Author
|
Topic: Should Website Be Online?
|
KnowHim
Admin
Member # 1
|
posted
More in the news about David Berkowitz's!!
- - - - - - -
Dear Brethen,
Focus on the Family is standing strong behind it's decision to air David Berkowitz's testimony and to make available the interview online. They are receiving a lot of criticism now because they offer a CD or tape for a donation of $7-$9.
Previously FOF had removed the free online braodcast, but perhaps due to the attack on them charging for it, they have restored it to their web site. Please pray they will stand up for the Lord and the right to tell the wonderful story of David's conversion.
Unfortunately, the Billy Graham Radio Show, "The Hour of Decision" has weakened in the hour of decision and removed David's interview from their web site and all mention of him from anywhere online. It is not available by calling their ministry either and they have not answered my emails.
Here are the latest articles regarding the web site, etc.
http://www.family.org/cforum/fnif/news/a0032664.cfm
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/state/ny-stsam253866543jun25,0,7022749.sto ry?coll=ny-statenews-headlines
http://www.storyhunters.com/godandcon/archives/001035.html
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040624/ap_on_re_us/berkowitz_i nterview_2
http://www.ny1.com/ny/TopStories/SubTopic/index.html?topicintid=1&subtopicin tid=1&contentintid=41012
http://cbsnewyork.com/topstories/topstoriesny_story_176073543.html
http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/205879p-177648c.html
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/nation/8998661.htm?1c
http://www.dailycamera.com/bdc/state_news/article/0,1713,BDC_2419_2986505,00 .html
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/20040623-1714-berkowitz-interview. html
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/state/article/0,1299,DRMN_21_2983873,0 0.html
Please pray for David not to be discouraged, for Focus on the Family that they stand firm in the Lord.
Focus on the Family's web site is www.family.org.
-------------------- Video Tracts Christian Media LiveTracts Friend Me On Facebook Evangelism TackleBox
Posts: 3276 | From: Charlestown, IN | Registered: Jun 2002
| IP: Logged |
|
|
Miguel
Advanced Member
Member # 47
|
posted
This issue is not going to be that simple according to this world system but according to Gods word and what He have left us to read this kind of change of heart is His grace to the use of His glory. That the world may know that He is whom He said He is!
-------------------- Romans 9:11-24
Our Eschatology may vary even our Ecclesiology may be disputed among us but our Soteriology most assume a singularity and exclusivity which in biblical term is known as Quote; "The Narrow Way" and Quote!
Posts: 2792 | From: Stockton,Ca | Registered: Jun 2002
| IP: Logged |
|
|
|
helpforhomeschoolers
Advanced Member
Member # 15
|
posted
David: I was really blessed by this site and this man's testimony when you brought it to our attention last year. I hope that this site remains online.
Let us pray for this family that they may come to know the forgiveness of God and that the enemy will take his hands off their hearts and their lives and let them find peace with the loss of their child and blessing in the good that God can work out of the tragedy of their loss.
He gives beauty for ashes and the oil of Joy for mourning. May they give HIM their ashes and May they receive HIS oil. Amen.
Posts: 4684 | From: Southern Black Hills of South Dakota | Registered: Jun 2002
| IP: Logged |
|
|
KnowHim
Admin
Member # 1
|
posted
Don't forget to vote in the poll on the
www.forgivenforlife.com
website. Let people know what you vote it. The site is still getting lots of hits!
Posts: 3276 | From: Charlestown, IN | Registered: Jun 2002
| IP: Logged |
|
|
|
Bro. Greg
Advanced Member
Member # 2943
|
posted
Before I could make a judgement for or against the man I would have to know what he believed as to his salvation. Many SHOUT I saw the light but what light did they see? The scriptures say also that Satan appears as an angel of light as well. If we are in the light of Satan and not the light of Christ then are we saved? I don't think so! This man is not any different than anyone else in this sinful world when it comes to the sins he commited. Many walk around today with hatred in their hearts against their fellow man and the scriptures say they are a murderer.
If we look at the hatred in the parent's heart towards this man for murdering his 18 yrs old daughter is he not just as guilty before the Lord for murder? We would try to justify his hatered with "It is just cause for hatred".
If this man in prison was named Paul of Tarsus would we hate him for his murderous past? Paul had part in the murder of numerous people, Stephen for one, but did Paul repent of his actions? Would we sit him in the electric chair today as he preached the Gospel? I am sad to say, probably so!
Without meeting this man or knowing what he is teaching concerning salvation so as I could make a determination as to his salvation I could not say one way or the other as to the removal of this site or his repentance.
If he has truly repented, then we should be careful with the words, "Crucify him"! If he has not repented then we should be saying, Christ was Crucified for you sir!"
-------------------- Isaiah 5:20(KJV) 20Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
Bro. Greg In and By His Grace http://www.mychristiansite.com/ministries/pass_it_on
Posts: 527 | From: Montana, USA | Registered: Mar 2004
| IP: Logged |
|
|
becauseHElives
Advanced Member
Member # 87
|
posted
Forgiveness and a new begining that's what the hope of everyone that put their trust in Yeshua/Jesus is all about.
I thank Yahweh He gave me His Grace, I hope many will see David B's testamony and experience the peace that passes all understanding that only comes in knowing Yeshua's Love that come through His Blood.
-------------------- Strive to enter in at the strait gate:for many, I say unto you will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. ( Luke 13:24 )
Posts: 4578 | From: Southeast Texas | Registered: Jun 2002
| IP: Logged |
|
|
Daniel S
Advanced Member
Member # 1714
|
posted
A couple more thoughts concerning the comments posted by others in the NY Daily News story which (our) David (not David B) posted above.
quote: "This should be stopped," said Michael Lauria, whose 18-year-old daughter, Donna, was murdered by Berkowitz in 1976.
"He's telling the world: 'Ha, ha! I'm in jail and I got a Web site,'" the retired Bronx bus driver added. "He should stay in a 4-by-6 cell and rot."
First, why should it be stopped? The protestor presents no case! Has the web-site alleviated his punishment or lessened the memory of your daughter? There are other websites which should bother you more. He is being punished in accordance with the laws of the State of New York (which, BTW, disallow 4x6 cells and allowing prisoners to rot).
quote: Neysa Moskowitz, mother of victim Stacy Moskowitz, is furious that the authorities are allowing Berkowitz to become an Internet celebrity while he does time.
"They treat him like a little prince," the 71-year-old cancer survivor said after the Daily News alerted her to the site.
"If I were the warden, he wouldn't be allowed to do anything," she added. "Let him break rocks, or whatever they do there."
How is he treated like a prince? He is in jail and restricted to all the limitations of jail in NY. I'm sure he has a job he is required to do; no one has produced any evidence that he is exempt from prison work or allowed special favors. He is still alive and that is, in and of itself, too lenient in some minds. quote: Lauria also was infuriated by the name of Berkowitz's site.
"Is he saying we should forgive him for life?" he wondered. "Forget about it!"
She misunderstands; he is not asking you or anyone else to forgive him. He is stating that Jesus Christ has forgiven him and is willing to forgive any sinner - no matter how bad.
quote: Berkowitz, 51, is serving 25 years to life at the maximum-security Sullivan Correctional Facility for the twisted rampage that left six people dead and seven wounded and terrorized the city for a year. His latest bid for parole was shot down Wednesday.
I made that last sentence bold because it implies Mr. Berkowitz is actively pursuing parole. According to the site, he is not. If anyone shot down a bid for parole, Berkowitz intentionally shot it down himself with his letter to the Governor.
Dan
-------------------- The Lord bless you indeed. http://www.First-EMC.org (shameless self promotion)
Posts: 436 | From: on the Ohio River | Registered: Jun 2003
| IP: Logged |
|
|
Daniel S
Advanced Member
Member # 1714
|
posted
"Should..." That's the question, but how does one answer? Ethically? Morally? Legally?
Legally - that's the easy one. I would assume the State of New York has answered the legal question, or will, through administrative and judicial review; my legal oppinion is irrelevant.
Ethically - not as easy, but if we keep it to the issue of Mr. Berkowitz or anyone else profiting from the site in any way I'd have to say there is no ethical delema here. No one stands to profit from the site, and Mr. B has declined any "sympathy vote" for parole by declining parole. Does the site ease his punishment in any way? It doesn't seem to, although that is admittedly an arguable point. I'm sure others can find additional ethical issues here, but most will be mixed with moral issues which may be discussed in greater depth.
Morally - Aye, now there's the rub. If your Christian brother has sinned against you and comes to you saying, "I repent," how often are you to forgive him? Indeed, the moral argument is as much directed at ourselves as Mr. Berkowitz. I choose to believe him and find no moral reason to forbid the site.
Now I did leave out one more argument - Doctrine. You'll have to decide if you should forbid his doctrine, but you should also review mine and your own, too. (i.e. check for planks first).
Let the site stand.
Dan
-------------------- The Lord bless you indeed. http://www.First-EMC.org (shameless self promotion)
Posts: 436 | From: on the Ohio River | Registered: Jun 2003
| IP: Logged |
|
|
KnowHim
Admin
Member # 1
|
posted
Information on the above poll:
New York Daily News - http://www.nydailynews.com Now he's online By JOE MAHONEY DAILY NEWS ALBANY BUREAU CHIEF Thursday, June 10th, 2004
ALBANY - Son of Sam serial killer David Berkowitz is drawing outrage from victims' families with a personal Web site that he uses to flaunt his musings on everything from gay marriage to motherhood. Prison officials say the cyberjournal,www.forgivenforlife.com, does not break any rules — but the people whose lives were shattered by Berkowitz's death spree want the state to pull the plug on him.
"This should be stopped," said Michael Lauria, whose 18-year-old daughter, Donna, was murdered by Berkowitz in 1976.
"He's telling the world: 'Ha, ha! I'm in jail and I got a Web site,'" the retired Bronx bus driver added. "He should stay in a 4-by-6 cell and rot."
Neysa Moskowitz, mother of victim Stacy Moskowitz, is furious that the authorities are allowing Berkowitz to become an Internet celebrity while he does time.
"They treat him like a little prince," the 71-year-old cancer survivor said after the Daily News alerted her to the site.
"If I were the warden, he wouldn't be allowed to do anything," she added. "Let him break rocks, or whatever they do there."
Lauria also was infuriated by the name of Berkowitz's site.
"Is he saying we should forgive him for life?" he wondered. "Forget about it!"
Berkowitz, 51, is serving 25 years to life at the maximum-security Sullivan Correctional Facility for the twisted rampage that left six people dead and seven wounded and terrorized the city for a year. His latest bid for parole was shot down Wednesday.
Though state inmates have no access to computers, Berkowitz keeps his dot-com diary up to date by typing entries on paper in the slammer.
Some missives focus on his conversion to Christianity in 1987; visitors can also read his views on the Columbine massacre, the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks and his upbringing.
An April 28 posting gave an extensive account of his first jaunt outside prison walls in years, describing how he was ferried in a prison van to a doctor's office.
In an April 8 entry about a troublesome inmate named Danny who was shipped off to Sing Sing, Berkowitz expressed relief: "His departure was like the passing of a violent hurricane."
The operators of the site did not respond to a request for comment on their arrangement with Berkowitz.
The site does note: "We do NOT solicit or accept any money, donations, sympathy or help of any kind for ourselves or for David Berkowitz. Please do NOT send anything of value to us at all." Jim Flateau, a spokesman for the state Department of Correctional Services, said the agency can do nothing about the site because Berkowitz is exercising his First Amendment rights.
"Inmates have traditionally sent out letters to radio stations, newspapers and TV stations," he said. "This is an extension of the same thing."
Flateau said he also saw no breach of security protocol in Berkowitz's details about his ride to the outside world.
"If he says he rode in a van, it's no big deal," he said.
"The general public is aware that inmates ride in vans to go to outside doctors and things of that nature."
May 2
I would love to undo my horrible past and have the chance to relive my life, this time never doing wrong.
If I had the chance to start my life over again, I would make sure that I honor my parents. I would never again be a source of grief and heartache for them.
May 3
Prison ... is a place where a man's mistakes are always staring him in the face. There is self-loathing and self-disgust in many hearts.
April 21
On Columbine: This tragedy I believe was mostly about unchecked anger, seething rage and increasing hostility in the hearts and minds of two very troubled teenagers. As a Christian and a man who was once similarly troubled when I was younger, I cannot help but think if there was some way to reach those two kids before they undertook these murderous acts.
http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/201733p-174109c.html
-------------------- Video Tracts Christian Media LiveTracts Friend Me On Facebook Evangelism TackleBox
Posts: 3276 | From: Charlestown, IN | Registered: Jun 2002
| IP: Logged |
|
|
KnowHim
Admin
Member # 1
|
posted
Should www.forgivenforlife.com be online?
Poll Information
This poll contains 1 question(s). 9 user(s) have voted. You may not view the results of this poll without voting.
| |
Posts: 3276 | From: Charlestown, IN | Registered: Jun 2002
| IP: Logged |
|
|
|