Germany and Spain speech laws: A second ‘Spanish Inquisition’? Pope Francis on ‘Fake News’?
Coat of Arms for the Spanish Inquisition
There are concerns about surveillance and anti-speech laws in Germany and Spain:
30 January 2018
Germany’s Constitutional Court is reviewing the legality of the government’s surveillance capabilities, after several journalists and rights activists lodged a complaint arguing that the law allows for the “virtually unrestricted” monitoring of foreign reporters. …
As the law stands, journalists are technically no longer able to guarantee the protection of their source’s identity, Überall added. …
Sweeping new surveillance laws were passed by the Bundestag in October 2016. The reforms were drafted to explicitly allow the BND to direct espionage operations at EU institutions and other EU member states, provided they are aimed at gathering “information of significance for [Germany’s] foreign policy and security.” http://www.dw.com/en/journalists-go-to-court-over-germanys-unrestrictive-surveillance-laws/a-42365130
German social media platforms are censoring legitimate content, including an image by an award-winning artist. Critics say Germany’s much-lauded “lex Facebook” law encourages “overblocking.” …
“Employees of private companies are making snap decisions on behalf of Facebook and Instagram and don’t even provide any rationale,” wrote “Barbara” on Facebook. “I think this is more than a threat to Internet freedom. From my perspective, it’s being ruined.” …
The law was passed during the last legislative period of 2017 as a way of combating hate speech and other objectionable content, and it initially drew some rave reviews, especially abroad. The Atlantic magazine even suggested that it had the potential to “fix Facebook.” But now, scarcely more than two weeks after the so-called “lex Facebook” came into force at the start of 2018, many people say it’s a flop. …
Opposition politicians are far more confident that such“overblocking” is indeed a direct consequence of what they criticize as a poorly written piece of legislation.
“This illustrates the problems that crop up when service providers take such decisions on tight deadlines, especially with difficult evaluative questions, such as how to treat satire,” Petra Sitte of the Left Party told DW. …
“Everyone who familiarized himself with the law knew that there would be a lot of collateral damage for freedom of speech,” Heidrich says. “In my opinion, NetzDG is a poor and misguided piece of legislation that definitely should be repealed. It’s counterproductive to create so much pressure.” 01/15/18 http://www.dw.com/en/facebook-slammed-for-censoring-german-street-artist/a-42155218
Before getting to Spain, let me add here that the infamous Spanish Inquisition blocked legitimate speech and involved torture to get sources of information. Now they have laws using legal threats, like fines, in Germany.
Notice a headline related to Spain:
January 30, 2018
Inquisition 2.0? Spanish Government Arrests Catalan-Based Critic Using “Hate-Speech Law”
Spain’s government has gotten into the business of regulating speech with predictably awful results. An early adopter of Blues Lives Matter-esque policies, Spain went full police state, passing a law making it a crime to show “disrespect” to law enforcement officers.
The predictable result? The arrest of someone for calling cops “slackers” in a Facebook post.
Spain’s government is either woefully unaware of the negative consequences of laws like this or, worse, likes the negative consequences. After all, it doesn’t hurt Spain’s government beyond a little reputational damage. It only hurts residents of Spain.
When you’re already unpopular, thanks to laws like these and suppression of a Catalan independence vote, what difference does it make if you’re known better for shutting down dissent than actually protecting citizens from hateful speech?https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-01-29/inquisition-20-spanish-government-arrests-catalan-based-critic-using-hate-speech
More and more Western governments are restricting speech.
While you may not think that this could affect you, consider the following poem by Martin Niemöller:
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
Martin Niemöller (1892–1984) was a prominent Protestant pastor who emerged as an outspoken public foe of Adolf Hitler and spent the last seven years of Nazi rule in concentration camps.
It was not just Adolf Hitler’s regime that restricted speech and arrested dissenters.
Although you might think that if you have done nothing wrong, you have nothing to fear from surveillance or speech restrictions, consider that many in the governments of the West consider that those not supporting homosexual marriages, etc. are extremist. I also saw someone once on a documentary that stated that people who believed in the millennium could not be trusted and should be considered as potential terrorists. The fact that we in the Continuing Church of God would be considered pacifists, does not change the fact that, since we hold to millennial and other biblical views, we can be improperly classified as extremist by government employees with various agendas. Having biblical views are becoming more problematic in the world (see ZH: Germany has killed freedom of speech and expects the rest of the EU to do the same). Canada does not want certain biblical verses to even be quoted (watch Canadian censoring of the Bible).
While the Europeans and North Americans decry internet and speech restrictions in various countries in Asia and Africa, they are also implementing restrictions themselves.
The West tends to be more subtle about it–at least for now.
Consider also the following related to Pope Francis:
Pope Francis has called for a “journalism for peace” in response to the threat of fake news, which “thrives on the absence of healthy confrontation with other sources of information.”‘
The Pope on Jan. 24 released his message for World Communications Day, which is held annually on the Sunday before Pentecost, falling this year on May 13. …
In Pope Francis’ message, he explores what makes fake news ‘fake’, how to recognize it, truth as an antidote, and how a “journalism for peace” takes people as its focus, says Vatican News.
“In today’s fast-changing world of communications and digital systems, we are witnessing the spread of what has come to be known as ‘fake news,’
“This calls for reflection, which is why I have decided to return in this World Communications Day Message to the issue of truth, which was raised time and time again by my predecessors, beginning with Pope Paul VI.”
He notes that the term “fake news” has been the object of great discussion and debate and that it usually refers to the spreading of disinformation on line or in the traditional media.
“It has to do with false information based on non-existent or distorted data meant to deceive and manipulate the reader. Spreading fake news can serve to advance specific goals, influence political decisions, and serve economic interests,” says the pontiff. …
“The ability to spread such fake news often relies on a manipulative use of the social networks and the way they function. Untrue stories can spread so quickly that even authoritative denials fail to contain the damage,” says Pope Francis. 01/24/18 http://www.ecumenicalnews.com/article/threat-of-fake-news-is-focus-of-pope-francis-2018-world-communications-day-message/60491.htm
In the past, the Church of Rome considered those who correctly did not consider that it taught biblical Christianity to be spreaders of lies–fake news!
The fact that Pope Francis called for “journalism for peace” is particularly disturbing from a prophetic perspective.
Why?
Well, it is not that journalists should be advocating for war, but the fact that the Bible warns:
1 Cry aloud, spare not; Lift up your voice like a trumpet; Tell My people their transgression, And the house of Jacob their sins. (Isaiah 58:1)
And that warning includes prophecies of sudden destruction:
3 For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.(1 Thessalonians 5:3)
It will be fake news from journalists and government leaders that will mislead people about coming wars and devastation!
The Church of Rome, under the symbol of the cross, has persecuted those that ‘cry aloud’ in the past.
The Bible warns about a persecuting church and state alliance in Revelation 13 and Revelation 17. Notice also something that the prophet Daniel was inspired to write:
25 He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, Shall persecute the saints of the Most High, And shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand For a time and times and half a time. (Daniel 7:25)
That is not ‘fake news.’
Furthermore, perhaps I should add that certain Catholic writings support that the time will come when those that wear crosses will persecute those that do not. Actually, that is one of the items covered in our latest video:
‘The Catholic Encyclopedia’ reported that in the first millennium of the Christian era, there were those who consider that the ‘cross’ would be the ‘mark of the beast.’ Is this too far-fetched to be possible now? As it turns out, in the 21st century, the World Council of Churches, the Vatican, and the Lutheran have embraced the ‘Lund Cross,’ also known as the Salvadoran cross for purposes of ecumenical unity. Furthermore, writings by various Catholic saints and some claiming to see Marian apparitions have pointed to a group that will wear some type of cross to persecute those that do not in the end times. Is the cross an original symbol that early Christians venerated? Could a cross be ‘a’ or ‘the’ mark of the beast or final Antichrist? Dr. Thiel addresses this as well as other aspects of the ecumenical agenda.
Here is a link to our video: Beware of the ‘Ecumenical Cross.’
Pope Francis’ comments about ‘fake news’ and ‘journalism for peace’ are consistent with the intent to suppress the truth in the future.
Teaching what the Bible says about this Beast of Revelation and the King of the North leader will likely be considered as a ‘conspiracy theory’ and/or ‘fake news.’ Teaching the truths about what will be happening will trigger the prophesied famine of the word (cf. Amos 8:11-12; see also Preparing for the ‘Short Work’ and The Famine of the Word).
As far as the actual Spanish Inquisition goes, the Continuing Church of God has this sermon on its ContinuingCOG channel:
1:28:34
According to Roman Catholic sources, the Inquisition was started by Pope Lucius III in 1184. In the next century, Pope Innocent IV officially authorized inquisitors to use torture. This video was shot in Europe and includes night scenes from Barcelona, Spain. The Spanish Inquisition, early Roman Empire persecutions, and Protestant persecutions are discussed. Antisemitism in Sweden and modern speech restrictions are also discussed. What is “The Truth about the Spanish Inquisition?” What were the type of torture and execution used? What about property confiscation? Does any of this tie in with Revelation 17? What doctrines have Christians been persecuted for? Will Christians be persecuted in the future for holding to original Christian teachings?
Here is a link to the video sermon: The Past and Future Inquisition.
More speech restrictions and persecutions are coming (cf. Revelation 13).
We continue to see steps to promote and lead to more of them now.
Some items of possibly related interest may include:
The Spanish Inquisition and Early Protestant Persecutions Was the Church of Rome really responsible for this? What happened? Here is a link to a related video sermon: The Past and Future Inquisition.
Persecutions by Church and State This article documents some that have occurred against those associated with the COGs and some prophesied to occur. Will those with the cross be the persecutors or the persecuted–this article has the shocking answer. There is also a YouTube video sermon you can watch: The Coming Persecution of the Church. Here is information in the Spanish language: Persecuciones de la Iglesia y el Estado.
What is the Origin of the Cross as a ‘Christian’ Symbol? Was the cross used as a venerated symbol by the early Church? Two related YouTube videos would be Beware of the ‘Ecumenical Cross’ and Origin of the Cross.
Preparing for the ‘Short Work’ and The Famine of the Word What is the ‘short work’ of Romans 9:28? Who is preparing for it? Here is a link to a related video sermon titled: The Short Work.
The Final Phase of the Work What is the final phase of the work? Who will lead it? Do you have the courage to support it? Here is a related YouTube video titled The Final Phase of the Work. The written article has been translated into Spanish La Fase Final de la Obra.
Pope Francis: Could this Marian Focused Pontiff be Fulfilling Prophecy? Pope Francis has taken many steps to turn people more towards his version of ‘Mary.’ Could this be consistent with biblical and Catholic prophecies? This article documents what has been happening. There is also a video version titled Pope Francis: Could this Marian Focused Pontiff be Fulfilling Prophecy?
The Last Pope: Do Biblical and Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Francis? Kindle This electronic version of a new 186 page book (in the print version). And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to The Last Pope: Do Biblical and Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Francis? Kindle.
The Last Pope: Do Biblical and Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Francis? What does the Bible say about a pope near this time? Is the final pope to be an antipope and antichrist? Does Catholic prophecy point to Pope Francis as being the dreaded “Peter the Roma”? This 186 page book provides information and answers. This book is available for USD$9.98 in printed form The Last Pope: Do Biblical and Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Francis?
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2018, 2019, or 2020? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000? Here is a version of the article in the Spanish language: ¿Puede comenzar la Gran Tribulación en 2018 o 2019? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? You can also see the English language sermon videos: The Great Tribulation from the Mount of Olives and Can the Great Tribulation begin before 2020? A shorter video is: Can the Great Tribulation begin in 2018?
The Times of the Gentiles Has there been more than one time of the Gentiles? Are we in it now or in the time of Anglo-America? What will the final time of the Gentiles be like? A related sermon is available and is titled: The Times of the Gentiles.
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? Does God have 7,000 year plan? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 2026 or 20xx? There is also a video titled The 6000 Year Plan: Is the end of humanity’s reign almost up?
 |
Tweet |
|