In Spite of Greek Bailout, Is the Euro History?

From http://www.el-paso.ucg.org/


In Spite of Greek Bailout, Is the Euro History?
A commentary by Mike Bennett Editorial content manager
Posted May 13, 2010
MSNBC reported May 10: "The European Union put up a staggering $1 trillion Monday to contain its spreading government debt crisis and keep it from tearing the euro currency apart and derailing the global economic recovery.
"Analysts said the huge sum supplied the 'shock and awe' markets had been waiting for for weeks, at least in the short term, and the euro soared on the news.
"European leaders negotiated into the early hours of Monday before reaching a deal in which governments that use the euro would join the EU and International Monetary Fund in putting up €750 billion in loans available to prop up troubled governments" ("EU Puts Up $1 Trillion to Defend Euro").
Euro's weaknesses evident from the beginning
If you have been following this crisis, you know it has been going on for months. The staff of our publication World News and Prophecy have been tracking the euro's historical and prophetic significance from its 1999 launch (and before).
As we reported in the February 1999 issue, "Questions about the stability of the new currency were asked frequently by Germans reluctant to give up the German mark, which has been one of the world's strongest currencies in recent years. In this [20th] century Germans have experienced economic disaster and rampant inflation, making them especially sensitive to any perceived challenge to Germany's economy. Their concerns about the stability of the euro are understandable in view of the divergent national economies represented within the Euro-Zone. Countries like Portugal and Spain have much lower wage levels than in northern Europe, and generally southern European currencies—the Italian lira is a good example—have been known for inflation and higher interest rates" (Paul Kieffer, "The Euro Is Here! But Will It Last?").
Greece wasn't mentioned, because it did not meet the criteria to join the euro. But after intense lobbying and economic sleight of hand, Greece was allowed to join in 2001.
Jürgen von Hagen, professor of economics at the University of Bonn, said, "At the time there were clear indications that the Greeks were forging the data, especially data on deficits to make their public finance situation look more benign than it really was" (Dan Bilefsky, "Greece's Stumble Follows a Headlong Rush Into the Euro," New York Times, May 4, 2010).
Angered Germans, enraged Greeks
Writing for Stratfor Global Intelligence, George Friedman said:
"The European financial crisis is moving to a new level. The Germans have finally consented to lead a bailout effort for Greece. The effort has angered the German public, which has acceded with sullen reluctance. It does not accept the idea that it is Germans' responsibility to save Greeks from their own actions. The Greeks are enraged at the reluctance, having understood that membership in the European Union meant that Greece's problems were Europe's."
After the horrors of two world wars, the dream of European unity has made amazing strides on various fronts, but other areas lag far behind. As George Friedman noted, "There is no European foreign and defense policy, no European army, no European commander in chief. There is not even a common banking or budgetary policy (which cuts to the heart of today's crisis)" (May 11, 2010).
Partly strong and partly weak
Europe remains partly strong and partly weak. The current unity is fragile, and biblical prophecy shows that the future unity, though immensely powerful, will only paper over these differences for a short time.
As God revealed to the prophet Daniel, the end-time successor to the Babylonian, Persian, Greco-Macedonian and Roman Empires will be "strong as iron...; that kingdom will break in pieces and crush all the others... The kingdom shall be partly strong and partly fragile... They will not adhere to one another" (Daniel 2:40, 42-43).
What exactly will bring us to that stage of an even stronger union? Will strong countries like Germany leverage crises such as the current one to create a strong central authority? Or will the euro actually collapse and will strong leadership emerge from the chaos and suffering? The details may not be clear, but the overall prophetic framework does give us focus and an enduring hope on beyond the troubles of today. The Bible reveals that after all this will come God's own perfect, peaceful and prosperous Kingdom.
You need to understand the framework of biblical prophecy to know what to look for in the years ahead and to have the sure hope of the Kingdom of God as an anchor in your personal life. Our easy-to-read booklet You Can Understand Bible Prophecy lays out that biblical framework. And we encourage you to subscribe to World News and Prophecy to keep abreast of where current and future trends are taking us.


Related Resources
Could a Greek Tragedy Bring Down the Euro?In the last few weeks the euro has declined in value as fears over Greece's debt problems fueled international speculation. Could Greece's problems lead to the demise of the common European currency?
The Coming European SuperpowerWith the collapse of the Soviet Union, there appeared to be only one superpower left in the world. After the tearing down of the Berlin Wall, the United States became the undisputed military, economic and political heavyweight. But is another superpower forming that will challenge the United States as the leader of the Western world?
Why Is Europe So Important?From its inception The Good News has continually covered the European scene. Today this coverage is more important than ever because crucial developments in Europe are central to the fulfillment of Bible prophecy.
The Rising European Superpower: Prophesied in the Bible? Events in Europe are reshaping the world. The European Union has now expanded from 15 to 25 members. Most of Europe already shares a common currency and plans within months to have a European constitution to further unify the continent. Military and intelligence cooperation is increasing. Why are these developments taking place? Where are they heading and how will they affect you? The shocking truth was foretold centuries ago in the pages of your Bible!

Practical Christian Living: Tattoos

From http://www.el-paso.ucg.org/

Practical Christian Living: Tattoos
Introduction
Body tattoos show up very often in today's culture. Once, these body etchings were limited to sailors and gang members, but this counter cultural phenomenon is tempting many to have ink injected into their skin. Is it right for a Christian to put marks on his or her body? Would God want you to use your skin as a billboard for your current philosophy of life? What if you change your mind? Tattoos are often painful and expensive to remove. Can we discover any principles in the pages of the Bible? Christianity is a way of life. Christians practice what the Bible teaches, for it is written three times in scripture that "man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God" (Deuteronomy 8:3, Matthew 4:4, and Luke 4:4). So, it is only natural that a Christian would study the Bible to see if it has anything to say on the matter of wearing tattoos. This guide will lead you to discover the Biblical principles that apply to tattooing one's body.
Why Wear a Tattoo?
People claim to get tattooed for various reasons: For membership in a gang or group, to be cool or even to show independence or rebellion. What other reasons, if any, do you know for acquiring a tattoo?
Relevant scriptures
LEVITICUS 19:28 — "You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the LORD."
COMMENT: Bible scholars recognize that the context of the above verse is that of ways to worship God. Just as members of certain gangs today wear an identifying tattoo specific to their gang, worshipers of certain gods had tattoos to identify what god they worshiped. Children's transferable stickers or "tattoos" are not true tattoos as they wash off. Likewise the stamp that amusement parks often place on the hand to allow re-entry is not a violation of the commandment. The red dot that an Indian woman will place on her forehead when she marries (but removes should she become a widow) is not a tattoo. (However, any false religious significance given to the dot would violate the first of the Ten Commandments. The URL for the discussion guide on the First Commandment is www.ucg.org/teenstudy/1stcommandment.htm.)
1. Some feel that by having a tattoo of a Christian symbol or slogan (e.g. a cross, "Praise the Lord," "John 3:16") they honor God. Some say it reminds them of their commitment and making that commitment publicly known. What does the above verse teach us about using tattoos to worship or glorify the true God?
2. Do you think the principle of worship found in John 4:23-24 would apply to wearing a religious tattoo? Why or why not?
JEREMIAH 31:19 — "Surely, after my turning, I repented; And after I was instructed, I struck myself on the thigh; I was ashamed, yes, even humiliated, Because I bore the reproach of my youth.'"
3. Some want to be "in." Would you say wearing tattoos is a fad? Are all fads sensible? What criteria do you use to decide which ones to follow?
4. Fashions change, so one day tattoos will be out of style. How long do tattoos remain on the skin?
5. When tattoos are no longer chic, how would one feel who has one? Do Jeremiah's words come close to describing the feeling?
6. People change their minds about what is attractive. Have you ever changed your mind about a clothing style or hairstyle, and then made the change in wardrobe or hairstyle? How hard are tattoos to remove? How painful? How costly?
7. When should we allow the values (including fashions) of the world around us to determine our behavior? Before answering, read and consider James 4:4 and 1 John 2:15-17.
8. Which do you think is wiser: to do something that is permanent but will be popular for only a season, or to not adopt the popular, but passing, fad?
EXODUS 20:12 — "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you."
Another reason some teens get a tattoo is to rebel against their parents. One recent article stated:
"For college students anxious to rebel against their parents' fashion sensibilities, getting a tattoo or piercing may be the modern-day equivalent of the 1960s-era fascination with long hair and love beads." ("Piercings Are A Girl's Best Friend? Body Art Study Shows Gender Preferences"; Source: University of Florida, 2004-12-09, URL: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/12/041203084256.htm)
9. What does God think of that attitude—i.e. rebelling against one's parents?
10. What benefit is there to honoring one's parents? Why do you suppose that is?
Our bodies?
1 CORINTHIANS 6:19-20 — "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's."
1. To whom does your body belong?
2. How should we treat our bodies? Does a Christian have an obligation to God regarding caring for his flesh, or is a Christian free to decide what he will do to his flesh?
3. If the body is the temple of God, what do you think of the analogy of a tattooed body being like a temple with graffiti on its walls?
4. There is some evidence tattoos can have negative consequences on one's health*—enough evidence for some states and local communities to have regulations for tattooing facilities, and enough evidence to raise concerns by the European Commission. Is taking unnecessary risks to our health showing proper care for the temple of the Holy Spirit? Why or why not?
* Carolyn Chambers Clark, RN, EdD ( BellaOnline's Holistic Health Editor) lists among the "most common adverse effects of tattoos":
1. Hypersensitivity to the red dye, cinnabar which contains mercury (a known brain contaminant).
2. Photosensitivity to the yellow pigment, cadmium (another toxic metal).
3. Uptake of tattoo pigments by the lymph nodes has been documented, but the long-term effects are unknown.
4. Reports of transmission of syphilis and cutaneous tuberculosis have occurred.
5. Rare complications may include malignant malanomas, basal cell carcinomas, and granulomas at the design site.
6. The most well-known infection from tattooing is hepatitis, which has been transmitted from tattoos. In one study, tattooing accounted for 41% of hepatitis C infections.
(Source: http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art20387.asp)
Think positive
1 CORINTHIANS 10:31 — "…whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."
1. In light of Leviticus 19:28 (quoted above), do you believe God is glorified by having a tattoo?
2. Who should we try in all things to please?
3. Instead of thinking negatively of what one can't do, think about how a person can apply this principle (doing all to God's glory) positively. That is, what are some things a person could do to glorify God in one's: Appearance, Dress, Body and Attitude
Summary
1. What is the popular opinion among your peers regarding tattoos?
2. Characterize God's point of view of tattoos based upon what you've learned from the Bible.
3. If a friend asked you for advice concerning whether he or she ought to get a tattoo, what would you say?

Related Online Resources
Bible FAQ: What does the Bible say about getting tattoos?Is there a relation between the ritual tattoos of ancient times and the "body art" of today? What biblical principles apply to deciding whether to get a tattoo or not?
Leave a Permanent MarkWhat's up with tattoos?