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“Wherever the Maitreya Project goes (the current Buddhist invasion), they bring ashes from Tibetan monks mixed with other artifacts and extremely vile substances (too graphic to mention in a G-rated email message). These are displayed “culturally,” and then, some of the remains are buried in a city or area as a seed to release demonic spiritual activity in that vicinity. Here’s what Don Paul Ministries said about the Maitreya Project:
“THE GREAT DECEPTION IS ON and the church is falling under the spell! Churches across america are inviting in the Buddhists and the Tibetan Blood Relics in the name of peace, love and unity! These Blood relics are part of the Dalai Lama’s move to unify Buddhism around the world and to build a five hundred foot bronze statue to the Lord Maitreya. This is known as the Maitreya Project.
“Richard Geer is endorsing this and they are current trying to raise close to two humdred million dollars out of Beverly Hills and the like for this project in India. This will be for a world wide worship of this Bronze statue built to last 1000 years!
“These Blood Relics that these deceived pastors are inviting into their churches are for the purpose of gaining access to men’s hearts worldwide. Then with unity and ONE ACCORD from around the world, these blood relics will be placed in the HEART of this five hundered foot Bronze statue, built to last 1000 years. Re-read Daniel and ask God what He thinks instead of what the popular religious authors tell you!”
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I can’t dispute the claims about the process that is described. I have no way to know whether those claims are true. So for the moment, let’s presume that most of this is accurate. Let’s presume the ashes of monks are being carried around the world and deposited .. not unlike what the Roman Catholic church has done for centuries with the bones of martyrs and saints. Let’s assume they are going to build a large bronze statue. I won’t be bowing to it, but I could care less if they build it.
I question the black and white posture that is the response taken. I think it is based on a gnostic separation of spirit and body. It assumes that prayer is the primary weapon of warfare, and it assumes that we should not be in dialogue with Buddhism, and that Buddhism has nothing to teach Christians. I think it is primarily a fear based response.
Worse… it may involve some transference. They are bad.. therefore, we are good. We don't have to examine our own shadow because we are focused on all the darkness "out there." Unfortunately, given the rape of the earth in the west, violence against the poor and women (I include some of the divorce stats in this), and our inclination to export terror for our benefit, it could be that the natural disasters we see are God’s judgement on US rather than on Buddhists.
Can we learn from other religions? Is there any truth in them? Paul appears to think so, in Acts 17 quoting a secular poet and implying that there is truth to be found there. In the New Testament book that best reveals the young life of a new and powerful missional movement, do we read any fear between the lines? Do we see Paul and Silas and Timothy interceding all night opposing spiritual forces? Do we read any instruction to do the same?
Instead, we see the Gospel moving forward in power, breaking spiritual lies with the power of the truth. We see Paul battling for the minds and hearts of unbelievers, reasoning with them. And in the rest of the New Testament it is the same… short instruction on spiritual warfare (Eph. 6), and in practice.. love. Love is the great apologetic, and the greatest weapon of warfare. Most of the letters of Paul are instruction on right thinking and right living. “It’s better to light a lamp than to curse the darkness.”
I can’t help wondering.. and this will really make me popular with the charismatic folks.. whether we are so spiritually minded that we are no earthly good. I can’t help but wonder if our hours upon hours of intercession are our excuse not to engage in dialogue with pagans. After all.. it’s pretty safe in those prayers meetings with like minded folks. Yet where do we see Jesus — at meal with unbelievers and sinners. I wonder.. do we have so little confidence in the power of the Gospel? I wonder if our many prayers reflect our doubt more than our faith. I wonder if we are really caught up in fear. We give the devil too much attention.
Am I saying we should not pray? No. I am saying.. pray.. then go, confident in the power of the Holy Spirit who goes before us. Let our love for Jesus be seen in our care for the earth, and our advocacy on behalf of the powerless. Let our love been seen for all these ones.. women and children, the poor, Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, Jews.. each follows the light they have, hoping for a clearer Light. And God loves them!
We in the west are quick to protest our righteousness. We are, after all, God’s chosen people. Never mind that we have neglected the poor, and stored up great wealth in our barns while so many suffer worldwide. Never mind that we have abused creation for short term profits, leaving an inheritance of destruction to our children. Never mind that we continue our violence against children and our oppression of women with abortion and divorce. Lest we forget, in one New Testament story the religious crowd approach Jesus with a serious complaint against a sinner. She has been caught in the act of adultery. Fully expecting Jesus to do the right thing and condemn her, they are shocked when he points a finger back at them.. the ones who are supposed to inherit the Kingdom! “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.”
In 1 Cor.8 Paul tells us not to worry about whether food has been sacrificed to idols. Idols are not real.. until they inhabit our hearts.
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• © 2005 Len Hjalmarson.•
Last Updated on September 9, 2006
