Christians and WITCHCRAFT???

[Guest]

This is my final post.

Many, many believers, including some SDA's and/or pastors have been bothered by the fact I use the term "rabbi" when introducing myself.

All of them believe that the word "rabbi" is a title, like pastor, or reverend. It's not. The word "rabbi", when attached to my name is a job description, NOT a title. It's like when a person adds Ph.D or D.D. at the end of the end of their name. I use it the same way. "Ben Cohen, Rabbi." This should tell anyone that I am a teacher, an authority of Judaism, in my case.

So what does this all mean? And what does it have to do with my previous posts?

In my last post I stated that "rebellion is called illegitimate authority because it takes authority where it does not have authority".

To determine if you have authority in a particular area, ask yourself the simple question, "Do I have responsibility in that area?" Authority and responsibility go hand-in-hand. If you DO NOT have responsibility then you DO NOT have the authority.

Believe it or not, when I teach anyone anything about things which are Jewish in nature, I have to take responsibilty for WHAT I teach and WHO I teach. Knowing that I will be judged for people the Creator of the Universe has given me is a serious matter. Again, I repeat myself: Authority and responsibility go hand-in-hand.

So what does this have to do with our lesson?

A person commits an act of rebellion whenever they try to take authority in an area where they do not have responsibility.

This is what King Saul did when he decided to spare certain animals in the battle in order to offer them as sacrifices.

He had not been given responsibility to provide for a sacrifice and yet he authorized the sparing of these animals in direct opposition to what he had been told to do.

King Saul took authority where he did not have responsibility thereby committing an act of rebellion which is witchcraft.

In 1 Samuel 15, the people also took authority where they did not have responsibility. The people took authority over Saul when they used fear to intimidate him into obeying their will instead of God's command. They committed an act of rebellion against Saul's free will and against the command of God.

There are primarily three things that indicate the practice of rebellion which is witchcraft. Those three things are MANIPULATION, INTIMIDATION, and DOMINATION. If you remember nothing else from this article, remember those three words.

Whenever you see these things being utilized, an act of rebellion (which is witchcraft) is being committed. They cast a spell on you. Again, I speak of one who knows this all too well.

Manipulation differs from persuasion in that it tries to override a person’s decision. Persuasion will try to change a persons mind. Manipulation causes someone to do something that they would not do under normal circumstances.

Intimidation very often comes in the form of bullying or threats. Just because someone has the capacity to push someone else around whether physically, emotionally, financially, or otherwise does not mean that they have the authority to make that someone abide by their will.

Finally, domination is ANY abuse of authority that forces someone to comply with the abusers will.

You will find that this type of witchcraft is manifested any time that someone forces their will on someone else leaving them absolutely no choice whatsoever.

finally,

EXAMINE YOURSELF

Witch hunts are unacceptable. Do not use the information in this article to seek out witches under every rock. Rather, look for the practice of witchcraft in your own life.

Ask yourself if you are manipulating, intimidating, or dominating someone yourself. Or ask yourself if someone is trying to put you under their spell. These are the issues we should deal with.

I, am, Ben Cohen, rabbi. "Saved by GRACE, yet Judged by my Works."

Shalom

[Naomi]

Thank you rabbi for the lesson. It is good information and most definitely things to be aware of.

Shalom

[D. Allan]

I'm sorry this is your final post, rabbi. It would be good to learn more.

Peace.

[Bravus]

I think (and hope) he meant 'final post in the current series', not 'final post ever'.

[Naomi]

I think (and hope) he meant 'final post in the current series', not 'final post ever'.

That was what I thought he was saying ... hope we're correct.

[D. Allan]

I hope so too. I think i read the 'final post' first!

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

Ben Cohen rabbi said:

Quote:

look for the practice of witchcraft in your own life

What a lovely thing to say during Samhain..........

[Gail]

Pam, I don't think he was referring to you!!!

I think he was referring to those who don't have a sensibility to this subject. You are definitely not there!

hugs to you

[Guest]

Boy is my face red...

YES, I was referring to my last post regarding these series of messages.

Is this the only one of four that was posted?

Next time I will put a 1/4 ... 2/4... 3/4 ...4/4 so people can understand what they are reading is a series of posts and that they are reading...1,2,3, or 4 out the four I will be posting.

I hope this clears that up.

While my wife (Mrs. Rabbi) is an expert of posting posts in beliefnet, I have a LOOOONNNNG ways to go before I get to her level of expertise.

My wife is my beloved secretary, and when she is not busy being a rabbi's wife, she is my conscience and best critic for content.

So if you like more tell her what Jewish subjects you'd like covered and if it's "kosher" by her, we will both be posting more posts in the future under this label, unorthodoxrabbi.

Thank you.

Shalom

[aka]

This was a beautiful confession by rabbi Ben Cohen, ......

"My wife is my beloved secretary, and when she is not busy being a rabbi's wife, she is my conscience and best critic for content."

It is such a beautiful character trait when a man praises his wife. I thank you for revealing you listen to her words and weigh them up to your benefit. Personally, I warm with satisfaction to read online that a man lives in harmony with a woman.

It sure is not easy to do nowadays.

Dear Son of Abraham,

It is a joy to be in this Forum with you as a completed jewish believer.

We Gentiles have been grafted into the vine. We’ve been adopted. Your heritage of being part of the original vine give you position inheritance we don’t have. However, only the alive in Faith count for both tribes so I won’t give undue importance more than how our heavenly Father applies. For what I am thankful is in your Jewish position you accepted Jesus of Nazareth as Messiah and the light of life was turned on in you.

I find that so special!

You have the Son of the Father as your Messiah and are a member of the Seventh-day Adventist church, right? I assume you have had conversion to Christ at a later age in your life? Do you now view the Law of our Creator somehow a bit differently?

The Sabath command you practiced all your life, is that right? I surmise that some here in Forum profess to be SDAdventists but haven’t gotten the true honouring of the Sabbath into practice yet.

I for one would be very thankful for your experience and understanding to be shared with us of keeping the Sabbath holy.

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

Many, many believers, including some SDA's and/or pastors have been bothered by the fact I use the term "rabbi" when introducing myself.

Frankly, I do not see why anyone would be bothered by how you address yourself.

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King Saul took authority where he did not have responsibility thereby committing an act of rebellion which is witchcraft.

imho, King Saul did not have the personal knowledge to conduct Magick. He was not a witch.

Quote:

In 1 Samuel 15, the people also took authority where they did not have responsibility. The people took authority over Saul when they used fear to intimidate him into obeying their will instead of God's command. They committed an act of rebellion against Saul's free will and against the command of God.

I do not see that as being witchcraft. Saul indeed had a choice - he may have been intimidated, coerced, whatever, but he DID have a choice.

Quote:

There are primarily three things that indicate the practice of rebellion which is witchcraft. Those three things are MANIPULATION, INTIMIDATION, and DOMINATION. If you remember nothing else from this article, remember those three words.

I respectfully disagree that rebellion = witchcraft. Witchcraft IS rebellion, but not necessarily vice versa. imho

Quote:

Whenever you see these things being utilized, an act of rebellion (which is witchcraft) is being committed. They cast a spell on you. Again, I speak of one who knows this all too well.

Just FYI, Magick does not necessarily involve other people. I do have a bit of experience in this area.

Quote:

Manipulation differs from persuasion in that it tries to override a person’s decision. Persuasion will try to change a persons mind. Manipulation causes someone to do something that they would not do under normal circumstances.

Intimidation very often comes in the form of bullying or threats. Just because someone has the capacity to push someone else around whether physically, emotionally, financially, or otherwise does not mean that they have the authority to make that someone abide by their will.

Finally, domination is ANY abuse of authority that forces someone to comply with the abusers will.

This is all quite true, imo. But it seems to me that witchcraft ergo Magick is being painted with an awfully wide brush.

Quote:

You will find that this type of witchcraft is manifested any time that someone forces their will on someone else leaving them absolutely no choice whatsoever.

Again, WITCHCRAFT DOES NOT NECESSARILY INVOLVE PERSONS OTHER THAN THE PRACTITIONER HIM/HERSELF.

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EXAMINE YOURSELF

eh?

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Witch hunts are unacceptable. Do not use the information in this article to seek out witches under every rock.

KUDOS!!!!

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Rather, look for the practice of witchcraft in your own life.

Uh...I do not believe that True Christians are concomitantly capable of being witches.

Perhaps I am reading way too much into your post, but it sounds to me like you are trying to equate witchcraft with the purely human elements and characteristics of manipulation, intimidation, and domination. Of course, those things exist. But witchcraft is much much much more than that. In my opinion, you are minimizing not only the power of Magick through a number of means, but also the power and control one person has over his/herself.

And just FYI, I am NOT a witch anymore.

Okay, stoning can now commence:

[Clio]

No stones to throw here, Pam.

[Halfstep Denise]

No stones to throw here either, Pam! Only hugs!

(((((((((((((((((((((((((((PAM)))))))))))))))))))))))))

Halfstep Denise :llama

[Naomi]

Quote:

Okay, stoning can now commence:

IMHO we have had way too much verbal "stoning" here.

'Therefore by the power vested in me, "I declare this the day which C/A becomes a "safe zone." There shall be no verbal stoning, bashing, etc on C/A for a period of ..... forever"

Let the : began