Random Issues - Tasbeha.org Community

Poll: How do you pray?

servant33 — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 00:31:26 +0000

Hey everyone, just curious as to what position you find best for prayer :)

Intro to Coptic Church YouTube Video / YouTube Collab!

servant33 — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 02:32:23 +0000

Anyone have a good video to show to people as an introduction to the Coptic Church, maybe also talking about the persecution and miracles/apparitions?

If not, anyone want to make a YouTube collab?! ;D

St. Mary

Basant Tawfik — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 19:08:06 +0000

Aghapy :D
I have not been on Tasbeha for a very long time and i've missed it so much :D

Well, I woud like to ask you guys something...

Does anyone know any miracles or stories about St. Mary? (in details plz)
Does anyone know any english songs about St. Mary?

Plz post even if its the simplest thing :D
thnx in advance everyone :D

NEW: HCOC's Glorification Service

Biboboy — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 23:05:51 +0000

Just released: The Rite and Hymns of the Glorification Service (aka Tamgeed) by HCOC! Get your copy now:

http://www.copticheritage.org/Productio ... vice.phtml

How does that ebook site work???????!!!!!!

Ioannes — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 14:09:28 +0000

I have a ton of ebooks and I want to put them up on the site but its nearly impossible. It takes about 20min just to navigate around the site to upload one book, if it will upload. Can someone help me?

This song I'm looking for...

George_Mina_Awad — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 12:35:20 +0000

Does anyone know where I can listen to/download "Forgive me my Redeemer" (in English)? I found the lyrics on tasbeha.org (http://tasbeha.org/hymn_library/view/927) but I can't find an actual soundtrack anywhere.

New Samaritan Man CD is out!

markh113 — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 23:31:40 +0000

Hi Everyone,

For all the fans of Paul Hanna's work, his new CD has just been released today on both itunes and amazon.com. His album title is Samaritan Man. You can listen to a preview of it at http://www.3youth.com/samusic.html

Enjoy!

In Christ,
Mark

saints

marina008 — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 13:52:38 +0000

Any one have that image of Jesus and St Mary and around them re all the saints. It\s basically like a colllage
If so please post
thnx
GBU

What is man ebook HELP!

abanoub2000 — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 11:45:38 +0000

My church is looking every where for this book for the book competition. If we order it online it will never get herein time for the competition!! Does any one know if it is online anywhere?!

World Cup National Football Team - Changing Teams

Zoxsasi — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 05:47:08 +0000

Hi,

I have always supported England during every World Cup. I've lived in the UK half of my life, and I feel passionate about England playing in any tournament. I do support them. However, I am fed up of them losing, that is now getting to the point that I don't want to support them anymore. They raise your hopes and then fail to deliver - EVERY TIME!

Is it a sin if I live in the UK and support someone else? Would I offend anyone? Where I live, everyone is England-Crazy, and they have the English flag flying out of their trouser pockets.

The British football team have three lions on their shirts. I don't understand why they chose 3 lions for.. It should be 3 penguins. You see.. this is a TYPICAL example of how they raise your hopes and then fail.

When they lost to Germany, the news broadcaster said "Ahh well, its not all doom and gloom, England have performed very well in the Cricket match today".

Yes, of course they performed well - that's because Brazil, Argentina, Germany and Ghana do not have a cricket team!! That's the only reason why England do so well!!

I mean, this is just getting too embarrassing.

Would it be wrong for me to just support Brazil from now on??

Controlling senses

kokiie — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 22:28:37 +0000

Hey guys,

I need materials on controlling the 5 senses (sight, hear, smell, taste, touch).
Anything would be useful - writings, stories, videos, verses, hymns, an exerpt from a book, etc.

I've thought of the story of Simeon the shoe-maker, but not much else.
Any help would be GREATLYY APPRECIATED!

PP4M
+ God Bless

The Burning Bush book ASAP ?

marmar_26_4eva — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 15:51:15 +0000

Hi so i am looking for a book called The Burning Bush by Lev Gillet .
I need it asap for a book competition my church is participating in and if anyone knows where i can find it online an e-book or PDF i'll appreciate it :)

Family Ministry Program (FMP)

mattia813 — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 23:00:49 +0000

Hi there,

I was wondering if you had heard about this program by Bishop Youssef. It's a 2 year program mainly done online with a few meetings in texas. I heard about it at the monastery and I am a psychology major. I am not sure what the benefits of this program are and if it is worth the 2 years. Let me know what you think of the program if you are familiar with it. If you are not then check it out. http://www.suscopts.org/fmp/
[coptic]-Dolab[/coptic]

The rise of Christian fundamentalism in the Horn of Africa - The Economist

Hezekiel — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 16:51:30 +0000

On the thread 'prayers for Eritrea', I was arguing that the Pentecostal Charismatics are the main culprit behind the repression of Christians in traditionally Orthodox countries such us Ethiopia and Eritrea. The Economist has an article on their dirty tactics and how they profit from it.
________________________________________________________________________

The religious right in east Africa

Slain by the spiritThe rise of Christian fundamentalism in the Horn of Africa

Jul 1st 2010 | Nairobi

AT A rally in Nairobi’s Uhuru Park on a Sunday afternoon last month, Bishop Margaret Wanjiru, parliamentarian, assistant minister for housing and one of the country’s foremost Pentecostal preachers, was passing around a paper bag for contributions from the crowd. Some tens of thousands of Kenyans had gathered to campaign against a proposed new constitution, which Ms Wanjiru and other preachers urged them to reject in a referendum to be held on August 4th. Two provisions, one allowing for Muslim courts to settle marriage and land disputes, the other to allow abortion where the life of the mother is in danger, were a direct threat to Christianity, they said. On the stage, people were being slain by the spirit; sometimes just a fingertip was enough to throw believers back across the boards.

Then someone tossed two grenades into the crowd, killing six people and wounding many others. Almost immediately, there were accusations that government security agents had attacked the rally. That is evidence, for some, that the government is rattled by the vibrant opposition of the “new churches”, mainly Pentecostal, to a new constitution that most members of the government support. Whatever the truth, there is no doubt that, as elsewhere, Kenya’s politicians have underestimated the drawing power of a fresh generation of Protestant churches, most of which were set up in the 1980s.

Officially Pentecostals and other “charismatics” count for no more than 5% of the population. In reality, their ministers preach to about a third of the country every week. Their rise reflects an important trend across Africa. According to the World Christian Encyclopedia, about 17m Africans described themselves as born-again Christians in 1970. Today the figure has soared to more than 400m, which accounts for over a third of Africa’s population. And as in Nigeria on the other side of the continent, they are now having a noticeable effect on public-policy debates in east Africa. Regardless of the outcome of the vote on the constitution in Kenya, for example, their interventions are likely to make abortion a defining political issue in the country. Similarly, the efforts of new churches in neighbouring Uganda have made political controversies out of homosexuality and the right of Muslims to convert to Christianity.
Related items

* Islam, Christianity and Africa: A beacon of faithsApr 15th 2010
* Homosexuality in Nigeria: Go online if you're glad to be gayFeb 11th 2010
* Somalia's embattled Christians: Almost expungedOct 22nd 2009
* Africa and the Anglicans: Going their own way, by GodJul 24th 2008

Ms Wanjiru’s own church, Jesus Is Alive Ministries, is a good example of the new genre. She can draw 100,000 worshippers to a meeting. Add in a visiting televangelist and the number can rise to as many as 500,000. Ms Wanjiru has lived the Pentecostal dream. She is from a poor family of casual labourers and eked out a life as a housemaid and toilet cleaner before working her way up to a marketing job. She then experienced a vision from God calling on her to save Africa. These days videos, CDs and other accessories can be bought from her website using credit cards or phone credit. She makes good use of Facebook, Twitter and other social media. She is not afraid to court controversy, last year baptising the boss of the Mungiki organised-crime outfit, Maina Njenga. Mr Njenga’s gang had been involved in extortion and had a history of hacking off the heads of its enemies.

But the business of owner-operated churches is competitive. A few dud sermons and the crowd thins. That is one reason why they are so upbeat and aspirational. Indeed, their insistent calls for self-discipline and education, striving and victory prompt some people to say Pentecostalism should be encouraged in Africa as the new version of Max Weber’s Protestant work ethic. The churches are certainly prominent in anti-corruption campaigns.

However, there is also plenty of hucksterism. You will be blessed with health and wealth by God, congregants are told, especially if you give generously. As in other parts of the world, the new churches in Kenya and Uganda provide a place for the ambitious poor to get ahead. Yet the real competitive advantage of the new churches in east Africa seems to be their willingness to tap, at least subliminally, into traditional beliefs. “They give full play to the enchanted mentality, which holds the world to be inhabited with ghosts and spirits,” explains Paul Gifford, a professor of African Christianity at the University of London. It makes economic sense: getting spells lifted and spirits cast out on a Sunday morning saves money on a visit to the witch doctor during the week.

New churches are good at exploiting gaps in the market and profiting from them. A Ugandan Pentecostal preacher, Martin Ssempa, for instance, has mined a rich seam of homophobia in Uganda to help build up his standing. He and other Pentecostals pushed for the tabling of an anti-homosexuality bill in the Ugandan parliament, which advocates spying on gays and proscribes imprisonment for sodomy. Earlier versions of the law called for the death penalty in some instances. Mr Ssempa has in the past had ties with a prominent American evangelical, Rick Warren (who has condemned the anti-gay law), and with Uganda’s born-again first lady, Janet Museveni. “In Africa sodomy is an abomination,” he says. Some of his actions, such as screening gay pornography to his congregants, look clownish and self-publicising, but Mr Ssempa has been astute in targeting students at Makere, Uganda’s best university. Other Pentecostals have also had success in Uganda with missions to convert Muslims to Christianity.

New churches are making headway in other parts of east Africa too. Despite threats of imprisonment from a repressive government they are enjoying success in Eritrea and have also built a large following in traditionally Coptic Christian Ethiopia, where all Protestants are simply known as “Pentay” for Pentecostal. The largest denomination, Kale Heywet, which claims 5m members, has been influenced by the new church movement, as has the 2.5m strong Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania. It now says that it will reject money from Lutheran churches in richer countries to protest against their support for gay marriage. Returning refugees have introduced Pentecostalism into Burundi and Rwanda. Burundi’s president, Pierre Nkurunziza, is a born-again Christian. He holds prayer sessions and has overseen the introduction of new laws criminalising homosexuality in the country.

However, the new churches may not be able to translate today’s assertiveness into permanent political power. There have been investments from Pat Robertson and others, but the influence of the American Christian right is often overstated. Nigerian Pentecostals are more important in establishing business models and preaching styles. Being independent has helped with growth, but it makes it harder to lobby governments. Then there is the question of class. Pentecostalism cannot quite shake off its impecunious roots. The cabal of civil servants, soldiers, and businessmen who dominate the golf and social clubs of Nairobi and Kampala, the capitals of Kenya and Uganda, are mostly Anglican and Roman Catholic and are unlikely to be swayed by any casting out of demons. Likewise, the former Marxist rebels running Eritrea and Ethiopia probably won’t be moved by speaking in tongues.

Besides, the swagger of preachers like Mr Ssempa can backfire. Support for the anti-homosexuality bill in the Ugandan parliament has fallen away after Mr Ssempa and other preachers accused a rival Pentecostal, Robert Kayanja, of sodomy. Mr Kayanja, coincidentally a half-brother of the Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, has himself been criticised in Uganda for milking the poor to live a luxury life. And the clear anti-Muslim sentiment scares politicians who want to win the sizeable Muslim vote.

Even so, the emphasis on youth in new churches means they cannot be discounted. A new generation of born-again political leaders may seek to win power on Christian votes alone, even at the cost of division.

Sneakers

[Deleted User] — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 14:38:06 +0000

The user and all related content has been deleted.

Psalms-which version should I learn

aidan — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 09:33:13 +0000

As an English as first langauge man I was brought up on the KJV of the bible learning one or two psalms from that version.

Since I became Orthodox I find a bewildering choice of translations.I have a copy of the Agpeya that uses the NKJV which I rather favour personally.

So one for you all (Fr P I did pm you about this!) what version should I stick to privately?

I love this site and ask you to pray for me.

Thanks

HOW DO I DO THIS?

geomike — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 21:12:34 +0000

Ok, so i know how to read english and coptic, but i have always wanted to learn how to read arabic. Does anybody know how i can learn to read arabic?

I can talk it, but i can't right it, which is kind of sad, but i appreciate any help.

GBU

Funeral Service

PaulSamir — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 07:38:25 +0000

can someone post a link to the hymns of a funeral? or at least the order of prayers and hymns

Thanks in advance

coptic translation?

snowsuit — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 19:14:47 +0000

Hello, I was wondering if anyone knew how to translate things into coptic text... specifically i need the phrase "leave room for nature" translated. I would appreciate any help greatly! i am fascinated with this form of writing....

Wedding deacon book?

PaulSamir — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 13:47:38 +0000

does anyone have a wedding book with every hymn and all the prayers?

thanks in advance

I'm so concieted! How bad is too much?

[Deleted User] — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 16:28:08 +0000

The user and all related content has been deleted.

Question

so — Sat, 22 May 2010 15:16:04 +0000

When it's the time of month and girls can't take communionn are they allowed to have some baraka and kiss abouna's hand? Also are they allowed to help with setting kids up for communion?

Whats in the honoot?

PaulSamir — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 20:20:22 +0000

what is in the stuff the priests use to cover up the picture of christ in the tomb and when they consecrate the box with a saints relics in? can anyone also give a reason why whats put in it, is put in?

How many of the old timers are still ticking around here?

joeg — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 18:21:41 +0000

[coptic]
Man, its crazy - 2010 already and the time keeps on slipping away! I haven't been active in a really long time, and have met some wonderful new people having come back - I actually love this site :D

How many people here still remember the olden days? Are the old timers still around? I know that Mina and Jydeacon are still around, was pleasantly surprised when I ran into Hezekiel today :D What about the others? Santamaria05, Godislove, Vassilios, Iqbal, Hos Erof? Orthodox11, Stavros, Anglian? Coptic Pharaoh? Coptic Servent? PopeKyrilos? why? sandrahanna? mnc_hnn? Christrules?

Anyone still here in this eternal chasm? ;D

I LOVE IT!

geomike — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 17:24:38 +0000

I just love how in summer the forums just come alive. It is a very educational time on tasbeha.org in the summer.

I know it's random but i just wanted to say that.

Nativity/Ressurection Mass

abanoub2000 — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 14:44:05 +0000

So i was wondering if anyone has a video for the nativity or resurrection mass from 2007 or earlier?

Arabic Bible

JustinWilliams — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 21:45:42 +0000

Hi :)

I would like to know if any of you could recommend a good Arabic translation of the Old and New Testaments and where I could purchase a copy? Preferably in hardcover or leather/imitation leather.

I am beginning to learn Arabic for my master's degree and what better way to practice than to spend time in God's Word? Plus it will help during liturgy when I visiting my local Coptic Orthodox Church ;)

Blessings,

Justin

FUnny Stuff

jfarag92 — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 17:03:38 +0000

I thought this was really funny

Story
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/greece/7809424/Greek-priest-punished-for-hooliganism.html

Relevant video

(my favorite part is at 00:12 when the fan kisses his hand)

Fr Seraphim Rose

DanieM — Sat, 29 May 2010 20:27:33 +0000

Hi

I am just wondering if anyone knows any websites in which I can listen to a good quality recording of a Sermon by Fr. Seraphim Rose? I have looked on youtube but only seem to fin very fuzzy sounding clips.

Thank you
From Daniel

Agpeya prayers

Ramez_A — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 11:41:47 +0000

Hi, i was wondering if somebody could tell me the words in coptic that are said before the Gospel reading in the agpeya prayers. And also, how does the distribution of the psalms work?

Thanks, Ramez.