From Eliyahu

Hello Friends,

In our latest Midrash of Bamidbar/Numbers 21 we begin our discussion of Balaam, a soothsayer and religious con artist, making pretentions to spiritual power to solve your problems - for a price.

As I considered the story of this man Balaam in the Scriptures I was amazed at the parallel that was so evident between him and many of the bad apples among the bushel of Christian notables that I have observed over the years. These include faith healers that plant actors in wheelchairs in the audience to be "healed" - "prophets" who tell people in the audience their personal details allegedly by a "word of knowledge from the Lord" but actually through a receiver in their ear operated by staff who have interviewed audience members for these details in advance of the "show" - and many other religious cons and deceptions similar to these.  This is not to impinge every Christian leader and teacher, for surely there must be some men of integrity in that category. That said, we must acknowledge that charlatans like Balaam are not in short supply in the Christian world. In fact, this sort of thing has gone on so much that it has now become a common stereotype infinitely repeated in movies, TV and books.

Of course, scandals connected with 21st century Balaams are favored grist for the mill among atheists and people who hate God. They think bad apples like Balaam prove that God Himself is a scam, at least, that seems to be their point in joyfully outing famous Christian con artists, as they do in numerous lists of "televangelist scandals" that can be found littering the internet. One such site is called TV Televangelist Hall of Shame, for example, which seems to revel in the alleged scandals of a long list of well known Christian notables. As one considers the list, outrage at the hypocrisy and spiritual abuse soon fills one's chest.

Yet, one must also ask, are all these people really guilty? Indeed, righteous people can sometimes be tarred with the same brush as unrighteous, since satan and his helpers often resort to this tactic to discredit effective people who serve in integrity. Here is one person on the list who may very well be such a subject of unrighteous persecution: Kent Hovind. Here is what this list says about him:

Kent Hovind is an American Baptist minister and Young Earth creationist. He is most famous for "creation science" seminars, in which he argues for Young Earth creationism, using his self-formulated "Hovind Theory." He has been criticized by both the mainstream scientific community and other creationists. In 2006, Hovind who also has a reputation as a tax protestor had been charged with falsely declaring bankruptcy, making threats against federal officials, filing false complaints, failing to get necessary building permits, and various tax-related charges. He was convicted of 58 federal tax offenses and related charges, for which he is currently serving a ten-year sentence.

Notice that the first open accusation on the list is "he has been criticized by both the mainstream scientific community and other creationists." Some would read this to mean "if some notable people don't like him I shouldn't either." I read this to mean "this man has a lot of enemies in high places who don't like his message." This is a red flag to me suggesting his enemies may be behind his troubles with the IRS and other bureaucracies. Further, headlines recently in the news indicate the IRS has allegedly targeted conservatives on occasion, which could be the driver behind Mr. Hovind's troubles. In any event, what I see here are alleged violations of the bureaucratic red tape variety - not necessarily a moral lapse on the part of Mr. Hovind. Now, this is my reaction to this blurp listing Hovind, not knowing the details of the case and not personally knowing Mr. Hovind, though knowing of him. I'm simply saying listing someone on the "Hall of Shame" doesn't necessarily mean the person is actually guilty.

Here is a report on the list that reminded me a lot more of Balaam:

In 2007, Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) opened a probe into the finances of six televangelists who preach a "prosperity gospel". The probe investigated reports of lavish lifestyles by televangelists including: fleets of Rolls Royces, palatial mansions, private jets and other expensive items purportedly paid for by television viewers who donate due to the ministries' encouragement of offerings. The six that were investigated are:

• Kenneth Copeland and Gloria Copeland of Kenneth Copeland Ministries of Newark, Texas;

• Creflo Dollar and Taffi Dollar of World Changers Church International and Creflo Dollar Ministries of College Park, Ga;

• Benny Hinn of World Healing Center Church Inc. and Benny Hinn Ministries of Grapevine, Texas;

• Eddie L. Long of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church and Bishop Eddie Long Ministries of Lithonia, Ga;

• Joyce Meyer and David Meyer of Joyce Meyer Ministries of Fenton, Mo; and

• Randy White and ex-wife Paula White of the multiracial Without Walls International Church and Paula White Ministries of Tampa.

On January 6, 2011 Senator Grassley released his review of the six ministries response to his inquiry. He called for a further congressional review of tax-exemption laws, and more criminal investigations.

Do I know whether any of these people are actually guilty of wrong doing? No, I don't know any of these people personally nor have I personal knowledge of any crime committed by any of them. I do know, however, that the alleged profile here matches up with the Biblical profile of Balaam to a T, and I am reminded of the words of Jude:

     "Woe to them! For they ..ran riotously in the error of Balaam for hire." Jude 1:11

Using God as Balaam used God, to amass riches and fame, is indeed an error that will bring "woe" to all who go down that road, as our Midrash this week helps to illustrate.

However, does this mean God is not real? Does it mean God is not capable of miracles?

Of course not. What the Balaams of this world trade in is the known fact of a living God who can do miracles!

The fraud is the assertion of the Balaams that they work for Him to get you what you want! This is a lie, as the story of Balaam well reveals.

Join me this Sabbath for EBD Bet Midrash for more on the story of Balaam, on Tsiyon Road.

Blessings and Shalom,

Eliyahu ben David

www.tsiyon.org

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Study: Cat Parasite Tied To Schizophrenia,  Mental Illnesses

WASHINGTON (CBS DC) — Coming into close contact with cats can spread a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) – also dubbed the “cat poop parasite” – which are linked to schizophrenia and other mental disorders that affect humans.

The cat-carried parasite is the most common in developed countries and can infect any warm-blooded species, according to the Schizophrenia Bulletin. Although most humans don’t suffer any symptoms from the widespread parasite, it can cause the illness T. gondii, which is linked to weeks of flu-like symptoms, blindness and even death, CBS News reports.

Two new studies have now linked the T. gondii parasite to increased rates of mental illness in cat owners who may have had increased exposure to parasitic infection.

“Cat ownership in childhood has now been reported in three studies to be significantly more common in families in which the child is later diagnosed with schizophrenia or another serious mental illness,” write study authors E. Fuller Torrey of the Stanley Medical Research Institute and Dr. Robert H. Yolken of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

The researchers compared two previous studies that linked childhood cat ownership and the development of schizophrenia later in life from a 1982 mental health survey. A second study by A.L. Sutterland from the Department of Psychiatry at the Academic Medical Centre in Amsterdam reviewed 50 published studies to a T. gondii infection being tied to mental disorders.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that more than 60 million people are chronically infected with toxoplasma gondii. Close contact with cats, undercooked meat and some unwashed fruits and vegetables are most commonly linked to the parasite. Toxoplasma places pregnant women at risk for birth defects and symptoms of the parasitic infection include swollen lymph nodes, muscle aches and irritation of the eye.

Humane Society data shows there are between 75 to 80 million pet cats and another 30 to 40 million stray or feral cats roaming the U.S. Outdoor cats are at an increased exposure to the T. gondii parasite, which is often found in cats’ infected eggs and feces.

Individuals infected with the parasite are almost twice as likely to develop schizophrenia. Links were also made with addiction and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

“In schizophrenia, the evidence of an association with T. gondii is overwhelming,” the authors say in a press release. “These findings may give further clues about how T. gondii infection can possibly [alter] the risk of specific psychiatric disorders.”

But cat lovers have options for protecting their cat and themselves from the T. gondii parasite.

“Children can be protected by keeping their cat exclusively indoors and always covering the sandbox when not in use,” Torrey told CBS News via email. The CDC recommends changing the cat’s litter box daily. T. gondii does not become infectious until 1 to 5 days in feces and its recommended cats aren’t fed raw or undercooked meat.

Tsiyon Editor's Note: According to schizophrenia.com "at any one time as many as 51 million people worldwide suffer from schizophrenia." With a risk greater than one per hundred population, schizophrenia ranks among the top ten causes of disability globally. In view of this significant risk, how realistic are the "protections" for children cited in the above article?  How many people are going to cover the litterbox when not in use, uncovering and then recovering it every time kitty needs to poop?  And daily changing the litterbox?  Not very likely, plus, even one mistake could result in your child contracting T. gondii, and developing a severe mental illness as a result. According to the Torah, cats are classified as "unclean" animals. Ancient Israelites did not allow unclean animals to live in their homes with them. The custom of cats as "pets" comes from ancient Egypt, where cats were worshipped as gods.