Vermont & New Hampshire listed as least religious states in America

Yahoo News put out an short essay today called "The Most Religious State is ..." and I just had to see what this one would read like. My thoughful Twitter follower - La Culinary Composer, pointed this one out to me figuring that it would capture my attention.

The essay summarizes its findings and offers a brief definition of the term - "very religious":

"Mississippi holds onto its title as most religious U.S. state, with 58 percent of its residents saying they are very religious, according to a Gallup poll released Wednesday (Feb. 13).

The least religious state? Vermont.

About 40 percent of Americans said they were "very religious," meaning religion is an important part of their daily life and that they attend religious services every week or nearly every week. Some 31 percent indicated they were nonreligious, or that religion wasn't an important part of their daily life and they seldom or never attend such services."

And, here were the rankings for Top-10 "most religious" and Top-10 "least religious" states:

Top 10 most religious states

• Mississippi: 58 percent are very religious
• Utah: 56 percent
• Alabama: 56 percent
• Louisiana: 53 percent
• Arkansas: 52 percent
• South Carolina: 52 percent
• Tennessee: 50 percent
• North Carolina: 50 percent
• Georgia: 48 percent
• Oklahoma: 48 percent

Bottom 10 (least religious states)

• Vermont: 19 percent are very religious
• New Hampshire: 23 percent
• Maine: 24 percent
• Massachusetts: 27 percent
• Oregon: 29 percent
• Rhode Island: 29 percent
• District of Columbia: 30 percent
• Washington (tie): 31 percent
• Connecticut (tie): 31 percent
• Alaska (tie): 31 percent
• Hawaii (tie): 31 percent
• Nevada (tie): 31 percent

Of these findings, I found the Top-10 "most religious" states to be as expected. However, the Top-10 "least religious" states tossed a curve confirming some of my previous suspicions, which I've held for a long time. And that is, Vermont and New Hampshire are considered to be the "least religious" states in the entire United States!


I fully understand that being "religious" is not a full indicator of spiritual maturity, and as my grandmother used to say, "We can all be religious about going to the bathroom!" True spirituality delves beyond the bounds of "religion" alone, and I fully understand that point. 


On the other hand, I know that states like Vermont and New Hampshire have a higher percentage of Libertarians, and those who "love freedom." After all, New Hampshire has had its motto - "Live free or die!" since 1945. New Hampshire is also known for its "Free State Project" which encourages like-minded "freedom lovers" to move there and to enjoy lower taxes and other benefits. All of this sounds great.


However, for all of the good coming out of states like Vermont and New Hampshire, I also know that Libertarianism is more than just a philosophy, it has likely also become a "god" for some. There are a fair number of those in the Liberty movement that could care less about God, as some of them are atheists or agnostics. They believe the Bible is full of useless nonsense. 


Two months ago, I wrote a blog entry called - "Why Libertarian Philosophy & Psychology cannot save you!" In this piece, I give a detailed exegesis of the pros/cons of Libertarian philosophy, and just why Libertarianism (alone) cannot save you. I further emphasis the critical importance of fearing God and acting in accordance to His Word. That blog entry serves as a critical tangent to the one you are now reading. Please read it. 


In summary, Vermont and New Hampshire may be a "freedom lover's" paradise, but the fact that religion is sneered upon, is at the very least, a strong indicator that God and His Word - The Holy Bible, are also not regarded or respected. Now I do know there are exceptions to what the statistics indicate, and there are a smaller number of those (in VT & NH) that do accept God's Word. But these people are in the minority. Seek "freedom" in this world, but my admonition is that you put infinitely more energy into your efforts to seek "freedom in Christ!" My previous blog entry (one paragraph above) offers suggestions on how to go about that task. My published book does the same, but in even greater detail.

 

What is the proper focus for Survival Preparation?

For the last few months, I have not done much to "plug" my survival preparation book, which I released in July 2012. I guess one reason for that is because I prefer blogging over "selling" any product that I might have on the market. Yet, my book is really the key tool that I have to offer to those who really want to do all that they can to survive in this world and the one beyond that! It is in this book that I offer my perspective of what the "proper focus" is for survival preparation.

Survival preparation to most people, I contend is mostly limited to the physical aspects of how to prepare for difficult days ahead. Many people are concerned with what "stuff" they should buy, and the best of them rehearse what they will do if/when an emergency occurs. Commonly perceived emergencies include natural disasters (e.g., earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, astroids, etc), diseases (pandemics), or man-made disasters like terrorism, war (including nuclear war), economic collapse, hyperinflation, etc. And for such concerns, there are a fair number of decent books out there on how to deal with such worldly disasters. 

James Wesley Rawles is one such author who is "highly endorsed" and very popular. His books are useful in their own right. I've written a review of one of his prepper books on Amazon here. It is a very good book, and I do recommend that people read it, and keep it as a reference. While I don't hold to his "rural retreat" concepts, he does offer a fair number of useful suggestions even if you are an urbanite. However, Rawles leaves out one very critical aspect, and that is the "spiritual" aspect of survival. Further to that, I understand that Rawles (himself) is a reformed Christian, who may share a biblical eschatological perspective similar to mine. Yet, in his view, he may rationalize the point that he does not want to "impose" his "religious" perspectives upon others. And for that, one will not find any information about "spiritual survival" in his survival prep books. Further to that, if he had written on "spiritual" aspects of survival, I seriously doubt that the big publishers would have promoted his work, and I doubt he would have had near the financial success that he has obtained over the years. Most of Rawles' books are sold in Barnes & Noble bookstores. The only people whose books make it onto those shelves are the ones with a notable publisher and an agent to promote the author's work. To make it to the B&N bookshelves, an author's work had better be "kosher" (i.e., not "offensive" to Jews or to Jewish special interests).

What is my point in mentioning Rawles? For certain, he is a successful author with a large readership, and he has the numbers to show for the success of his book sales. And, while he no doubt has some of the knowledge regarding Bible prophecy that I have, and perhaps even some understanding of biblical guidance principles as well, he makes no mention of this anywhere in his prepper books.

Therefore, I set out to write the book that addresses survival preparation from the proper perspective that top-selling authors will not touch! I have written the book that ambitious authors know will not receive heavy endorsement, because there are things in it that are "truth" and yet diametrically opposed to the Jewish-run "establishment" programming that sets the standard of what "kosher" is and is not! My book treads where the faint-of-heart dare not to tread! 

The proper focus as I've said in my tweets is this: Spiritual, mental, & physical. That is the proper order of priority in terms of importance. Too many people understand the later two, but neglect the former! Those of you in this category are lost souls. At best, you might have a "good" life in *this* world, yet beyond this life, I would be concerned with where you (your "soul") ends up. God knows your heart, and He will judge all people accordingly. Just that concept alone is enough to make people (like myself) do what is in accordance to His Word. God knows when we do otherwise! Whatever you do, put "spiritual" survival on the top of your list of things to prep for! My book and my blog are great places to start. 

Once you have made the commitment to "spiritually" survive in this world and the one beyond, you can now also begin your prep to get mentally and physically prepared. For that, you have many resources on top of my book and blog! Rawles' book is a good one for that, as are a number of others out there. 

Please note that I provide few details on how to physically prepare, and how to obtain a higher level of privacy on my open blog. There is a reason for this. Much of what I say, I don't want to be flowing in the mainstream. I only want a select number of conscientious people that have set their priorities straight to have my book. 

And, to the Christian readers of my blog, there are some of you who are against the idea of physical survival preparation. For those of you believe this way, please read one of my older blog entries called "Why some Christians are against survival preparations." I believe that as believers in Christ, we are to live as long and as productively as we can (in alignment to His will) while living in this world.

When I discuss physical survival prep (i.e., water, food, shelter, weapons, etc), I also stress the importance of "personal privacy." See my previous blog entry by clicking here. Even notable authors like Rawles omit this topic from their survival books. I've often stated that "privacy" will save you long before your "guns" ever will! Those who do not believe me might want to read a Washington Times news article called "Iraq vet brutalized over guns in D.C." I contend that most people give their home address out with impunity to people that they trust and should not! Read my book on how to improve your personal privacy. 

In a nutshell, my book is designed to accommodate God-fearing people who want to survive in this world (to carry out work pleasing to Him), and then to survive His final judgment and to inherit a fully redeemed New Earth (or Land) as promised to His chosen in Scripture. Looked at from this perspective, can you now see why "survival prep" extends beyond the physical aspects only? 

Are kippots, kippahs & yarmulkes the mark of a real Jew?

In light of yesterday's blog entry - "Just who are the REAL Jews? YOU might be one and not know it!," I thought I would expand just a little on the topic of Judaism's Talmudic mandate that Jewish males cover their heads using a kippah, yarmulke, or a kippot. Once again, we have yet another example where those subscribing to Judaism (and the Talmud) are in direct conflict to what Scripture (Holy Bible) would mandate. 

Why do Jews (under Judaism) wear these hats to cover their heads? Wikipedia offers this information here:

The Talmud states, "Cover your head in order that the fear of heaven may be upon you."^[5] Rabbi Hunah ben Joshua never walked 4 cubits (2 meters) with his head uncovered. He explained: "Because the Divine Presence is always over my head."^[6]
According to the Shulchan Arukh, Jewish men are strongly recommended to cover their heads, and doing so, should not walk more than four cubits bareheaded.^[7] Covering one's head, such as by wearing a kippah, is described as "honoring God".^[8] The Mishnah Berurah modifies this ruling, adding that the Achronim established it as a requirement to wear a head covering even when traversing less than four cubits,^[9] and even when one is standing still, indoors and outside.^[10] Kitzur Shulchan Aruch cites a story from the Talmud (Shabbat 156b) about Rav Nachman bar Yitzchok who might have become a thief had his mother not saved him from this fate by insisting that he cover his head, which instilled in him the fear of God.^[11] In many communities, boys are encouraged to wear a kippah from a young age in order to ingrain the habit.^[12]

Thus, the Talmud claims that these hats are an expression of "fear" of God! That sounds like an admirable reason to wear a kippot, but the New Testament (NT) of the Holy Bible refutes such teachings. 

1 Corinthians 11 offers much insight regarding the fact that men should not cover their heads (with a kippot, kippah, or yarmulke):

11 Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.

² Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you. ³ But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ. ⁴ Every man who has something on his head while praying or prophesying disgraces his head. ⁵ But every woman who has her head uncovered while praying or prophesying disgraces her head, for she is one and the same as the woman whose head is shaved. ⁶ For if a woman does not cover her head, let her also have her hair cut off; but if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, let her cover her head. ⁷ For a man ought not to have his head covered, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. ⁸ For man does not originate from woman, but woman from man; ⁹ for indeed man was not created for the woman’s sake, but woman for the man’s sake. ¹⁰ Therefore the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. ¹¹ However, in the Lord, neither is woman independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. (1 Corinthians 11:1-11 NASB)

There you have it! Men are not to cover their heads for he is the image and glory of God (verse 7). Further to that, every man praying or prophesying while covering his head disgraces his head (verse 4). Why then do Jewish males (under Judaism) pray at the "wailing wall" with a kippot on their heads? Don't they know they are disgracing themselves in the face of God? Looking through the lense of my previous blog entry on the definition of a "real" Jew, should it now be understood that the wearing of a kippot is a violation of God's Word? 

Believe me, there are many other ways in which (pseudo) Jews (under Judaism) could express their "fear" of God! Covering the head is a pretty lame way to show such "fear!" How about accepting Jesus as the Christ? That would be a great start to show reverence towards His Son & His sacrifice to mankind! How about turning away from other "gods" (like the god of "mammon"), and actually living in accordance to His Word for once? How about true and genuine repentance and atonement for your sins? In my previous blog entry regarding the significance of the Jewish Temple remains, I explain just how Jews (under Judaism) can atone for their sins, and why the current practices (under Judaism) are obstructing that process! 

Your hats will not save you! Only acceptance of Jesus will! 

Just who are the REAL Jews? YOU might be one and not know it!

I have put off writing a blog entry of this nature for long enough, thus I figured I might as well do it today! Those who have followed my blog or my tweets (on Twitter) have seen my numerous comments regarding "Jews" this or "Jews" that, and there are some who have accused me of being "antisemitic." Ora Levitt (a female IDF soldier) and Non-Meta Stephen (as he is known on Twitter) are at least two examples out of a fair number of others out there that I have encountered.

When I blog or tweet and use the term - "Jews," I will state (as a caveat) that I am speaking of the "Jews" of *this* world. The type who hold to Judaism, the Torah, as well as Judaism's holiest book - the Talmud. I have designated Jews (holding to Judaism) as the premier Christ-rejectors and haters. And for all of my accusations, I have provided numerous evidence to support my points. One only needs to sift through my previous blog entries to understand this point. 

This blog entry is a bit different, because the way I will use the term "Jew" is different. My purpose is to demonstrate the fact that the "Jews" of this world, by biblical standard, are not really "Jews" at all! They are counterfeits of the real thing!

Therefore, what is a REAL Jew? I will turn it over to Dr. Jay Adams (a reformed Christian theologist & biblical counselor) who had posted a blog entry in his blog regarding the point that I am attempting to make. Here it is:

Israel Restored

Posted on March 31, 2010 by admin

The apostles, who had just spent 40 days talking to the risen Lord about things concerning the Kingdom of God (Acts 1:3), raised a question that probably grew out of those discussions:

Lord, is it at this time you will restore the kingdom to Israel?

O. Palmer Robertson, in his interesting book, The Israel of God, suggests that the answer to that three-fold question is found in vv. 7, 8:

It isn’t for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has set by His own authority; instead, you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be witnesses in Jerusalem, in the rest of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

To the first part of their question—when will the “restoration” occur—Jesus told them that God wasn’t about to tell them. To the second part of the question he replied that the restoration would be of such a nature that it would involve the coming of the Holy Spirit upon them in power (in other words, it would be a fulfillment of the Abrahamic promise that would institute a wholly new phase of Israel’s existence), and in answer to the third part—Israel, from henceforth, would include Gentiles from all over the earth where they would be sent to preach the Good News.

This is, of course, a different thought than many have in reading the verses in view, but it seems consistent contextually with what actually was said in response to the inquiry of the curious disciples.

Doubtless, the new “nation” (called the “Israel of God” in Galatians 6:16) predicted by Jesus in Matthew 21:43, that would replace the political Israel of old, would be (as Jesus said in John 19:36) not “from this world.” If it were, He said, then, there would be physical action taken to prevent His capture. His Kingdom was a kingdom of truth as He told Pilate. Rather than a continuation of the old order, this New Spiritual Israel was to be what Peter referred to as “a chosen race, a kingly priesthood, a holy nation, a people who belong to Someone . . . a people who at one time were not a people” (I Peter 1:9, 10). So, the new Israel—now carrying many of the older titles—would be Israel “restored” as a reconstituted body that exemplified individually in the lives of its members, those things that were always signified by the external’ sacrificial system with its types and shadows. The “reality” had come at last. This “restoration” was a restoration in terms consonant with the fulfillment of the Abrahamic promise that his Seed would become a blessing to all the nations of the world. Consequently, the church of Jesus Christ has been carrying on that task ever since Pentecost.

He is a Jew who is one inwardly; he is not a Jew who is one only outwardly.  Do you belong to the new Israel, restored as a kingdom of prophets and priests, as the body of Christ, as His bride, and the building housing the Holy Spirit? If this is all confusing, read Robertson’s book, but of even greater importance, be sure to read and believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ by which, alone, you may be saved. He died in the place of guilty sinners like you, and (on what we call Easter) rose from the dead. He ascended to the throne of God where, today, as co-regent with the Father, He rules this new, restored, Israel of God. The important thing is whether or not you swear allegiance to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. If you do, blessings and shalom upon you, fellow Israelite.  (Source: Dr. Jay Adams; Israel Restored; March 31, 2010; http://www.nouthetic.org/blog/?p=3382 )

There you have it! I could have not said it any better! The real "Jews" are not those mammon-worshipers on Wall Street (in NYC), Beverly Hills, London, or in Tel Aviv, Israel! The real Jews are not the ones we see at the "wailing wall" in the Old City of Jerusalem either! And, the real Jews are not those who wear kippahs or yarmulkas! These Jews are counterfeits, and satanic (Christ-hating) ones at that. 

Very few will ever tell you this, but the real Jews are those who accept Jesus as the Christ. Romans 2 has a few points about how to distinguish a "fake" Jew from a real one!

²⁸ For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. ²⁹ But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God. (Romans 2:28-29 NASB)

Now, you the dear reader knows the difference between a real Jew and a fake one! Be not fooled by all of the deceiving propaganda around us! If I were truly "antisemitic," I would indeed hate myself! Why, because I am a "real" Jew if I am to base such an assessment against Scripture!

For the purposes of my future blogging, when I write future blog entries, I will still use the term - "Jew" to indicate the "Jews" of *this* world. I will continue to do this simply because "the wicked world" only recognizes the counterfeit types. If I were to explain who the real Jews are, most people would either look at me like I am crazy or insane or a combination of both!

I long for the day, when its true meaning (i.e. the term - "Jew") is better understood by a greater percentage of people! However, I am not too optimistic given the course and direction of humanity!