The difference between superstition and religious belief is more difficult to explain and probably comes down to one’s personal preferences. However, both superstition and all the world religions believe in some usually invisible, spiritual (non-material) entity or force influencing the lives of living human beings. The main difference between philosophy and most religious doctrines is that philosophy focuses on the rational and the material and does not entertain ideas about miracles.

There is no room for spiritual Heaven or hell in philosophy, which tends to see Heaven as paradise on Earth and hell as being in the imagination of the living. However, philosophy and some religions define their doctrines as the pursuit of reality – for example, Buddhism, which also has sites for religious activities such as temples. This tends to blur the distinction between philosophy and religion. Religious belief does not have to focus on one God. in fact, most world religions teach that there are many gods. Some religions hold that everything that has life force contains God, because God is nature.

Various religions teach that the gods are present on Earth in animals or natural entities like the sea, the wind or mountains and that the voice of these gods is expressed in the tides, storms or volcanic eruptions. The human race has always sought altered states of consciousness in the pursuit of reality. Some say that the highest state mind is when it is in harmony with God or nature and that trying to achieve this by using drugs or alcohol is fools’ gold. However, these are religious matters and luckily it is far easier to answer the question: ‘What is religious belief?’ than it is to answer the question of which particular doctrine is correct.

Native Religious Beliefs The original native religious beliefs in most countries are animism and ancestor worship. Some still are, but many native religious beliefs have been supplanted by the spread of Buddhism, Christianity and Islam in chronological order. Buddhism is the only of these three religious organizations that has not used warfare to proselytize. Hindu Religious Beliefs Hindu religious beliefs have as their roots the historical Vedic Religion of Iron Age India, so Hinduism is one of the oldest world religions if not the oldest faith in the world.

Hindu religious beliefs are not as rigid as many religious beliefs and more represent suggestions on how to live a good life which will ensure a happy future, both in this and future lives. Non-Religious Beliefs Non-religious beliefs cover a wide range of subjects like atheism to Freemasonry. Atheism is the non-belief in God and Freemasonry represents a code of living that is compatible with most religions, although Catholicism did warn against it. Other non-religious beliefs can be cultural, like etiquette.

For example, in Thailand people believe that it is a sign of disrespect to point the soles of the feet at anyone. Religious Beliefs in China There are many religious beliefs in China despite the fact that the communist regime tried to suppress them for decades. The current regime is not so intolerant of religion, although there is still not total freedom of religious belief. China is a huge country where there are people who believe in animism, ancestor worship and Confucius as well as world religions (like Buddhism and Christianity) to name but a few of the religious beliefs in China. Korean Religious Beliefs Korea is now two countries. Religious beliefs prosper in South Korea, but what about North Korea? North Korean religious beliefs are not well-known in the West, but it is imagined that there are still some North Koreans who hold religious beliefs in secret. Are particular Korean religious beliefs different in the north than in the south though?

The Dear Leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-il, died in December 2011, so will that mean more religious freedom now? Kim Jong-il and his son, heir and successor attained divine status in North Korea and any criticism of the status quo meant imprisonment or death, possibly of the whole family of the unbeliever. South Korea, meanwhile boasts some of the largest Christian congregations on Earth. One Pentecostal congregation has over 75,000 members – enough to make any diocese envious in any religion.

The fact is that, before the revolution, when the country was unified, Korea had thriving communities of Shamanism, Christianity, Buddhism and Confucianism (not in any particular order). This equals any diverse religious community in the world. The political cult of the totalitarian leader replaced these various different religions in the north and ‘any other religious ideas’ were prohibited. Shamanism is the traditional Korean religious belief and that centres around a person, the Mudon (shaman), who is a local go-between between the living and the forces of spirit, nature and the occult. It is otherwise known as possession shamanism, which means that the shaman becomes possessed by a spirit who descends to the physical plain to offer guidance and help.

Buddhism came to Korea in the Fourth Century and it became a sort of state religion. The ruling monarchs adopted Buddism as their own religion between the Tenth and Fourteen Centuries. This situation changed when a form of Confucianism came into vogue, which put more emphasis on patriarchy. This form of Confucianism stressed the role of ‘the father’ and duty to the father. The ‘father’ was the head of the family and the ruler was the ultimate head of the nation. By paying homage to ‘the father’, the family was allowed to expect privileges. The system of patronage was adopted. This is the system that can be seen in North Korea: the subjects revere and pay homage to their ‘father’ – the ruler – and in return the ruler is expected to take care of his family – the nation.

The Catholic Christians arrived in the late Eighteenth Century and preached the Gospels, especially in the north, although the first Christians in Korea were young oriental idealists, especially Chinese. What will happen in the ‘new’ regime of North Korea only time will tell, but early signs are that nothing will change in the near future. However, hunger and lack of money might provide the impetus to break the North Korean government’s stranglehold on society, which will probably lead to an explosion of religious activity as it did in Russia and even China.

You’ll enjoy sessions for Pastors, Ministers of Music, Young Adults and Praise Dancers.

Register now to take advantage of our early registration discount pricing!

Adult registration-only $89 from now EXTENDED until October 25th!
Student registration—only $59 from now EXTENDED until October 25th!
Friday night GALA Tickets are discounted…the earlier you buy them, the more you’ll SAVE $$$!

Vendor tables are $250. *All vendors will be located in the front foyer of the church!
(There is limited availability)

SPECIAL GROUP DISCOUNTS…BUY 10 GALA Tickets or Registrations and GET THE 11TH FREE!*
*Discount must be issued off line by GHF office

I am a 22 year old woman who has been saved since I was eight years old. Over the past 7 years, my life has been slowly going downhill due to circumstances all around me: my mother being diagnosed with anorexia/OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) / major depression, the “loss” of my father through his withdrawing from our family, quitting college because of depression, endless relationships with men that ended in tragedy. I remember for some time, due to the influence of my mother, I was very conscious of my weight and appearance. I always looked at the girls around me, comparing myself to them. Somehow, through the constant viewing, comparing, looking, I found myself becoming interested in women.

I remember, at college, “having” to watch the Ellen “coming out” episode. At that time, I had NO IDEA that I had homosexual feelings, but something was at work within me, and it was a dangerous thing. I left school after 1 1/2 years due to major depression. I could not concentrate in school, and there were two guys that I had dated that went there, and I couldn’t take the stress.

When I returned home, something inside me made me post an ad on the Internet. I met *Sarah, a lesbian not too far from me. She was looking for someone too, like I was. I had never had a homosexual experience, and quite frankly, never considered one. I can’t tell you exactly what made me “discover” my feelings for other women, but it was evident. And I didn’t want to ignore it. She brought me to a gay bar, where, over the past 2 1/2 years I have spent my life. I have dated various women there, and ended up dating someone very seriously. I moved in with her after 3 months of dating, and lived with her for about four months. I was ABSOLUTELY convinced that I was gay. The Bible was wrong; I even found myself searching for books on the acceptance of Christianity and Homosexuality.

During this period of my life, I cared for no one but myself. I did drugs (cocaine, XTC, pot, mushrooms), did a considerable amount of cigarette smoking, drank continuously. I was so depressed. I was so anxious. And I was so away from God.

I don’t know if it was the people praying for me, or God Himself, reaching out to me in His mercy, but one day I had decided to leave the lifestyle – and the club, which I had made my home. I knew EVERYONE there, and we were all a “family.” I decided that on that night, I would bring my girlfriend to the bar and tell her that I could not see her anymore. I proceeded to get very drunk, knowing that I couldn’t handle it sober. And, I sat down with her in a small booth in the back of the restaurant. There, I told her that I could not see her anymore, and that I needed time to think. This was one of the scariest things that I had ever done in my life. I was giving up my lover, my “family” and all of my friends…and I had to trust God…but would he deliver me?

Tears streaming down both of our faces, I could not believe, at that moment, what I was hearing. The gay bar doubled as a dance club on Saturday nights, and it was a Saturday. Out of haze, in the midst of my drunkenness, I heard the Jars of Clay song, belting through the speakers, melting my heart:

“Lift me up When I’m falling Lift me up I’m weak and I’m dying Lift me up I need you to hold me Lift me up To keep me from drowning again.”

God came to me that night. God heard me, even in my wretched sin. God heard me plead for the life I once knew, and He came to me that night, in the form of a song, bolting through me like lightning. Since then, I have never been the same.

I can proudly say, now, that I have a wonderful relationship with a Christian man. We encourage each other all the time in Christ. For a long time after all of this occurred, I struggled continuously with my lust for women. I truly believe that it was I choice I MADE to bring this sin into my life, and now I am paying the consequences for lost and loved friends, a woman who I hurt very badly due to my selfishness, and lust. Yes, I do still lust, but God is in control! When I feel this way, I PRAY. When I don’t feel that way, I pray. And, I can honestly say, that God HAS supplied all of my needs. Trust me friends, homosexuality is not your answer. Trust in the Lord, and he will deliver you, like he delivered me.

On Sunday September 13th, there will be a Sunday concert in the park featuring gospel music artists CeCe Winans and J. Moss. The concert is part of the McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour.

This life-changing CD has deeply profound music for the entire world with messages of peace, love and hope for all – especially during these times.”THE 3RD GIFT” features Sounds of Blackness’ amazing inspirational music spectrum -Gospel, R&B, Jazz, Spirituals, WorldBeat and a Special Tribute & Dedication to ‘The King of Pop’ Michael

This evangelist, songwriter, and vocalist was born in Cleveland, OH via Buffalo, NY where she served in music ministry under her late father, Bishop Nathan S. Halton. Having served closely with her father, the founder of the Greater Faith Bible Tabernacle, she quickly learned the importance of prioritizing ministry and the “kingdom agenda” above her own desires