CULTS CRITIQUE
b y B e t t y B r u e e h e r t
T h e f o l l o w in g is condensed from a chapter of the book, Wizards that Peep and Mutter, by Dr. Paul Bauer, and is used by kind permission of the publisher, Fleming H. Revell Co., Westwood, New Jersey: For most of its adherents, astr'ol- ogy is a substitute for religion, and whether they will or not, drives them farther and farther away from a moral concept of the world and all Christian belief. 1. Engaging in astrology sooner or later leads to fatalism. If the hour of our birth determines our whole life, then we can do nothing about it. What will be, will be. Instead of ap plying ourselves with mind and will to our profession and duties, we con sult the book of oracles and put off until tomorrow what we ought to do today. 2. Astrology leads to hedonism, i.e., seeking primarily happiness and good fortune instead of doing one’s duty and obeying the moral laws. If we read the astrological textbooks, we find the things they most treat of are success in work, financial gain, winning lotteries, happiness in love. 3. The Jews rejected astrology from the start. In Lev. 19:31 they were warned: “Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them; I am the Lord your God.” This is- based upon God’s absolute Lordship over our lives. . . . Those who want to know the future are trying to be masters of their own fate and see behind the scenes of God’s govern ment of the world. Astrology, how ever restrained and well-informed, mostly becomes mere soothsaying. “Let now the astrologers, the star gazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee. Be hold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliv er themselves from the power of the flame” (Isa. 47:13-14). That is the clear line taken by the Bible, also in line with good sense and science. Believers in the stars are often egocentric and slaves to superstitious fears. Let us help them to find a joy ous faith, the kindness of God the Father and Him who, above all bril liance of the stars, holds the planets in His hand (Rev. 1:16), the true Morning Star (Rev. 22:16); to know Christ, the Light of the world. We need no table of stars to reckon by.
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theirunknownpastf b u tw illy o u r heart help assure them a FUTURE?
Hungry, frightened, destitute, orphaned or abandoned—little ones like these come to our 170 Compassion Homes. Admittedly, most of them have a weak link with the past. Usually place of birth, father, mother, brothers and sisters must be recorded as “unknown”. Our concern, however, is not with their past but with adequate care today to assure them a decent future. Here, with warm love and understanding, Compassion provides food, clothing, shelter, medical care, education, and Bible training—all in a Christian atmosphere. M any sponsors share Compassion’s con cern. Across America from metropolis to vil- #86 Yung Chan ’ #10 E. Siregar ThrOUgKCompaSsion, an investm ent of only $12 a m on th will p ro vide financial support for a needy boy or girl who deserves a future. And y ou’ll receive a heartful of joy as you share letters and photos w ith someone who’ll never forget you cared. DID YOU KNOW? COMPASSION . . . Cares for nearly 22,000 needy children. M ain tains 170 Homes (includes 11 homes for children of lepers; deaf, dumb, and blind children), supervised by Christian staff and direc tors. Provides more than 27,000,000 meals each year. NOW SERVING IN KOREA. INDIA 8. INDONESIA rnimsm. ( ~ m Rev. Everett F. Swanson, Founder Interdenominational, Gov.-approved Non-profit Corporation—Est. 1952 Dept. K68 7774 Irving Park Rd.f Chicago, III. 60634 Canadian residents w rite: Compassion, Inc., Box 880, Blenheim, Ont. Sponsorship or gifts tax-deductible. , lage, high rise to farm, te e n -a g e r to sen io r citizen, thousands of Compassion sponsors ■let their hearts reach ‘> , ou t to these little ones. it Will you join them?
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#298 Jum Soon
Rev. Henry L. Harvey, Pres. □ Yes, with God’s help, I want to sponsor a child for $12.00 a month. I enclose support for □ first month □ one year. I understand I may discontinue at any time. My choice is Number_______ . If this child has been chosen, please send case history and photo of child you select for me as.soon as possible. I prefer □ boy □ girl, approx imately _____ years of age. □ Please select a child for me and send particulars at once. □ I cannot sponsor a child now, but want to help by giving $___________ enclosed.
Name___________________________________ :____________________
Address.
City.____
-Zip-
9
JUNE, 1968
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