antichrist banned in 3 central american countries

[almaty 19]

GUATEMALA CITY (Reuters) - Three Central American governments have banned a man claiming to be the Antichrist from entering their countries, outraged by his inflammatory preaching against the Catholic Church and organized religion.

El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala have banned Jose de Jesus Miranda, who heads a cult-like movement with sermons televised from Miami to dozens of mostly Latin American nations and wants to join followers at a rally next week in Guatemala.

A former heroin addict who was briefly imprisoned as a youth in his native Puerto Rico, Miranda, 60, talks openly in a video on his Web site about how he loved cocaine and dreamed of working in a Colombian drug lab.

He has the number 666 identifying the Antichrist tattooed on his arm but says he is Jesus Christ reborn on Earth, arguing Saint Paul's teachings show this is what Antichrist means.

He says other priests are "faggots," and makes fun of Holy Week customs in Latin America, calling heavy statues of Jesus that Catholics parade though streets "little dolls."

"The pope should be ashamed," shouts Miranda in Spanish into a microphone. "He should wear pants like a man. He should tell the truth and stop teaching ######."

Tony Saca, the president of strongly Catholic El Salvador, barred Miranda from entering the country in March, describing him as "a danger to mental health." Miranda said the country would suffer an earthquake because of the decision.

"It's the new Inquisition," said Carlos Cestero, Miranda's right-hand man, known as the 'Bishop as Bishops'. "These small nations are clearly puppets of the Catholic Church," he said.

Central America, especially Guatemala, has seen a surge in converts to a variety of Christian churches in recent decades. In Guatemala, for instance, about 40 percent of the population now belongs to non-Catholic Christian churches.

Miranda's ministry began in 1986 in a Miami warehouse. He says it has congregations in over 20 countries, mostly in Latin America. It counts with its own 24-hour radio and TV station.

In one video, the leader of the "Growing in Grace" church, sporting slicked hair, tailored suits and gold chains, rolls up his sleeves to reveal the number 666 tattooed on his forearm.

Hundreds of followers have now tattooed themselves with the number saying it is a symbol of love and not the sign of Satan. They say there is no devil, no hell and no such thing as sin.

The ministry has no formal membership system, but church representatives say his television audience numbers in the millions, bringing multimillion dollar donations.

Some of his more generous followers have given him businesses, luxury cars, jewels and opulent houses in Houston and Miami Beach.

Detractors say Miranda is not God resurrected but a dangerous cult leader. One evangelical preacher in El Salvador called him a "megalomaniac" and likened him to Jim Jones, who led 900 followers into a mass suicide-murder in 1978.

Miranda's devotees plan to attend the rally in Guatemala on April 21 and 22, coinciding with his 61st birthday.

[Mags 112]

It is a common misconception that 666 in the "Number of the Beast". Sheesh, people should actually learn their stuff before tattooing themselves with ####### like that.

[Dr_LHA 3]

It is a common misconception that 666 in the "Number of the Beast". Sheesh, people should actually learn their stuff before tattooing themselves with ####### like that.

Care to explain that comment?

I'll quote the Bible:

Revelation 13:17-18

"This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man's number. His number is 666."

[SteveLaura 0]

668: The Neighbour of the Beast.

[JODO 2]

668: The Neighbour of the Beast.

[Mags 112]

It is a common misconception that 666 in the "Number of the Beast". Sheesh, people should actually learn their stuff before tattooing themselves with ####### like that.

Care to explain that comment?

I'll quote the Bible:

Revelation 13:17-18

"This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man's number. His number is 666."

Self explanatory me thinks. Man's number is 666. It's how you interpret it, that's the key. Look into the words a bit more deeply rather than at face value.

Just MY opinion, of course. Everyone else can think whatever they like. Still think those people who tattooed themselves with 666 are numpties though.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

......those people who tattooed themselves with 666 are numpties ....

You can probably add those who deliberately ordered licence-plates of "666", such as late erstwhile Canuck PM Trudeau (described perfectly by the comment).

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

It is a common misconception that 666 in the "Number of the Beast". Sheesh, people should actually learn their stuff before tattooing themselves with ####### like that.

It's written is Chinese so he doesn't know. Just like that girl I know with '#######' written on her ### in Chinese

[Dr_LHA 3]

Self explanatory me thinks. Man's number is 666. It's how you interpret it, that's the key. Look into the words a bit more deeply rather than at face value.

I don't agree with that interpretation, clearly. The "number of man" is referring to the anti-christ, who will be a man. Reading also depends on what translation of the bible you chose, as ever. For example, King James' Bible rephrases it this way, which seems a little clearer:

Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

Notice how it says "its a the number of a man" not "man".

Just MY opinion, of course. Everyone else can think whatever they like. Still think those people who tattooed themselves with 666 are numpties though.

No disagreement there!!!

Edited April 16, 2007 by Dr_LHA

[almaty 19]

i saw that dude on 60 minutes or primetime..he was a piece of work./.

[Peikko 1,575]

He does sound a tad unhinged.