.
.
with comments by David Bruce

PROPAGANDA
Subject: re: Chocolat
Date: Thu, 15 Nov 2001
From: Katy

Could be viewed as pure propaganda. Technically, this was not such a great film---good, but not great. Why all the Academy Award nominations? The Academy Awards are close to being a farce, they are so "political" (sort of like the Miss America Pageant). If your eyes are open, it's amazing what you see. It's also amazing how easily people are hypnotized.

Response: Hypnotized to what? What are you talking about? -David

THOUGHTS ON 9/11
Subject: Newsletter_29
Date: Thu, 15 Nov 2001
From: Alan Meyers

I very much appreciate your remarks about the meaning of September 11 from a Christian point of view. (I have only just today been introduced to your Website; sorry this is so late.) I am in agreement with you, certainly. But, without going along with the views expressed by Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson, I have to say that I understand, generally speaking, where they're coming from. Those of us who are grounded in the Bible are familiar with the assumption that God is in control of history and uses events to achieve his purposes. Among the chief exponents of this idea are the prophets of Israel. When Jeremiah saw the Babylonians at the gates of Jerusalem, he just naturally figured that they were there doing God's will, even though the Babylonians themselves may not have known that. He took the destruction of the holy city to be God's judgment on his people for their sins. This was the common belief of the Old Testament prophets generally. Falwell and Robertson see themselves, no doubt, as playing the role of the prophets for our time and for the American people: they feel they need to interpret events of the day in light of God's purposes and God's actions. Given their assumptions about what the main things are that Americans are doing wrong today (abortion, homosexuality, etc.), it seems only natural to interpret the events of 9/11 as judgment on those things. An interesting point to me is that some people other than Falwell and Robertson base their thinking less consciously on the Bible but still think Biblically, in that they, too, assume that America's own actions have brought this destruction on us; the only difference is that they think it is things like our siding with Israel and our support of dictatorial regimes, etc., that have caused many in the world to hate us and so incited terrorism. But they are still thinking like the prophets, in a way. Biblical thinking is VERY deeply ingrained in America, much more than secular-minded people think. My question is: how can we RESPONSIBLY take a Biblical point of view, one that Isaiah and Micah and Amos and Jeremiah would have found acceptable, toward the events of the day? Is there NO sense in which 9/11 represents God's judgment? Does the Old Testament prophets' approach have relevance for us 21st century American Christians? I'd be interested in your thoughts on this.
Thanks. -- Alan Meyers

Response: There is no sense that 9/11 is an action of God. Period. Innocent people were killed. Children were left without parents. Believers died. People that needed to respond to the gospel died. Judgment is a future -end of the world- event, according to scripture. -David

THE MOTHMAN LIVES...
Subject: The Mothman Lives...
Date: 14 Nov 2001
From: amy

Hey, I have some really cool news I thought you would be interested in hearing about. The official Mothman Prophecies site will go live TONIGHT AT MIDNIGHT, November 15th, which marks the anniversary of the first Mothman sighting 36 years ago in Point Pleasant, West Virginia.

Here is the official URL: www.themothmanlives.com

What is the mothman? The legend of the mothman is based on actual events. The mothman is believed to be a strange bird-like creature whose presence in 1965 brought chaos to the local community in Point Pleasant, West Virginia. Strange and unusual occurrences happened within the town, which culminated to the collapse of a bridge where 46 people died. Witnesses claimed to have seen the Mothman on the bridge as it collapsed. Since then, random sightings have occurred throughout the world. No one can explain the mysterious occurrences around this legend.

Themothmanlives.com has some unique features that you will want to check out: ·

The History of the Mothman ·
The Legend of the Mothman ·
World Sightings ·
Content Depot (web content such as photos, banners, press info, etc) ·
Mothmania (merchandise from the movie) ·
The Mothman Prophecies (the movie coming out Jan. 25, 2002) ·
Links (Related Mothman links)

If you are interested in posting any of the content from this website on yours, please let me know and I would be happy to work with you. Go ahead and post that

Themothmanlives.com is now LIVE and I will be happy to send you some more great content.
Thanks and I look forward to working with you,
Amy

I DON'T AGREE WITH EVERYTHING I READ
Subject: Lord_of_Rings
Date: Thu, 15 Nov 2001
From: "7thSon"

The Lord of the rings has more to do with polytheism, if it is at all religious. For the descendants living in middle earth in the 3rd and 4th age, the achievements of the Valar and other earlier races have become mythical because they happened so long ago. Reading faith and religion into it is not needed. The arcane constitutes a large part of Tolkien's world and comes to assert itself in various ways. The classical summoning of elements to strike down foes and whatnot is only a small part of it. We all know that Gandalf is a great public speaker and is able to convince good men that they have strayed away from the path of "goodness". This ability is a kind of magic in its own right, in Tolkien's world that is.

It is true that there are some parallels between Christian lore and Tolkien's works, but unless you go looking for them they don't have to be interpreted thusly. Personally I prefer to look on The Lord of the Rings as an epic tale of high adventure. It is a compelling story which appeals strongly to us by its complex setting, wonderfully detailed descriptions and it was the first of a new genre of literature, namely fantasy.

In short, I don't see any reason to put Christianity and Tolkien in the same sentence. It seems to me that if a religious person can't read a work of fiction without thinking that it is some kind of attack on their faith, then they aren't very sure of themselves are they? The Lord of the Rings is just a good story nothing more...

(I must apologize for my meager use of english. I am Danish and it has been some time since I have written in english. ;-)

GOOD STUFF!
Subject: Tool_Lateralus
Date: Wed, 14 Nov 2001
From: Tim

This is a really good album. Tools last two albums have been amazing. Well worth investigating.

IT IS WRITTEN
Subject: Newsletter_30_Harry_Potter
Date: Wed, 14 Nov 2001
From: joseph

I don't quite know who you are or how I got on your mailing list and I would generally just cancel out of your e-mail but I'm trying to be loving towards a fellow Christian.

I don't know if you receive any opposing points of view as loving, but I guess I'll try. On Harry Potter " the positive values".........the bait on the end of a fishhook is edible and good but NOT REALLY. The devil comes as an angel of light or so IT IS WRITTEN in 2:Cor.11:14. IT IS WRITTEN is good enough for me, Jesus used it as a weapon against evil in Matt.4: 4-6. IT IS WRITTEN is a guide throughout scripture, God even wrote it down for Moses. The Word is to be received not as restrictions or rules but as a relationship......The Word is a Person. Jn.1:1. See Ps 40:7,8 This Word or book is written of the Lord and to do God's will he had to have the law in his heart. The people of the Word may seem narrow and restricting but are they really. It is the rebellious people who want to "add" to the word.........LIKE the devil, Eve etc. IT IS WRITTEN in Matt. 7:14 " narrow is the way that leadeth to life". If as in Gal.5:9 " a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump", what good would a little truth be in a whole lot of leaven? {Re. Jen's "positive value"]. Yes, God speaks through ordinary people but it always must line up with IT IS WRITTEN.

Response: I agree with you about the power of the Word of God. And I believe Harry Potter can be used positively. Thank you for the gracious way you write you disagreement. I appreciate that. -David

HARRY POTTER IS SPIRITUALLY DESTRUCTIVE
Subject: Newsletter_30_Harry_Potter
Date: Wed, 14 Nov 2001
From: Bethany Renfrow

Mr. Bruce,
I appreciate a platform from which I may express my thoughts. I do believe that Harry Potter is dangerous, but I am not afraid. The reason I would not go see the movie or read the books (I have read summaries of the books) is because I believe that these things are spiritually destructive. As a Christian, I strive to live according to the guidelines set forth in the Bible. I have not read passages in the bible where it said that practicing witchcraft was ok. The Harry Potter series would lead someone to believe that Witchcraft, sorcery, the occult, are all ok. (I am curious. Do you think the same about Cinderella and Peter Pan? If not, why not? -David) However, I have read passages in the Bible that strongly condemned those practices (Deut. 18:10-12 & Revelation 9:20-21. There are no good witches! That is a deception.

My goal in my response to this Harry Potter phenomena is not to alienate anyone. I simply want to put forward God's truth.it is powerful enough to do the rest. I have every intention on presenting God's truth with love and compassion, not in the manner of a so-called witch hunt. (Good for you -David)

To me, Harry Potter is so clearly against God's word that I find it hard to actually use it for the Glory of God. I am excited for the opportunity to speak God's truth concerning the occult. I have encountered many different people and have been able to converse with them concerning spiritual matters because of Harry Potter. (Great, wonderful. Go girl go)

I must respond to an e-mail you received in which the author emphasized the fact that we are dealing with fiction. I would assume by that statement that the author really is ignorant of the occult. The research I have down concerning J.K. Rowling reveals that she has done her research. Many aspects of the occult and witchcraft portrayed in the books are based upon real practices of the occult. Children, or adults, are deceived to think that the occult practices in the Harry Potter books are fictitious. Those practices are based upon real practices by real "Witches" and real pagans. (Riding brooms, for example?)

Please let me reiterate that I am not afraid nor am I screaming at every child I see with a Harry Potter book. (Good! -David) As a Christian I cannot simply be defensive in this matter, I must also be offensive. I will not simply remove myself from all things Harry Potter. I will take every opportunity to speak God's truth concerning this matter and I will do it, with God's help, in a way that is honoring to God. If my motives were to simply prove people wrong I might use the screaming tactic. Because my motives are to see people living in as much freedom as possible and in a relationship with Jesus Christ I will converse with love and respect with everyone I encounter.
Sincerely,
Bethany Renfrow

Response: I appreciate the manner in which you disagree with me. You seem to be a kind and considerate woman. Thank you. -David

MOM'S APPROVAL
Subject: Something_To_Sing_About
Date: Wed, 14 Nov 2001
From: "Lela McNary"

As a mother of two pre-teen boys, who by the way happen to be black...did you know that the life expectancy for a black male is only 18...I appreciated having something to show my kids that supported and encouraged the values that my husband and I are trying to teach our sons. In a world where most television shows for children, pre-teens, and everyone else under the age of 40, is geared to the weird, and demonic, I gave this movie "two thumbs up". After reading some of the comments, I have to say, though with as much love as I have in me, it might not have had all the glitz, polish and special effects of some of the industry's "finest", but it was something that a parent could feel comfortable letting their children watch. We need more of this kind of television! Most of what's out there, we do not let them see, (we preview all movies, music and television, before allowing them to watch or listen to it), but they sat with me and enjoyed this one very much. We aren't the "black family" that most people see on television; I am married to my sons' father, neither of us have ever been arrested for selling drugs, pimping or prostitution, we own two companies and they both have to do with the entertainment industry, we don't abuse our sons and could be described more as an average middle class family, (without having to add the black or white to it, what does it matter anyway...poor people are poor people, trashy people or trash regardless of race). My point in saying all of that is this, it was refreshing to see a television show that didn't give my sons the impression that because they are black males, they can only aspire to a life of crime. And if they did happen to go that way, there was a way out of it. It didn't just appeal to a certain demographic, but could be enjoyed by a multigenerational group. Needless to say...I loved it! Thanks for your time and God's richest to you.
--- Lela McNary

MY INTERPRETATION
Subject: Jacobs Ladder
Date: Wed, 14 Nov 2001
From: Michael petersoncello@yahoo.com

I have just viewed "Jacob's Ladder" for the first time. I had the advantage of having read a number of comments and opinions on the meaning of the film, so I did not find it hard to follow. Still, uncertainties remain, but I'll give some of my thoughts. I've downloaded but not viewed the more complete original screenplay, which I suppose could blow my interpretation out of the water, since it apparently makes some things much more explicit.

I go along with the view that the Vietnam "flashbacks" and the final scene in the Army hospital are the only things which don't happen inside Jacob's head. I also lean toward the view that the Ladder drug is real, and that Jacob himself is its real inventor. But I don't believe that Jacob actually took the drug himself, nor is the drug necessarily the cause of his mistaken stabbing by another soldier in his unit. Someone on this page made a good point that the other soldiers really didn't die, since the hospital at the end is almost empty, instead of full of casualties. I think that "Professor" (as he's called) Jacob came out of the woods at the beginning knowing that the others were about to experience something different from "bad weed", and that the grotesque head wobbling, vomiting, etc. were the real effects of the drug. But I think the drug wore off quickly and the soldiers went on to fight successfully. But Jacob was mistakenly stabbed and feared that it was the result of the drug. So he went into hallucinations, not because he was drugged, but simply because he was dying. But his fears about the results of his own experiment grew into the story line in which (at least in one dream scenario) the soldiers had killed each other.

I don't know if the writer of the story ever studied any Gestalt psychology, but if memory serves me right, Gestalt dream interpretation upholds the principle that everything in a dream somehow is an aspect of the dreamer himself/herself. This is one reason why I support the idea that Michael is a personification of Jacob himself dealing with guilt over what he thinks he's done to his Army buddies.

I don't know whether Gabriel ever really died in Jacob's pre-war life, or if he ever really cheated on his wife, but I think the scenes with Sarah and Jezebel are based upon actual situations in his past, now being employed to sort out his personal issues as he's dying. So what was a high-tech chemist doing working as a postman in his pre-war life? Maybe it was some kind of cover for his real job. Truly a postman with "friends in high places." I don't know whether this film views the angels and demons as real or just a product of Jacob's religiously trained imagination. My impression is that the character Jacob Singer is Jewish, perhaps a relative of Isaac Bashevis? :o) As far as I remember all the Biblical names used in the film are from the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) except fellow soldier Paul, but I think that's just because it's the soldier's real name, no symbolism involved. So is Jezebel even a real person in Jacob's pre-war life? Who knows? I've never met anyone named Jezebel, but in filmland anything's possible! Maybe she was real but named something else, "Jezebel" being Jacob's assessment of her real character, though he was attracted to her.

I personally think the "demons are really angels" theology is the weakest part of this film. In my own theology angels are really angels and demons are really demons, and both are real. It shouldn't surprise us that Hollywood would come up yet another warm fuzzy dualistic theology akin to the Force/Dark Side thing. I think Danny Aiello should have gotten an award, though, for his flawless portrayal of Louie the Angelic Chiropractor. So why doesn't he have a biblical name? Maybe because Jacob really had a chiropractor named Louie, and that's that. Unlike some, I think the ending was generally strong, because the previous unnerving twists made me suspicious that the happy ending really wasn't coming just yet. When Jacob and Gabriel really disappeared peacefully into the light, I felt an unusually gratifying relief from suspense. So I think that's a good sign of well-handled suspense.

You may include my e-mail address, but only my first name,
Michael. petersoncello@yahoo.com
Thanks!

TAKE A CHILL PILL PEOPLE!
Subject: Megadeth_The_World_Needs_A_Hero
Date: Wed, 14 Nov 2001
From: "tim lessels"

Take a chill pill people! stop being so intense with one another! if you cant treat each other right then u cant convice non-christians christianity is true. I have no problems with listening to "heavy metal" that is lyrically sound. In my experiance "secular music" is more sound than the socalled "praise" songs we sing on sundays!

However im not convinced that "megadeth" is a healthy option in general (i say this as an ex-fan) when i became a christian, their lyrical content became undesirable and irrelevant (although their riffs still rock!). However i have not heard "looking up the cross", and so will check it out :)

As a ex-fan i dont recall their music being "satanic" although there are some bands to be wary of (ie. slayer, pantera). However Metallica, U2, Delirious, etc. have a combination of good songs and bad ones. Don't throw out the baby with the bath water. but dont drink the bath water either.

And to "seekingthelord" guy. Don't become so heavenly minded that your of no earthly use! When we die, we are dead until the ressurection. Then God will create "a new heavens and a NEW EARTH". better get used to living on earth cause we don't go to heaven!!!

RESPONSE TO CHRISTIAN FUNDAMENTALIST REMARKS
Subject: newsletter_29
Date: Wed, 14 Nov 2001

Hi, Bruce:
I thank you for your newsletter remarks re: the Fundamentalist's responses to the events of 9/11/01. It is my deepest conviction that the spirit of the Christian far right is part of the enemy we face in the present crisis. Our enemy is, in part,, etc., the evil, dark spirit of spiritual ignorance. That spirit is evidenced in every person, group, cell, movement, etc., that moves to the radical right with extreme hatred for everyone not agreeing with their particular "system" whether that system be political, social, economical, moral, or religious. So, I think that your observation that the spirit of these radical "Bible thumpers" is of the same ilk as that of Osama bin Laden and company is exactly right on. They, and their spirit, are part of the present great enemy of the civilized world.

With this observation fixed in mind, I want to say a word against the concept of tolerance. I believe that the push for tolerance has in it seeds of destruction. Here's why I believe so: for there to be tolerance, it is necessary for one party to feel superior to the other(s) involved.

Tolerance says: "In this arrangement for us to be good neighbors (or, whatever), I (or, we) feel that I (we) are superior to you; but, I (we) will tolerate you." I believe that tolerance has to be examined, and replaced with acceptance.

The true compassion of God's love expressed in Jesus Christ (John 3:16) is the greatest evidencing of God's acceptance over against judgment of us otherwise ill-deserving beings. God's love is not tolerance. It's acceptance! In my relationships I want and need to be accepted, not tolerated -- even by God. Therefore, I am praying for the spirit of honoring acceptance to prevail across ethnic, racial, political, religious, moral boundaries that are artificially, arbitrarily established and maintained by our differing cultures. The inability or unwillingness of any one or any grouping of us to do this is our burden of guilt. Just to put this in perspective of pop culture -

I am 71 years of age, a struggling Christian on a journey with a mission, pastor of the First United Church of Christ, Sandusky, OH.

Peace, with love,
Dan Ward

Response: I really like the "acceptance over against judgment" that you put forth. Your insights are very insightful. Thank you for your many years of service to the Lord pastor. -David

MORE RESPONSES TO NEWSLETTER #30

PHILIPPIANS 4:8
Subject: Harry_Potter_Can_Be_Used_Positively_Newsletter_30
Date: Wed, 14 Nov 2001
From: Kim L Jeffery

Dear David,
I have been thinking constantly about your last two newsletters since they arrived and I am struck by the different direction you are approaching Philippians 4:8 from. I'm a 48-year-old homeschooling wife, mother of five, and grandmother of [soon] six and all my life I have heard that verse used to defend the belief that Christians should "make nice"; that they should flee from any influence which exposes them to evil, ugliness, sin, the wages of sin, the carnage created by sin, the attractiveness of some types of sin. The result of this see-no-evil-hear-no-evil-speak-no-evil attitude is a hardened sense of self-righteousness, an appalling lack of compassion for those trapped in sin, and often a frightening inability to recognize and discern *real* sinfulness when confronted with it. What I hear you saying as you present your approach to Paul's words in Philippians 4:8 is radically different. You seem to be encouraging believers to be fully engaged in their lives wherever they are, whomever they are with, in whatever capacity they are called and in the midst of this gritty, sometimes messy, fallen, stricken world, to be looking constantly, vigilantly for the Word of God in the midst of us. I cannot tell you how exciting and extraordinary this insight is. It reminds us that we serve and love a God who is always seeking to communicate with His people, to be the Light of the World, who will use whatever means at hand to reach as many as have ears to hear. You seem to be recalling us to the old David and Karen Mains idea of the God Hunt, where we are alive to every situation, word, symbol, recollection and interaction with our heroic and glorious God who is *always* here and always at work. Your approach brings excitement and challenge and almost an electric arc of recognition when we see the Lord's word. Disengaging means we sit and congratulate God on His good taste in choosing us. Who has a greater impact and a more powerful testimony? The person who is alive to the Lord and sees Him at work all around Him, or the person who fears sullying him or herself with the muck of the world and instead waits, tracts in hand, for sinners to find their way to them in a clean environment?

I hesitated to read the Harry Potter books for a long time because so many Christians feel deeply that they are evil and a gate to the occult. But after reading Chuck Colson's comments I decided to read the whole series and have not only enjoyed them greatly, but have been quite moved by Harry Potter's self-sacrificing nature, by his loyalty, his courage, his wit and intelligence. With each novel I've seen many old stories brought to life (just an example, isn't Harry seeing his father as the stag in the moonlight very similar to the old Christian legend of St. Eustace and the stag?) Harry bears the marks of the evil Voldemort (he is known by his scar!) but he received the scar and lived through the encounter because of the love and sacrifice of his parents. This kind of story telling is powerful and has such parallel to the stories we Christians love so much that I am saddened that it is fear which keeps our brothers and sisters from enjoying the beauty and meaning. Of course I think it's important to discuss the use of mechanical magic in the wizarding world with our children, but as we are bringing them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord we should be discussing those things anyway. I don't *want* my children's first exposure to these ideas to occur after they're grown and out of my home. I read the books aloud to my family and we talked about them all the time, speculated about the meanings of names and sometimes figured out that characters weren't entirely reliable based on clues in their names before they had ever done anything suspicious. But isn't the muggle/wizard division similar to the world/believer division as well? The intriguing thing to me in the wizarding world is that every single person must make a choice of who they will serve. What more fundamental life question could we face? And to those who criticize the death of Harry's schoolmate -- the stakes are high and to make the battle appear easy and the consequences minor is to betray the memories of so many who who lost everything. Good *isn't* better than evil because it's nicer!

Thank you so much for your newsletters. I have been impressed with the issues you raise and the call that you give to all of us to be faithful in all things. I didn't discover your website until after I spent a year teaching in a small Christian school and can give you a serious example of the impact you have had in my life. When I was teaching high school English, I was presenting my students each week with Latin and Greek roots to English words in hopes that it would improve their vocabularies and their understanding of the interrelatedness of language and thought and ideas. The day I presented the Latin word "mater" and its derivatives, including "matrix", my 11th and 12th grade students became very restive and suddenly little pockets of conversation and speculation erupted all over the class. I was curious about this uncharacteristic reaction until they said they had all gone to see *The Matrix* at the local theatre over the weekend and had been trying to puzzle out the meaning of the film. I, of course, out of respect for our church's belief that no Christian should see an R-rated movie had *not* seen *The Matrix* and had no basis for discussing this film with the kids. To this day I repent of such a foolish restriction because I lost the opportunity of opening my English class to an entire period of discussing the meaning and parallels and witness of an amazing film that I have since seen. That incident totally changed my perspective on the necessity for me to be culturally awake and aware. You had a big part in that and I thank you. God bless you for your ministry!
Very sincerely,
Kim Jeffery

Response: I am humbled by your letter. Thank you, thank you. By the way, Philippians 4:8 has set the new tone of my life. At one time I focused more on what was bad and evil rather than good. You have made my day -David

CAN ENCOURAGE KIDS INTO WITCHCRAFT
Subject: Newsletter_30
Date: Wed, 14 Nov 2001
From: tim

God takes bad stuff (inc. satan) all the time and uses it for something good / constructive. Harry Potter CAN encourage young people into witchcraft etc. I know of 3 teenage girls into it already (one cast a spell on her hampster and healed it). However, we need to be balanced. Shunning the film will do no good... a less extreme approach is needed. We need to educate young people that watching the film can turn one person onto witchcraft, or be a source of harmless entertainment to another person. (personally, i think the film looks naff, give me "the matrix" anyday!). I agree with Jen. As a youthworker this film can be a valuable tool for teaching young people kingdom values etc. However, in the wrong hands it can be used to stir up an unhealthy interest in the occult. "Im right, im right! right?" - chandler bing (hehe)
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