle and most everyone else he knew.
On the other hand, his grandmother was a beacon of light, teaching faith, hope and responsibility to her confused grandson. What could she possibly tell her grandson that would counteract the overwhelming and unending series of negative events that rolled over the Hebrews like a hurricane? What did she tell him that propelled him to the right hand of Joshua, the future leader of Israel? What did his grandmother know, that cultivated Shai’s life into that of an overcomer? Shai’s grandmother knew something profound. She imparted knowledge and wisdom that many of today’s Christians may have forgotten.
The reader soon realizes that The Journey is not a story about a people’s journey to another land; and it is not a story about a great man of God named Moses. It is a story about you and me. It is a story about our journey to the realization of the many gifts that God has promised us. Read The Journey and understand it in the way God wanted you to know it: a story about you; and the problems you face every day. The Journey is about your unpaid bills. It is about your struggling business. It’s about that elusive pay raise you’ve been wanting. It is about the difficulties you’ve been having with your family. After reading The Journey, you may find yourself with a vastly different viewpoint on life, and the many obstacles you face every day. Any study of exodus or study on exodus should include this insightful view of the wilderness journey.
Order at http://www.tatebook.com/. This book is also offered at http://www.amazon.com/.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Obama says We're not a Christian Nation
While on his overseas tour in April 2009, President Obama made a very disturbing speech in Turkey. Speaking of the United States of America, he told the audience, “…we do not consider ourselves a Christian nation.” Continuing on he said, “…we consider ourselves a nation of citizens.” This is an example of the dangers of political correctness. Fearing that the rest of the world might feel offended by the Christian beliefs of the majority of our citizens, our President took it upon himself to re-define the status of the United States with a more politically-correct description. With this one statement by our elected leader, Shadow Truth has stepped up its mission to separate us from God.
Just a few weeks later, our President made an even more disturbing statement. In an interview with a French television station, he said that the United States could be considered as one of the largest Muslim countries in the world. On the surface, it seems to be a bit confusing that we are not labeled as a Christian nation in spite of the fact that the majority of our citizens are Christian. Instead, on the basis of a growing number of Muslims in our country, we have been labeled as one of the largest Muslim countries in the world.
Shadow Truth is seeing to it that the Christian heritage and identity of our nation is being downplayed and apologized for, while at the same time, a minority segment of our population is being promoted and elevated. In an effort to appease minority segments of our society, we are giving up and disposing of our own Christian heritage. As our weak and uninvolved Christian majority stands silently by, Shadow Truth is taking us one small step at a time further and further away from our Christian identity. By virtue of our vote in the Presidential election, we gave authority to our President to re-define our identity to the whole world.
Just a few weeks later, our President made an even more disturbing statement. In an interview with a French television station, he said that the United States could be considered as one of the largest Muslim countries in the world. On the surface, it seems to be a bit confusing that we are not labeled as a Christian nation in spite of the fact that the majority of our citizens are Christian. Instead, on the basis of a growing number of Muslims in our country, we have been labeled as one of the largest Muslim countries in the world.
Shadow Truth is seeing to it that the Christian heritage and identity of our nation is being downplayed and apologized for, while at the same time, a minority segment of our population is being promoted and elevated. In an effort to appease minority segments of our society, we are giving up and disposing of our own Christian heritage. As our weak and uninvolved Christian majority stands silently by, Shadow Truth is taking us one small step at a time further and further away from our Christian identity. By virtue of our vote in the Presidential election, we gave authority to our President to re-define our identity to the whole world.
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