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7 advantages of taking a cruise vs doing a land tour.

Sharks in the Philippines

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Monday, December 22, 2008

5 reasons why Santa Claus is bad

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/42/MerryOldSanta.jpg/428px-MerryOldSanta.jpg
I just want all of you to know that Santa Claus, is not real. He is just a figure (he does have a figure... round is a figure.) made up to make kids happy. For a more accurate description of Santa, according to Wikipedia:
Santa Claus, also known as Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, or simply "Santa", he is the legendary and mythical figure who, in many Western cultures, brings gifts to good children on Christmas Eve, December 24 or on his Feast Day, December 6 (Saint Nicholas Day). The legend may have part of its basis in hagiographical tales concerning the historical figure of Saint Nicholas.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b5/Santa-eop2.jpg
Magical enough as the tale of Santa Claus is, some Christian churches are increasingly worried that the bearded man in the red suit is overshadowing the more significant message at this time of year of hope, peace and forgiveness embodied by the birth of Christ.

Christ, they say, is being cut from Christmas. And Saint Nicholas, the fourth-century bishop renowned for his secret acts of kindness, has been hijacked by commercialism.

At Christmas, the celebrations of the Christian and secular world overlap, each holding to different heroes who carry slightly contrary messages: Santa Claus gives gifts for those who are good; Jesus Christ is a symbol of unconditional love to believers no matter the sin.
(source of the last 3 paragraphs)

That is just one of the main reasons why he is bad. Read this other reason:

The specific history of the festival serves little purpose except to show that it isn't a Christian origin. The real question is whether or not it is good to propagate this myth at Christmas. These are some characteristics of Santa Claus. He:

  • is immortal.
  • is omniscient, seeing all things that happen.
  • is good and loving.
  • can cause miracles.
  • rewards people for doing good.
  • demands belief that he is real.
http://www.chroniclebooks.com/images/items/0811846/0811846598/0811846598_large.jpg

These are all attributes that are shared with the Christian view of God. One might ask then, is a belief in Santa Claus equivalent to a belief in a god? To a child's eyes, it must be very similar.

The Effect

One may ask whether it matters about teaching a myth about another God to small children. One could argue that it prepares them to understand the nature of the true God. Alternatively, it may be considered that once the myth is shattered in later years it will become a source of distrust.

One can't help but think of the many references in the Bible to the service to other gods.

Joshua 24:20: "If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, then He will turn and do you harm and consume you after He has done good to you."

Remember the first commandment of God?

ONE: 'You shall have no other gods before Me.'

It may seem pleasant to deceive children with myths about Santa Claus, but one has to ask whether it is really worth the price. (Source)

3 more reasons why he is bad...

http://www.magazineusa.com/images2/originals/cr_cc_SantaSixtythree.jpg
The Reward & Punishment System of Santa Claus is Unjust:

There are a number of aspects to the whole Santa Claus “system” which children shouldn’t learn to internalize. It implies that the whole person can be judged as naughty or nice based upon a few acts. It requires belief that someone is constantly watching you, no matter what you are doing. It is based upon the premise that one should do good for the sake of reward and avoid doing wrong out of fear of punishment. It allows parents to try to control children via a powerful stranger.

http://www.eons.com/images/cms/12850_image_file_1.jpg
The Santa Claus Myth Promotes Materialism:

The entire Santa Claus myth is based on the idea of children getting gifts. There’s nothing wrong with getting gifts, but Santa Claus makes it the focus on the entire holiday. Children are encouraged to conform their behavior to parental expectation in order to receive ever more presents rather than simply lumps of coal. In order to make Christmas lists, kids pay close attention to what advertisers tell them they should want, effectively encouraging unbridled consumerism.

http://www.spirit21.co.uk/uploaded_images/jesus_asks_santa_about_his_birthday-758121.jpg
Santa Claus is Too Similar to Jesus and God:

The parallels between Santa Claus and Jesus or God are numerous. Santa Claus is a nearly all-powerful, supernatural person who dispenses rewards and punishment to people all over the world based upon whether they adhere to a pre-defined code of conduct. His existence is implausible or impossible, but faith is expected if one is to receive the rewards. Believers should regard this as blasphemous; non-believers shouldn’t want their kids prepared in this way to adopt Christianity or theism.
(source)

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Wednesday, December 10, 2008

A Gift to ALL my Readers

Okay. It's not what you think it is. I don't have the "moolah" to give everyone gifts but, I can give you something else...

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Freebie alert!!! (My gift -- info) hehe

http://img361.imageshack.us/img361/4308/t3dp5.jpg
Get free Olay by just texting "7signs" to 29762! You only not get a free Olay product but, you also get a Php 100 Olay Total Effects voucher!

If you would like to join online contests like I do -- I won several already check out my previous blogs :)

Go here: http://www.yehey.com/promohub/promos.aspx -- you can join contests / play games and at the same time, win prizes for FREE! no purchase necessary!

===more freebie updates to come===

For immaterial gifts, pray and accept God as your personal saviour. That would be the best gift of ALL.

Merry Christmas!

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Freedom for newsteam from ABS-CBN

http://www.epa.gov/glindicators/images/soaring.jpg
Ces Drilon and her crew with a university professor was freed last night, June 17,2008 at around 11:00pm (+8gmt).

According to ABS-CBN news, no ransom was paid in exchange for their release.

This is good news for everyone! God is good and I hope Loren Legarda stops getting credit from their release. Yes, she might be a part of it but God made that possible.

to know more about what happen, just read the news from AFP.

Friday, May 16, 2008

What are you thankful for?

In the past weeks, we had just witnessed some of the greatest disasters of the new millennium. Myanmar cyclone death toll estimated at the 130,000 mark. China earthquake death toll on the other hand, is expected to reach 50,000. (Images below from MSNBC)









This is what the world knows. What most of us do not know is, there are tons of other disasters. Here are a few more.

1. Gaza Rocket Attack - Israel
2. Pipeline Blaze - Nigeria
3. Floods in Central Philippines

In spite all these, we should be thankful because,

- we can still breath and proof is, you can still read my blog.
- We can feel the heat of the sunlight, be drenched in those unexpected rains and yet, sleep soundly at night.
- Watch animals roam, see kids play, cars move and planes fly.
- That all these are made possible by God even though we are destroying the earth. the one he created.

What are you thankful for?