Dear friends,
Some of you might remember that I have mentioned in the past that I was planning to do a “coming out” of my “anonymity closet” on the 10th anniversary of my blog, on May 1, 2017. Well, turns out that I had a better opportunity to do that just a little earlier upon the request of my friend Sheikh Imran Hosein who talked me into agreeing to a video interview for him. I will be honest, I absolutely hate public speaking of any kind, and a video camera, even my own, makes me feel like I am sitting on a mount of red ants. Also, this was my first video interview ever. By temperament I am a *student* first and an *advisor* second: in other words, a “behind closed doors” kind of person. I hate the limelight and I am much more comfy with my very-thin anonymity as “The Saker” than showing my face (and overgrown belly) to the public. But I just did not find the courage to say “no” to such a respected and dear friend like the Sheikh. So, friends, folks and neighbors – here I am for all to see (sigh, cold shiver down the spine, deep breath).
I have a request. Even though my anonymity is pretty much long gone now, let’s just keep things as they were, okay? Keep calling me “The Saker” – just think of it as a pen name if you want. And, please, don’t focus too much on me. What matters are the issues and what a person *does*. Not who that person is. So let’s pretend like you don’t know my real name and like you “forgot” who is interviewed in this video. Believe it or not, I am kind of shy and not a social, nevermind public, person at all.
Still, I am happy that my “coming out” was with a Muslim friend. Not only will that rattle some stinky cages, but it is also a tribute to all the kindness shown to me by my Muslim friends.
One more thing: there is no need to tell me that I don’t deserve the exceptionally kind words of praise of the Sheikh. I know that. Be assured that this praise is in no way a reflection of me, but it is a reflection of the Sheikh’s immense kindness and compassion for his fellow human being. The fact that I am so unworthy of this praise says everything about the Sheikh’s kind heart.
Cheers and hugs to all,
The Saker
May God protect you both from all evil and continue to help you on your quest to spread the truth about the world we live in today.
Very good presentation. Glad you are not “hiding your light under a basket ” so much any more, Saker. When destiny calls …even Jonah couldn’t hide from it.
oops, not Job…It was Jonah who destiny called. my bad.
I like the gray beards, I have one myself. My beard is longer than yours:-)
I am a Swedenborgian. In this world I am on my last leg. The cancer is eating me. I have adressed the Shejk in another tread and I hope he read me. I wake up every morning marvelling that I am still here.
I have made myself free from property and debts. The Lord is my only fortune.
The Lord is my only fortune
This is true for all of us, the difference is that you understand this while most of us do not.
I wish you peace and a gentle return to loving arms of your Creator.
Hugs,
The Saker
Dear Friend ,
Be well in spirit, we will all go through that gate.
I hope that you have filled your quest here and can pass through this accused place with peace. May the Lord embrace You, his child.
If it helps, repeat the Jesus Prayer
Perhaps, I’ll see You there soon.
Mr. Swedenborgian,
“The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.”
Amen…
это великолепно!
Christ is in our midst!
Hello Saker, wonderful interview, the Sheikh is an impressive man, peace be upon him.
This is a timely video with all that’s going on. The last week has been a whirlwind and I have to consciously keep turning my focus to Holy Week and try to put all these events on a shelf for later.
Would that more Americans try to tear through the veil of propaganda and see the truth of our current state and what we have wrought in the world.
Many, even most of my friends and family would consider me a traitor for saying some of these things, but in truth I am a patriot who respects the goodness of our constitution and what was intended by the founders. If we had only followed our own laws none of this would be happening!
This Pascha is especially meaningful since during this time we are reminded that we are citizens of God’s Kingdom and merely pilgrims in this fallen world. How wonderful that soon we will no longer have to worry about money, elections, lying politicians and war ( in fact we should already be slipping these bonds while here on Earth).
Thanks a lot Saker for putting up this video. From the body language it looks like the two of you enjoyed each other’s company down in Tobago.
The Sheikh mentioned that prior to meeting Saker, he’d made a video reply to some of Saker’s questions. Here’s the link to the youtube video if anybody’s interested.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDbuqMBu-d4”
I don’t know the Sheikh personally but I owe him for opening my eyes to Orthodox Christianity. So Sheikh, thanks for dragging this frog out from under the coconut shell (Malay idiom roughly meaning getting an ignoramus to see the light) and to Saker, thanks so much for the HOP site.
Saker, we LOVE you
from all of us here at Saker’s
You’re the best – you’re the mayonaise on a tomato sandwich – you’re the best –
sorry, can’t think of another rhyme – but you’re the best –
you put us to the test – you’re the best
and we’re so glad – — you had —- (rhymes) a holiday –
you’re the best – to have a little rest –
you’re the best
bye for now –
on a more serious note – I agree that you Saker, have shown so many people the insidedness of Islam –
I always respected Islam, and I have my own imagination of it – I always associate it with dark sky and stars – it seems a cosmic religion – a universal – starry religion – as Gore Vidal once said – a sky religion –
I don’t know much more about it, other than from what I’ve heard from Saker actually – I have a copy of the Kuran now, but shamefully I haven’t yet read it –
I also read Goethe’s West East Divan – and that was very beautiful book, done in the style of the great Arab poets of the 10th century and on until the thriteenth century I think – there are about 5 or so very famous poets – Rumi being the most famous, but Goethe loved Hafiz – but this book of Goethe’s needs to be read more than a few times.
Goethe also wrote a poem called Mohammed – which is worth is weight (weightless I guess) in sunlight –
it likens Mohammed to a river running through the land, giving life to all the flowers that grow beside it –
– on and on it flows –
getting more and more powerful –
bringing by that time many streams and rivulets into it as it journeys on and on –
and then finally – at the ultimate end of this great poem
it reaches the ocean – which is God –
Its a lovely poem and I think that Goethe was not that old when he wrote it.
Another thing that I really respect about what Goethe said on the topic of Islam, and the Middle East – is that Arabs are among the most fierce fighters in the world-
I loved that when I read it. Its so true. God bless the Arabs.
one more comment – now I have listened to this wonderful interview – I loved it,
Well, Christ says clearly – I and the Father are One –
So maybe Allah’s other name,
is Christ –
You should read the context where Christ says it as he explains what he means by this in the upcoming verses! That should clear the misunderstanding :)
Спасибо Saker! My ancestors from one of parrents side are from the White Gwardia aswell :), I have converted to Islam, but I love Russia, and russian people with all my heart! God bless you!
Wow my tears start flow watching you talk to each other.Two different discipline yet have the same heart (same one God you both followed).
What a wisdom you both had.Truth telling is not something we heard so much these days (truth =hurt) I pray more people will listen and ponder for what both of you had to say
Dear Saker–remember the words of Christ to His friends when he counseled them to be “harmless as doves, and wise as serpents” . Years ago, I condensed what I call the “Elijah message” into three “bullet points”–1. Do not be silent in the face of great evil 2. Speak difficult –and yes, sometimes harsh– truth to those in power, especially those who have betrayed the public trust. 3. Stay connected to the Source of Life, and you will break free of bondage to the cult of death. This is a significant part of your ministry/ mission, and we are thankful to the Righteous Lord that you have accepted it!
Brilliant, total pro. ‘Don’t complain don’t explain’ as someone once said to me when I mumbled apologetically passing the scones at a tea party. They were great as well.
I remember reading in Ron Paul’s book, End the Fed, that he considered the modern system of money to be unacceptable according to God because in Proverbs it is written, “False weights and measures are an abomination to the Lord.”
Naturally an ounce of gold is a relatively stable measure of value, whereas a dollar can fluctuate greatly as the supply of dollars is increased. I recommend Misses A Theory on Money and Credit for more on this.
With this in mind I would agree with the premise of the Sheikh that our modern monetary system does not stand up to God’s expectations.
Unfortunately gold can be manipulated too, a big time. Please search and understand the hidden message in a comic book named “The Road To Roota” published by the Chicago Federal Reserve Bank. Peace and happy Easter brother.
I am an unorthodox, left-wing Christian, who has theological differences with both The Saker and The Sheikh. Yet my mind and heart resonate with most everything they say–on political, economic, and spiritual levels. An important point they agree upon is that believers (and I would include compassionate secular humanists in this category) should work together, finding solidarity in their common spiritual ground to undermine the satanic imperialist enemy, hellbent on consuming people and planet. Let us leave it up to God, as both Saker and Sheikh suggest, to sort out the final answers to certain things, such as the divinity of Jesus or the sanctity of gay marriage. These are inherently matters of faith as opposed to knowledge, for even looking to sacred scripture for guidance involves both placing faith in that scripture and then placing faith in a particular interpretation of it. Let these scriptures, according to our respective faiths, inspire and strengthen us, not pit us against one another. I would submit that Schweitzer got it right about the only elemental, universal principle that could catch fire worldwide and bring down (with God’s help) the savage beast of empire: reverence for life.
Saker,
Enjoyed, but I wish the good sheikh had given you a heads-up that he would ask about money.
My views. Financialization is manipulation of the weights and measures of exchange beyond a fair charge for services rendered. Moneychanging is skimming (off the top) – the reverse of usury. You create a monopoly barring me from God at the temple door so I must change my valuable roman money for lesser value temple money. The Fed skims through inflation, zero interest rates, and money supply. Wall Street skims because the SEC makes all real securities deals go through banks on Wall Street. FDR was a banker from a banker family who made his money skimming. The SEC makes his skimming easier.
Good to see your face.
Pandos
Saker –
To the question “Would it be correct to say that Jesus approved of gold and silver coins as money?” you mentioned:
“Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (Matthew 22:21 Mark 12:17 Luke 23:2)
A more pronounced quote may have been:
Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.” (Matthew 17:22-27)
In both situations, Jesus seemingly had no coins in his pocket.
Further,
And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits. He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff–no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts (Mark 6:7-8)
Take nothing for the journey, neither staffs nor bag nor bread nor money (Luke 9:3)
Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts (Matthew 10:9)
And He said to them, “When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?” So they said, “Nothing.” (Luke 22:35)
It seems you dodged the question when the answer seems quite clear. Jesus had nothing to do with money, and his prescription for us is to do exactly the same.
Thoughts?
I think that your examples are all excellent though I think that they do not quite prove that “Jesus had nothing to do with money”. I was going by what He said, you are interpreting (possibly correctly, by the way) on the basis of what He did. Those are two perfectly legitimate approaches. Also, I did not deliberately “dodge” the question, I just replied with what came to my mind first. This is one of the reasons I much prefer written communications: they allow for deeper thinking. Had I thought of the examples you mention I might have used them.
Kind regards,
The Saker
Christ threw out the moneychangers for skimming not worshipers attempting to tithe a church.
Money is a beautiful and necessary means of discourse between people. Like everything else, money is free to be used for evil. Hasn’t Christ addressed money as honest measure?
Jesus never said that money was beautiful. He said precisely the opposite. He said that there were only two gods: the real God and money (mammon). He said that we could not worship both, and that we would inevitably wind up worshiping one or the other. He indicated that no matter how much we wanted to worship the real God instead of money, we were in great peril if we had a lot of money. He indicated that human nature is such that accumulated wealth, sooner or later, will draw our hearts to it and become our ultimate concern. That’s why Jesus so often castigated the rich and warned us repeatedly not to accumulate wealth, to ask God only for daily bread, sufficient resources to avoid the suffering of grinding poverty. The failure of so many Christian thinkers and leaders to embrace Jesus’ teachings about money stands in stark contrast to prominent Muslim thinkers and leaders who adhere to Muhammad’s similar teachings. This failure also demonstrates how distorted and diluted Christianity became after early marriage to empire.
https://www.amazon.com/Life-Truth-synoptic-gospel-Theophilus-ebook/dp/B00NIZOJ4C
Mammon is not a synonym for money. Holy one-ups-manship.
Sorry, but mammon is variously defined as money, wealth, treasure, etc. Indeed, some New Testament translations use “money” in place of “mammon.” Others stick to the older term. Wikipedia has a pretty thorough discussion of the history of the word, as do other educational websites.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mammon
Money is an abstract construct like bookkeeping but in a tangible and portable form, or as an object that stands for something else. As such it is subject to interpretation which may vary as it journeys from hand to hand. This is a problem that can only be resolved by force and the only legitimate force is the state. Therefore the state must be the issuer of money, setting its value as it does so. There will also be profit, called seigniorage, which is the difference between the production value (the melt value) and the issue value (mint value). Traditionally, this profit went to the king to maintain his sovereignty, hence no or low tax. Today’s problem, is that money issue has been privatized with the state’s profit going to private parties that then buy the state with some of the profit. Two problems with this. No state, per se and no visible authority. Result, chaos.