Religious group promises end of world

[steven lloyd]

Religious group promises end of world on Toronto billboards
by Nevil Hunt

A wacky religious sect has decided June 30 will be Earth's final day, after which they'll be in charge.

A Christian group that some call a cult has pegged June 30 as the last day for planet Earth.

The leader of Growing in Grace International is Jose de Luis de Jesus, who has been called the second coming of Jesus Christ. Just as we're meant to be celebrating Canada Day, his followers believe he and they will become immortal.

The sect also believes governments and financial markets will fail. Guess it's time to call your broker.

Growing in Grace has members in at least 10 countries and may have as many as 200 followers in Canada at five branches. Billboards advertising the June 30 end of times are now up in Toronto, and Kitchener and Ottawa could be next. One has to presume the Growing in Grace folks were savvy enough to ask to pay the billboard expenses after June 30.

The group's bishop in Canada told a reporter that all non-believers will be destroyed and the followers will be transformed. The big change will mean believers will have some superpowers: the ability to fly, walk through walls and run without getting tired.

If this sounds like a bad movie script, maybe it's because you've heard it before. The world has seen loonies come and go, including fools who drank poison so their spirits could be transported to passing spaceships.

Human gullibility seems to know no bounds. Some people appear drawn to charismatic figures; it seems just a matter of time before they will find someone to follow to the ends of the Earth, so to speak.

De Jesus's followers call him "Dad," a sure sign that they have lost all perspective and are willing to do as told.

A Florida woman who spoke to a reporter said her son broke from his family after joining Growing in Grace. She said members are "brainwashed."

"They're like those people in Waco, Texas," she said, alluding to the Branch Davidian sect that believed David Koresh was chosen by God to lead them. Eighty followers and four law enforcement officers died in Waco.

Growing in Grace International is not only wacky, but suspicious too. Financial questions have been raised about payments made to de Jesus's ex-wife: as much as $144,000 a year in alimony payments.

In all the scams someone could think up, starting a religion must be one of the most profitable. If you can gain the trust of others – all the way to the point that they call you Dad – then you can be sure they'll open up their wallets when you say it's necessary.

A university professor quoted in one news story speculates that the Armageddon story being spun by de Jesus suggests that Growing in Grace is running out of cash. If that's true, then claiming the end is near is a good way to hold off the doubters just a little longer.

http://news.sympatico.ca/oped/coffee-ta ... s/ed20bec9

[Nebula]

Another entry in the Wing Nuts 'R Us Directory.

[normaM]

I'll postpone cleaning the oven til July1st, just in case. Running without growing tired isn't much of a perk- especially since they'll be able to fly.
*inks 666 on arm to be extra careful*

[BBaldini]

It is very clear to what God's Word the Bible says about the end of this system of things. Matthew 24:36 says, "Concerning that day and hour nobody knows, neither the angels of the heavens nor the Son, but only the Father." Only God knows of the time he will bring an end to all wickedness and restore the earth to a paradise as it was originally intended to be (Isaiah 45:18;Genesis 2:9)

[fluffy]

It is very clear to what God's Word the Bible says about the end of this system of things. Matthew 24:36 says, "Concerning that day and hour nobody knows, neither the angels of the heavens nor the Son, but only the Father."...

Is there someplace I can review Matthew's credentials online?

[1nick]

if there's a god he's responsible for the wickedness.

[BBaldini]

Is God the root of all wickedness? Often, the response is that suffering is God’s will and that he long ago determined everything that would ever happen, including tragic events. Many are told that God’s ways are mysterious or that he brings death upon people. However look at what the Bible, God's Word, says about that. "Therefore, YOU men of heart, listen to me. Far be it from the [true] God to act wickedly, And the Almighty to act unjustly!" Job 34:10.

Did you know that God is not the ruler of the world?

[Nom_de_Plume]

Did you know that God is not the ruler of the world?

I do.

[zookeeper]

if there's a god he's responsible for the wickedness.

Free will.



"A wacky religious sect has decided June 30 will be Earth's final day, after which they'll be in charge."

In charge of what? Are they building a new planet?

[Nom_de_Plume]

"A wacky religious sect has decided June 30 will be Earth's final day, after which they'll be in charge."

In charge of what? Are they building a new planet?

Oh if they are, can we have orange lawns??? I've always wanted an orange lawn

[zookeeper]

Orange is nice, just NOT pink

[Nom_de_Plume]

Orange is nice, just NOT pink

Agree, pink is heinous for anything except a few flowers.
I'm actually an anti-pinkist. I don't own a single article of pink clothing, which is odd for a female.

[1nick]

Free will.



"A wacky religious sect has decided June 30 will be Earth's final day, after which they'll be in charge."

In charge of what? Are they building a new planet?

All knowing all seeing.
He knew Charles Manson was going to kill people but he created him anyway.

[zookeeper]

All knowing all seeing.
He knew Charles Manson was going to kill people but he created him anyway.

He knew monkeys would fling poo, created them anyways, knew you would have the choice if you would or wouldn't.

[1nick]

But he knows what your going to choose to do.
Fling poo or murder people.
Seems a little wicked to create someone you know is going to choose to murder someone else.