CARM Newsletter 05-02-07

Welcome to the May 2, 2007 Newsletter

Atheist Comments

As I have stated in previous newsletters, on Easter weekend of April I went to the 33rd annual atheist convention in Seattle, Washington.  Someone sent me a link to a blog written by one of the atheists who made a comment about me being there.  You can read it if interested, here.  By way of correction, he commented on an article I wrote about the convention.  He failed to mention that the panel discussion was where the atheists were complaining that they were not properly represented in society.  I had made the comment in the article that they were complaining about Christians yet there was no Christian representation.  I thought it was rather inconsistent on their part.  He attributed six quotes I cited from the convention to one individual (a wacko atheist dude) who, he admits, gave a rather incredulous presentation of how religion causes brain damage.  Apparently even some atheists were disappointed.  Nevertheless, the quotes I cited were from at least three people.  Here they are:

1. “Religious indoctrination of children is the cause of mental illness.” Wacko Atheist Dude
2. “Supernaturalism leads to brain damage.” Wacko Atheist Dude
3. "Christianity created the problem in order to provide the solution.” Don't remember who
4. "The atonement doctrine has nothing to do with justice.” Dr. Price
5. "If logic works, then everyone would be an atheist.” Don't remember who
6. “Atheism is the cure for Christianity the disease.” Young Girl on Panel

Like I said, the convention was interesting.

Mormon on the Faith and Reason Radio show

On Monday night there was a Mormon on my radio show.  He came to the studio ready and willing to defend Mormonism and seem rather confident that he could demonstrate Mormonism was true.  of course, he failed at this miserably.  If you want to hear something "interesting", and have your jaw drop a few times, check out the podcast at http://feeds.feedburner.com/carmorgpodcasting.

Video Info

We are trying to break into the production of video material for distribution through CARM, i.e., video discussions, short lessons, interviews.  We have a camera that has been donated to CARM (JVC Enverio ), but it does not have a audio input jack.  It does, however, have an AV jack.  Is there anyone out there who knows how to use the AV jack for audio input?  If so, please let me know about any tricks.  [email protected]  We need it in order to produce videos with proper sound quality.

Also, an alternative to using the audio input via the AV Jack is to get a wireless mic setup, and physically place a speaker underneath the camcorder where the audio pickup is located.  That way, I could use the lapel mic (or a handheld wireless microphone) in order to record quality sound.  So, I'm asking for help from anyone out there who knows about this kind of stuff.

I've been looking around at different camcorders that would meet the needs of decent video production and found this: Canon GL2. This is to reference the kind of need that we have  and I am hoping that we can use the JVC Enverio accomplish to approach this.  If I can get an external microphone (small boom?) attached to the top, I would then be free to do interviews with people, edit them, and release them on CARM.

I'm hoping to provide a five-minute teaching lessons on all sorts of topics.  In addition, I would like to go to different college campuses and interview students for their opinions on absolutes, truth, abortion, homosexuality, evolution, etc. in order to instructive produce videos.

In last week's newsletter I provided to URLs where I was debating with some atheists.

1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSw8Gh-PPA0 talking about morality of the bible.
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5E8bWz10I3w talking about morality and atheism.

I received a lot of e-mails about those clips.  They were all positive and most of them said "do more".  So, that's what we plan to do.

Also, we are still open to suggestions on good video editing software.  CARM's main computer is a PC.

A woman needs help

In our church there is a woman who has need of legal advice.  Her situation is a bit "difficult".  She is recently divorced due to her ex-husband's excessive infidelity.  She is from Germany and has five adopted children (which occurred prior to her divorce).  Her ex husband who is now remarried is filing yet another legal action to get his alimony payments reduced even further.  She has custody of three of the children ( one is in an institution for difficult children and the other is of age and out of the home).  She's dedicated to the children and has already spent $8,000 in legal fees up to this point.  She is, basically, broke.  She came to the pastor and myself at her church and requested prayer and advice and I thought it might be a good idea to put a request on her but half

Home Page in Firefox

Okay, I confess.  I'm stumped.  The home page looks good in Internet Explorer but in Firefox it has a green bar that runs down just to the left of the center of the home page (behind some text boxes).  Is there any CSS whiz kid (or whiz adult) who can fix it so it looks like it does on IE?  I've already given it a couple of hours and I can't get it to work in both.  I can get it to work in either, but not both.  Just view the source, access to a CSS file, and if you can, please send the fix (the HTML/CSS) to me at [email protected]

Radio Show

The radio show is still doing well and even though we have had a slump in financial support, we still have enough to keep it on the air.  We appreciate all of you who have contributed so far.  Also, the CARM radio shows are put on podcasts and Diane S. (one of the main helpers at CARM) told me yesterday that the page views for checking out the podcast are just under 60,000 for the past 30 days.  That's cool.

You can get the pod casts by signing up here:  http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=432798

Logos Software

By way of reminder, if any of you are interested in perhaps one of the very best, if not the best, Bible programs available, please check out http://www.logos.com/carm.  I use it all the time.  If  you purchase software through the CARM link, you can get a discount and it helps to support CARM as well.

If you get anything at Logos, use CARM as the coupon code during checkout.

Please Support CARM
$5 a month.  If you have not already, would you please consider a monthly donation of five dollars? You can easily set it up at http://www.carm.org/goods/donations.htm

Love and Hate Mail
CARM is constantly getting e-mails of thanks and praise and condemnation.  Here are a few...in the raw.  (At the suggestion of a reader, the hate mail is first so that the last taste in your mouth, is the love mail).

• Hate mail
  
  • oh i'm sorry i forgot to tell that while your busy hanging on every word that Pastors Arnold & Dennis Murray say looking for fault-EAT YOU HEART OUT!!!!   Its too bad that GOD didnt make  more like them there are enough phoney decievers in the world  and wow you can quote one verse form the bible does that make YOU an expect or holy?  I would not have won a personality contect before the Shepherds Chapel.  happy watching, satan helper! dont forget your popcorn.
  • Wicca is not against the Bible. We do our "work" from a divine force, called the one. But, what most Wiccans fail to see that The One is actully God. I am wiccan, and I believe in God, lesser gods, lesser goddesses, and spirits. I no Satan is out there, and I have nothing to do with him. I no in my heart that it does not matter what form of God people worship( considering that EVERY religion has there own form of God), he still gets worshiped. And we do not" go deeper into the dark" as you so rudley put it...I only ask that you change all the words that say Wicca to Pagan or paganism. Because we wiccans, are alot more spiritually aware then you think. We do spells to respect God, and we do it to respect nature and celebrate life, and love....I hope you have taken this to heart, and realize that you made an incorrect statment. What I have said is the truth.
  • hey mr. slick I just was looking at some of your trash on your web site and and I am still amazed that you 1st can even think you are a christian. sorry man but you are a hypocrite...you really need to learn to be a good christian and quit putting other religions down so much. start living like one instead of moving away from christianity.
  • I recently visited your web site.  I am sad to see that instead of giving factual information you take on the task of cutting other beliefs down.  Where in the bible is the commandment for this?  The bible states from the Savior to love one another as I have loved you.  Is falsehood, half truths and things taken out of context this.  Please do not reply back.  I have no need of those who tear others down to raise and elevate themselves up.  I will keep looking for that that seeks to love and build.
• Love mail:
  • Thank you so much for creating such useful website :) I've been so blessed by reading many articles inside ur website i gained many knowledge and new perspective which can equip me in my walk with Christ thank you so much i hope the website will continue on and bless many people God bless CARM teams
  • Thanks for any excellent site!
  • I just wanted to thank you for having this site up.. it's a one stop christian hub!!
  • I just received a prayer request about a young man who practiced Wicca and who was now in an Orlando Florida Hospital due to the fact he took over 180 tylenol and is now in a coma. I had never heard of Wicca, so in my msn search, I saw your site, not knowing it was a Christian site... I was simply looking for information on Wicca. With a caution, I proceeded into your site and was happy to see I had stumbled on your Christian facts page about Wicca. I just wanted to thank you for your work... God bless your endeavors to help others learn about Him.
  • You probably won't read this, but Matt, in some ways I've had the privilege of growing together with your site--and I thank you for this. I first heard about it as a freshmen at Cal (back in 01-02?) I used the material from the site to prepare for Bible Studies (with proper citations)...and over the years as the website grew, I grew too--and the site is still able to teach me new things. And CARM is all over the place now. I was at the Resolved Conference this last February, and CARM was one of the few websites they recommend. It was very encouraging to see how hard you've worked, how much it grew, and it makes me want to work harder, too. Thanks!

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  Same as Last Newsletter

  1. Podcast Link -  If you are interested in listening to the radio podcasts of faith and reason,  there are several options.  One is to go to the CARM home page and click on the radio link, or go to www.carm.org/radio/radio.htm, or click on this link http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=432798 and enter your e-mail address.  Its free and you'll be notified every time the podcast page is updated.
  2. Feedback and Suggestions - I would love to have feedback and suggestions from the CARM readers about the website, the radio show, and this newsletter.  Please feel free to let me know what you would like covered and/or addressed.  [email protected]
  3. Please Support CARM - CARM is supported by the voluntary gifts and offerings of people like you.  I have revamped the donations system and hope that this new year will bring in more support so that we can hire an additional staff person.  Even $5 a month can make a big difference.  CARM is on the front lines and we need all the help we can get.  Please pray for us.  We need it.
  4. Discussion Boards - The CARM Discussion Forums are doing extremely well.  In less than a year we have over 13,700 people signed up as participants. We even have a donation option for people to support the Ministry and have extended posting privelaes.  If you are interested in learning how to defend your faith as well as finding out what others believe about vendors, than the CARM discussion forums are the place to be.
  5. Chat Room http://www.carm.org/boards/chat.htm.  Want a live discussion?
  6. Thanks Again - Thanks to all of you who have been signing up for the online schools and donations to CARM.    They have been a real encouragement to this Ministry as they have increased lately.
  7. Prayer Ministry - CARM does have a prayer Ministry.  If you are interested in joining us as we pray for others' needs, or if you have needs that you need prayer for, please go to http://www.carm.org/prayer.htm and sign up.
  8. Online Schools. Theology, Apologetics, and Critical Thinking.  You can support CARM and also learn.
  9. Live Radio Show! - The show is called "Faith and Reason with Matt Slick."  I am on for one hour, five days a week, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. (Mountain Time). It's a live call-in show where people can ask all kinds of questions dealing with Christianity, the Bible, cults, counseling, the occult, etc.  You can call in to the number is 208-377-3790 and/or listen live via the Internet at www.myfamilyradio.com on the AM station.  P odcasting CARM now has podcasting ability for past radio shows:  http://feeds.feedburner.com/carmorgpodcasting.
  10. Suggestions?
      Do you have any suggestions for the CARM newsletter or the CARM website?  If so, please contact us at [email protected]  We want to know what you think, areas of need that you would like to see addressed, as well as any comments you might have.

From the CARM Theological Dictionary
GHades
New Testament term for the Hebrew “sheol,” which is the abode of the conscious dead. It is apparently a place (Acts 2:31). In Revelation it is referred to as a creature on a horse (Rev. 6:8). In Rev. 1:18, it says that Christ holds the keys to death and Hades.

Be fishers of men, not keepers of the aquarium