Should Christians Kids Play with Dungeons and Dragons?

The Enchanted Church Part 3

THINGS JUST GOT STRANGER

A commentary on the comeback of Dungeons and Dragons and its popularity with Christian kids

"Serving a deity is a significant part of D&D, and all player characters should have a patron god."

D&D’s Deities & Demigods

"Whether or not the character actively professes some deity, he or she will havean alignment and serve one or more deities of this general alignment indirectly and unbeknownst to the character."

D&D Dungeon Masters Guide

I'm sorry!! I can't get into the backstory on this one. I'm still processing through my thoughts and feelings on the matter. If you read my last post on Harry Potter being required reading in Christian schools, you can probably guess what inspired this study on the game Dungeons & Dragons.

Before we start, is it just me, or does it feel like we have returned to the 1980s? There are too many similarities between today and a time in history past when Christian parents forbid their children from playing with Ouija boards and watching The Smurfs on TV. 

On the one hand, there is an unprecedented openness to the supernatural within the Christian Church. For example, these days, even the conservative Baptists are singing Bethel songs, and thanks to The Asberry Portal, revival is trending. Revival is most certainly what our country needs more now than ever.

On the other hand, we are learning of openness, embracing, and integration of the New Age and the occult into our mainstream culture and even the Church. This shift is new to our culture, and a societal tide is changing. America is leaning away from modernism's atheistic worldview and moving towards an enchanted or magical worldview. Modern people readily accept what the ancients have known, and more is happening than what meets the eye. The supernatural is quickly becoming perfectly normal and acceptable. People are more readily accepting that something does not have to be seen for it to be engaged. We can thank Wi-Fi for that.

In this study, we focus on The Enchanted Church. Enchanted is a term that means to be under a spell or bewitched. If our culture is underneath a demonic spell, this should be a cause of concern for those who have been given the authority and power to break it. All this reminded me of the Apostle Paul when he asked the Galatians an interesting question, "Who has bewitched you?" The hour in which we live begs us to ask the same question of the American Church. 

Things Just Got Stranger

Stranger Things, the hit show produced by Netflix, has captivated millions of viewers worldwide with its captivating storylines and supernatural elements. The show introduces young people to various supernatural concepts, entities, and realms, such as the "Upside Down," a parallel universe home to dark creatures and dangerous secrets - otherwise known as Hell. But Stranger Things is more than just a show; it's a supernatural school lush in demonology, theology, and supernatural ideas, some of which are even true.

Interestingly, something worth noting, as a result of the show, young people across the country were introduced to a game called Dungeons & Dragons (D&D). The impact of Stranger Things on the sales and popularity of D&D was significant.

In the show, the main characters are depicted playing D&D, and the game is presented as a fun and exciting activity that brings them together. This portrayal helped destigmatize D&D and introduced the game to a new generation of viewers who may not have been familiar with it before.

Following the success of Stranger Things, there was a noticeable increase in sales of D&D products. Hasbro, the parent company of Wizards of the Coast, which produces D&D, reported a 20% increase in sales in the fourth quarter of 2019, partly attributed to the popularity of Stranger Things.

The impact of the show on D&D, however, was not limited to sales alone. It also helped to increase the game's cultural relevance, leading to more mainstream media coverage and an overall boost in public perception of the game. Stranger Things played a significant role in bringing D&D back into the cultural conversation and increasing its popularity.

My Family Member, the Dungeon Master

Many argue that D&D is a fun fantasy game that brings friends together, but in our family, Dungeons & Dragons opened a gateway to the "Upside Down." As a child, I had heard about one of our family members who were traditionally a bit of a nerd. His unpopularity at school led to endless teasing and bullying. This changed, however, when he found his place of belonging amongst friends who were getting together to play D&D. With some creativity, an eye for detail, and a lot of gameplay, he began to ascend as a high-ranking Dungeon Master. He was no longer an outcast; he was now a legend. The crazy part was he was never much of an artist, but now he could draw incredibly complex and detailed characters. At times it was as if his hand was moving on its own. Then, he noticed something was different in his bedroom at night. It was as if he wasn't alone. He began to discover spiritual beings in his bedroom, visitors. When he started seeing them, he realized that they were the character that he thought he had created through the process of being a Dungeon Master (D&D storyteller, character creator, situation framer).

Had he created these characters from his imagination, or were these pre-existing demons tricking him into thinking they were his idea? After a while, these visits at night became more haunting, to the point that this cast of hellish monsters no longer listened to him when he commanded them to leave. Demons were full-on harassing him. This was when his parents called my parents, begging them to please come and pray for their son. My parents led him to the Lord and explained that he must take all his drawings, notes, and the game and burn them. When he tried to burn everything, he threw a match into the fireplace, but before the match could ignite the game, it stopped and hit reverse, flying out of the fire and burning him in the face.

The History of D&D

Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) is a tabletop role-playing game created by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. (TSR). The game quickly gained popularity and has since become one of the most influential and widely recognized games in the world.

According to William Schnoebelen, a former Satanist who consulted for D&D, many resources were developed with the assistance of occultists and Satanists. Schnoebelen provides testimony regarding the type of information that the creators of D&D sought:

I was a witch high priest (Alexandrian tradition) from 1973-84. During some of that period (1976-80), I have also involved in hardcore Satanism. We studied, practiced, and trained over 175 people in the Craft. Our "covendom" was in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, just a short drive away from the world headquarters of TSR, the company which makes Dungeons and Dragons in Lake Geneva, WI. In the late 1970s, some game writers came to my wife and me as prominent "sorcerers" in the community. They wanted to make sure the rituals were authentic. For the most part, they are.

After converting to Christianity, Schnoebelen started cautioning parents about the paranormal risks associated with D&D. In the course of his warning, and he posed a thought-provoking question: 

"If someone unknowingly performs a legitimate ritual that summons a demon or places a curse on someone while they think they're only playing a game, could the ritual still have an effect? I believe we all know the answer to that. If you playfully shoot your friend in the head with a gun that you believe is unloaded, but there's a bullet in the chamber, is your friend any less dead because it was just a game?"

D&D began reusing existing mythological creatures and beings into its Monster Manual, but co-creators Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson initially did not want to tamper with Biblical characters or beings. For example, angels were off-limits, but Gygax was okay with including real demons as long as they were seen as villains. However, players interested in the occult took the game in an unexpected direction. Players began making the game more and more realistic by researching medieval spellbooks, and game supplements like Authentic Thaumaturgy and The Infernax of Spells, Necromancy, and Black Magic were created.

Schnoebelen continues in his warning:

Much of the game contains overtones of illicit sex and sexual violence. For example, the cover of one D&D supplement, Eldrich Wizardry, shows a naked woman reclining on a satanic altar. This tragic scene is compelling because it is really what is done in genuine satanic groups all over the nation. It is extremely sado-masochistic because the fate of such a woman is to be either raped, gang-raped, tortured, or sacrificed to a demon god. This kind of imagery can be very provocative and seductive to adolescent males or even adults.Additionally, male characters in the game often try to seduce female characters; and references abound to things like venereal disease and satyriasis (a male condition of permanent sexual arousal). 

Gatekeepers

Our family resides in a securely equipped home with a roof, doors, windows, and a garage door. The latter requires an opener for access, and only Andrea and I possess the keys to the other entryways. Therefore, to enter our abode, one must go through us. In essence, we are the guardians of our home. However, if any of our children invite a friend over, and we approve of their presence, that friend is granted access to our home. This permission hinges on our trust in that particular friend. In cases where trust has yet to be established, we would offer increased supervision while the friend is visiting. 

Parents, pastors, faculty, and board members are all examples of gatekeepers. As such, they hold responsibility for the friends in their care. As gatekeepers, you are responsible for the friends in your home.

When individuals in positions of authority claim that Dungeons & Dragons is merely a game and permit the promotion of D&D clubs, it is akin to a pastor granting a Demogorgon access to the pulpit on a Sunday.

The issue with many contemporary Western Christians is that they embrace Christian theology but are essentially secular. They operate as their own lords while professing Jesus as their savior. They fail to recognize that they inhabit a world inhabited by angels, demons, paranormal rulers, cosmic authorities, the supernatural powers of this dark realm, and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. It is not merely a question of God versus the devil. As Paul notes in Ephesians 6:12, we live in a realm subject to various gods' influence.

Thus, the first commandment does not condemn drinking, smoking, or premarital sex. Its essence lies in the prohibition against having any other gods before the one true God. However, we have simplified and diluted this concept in America, claiming that this text applies to us through false gods such as food or entertainment. This interpretation is incorrect as the context of the first commandment refers to actual malevolent gods. In the book of Exodus, Yahweh declares to the Israelites that they belong exclusively to Him and must not share their allegiance with other deities.

The Allowance of "Christian" Fantasy such as Tolkien and Lewis

This is a big question that has been coming up regarding the allowance of Christian fantasy, such as the timeless works of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. For a thorough explanation of this topic, I will refer you to an article - The Theology of Fantasy in Lewis and Tolkien by Colin Duriez - that studies the context of paganism in the works of Tolkien and Lewis through a Christian perspective. This outstanding article builds a gospel-centered understanding and appreciation for their work. 

Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord?

Psalm 24:3-4 says, "Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god."

As we examine the impact of counterfeit supernatural beliefs on American culture and the Church, we must acknowledge the challenge of young people being unable to differentiate between what is authentic and what is not. Rather than inducing fear-based panic and encouraging demon hunting, our goal should be to ascend the mountain of God and gain a deeper understanding of Him and His ways. Both overreacting and interrogating our children out of fear, as well as turning a blind eye to the works of darkness, are equally irresponsible. Just as experts can distinguish counterfeit money by studying real currency, we must become knowledgeable about the workings of the Holy Spirit to recognize what is genuine and what is not.

Dear Parents, the Church's role is not limited to telling your kids Bible stories and instilling conservative values. It is essential for the Church to propagate the gospel of the Kingdom supernaturally. If your Church and home lack demonstrations of the power of God, the seductive influence of Satan's supernatural power may become unnecessarily appealing to your children.

It's important for children to witness healing, deliverances, salvations, and water baptisms, as well as seeing us striving for the resurrection of the dead. There is no justification for a Church or a Christian to be without power.

In conclusion, to safeguard the Church against magical counterfeits, we must witness the full power of the true gospel restored within it. Without a genuine display of God's power, the Church is vulnerable to false teachings and doctrines. It's time for us to reclaim the authority and power that is rightfully ours as believers and demonstrate the transformative power of the gospel to a lost and broken world. Only then can we expect to see a true revival that will have a lasting impact on generations to come.

Should Christians Read Harry Potter?

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The Enchanted Church Part 2

When Harry Met The Bride of Christ

A commentary on the integration of the Harry Potter franchise into the enchanted Church

Recently, I became agitated and triggered, which is unusual for me. However, it has become more common since I turned forty (and, more recently, forty-one). One of the students in our church who attends a highly respected private university (our church has supported over the years) reported to us that the school integrated magic practices into its curriculum, and the school's president not only knew but also defended these practices. 

Feeling heated, I picked up the phone and called a ministry peer within our region. He is passionate, educated, and more level-headed than I am, so I hoped he could talk some sense into me before I did something foolish, such as broadcasting a Facebook Live video in which I take a verbal flame thrower to the God-fearing higher education system that appears to be integrating golden calves into its establishment.

To my surprise, my pastor friend, who is kind of a big deal (and just about as busy as I am), picked up the phone!! We had a forty-five-minute conversation about the state of the Church and the shift within our country. My friend pointed me to the work of theologian Peter Kreeft which inspired for me to do this blog series.

Kreeft argues that the influence of hallucinogens on today's modern-day influencers, thinkers, and CEO has loosened the grip of atheism on our culture. Almost everyone now admits that there are unseen realms, parallel dimensions, and ways to access these realms. Kreeft argues that America's modernist culture has now swung in the opposite direction, and that we are becoming, drumroll, please...

Enchanted.

I looked up the definition of enchanted, and the definition startled me. I discovered that the word means "to be placed under a spell or bewitched."  

Indeed, America is being hypnotized, and this may include the Christian Church. 

I was reminded of Paul's inquiry in Galatians 3:1, "O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified."

Paul's question was to the Church of Galatia, which had embraced the heresy of Gnosticism, dualism, supernatural formulas, and extrabiblical works to the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith alone in Jesus Christ.

In this series, we will study this wave of enchantment crashing down upon our shores and, more specifically, its influence within the Christian Church. This series aims not to bash the means of enchantment (i.e., Harry Potter) or the church itself but rather to turn on the lights and awaken us out of this hex.

Harry & Jesus

In my recent discovery, I learned that our local Christian University was teaching within its literature department that J.K. Rowling (the creator of the Harry Potter religion) is a sort of modern-day C.S. Lewis, that the Harry Potter series can be fairly compared to the Chronicles of Narnia, and Harry Potter is a typology of Jesus Christ. 

I am sure that none of this is shocking; the comparison between Harry and Jesus is so apparent. From their sacrificial and messianic qualities, their willingness to sacrifice themselves for the greater good of humanity, their cute round glasses, and like Jesus, Harry was willing to lay down his life to defeat Voldemort and save the world.  

Now, let's press pause and address this. For those believers that seriously think that a modern-day witch can point to Jesus Christ, Exodus 22:18 would say otherwise. This text tells us what God told his people to do with witches, "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live." There is no grace in the scriptures for integrating divination and celebrating witchcraft within the Church. None.

Harry's Hex

Since its debut in 1997, the Harry Potter franchise has "enchanted" the world with its magical world-building and bewitching characters. Over the years, the franchise has grown into a cultural phenomenon, with an enormous fan base and a significant impact on popular culture. Let's look at some numbers that illustrate just how big of a deal Harry Potter really is.

First and foremost, there are book sales. According to the latest estimates, the Harry Potter series has sold over 500 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling book series ever. The final book in the series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, sold an unbelievable 11 million copies in its first 24 hours on sale, setting a Guinness World Record.

Of course, the books are only part of the story. The Harry Potter films have also been an enormous success, grossing over $7 billion worldwide. That makes the franchise the third highest-grossing film series of all time, behind only the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Star Wars.

And it's not just books and movies. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, a themed area at Universal Orlando Resort, has been a massive hit since it opened in 2010, drawing millions of visitors yearly. A second location, Universal Studios Japan, opened in 2014.

Then there's the fan culture. The Harry Potter fan community is vast and enthusiastic, with countless fan sites, fan fiction, fan art, and fan conventions. The fan site MuggleNet, for example, boasts over 200 million page views per year.

But what about this story of a boy wizard has made it such a force to be reckoned with in popular culture?

The franchise has undeniably contributed to a broader cultural shift towards enchantment. The vivid descriptions of magical creatures, spells, and potions have catalyzed a mystical revival in America and the world. Indeed, humanity has come under a spell, hexing even the Church itself.

The Gospel According to Harry Potter

Langdon Palmer, the pastor of Leverington Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, begins his sermons with clips from Harry Potter movies and incorporates ideas from the books into his sermons to convey concepts from the Bible. 

"If something really deeply moves me, then I want to pay attention to that...there were a number of scenes in Harry Potter that struck me profoundly, so I'm just like, 'wow, that's just like this thing in the Bible." – Pastor Palmer

He compares his use of Harry Potter to how Jesus used parables. Despite initially being skeptical of the series when it first came out in 1997, Palmer changed his mind when his own children wanted to read it. He could have meaningful conversations with them about important topics such as right and wrong, bullying, and truthfulness.

Since beginning his Harry Potter sermon series in mid-March, Palmer has seen a 20 percent increase in weekly attendance at his church, composed of mostly millennials who grew up with the series.

Ancient Magic Reimagined

So, is it a good idea to integrate Harry Potter into our churches, schools, and homes? Is Harry Potter no different than a Magic Wardrobe and a talking lion? 

Whereas Rawling has stated that she never used witchcraft or the occult as an influence for her series, a British library's exhibit, Harry Potter: A History of Magic, peeled back the veil of secrecy to reveal the real history of magic and alchemy that J.K. Rowling drew upon to create her wizarding world. 

The 16th-century Ripley scroll, in the Alchemy room, contains secrets to the Elixir of Life.

The exhibit revealed how Rawling used ancient texts to craft potions and spells that are taught at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and displays some of the original books that Rowling used for inspiration, including a worn second-hand copy of Culpeper's Herbal, a 17th-century book on plant cultivation, that she used for herbology and naming her characters.

The exhibition also showcased Rowling's handwritten notes and ink drawings, revealing her creative process as she sketched out the geography of Hogwarts' grounds and the characters that inhabit them. Alongside ornate staffs, broomsticks, and dragon bones, visitors could see a large cast iron cauldron, which Rowling notes has had a magical association for centuries and appears in hundreds of years' worth of pictures of famous historical witches.

Gateway to the Occult

In 2001 Pastor and Author Richard Abanes wrote a book about the connection between ancient occult practices and Harry Potter. In his book 'Harry Potter & the Bible,' he provided actual page numbers and book titles where counter-biblical and harmful actions or statements are located in the Harry Potter books. Additionally, Abanes compares acceptable, "excellent Christian fantasy books" such as those by C.S. Lewis & J.R. Tolkien and contrasts them against the practices in the Harry Potter books and shows how they are full-blown occult. 

Whereas many books have been written to show how you can integrate Harry Potter into your Christianity and find the subtle gospel narratives within the series, this book serves as a tool for parents that are interested (and concerned) about their children's spiritual and supernatural health. 

"We will have millions and millions of kids getting their first look at the occult" at what otherwise may seem to be a "very endearing, fun and stimulating movie," Abanes said. "At the very least, they will be desensitized to its dangers. I think it will do a lot of harm, from a Christian perceptive."

America, Who Has Bewitched You?

There is an enchantment agenda at work that I do not consider to be benign. Supernaturally illiterate educators and pastors are playing with loaded guns in front of congregations and classrooms. I am deeply concerned about those who call themselves Christian educators and ministers and yet do not believe in the power of God, nor do they challenge people to follow Jesus.

1 Corinthians 2

And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.[a] 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God's power.

Dear pastors, educators, overseers, establishment board members, and denominational leaders. If you are majoring in eloquent speech but no supernatural demonstration, you are in error and are vulnerable to being unwittingly used by the enemy.

Two Revivals

America is amid two revivals. A revival of darkness and a revival of light. We living in the midst of Romans 5:20, "…but where sin increases, grace overflows much more."

The 2023 Asbury revival was a Christian revival at Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky. The revival was sparked by students spontaneously staying in Hughes Auditorium following a regularly scheduled chapel service on February 8, 2023.

The Harry Potter franchise is not just a harmless work of fiction. Instead, it was a part of a more considerable coordinated revival of darkness aimed at conditioning American culture and the Church to accept and integrate magic theology and mixture into our beliefs and practices.

If enabled by a powerless Church, the franchise's promotion of witchcraft and sorcery practices condemned in the Bible will ultimately lead people away from Jesus into the seduction of spirituality outside of Jesus. As such, we must be vigilant and discerning about what we allow into our minds and culture, guard against the insidious influence of the occult, and engage with the kingdom's dimensions through the blood of Jesus.

This is not about Harry Potter but about a battle between two realms; two contrasting Kingdoms; two opposing powers; and an oblivious Church. 

I look forward to diving in deeper with you as we study the influence of darkness upon our theology, methodology, and ecclesiology, and I look forward to the testimonies of all that will occur as we combat this assignment of darkness with a revival of supernatural and holy light.

Why some Christians getting witchy

The Enchanted Church Part 1

The Shift from a Disenchanted Culture to Enchanted

Supernaturalism is back, and it's hotter than ever!

People have been fascinated by the unknown and otherworldly for centuries, but lately, there's been a resurgence of interest that's even catching the attention of the Church. And it's not just the hippies and new agers who are getting in on the action - this time, it's the modernists and atheists who are joining the party.

It seems like everyone is jumping on the spiritual bandwagon these days. Yoga, mindfulness, and meditation are as American as apple pie, and now we're even turning to psychedelics to help us connect with the divine. That's right, folks, according to today’s hottest cultural influencers - the spirit world is just a pill or a mushroom away!

Some of the biggest names in our culture are speaking out about their experiences with these mind-bending substances, including Tim Ferriss, Michael Pollan, and Joe Rogan. They're all advocating for using psychedelics in certain contexts, claiming that these substances can enhance creativity, focus, productivity and even provide profound spiritual experiences.

America is becoming "Enchanted"

In his book, "The Philosophy of Tolkien: The Worldview Behind The Lord of the Rings," philosopher and theologian Peter Kreeft argues that the use of hallucinogenic drugs is responsible for our society's increasing embrace of "enchantment" and magic. He claims that because of the disenchantment within our culture, we have an openness and obsession now with psychedelics that is leading us down a dangerous path.

So what does all of this mean for the Church? How will an enchanted culture affect the way we practice our faith? These are important questions that we need to start asking ourselves. We need to explore the positive and negative effects of this trend and figure out how to maintain the integrity and purity of the supernatural without falling prey to the temptations of magic and counterfeit mysticism.

Over the next few months we will take a journey together and explore the fascinating world of supernaturalism and the Church. Whether you're a skeptic, a believer, or somewhere in between, there's something for everyone in this conversation. So buckle up and get ready for a wild ride!

Ensure you opt-in on our mailing list to stay tuned to this conversation.

Special announcement!!

BIG NEWS!!!

The stotts are going on a missions trip to africa.

Did you watch the video above? Trust me, you got to watch the video.

Prayer Focus Dates:

🗓 August 14-29, 2022.

What we will be doing:

We will be serving two churches in South Africa and then getting to do some work with the amazing people and children at the Maputo Iris base in Mozambique.

I will also speak at an amazing conference at the Iris Base in Maputo with one of my heroes, Pastor Suprise!!

This significant conference will be full of celebration, and great joy as many of these ministers and people have been isolated for a significant amount of time because of how hard COVID-19 has impacted this country.

The country still has many regulations and rules, and there are aspects of the trip that could get tricky, so we are asking that God would give us:

1.) Favor

2.) Wisdom

3.) Protection

Lastly, this is a pricey trip (as you can imagine), but we feel called to include our kids in the many incredible opportunities for them to minister to the children in Mozambique. Abigail's life was forever changed in 2019, and we know this trip will profoundly impact our other children.

Would you pray and consider sowing into our trip?

Donate link: https://www.darrenstott.com/donate

Lastly, and this is cool: Supernaturalist Ministries is set up with a non-religious third-party affiliate recognized by many companies and foundations if your company does matching funds for humanitarian work. Please contact me for more information on corporate matching funds at darren@supernaturalistministries.com.

Promise to keep you in the loop.

Thanks!!

Portals University: Questions to Help You Find Your Calling:

1. Understanding Your Strengths

• What things just seem to come naturally to you, and how do they help others?

• What skills or talents do people always seem to notice and appreciate about you?

• What’s something you’re really good at, even when you don’t try too hard?

2. Following Your Passions

• What gets you fired up or excited, even when it’s challenging?

• If you didn’t have to worry about money or time, what would you spend your life doing?

• What’s a problem in the world that really bothers you and makes you want to do something about it?

3. Spotting Patterns in Your Life

• Are there themes or opportunities that keep showing up in your life, almost like they’re pointing you in a certain direction?

• When have you seen the most impact or positive change because of something you’ve done?

• What’s something you do that leaves you feeling completely fulfilled or at peace?

4. Figuring Out Your Purpose

• What’s the bigger “why” behind what you do?

• How do you see your efforts contributing to something meaningful or making a difference?

• What’s the thing you feel you’re meant to do, no matter what?

5. Telling the Difference Between Calling and Assignments

• Have there been jobs or responsibilities that felt like they were just temporary steps along the way? How do those compare to areas where you feel a deeper, lasting pull?

• Have you ever felt like you’re on a path that’s part of a bigger picture, even if you’re not sure what it all looks like yet?

• Does what you’re doing now feel like it’s leading you toward your bigger goals, or does it feel more like a side mission?

6. Listening to Others and Trusting Your Gut

• What have other people said about how you’ve made a difference in their lives or how good you are at something?

• Have you ever had a moment when something just clicked, and you felt sure you were on the right track?

• When you think about pursuing a certain direction, does it feel right deep down?

7. Thinking About Your Impact

• What kind of difference do you want to make in the world?

• How do you want people to remember you and the impact you’ve had?

• Does the vision you have for your life line up with your values and what really matters to you?

NEW!! (Updated) Religious Exemption Letter Templates

DATE

Address

Re: Religious Exemption for Vaccination of [NAME OF MEMBER]

To Whom it May Concern,

I am a pastor at [NAME OF CHURCH], a [CITY & STATE] based ministry.  I know [NAME OF MEMBER] personally and can in confidence attest to his regular and active participation in our ministry.  [NAME OF MEMBER] is not only a member but also active in within our ministries. (describe member involvement in church) 

[NAME OF MEMBER] faith establishes that abortion is the murder of human beings and murder is a sin.  [HIS/HER] faith establishes a firmly held religious conviction specifically against any vaccinations derived from the research used to create Wistar Institute’s RA/27/3 or Wistar’s WI-38 and all other vaccinations derived from the research and/or use of aborted human tissue. 

Additionally, our faith establishes a firmly held religious belief against all vaccinations that stems from the fact that the Bible teaches that all people are made in the image of God and refusal to receive a vaccination is supported by this scripture: “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defiles the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are…What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, 6:19 (KJV).   Our faith maintains firmly held religious believe that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. It is a God-given responsibility and requirement for us to protect the physical integrity of our body against unclean food and injections. 

Because of [NAME OF MEMBER]’s firmly held religious conviction against taking vaccinations, [HE/SHE] is exempt from taking any vaccination as it violates his right to freedom of conscience as guaranteed by the US Constitution, [YOUR STATE] Constitution, and federal law.         

With the following information in mind, [NAME OF MEMBER] would like to inform you that [HE/SHE] is exercising [HIS/HER] legal right to legally assert [HIS/HER] firmly held conviction of conscience against receiving any vaccinations.  If you have any questions or wish to have further conversation on this matter, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

Pastor [NAME OF PASTOR]

[NAME OF MINISTRY]

[ADDRESS OF MINISTRY]

cc: [NAME OF MEMBER]

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May 17, 2021

Recipient Address

Re: Religious Exemption for Vaccination of [NAME OF MEMBER]

To Whom it May Concern,

I am a Pastor at Revival Ministries International, a Tampa, Florida based ministry.  I am writing on behalf of  who attends this church, either online, in person, or both.

We agree with the Civil Rights Act of 1964, that when a person has a firmly held religious belief that vaccination conflicts with their religious beliefs or practices that person should be exempt from any and all mandates to take that vaccination.

As the Senior Pastor of our church, I can attest that the teaching of our church and the attendance of [NAME OF MEMBER] confirms our sincerely held religious belief is one that abortion is the murder of human beings and murder is a sin.  [NAME OF MEMBER]’s attendance at our church establishes a firmly held religious conviction specifically against any vaccinations derived from the research used to create Wistar Institute’s RA/27/3 or Wistar’s WI-38 and all other vaccinations derived from the research and/or use of aborted human tissue.

Furthermore, the teaching of our faith establishes a firmly held religious belief against all vaccinations that stems from the fact that the Bible teaches that all people are made in the image of God and refusal to receive a vaccination is supported by this scripture: “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defiles the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are…What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, 6:19.   Our faith maintains firmly held religious believe that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. It is a God-given responsibility and requirement for us to protect the physical integrity of our body against unclean food and injections.

An additional firmly held religious belief of our faith is that if a vaccination has become mandatory to be able to continue their God-given livelihood, that includes the ability to buy, sell and provide for their family, it is established in scripture. By a specific Biblical prophecy, that this mandate is contrary to our faith.  Though there are many scriptures that support this firmly held religious belief, I submit to you the following as proof of such conviction:

1.     Revelation 13:16-17 that gives insight into an antichrist agenda in the last days that is warned about in the CHRISTIAN FAITH.

“He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” 

2.     1 John 2:18 says, “Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.” 

We believe that before the return of Jesus Christ, the antichrist agenda will be to force certain things upon people by restricting the ability to buy or sell unless they cooperate and comply. We do not believe the vaccination mandate is the mark of the beast, however we do believe that the vaccination mandate is a precursor to the mark of the beast that is to come because it restricts a person’s ability to buy or sell.

Once again, the vaccination mandate amongst other things that are being made mandatory in relation to Covid-19 are restricting a person’s ability to buy or sell. We believe the scriptures justify Christians to not participate in these mandates that condition a society to be content to not be able to buy or sell unless they comply.

The Bible is the source of our faith and our teachings.  Through attendance [MEMBER’S NAME] submits to this source as the basis for [HER/HIS] firmly held religious beliefs.  Because these are our firmly held religious beliefs, our right to refuse these mandates are affirmed as a matter of our freedom to exercise our religious beliefs by and through the 1st Amendment of the US Constitution and the Constitution of [STATE].

Additional scriptural justification for the right to refuse a mandate of vaccinations are as follows:

3.     1 John 3:21: “Beloved if our heart does not CONDEMN us, we have CONFIDENCE toward God.”

4.     Hebrews 10:22: “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil CONSCIENCE  and our bodies washed with pure water.”

5.     1 Timothy 1:19: “having faith and a good CONSCIENCE, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck.”

6.     Acts 5:29: “But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: WE OUGHT TO OBEY GOD RATHER THAN MAN.”

7.     Genesis 1:27: “So God created man in His OWN IMAGE; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”                       

8.     1 Corinthians 6:19-20: “Or do you not know that YOUR BODY is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have FROM GOD, and YOU ARE NOT YOUR OWN?  For you were bought at a price; therefore GLORIFY GOD IN YOUR BODY AND YOUR SPIRIT, WHICH ARE GODS?”

9.     Romans 12:1-2: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, but the mercies of God, that you present your BODIES a living sacrifice, holy acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.  And DO NOT BE CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

10.  Psalm 100:3: “Know that the Lord, He is God; IT IS HE WHO HAS MADE US, and not we ourselves; WE ARE HIS PEOPLE and the sheep of His pasture.”

11.  Psalm 103:2-4: “Bless the Lord, Oh my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, who HEALS ALL YOUR  DISEASES.”

12.  Proverbs 4:22: “My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, and HEALTH TO THEIR FLESH.”

13.  Isaiah 53:5: “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And BY HIS STRIPES WE ARE HEALED.”

14.  1 Peter 2:24: “Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we having died to sins, might live for righteousness BY HIS STRIPES YOU WERE HEALED.”

15.  Psalm 91:6: “Surely He shall DELIVER you from the snare of the Fowler And from the perilous PESTILENCE.”          

16.  Psalm 91:10: “No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any PLAGUE come near your dwelling; for He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways.” 

17.  James 5:14-15: “Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them PRAY OVER HIM, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of FAITH WILL SAVE THE SICK, and the Lord will raise him up.”

(**NOTE- emphasis has been added to the scriptures)

In conclusion, our faith teaches and [NAME OF MEMBER]’s attendance confirms, any mandate that restricts a person’s ability to walkout the biblical teaching that they are created in the image of God and their body is not their own is conflict of our faith.  Our faith teaches and [NAME OF MEMBER]’s attendance confirms, any mandate that restricts a person’s ability to completely trust and depend upon Jesus Christ for healing and divine health, conflicts with our faith.

Because of [NAME OF MEMBER]’s firmly held religious belief, [HE/SHE] is exempt from taking any vaccination, as it violates [HIS/HER] right to freedom of conscience as guaranteed by the US Constitution, the [STATE] Constitution, and verified by the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

With the following information in mind, [NAME OF MEMBER] is informing you that [HE/SHE] is exercising [HIS/HER] right to legally assert [HIS/HER] firmly held belief of conscience against receiving any vaccinations.  If you have any questions or wish to have further conversation on this matter, please feel free to contact me.

Thank You For Honoring Religious Freedom,

Pastor Name

Church Name

Contact Info

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These templates were created by Rodney Howard Browne’s ministry and legal team in Tampa, Florida.

Comment below with the date you submitted your religious exemption letter so we can be praying for favor to be upon you. Also, let us know the outcome. Believing for God’s will be done and for you to step into glorious favor in this season.

Blessings,

Darren

Harvard University’s new chief chaplain is … an atheist

Greg Epstein was recently unanimously elected by his fellow university “chaplains” to be the chief chaplain at Harvard University.

The only problem is, Greg Epstein doesn’t believe in the existence of God.

This all makes PERFECT sense right?!!

Let’s rewind.

Harvard University was founded in 1636, making it the oldest institution in higher learning in the United States. The school was started by John Harvard, a Congregational minister, who gave half his estate and books to the school. It was pastor John Harvard’s dream to educate clergymen unto the glory of God for the excellence and expansion of the Christian faith.

Now, the new lead pastor of the school does not believe in the expansion of the Christian faith nor the promotion of any religion whatsoever. Greg Epstein’s religion is non-religion. His practical savior is self, and he believes that the absence of a higher power points to the significance of humanity being its own practical and functional savior.

Ridiculous or wildly unreasonable is the definition of absurdity.

Enter the age of pseudo modernism, the erratic cultural response to logic.

This is like making an Amish dude the CEO of Google or a Desert-Dwelling Lizard the captain of the swim team.

Here are some questions for you:

Can a nation be saved in a day?

Your answer: ___________________________.

How long will it take for Jesus to save the institution of higher learning in America?

Your answer: ___________________________.

Do you believe it is redeemable?

Your answer: ___________________________.

Is there a remnant at Harvard University?

Please comment below.

One vaccine that cures every illness that requires under-the-skin sensor

Pentagon researchers developed a microchip that can be inserted under the skin to detect COVID-19 infection before a person begins showing symptoms.

“It’s a sensor,” said Dr. Matt Hepburn, an infectious disease physician, and retired Army colonel. “That tiny green thing in there, you put it underneath your skin, and what that tells you is that there are chemical reactions going on inside the body, and that signal means you are going to have symptoms tomorrow.”

The technology was developed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, a top-secret unit launched during the Cold War era that studies emerging technologies and how they can be applied for use in the military.

Hepburn said that the microchip has only been used inside the Defense Department and can detect a COVID-19 infection before an individual has the potential to spread the disease to other service members.

“We challenge the research community to come up with solutions that may sound like science fiction,” Hepburn said.

Hepburn likened the microchip to a “check engine” light on a car, alerting the user of a positive COVID-19 infection and directing him or her to take a test to confirm the result.

“We can have that information in three to five minutes,” Hepburn said. “As you truncate that time, as you diagnose and treat, what you do is you stop the infection in its tracks.”

DARPA scientists believe the technology will be critical to stopping outbreaks among service members, who often are forced to be in tight quarters together for long periods of time.

Another DARPA scientist, Dr. James Crowe, said the unit eventually hopes to wade into vaccine development, saying it could “start from a blood sample from a survivor … and be giving you an injection of the cure within the 60 days.”

“For us, at DARPA, if the experts are laughing at you and saying it’s impossible, you’re in the right space,” Hepburn said.

- Pentagon scientists develop microchip that detects COVID before symptoms when placed under skin

Michael Lee 4/13/2021