Is Overpopulation a Religious Problem?

Overpopulation really isn't that hard to understand. People love each other, want to reproduce and have offspring. Their parents took care of them, and they will take care of their children. People love to have families and these families love to have more families. It doesn't get any simpler than that.

Now is overpopulation a religious problem? If you listen to religious text and understand a few simple sentences, you will see that there are plenty of religions all over the world that encourage the multiplication of mankind.

In the Bible, God tells man to be fruitful and multiply. If you read this a little differently, you might take it that God wants men to eat as much fruit as he wants to and plant more trees so that he can have more fruit and be fruitful.

That's not exactly how most Christians read this Bible verse. Christians need to have more children, and their children need to have more children. This is how they interpret the words, to be fruitful and multiply.

I do believe that religions all over the world play an important part in our worlds population problem today. It's not the people who are educated, that are constantly reproducing, in today's world.

Most religions support population expansion, but what are they going to do, once the world becomes so overpopulated, that we can't even take care of ourselves. This should give you another point of view to look at, especially if you one part of the problem and not the solution.

What About The End of The World

You are free to copy this article to your site as long as you include the following resource information with an active link to my site:Greg Vanden Berge is a published author, internet marketing expert, motivational inspiration to millions of people all over the world and is sharing some of his wisdom with experts in the fields of writing,marketing, and personal development.
His newest book," Did God Actually Say That?" Was written specifically for Christians who are interested in gaining additional knowledge about the Bible. This book provides Christians with superior biblical knowledge , answer some tough questions and should be read by every faithful follower of Christ.

Thanks For Reading Our Articles

Could You Be a Married Adulterer? - For Christians Only

Adultery has been going on for centuries and obviously was a problem 2500 years ago or it wouldn't have been mentioned in the Bible so many times. Could you actually be married to someone and be considered an adulterer? It's time for you to learn all the rules in the New Testament about adultery.

Here's a Bible verse that could get a lot of Christians in trouble. Mark 10:11-12 (New King James Version)" 11 So He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries commits adultery against her. 12 And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery."

It looks a little more complicated than most of us could have ever thought. Whoever divorces his wife and marries another, has committed adultery. That means that there are millions of Christians all over the world who have committed adultery.

I've got some more bad news for Christians who might have looked at a woman lustfully. Matthew 5:28 (New International Version Bible) "But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." This isn't looking good, for men or women is it?

If you've never been married, but while you were at church, notice an attractive woman or man and had lustful thoughts, about them, you're an adulterer. I know, it sounds a little harsh, but I'm not making anything up here, it's right out of the Bible.

I know things aren't looking good but I would like to leave you with a comforting thought. If you were divorced from your spouse because of an adulterous relationship, things might be starting to look a little different with this next Bible verse.

Matthew 19:9 (New International Version Bible) I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery."

These are typical contradictions and they are located throughout the Bible. Mark 10:11-12 states that all divorced people who have remarried, commit adultery. Matthew 19:9 states something completely different, if your divorced and your ex spouse has been unfaithful during your marriage and you remarry, everything is okay.

Are you even more confused than when I started? There's a good chance that you are. I'm even confused and I wrote the article. The real question is, can we remarry or can't we.

This would be a good topic during Bible study. You can start by asking, how many people are adulterers?

Read This Today

You are free to copy this article to your site as long as you include the following resource information with an active link to my site:

Greg Vanden Berge is a published author and a inspiration to millions of people. He has been involved in religious research for almost 30 years, and his influence in the Christian community is growing. The Holy Bible, is the core to Christian beliefs and most Christians don't even question it. Was the Bible actually written by men?

His newest book," Did God Actually Say That?" Was written specifically for Christians who are interested in gaining additional knowledge about the Bible. This book provides Christians with advanced biblical knowledge, answer some tough questions and should be read by every faithful follower of Christ.

Click here if you're interested in the Bible truth.

Tithing Education - Giving From Guilt

If you're part of any organized religion and donate money on a regular basis, do you know where your money is going? Have you ever asked what they are spending the money on? Are you one of those people who feels that your pastor and church leaders know best and never even ask them, because you might feel inferior to them? Have you asked in the past and were told not to worry about it but still would like to know.

Before you give your hard earned money away, whether you're doing it out of guilt or pleasure, make sure you're supporting the right organization. You should never feel the need to donate money if you don't have it to give.

I went to a church that had funds for everything, building funds, starvation funds, church funds and even funds to fund of funds if they ran out of money. Okay I just threw that last part in their but all kidding aside, there's plenty of stuff to be done in our country, to help the starving, the poor and the needy. Why do we need to go to other countries?

I want to make a suggestion to people who can't afford to give their money away but feel guilty if they don't. In the Bible it tells you to give away 10% of your earnings to the church. The part that it doesn't tell you is what to do if you can't afford to give 10% to the church. I personally have known quite a few people who give money out of guilt and fear but will tell you that this is a requirement of their religion and its okay. God will take care of us and he always does.

I don't really believe God, the all powerful all-knowing and loving creator, wants us to suffer, if we just don't make enough money to survive. If you're planning on sending your child to a Christian private school and could only afford to send them to that school, using the money that you were going to tithe to the church, what will you do? Tithe the money to the church so that they can use it to feed hungry people in other countries or build a new church somewhere or help with your child's education.

Some of these decisions are made difficult by religious doctrine and these are the parts of organized religion that I have problems with. When do we use common sense, combined with a little education to seek the truth. Does your religion ask you to seek the truth but not to gather your information beyond their religious boundaries?

Only give what you can afford to give and feel good about it. If you don't feel good about giving your money away, don't do it. Take care of yourself, so that you can take care of others, if you choose to. Living a life of fear and guilt doesn't make sense.

Question Your Religion

You are free to copy this article to your site as long as you include the following resource information with an active link to my site:

Greg Vanden Berge is a published author, internet marketing expert, motivational inspiration to millions of people all over the world and is sharing some of his wisdom with experts in the fields of writing,marketing, and personal development.

Greg is currently working on a religious help library filled with great subjects on a wide array of topics, like religion, self help and spiritual changes in the world. His views on religious freedom are slowly changing the way people think about institutional religion.

Moral Leadership of The Christian Community

The presidential election of 1992 introduced the discussion of
family values as a political issue. Apparently the populous
did not accept this issue as being significant. Christian
organizations were reluctant to enter political activities so
they did not push the concept of family values as being a
religious imperative.

Do some of these issues seem too "political" for the Christian
community to become involved? Are not, however, some of these
issues important enough to be hammered home by the clergy of
this country? When is sin significant enough to talk about
it?

ABOLITIONIST MOVEMENT

"Amazing Grace" was written by a slave trader who came to know
Jesus and his life changed dramatically. John Newton was a
sailor on a slave ship. After his conversion, he became an
Anglican minister and influenced Wilberforce against Slavery.

William Wilberforce, along with John Newton and Granville
Sharp lived in England in the late 1700's. These three men
stopped slavery in England and throughout the British Empire.
Sharp's work led to the emancipation of slaves in England in
1772 while the work of Wilberforce led to the abolition of
slave trade and the emancipation of slaves throughout the
British Empire.

Key Evangelical Christian leaders in the United States
included Samuel Hopkins, Lyman Beecher, Charles G Finney, John
Brown, Theodore Weld, Jonathan Blanchard, and Harriet Beecher
Stowe. These individuals preach Christ for the salvation of
the individual but also saw the total injustice of slavery in
the "land of the free". Abolition was not a hobby with them.
It was also not all they did. They were also Evangelical
Christians. Their efforts led to the abolition of slavery in
the United States and the emancipation of the slaves of
America.

AND NOW

The involvement of Christian leaders throughout modern church
history demonstrates the historical basis of involvement of
the church in secular affairs. Social reform is the business
of the church. Social reform is not "socialism". Social
reform is not "government handouts" or "entitlement". Social
reform is moral leadership.

Christian lifestyle is a moral lifestyle. Moral leadership is
not the imposing of "blue laws" or "religious fanaticism".
Moral leadership deals with life and death issues. It deals
with freedom under God. Christian morals protect life and
property, things that even non-Christians cherish. Decisions
concerning morality must not be left to the atheists and to
the anti-Christians.

Christian leaders must take the initiative in developing a
corporate moral character for the country and the world. We
Christians are the "salt of the earth and if that salt loses
its taste, just what is it good for." These words in quotes
are not my words but Jesus's words. Perhaps we better start
applying the "salt".

Doug Johnson has been writing and online publishing Christian and Social Conservative articles since the 1990's on http://www.IndependentChristian.org/

Doug has been a Bible believing Evangelical Christian since childhood. He has been received into fellowship with the Evangelical Free Church, the Plymouth Brethern, the Assembly of God, the American Baptist, and the Southern Baptist.

In the early 2000's, he was received into full communion with the Catholic Church after careful study of the Catholic Catechism and the Bible. He believes Catholics and Bible believing Protestants should build on what they have in common rather than looking at what is different.

He is presently helping to establish the Independent Christian On-Line Academy at: http://www.ICOLA.us

Doug has an online retail wallpaper business at: http://www.TheWallpaperPirate.com/

Doug is available as a consultant and or speaker. To reach him, use the Contact Us page at any of the above websites.

Annual Forecast & Feng Shui Remedies for 2007 : Yin Red Fire Pig Year - Tiger Sign (Chinese Zodiac)

The Chinese Zodiac Astrology is ancient, interesting, accurate and loved by millions across the world. The Chinese Zodiac is based on cyclic concept of time : a cycle of 12 years, repeated again and again. The 12 Years are associated with 12 Celestial Animals : Rat (or Mouse on Mongoose), Ox (or Buffalo or Bull or Cow), Tiger, Rabbit (or Hare or Cat), Dragon, Snake (or Serpent), Horse, Goat (or Sheep or Ram), Monkey, Rooster (or Hen or Cock or Chicken or Phoenix), Dog and Pig (or Boar or Hog). The animal names occasionally differ with the Oriental Country they originate. The Chinese Yearly Horoscopes are basically built around these 12 Animal Signs.

Your Chinese Astrological Zodiac Animal Sign is directly based on the Chinese Lunar Year of Birth that you were born. The Chinese New Year is mobile and could start anywhere between 21st January and 20th February, depending upon the year. If your Date of Birth falls into any of the following Chinese Lunar Years, then, because you are born in the Year of the Tiger, you are symbolically identified by your Celestial Animal, the "Tiger" :

From 08 Feb 1902 to 28 Jan 1903

From 26 Jan 1914 to 13 Feb 1915

From 13 Feb 1926 to 01 Feb 1927

From 31 Jan 1938 to 18 Feb 1939

From 17 Feb 1950 to 05 Feb 1951

From 05 Feb 1962 to 24 Jan 1963

From 23 Jan 1974 to 10 Feb 1975

From 09 Feb 1986 to 28 Jan 1987

From 28 Jan 1998 to 15 Feb 1999

In Chinese Hsia Calender, 2007 is the 4704th year and significantly, is also the fourth year of the New Feng Shui Land Luck Cyclic Period 8. The forthcoming new Chinese Lunar Year is from 18th February 2007 to 6th February 2008. The next Chinese New Year, the Yang Earth Rat will begin on 7th February 2008.

Enjoy the Annual Forecasts and learn about the suggested Feng Shui & Crystal Remedies that you may need for the coming "New Lunar Year 2007 : Ding Hai, the Year of the Yin Red Fire Pig" :

CAREER A good year where opportunities can be turned into excellent success with hard work. Enough chances around for demonstrating your personal strengths and special skills. You are fairly well placed for receiving advancements, promotions and monetary increments in your profession. Time for you to set targets and reach them too. But do not stretch your luck too much - be realistic lest you burn out yourself. Over-confidence will only over turn you. At the same time, complacency or insensitivity for others will break many good relationships and make new enemies in your working environment. Getting back-stabbed is a reality. Continue to maintain your lively, active social network and you will greatly benefit from it. But learn to distinguish between friends and foes. New found friends should be kept at arms length until they have proven their worth. Do not rely on your clouded judgements, seek the advice of your parents or mentors when you sense trouble. If you have a female boss or a female business partner, you will do exceptionally well this year. The glamour of success will also bring gossip and jealousy. Just keep your emotions balanced. Many of you will keep losing your personal belongings like mobile phone, wallet, key rings, etc. this year. To derive the maximum benefits, to avoid disruptions in interpersonal equations and for protection, display the figurine or photo of Kuan Kung in your North West. You will do better if you are a trader, actor, speaker, poet, music composer, singer, teacher, preacher, lawyer, astrologer-diviner, dentist, beautician or philosopher. All this said, it should be highlighted that you are in damage-formation with the Year TaiSui, this year. This means you are disturbing a war-like energy formation called Annual TaiSui (or Grand Duke Jupiter) and because of this you will be having some serious property loss, get into litigation, attract discords and draw blood. So, whether you are self-employed or a salaried worker, you are in dire need of the blessings of the TaiSui this year. Display the genuine, energised photographs of "Feng Ji, the 2007 TaiSui" and the "TaiSui Protection Talisman for 2007" in the North West and carry their miniature versions in your pocket or purse, for minimising the severe negative impacts that you are likely to suffer this year. Do not attend burial ceremonies or cremation rituals this year.

MONEY Money flow will be quite handsome and well in proportion to your efforts. Some of you may even receive surprising doses of bonus income. Investment opportunities will be plenty but be choosy and do it wisely. Make efficient use of tips on share movements, but allow yourself be influenced only by the merits of the case and not by anything else. Exercise extra precautions when signing contracts or agreements. Otherwise, you might get into legal disputes or serious economic loss. All money matters should be accounted for clearly and dealt with in a cold, detached, business-like manner in order to have a satisfactory outcome for you. Do not lend money, especially to the opposite sex - if you have to, give it with the knowledge and generosity that it will not be returned. An excellent year for you to buy new properties. Warning : do not indulge in spur-of-the-moment purchases but have a reality check on your expenses. Manage your finances carefully and wisely to save extra cash for next year. Sudden travel plans at the end of the year might consume quite a lot of money. Keep three powerful "Four Heavenly Kings Coins" at home or office, to prevent money erosion.

HEALTH Average health. Keep away from sharp metallic objects. If you were born in 1998, you will be accident prone this year. Some of you might experience problems in eyes, skin, appendicitis, liver and urinary tract. Pay good attention to what you eat to avoid food poisoning. Stay away from physical clashes. Wear a Malachite Crystal Pendant, energised and programmed for you, exclusively. There could be additions or deductions or both in the family, this year.

LOVE The year generally favours marriage, child-bearing and rebuilding bridges of relationships. Singles should make use of this opportunity and build stable equations for marriage. Avoid procrastination and stick with your decision. However clash with Peach Blossom luck will also trigger frustration and anger. Success in career might kindle your ego too. All these could lead to disharmony, if you are not attentive, open and communicative with your spouse. Open admiration from colleagues of opposite sex or frequent meetings with working partner or team associate of opposite sex will invite serious gossips. Unless you balance your feelings and stabilise, you might be trapped into a situation of losing all that you have gained at home. Remember to separate your work karma from your family karma. Display a pair of Pink Mandarin Ducks in the South West of your bedroom.

STUDIES Excellent academic results. Many will shine in extra curricular activities also. Some of you will enjoy sponsored study trips abroad. However over-confidence and self-conceitedness might bring down your ranks heavily. Accept parental supervising and benefit from it. If you are a female born in 1986, you should resist seductions and concentrate fully on studies only. If you are a female born in 1998, avoid going to lonely places on your own or walking all alone in the night. Wearing a Black Tourmalene Crystal Pendant programmed for only you, is recommended.

Birthstone : Ruby Good Relationships with : Horse, Dog & Dragon, for 2007 Conflicts with : Snake, Ox, Monkey and Rabbit, in 2007 Polarity Force : More Yang Lucky Numbers : 4, 5, 7, 9, 13, 34, 44, 45 and 54 Zodiac Protector : XuKong Zang or Akasa Garbha (Sanskrit)

A NOTE ABOUT REMEDIES :

The above analysis has suggested some remedies/cures for reducing the impact of negative energy and has recommended certain enhancers for increasing and improving upon the beneficial energy of the year. For the remedies/enhancers to be effective, they should be cleansed, energised, blessed and programmed not only for the particular individual/family but also for the specific purpose/problem. They should also be placed in the indicated location, to derive the maximum benefit. Any or all of these remedies can be reused for the forthcoming new years, but they may have to be repositioned according to the specific new year.

Janarrdhana Guptha is an Energy Consultant, Kabbalah Energy Numerologist, Crystal Master & Clairvoyant Karma Reader. His speciality is permanent Karma Energy Correction through custom-built Crystal Energy Fields. His E-Mail : crystalvaastu@yahoo.com. His website :http://www.crystal-vaastu.com/home.htm & http://www.newage-kabbalah-numerology.com

Wine Tasting Party

Do you have to be a sommelier to know something about wine? Well, if you want to tout yourself as an expert, perhaps but if you just want to enjoy a good glass of wine, go with your gut - or rather your mouth - and enjoy what tastes good to you. So, why not host a wine tasting party? Now before you hit the panic button, get uptight and claim to know nothing about wine, stop! We aren't proposing you sit around discussing bouquet and barrel fermenting. We want you to have a little fun.

You can buy wine tasting party kits from various sources on the internet and local shops. Don't want a kit? Here's what you need:

• Guests - think about whom you know that likes and drinks wine and keep the numbers small
• A few bottles of wine that you think you might like - both red and white. Depending on the size of the crowd plan on 2 bottles of each type. Or for an added twist, ask your guests to each bring 2 bottles of their favorite wine. If you do this you will need them to email or phone you with the wine information ahead of time.
• Printed wine tasting cards that list the wines you purchased with some information from the bottle
• Pencils in case guests want to make notes about their favorites
• Wine glasses. We recommend 2 per person. One for tasting and one for later
• Plain saltine or oyster crackers for guests to cleanse their palates
• Still (plain) water for rinsing
• Some good music, good conversationalists and a sense of fun!

If you want to add an extra flare to the party, why not serve a variety of champagnes instead. Have friends bring cava, prosecco, sparkling wine and champagne instead of a red or white wine.

At the end of the event, serve some crackers/bread, cheese and fruit or some other small/light appetizers and offer each guest a glass of his/her favorite wine. Wine charms are a fun thing to introduce at this point. Each person can pick her/her own and attach to the glass. Put on some music and enjoy the company. However, above all things, drink and serve responsibly!

Indra A Books, author of this and many other lifestyle articles is the owner and founder of ON THE GO 4 U, Personal Shoppers & Concierge Service in the Washington DC metropolitan area. The companys creed is to provide its clients with the ultimate life management experience. In addition to its shopping and concierge services, ON THE GO 4 U also publishes a monthly e-zine and conducts workshops on wardrobe, entertaining and decorating. For more information about the author and ON THE GO 4 U, please visit http://www.onthego4u.net

2005 Indra A Books, ON THE GO 4 U. All rights reserved.

Feng Swhat? An Introduction to Feng Shui and Home Decorating

Obviously you have come to this page to find out about this home decorating application known as Feng Shui. The significance to interior design is beneficial but it's not as much about design tools as it is about a life style of beliefs and related actions.

Though unfamiliar to our Western culture it has been practiced in the Eastern hemisphere for thousands of years and is far more profound than the oversimplification we are applying here.

The most basic foundational energy source within Feng Shui is the Yin and Yang of 5 Elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water which is believed to be universal energy that runs through in and around everything and everyone.

The center belief of those who practice Feng Shui is one of understanding this balance of energy in all areas of life. By practicing its disciplines you will not only be decorating your home but directing life energy that will increase wealth, improve health, and enjoy peace in your intimate relationships.

Some would consider this a form of religion - others a spiritual discipline. As you read through this page you decide. Certainly, Frugal is not attempting to instruct but rather to introduce you to the home design principles found within the study of Feng Shui.

Let's start by defining Chi Energy - the Feng Shui energy that moves amongst all objects. There are 2 main types:

Sheng Chi Energy - The positive energy. This is the good, healthy, positive energy. Happiness abounds within and without. You feel organized, light and airy. Fresh flowers, fresh air, bright cheerful sunshine is a good image for Sheng Chi energy.

Sha Chi Energy - When everything seems to be going wrong and the dominate mood is one of anger, unhappiness or lethargy. You feel ill more times than not and nature seems bland and lifeless. Friends and family appear gloomy and discouraging.

Within these 2 main identifying energies the primary goal of Feng Shui is to attract the Sheng Chi into our lives much like a magnet to metal.

To do this we now need to introduce a few magnetic forces that are believed to be within the home design arena.

Doors - the placement, color, condition, direction of opening, size and style all affect the levels of Chi in your home.

Plants - Using dried flowers of any sort is a strong magnet for Sha Chi (negative energy). Use only fresh or live plants throughout your home. Never use a cactus as an accent, It is believed to be the most "unlucky" of plants.

Live in Your Rooms - rooms designated for only special occasions build unused stagnate energy and can counteract the more positive spaces in your home. "Dead energy" can exert a bad influence and can cause illness to the people who live there.

Mirrors - placement of mirrors within your home needs to be considered carefully. For example, a mirror should never be placed in a bed room - it interferes with restful sleep. On the other hand it can place in a small foyer to create more space a light. Perfect for dining area or foyer.

Organize and Declutter - Everything in your home should serve a purpose and be in good working order. Too much stuff and the energy cannot flow easily. Chipped dishes, burned out light bulbs, repair and replace or your energy resources are draining away.

Keep The Bathroom Door Closed and the Toilet Lid Down - Believe it or not this is one of the most important rules to having and keeping wealth. The Chinese believe you literally flush your wealth away when you do not keep your toilet lid down or your bathroom door closed!

Get a Pet! Pets move around and help circulate the energy. Any healthy living animal: dogs, cats birds, goldfish brings good energy into a home. But, if you don't take the time to treat them properly - then it will attract Sha Chi.

Use Water Fountains or A Fish Tank - This elixir to all life is a huge magnet for attaining wealth. Place a small bubbling up fountain in your home office - it's sure to bring success!

Avoid Art that suggests Unhappiness or Aloneness - Place pictures that have more than one person or animal. Solitary trees and flowers are to be avoided over landscapes and floral arrangements. Think life, companionship and sharing depicted in your wall accents.

Now that you have an idea as to the surface elements of Feng Shui understand this is just the "tip of the iceberg" and to truly benefit from these lifestyle designs one must incorporate the more comprehensive aspects of this discipline and applications of the energy sources listed above.

Along with energy that flows around us, it is also believed we possess a luck Kua number and a predominate direction of East or West which powerfully influences the positive experience in our lives. The position of our rooms - the placement of furniture - our wall color - the accents we choose all significantly influence the energy in our homes.

To summarize, at the risk of gross oversimplification, Feng Shui is the embracing of all that is vibrant, alive and fresh and cleansing from all that suggests confusion, darkness, depression and death.

Feng Shui fits perfectly to the needs and aspirations of every heart that desires to make a house a home. Regardless of how deeply you believe the spiritual aspects,the benefits found in its application are self evident.

Life over Death - Love over Hate - Peace over Conflict - Who can argue with that?

Sue Krippner is a Free Lance Artist, Home Staging and Redesign Professional. She is attracted to "all things beautiful, especially as it relates to interior decorating and design.
Visit http://frugalhomedesign.com to see samples of her art and find plenty of professional design, tips hints and secrets to help facilitate your personal interior design goals with money saving frugal flair.