: About Me

My name is Stephanus, full names being Stephanus Hendrik van Schalkwyk. Stephanus is pronounced - Sti-fa-nis. No need to try the surname, some American friends have tried, with absolutely no success.

I am 39 years old, not married, yet... I am a Pastor by vocation and, what would commonly be referred to as, an evangelical Christian.

I live in Johannesburg, South Africa. That would be the southern most country in Africa, right at the bottom of the continent. If you have never been to Africa, I highly recommend visiting South Africa.

My passion is ...

The Lord Jesus Christ and sharing His Good News with the world.

I know too much about ...

Nothing. The more I know, the more I learn, the more glaring my ignorance.

My parents always told me ...

I talk too much.

My childhood ambition ...

To be wealthy and powerful, beacause I believed that would give me control and guarantee me a good and problem free life. Today I am a Christian Minister and very happy. Wouldn't want to be anything else.

My favorite memory ...

When a friend on my 33rd birthday, surprised me with a rendition of "happy birhtday", on my favorite instrument, the violin.

Why I write ...

I love it. I enjoy the freedom of expressing myself and sharing my thoughts.

What I am reading/watching/listening to ...

The Healing Light, by Agnes Sandford. Watching a lot of Christian Television, specifically Spirit Word Channel. Listening mostly to other people and enjoying it.

My first job ...

Boring, but though I knew within the first 2 weeks that I did not like it and would leave, I did stay a year.

My best moment ...

When, in what would now be called grade 7, I won my first debating competion, receiving a standing ovation. Really intoxicating.

My inspiration ...

The awesome love of God for me and all of man.

Religion & Spirituality > Speculations & Criticisms What's wrong with religion

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The answer to this question lies in the origin of the word "religion". According to the Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary the word "religion" stems from the Latin words "religio" or "religare", which means supernatural constraint, sanction, religious practice or to restrain or tie back. The concept of religion is man made and equates to bondage. Religion is nothing but a set of man made rules and constraints designed to keep its followers in check and exercise undue control over them. It has nothing to do with Christianity, which is the practice of following Jesus. Jesus the Christ liter...

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