CONTENTION: Issue 1

CONTENTION

By Fire and Sword..

Editor’s Space/Introduction

Reason for Publication: Freedom of Press and the unavailability of raw, real, unadulteratedTruth. I hate political and religious correctness. It is high-time to change and bring balance to the conversations we have. I am a fully unapologetic apologist. I speakTruth! Furthermore, I need no pleasantries, just the TRUTH. My inspiration is Ellen White’s husband, James White. That guy had to endure great distress and pains to get the word out. If he could do it, then I can do it easily in the digital world. Small at first, and then as Lord permit, will enlarge. Jesus is God!

Writing style and me: I write what I feel like writing. I don’t bother too much about grammatical perfection and style. I am an emotional writer. Likewise, I write what I feel. Though, I don’t like too much abstract thinking, nor do I like too much emotional outburst. I like moderation in writing. Facts with intellectual discretion and soundness. Also, it is a good therapeutic way to release frustrations about myself, the world and God. Good remedial technique.Apologies, beforehand. I will use profanity, like the B-word and dog, frequently. But to preserve the atmosphere of intellectual monologue, I will use dashed lines (_) instead of profanity. Many apologies. In addition, I will only use theAuthorized King James Version Bible. I like it, and consider it the best of all the available Protestant versions. Thank you, God!

Contention Phrase: By Fire and Sword… is taken from Isaiah 66:16.The Lord Jesus Christ will avenge His servants. Will utterly destroy and lay waste to the wicked and their lands.There will be no descendants for those who will follow to disobey the Will of Heaven.

Release Timeline: Monthly (I’ll try).

Editors: Mike J. Raj and word processor.

Financial Support and inquiries (more than welcome): rajZ7ZmikeZ@gmail.com [spam proofing, just remove the Zs and join the rest from the email].

Distribution:To all who want to read about the modern SDAmindset. So, please do share and support me.Thanks!

Website: soncares.us

References: Numbered usingAM style (AMerican Format): Why do I use such a bizarre format, and distancing and denouncingAPAand other standardized formats? Why? Because all of it is plain trash. That is why. We should be concerned about what the content should be, and less on the form and style of it. I use the Keep It Simple Silly (KISS) form.

1. Name ofAuthor. Date of publication. Title (plus page number). DOI & website.

Questions to the Church Hierarchy?

Forwarded to the Chief Pastor of Pioneer Memorial Church. It is HE, who should answer these questions, on the pulpit. Be bold, and truthful. [His reply was, speak for yourself. So, I started a new magazine. Contention. To discuss issues that pertain to the modernAdventists.]

1. On the issue of Homosexuality. Does the Church condemn it or condone it? Will the Church accept me if I desire little girls? What if it were boys? Dogs? Cars? Airplanes!! Where does it stop?

2. Church governance. Isn’t it time to change the structure of the Church. From the General Conference to a WorldAdventist Congress. Gathering every 3 years, and the leaders selected for that timeframe.

3. Remove 501(c)(3) tax exemption status. Our Lord Christ Jesus, He Himself, gave tithe to the government in the form of taxes. We should remove this concept of “tax exemption,” clearly it is satanic.

4. On the issue of independent ministries. Can it be done or not? Does the Church have power over the laity, on how we should do ministry?

5. Does the SDAChurch have communion with the roman catholic church? Do we recognize theApostolic authority of the pope?

6. Why is the writing of the Prophetess, Ellen White, being changed to suit the desire of the leadership? Why change, summarize, or create an abridged version? Why? Does she offend the unrighteous?

7. When will the Church start thinking independently? When will we have a financial institution to help ourselves? Like a credit card company, and a credit union? Financial Freedom!

8. Our institutions are being corrupted. In India, hear-say suggests something so grave.They are selling Church properties, through friendly intermediaries, and receiving kick-backs.These same pastors are sending their families to developed nations, and receiving the benefits of peace, while Christians are under assault there. Very immoral, and wicked. In anAfrican nation, there was this incident of a Black Pastor killing a Church member for disclosing his illicit adulterous relationship. We need righteous Pastors and Leaders. It is time to remove the old, decayed and unfruitful branches, and even some trees.Amen! New Leadership!Amen!

9. How much does our Church have? Do I, as a member, get to see the financials of the Church? Who does the audit? Does the Church allow independent auditing of its financials? Why the secrecy and opaqueness?

10. On the condemnation of the wicked Democratic Party for supporting abortion, why doesn’t the Church speak out? On the issue of abortion, where does the Church stand?

11.On the issue of illegal immigration, where does the Church stand? Illegality is illegality! First, White Protestant Christian Nation. Second, Constitutionally Federated Republic. Why doesn't the Church lament the destruction of a Protestant nation, by the influx of satanically driven catholic latinos and other

destructive and abusive people groups? Why can’t the righteous White Protestants live? Why?

12.Regarding Israel, where do we as a Church stand?Also, with the jews, and Jerusalem?

Church: Good God! What the Heck is that?

Freedom of Choice must be up-holded. This is because, Orthodox Church in Kerala, India and theAssyrian Orthodox Church (inAustralia) were split due to all the introduction of divisiveness (especially to have a strong communion with papacy). This led to the splitting of the Churches there. We must be cautious. We must always retain/keep the money bag/treasure chest. It is ours. There is a vile fifth column, who seeks to usurp power from the Righteous, and lay at the feet of the man of sin. I can’t, in good conscience, agree to this. I will not heed nor kneel before that man of sin. Never!

My Church is no whore. Freedom!

Based Reference: SDAGC Constitution and Bylaws, 59th Session, Revision 2010. These don’t change often, there is a 2015 version. Very much similar, may have slight differences. No major change.

1. Change viva-voice vote and show of hands vote, to recorded vote. Include name, profession, date, jurisdiction, and subdivision (conference name). Ballots must be saved and be available for all in electronic format. Electronic format makes it ideal for all of us to see exactly who voted for whom readily.

2. Change quinquennial (5 years) session to triennial (3 years) session.

3. All Pastors in good-standing should be able to vote directly in Church affairs. In absentia (through online) or in person. No tithing or taxing without representation and accountability. Never!

4. No reduction in delegates. We don’t want to be underrepresented in the Church.

5. Regular delegates have to be Pastors in good-standing. While Delegates at large can be SDAmembers. For laity and for the Pastoral shepherds, ID should be required. We need proof that no outsider can influence the affairs of the Church.

6. Article 5, Section 6, para h must be removed or at least altered. Conferences and the like should have their representatives promoted or seated in GC. That is the basic premise of democratic institutions. The Church is basically an association of believers who manage through democratic means. We want theApostolic Church back, with its Spirit and Management (Jesus).

7. No corporation, it undermines the democratic values.

8. Delegate allocation or placement is Bologna. We need a better system. Let’s adopt the Legislature style of the US Constitution. With the Senate consisting of all the Pastors in good standing, and the House of Representatives with Church believers as elected representatives. None of those elected must have a criminal background (not necessarily a criminal record). Must be married, must have children (to show they are fruitful), and must be SDAin good-standing and in good-faith.

9. Please — create a suitable graph or map to illustrate your point. How the worldwide Church is arranged, governed, managed, and situated. Laity education!

10.The great gathering of SDAshould last for at least a month. We need that time to discuss and debate the much overlooked issues.

11.Article 5, Sec 10 should be removed.Anyone who is an SDAin good-standing should be able to attend.

12.Article 5, Sec 11, para a should be removed. IF you are not an SDA, whether it be 5 minutes before or during the conference, you should not be able to vote or voice your concerns. Period!

13.We need to bring transparency to the Church.All financial details pertaining to the Lake Union Conference and GC must be available for me to review and do an audit. It is my Church, and not the whore of babylon.

14.All elected members must be new. We want and need fresh hot blood in the Church. We want the democratic transition to engulf the entireAdventist World. Amen and amen! We want this to be included inArticle 8.

15.We want the Church to establish credit unions in each Conference. That way, we can become financially free and independent. We want prosperity!Amen!

16.Allow independent ministries. Thus ensuring Freedom of speech and Freedom of movement. Set criteria that those wanting to engage in independent ministries can follow

17.Article XI must be removed. SDAis an association of believers. No corporation is needed to enforce and carry out its labors. We just need an association. No corporation, period!The business and the like can have LLC instead of corporations, and no Church can claim itself to be a corporation. Or the corpus (body) of the state. We are the Bride of Christ, and not the necromancy resurrection power of the state.

18.Article XII must be changed from ⅔ majority (.66), to ¾ majority (.75). We want a true majority to direct the affairs of the Church, and not just majority

19.Article XIII is not in conformity with democratic principles. Must be changed.All assets must be turned over to the independent Conferences, including the liabilities. Divided equally, between equal partners. GC is a body created for the benefit of the SDAorganic (people power) Church and its institutions. This clearly violates the US Constitution and Land statutes. [See dissolution law]

20.Article XIV must be changed from ⅔ to ¾ majority.

21.BylawsArticle 2 on the session committee. Who appoints these committees? What criteria is set? How many members comprise each committee? How many committees are allowed? What is the time allotted for their function? Who do they respond to (GC)?The chair of each of these committees should be given to each Division. We don’t want to be stage-managed. Thank you! Committees bring in reports and recommendations, and so it is obvious that those chairing the committee must be from Christian Protestant Nations.Amen!

22.All committee members must be appointed and selected from Conferences. Let democracy rule. No GC members or appointed officials allowed in committee formation and rule and recommendation and report making process.

23.Article III, section 4 (GC vice-presidents) must be revised. Vice-presents should not hold any official position outside GC. They must not hold or have power over the functioning of any Divisions. This is not a government, but a Church.A freaking Church. For God’s sake!

24.Article IV (under-sec) section 3. Limit inter-division employees to companies and institutions.And no more moving people around. We want stability. We want to manage our own affairs.You can’t bring in foreigners anymore to do our work. This is clearly undemocratic, and violates the core principle of association of believers.

25.No Church official or employee can occupy two positions of power and authority, except during sessions of GC, and that too with limitation and supervision. We don’t want autocratic rule. On the issue of technicality, legality can’t be overruled. Law is Law! Division of power and labor Basic concepts!

26.Article V of the bylaws, section 1.Any financial transaction requires the signature of all persons in the position of treasurer. Including,Treasurer, under-treasures, and all associate treasures. No compromise!

27.There needs to be an independent Trust who oversees (audit, accounting, and review) the financial affairs of the whole SDAChurch.All the documents and reports must be made public or made available to all SDAmembers in good-standing.

28.Why do we need non-SDA’s members working for the Church? Don’t we have enough people to do such work? We have more than ~10 million members. No non-SDAmembers allowed in the functioning and maintenance of the World-wide Church.Are we engaged in engineering, or some abstract science? We have plenty of people to do that.Article VIII, Sec 2, para b.

29.Article VIII, Sec 2. The GCAuditing service Board may not contain President, vice-president, and treasurer. It must contain non-executive GC members. We

want horizontal power distribution, not vertical power consolidation. If you are President, Vice-President and or in the Treasure offices, you have more power, influence, and say in Church affairs.This is wrong!They are men, not gods. It is just an office, not an anointing. Remember that!

30.All the Power in the SDAChurch is vested in one committee, and that of GC Executive Committee.And all Power and Grace and Influence given to one man, the President of the GC. This is very unnatural and worrisome. No position, person, office, anointing, calling, and investiture should have this much power and influence over any organization or association.Amen and amen!

31.No association must be controlled by GC, its Executive Committee or its President.Associations must be free to engage with the world.Associations are made of SDAmembers in good standing, and if that is the case, then why should GC have dominion over them.Article X

32.Article XIII. There should not be a standing GC Executive Committee, instead it should be composed of ad hoc committee members. Each taken from different Union Conferences. Each given a set time to rule and govern the World-wide Church of the Lord Jesus Christ.Atime of 1 year (Hebrew calendar). Must compose of no less than 30 members. Let’s democratize the Church.Too much consolidated power in one Committee. Reminds me of communist party.

33.There must be a separate committee for Discipline and Discipleship. Because both need to go together. God loves us, for He corrects us. Let us show mercy to those who need mercy

34.Article XIII, Sec 2, para a must be changed fromAnnual gathering/meetings every quarterly (3 months). GC should meet more often to discuss more issues and address concerns of the Worldwide Church.

35. Article XIII, Sec 4.Abare minimum of 30 member GC Executive Committee are needed to function, or it lacks the disposition of democratic nature.

36. Minutes, audio and video recording of GC meetings, including those of the Executive Committee, be made available to all Union Conferences and Divisions.

37.Article XIV does pertain to the future disarray of the Church. It is an inverted power structure. Democratic means of preserving the Peace of the Church. Section 1 clearly demonstrates this.

38. Article XIV, Section 4.ADivisional Executive Committee must consist of at least (quorum) of 30 members. Each from different regions of the Division, from among the Union Conferences.

39.Article XV. General Conference Corporation must be dissolved. No corporation, but an association ofAll Believers.Amen and amen!

40.Article XVI.There must be another GC committee dedicated to the welfare of employees and remuneration, pensions, and so forth (HR work).

41.The formations of Divisions are needles and wasteful. The bureaucratic machinery is wasteful, useless, and limits democratic participation. Remove Divisions, we have Union Conferences. That is plenty enough. Remove the needless interphase. I work with systems, and interactions. No more useless segmentation of the Worldwide Church.

42.Article XVII. GC funds must be used up. Follow the 9/10 rule. 9/10 of the money received must be used up for Church affairs. It is the Union Conferences that should save money, and not the GC.Also, only 10% of Union Conference funds should be given to GC. The amount of money received by GC must be curtailed, and the number of people working in GC must not exceed 300. The 300 of which should be acceptable and from different Union Conferences. We want democratic change. Jesus is God!

43.Article XIX. GC should have an appropriation committee, instead of a GC Executive Committee. Division of power and labor

44.Article XX. Money bag of the Church must be held by Union Conferences.And not by GC, nor its auxiliaries. Union Conferences must have credit unions to protect its assets, and must create LLC to employ and do business dealings/transactions/work.

45.The logic ofArticle XX, section 2 is questionable.

46.Article XXI is a total, complete, unabashed affront to the morals of the Christian Faith. We will follow Law, especially laws of the nations, as complying with the Law of God. We should not indemnify anyone. Then why shouldn’t you indemnify SDAmembers? Can’t they do that? Why just the GC people, and why not local, conference, Union Conference, and divisional people? What is the meaning of this? Indemnity! Means protection.Are we back to the Middle-age where priesthood carried certain privileges, exemptions, and power? Everyone should be equal before the Law. No indemnity. Criminal negligence should be prosecuted.The Church will not allow criminality in its premises. Never!Amen!

Excerpt from my Book (Law and Power: To Uphold Justice)

Correlation vs Causation

Correlation does not imply causation. This is a famous phrase made known to the world, I believe, in a 2010 article. I don’t agree with this phrasing. Correlation does notALWAYS imply/ or mean causation. This phrasing is much better, and valid. Correlation, it, always needs to be made available and coupled with causation. Without correlation, it is impossible to identify causation. Without correlation, it wouldn’t make any sense, nor the causation be revealed to the observer. Doubt it!Then check how scientific validation and mechanism works. Check it out!

1. One closed system. Whole, closed system, like a planet. Every event is somewhat related.

2. Correlation but delayed performance, due to the feedback mechanism (short or long). Iris effect, automatic response of the planet to changing temperature. Oscillation issue, not consistently correlated/related.

3. Correlated, but is not readily observed. Horizontal correlation. Created by the same cause, but distinctive.

4. Correlates, but is/are not highly interwoven/related. Vertical correlation.

5. Interlinking is weak, and barely correlated. Vertical correlation with many blocks (large separation).

6. Correlates, but the priority of value or desirability is small and insignificant. The person finds the correlation uninteresting and unsuitable.

Dan’s Law of Randomness

There is no true randomness. Randomness is not equal to infinite. Why is it so? [Does Chance have a chance?]

1. Randomness is created by intelligent observation and clever manipulation of mathematical mechanisms. It does not appear and seems to generate /create itself. Without intelligence, there is no truce randomness. Even if something like weight, light, intensity, form, size, speed, and position, and all life forms were numbers and given to “randomness,” then who selects the number? Is the selection random? What if an algorithm is used? Doesn’t it follow a given specification or instructional set? Is it random? There is no true randomness. Everything observed, selected, used, modified, and applied is selection. There is no chance, and thus there is only selection. Selection and not “chance.”

2. Probability, possibility, and plausibility. Chance is not probably, possible or even plausible. Selection is probable, possible, and plausible. Chance, if true can’t be calculated, is invalid, irrelevant and impossible to know and differentiate. True chance can’t be computed (nor compounded). Chance implies randomness, and if true random then no probability, possibility, and plausibility can be achieved. Probability, possibility and plausibility implies and requires order and selection. Go check your statistics book. It requires data sets, order, selection, and above all proper computational analysis tools. Without which no calculation be made. Probability, possibility and plausibility is the science of order, selection and manipulation, and definitely not chance and disorder All these, order, selection and manipulation requires intelligence and critical thinking. Not the

intelligence of a cockroach, but a higher functional and fluid mind. Chance and disorder are invalid and incomprehensible to the study of probability (stats). These are the criteria for randomness

1. Need to be in existence. Form, function, beauty or something -------- anything.

2. Need to first have order, then selection, manipulation, and then build (calculation). What do you select? For randomness ----- if it can’t be detected, known, or seen in a sensible way.The selection needs to make sense. How can you select a particle of a molecule/ drop of water in a glass of water? How? It needs to be easily distinguishable, or won’t work.

3. Mechanism of selection that is valid and relevant for the process. For random selection involving apples, you can’t choose oranges or tomatoes. It can’t, wouldn’t and won’t work. It must have some sort of similarity to function. That would be silly if one were to compare and contrast, and use in place matter for energy, and vice versa. It won’t work!

4. Intelligence or something or someone that needs to select this randomness. Who does the randomness-match/selection?

5. The mechanism of randomness must be exact, and must follow rules of probability. Rules of probability need selection, and order the very least. Beat that!

Exercise of the mind: What is the probability of H2O formation after creation or evolution?

H2O: comprising 2 H atoms and 1 O atom. Necessary for the survival of all creation on planet earth.

There are approximately 90 viable earth bound elements in nature. These are found in nature, and are not man-made. Out of those 90, we will deal with just 26, until Fe (Iron).This is because scientists claim that Fe is found in the inner core of stars, and that is the last elemental form, which is sure of formation. Total number of elements to deal with: 26. How many atoms or placements to pick, 3. Let's begin!

1/26 + 1/26+ 1/26 = ? or is it 3^26 ?

But before that, what are the necessary steps needed for this calculation.

Probability of:

1. Presence (availability).This is the probability most folks think of.

2. Characteristics (chemical functionality). It needs to be useful.

3. Viability (chemically viable). It needs to have proper energy utilization.

4. Suitability (chemically suitable, doesn’t destroy life).

5. Relevance (biologically, needs to be relevant to life).

I will introduce a different example to make it easier for comprehension. Let's see what it takes to get a young man married. Let’s go!

1. Presence = needs to be a woman.

2. Characteristics = need to be a brown woman.

3. Viability = can’t be a giant brown woman.

4. Suitability = woman needs to like the young man.

5. Relevance = the young man needs to like the woman.

These are the criteria that needs to be for a young man to marry. So, the question. How easy is it to create a molecule, known to function as a foundational stone for biological life. How hard can it be?

Sinner’sPrayer

BythePoweroftheAlmighty!Ihumblyask thatallmysins,knownandunknownbe forgiveneternallyinLordChristJesus.Heis theonethatIbelieveinnowandforevermore. Jesus,helpmetostartanew,asanewcreation inYou.Leadandguidemehenceforth.Protect meandallthatareinmypossession.Remove allcovenants,soul-ties,andaltarsfrommy bloodlines.FrommyFather’sbloodlineandas wellasmyMother’sbloodline.Igivemyself, myhousehold,andallmygenerationsinto Yournail-piercedhands.Jesuscleansemeby Yourpreciousblood.Letmebebaptizedin thenameoftheFatherGod,LordJesusChrist, andtheHolySpirit.AmenandAmen!