AS a minister in the Church of England I am running a nationwide survey to assess the change in people's moral and religious attitudes in the light of the events of September 11.
How has it changed your outlook on life? Are you now more materialistic? More family orientated? Are you thinking more about spiritual matters? Are you more, or less, confident about the future?
If you are involved in a church have your views been changed by the idea that these events fulfilled a prophecy found in Revelation ch.18? The similarity between this chapter and what happened was reported the next day by one of Canada's leading newspapers. This paper pictured the devastation with words from ch.18 down one side. For the benefit of those unaware of those similarities, verse 10 describes destruction as "coming in one hour" with verse 17 adding "in one hour such great riches come to nothing". Verses 9 and 17 say people "will weep as they see the smoke of burning and will watch at a distance". Verse 11 states that "the merchants of the whole earth will weep because no one buys her merchandise any more" and verse 17 adds that those who trade on the world's oceans would be affected. Verse 2 makes a double statement: "Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen" as though disaster would befall two objects, which some feel is a reference to there being two towers.
Do you find these similarities comforting or disturbing? Does it change your views on religion in any way? I am also keen to hear from anyone who had a premonition that something was about to occur.
Confidentiality is assured. Please write to: September Survey, The Church of England Vicarage, Clayhill Road, Leigh, Surrey RH2 8PD. Enclose an A4 size SAE and a 45p stamp if you would like the results of this survey.
REV. J. WILLANS
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