Across The Cosmos

In part 2 of our discussion we delve further into the reasoning given by certain world leaders as to why ISIS and other Muslims terrorists have been given such latitude to murder not just Christian, but any who oppose them. Despite the naked evidence of ISIS soldiers having infiltrated the massive group of refugees seeking asylum in Europe and the United States, not one thing is being done to expose them.    German Chancellor, Angela Merkle, is facing a full blown revolt in her hands from her own people due to the influx of Muslim immigrants and refugees. Many of her countrymen are confused as to her tactics. She has hinted only that due to declining German birth rates, she has no other option but to allow immigration at the levels Germany is seeing presently. The logic is troubling as it is ironic. Germany under another Chancellor, Adolf Hitler, had arrived at a much different strategy to handle the declining birthrates. The result was a World War, the deaths of 6 Million Jews and a wrecked Europe. Back in September of 2015, Pope Francis warned that warned that ISIS terrorists could “infiltrate” Europe by hiding among the tens of thousands of migrants escaping the horrors of war-torn countries such as Syria and Libya. He said Italy in particular found itself in a vulnerable position, with ISIS having established a presence just a few hundred miles south on the desert coastline of Libya. Join Chase Rockwell, Lou Rodgers and Mark Wilson as they conclude this discussion on Christian Refugees and why our leaders have betrayed the trust of their people.

We’ve discussed the Terrorist group known as ISIS – the Islamic State of Syria and Iraq – before on this podcast. We’ve discussed their abhorrent acts towards humanity, their depraved behavior towards women and children. The indiscriminate killing by various methods which are usually recorded and mixed to emulate a highly polish, stylized Hollywood production. We’ve discussed what ISIS is and that they use the Qur’an and the Hadiths to justify their behavior. What we haven’t discussed is how they came into being and where they intend to take their fighting force. Europe is presently under an invasion unlike any seen in perhaps generations. Not only are they being flooded with legitimate refugees escaping the tyranny of ISIS and other Islamic countries, but now we find that mixed amongst those legitimate refugees are scores of ISIS “Sleepers;” soldiers for their cause infiltrating and invading various European counties to set the stage for the next wave of invasion. This tactic is nothing new and history has shown us that our leaders have been well aware of it all through the ages – except for today. Not one world leader is admitting that ISIS Soldiers are infiltrating the ranks of the refugees. Lost on many in the West are the lives that have been absolutely decimated by this Fundamentalist Muslim sect. Christian men, women and children are being raped and brutally murdered by ISIS, al-Qaeda and other Muslim terrorist organizations bent on world conquest. This is wholesale Christian persecution no matter what propaganda is being spread by apologists of Islam to the contrary. Join Chase Rockwell, Lou Rodgers and Mark Wilson as they discuss this most contentious issue.

In part 2 of our discussion, we delve into the reasons these mass shooting are happening and why a nation which so devalues life at various stages due to pragmatism shouldn’t be too terribly surprised when our youth devalue life at every stage. Do guns kill people? They are a tool. In the proper hands, guns have saved uncounted lives. In the wrong hands, they can indeed be used to cause death. But that is true for a host of other inanimate objects as well – none of which are threatened with confiscation by our political leaders. It should go without saying that if a politician insists the general public should be denied a means by which to protect themselves, then so should they. Gone should be the Secret Service, armed body guards and any others who would use such weapons to protect any politician at any level. We are a people’s government and as history has shown us, no president is irreplaceable. Join Chase Rockwell, Lou Rodgers and Mark Wilson as they continue this discussion. Gun Control is really people control.

Right about 10:30 AM on October 1st  2015, a student enrolled at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg Oregon, walked into his creative writing classroom and shot the assistant English Professor, Lawrence Levine, at point blank range with a handgun he’d brought with him. Accounts from witnesses then relate that the shooter ordered the remaining students to the center of the classroom whereupon he then asked their religious affiliation. Fellow student Kortney Moore, 18, said she saw the teacher of her Creative Writing 115 class get shot in the head at the college’s Snyder Hall before the gunman started asking people to state their religion and opening fire, the city’s News-Review newspaper reported. The Umpqua Community College shooting was just one in the latest mass shootings which have recently plagued our country. People are right to be concerned about this senseless violence, but seem confused as to where to place blame. Politicians have seized upon their sorrow, grief and confusion and have stealthily redirected their anger and pain at the tool used to commit these murders rather than the actual cause. The public at large, too overwhelmed at the senseless death, simply goes along with the prevailing narrative fed to them by their “leaders” which is: “If there were no firearms, there would be no death.” Join Chase Rockwell, Lou Rodgers and Mark Wilson as they discuss this contentious issue.

In Part 2 of our discussion, we delve deeper into the reasons behind both the Holy Crusades and the Spanish Inquisition. Were these really Christian in construct, or are we continuing to propagate an error because it is “Politically Correct” to do so? First we have to be clear on some details. The abhorrent acts on the part of ISIS or other Islamic terrorists against those it regards as “Infidels” is in perfect keeping with the tenets of Islam. The word Islam, again, means “Submission.”  One who is Muslim is essentially agreeing to subordinate their will to that which is required of Islam. Those requirements are spelled out in the Qur’an and the Hadiths – Muslim equivalents of Christian Holy Scripture. In Islam, peace is attained by total and absolute conformity. There is no spiritual aspect to this conformity – the religion is based very much in temporal and the actions of the flesh. Thus physical coercion to attain the goal is perfectly acceptable as the end goal is to remove any contrary thought and deed. Any Muslim who works towards this end – be it they be members of ISIS, al-Qaeda, or just the average Muslim going about his business in America - are thus doing what the Qur’an and Hadiths require. In Christianity, the exact opposite is true. Christ never advocated violence and His goals were Spiritual in nature, rather than temporal and fleshly. In addressing Pontius Pilot, Christ stated very clearly, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” Christ explained that His goals for humanity were for their liberation from the temporal and fleshly and to become one with Him in the Spirit in the Eternal. Paul explains the “Fruits of the Spirit,” or what could otherwise be termed, the Character of Father God Almighty in his letter to the Galatian Church which reads: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” When Barack Obama equated Muslim terrorists with those who engaged in barbaric acts as Christians, he made a very common mistake. Christians have been taught this mistake almost from the very beginning and it appears as though there are actually few people who know the truth. If anyone can find within the Gospels or the Epistles where this type of behavior is advocated by Jesus Christ, that would be quite a neat trick. Simply put, there isn’t whisper of evidence to support this type of behavior within the writings which comprise the New Covenant.  By contrast, we can find much within the Qur’an and Hadiths to support the abysmal treatment of the Infidel by Muslims. Join Chase Rockwell, Lou Rodgers and Mark Wilson as they discuss this most contentious issue and give you the truth.

Back in February of 2015 at the annual National Prayer Breakfast, President Barack Obama made a comparison between ISIS and those who perpetrated the Crusades and the Spanish Inquisition, erroneously calling them Christian. He received well deserved criticism for his remarks, but probably not for the real reason he should have. What do I mean by that? Let me explain. Obama said in part, “Unless we get on our high horse, and that this is unique to some other place, remember that during the Crusades and the Inquisition, people committed terrible deeds in the name of Christ,” While Obama’s assertion that people committed terrible deeds in the name of Christ is factually and historically accurate, it is not the whole truth. He leaves out the sub-text of his statement. The essential meaning of this sub-text was likewise lost on most of his audience. The sub-text which Obama pushed is that Islam is fundamentally NO different than Christianity. He regards ISIS as a fringe group which has taken a contrarian or “Radical” view than that of mainstream Islam. In this position, Obama is supported by such Conservative luminaries as Radio Talk Show Hosts Sean Hannity and Mark Levin.  Muslim terrorist actions, therefore, are similar in manner as are those people who used Christ to commit horrific acts against their fellow man. Obama’s implied sub-text at the National Prayer Breakfast is completely wrong. Join Chase Rockwell, Lou Rodgers and Mark Wilson as they wade through this oft-used example and give you the truth of the matter.

In Part 2 of our discussion, we explore the long-term ramifications of unbridled illegal immigration into the United States. While at first blush allowing people to come to our shores to escape whatever horrific conditions they find back home seems like a compassionate act, the truth of the matter is quite different. Unless these immigrants change their attitude and agree to acclimate themselves to our culture, they will wind up recreating the same conditions which caused them to flee their countries here in the United States. America was founded by a people who had had enough of being bullied. Instead of fleeing before their oppressors, they turned and attacked. In so doing, the British colonies in the Americas became the United States. Much blood was shed and lives were lost in this endeavor; no one is unaware that freedom comes at a high price. That having been said, many of these immigrants and refugees have caused the abysmal conditions within their respective countries they now seek to flee in their apathy. The Statue of Liberty, given to us by the country of France, stands for a philosophical point of view: Liberty should be enjoyed by all of the inhabitants of the world. The Inscription upon the tablet she holds is not an invitation to all the people of the world to come to the United States; the inscription is pointing out that Liberty will spring from the United States and permeate the entire globe. It is for this reason that Lady Liberty faces outward towards the mouth of New York Harbor. She is purposefully walking towards those lands who have no Liberty to bring to their shores what it is they crave. Join Chase Rockwell, Lou Rodgers and Mark Wilson as they conclude one of the most important discussions facing our country – and the world today.  

Illegal Immigration – Illegal aliens. These are terms which have been all over the news lately and it seems that no politician can go very long without making mention of them. Despite the designation of this type of immigration and the principles as being Illegal, there is no clear consensus from our political leaders, much less the populous at large, as to what to do with the situation. Political correctness has clouded the view of too many people who prefer to regard illegal immigrants as Undocumented Aliens, as though that somehow makes a criminal act better. A potential argument in a future criminal case could go something like this: “I am not a bank robber; I am an undocumented financial extractor.” Seriously, what is the difference? As of this podcast recording, Pope Francis is at this moment in the United States on a tour, meeting with Barack Obama, Congress and other political and religious leaders. He has had much to say on the subject of immigration and that we as a country should be throwing open our doors to these displaced people. He says all of that while he remains bunkered in Vatican City under the protection of his armed Swiss Guard. Perhaps the Pope should heed his own council first before lecturing others on morality. It would be too easy to point out that employing these empty euphemisms does not really alter the facts. Like it or not, the United States is a country of laws. These laws were written and then passed because it was believed that such laws led to the betterment of the country as a whole. When those laws are broken by individuals, there are consequences. In the case of illegally entering our country, however, these laws are simply not used at all. Why? Join Chase Rockwell, Lou Rodgers and Mark Wilson as they discuss this most contentious issue.

In part 2 of the discussion on the Star Trek/Star Wars reboots, we delve further into the varied possibilities offered up by changing the timeline of the Star Trek universe and the continuing adventures of the Star Wars cast. With the news of William Shatner entering into the next Star Trek Movie, anticipation as well as apprehension is building. Shatner last played James T. Kirk in “Star Trek Generations” back in 1994 which concluded with his rather ignoble death. Many fans were less than pleased with this installment – and with the improbable cross-over with the Kirk Character and that of the Next Generation crew. Will history repeat itself should Shatner actually appear in the next Star Trek movie? Join Chase Rockwell, Lou Rodgers, Mark Wilson and Drew Wilson as they discuss these most important issues.

“Space, the Final Frontier…”  “A long, long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…” Who can hear those opening lines and not know what they refer to? Well let me rephrase that. Who under the age of 80… Star Trek and Star Wars are without question two iconic pieces of television and movie history. Both have reshaped the way we think of space, aliens and humanity in a way nothing else had ever been able to do. Both franchises have given us catch-phrases which we’ve added to popular lexicon such as: “Beam me up, Scotty” (which was never actually said in that way in the series) and “May the Force be with you.” Additionally, both have given us a memorable cast of characters. Who will ever be able to forget James T. Kirk, Mr. Spock, Dr. McCoy, the aforementioned Scotty, Sulu, Uhura, Chechov and Nurse Chapel from the initial Star Trek Universe? Then we have Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Yoda, CP30, R2D2, Chewbacca, Lando Calrissian and of course, Darth Vader. Now put all of that aside. Back in 2009, director J.J. Abrams took control of the Star Trek universe and did the unthinkable: He recast the major players with new, young actors. Chris Pine became James T. Kirk, Zachary Quinto became Mr. Spock, Karl Urban took over the role of Dr. McCoy and Simon Peg became Scotty. In December of 2015, Abrams will give us a glimpse of his other noteworthy reboot, that of Star Wars in “The Force Awakens.” Based upon the job he did with the initial Star Trek reboot (Star Trek: Into Darkness wasn’t received quite as well), most people are hopeful that lightning will strike twice and the Star Wars universe will once again come alive. Are these reboots good for the franchises, or are we milking a dead cow? Are these movies the heralding of the coming apocalypse? Join Chase Rockwell, Lou Rodgers, Mark Wilson and Drew Wilson as they discuss this earth-shattering topic.

In part 2 of our discussion, we dissect the strategies employed by Islam and why the terrorists have been allowed to flourish. When we look at the tactics our government – and by extension, other Western powers – have used to combat terrorism, we see how truly weak and ineffective they have been. Is this by mistake, or by design? In order to create the One World government which was first brought to the national consciousness by George H.W. Bush back in 1989, the present governments world-wide must be reordered. In the case of the United States, this is an extremely difficult task. The United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights are formidable obstacles to overcome for any despot. Added to the equation the independent-mindedness of the American people, and you have a deadly mixture for anyone who wishes to diminish this great Republic. However there are people who have attained positions of power who have other ideas. In ages past, people were always ruled by the elite. This has been called the Aristocracy, the Blue Bloods, et al. This group ruled and ruled without question. The United States Constitution did away with that and truly created a “People’s Government.” It was a marvel in its day and remains so. But of course if the people rule, then the elite cannot. It isn’t about money any longer; it is about complete and total control. Join Chase Rockwell, Lou Rodgers and Mark Wilson as they conclude their discussion on the Iran Nuclear deal and what is certain to spell the end of the country of Israel. Alarmist? I don’t think so. We are in the beginning phase of a paradigm shift unlike any that has been seen since the fall of Rome.

It is a sad fact that too many Americans – in fact too many Westerners – have no real understanding of Islam. Time and time again we hear the term “Radical Islam” tossed about to describe abhorrent behavior primarily on the part of Islamic terrorists. On the surface, the term seems to make sense to us because a group of religious fanatics who go about raping little children, cutting off people’s heads and burning others alive would seem to be a radical departure from societal norms. To the Western mind, raised on a Judeo-Christian ethic, that would be true. But Islam is not rooted in a Judeo-Christian ethic and it is clear that those who insist these terrorists are radicals have never read the Qur’ran and Hadiths. Radio and T.V – in fact much of online Social Media is littered with “experts” on Islam who continually refer to the horrific behavior of these Islamic terrorists as “Radical.” When they do this, they are falling prey to the word games Islam is playing with the West in order to confuse the issue. In so doing, these so-called “experts” become unwitting accomplices to the stealth attacks which Islam has been employing against the West for years. Anyone even vaguely familiar with the Qur’ran and the Hadiths is aware that Islam is a very different religion than that of Christianity. It is a religion of subjugation, of terror, of brutality. The very name “Islam” means “Submission.” It is called a “Religion of Peace” because peace is attained through the removal of any contrary thought. Thus only in total compliance, can there is peace. Last week, President Barack Obama secured enough support in the Senate and the House to withstand a no vote on the Iran Nuclear deal. The reasoning behind this is simple politics. The deal should have been regarded by the House as exactly what it is: A Treaty. In so doing, the House would have needed 2/3rds majority to vote in favor of it. That would have assured the Iran Nuclear Deal would have went down in a crushing defeat – as it should have. But the Republican Controlled Legislative Branch is complicit with Barack Obama in this deal. They WANT this deal because it is a wedge tool towards attaining the real goal both sides have in mind for the West. Our political leaders, beginning with Obama, are playing a high-stakes game with an enemy who has repeatedly sworn to destroy the West and its allies; who has told us to our face that as a part of that strategy, they will lie to us. What in the world is going on?? Join Chase Rockwell, Lou Rodgers and Mark Wilson as we discuss the differences between what has been erroneously termed “Radical Islam” and what it truly is, FUNDAMENTALIST Islam. 

In part 2 of our discussion, we examine the causes of our present spate of “racism.” How can a country which elected a black man as president TWICE still be regarded as a racist country? Could it be possible that rather than the United States being a racist country that instead the term is being mis-applied to satisfy a particular agenda by certain race hustlers? Are those who are encouraging illegal immigration really attempting to prove how much they are not racist? Are the so-called leaders of the black community truly aiming to help those stuck in the mire of poverty and drugs in the inner-city, or are they only helping themselves by exploiting those very same people? Aligning oneself with another simply because of shared skin color is a recipe for disaster. Unless and until people wake up and accept the naked truth that many of the people they have lifted up and heralded are really only out to serve themselves, their present situations will only grow worse. Pointing that out isn’t racism, it is the truth. Join Chase Rockwell, Lou Rodgers and Mark Wilson as we conclude this very relevant topic.

Racism. Lately it seems all we’ve been hearing about is how racist a people we have become. From illegal immigration to “Black Lives Matter,” it seems that every move one makes is now seen through this oft-used prism of racism. Whether or not one is racist has colored (if you’ll pardon the pun) every aspect of our lives. The specter of racism has spread throughout our national consciousness in a way not seen since the early 1960’s. But one question which needs to be asked and then answered honestly without an attached agenda is whether or not we really are a racist people? Now let me clarify a few definitions here:  The first is that we are all one race: That being human. I realize that fact doesn’t really play to the narrative of many who sustain themselves on fomenting divisions between people, but that doesn’t make it any less a hard, cold fact.  Rather than race, what we’re really talking about is ethnicity. So while we are all members of the human race, we are made up of different ethnicities. Thus one cannot be racist unless one is a misanthrope and a perhaps also a xenophobe. Join Chase Rockwell, Lou Rodgers and Mark Wilson as we discuss this topic in this episode of Across the Cosmos. Agree or disagree, one thing is certain: should there come a point where everyone is seen as is racist, then truly no one can be. Words have meanings and this particular term has been beaten to death.

In part 2 of our discussion, we delve further into the cult of Edgar Cayce. Within specific circles, a mythos has sprung up around this man who is touted as being the “Father of the New Age Movement.” A modern-day Nostradamus, Cayce’s revelations are still being unraveled today with people making all manner of interpretations. Did Cayce see into our future? Did he accurately predict many monumental events of the 20th Century? Are some of his predictions still yet to be? Join Chase Rockwell, Lou Rodgers and Mark Wilson as they discuss this interesting man and his supernatural abilities and what his revelations might hold for our future.

To many, the name Edgar Cayce is only vaguely familiar. You might have heard of him while pursuing the Internet or flipping past one of those “History Channels” on cable. You might have even come across one of the grainy black and white videos on YouTube while looking for something else. Edgar Cayce is not a name which is widely known today in 2015. However 70 or 80 years ago, Edgar Cayce was quite well known throughout the Western World. He was known then as the “Sleeping Prophet.” Cayce has been identified as a mystic and seer and psychic. He is regarded today as the father of the modern New Age Movement. Born in 1877, Cayce had no formal education beyond the 9th grade, but managed to parlay his “talents” into a very handsome living by doing readings for people. Cayce would put himself into a dreamlike trance and an assistant would record whatever it was he said. In the case of someone seeking a medical cure for an ailment, Cayce would give a recommendation while in this trance. Was he a fraud, or genuine? Was he a man possessed, or a man blessed? Join Chase Rockwell, Lou Rodgers and Mark Wilson as they discuss this interesting man and his supernatural abilities and what his revelations might hold for our future.

In part 2 of our discussion on Social Justice, we delve further into the true intents of those who promote this ideology. Social Justice is presented to us by its adherents as a means to equalize the station of all the people in the United States. While this sounds good upon first blush, thoughtful contemplation quickly exposes the logical flaws in this ideology which not only dismisses the hard work of individuals, but punishes those same people as well. Join Chase Rockwell, Lou Rodgers and Mark Wilson as we discuss the issue and explore sane alternatives which celebrate the foundation of freedom the United States of America was founded upon. 

Social Justice. This is a term we have become quite familiar with since the election of President Barack Obama in 2008. On the one hand, it seems like a rather welcome term because who doesn’t want justice?  However, this is where the presumption of Social Justice begins to fall apart for those who garner most of their information from the likes of the (now former) Daily Show with Jon Stewart, or MSNBC and CNN, et al. All of the aforementioned news outlets – I’ll hasten to add – are corporations … in other words, businesses with stockholders, boards of directors and CEOs who are paid lots and lots of money. Social Justice is defined thus by Matthew Robinson, PhD, Department of Government and Justice Studies at Appalachian State University: “Social Justice is the promoting a just society by challenging injustice and valuing diversity.” Social Justice exists when “all people share a common humanity and therefore have a right to equitable treatment, support for their human rights, and a fair allocation of community resources.” In conditions of social justice, people are “not be discriminated against, nor their welfare and well-being constrained or prejudiced on the basis of gender, sexuality, religion, political affiliations, age, race, belief, disability, location, social class, socioeconomic circumstances, or other characteristic of background or group membership” But is Social Justice actually just? Join Chase Rockwell, Lou Rodgers and Mark Wilson as we dissect this ideology against the backdrop of the Obama presidency in 2015 America.

In part two of our discussion, we talk more about the effects of miracles (or lake thereof) in our lives. If God were to grant all our wishes, would we not become complacent? Would we soon find ourselves feeling somewhat entitled? As a Christian, how would this dependency on God to do everything for us make us stronger? We have only a short time in this temporal realm and then we leave. This is a training ground and training is difficult. Ask any Marine what Basic Training was like. It wasn’t easy even if it was fun at times. Then ask someone in Special Forces how their training compared to their Basic Training. 100 percent of them will say that Basic Training was a walk in the park compared to Special Forces training. Of course the end result is a group of people who are unique in their abilities. They are trained and conditioned to do things you and I cannot do. Our time here in this temporal realm is the same type of training. Miracles are only one part of that training curriculum and have to recognized as such. Join Chase Rockwell, Lou Rodgers and Mark Wilson as we explore this most mysterious of all incidents spoken of in the scriptures: Miracles.

What are miracles? Do we really stop and ponder that question? We all want them, but do we really even understand what it is we’re asking for? As people of faith, prayers are sent to our God on a daily basis (if no more) asking for a host of things. If we are suffering something physical, emotional, financial, those are the things we’re going to pray for God to fix. How often do we truly acknowledge His hand in our lives when what we have identified as a problem or a concern is then answered favorably? Miracles are defined as a surprising and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore considered to be the work of a divine agency. So much of what was absolutely impossible even 50 years ago in medicine is regarded as routine today. The insertion of a stent is an out-patient procedure which can extend the life of a person for years. To someone suffering from coronary disease 75 years ago, such would seem as a miracle. The point is that we are quick to ask for a miracle, but then just as quick to dismiss the answer as something with a plausible explanation of terrestrial origin, not divine. Can we look at the horror some people in this world have to suffer simply because of an accident of birth and still believe in miracles? Can we say with certainty that God is concerned about our welfare when in the United States alone, there has been 56 Million abortions performed since 1973? Where was the miracle for all of those helpless children? There are no clear or easy answers when it comes to miracles. God Almighty is not Samantha Stevens or Jeannie. He doesn’t sit around waiting to grant our personal wishes like a well compensated Concierge.  Miracles have a specific purpose and that is to strengthen our faith. That may seem like something of a letdown, but keep in mind that we are only seeing the situation from a very obscured perspective. The Apostle Paul called it, “…looking through a glass darkly.” Join Chase Rockwell, Lou Rodgers and Mark Wilson as we explore this most mysterious of all incidents spoken of in the scriptures: Miracles.