Extraordinary Claims Require Extraordinary Evidence?

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evidence for God Matt Nelson

Too often people have a parrot-like propensity to be seduced by a catchy saying, hold to it, and assert it repeatedly without thinking seriously about what they’re saying. They remember before they speak, but they don’t think before they speak. And the most astonishing fact is that all too often they really do believe they have said something wise.

Chesterton provided an example when he critiqued the popular exhortation to “believe in yourself” in his classic Orthodoxy. “Thoroughly worldly people never understand even the world,” he said.  “They rely altogether on a few cynical maxims which are not true.” In short, when we get intellectually lazy we tend to lean thoughtlessly on faddish sayings. We speak on autopilot.

This is a human folly, so neither I nor those who believe what I believe are exempt from this inclination. Nonetheless, here I would like to narrow down my critique to one phrase often asserted by naturalists: Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. If you’ve ever engaged in dialogue with a skeptic (or listened to others), you have likely heard this catchy saying in response to theistic claims. But it seems that it is often asserted as a brute fact without qualification—and all too often we let our skeptical friends get away with it.

Indeed, the saying has become something of a maxim among modern nonbelievers. Astronomer Carl Sagan popularized the principle, although the idea predates him. French scientist Pierre-Simon Laplace asserted something similar when he wrote, “The weight of evidence for an extraordinary claim must be proportioned to its strangeness.”

In An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding, skeptical philosopher David Hume wrote, “A wise man . . . proportions his belief to the evidence.” Skeptics have cited this quotation in support of their belief that extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, but look closely at what Hume says; or better yet, look at what Hume does not say.

He says a wise man proportions his belief to the evidence, and I couldn’t agree more. He does not say, however, that the wise man proportions his evidence to the belief. Hume is right: it is wise to hold beliefs that are well supported by evidence.

Thus we return to our chief inquiry: what exactly does the skeptic mean by his principle that “extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence”?

What makes a claim extraordinary?

The problem is, the term extraordinary in this case is arbitrary. It is unreasonable for the skeptic to merely state that belief in the supernatural is extraordinary without further qualification. As always in rational discourse, defining terms is paramount.

Perhaps by extraordinary the skeptic means uncommon or rare. That seems reasonable. But the paradox is that rare things happen all the time. Identical twins are born, lotteries are won, atheists become Catholics, and new species of animals are discovered. But not even the most committed skeptic would deny the reality of these rare events—at least once the evidence is out.

The skeptic sees the lottery winner on the news, and he believes without demanding access to the winner’s bank statement. The atheist sees his twins on the ultrasound monitor, but he believes despite not seeing his babies directly with his own eyes. He believes without direct observation because of what he deems to be trustworthy evidence.

Perhaps we might say that because the evidence supports the truth of an unexpected reality, the evidence is extraordinary by virtue of what it proves.

Or maybe the skeptic means that belief in the invisible is extraordinary and therefore requires extraordinary evidence. Yet he does not suspend belief in the existence of Darwin, electrons, the mind of his best friend, or the free will of Hitler, despite the fact that they are directly unobservable. He believes in these things on intuition and on the testimony of others, and for him that kind of evidence is good enough to warrant faith in the invisible.

Or perhaps he means by extraordinary what the term typically means—namely, something not ordinary. Ordinary is synonymous with usual or normal, so extraordinary would be “not the usual.” But here’s the thing: the majority position in regard to God’s existence—or the most usual belief across humanity—in almost every (if not every) era, including our own, has been belief in God, not atheism (this is the first premise of the common consent argument).

If this is the case, then perhaps we should flip this thing around and demand “extraordinary evidence” from the skeptics, since it is they who make the extraordinary claim, or the minority claim among men in this age and probably all the ages preceding it.

But there is still another question to ask :

What constitutes extraordinary evidence?

Now, here’s another scenario. Perhaps the skeptic calls a supernatural claim extraordinary because he believes, unlike atheism, there is no good evidence for theism,. On this view it is implied that the ordinary claim is that which has good evidence to support it.

But this viewpoint hinges on whether or not supernaturalism is, in fact, lacking evidentially and whether there is better evidence for atheism. If there is better evidence for theism than for atheism, then it is actually theism which is the more ordinary claim.

The skeptic must therefore demonstrate the evidential basis for his scepticism, and he must do it primarily with philosophy; for God is not just another “being among beings” taking up space in the empirical realm of the universe; rather, God is the sheer act of “to be” itself.

For while remaining present to the physical world as Creator and Sustainer, God is transcendent of the physical world, unbound by time, space, and matter. Thus trying to prove or disprove God’s existence by scientific evidence alone is as absurd as trying to prove or disprove Napoleon’s historical existence by geometry alone.

Thus the unbeliever is not exempt from a burden of proof, for even he is making a knowledge claim about reality: that God does not in fact exist. We wouldn’t let someone off the hook for asserting that they know aliens don’t exist. Rather, we would demand qualifying evidence for such a conclusive statement instead of accepting it as self evident.

So I would agree that if indeed there is no good evidence for a given belief, then to claim the contrary is to make an extraordinary claim. If an unorthodox claim is asserted—that unicorns exist, for example—there would be a burden of proof to show good evidence (or what philosophers call a defeater) for the commonly held belief that unicorns don’t actually exist.

Of course, in the case of unicorns there is no good evidence for their existence, and there is good evidence for its mythological fabrication. But unlike the arguments for unicornism—if there are any—the arguments for theism are a force to be reckoned with (as Trent Horn demonstrates in Answering Atheism and Hard Sayings) as they draw widely and deeply from philosophy, history, and science.

Thus the take-home point can be boiled down to this: the assertion “extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence” requires further qualifications in order to function as an acceptable principle of reason. Merely asserting it is not enough to validate it.

Furthermore, what is needed to reasonably believe any claim seems to be just good evidence; or evidence that makes a claim more reasonable to believe than its opposite.

 

Please contact Members of Parliament regarding Assisted Suicide

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Reply

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights will be billc14hearing interventions concerning Bill C-14, the bill that will legalize and “regulate” euthanasia and assisted suicide in Canada.

The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition (EPC) will be presenting to the committee next week. We will be represented by: Amy Hasbrouck (EPC – VP), Hugh Scher (EPC – Legal Counsel) and Dr Will Johnston (Chair of EPC – BC).

Several MP’s have said that they are receiving more communication from members of the euthanasia lobby than from our supporters.

EPC needs you to contact members of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights with your concerns about Bill C-14.

Resources for your communicating with committee members:
Link to the article on Bill C-14 by Alex Schadenberg.
Link to the article on Bill C-14 by the Physicians Alliance Against Euthanasia.
Link to the article on Bill C-14 by Dr Will Johnston (EPC – BC).
Link to the article on Bill C-14 by Charles Lewis.
Link to the article on Bill C-14 by Andrew Coyne.
Link to the article on Bill C-14 by Amy Hasbrouck (Toujours Vivant – Not Dead Yet).

Committee Chair: Anthony Housefather (Lib) – Anthony.Housefather@parl.gc.ca

Committee Vice Chair: Ted Falk (CPC) – Ted.Falk@parl.gc.ca

Committee Vice Chair: Murray Rankin (NDP) – Murray.Rankin@parl.gc.ca

Committee Member: Chris Bittle (Lib) – Chris.Bittle@parl.gc.ca

Committee Member: Michael Cooper (CPC) – Michael.Cooper@parl.gc.ca

Committee Member: Colin Fraser (Lib) – Colin.Fraser@parl.gc.ca

Committee Member: Ahmed Hussen (Lib) – Ahmed.Hussen@parl.gc.ca

Committee Member: Iqra Khalid (Lib) – Iqra.Khalid@parl.gc.ca

Committee Member: Ron McKinnon (Lib) – Ron.McKinnon@parl.gc.ca

Committee Member: Hon. Rob Nicholson (CPC) – rob.nicholson@parl.gc.ca

EPC also encourages you to send letters to your Members of Parliament. Link to contact your Member of Parliament.

You can mail letters to Members of Parliament (Postage Free) by sending letters to:

(Name) Member of Parliament
House of Commons
Ottawa Ontario K1A 0A6

Evidence for the Resurrection

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Evidence for the Resurrection

by Josh McDowell

For centuries many of the world’s distinguished philosophers have assaulted Christianity as being irrational, superstitious and absurd. Many have chosen simply to ignore the central issue of the resurrection. Others have tried to explain it away through various theories. But the historical evidence just can’t be discounted.

A student at the University of Uruguay said to me. “Professor McDowell, why can’t you refute Christianity?”

“For a very simple reason,” I answered. “I am not able to explain away an event in history–the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

How can we explain the empty tomb? Can it possibly be accounted for by any natural cause?


A QUESTION OF HISTORY
After more than 700 hours of studying this subject, I have come to the conclusion that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is either one of the most wicked, vicious, heartless hoaxes ever foisted on the minds of human beings–or it is the most remarkable fact of history.

Here are some of the facts relevant to the resurrection: Jesus of Nazareth, a Jewish prophet who claimed to be the Christ prophesied in the Jewish Scriptures, was arrested, was judged a political criminal, and was crucified. Three days after His death and burial, some women who went to His tomb found the body gone. In subsequent weeks, His disciples claimed that God had raised Him from the dead and that He appeared to them various times before ascending into heaven.

From that foundation, Christianity spread throughout the Roman Empire and has continued to exert great influence down through the centuries.


LIVING WITNESSES
The New Testament accounts of the resurrection were being circulated within the lifetimes of men and women alive at the time of the resurrection. Those people could certainly have confirmed or denied the accuracy of such accounts.

The writers of the four Gospels either had themselves been witnesses or else were relating the accounts of eyewitnesses of the actual events. In advocating their case for the gospel, a word that means “good news,” the apostles appealed (even when confronting their most severe opponents) to common knowledge concerning the facts of the resurrection.

F. F. Bruce, Rylands professor of biblical criticism and exegesis at the University of Manchester, says concerning the value of the New Testament records as primary sources: “Had there been any tendency to depart from the facts in any material respect, the possible presence of hostile witnesses in the audience would have served as a further corrective.”


IS THE NEW TESTAMENT RELIABLE?
Because the New Testament provides the primary historical source for information on the resurrection, many critics during the 19th century attacked the reliability of these biblical documents.

By the end of the 1 9th century, however, archaeological discoveries had confirmed the accuracy of the New Testament manuscripts. Discoveries of early papyri bridged the gap between the time of Christ and existing manuscripts from a later date.

Those findings increased scholarly confidence in the reliability of the Bible. William F. Albright, who in his day was the world’s foremost biblical archaeologist, said: “We can already say emphatically that there is no longer any solid basis for dating any book of the New Testament after about A.D. 80, two full generations before the date between 130 and 150 given by the more radical New Testament critics of today.”

Coinciding with the papyri discoveries, an abundance of other manuscripts came to light (over 24,000 copies of early New Testament manuscripts are known to be in existence today). The historian Luke wrote of “authentic evidence” concerning the resurrection. Sir William Ramsay, who spent 15 years attempting to undermine Luke credentials as a historian, and to refute the reliability of the New Testament, finally concluded: “Luke is a historian of the first rank . . . This author should be placed along with the very greatest of historians. ”

I claim to be an historian. My approach to Classics is historical. And I tell you that the evidence for the life, the death, and the resurrection of Christ is better authenticated than most of the facts of ancient history . . .

E. M. Blaiklock
Professor of Classics
Auckland University


BACKGROUND
The New Testament witnesses were fully aware of the background against which the resurrection took place. The body of Jesus, in accordance with Jewish burial custom, was wrapped in a linen cloth. About 100 pounds of aromatic spices, mixed together to form a gummy substance, were applied to the wrappings of cloth about the body. After the body was placed in a solid rock tomb, an extremely large stone was rolled against the entrance of the tomb. Large stones weighing approximately two tons were normally rolled (by means of levers) against a tomb entrance.

A Roman guard of strictly disciplined fighting men was stationed to guard the tomb. This guard affixed on the tomb the Roman seal, which was meant to “prevent any attempt at vandalizing the sepulcher. Anyone trying to move the stone from the tomb’s entrance would have broken the seal and thus incurred the wrath of Roman law.

But three days later the tomb was empty. The followers of Jesus said He had risen from the dead. They reported that He appeared to them during a period of 40 days, showing Himself to them by many “infallible proofs.” Paul the apostle recounted that Jesus appeared to more than 500 of His followers at one time, the majority of whom were still alive and who could confirm what Paul wrote. So many security precautions were taken with the trial, crucifixion, burial, entombment, sealing, and guarding of Christ’s tomb that it becomes very difficult for critics to defend their position that Christ did not rise from the dead. Consider these facts:

 

FACT #1: BROKEN ROMAN SEAL
As we have said, the first obvious fact was the breaking of the seal that stood for the power and authority of the Roman Empire. The consequences of breaking the seal were extremely severe. The FBI and CIA of the Roman Empire were called into action to find the man or men who were responsible. If they were apprehended, it meant automatic execution by crucifixion upside down. People feared the breaking of the seal. Jesus’ disciples displayed signs of cowardice when they hid themselves. Peter, one of these disciples, went out and denied Christ three times.

 

FACT #2: EMPTY TOMB
As we have already discussed, another obvious fact after the resurrection was the empty tomb. The disciples of Christ did not go off to Athens or Rome to preach that Christ was raised from the dead. Rather, they went right back to the city of Jerusalem, where, if what they were teaching was false, the falsity would be evident. The empty tomb was “too notorious to be denied.” Paul Althaus states that the resurrection “could have not been maintained in Jerusalem for a single day, for a single hour, if the emptiness of the tomb had not been established as a fact for all concerned.”

Both Jewish and Roman sources and traditions admit an empty tomb. Those resources range from Josephus to a compilation of fifth-century Jewish writings called the “Toledoth Jeshu.” Dr. Paul Maier calls this “positive evidence from a hostile source, which is the strongest kind of historical evidence. In essence, this means that if a source admits a fact decidedly not in its favor, then that fact is genuine.”

Gamaliel, who was a member of the Jewish high court, the Sanhedrin, put forth the suggestion that the rise of the Christian movement was God’s doing; he could not have done that if the tomb were still occupied, or if the Sanhedrin knew the whereabouts of Christ’s body.

Paul Maier observes that ” . . . if all the evidence is weighed carefully and fairly, it is indeed justifiable, according to the canons of historical research, to conclude that the sepulcher of Joseph of Arimathea, in which Jesus was buried, was actually empty on the morning of the first Easter. And no shred of evidence has yet been discovered in literary sources, epigraphy, or archaeology that would disprove this statement.”

 


FACT #3: LARGE STONE MOVED
On that Sunday morning the first thing that impressed the people who approached the tomb was the unusual position of the one and a half to two ton stone that had been lodged in front of the doorway. All the Gospel writers mention it.

There exists no document from the ancient world, witnessed by so excellent a set of textual and historical testimonies . . . Skepticism regarding the historical credentials of Christianity is based upon an irrational bias.

Clark Pinnock
Mcmaster University

Those who observed the stone after the resurrection describe its position as having been rolled up a slope away not just from the entrance of the tomb, but from the entire massive sepulcher. It was in such a position that it looked as if it had been picked up and carried away. Now, I ask you, if the disciples had wanted to come in, tiptoe around the sleeping guards, and then roll the stone over and steal Jesus’ body, how could they have done that without the guards’ awareness?

 


FACT #4: ROMAN GUARD GOES AWOL
The Roman guards fled. They left their place of responsibility. How can their attrition he explained, when Roman military discipline was so exceptional? Justin, in Digest #49, mentions all the offenses that required the death penalty. The fear of their superiors’ wrath and the possibility of death meant that they paid close attention to the minutest details of their jobs. One way a guard was put to death was by being stripped of his clothes and then burned alive in a fire started with his garments. If it was not apparent which soldier had failed in his duty, then lots were drawn to see which one would be punished with death for the guard unit’s failure. Certainly the entire unit would not have fallen asleep with that kind of threat over their heads. Dr. George Currie, a student of Roman military discipline, wrote that fear of punishment “produced flawless attention to duty, especially in the night watches.”

 


FACT #5: GRAVECLOTHES TELL A TALE
In a literal sense, against all statements to the contrary, the tomb was not totally empty–because of an amazing phenomenon. John, a disciple of Jesus, looked over to the place where the body of Jesus had lain, and there were the grave clothes, in the form of the body, slightly caved in and empty–like the empty chrysalis of a caterpillar’s cocoon. That’s enough to make a believer out of anybody. John never did get over it. The first thing that stuck in the minds of the disciples was not the empty tomb, but rather the empty grave clothes–undisturbed in form and position.

 


FACT #6: JESUS’ APPEARANCES CONFIRMED
Christ appeared alive on several occasions after the cataclysmic events of that first Easter . When studying an event in history, it is important to know whether enough people who were participants or eyewitnesses to the event were alive when the facts about the event were published. To know this is obviously helpful in ascertaining the accuracy of the published report. If the number of eyewitnesses is substantial, the event can he regarded as fairly well established. For instance, if we all witness a murder, and a later police report turns out to he a fabrication of lies, we as eyewitnesses can refute it.


OVER 500 WITNESSES
Several very important factors arc often overlooked when considering Christ’s post-resurrection appearances to individuals. The first is the large number of witnesses of Christ after that resurrection morning. One of the earliest records of Christ’s appearing after the resurrection is by Paul. The apostle appealed to his audience’s knowledge of the fact that Christ had been seen by more than 500 people at one time. Paul reminded them that the majority of those people were still alive and could be questioned. Dr. Edwin M. Yamauchi, associate professor of history at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, emphasizes: “What gives a special authority to the list (of witnesses) as historical evidence is the reference to most of the five hundred brethren being still alive. St. Paul says in effect, ‘If you do not believe me, you can ask them.’ Such a statement in an admittedly genuine letter written within thirty years of the event is almost as strong evidence as one could hope to get for something that happened nearly two thousand years ago.” Let’s take the more than 500 witnesses who saw Jesus alive after His death and burial, and place them in a courtroom. Do you realize that if each of those 500 people were to testify for only six minutes, including cross-examination, you would have an amazing 50 hours of firsthand testimony? Add to this the testimony of many other eyewitnesses and you would well have the largest and most lopsided trial in history.


HOSTILE WITNESSES
Another factor crucial to interpreting Christ’s appearances is that He also appeared to those who were hostile or unconvinced.

Over and over again, I have read or heard people comment that Jesus was seen alive after His death and burial only by His friends and followers. Using that argument, they attempt to water down the overwhelming impact of the multiple eyewitness accounts. But that line of reasoning is so pathetic it hardly deserves comment. No author or informed individual would regard Saul of Tarsus as being a follower of Christ. The facts show the exact opposite. Saul despised Christ and persecuted Christ’s followers. It was a life-shattering experience when Christ appeared to him. Although he was at the time not a disciple, he later became the apostle Paul, one of the greatest witnesses for the truth of the resurrection.

If the New Testament were a collection of secular writings, their authenticity would generally be regarded as beyond all doubt.

F. F. Bruce
Manchester University

The argument that Christ’s appearances were only to followers is an argument for the most part from silence, and arguments from silence can be dangerous. It is equally possible that all to whom Jesus appeared became followers. No one acquainted with the facts can accurately say that Jesus appeared to just “an insignificant few.”

Christians believe that Jesus was bodily resurrected in time and space by the supernatural power of God. The difficulties of belief may be great, but the problems inherent in unbelief present even greater difficulties.

The theories advanced to explain the resurrection by “natural causes” are weak; they actually help to build confidence in the truth of the resurrection.


THE WRONG TOMB?
A theory propounded by Kirsopp Lake assumes that the women who reported that the body was missing had mistakenly gone to the wrong tomb. If so, then the disciples who went to check up on the women’s statement must have also gone to the wrong tomb. We may be certain, however, that Jewish authorities, who asked for a Roman guard to be stationed at the tomb to prevent Jesus’ body from being stolen, would not have been mistaken about the location. Nor would the Roman guards, for they were there!

If the resurrection-claim was merely because of a geographical mistake, the Jewish authorities would have lost no time in producing the body from the proper tomb, thus effectively quenching for all time any rumor resurrection.


HALLUCINATIONS?
Another attempted explanation claims that the appearances of Jesus after the resurrection were either illusions or hallucinations. Unsupported by the psychological principles governing the appearances of hallucinations, this theory also does not coincide with the historical situation. Again, where was the actual body, and why wasn’t it produced?


DID JESUS SWOON?
Another theory, popularized by Venturini several centuries ago, is often quoted today. This is the swoon theory, which says that Jesus didn’t die; he merely fainted from exhaustion and loss of blood. Everyone thought Him dead, but later He resuscitated and the disciples thought it to be a resurrection. Skeptic David Friedrich Strauss–certainly no believer in the resurrection–gave the deathblow to any thought that Jesus revived from a swoon: “It is impossible that a being who had stolen half-dead out of the sepulchre, who crept about weak and ill, wanting medical treatment, who required bandaging, strengthening and indulgence, and who still at last yielded to His sufferings, could have given to the disciples the impression that He was a Conqueror over death and the grave, the Prince of Life,

For the New Testament of Acts, the confirmation of historicity is overwhelming. Any attempt to reject its basic historicity, even in matters of detail, must now appear absurd. Roman historians have long taken it for granted.

A. N. Sherwin-White
Classical Roman Historian

an impression which lay at the bottom of their future ministry. Such a resuscitation could only have weakened the impression which He had made upon them in life and in death, at the most could only have given it an elegiac voice, but could by no possibility have changed their sorrow into enthusiasm, have elevated their reverence into worship.”


THE BODY STOLEN?
Then consider the theory that the body was stolen by the disciples while the guards slept. The depression and cowardice of the disciples provide a hard-hitting argument against their suddenly becoming so brave and daring as to face a detachment of soldiers at the tomb and steal the body. They were in no mood to attempt anything like that.

The theory that the Jewish or Roman authorities moved Christ’s body is no more reasonable an explanation for the empty tomb than theft by the disciples. If the authorities had the body in their possession or knew where it was, why, when the disciples were preaching the resurrection in Jerusalem, didn’t they explain: “Wait! We moved the body, see, He didn’t rise from the grave”?

And if such a rebuttal failed, why didn’t they explain exactly where Jesus’ body lay? If this failed, why didn’t they recover the corpse, put it on a cart, and wheel it through the center of Jerusalem? Such an action would have destroyed Christianity–not in the cradle, but in the womb!


THE RESURRECTION IS A FACT
Professor Thomas Arnold, for 14 years a headmaster of Rugby, author of the famous, History of Rome, and appointed to the chair of modern history at Oxford, was well acquainted with the value of evidence in determining historical facts. This great scholar said: “I have been used for many years to study the histories of other times, and to examine and weigh the evidence of those who have written about them, and I know of no one fact in the history of mankind which is proved by better and fuller evidence of every sort, to the understanding of a fair inquirer, than the great sign which God hath given us that Christ died and rose again from the dead.” Brooke Foss Westcott, an English scholar, said: “raking all the evidence together, it is not too much to say that there is no historic incident better or more variously supported than the resurrection of Christ. Nothing but the antecedent assumption that it must be false could have suggested the idea of deficiency in the proof of it.”


REAL PROOF: THE DISCIPLES’ LIVES
But the most telling testimony of all must be the lives of those early Christians. We must ask ourselves: What caused them to go everywhere telling the message of the risen Christ?

Had there been any visible benefits accrued to them from their efforts–prestige, wealth, increased social status or material benefits–we might logically attempt to account for their actions, for their whole-hearted and total allegiance to this “risen Christ .”

As a reward for their efforts, however, those early Christians were beaten, stoned to death, thrown to the lions, tortured and crucified. Every conceivable method was used to stop them from talking.

Yet, they laid down their lives as the ultimate proof of their complete confidence in the truth of their message.


WHERE DO YOU STAND?
How do you evaluate this overwhelming historical evidence? What is your decision about the fact of Christ’s empty tomb? What do you think of Christ?

When I was confronted with the overwhelming evidence for Christ’s resurrection, I had to ask the logical question: “What difference does all this evidence make to me? What difference does it make whether or not I believe Christ rose again and died on the cross for my sins!’ The answer is put best by something Jesus said to a man who doubted–Thomas. Jesus told him: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6).

On the basis of all the evidence for Christ’s resurrection, and considering the fact that Jesus offers forgiveness of sin and an eternal relationship with God, who would be so foolhardy as to reject Him? Christ is alive! He is living today.

You can trust God right now by faith through prayer. Prayer is talking with God. God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. If you have never trusted Christ, you can do so right now.

The prayer I prayed is: “Lord Jesus, I need You. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and trust You as my Savior. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be. Thank You that I can trust You.”

Josh McDowell, according to a recent survey, is one of the most popular speakers among university students today. He has spoken on more than 650 university and college campuses to more than seven million people in 74 countries during the last 21 years.

Warning about a new group in Vancouver

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vancouver catholic after hours

Please join 100’s of citizens and CatholicTV.ca and TheologyonTap.ca and VancouverCatholic.com by contacting the Vancouver Catholic Diocese and warn them about a group that call themselves “Catholic After Hours”.

Due to Cronyism in the Vancouver Diocese this group is allowed to function in the Vancouver Diocese. In addition the Vancouver Diocese pays for their web costs and allows them to use the official Diocesan web page and advertise on BC Catholic and on Church Bulletins. 

Recently a middle-eastern good citizen who is from a poor neighbourhood from the Downtown Eastside tried to attend one of their events.  

 However Annabelle Chong and Pavel Reid threatened him with police and charges and jail if he attends.  The good citizen in the picture above was perfectly respectable and professional at ALL the Catholic After Hours Events.

However Annabelle Chong and Pavel Reid  threatened him with police and charges.

Annabelle Chong and Pavel Reid

Annabelle Chong and Pavel Reid

 

Does Annabelle Chong  suffer from a delusion that they she is a priest or a  bishop?

She must think she is a bishop or a priest, because no priest or bishop has supported her conduct when she banned the good citizen in 2013

Is it possible Annabelle Chong is so hostile that the priests and Bishop are afraid of her because of her mean conduct?

 

We contacted and wrote to clergy to talk to Annabelle Chong and they all refused.  because of the repercussions?

It is a solid fact that Annabelle Chong attacked a very good citizen and slandered and defamed him.

Good thing the PICTURE ABOVE was taken Christmas 2011.  You will see that everyone in the group is happy and friendly. The good citizen circled in the picture is welcome by everyone in the picture.  This was a Catholic After Hours event and the good citizen whom Ms. Chong attacked was helping seniors–everyone in the picture are witnesses.

Another possible explanation is that the good citizen rejected the romantic advances from a few hostile feminists which caused them to retaliate.

Another possible explanation is that when he revealed that he does not support women priests. Annabelle Chong then attacked and threatened him with police.

Another possible explanation is that Annabelle Chong attacked and threatened him with police because the good-citizen is a middle-eatern man.

Another possible explanation is that the hostile feminists are aware that he wants to be a priest:  as a result, they want to stop him because he has pro life and pro family views.

Annabelle Chong is aware that he plans to be a priest.

(Please read the hateful and hostile email the poor man who is a conservative received from one of the leaders of Catholic After Hours.

One email stated that they will call security if the good citizen attends their alcohol drinking event on Sundays. (update: they moved the date thanks to us)

That letter will prove that Catholic After Hours’ is clearly lead by extremists and militant hypocrites)

We are sure that you will agree that the Vancouver Bishop and the clergy would never support the haters’ recent attack on a good citizen.

However the Bishop and the clergy are aware that Vancouver is like Berkley, full of left-wingers and corrupt police, politicians and radicals, so they are afraid to act which is very distressing.

If you see the haters please ask the haters this question: “What incident caused the militants from Catholic After Hours to attack and threaten the good citizen?

That is the most disturbing question–because there was no incident.  You will discover that the accuser is just a hater on a hostile mission to destroy and intimate a good citizen who has angered Annabelle Chong

Another view is that some militant feminists are suffering from the delusion that they are the new clergy. And they can define how the church will run. However, not one priest or clergy supports their attack.

The have succeeded in misleading and deceiving a few in the Vancouver Catholic Diocese. They have also manipulated staff workers at the diocese office which is a clear sign of Cronyism such as Pavel Reid

A few churches are allowing the hater and the attacker to advertise their events because of CRONYISM  Even though that only Catholics who believe in Christ are permitted to receive such privileges.

Please note that we recently called the Vancouver Diocese and the senior staff stated that Catholic After Hours is not approved by the diocese, which means that their is some real wrong doing and misconduct, and again Cronyism.  The staff worker gave us her permission to record her voice. Please listen to the facts here (turn up your volume)

Recorded conversation with Vancouver Catholic Diocese. Please click here now.

In closing. Is it possible that the haters that have organized “Catholic After Hours”  put together this club because they had no friends?

There actions lead us to the opinion that they are SEVERELY UNBALANCED and we ask you to not give them your business.

A balanced person balances love and religion but when one throws love out the window and pretends to be religious then that person is UNBALANCED. And when they attack and hate that makes them unstable and hostile.

Please note that this Catholic After Hours used to meet on the Holy Day Sunday at a very expensive restaurants which no poor person can afford. Which is another reason that they are militant against those who live on the East Side.  They order expensive wine and expensive food which no person from the Downtown Eastside can afford.

What is most shocking is that on Ash Wednesday they organized an event at “Wicked Cafe”.  Remember this was on Ash Wednesday.  Out of all the locations to meet they choose “Wicked Cafe”.

Join us in contacting the bishop and senior clergy and request they ask “Catholic After Hours” to Cease and Desist there misconduct and their militancy and to cease and desist calling themselves Catholic which is against canon law.  Code of Canon Law states that “no undertaking is to claim the name “Catholic” without authorization.

God will bless you if you don’t support their hate and malice and help that good citizen they attacked receive justice.  He has helped 1000’s of homeless and is the owner of BChomeless.com but they have demonized him because he stuck up to their intimidation.

Click here for the contact list

Catholic After Hours

“The harsh reality is that once a witness is shown to be deceptive and inconsistent, the court cannot have faith in complainants”

Theology on Tap Toronto

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Theology on Tap West — Year of Mercy

Monday, April 11, 2016 — 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Boston Pizza, 50 Courtneypark Dr E, Mississauga

Faith Connections, the Office of Catholic Youth and the local parishes invite young adults (19-39) to join us for an evening of thought-provoking theological discussion in a comfortable and relaxed setting, with special guest: Cardinal Thomas Collins, Archdiocese of Toronto. For more information call OCY at 416-599-7676 or visitwww.faithconnections.ca
Hike and Prayer: A Journey Through the Doors of Mercy

Saturday, April 16, 2016 — 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (followed by Mass)
Starting at St. Paul’s Basilica, 83 Power St, Toronto

Young adults (18-39) are invited to join us to reflect on and embrace God’s mercy. Together we will celebrate this jubilee year by passing through the Holy Doors of St. Paul’s Basilica and St. Patrick’s. We will have the opportunity to learn about the holy doors, pray & reflect, and receive the sacraments of Reconciliation & Holy Eucharist. Children welcome! RSVPs appreciated, call Vanessa Nicholas-Schmidt at 416-467-2645 or visit www.faithconnections.ca — a ministry of Fontbonne Ministries, Sisters of St. Joseph, Toronto.

Scarborough, May 16: Gifts of the Laity

Toronto, May 30: Called and Gifted: Following Christ

Mississauga, June 6: Holiness and Budgeting

You can find even more community events on our complete events calendar — and if you are part of a young adult organization be sure to e-mail us your event announcements so we can include them on our calendar!

Young Adult Training in Vancouver BC

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Winter Institute 2016

One day courses for ministry training, faith formation and general interest open to all.

Date:   Saturday, January 23, 2016
Time:   10:00 am to 4:00 pm, unless otherwise noted
Location:   Holy Cross Regional Secondary, 16193 88th Avenue, Surrey
Cost:   $40.00 on or before January 16, 2016
$45.00 after January 16, 2016 ($25.00 for each half-day course)
     

Courses
Catholic Voices I – Introduction Basics of the Faith – II
Catholic Voices II – Understanding the Reform Promoting Youth Ministry
Sacred Music: A Treasure of Inestimable Value Writing & Sharing Your Testimony
Ecumenical Dialogue Adult Catechesis – Part I
How to Enlist the Help of Parents in Faith Formation Classroom Management
Teaching Children the Prayer of Listening Safe Environment Session

 

Course Descriptions

Catholic Voices I – Introduction new

Course No: W601

Presenters: Peter Nation

Half-Day: 10:00am – 12:30pm

Want to learn how to dialogue with your co-workers, neighbours, and family members about hot topics, in a way that encourages engagement? This introduction workshop outlines the history and unique approach of Catholic Voice’s global contribution to the New Apologetics.

Peter Nation coordinator for Catholic Voices Canada, is a parishioner at St. Edmund’s parish.

 

Catholic Voices II – Understanding Reform new

Course No: W602

Presenters: Peter Nation 

Half-Day: 1:30pm – 4:00pm

This pope is one of the most extraordinary communicators in the contemporary world, but in many ways one of the hardest to explain and to account for. This presentation, created by Francis’ definitive biographer, eases the anxiety that many Catholics have about this papacy.

Peter Nation coordinator for Catholic Voices Canada, is a parishioner at St. Edmund’s parish.

 

Sacred Music: A Treasure of Inestimable Value new

Course No: W603

Presenters: Fr. Ron Thompson & Margaret Barry

Half-Day: 10:00 am – 12:30 pm

Explore how the Liturgies and Sacred Music are truly beautiful and befittingly solemn for this time in the Church Year as they lead us through the Triduum to the glory of the resurrection.

Fr. Ron Thompson is pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption parish in Port Coquitlam. Margaret Barry  has a Masters Degree in Pastoral Liturgy and Music, and both are members of the Archdiocesan Liturgy Commission.

 

Ecumenical Dialogue

Course No: W604

Presenters: Fr. Martin Moser, OMI

Full Day

What does it mean for the Church to dialogue with other religions? Why should we and how can we? This workshop will explore the Church’s wisdom and hope through 4 topics: Ecumenism today; Orthodox – Catholic Dialogue; Mainline Protestant – Catholic Dialogue; and Evangelical – Catholic Dialogue.

Fr. Martin Moser, OMI is the pastor of St. Peter’s parish in New Westminster, a member of the RCAV Commission for Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations, and the professor of theology at St. Mark’s College.

 

How to Enlist the Help of Parents in the Faith Formation of Their Kids new

Course No: W605

Presenter: George Verdolaga

Full Day

Parents play a huge role in deepening the connection of today’s youth to their faith. Find out how to get them actively involved in the faith formation of their kids ¬– and be powerful leadership role models – to help reduce incidence of high-risk behavior and raise responsible, mature and God-fearing young adults.

George Verdolaga, leadership author and speaker is a member of St. Andrew’s parish.

 

Teaching Young Children the Prayer of Listening

Course No: W606

Presenter: Irina Slijouk

Full Day

Participants in this workshop will equip you to assist children develop a closer relationship with God so that they learn to be guided by His wisdom, nourished by His love and become who God created them to be. We will also learn how to help children be attentive to, understand, discern, welcome and put into practice the inspirations of the Holy Spirit.

Irina Slijouk, an educator for many years, has a Masters Degree from St. Mark’s College. Her expertise is in the area of Spirituality.

 

Basics of the Faith – Part II

Course No: W607

Presenters: Fr. Anthony Ho & Madonna House

Full Day

The Catholic Faith is true and beautiful, but many have yet to discover its riches. Part 2 explores the moral life and prayer, two of the four pillars of our Faith.

Fr. Anthony Ho is pastor of Precious Blood Parish in Cloverdale. Madonna House is a Catholic community dedicated to poverty, prayer, and hospitality.
Basics of the Faith is a required course for completion of a Catechetical Certificate.

 

Promoting Youth Ministry new

Course No: W608

Presenter: Clayton Imoo

Half-Day: 10:00am – 12:30pm

You are doing some great things in your youth ministry… but do people know about it? In this session, we’ll look at the best ways to promote your youth ministry, both in-person and on social media.

As well, we’ll give you strategies to become better advocates for the youth and youth ministry.  Clay will also welcome guest panelists Kathleen LeBlanc (St. Joseph, Langley), Matthew Furtado (St. Matthew, Surrey), and Faye McCreedy (Immaculate Conception, Delta).  They will all share some of their insights and experiences in promoting youth ministry.

Clayton Imoo is Director for the Youth and Young Adult Ministry Office for the Archdiocese of Vancouver.
Recommended for all youth ministry coordinators, core team members, and volunteers.

 

Writing and Sharing Your Testimony new

Course No: W609

Presenter: Joseph San Jose

Half-Day: 1:30pm – 4:00pm

One of the most effective tools of evangelization is a personal testimony; everyone has a story of how the Lord has worked in their life. Come and discover your own testimony and learn why it is so important to be witness in this way. Sharing your testimony can be one of your most effective tools as a ministry.

Joseph is a Campus Missionary for Catholic Christian Outreach at Simon Fraser University.
Recommended for all youth and young adult ministry coordinators and leaders, PREP Coordinators and teachers.

 

Adult Catechesis – Part I

Course No: W610

Presenter: Patrick Gillespie

Full Day

“Go… teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” This workshop provides an overview of the role of adult catechesis in the mission of the Church. Participants will examine the content that is to be delivered, including Sacred Scripture, doctrine and personal testimony. While emphasis is given to RCIA, the principles explored are applicable to any form of adult catechesis.

Patrick Gillespie is the Director of the Office of Catechetics for the Archdiocese of Vancouver.
Adult Catechesis – Part I is a required course for completion of a RCIA Catechetical Certificate.

 

Classroom Management

Course No: W611

Presenter: Alexandria Fung

Full Day

In this course you will learn how to create a religious education environment conducive to learning and celebrating. Topics include: creating a positive catechetical environment, establishing classroom norms and consequences, conflict resolution, group management and communication skills.

Alexandria Fung is the interim Parish Religious Education Program (PREP) Consultant for the Archdiocese of Vancouver.
Classroom Management is a required course for completion of a PREP Catechetical Certificate.

 

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Click here to download a registration form. pdf

 

Winter Institute Registration:

  • The cost of registration includes morning  snack and lunch.
  • Registration will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Late registration is not guaranteed a lunch
  • Registrant should confirm billing arrangement with parish or school.
  • Registration is not processed until payment has been received.
  • Request for refunds must be received by January 16, 2016 to: 604.683-0281 orocregistrations@rcav.org
  • For a refund, there is a $5 processing fee which will be deducted from your remaining balance.

For leaders involved in youth ministry and young adult ministry.

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For leaders involved in youth ministry and young adult ministry.

January 9 2016 in Vancouver, BC 

Come join us so we may thank you, affirm you, and encourage you in your ministry.

oyyam-2015-tricia-tembreull-luncheon

Featuring

Tricia Tembreull

Western Regional Director for Life Teen

 

Tricia will be giving a keynote talk and then leading break-out sessions specific to youth ministry and young adult ministry leadership.  As well, you’ll have a chance to network and promote your own events.

 

Additional details:

  • Cost:  $10/person for the first registrant from a parish or ministry, $5/person for each additional registrant from the same group
  • Saturday, January 9, 2016
  • 11am – 3:30pm
  • At the John Paul II Pastoral Centre
    (4885 Saint John Paul II Way, Vancouver)

For more info, please contact the Youth and Young Adult Ministry Office at 604.683.0281 orinfo@oyyam.com.

REGISTER NOW (space is limited).

Posted by Johnny Zakharia Vancouver