LETTERS 2001/2

Reverend Kelso makes a point of writing to both local and national press and our government on issues within our society that have an effect on our faith.

This page contains letters written between 2001 and 2002

Family and society
Harry Potter
Paganism
Anti-terrorism Bill
Relationship (Civil Registration) Bill
Persecution of Indonesian Christians
Middle Eastern Peace Process
Christadelphianism
September 11th 2001 Terrorist Attacks on the US

23rd September, 2002

Dear Jacqui,

I write to you with concern as a parent and as a minister of a local church serving a community and a town with regard to the progressive disintegration of the family.

As I am sure you are aware, statistically children from single-parent households are more likely than those in traditional two-parent families to suffer deprivation and ill-health, to get into trouble at school, suffer physical and sexual abuse, drink, take drugs and commit crime, and become teenage parents.

Family and society are indissolubly linked. The family has to be upheld if we want a society worthy of the name. This government has failed the nation because it has conducted a remorseless vendetta against the two-parent family which is the foundation of a stable society.

Instead of finding ways to tackle fatherlessness, to encourage marriage and parenthood, both financially and emotionally, and address the sexual exploitation of young children this government seeks to relax drugs laws, repeal Section 28, encourage one parent families, make divorce easier and bend over backwards to appease militant interest groups who press their "rights" agenda. The result? A socially destructive and amoral vacuum.

Many law-abiding citizens believed that the Labour party under Tony Blair would really address the issues of family and society. But time and time again this government has failed to do so.

The liberal values sown are reaping a whirlwind of destruction. For goodness sake wake up and have the courage to address this issue before it's too late. All too easily the legacy of your political life will be broken homes, destroyed childhoods and a society in turmoil. I am sure this is not what you want.

Where are the men and women of calibre in politics who will say "Yes" to family and marriage and parenthood and be willing to swim against the damaging "liberal" tide that has crept across this country?

Where are the politicians with the courage to campaign against the policy on asylum seekers that is so soft and is exasperating taxpaying citizens who are seeing so many people "milk the system"/ So many politicians are unwilling to do so for fear of being called racist which is quite ridiculous. Injustice is injustice irrespective of race.

It is time for men and women of integrity to stand up and be counted, to speak out in favour of biblical principals on family life and law and order and true justice.

Are you such a person? We sincerely pray that you will be.

Yours sincerely
Rev. Andy Kelso

Mrs. Jacqui Smith
Houses of Parliament
Westminster
London SW1A 0AA

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28th November, 2001

Dear Paul Walker,

Children's fantasy literature or evil looking innocent?

Over the last few years Hollywood has dramatised the occult and made it spectacular. Now the Harry Potter phenomenon has hit us and worldwide there are over 100 million books translated into 40 languages. The Warner Bros. film is the latest blockbuster and children are desperate to see it.

Many parents and teachers are thrilled their children actually want to read these books and so are encouraging them all they can. The question is: "Is Harry Potter harmless children's fantasy literature or something more evil?"

The author, J.K. Rowling, has a degree in mythology and researched heavily into all aspects of the occult for these books. Therefore the reader will find these occult themes and symbols occurring in Harry Potter: Meditation, Black Magic, Curses and Spells, Divination and Sorcery, Occult Symbols, Reincarnation, Demon possession, Seasonal/Nature celebrations, Communing with the dead, Shape changing and the tools of Witchcraft.

J.K. Rowling has stated that the books are moral. Really? What kind of morals are being applauded? Harry is rewarded when he lies or does something wrong. Hermione, who starts off as a "goody two shoes", lies in order to become one of the team. Are these good role models for our children? An eleven year old girl possessed by the evil Voldemort kills on Halloween and doesn't know why. And children are writing in to say that they want to become witches and wizards and learn to cast spells to get their own back. Is this the fruit we want to see in our children's lives?

The idea is that Harry represents white magic and Voldemort represents black magic, but the secret source of their power, feathers from the Phoenix bird, is the same.

What is actually happening through the Harry Potter books and film is that witchcraft is being made very appealing to children and young people. Excited by the books and film they are encouraged to visit the Warner Bros. web site page. Through this they can then access lots of occult web sites and learn how to cast real spells and learn more about occult practices. This is SO dangerous because there is power in the occult, but it's evil power that will seek to control a person, leading them into all sorts of addictions. You think you're in control, but you end up being controlled.

There is a big rise in witchcraft, the occult and paganism. Wicca is a recognised religion in the U.S.A. with its own chaplains to the armed forces. Behind it all is Satan, the archenemy of God, who delights in deception and lies, and wants to pervert the lives of our children. The only power that is greater is that of Jesus Christ, which is why we need to teach our children the truths of the Christian faith and help them come to know God personally through a living relationship with Jesus.

In our largely secular, materialistic society the Bible and its teaching is frowned upon, and so we teach our children that there is no absolute truth. The result is that our schools are increasingly violent and respect for those in authority is ridiculed. Marriage between a man and a woman is now seen as only one option amongst various life-styles. Society is increasingly fragmented, abortion is seen as birth control and parliament debates which drugs to legalise.

Is it any wonder that this scenario is meat and drink to Satan and the occult realm? Is this seriously what we want our children to inherit from us?

I urge parents and teachers especially to heed this warning and to realise that the Harry Potter books and film are Satan's ploy to make evil look innocent.

For further information on the dangers of "Harry Potter" please contact Penfold Books, P.O. Box 25, Bicester, Oxfordshire, OX26 4GL. They do an excellent video called "Harry Potter: Witchcraft Repackaged".

Your sincerely
Rev. Andy Kelso
Vicar, Christ Church Matchborough

Paul Walker
Editor, The Redditch Advertiser

15th December, 2001

Dear Andrew,

In response to my comments on Harry Potter and the occult I would like to make the following points:

These comments of mine are not about condemnation of others, but of presenting the truth of Jesus.

Yours sincerely,

Rev. Andy Kelso

Andrew Powell
The Editor
The Redditch Standard

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21st November, 2001

Andrew Marshall of the Pagan Federation suggests the creation of a local inter-faith forum "to promote understanding and mutual respect between all faiths", presumably including paganism (Letters, November 14th).

The Lord of the Church is Jesus Christ. The lord of paganism is Satan.

I have no problem discussing issues of belief with Mr. Marshall on a one-to-one basis, but to suggest a forum where Christianity and paganism sit side by side only highlights the true spiritual state of our nation.

No doubt some liberal churchgoers will think it's a wonderful idea, all in the name of tolerance and multi-faith. But there's only one Saviour, who lived and died and rose again and that's Jesus Christ.

His birth, that we are soon to celebrate again, was unique. So was His life and death and resurrection. Because He is unique. He's God.

He longs for everyone to turn to Him to find forgiveness and life, whereas Satan would deceive people into following him in order to take as many as possible with him to Hell.

This is the choice that lies before each one of us.

Yours sincerely,

Rev. Andy Kelso
Winward Road, Matchborough

The Redditch Advertiser

December, 2001

In response to the letters about my comments on Paganism (Advertiser, November 28), I would like to make the following points.

He came among us as our Saviour because we need saving.

The uniqueness of Christianity is of the God who came to search for us who are lost. He went to the Cross to pay the penalty for our sins. That's how much He loves us.

He conquered death and is coming again as the Judge of every life. He offers forgiveness and eternal life to all those who receive Him as their Saviour and follow Him.

This is the Good News we all need to hear and respond to.

Rev. Andy Kelso
Winward Road, Matchborough

The Redditch Advertiser

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21st November, 2001

Dear Jacqui,

You said that you were pleased to get letters from your constituents and, as you can see, you're getting quite a few from Christ Church Matchborough! Obviously they're on issues we're deeply concerned about.

Thank you for your reply on the plight of Christians in Indonesia. I note your comment and disagreement with me on Islam but I beg to differ! I have quite a few Muslim friends so my argument is not with an individual person but what lies behind Islam. Are you aware that Mohammed himself stated: "The last hour will not come until the Muslims join together to kill all Jews"?

Behind Islam is a demonic principality. The hidden agenda of Islam is for the control of the nations through political power. Of course there are good, law-abiding Muslims who put many of us to shame through their hard work and commitment to family life, but I'm just trying to explain to you the power that lies behind Islam.

You mentioned actions committed by the I.R.A. in the name of religion, and "Christians" in Bosnia and Kosovo. They're both nationalistic groups with a tribal warfare mentality. There's nothing Christian about them.

We have Muslim friends in Turkey where we've been on holiday for the last three years. Knowing that I am a Church leader they have told me: "Andy, we like you and your family, but please don't come over here to start a church or we'll kill you." Now I don't want the Muslims to be building a new mosque in Redditch, but I'm not going to go and kill them about it you'll be pleased to hear! This is the difference Jacqui, and it's about the spirit that lies behind Islam which seeks to incite fear, hatred, bigotry and power.

So my concern in the Anti-Terrorism Bill is over what constitutes "religious hatred". It is unclear how the Government will distinguish in practice between the intention too offend and whether offence is taken.

For instance, we can hold an open-air service in the local Kingfisher Centre and I can perform a drama to get the Christian message across. My intention is to inform and proclaim the truth of Jesus Christ, but some people may be offended. Am I then guilty of stirring up religious hatred? It's unclear whether the interpretation of what constitutes "hatred" is to be left to the Courts. I ask you to urge the Home Secretary to give clear assurances that only the most serious cases will be taken forward, and that the courts will not entertain trivial, frivolous and malicious cases. I am concerned about the perceived threat to religious liberties and especially the freedom to express your faith and opposition to views you believe to be untrue without fear of prosecution.

Last week in the Redditch Advertiser a spokesman for the Pagan Federation wrote a leading letter urging a faith forum to get together including paganism. I wrote a letter back stating that although I would be happy to discuss issues of belief with this person, to think we can have a forum where Christianity and paganism sit side by side is ludicrous. The Lord of Christianity is Jesus Christ. The lord of paganism is Satan. Now under this proposed new bill I could be before the courts. These are the issues that concern me.

Thank you for your time reading this letter. Please be assured of our prayers.

Sincerely yours
Rev. Andy Kelso-Christ Church Matchborough

Mrs. Jacqui Smith M.P.
Copy to the Rt. Hon. David Blunkett M.P.
Houses of Parliament
London

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18th November, 2001

Dear Jacqui Smith,

I write to you with great concern over the proposed Relationship (Civil Registration) Bill due to be debated in the House of Commons on Friday 23rd November. If this Bill were to become law it would seriously undermine the institution of marriage. It will allow both same-sex and heterosexual cohabiting couples to have almost the same legal rights as married couples, without having to be married.

God ordained marriage to be the union of one man and one woman entered into for life to the exclusion of all others. When is a government, when is an M.P. going to take a stand for God's values in our land? We cannot expect His protection when we flout His laws so brazenly. Our children and our society are suffering as a result.

I urge you not to support this Bill. and others will be praying and fasting on Friday 23rd November that this proposed Bill will be defeated or will have insufficient time to be debated.

Please be assured of my prayers in your role as my Member of Parliament.

Yours sincerely,

Rev. Andy Kelso
Vicar, Christ Church Matchborough

Mrs. Jacqui Smith M.P.
Houses of Parliament
Westminster
London SW1A 0AA

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1st November, 2001

Dear Andy Simpson,

Islam prides itself on being a religion of peace but its true violent nature is emerging.

In Ambon, in Eastern Indonesia, over 10,000 Christians have been murdered by militant Muslims and thousands more forced to convert to Islam and undergo circumcision. The latter barbaric practice is forced on people, using no antiseptic, whilst the same filthy knife is used for hundreds of people.

Half a million Christians are living as refugees near to starvation because they dare not return to their homes. Whole islands have been "cleansed" of Christians - they have either fled or been murdered, or forcibly converted to Islam.

Now Christians in the Sulawesi province are being hounded by an Islamic Jihad army numbering 3,000. The Christians are holed up in the town of Tentena and fear for their lives. The leader of the Jihad forces in Ambon states: "We will have no reconciliation before all Christian infidels and their leaders are butchered and killed."

At least he's being honest to the true heart of Islam which wants to see all Christians and Jews wiped out. This is in line with Mohammed himself who said: "The last hour will not come until the Moslems join together to kill all Jews."

Now is the time for Christians to shake off their apathy and to repent. God will bring down the demonic stronghold behind Islam that holds over one billion people in slavery only when the Church of Jesus Christ gets on its knees and cries out to God, repenting of compromise, and lack of love and pride, and denominationalism

Let's use the weapons of our warfare: prayer, fasting, consecrated lives, love, the Name and Blood of Jesus, praise and worship.

The love and power of God will then sweep across the nation, as people recognise Jesus to be the true Prince of Peace.

Yours truly,

Rev. Andy Kelso
Vicar, Christ Church Matchborough, Redditch

Andy Simpson
Reader's Letters Editor
Daily Mail

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The following letter (with amendments as shown in brackets) was also sent to the Prime Minister, Tony Blair.

19th October, 2001

Dear Editor,

President Bush and Prime Minister Blair would do well to heed the words of Psalm 105 as they try to broker a Middle East settlement: "To you (Israel) I will give the land of Canaan as the portion you will inherit....do not touch my anointed ones." Again God says in the book of Zechariah chapter 12: "I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves. I will keep a watchful eye over the house of Judah...Jerusalem will remain intact in her place...I will set out to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem."

The Jews are God's chosen people with a land given to them by God and woe betide those who seek to carve it up. God loves every Palestinian and every Jew alike but He has chosen Israel for His saving purposes to the world.

Over the last ten years God has brought His judgment to bear on those who think they know better than Him with regard to Israel.

In 1991 when President Bush Senior tried to divide the land of Israel a violent storm hit his home in Maine. In 1997 when President Clinton invited Yasser Arafat to the White House tornadoes swept through his home state of Arkansas. In 1998 President Clinton feted Arafat and snubbed Netanyahu. At the scheduled press conference with Arafat the Monica Lewinsky affair was exposed to the world. In June this year President Bush sent CIA director George Tenet to Israel to reopen talks and suddenly Texas, Bush's home state, was engulfed in a tropical storm. Houston and twenty eight counties in Texas were declared disaster areas.

And now no sooner does Yasser Arafat leave 10 Downing Street than the Middle East is plunged into a new crisis with the murder of an Israeli minister.

These are not coincidences. These are warnings from God. Now Tony Blair (you) seek(s) to involve himself (yourself), with the result that we as a nation will suffer if he tries to divide the land of Israel.

Israel has a special place in God's dealings. The Bible makes it clear that Israel and Jerusalem will be the focus of the end-time scenario and after terrible conflict Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world, will appear in Jerusalem. The city Jesus wept over, the city where He was crucified, the city so long divided will become at last the focus of world peace as the Messiah, Jesus, reigns.

May we humble our hearts before God and invite Jesus the Prince of Peace into our lives and let us pray for our Prime Minister and other world leaders to do the same.

Sincerely yours

Rev. Andy Kelso
Vicar, Christ Church Matchborough

The Editor
The Daily Mail

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4th October, 2001

Dear Editor,

In response to the letter by Philip Brown and Redmond Peel presenters of the Christadelphian Bible Seminars at Kingsley College, I further underline that Christadelphianism leads people into deception. These men claim that their "beliefs are the same as those held by the first century Christians who wrote the New Testament." How can this be so when Christadelphians deny the doctrine of the Trinity, the deity of Christ and the Holy Spirit, and the existence of Satan the devil? The New Testament affirms Jesus' Godhead, the Holy Spirit's Lordship and the personal existence of Satan and demons.

To answer Mrs. Russell's comments that "the Trinity is not scriptural" may I point out the following biblical truths:

Therefore Jesus is not just the Son of God but God himself. He came to show us what God is like. John 14:8-9. He and the Father are one. John 10:30

The Father, Son and Holy Spirit have different functions but each is fully God.

The doctrine of the Trinity is central to the Christian faith. Any teaching that does not affirm the Trinity is heresy, which is false doctrine. To proclaim such doctrine under the guise of Christianity is deception. Such deception is prophesied about in the Bible. 2Timothy 4:3-4. Sadly, Christadelphianism falls into this category.

Yours sincerely,

Rev. Andy Kelso
Vicar, Christ Church Matchborough

The Editor
Redditch Advertiser
Church Green East
Redditch

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28th September, 2001

Dear Mr. Blair,

In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks in the U.S.A. and fear of further atrocities and germ warfare etc. many people have been asking, "Where is God in all this?"

As a church leader I don't believe it's good enough to hide behind platitudes or just reinforce politicians' viewpoints. God IS speaking loud and clear into this situation if we're willing to listen. The problem is that we may not like what He's got to say!

America owes so much to its Christian heritage, as does Britain. But, tragically, both countries have increasingly allowed materialism, immorality and liberal values to push honouring God to the sidelines. Our societies as a whole are paying the price for this. The walls of God's protection are coming down. For too long we have flouted God's laws.

We need to learn the lessons of God's dealings with His people. For over two hundred and fifty years God dealt patiently with Israel as it persistently turned its back on Him. He sent the prophets with a call to the people to humble themselves before Him, but they continued to serve their own desires. So God sent some wake-up calls! He allowed the Assyrians to raid them and then the Assyrians and the Philistines together.

In Isaiah Chapter 9 Verse 8 God told them He was using their enemies to chasten them, and in Verses 11 to 13 He speaks of the walls of protection coming down because of their sin. Later on God destroyed Assyria. Their pride led to their destruction. Isaiah 10:12. But tragically Israel didn't repent. Fear gave way to national pride. Isaiah 9:9-10. They would look to their own strength. They didn't truly seek the Lord.

Mr. Blair, moments of silence are not repentance. Singing "God bless America" and "God save the Queen" is not repentance. Now is the time to look at the whole fabric of our society and understand why God is judging it - immorality, abortions, liberalism, materialism, injustice.

God will not be mocked forever. Remember the Roman Empire, the Greek Empire? Look at Russia today and its third world economy. God doesn't want anyone to die. Ezekiel 18 Verses 30-32. He sent His Son Jesus Christ to be our Saviour, to take upon Himself all our sins. He and He alone is the Saviour. Religion, however well meant and sincere, will not save us. Only Jesus Christ can save us as we repent and open our hearts to Him. John 3:16-19. But if the nation doesn't repent then God's judgment will be severe. Isaiah 9 Verses 18-20.

Please be assured of our prayers for you, your family and your advisers, as well as for President Bush and his advisers. We pray that you will act like King Josiah who in the 7th Century B.C. realised that the nation had drifted so far away from God and, fearing God's judgment, called the people to repentance. The result was that God held back His judgment.

What has happened in America is a wake-up call! But will we wake up soon enough and humble ourselves before God before far worse disasters strike us?

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord" (Psalm 33:12)

May you and I take to heart and call people to follow God's cry in 2 Chronicles 7:14

This is truly my prayer for you and for the nation.

Sincerely yours
Rev. Andy Kelso
Vicar - Christ Church Matchborough

p.s. I gather you have taken a liking to the Koran as well as the Bible? We have some Muslim friends and I've had many debates with them about faith issues! Can I say to you, as to them, that the truth of Jesus Christ is in the Koran if we are willing to see. It is a relationship with Him that saves us and gives us eternal life and not by any other means. The Koran points to Jesus as the Saviour and final Judge of all men. Muhammad didn't die for your sins, only Jesus did!

The Rt. Honourable Tony Blair
10 Downing Street
London

11th October, 2001

Dear Editor,

In response to the many letters I have had about my letter published in the Daily Mail on Friday October 5th, about the recent tragic events in America may I make the following points:

Yours sincerely,

Rev. Andy Kelso
Vicar, Christ Church Matchborough, Redditch

The Editor
Daily Mail Readers' Letters
2 Derry Street
London W8 5TT

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