Category Archives: Issue 7

TBH

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Lia Waugh Powell

Without a doubt, Facebook has impacted the lives of thousands upon thousands of people throughout the world.  Through Facebook we are able to connect with family members we haven’t seen for a while, meet long distant family members, share photographs with each other, create and organize events, and share what we are thinking with our friends.  All of those things have changed society; being able to communicate with people has never been easier.  However, people have found a way to make Facebook an unpleasant experience, and this article’s purpose is not to rant but to logically explain and dissect the purposes of people who do such things and offer a way for the people to fix the issues.

1.) Let’s start with the most annoying (in my personal opinion) example of one of Facebook’s annoyances: TBH, LBR.  For those who don’t have a Facebook account, TBH stands for “To be Honest” and LBR stands for “Let’s be Real.”  The essential purpose of this is for people to “like” a person’s status who has posted “TBH” or “LBR” and the person will write on the liker’s wall about what he/she thinks about that person.  It may seem like a fun idea, but it is never used the way it should be.  On average on my newsfeed (I did the math), 1 out of every 9 statuses is TBH or LBR, mostly from the same people, over and over again.  And every response to the TBH post can be summed up as this: “TBH (or LBR), you are really pretty.  We don’t talk that much but I wish we did, we should hang out some time, hit me up.”  This is annoying for numerous reasons.  One reason is because the writers do not really mean what they say.  If they truly missed that person, they would catch up with them, send them a message, text/call the person.  They would not write on their Facebook wall because the person liked their status.  Secondly, as mentioned earlier, these statuses are written by the same people almost every single time, and in response the same people like the status every time.  This harbinger could very well be because of a low self-esteem issue and should not be taken lightly.  Your self worth is not found through how many people like your status and how many people value your opinion.  The people who like your status only want to be told they are pretty and are missed.  Those people should not have to seek out attention through a social media website.  They should put more effort into their friends and family.  If you are a “TBH” liker, please know you do not have to be told constantly you are pretty and likeable.  Focus on other positive areas of your life.  Go out and help other people, because blessing other people will truly fill that void where you feel you are worthless.  You are God’s child; you are by no means worthless, but if you are constantly searching for affection through other people who do not truly care about you, you will continue to feel empty and will never reach the satisfaction you desire.  Your continual liking of TBH statuses proves this point; if it’s the third time you have liked the status and you still do not feel good about yourself, then you must know something is wrong.

2.) Another annoyance found on Facebook are those who upload pictures of themselves every day, and also those who change their profile picture at minimum once a week.  We all do in fact know what you look like.  I am not saying this out of acrimony, out of jealousy, or out of anything negative.  It is just a simple annoying factor of Facebook.  It not only gives off the aura of vanity, but also it seems as if the person is seeking attention.  Every person is unique and beautiful; if you believe you are more beautiful than someone else, you should check your heart, because that is not the humble heart Jesus teaches and calls us to have.  If the person is changing his profile picture constantly because he feels he is not beautiful and cannot find a good picture of himself, that is also wrong.  You should love how God created you, because you were made in His image.  And a Facebook profile picture or a new photo album does not determine your popularity status, and if it does I would suggest you change your group of friends.  Nobody should feel there is a standard to live up to in order to keep his or her friends.  Friends should love you for who you are, not what you look like.  In addition to that, “Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised” (Proverbs 31:30).  That is the character trait all people, not just women, should seek out, fearing God and honoring Him through your life — not seeking acceptance from other people and “likes” on a profile picture or status.

3.) Additionally, Facebook is not a showcase for when you are having relational problems.  It is already hard to accept when someone dates another person for two days and professes his or her love for the other on Facebook posts … daily.  There is nothing wrong with public displays of affection; they are in a sense sweet.  However, when the pair has only been dating for two days and throw around the word “love,” it honestly should upset people.  The modern idea of love is already corrupted, so when it is consistently abused further, it is disappointing, especially when the couple breaks up every three weeks.  You can always tell a couple is dysfunctional when it is obvious they are fighting because their Facebook status states, “ugh, I’m so upset.  I honestly can’t do this anymore.”  Nobody needs to know you and your significant other are fighting.  If you feel you are mature enough to handle a relationship — a true relationship — you need to act like it.  Relationships should not consist of constant public fights, and you should certainly not break up biweekly.  If that is the state of your relationship, you need to get out.  Relationships should be based on purity, friendship, and love.  God should always be first in your relationships, through prayer and accountability of one another.  In this day and age relationships have been transformed into two people who like each other, and consist of impure morals and unrealistic feelings.  Love is not a feeling; it is not butterflies in your stomachs: it’s a day-to-day choice the person you tell “I love you” to is your treasure.  Biblically, you are called to encourage and stay committed to that person regardless if he/she drives you insane.  “Love is patient; love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).  Therefore, switching your relationship status on Facebook to “in a relationship” to “it’s complicated” to “single” religiously is completely and utterly immature.  You should not be in a relationship.  Instead, strengthen your relationship with God.  Too often people have this preconception they need a significant other.  Yes, God calls us to have relationships with other people.  Men and women do in fact complete each other.  But that does not mean you always need to be in a relationship.  Nine times out of ten, you have something more important to be focusing on (such as deepening your relationship with Christ).  When God is the center of your life and after much prayer, if you feel God has called you to be in a relationship, then go about it in a righteous manner.  Respect your partner, encourage, love, and help him/her keep his/her eyes on God as well.  If you cannot commit to those things, you should not be in a relationship.

4.) Joining Facebook groups and liking a page will not cure world hunger, cancer, make a guy/girl like you, make you seem more interesting, give you more friends, or help you find a missing child.  Though all of those things might sound good, none will happen.  If you would truly like to help world hunger causes or other troubling issues, plenty of websites exists for you to donate to.  Get educated on the topic and go out and make a difference in this world.  I promise you hands-on experience is better and far more rewarding than liking a Facebook page or group.

5.) Let’s get one thing straight: no person cares if your turnips on Farmville are ready to be harvested.  And no, I do not want to be your neighbor on Farmville, either.  There is NO purpose to Farmville.  My news feed should not subsist of the thousands of notifications of your accomplishments on Farmville, Café World, or Mafia Worlds.  Maybe they are a way for you to relax and unwind, and maybe you think it is fun, but I do understand why people get caught up in them.  Please know there is an option for you not to publish everything onto your Facebook.

6.) Dear Mr. Ushman A’shd Umaya: I do not know you; I do not know how you found me, and though your profile picture of a Disney character is tantalizing, no, I do not want to be your friend.  That situation should suffice enough to annoy anyone.

7.) If you have updated your status more than three times within the past hour, please stop.  Facebook statuses are meant to share your thoughts (particularly interesting, funny, or encouraging ones).  I do not want to know if you are currently reading a book or are standing in line at Food Lion.  Pertaining to this subject, Facebook should not be used as a personal journal.  The world should not know if you are in a fight with your mom, if you just kissed a guy/girl; it should not be used for you to brag about how amazing you think you are, and it should not be used for you to write depressing statuses all the time.  There are so many good things in life, why should you waste time being depressed and sharing your depressed thoughts with others?  Talk to your friends in private if you are having issues, but try to spend your time encouraging other people rather than bringing them down.  When you bless other people, it is like instantaneous medicine for your soul.  “If you have a problem face it, do not Facebook it.”  Gossiping on the Web also should not occur (gossiping at all should not occur).  As of November 3rd, Google expanded its searching realm, and your comments can be found on the Web if someone looks up your name now.  Arguing on Facebook should not occur, either.  It is juvenile and annoying to those who read the dispute (albeit it can be quite entertaining).  Your life issues should, once again, not clash on-line.  Confront the other person in an appropriate and private manner about the offense and move on with life.

In conclusion, your personal life should not be displayed for all to see through Facebook.  Most of these annoyances are based on that issue.  Confront your issues in mature manners and develop and establish social skills from the Bible.  God’s Word contains all the resources and wisdom you need to know to get through life, along with the people He has put in your life.  Facebook is not a journal, nor is it a healthy way for a person to seek attention.  A Facebook “like” should not and will not be as fulfilling as developing a genuine relationship with Christ and other people.

The Arab Spring and America

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Connor Shanley

The times in which we live are becoming more and more unpredictable and uncertain.  The world in which we live is changing rapidly, every day events are taking place around the world we don’t even know about.  These events are changing the world in which we live.  Recently there’s been a very strange thing happening in the Middle East; it has been popularly called the “Arab Spring.”  The Arab Spring refers to the recent increase in protest and civil disputes throughout the Middle East.  The Arabs are now trying to overthrow the oppressive regimes.  In many countries this would seem to be a good thing for the church and for Christians.  In some counties where these protests are occurring, the regimes have been oppressive to the Christian community.  In many cases, though, once the government is overthrown the chaos the protest and riots had will often be continued on to the Church.  This is why the Arab Spring is something the United States should be watching very closely.

The first country to start this Arab spring was started in Tunisia, on December 18, 2010; protest began in Tunisia to show public disapproval of government corruption.  The protests at first were going peacefully, but then various uprisings throughout the country resulted in over 1,000 deaths.  The protests only grew after that, though, and president and prime minister of Tunisia both stepped down from office.  The protests are still on going; the protesters still want to see major government reform.  Tunisia was the start of the Arab Spring, but it is definitely not the most well-known country with current civil unrest.  The country most noted for really being the start of the Arab Spring is Egypt.

On January 25, 2011, Egypt took after Tunisia’s example and started its protests and demonstrations.  Egyptians were sick of their government and their president Hosni Mubarak.  The protests in Egypt often grew violent; in one protest in Cairo, 846 people were killed and 6,000 were injured.  One seemingly good thing coming out of the protests though was Christians and Muslims were uniting to have their voices heard.  A sight seen very often during the protests was Christians forming protective barriers around Muslims during their 5 o’clock prayers.  Likewise, Muslim violence against Christians subsided for a time.  On February 11, Mubarak stepped down from office.  It was taken as a great moral victory for the protesters.  The success of the protest was not just felt in Egypt but in other Arab nations as they decided to follow Egypt and Tunisia.  Protest started to break out all over the Middle East; four days after Mubarak stepped down, Libyan rebel forces began a Civil War.

The aftermath in Egypt, though, was not all freedom and equality.  The government was now gone, and political chaos was taking over.  Violent protests were still going on, and at night people described Cairo as a war zone.  Much of the violence, however, was directed toward Christians.  Prior to the protests, the Christians in Egypt were already being persecuted, partially helped by the government, but the government did keep some peace.  Now that police can no longer enforce curfew, mobs of Muslim extremists are burning down churches and killing civilians.

Now many accounts of massacres of Christians throughout the Middle East exist.  Countries like Syria, Lebanon, and Algeria are having massive protests against the government, but because the police are so distracted by these protests they can’t protect the Christians.  The Christians are being overwhelmed; at first many thought this Arab spring would be a good thing for the unification of Muslim and Christian communities.  The Arab Spring has just sparked more anti-Christian violence.  Many believe the rise in violence is only reserved to some parts of the protest.  They believe as a whole, though, the Arab Spring will still be good for the unification of Christian and Muslim communities; they believe over all the Arab Spring is very good thing.

Many members of the media portray the Arab Spring as a good change.  The Arab Spring shows the Middle East is becoming more democratic.  The media on the left see it as the Middle East somewhat conforming to our way through wanting the common people to have a say in political matters.  There is a very dark side behind the Arab Spring, however: the rise in persecution.  Christians know behind these protests are people wanting to overthrow a regime not because it is not democratic but because the regime isn’t Muslim enough.

The problem now brewing in the Middle East is two types of protesters being seen; one type is the kind the leftist media love.  These protesters are the genuine young who want the right to vote and who want to put an end to their tyrannical government.  Then there is the other type, usually the older ones, who look to overthrow their government because their government has been too friendly to the West.  These protesters are angry their government is trying to impress America.  It is now a proven fact these protest leaders are members of terrorist organizations.  It taints the whole idea these protests are just all about freedom, and all this political unrest has become the perfect time for terrorists to try to get as much power as possible.

The Arab Spring, which at first looked to be a positive step forward, is now a dangerous threat to America.  The terrorists we are fighting every day are looking to take advantage of the political unrest.  The uncertainty of the outcome of the Arab Spring is endless; America could manage to gain many allies out of this.  For example, Libya (at least for a short time) should be on our side given we supported the rebels’ side.  Still, even Libya could turn on us, and now because of all the recent uprisings more weapons are in the Middle East than any agency can keep track of.  Most of these guns are just floating around the region with no one to keep track or regulate distribution of them.  Many of these weapons have already ended up in the hands of mobs that persecute Christians; those same people are the ones who will support the terrorists.

In conclusion, America must keep a very watchful eye on all this civil unrest.  If America uses the Arab Spring to its advantage, it could help stabilize the Middle East for years to come, but if America is not watchful, the wrong people may take control, and America could have a growing list of enemies.

Personal Observations and Contradictions of Islam

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Erik Lang

Islam is one of the fastest growing religions worldwide.  Muslims are settling in every country of the world, some of these countries actively enforcing Muslim customs and laws.  This is unsettling.  Islam is a destructive religion passionately fueled by messages of hate against non-Muslims.  America is fighting wars against terrorism that believes in Islam.  Islam is dangerous, but even more importantly, it is completely wrong.

Islam is an adapted and corrupt version of Christianity.  Let’s examine the facts: Muhammad was born at 570AD.  This was during a period when Christianity was spreading like wildfire.  Evangelists spreading the Gospel witnessed to areas where Muhammad lived.  Muhammad even acknowledged hearing Christian missionaries in his youth.  The Gospel begins with an angel appearing to the Virgin Mary telling her she will have a son.  The angel’s name was Gabriel.  No other angels are associated with the Gospel.  When Muhammad heard the Gospel, he liked many qualities of it.  He incorporated those qualities into his own religion, like alms to the poor, loving each other, etc.  The angel who appeared to Muhammad in the cave was the angel Gabriel.  Could it be Muhammad heard the account of Christ and took elements of it, such as the appearing of the angel Gabriel, and used them to create his own religion that best suited his needs?  Absolutely.

The concept of Allah has been around since ancient Sumerian days.  Muhammad did not create Allah.  He, again, took ideas from other religions and forged them into Islam.  The symbol of Islam is the crescent moon.  The moon has actually been the primary belief of all Arab peoples forever.  The title of the moon god for the ancient Arabs was “the deity,” or in Arabic Al-Ilah.  The epicenter of the worship of the pagan moon god was in Mecca.  The shrine in Mecca was actually a home to 360 other gods but was completely dedicated to Al-Ilah.  Al-Ilah was the beginning of the myth of Islam.  Muhammad took a well known and practiced religion of the Middle East and borrowed the pagan moon god Al-Ilah, or now Allah, and substituted him as the one and only true god.  Conveniently for all new converts to Islam, their pilgrimage was to Mecca, a holy site already well-known to all Arabs thanks to the moon god.  It would be easier for a population to place their beliefs in something they were already familiar with (a moon god) and have easier access to (Mecca).  It’s really just a religious game of mix and match.  Muhammad declaring Allah was the only god is laughable, since the moon god had brothers and daughters in Arab tradition, all of which were deities.

Islam is famous for Muhammad being the last of the prophets sent to complete Allah’s work (again, convenient).  Muslims also teach Jesus Christ was a prophet sent by Muhammad, yet nothing more.  Muslims believe Christ to be a great man and wise.  If they truly believe in the teachings of Christ as the words of Allah, then they must also believe Christ’s claim He is the Son of God.  Here is where Muslims refuse to acknowledge the facts.  Jesus Christ came and fulfilled prophecies.  Here Islam takes part of Christianity again and accepts only the parts they think are worthy or fit their standards better.

Islam teaches abstinence from any alcoholic beverages.  Wine or beer or any other fermented drink is to not be consumed by any good Muslim.  Muhammad even says drinking and drunkenness is an abomination, Satan’s handiwork.  If one were to read through the Qur’an further, though, he would find verses describing the Islamic Paradise.  Paradise for the Muslim is reserved for the righteous, and the rivers are overflowing with wine.  These rivers are described by Muhammad as “a joy to those who drink.”  Other verses state “their (the righteous) thirst will be slaked with Pure Wine sealed.”  For the good Muslim to live a life shunning alcohol, why would he engorge himself with the brew in Paradise?  Muhammad is basically saying abstain from drinking so you may drink in Paradise.

One of the biggest debates raging between the world and Muslims, even among Muslims themselves, is the issue of the Jihad, or holy war.  The Qur’an specifically states several times in order to be a good Muslim and true follower of Allah, one must take up the sword and slay all infidels who will not convert to Islam.  The majority of Muslims agree with the Qur’an on this topic, although most do not actively participate in Jihads against infidels.  The other group of Muslims believes the jihad is a spiritual warfare against the world and within oneself.  Their interpretation of the Qur’an is wrong, strictly speaking.  Muhammad clearly meant for his followers to kill all those who were not of the Muslim faith.  They are fitting religion to meet their needs.  This group of Islamists tries to live civilly with the rest of the world in order to avoid further bloodshed.  Their non-willingness to follow their Muslim brethren drives the orthodox Muslim group to anger.  This issue results many times over in conflicts and civil wars between Muslim countries.  This whole issue is counter-productive to the attractiveness of their own religion.  One side continues to uphold the Qur’an and murder infidels while the other side twists the Qur’an to fit their needs and only angers the true believers of Islam to kill them as well.  This is absurd.

One obvious issue with Islam is it was completely made up by Muhammad so he could order others around.  This is a bold statement, but I believe it’s completely valid.  Muhammad was a nobody.  Then the next day, he is the “chosen prophet” of Allah, appeared to by the angel Gabriel.  Muhammad’s special revelation occurred in a cave secluded from his home town.  Gabriel appeared to Muhammad and gave him his divine purpose from Allah.  Muhammad claimed to have consistent contact with angels and Allah; none of these encounters can be verified by any other sources.  An entire religion based upon the passionate appeals by one man is enough to persuade an entire region of people toward Islam.  Muhammad never had any witnesses to verify his claims of divine interventions.  There was never any proof.  In short, an entire race of people including the millions of others they have deceived follow the teachings of a man who lied about his revelations.

After the birth of Islam, all believing Muslims immediately conquered the surrounding lands under the orders of Muhammad.  Muhammad now had an entire people subjugated by holding the key to Allah.  They had to do his bidding or risk the wrath of Allah.  Muhammad’s home of Medina was under the control of pagan idolaters who had ostracized Muhammad, and he wanted revenge.  Muhammad rousted his new disciples and told them all who do not believe in Allah and worship idols are enemies of Islam and must die under the sword.  His first conquest was his hometown, Medina.  Muhammad continued to use his armies to conquer most of the Middle East until he died and his campaign was continued by other prominent Muslim leaders.  Islam was a get rich quick scheme and a useful tool for brainwashing populations into doing his will.

What can we as countries do against such reckless hate?  Better yet, how should we as Christians respond to their attacks?  Through our faith, our first response should always be out of love.  They need salvation just as much as we needed it.  However, God did say there are times for war and times for peace.  Many of these Muslims do not listen to reason or even listen period.  It is against these types of people our physical struggle is against.  Diplomacy can only take one so far when a guy with an AK-47 is trying to murder him.  This is where the government steps in, and we are required to use force against the Muslims.  Force is acceptable to use when all other options are exhausted.

Islam is riddled with gaps of reasoning and inconsistencies.  The only reason why so many believe it is because the first Muslims already worshipped the same thing as Allah.  Muhammad simply organized them all and pointed them in the direction he wanted.  Muhammad’s religion of Islam was conceived by a greedy man who took parts of religions he liked and combined them all to make his own cocktail of deceit.  There were no witnesses for his revelations.  All he ever said about his divine appearances were lies.  If you examine the pure facts and look at the evidence through an unbiased eye, you can obviously see the flaws of Islam and the ill intentions behind its creation.