Canada orders ministry by Christians Shut Down

American brothers and sisters - this is coming to you!

NORTHERN EXPOSURE
Canada orders ministry by Christians shut down
'Nothing we could do would please them'

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Posted: March 21, 2008
11:40 pm Eastern

By Bob Unruh
© 2008 WorldNetDaily

The Canadian government has ordered a Christian ministry that teaches doctrine and the differences between Christians and cults shut down because its reference materials were "critical" of the beliefs of those who are not Christian, WND has learned.

So what used to be called MacGregor Ministries with offerings in how to recognize and eliminate "faulty fads" in Christian churches has been re-created in the United States, and now operates under the name MM Outreach Media Ministries.

Lorri MacGregor, who has dedicated her life to explaining the straight and narrow of Christian beliefs since she found her way out of the Jehovah's Witness system years ago, told WND Canada's version of a "hate crimes" law prevented their work from continuing as it had for nearly 30 years.

"Canada is no longer a Christian nation," she said. "And watch out America!"

The issue of the ministry's charities license in Canada, allowing it to operate as a ministry, came up during a routine audit of the ministry's finances, which was uneventful.

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"The auditor that originally looked at our books told us her supervisor had said she wanted us shut down," Mrs. MacGregor told WND. "Canada has very strong hate laws."

She said the ministry points out the differences between Christianity and various cult beliefs, but also with respect, and never as a proponent. She said the work always is in response to a question or issue.

"When a group such as Jehovah's Witnesses said of our doctrine we're worshipping a freakish three-headed God (the Trinity), we should be able to respond," she said. "We say, 'Here's the doctrine of the Trinity and here is where it is in the Scripture.'"

That, however, violates Canada's hate crimes laws, and the ministry was ordered to either make wholesale changes in its presentations, or shut down.

"There was nothing we could do that would please them," she said. "They wanted us every time we criticized something to say, 'So Christianity is equal to Buddhism, Islam, Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses… Just decide for yourself.'"

"We cannot do that," she said of the work she and her husband, Keith, have spent their lives assembling.

"She gave us an ultimatum that we needed to say that all religions are equal, Lorri MacGregor was to stop writing our magazine on the cults, we were to remove our websites and stop selling any products to help [teach about] the cults, and any future DVDs that we do on the Bible must not be persuasive," the couple alerted friends in an e-mail. "We could not live under those restrictions."

"We chose to shut down the ministry and we are in Washington to sign papers to start up a U.S. corporation and also start the long process of applyign for 501(c)3 status in the U.S. We have been told that within five to 10 years, the U.S. government will be in the same position as the Canadian government and t hey will also go after Christian apologetics groups," the alert continued.

"It was a no-win situation. We didn't want to see our charity money eaten up by lawyers," Mrs. MacGregor told WND. "It was heart-wrenching."

"We wrote on Feb. 7 and voluntarily revoked our [license] ourselves," she said. "We said this auditor requires us to compromise our Christian faith, which we cannot do."

The ministry entered into the expense of relocating its corporate structure into the United States, and is in the process of applying for that nation's tax-exempt status offered mission organizations.

"You're not allowed in Canada to speak in a persuasive way about your own faith," she said.

The effort cost considerable funds, although Mrs. MacGregor didn't want to provide dollar figures on their loss through the changeover. "We had been saving up to build a studio, because we don't believe in debt," she said. "At the moment we are ready to start construction, the government moved in to shut us down."

"They said if we were just preaching our own Gospel, and weren't criticizing anybody else, we could continue," she said. "If you're going to defend the Gospel, you've got to criticize sometimes."

For example, the ministry addresses the issue of "fads," including a "creeping Eastern mysticism" appearing in some churches, "turning meaningful prayer meetings into mind-emptying rituals called contemplative prayer promising experiences of a spiritual nature."

"Feelings have often replaced the solid word of God," the website warns.

"Numerous churches have become 'seeker' churches, disposing of the parts of the Gospel message that might offend anyone's lifestyle. Crowds come to hear contemporary music, followed by a feel-good message, and perhaps even a 'conversion' experience, to an all-accepting Jesus. No change required! They now consider themselves Christians, but are they?"

Regarding Mormons, they have a list of cautions:

"Mormons won't tell you that all their so-called scriptures such as the Book of Mormon, Pearl of Great Price, Doctrine and Covenants, and even their official 'Mormon Doctrine' statements contradict each other…"

"Mormons won't tell you that the reason the Book of Mormon has no maps is because there is not one scrap of archaeological evidence to support it!"

"Mormons won't tell you that their prophet Joseph Smith was heavily involved in the occult when he founded Mormonism."

"Mormons won't tell you that that they encourage visitations from dead relatives from the 'spirit world,' a practice forbidden in the Bible. (Deuteronomy 18:10- 12.)"
They also note the misguided teachings of others.

"Neale Donald Walsch who wrote the bestseller Conversations with God says, 'Hitler went to heaven' (Neale Donald Walsch, Conversations with God: An Uncommon Dialogue, Book 2, Hampton Roads Publishing Company, Inc., 1997; p. 35) And the reason according to Walsh 'There is no hell, so there is no place else for him to go.'"

"The Bible states that the ONLY WAY to heaven is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Universalism teaches that there is not just one way of salvation but many different ways. The Christian inclusivists state salvation is by grace through faith in Christ alone, but they change the meaning to be that His grace extends out to those who do not believe (not needing faith) because he died for them too," the website teaches.

from: http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=59600

"Feelings have often replaced the solid word of God,"

This is all truly saddening.

It is praiseworthy in their handling of it, to voluntarily step away ... find more noble and endearing than what I am sure many might think is their 'right' to do otherwise.

Sad to say but there probably learning a lot from the good old USA on how to try and keep everyone happy. :-(

Deception is the flagship in the enemies arsenal that he uses to bring down mankind. We are warned over and over that as we get closer to the end, his attacks will become worse and worse, to the point that "even the elect" (Mar. 13:22) would fall to his lies. This is just part of that process. It will get worse, but "he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved".

Deu 11:16 Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;

2Ti 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

Blessings Greg ;-)

Praying for Canada. May the Spirit of the Lord move throughout the land and draw people unto Jesus.

:-)

Hi Compliments,

Fair observation and easy to forgot that some things can be a bit dubious, the site in question (WND) often leaves ... some questions on it's own. Did see another article there regarding Focus on The Family Canada in this regard for what's it's worth, not in relation to this ministry, but in regards to this particular law;

http://wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=60196

Did find however after some digging around, their site, the links from the article did not work:

[url=http://www.macgregorministries.org/index.html]MM Outreach Inc[/url]

Repentcanada,

I, too, read this article on WND. Some posters are questioning the truthfulness of this report. Now I am asking you, a Canadian, do you find yourself hampered in ministering to sinners? Pointing out sin and calling it for what it is? Can people do street preaching and call adultery sin? Or immorality sin? Are you restricted in any way? If not, why not?

RC, I am not challenging yu, just want to know the reality of the situation where you live...

Blessings,
ginnyrose

Sister in response to this:

Repentcanada,

I, too, read this article on WND. Some posters are questioning the truthfulness of this report. Now I am asking you, a Canadian, do you find yourself hampered in ministering to sinners? Pointing out sin and calling it for what it is? Can people do street preaching and call adultery sin? Or immorality sin? Are you restricted in any way? If not, why not?

RC, I am not challenging yu, just want to know the reality of the situation where you live...

Blessings,
ginnyrose

I have been severely restricted. I have been arrested three or four times now, for simply speaking on public property in both the provinces of Ontario and Alberta. For the most part, the church could care less. I do not go out with huge banners and I do not rail against sinners no am I condemning. The reason I have been arrested is because SOME people do not like it (the Word of God is very convicting to people), then they complain and the officers would rather arrest me than simply oversee the open air meetings we have. I have not been bold enough and admit to fearing man much more than God. Please pray for me brothers and sisters concerning this.

I have never open air preached on the sin of homosexuality and the day I do that I am probably in "deep trouble". Our country is so soft, politically correct, and much too sensitive when it comes to the Bible and Christ -yet we as a nation will allow every other ideology, religion, and wicked sin to pervade our land. We as Canadian Christians must seek the face of God concerning such things.

God bless,
Ricky

My memory is trying to recall an incident that occurred a few years ago in Ontario. There was a church - was it Church of God? not sure - but anyhow, the parents in the church got in trouble with the civil authorities because they believed in corporal punishment for their children. Do you know what has happened in that situation? Have not heard anything about it in a long time...

ginnyrose

I am not sure of that situation Ginnyrose, though I have heard of it.

As well, I meant to write earlier that one of the arrests I had took place when I was just talking to some people on the street here in Edmonton, Alberta - I was not even open air preaching. As well another brother was threatened with arrest for doing the same thing just this past Saturday night. I have heard that Mark Cahill was threatened with arrest 8 times within one year for doing the same thing on the streets of Atlanta.

What I don't understand is this: why is there all the urgency to do overseas missions work to reach people with the Gospel yet we are so complacent here in our own countries? Are lost souls in Canada and America not dying and going to Hell just as those in China and India are? Those that have comments on what I just said please state them here in this thread.

I have heard that Mark Cahill was threatened with arrest 8 times within one year for doing the same thing on the streets of Atlanta.

This does not surprise me.

Have you heard of Jesse Morrell? He is a street evangelist who used to come here on SI. I get his emails detailing his work, where he was and what he is doing presently. His experience parallels yours in being restricted, having to acquire permissions to speak except for one thing: he does speak out forcibly against perversions. And you can guess how well that is received!

What I don't understand is this: why is there all the urgency to do overseas missions work to reach people with the Gospel yet we are so complacent here in our own countries? Are lost souls in Canada and America not dying and going to Hell just as those in China and India are?

Brother, the situation here in the Southern States is that the people have become so Gospel hardened it ain't funny. In the south - which is known as the Bible Belt - most kids have gone to church and have abandoned it once they go to college. They know the Gospel message but have chosen to walk away from it. (This is my observation from counseling at a CPC for 15 years). You talk, plead, pray with these folks ...do everything legally and spiritualy possible but to no avail. They are so comfortable in their sins and have no motivation to change. Government and church programs come along to cushion their fall and make things a whole lot more comfortable. But it is not so in countries where the poor are really poor and know they need help and will welcome them. There you see the Spirit work and people being changed.

Then there is also the novelty of going to a foreign land to minister which does not exist in home missions.

Brother, the task set before you is a very difficult one but with God's enabling grace you must be faithful. Just remember results are not your responsibility; obedience is. And do not count "heads"; it will either inflate your ego or crush your spirit and both are equally dangerous.

My observations....

Blessings,
ginnyrose