Archive for September, 2013
Richard Dawkins silent concerning ‘Evolution vs God’?
Posted by simon peter sutherland in new atheism on September 23, 2013
On August 6th 2013, YouTube channel ‘The way of the Master’ published the new film ‘Evolution vs God’.
This film challenges the popular theory of Darwinian evolution, primarily the theory of ‘Macroevolution’.
This film has now received 775,695 views on YouTube.
According to the reports, the New Zealand born evangelist Ray Comfort has not yet received any direct response from Atheist activist and Darwinian evolutionist, Richard Dawkins. The apparent silence has come despite repeated offers for an open response.
In the film, Ray Comfort interviews and asks a number of leading evolutionary scientists in America for direct evidence for ‘Macroevolution’. Outside of claims based upon speculative ideas and theories, no evidence could be given.
Perhaps the only main responses Darwinians and atheist activists have offered are a number of criticisms published on YouTube, which are for the most part little more than ‘ad homimen’ posts and re-affirmations of ‘Macraevolution’ with no direct evidence for ‘Macroevolution’.
Perhaps this noisey silence tells us a great deal about the true condition of the theory of evolution and Richard Dawkins? The first being that there is a number of ways defeat can be seen, even without words. One way of responding to someone who you consider stronger than yourself is to say nothing, and merely go one doing as you did before.
Clearly Richard Dawkins is doing that.
Perhaps Darwin’s time is up and maybe it is time for truck loads of Evangelical Christians in England to purchase copies of ‘Evolution vs God’ and spread them across the UK, at the University of Manchester, Cambridge, Oxford, Scotland, Exeter and so forth.
Perhaps even give free copies out to the Liberal bishops within the Church of England? That would be good wouldn’t it. Maybe even David Cameron could receive a copy too?
Signs of Totalitarianism: Christian street preacher arrested for preaching in Scotland
Posted by simon peter sutherland in England issues, Issues with Christianity in England today on September 21, 2013
Simon Peter Sutherland at the Covenanters prison in Edinburgh, Scotland. © 2013 Simon Peter Sutherland
Recent reports have stated that a Christian street preacher was arrested in Scotland this week for simply preaching on the street. He was accused of being “in breach of the peace”.
Reports also suggest that the man was not actually using any amplification yet he was accused of having an MP3 too loud. When the preacher stated he was not using amplification, the police officer stated the noise was not the issue but that a complaint had been made against him.
This is not the only time such an event has taken place recently. This is one of three wrong arrests of this nature which have taken place in three months.
Clearly something is wrong. This is a violation of our ‘Freedom of speech’ and ‘human rights’ and is evidence of Britains growing bad attitude towards Chrisianity and Christians who are willing to spread the faith.
What is clear is that history is repeating itself, since in history it was common place for Protestant Christians to be arrested for preaching. In 1658, John Bunyan was arrested for street preaching yet he was not imprisoned for that. He did however spend many years in prison for his faith.
Clearly Britain is marching back even further, not only into the 17th century but into those glorious days of the 16th century where Protestants were arrested even for believing the truth.
It clearly shows signs of religious intolerance and inconsistency of thinking, since the police officer stated he arrested the man for being in ‘breach of the peace’ yet are the authorities going to arrest street musicians, buskers, street entertainers and all people who take part in noisey street events and festivals also? Since they certainly make a lot of noise! Could it not be argued the preacher caused offence? Yes, but could it not also be argued that many public events and festivals cause offence? Are those partakers too going to be arrested?
I am offended everyday by things I see in Britain. I am offended by attitudes, language, blasphemy, bigotry, prejudice and intolerance, yet do those offences matter? No, clearly not to some people. Or maybe my offences do not matter because I am a Protestant and perhaps, a very loyal one.
Here are a couple of links to articles on this troubling matter.
http://www.christiantoday.com/article/christian.street.preacher.arrested.in.scotland/34071.htm
Transformation from “bigots” to ‘Dinousaurs’ Nick Clegg dig’s at opponents of redefining marriage
Posted by simon peter sutherland in England issues, Issues with Christianity in England today, new atheism, Reform on September 19, 2013
Yesterday Nick Clegg giving a speech at his Liberal Democrats Conference and in it he referred to those who stood for the traditional view of marriage as “dinosaur opponents”.
This comment was not made in any context on his part or historic reference to dinosaurs as creatures of importance or anything like that, but a very childish and immature insult on his part toward those people who are genuinely concerned about upholding a historic and proper view of marriage and freedom. Clearly Mr Clegg likens people who uphold to traditional views of marriage as ancient obscure beings who are from the past.
The immature and childish insult given by Nick Clegg offer the people of Britain a further insight into just how childish British Politicians can be at times. Perhaps it just goes to show how much a mess Britain is in, when its apparent leaders embrace such immaturity that they have to insult people who do not agree with them, while at the same time profess to be Liberal in the name of democracy? Clearly liberalism is just another word for a default position, which embraces anyone but those who do not fit in with their worldview.
As if the people of Britain do not tire enough at seeing the leaders of this country arguing week after week like teenagers in the house of Lords, Mr Clegg feels now to insult millions of people in a childish non-intellectual way because they do not agree with his world-view.
Is it not enough that people who stand up for their right to defend traditional marriage have to put up with being labelled ‘bigots’ as victims of some kind of stupid game which uses fear based words to accomplish its aim rather than plain reason?
Is that democracy? Well, in order to find out the answer to that, we Protestants should be consulted, after all democracy in Britain came from us in the first place.
Nick Clegg should really be more careful with what he says and he should remember that the wind of the air and the tide of the sea can change direction very quickly. People are generally like fish, they swim in shoals with the tide, and when the tide changes, they go with the flow.
Mr Clegg should remember that time is only but a moment and what is present now will later be past and what is seen as modern now, will later be history.
The times will change Mr Clegg, and they are changing, and when the time of this generation is over, a new generation will come and when all our bones are in the ground, a new people will rise up and the winds of change will fill the streets.
Mr Clegg should really have a care, for come election day he will find, he may need these dinosaurs.
“Martyr George Marsh” – PRESS RELEASE
Posted by simon peter sutherland in Documentaries, Martyr George Marsh on September 9, 2013
PRESS RELEASE
“Martyr George Marsh” A new documentary on Protestant preacher and martyr, George Marsh. Direct from the maker of “The Apostles at Paphos” is a powerful and touching story in many ways and is a story that England should ‘never forget’.
Starting in the year 1515 from the birthplace of George Marsh at Deane, Bolton in Lancashire, moving towards the later death of his wife and Marsh’s time studying Theology at Cambridge and working as a minister in London and Lincoln, the story moves towards the death of Protestant King Edward V1 in 1553 and the ascending of the Roman Catholic Mary 1 to the throne and her persecution of protestants that followed. The story tells how George Marsh returned to Lancashire to preach and see his family, where his presence caught the attention of the authorities and a charge was put out by the Earl of Derby, of Lathom House to Master Barton of Smithills hall, Bolton, to find George Marsh and charge him to appear trial before the Earl and his council. Marsh handed himself in at Smithills and was charged to appear before the Earl of Derby and he stood trial at Lathom House and was imprisoned at Lathom and was afterwards sent to Lancaster Castle where he was imprisoned for several months before being taken to Chester where he stood trial yet again and was condemned to death. He was burned alive at the stake on April 24th 1555 by order of the Bishop of Chester, Dr Cotes.
Two years in the making, the documentary ‘Martyr George Marsh’ has a unique structure and feel. The film is written, produced, directed and presented by Theologian (B.Th, Th.M) and Singer/Songwriter Simon Peter Sutherland (stage name: Shimeon).
Following the theme, Simon Peter begins his research at Chetham’s Library, Manchester and tells the story of George Marsh from historic sites at Deane, Deane Parish Church, Deane Clough, Smithills Hall, Lathom, Ormskirk Parish Church, Lancaster Castle and Chester Cathedral, the Northgate and Gallows hill.
The documentary bases its proof text upon the earliest account of George Marsh from the grand narrative contained in the earliest 16th century prints of “Acts and Monuments” (The Foxe’s book of Martyrs) by John Foxe. The oldest known narrative of the George Marsh story and an account published using the actual text of George Marsh himself. The research for the film has been done at and from the archives of Chetham’s Library, John Rylands Library and Bolton Central Library.
Simon Peter Sutherland has also composed and produced the soundtrack for the documentary and has also provided some traditional hymns as a backdrop.
In conclusion, Simon Peter Sutherland has produced a fine and well researched documentary, which in a time where many are concerned for the future of England, Simon draws upon the past, that a nation may never forget their own history, lest they find themselves condemned to repeat it.
The documentary is none profit and its release will include a free internet distribution.
Picture format: 1080i
Audio format: Stereo
Release date: 5 November 2013
Internet: YouTube
Email: simonpetersutherland@shimeon.co.uk
Websites:http://simonpetersutherland.com and http://shimeon.co.uk
Blog: http://martyrgeorgemarsh.wordpress.com/
Documentary poster for Martyr George Marsh
“Martyr George Marsh” – Trailer 2 – 5/11/13
Posted by simon peter sutherland in Documentaries, Martyr George Marsh on September 7, 2013
The Welsh Bible and a forgotten preacher
Posted by simon peter sutherland in Christianity on September 3, 2013
19th century Welsh Bible from Anglesey © 2013 Simon Peter Sutherland
I was recently in a second hand, part antique, part book shop in North Wales. An old Welsh Bible with crumbling binding and unbound leaves was amongst the books. I took the Bible, purchased it and looked for points of interest within it.
The Bible dates from 1857, so it is not that ancient. It was published, as most 19th century Welsh bibles are in “Llundain”. It is likely to be a print of the 1620 revision of ‘William Morgan’s’ translation, and from the notes an inscription inside, it appears to have been owned by a 19th century preacher. His name was “John Davies”.
From the handwritten inscription written on a blank page between the Old and New Testaments, it appears that Mr Davies lived on Anglesey in the village of “Llannerchymedd” in the 19th century.
Back in those days, the village was home to a busy market, perhaps Anglesey’s most popular. The handwritten tribute in this Welsh Bible says Mr Davies was a “manufacturer” so perhaps he continued his trade in Llannerchymedd.
The handwritten notes pay tribute to Mr John Davies and says that he was from “Flintshire” in North Wales and died “the 4th day of April 1859”. This was the same year of the shipwreck of the “Royal Charter” at Moelfre, where I purchased the book.
The writer says he died “in the 73 years of his age” of which 34 years of his life had been spent a member of a Christian church and was “a local preacher with Baptists”.
The text says “his end was peace”.
So I have written these thoughts on him and hope on my part that it offers just a tiny tribute to a man whom, like so many, time has forgotten.
I would have liked to have visited his grave this time and to have taken that Bible with me, but time forbid me such. So maybe in the future, should I return, I hope to visit his resting place and lay some mark of respect on his grave, a flower or something. It is the least I can do.
-
You are currently browsing the archives for September, 2013
Simon Peter Sutherland
-
Simon Peter Sutherland 