Pictured to the left is a copy of a version of the Holy Bible, known as the KING JAMES VERSION ( KJV ); being entitled: The Scofield Study Bible. 1 Thessalonians 5:22 reads as follows:
"Abstain from all appearance of evil."
Christians ( see Acts 11:26, for example ) have a command from God ( see Ecclesiastes 12:13 and 2 Timothy 3:16, 17, for example ) to abstain from even the appearance of evil. See also Psalm 119:65-73, 142, 151, Matthew 28:18, John 1:1, 14; 3:16, 17; 5:26, 27; 7:16; 8:26; 10:30; 14:6; 17:17; Romans 1:20; Colossians 2:8, 9, Titus 1:1, 2, and 1 John 5:6-8, for example.
The following quotation is taken from the Toastmasters International website ( www.toastmasters.org ):
"When people hear the word 'basement' they’re more likely to picture mold and
spiders than the birth place of a global communication and leadership training
organization. But a basement in a YMCA in Santa Ana, California, is exactly
where, in 1924, Ralph C. Smedley held the first meeting of what would eventually
become Toastmasters International.
Smedley began working as director of education for a Young Men’s Christian
Association (YMCA) after he graduated from college. He observed that many of the
young patrons needed 'training in the art of public speaking and in presiding
over meetings' and Smedley wanted to help them. He decided the training format
would be similar to a social club. During the early 1900s the word 'toastmaster' referred to a person who proposed the toasts and introduced the speakers at a
banquet. Smedley named his group 'The Toastmasters Club' because he thought it
suggested a pleasant, social atmosphere appealing to young men. . . ."
The word "toastmaster" is defined as follows:
". . . n. A person who, at public dinners, announces the toasts, calls upon the various speakers, etc. . . ." [ See NEW ILLUSTRATED WEBSTER'S DICTIONARY Including THESAURUS of SYNONYMS & ANTONYMS, PMC Publishing Company, Inc., 118 EAST 28th STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10016, dictionary portion: pages 1-1150, Copyright 1992, by J.G. Ferguson Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, p. 1014. ]
The word "toast" is defined as follows:
". . . n. 1 The act of drinking to someone's health or to some sentiment. . . ." [ Ibid. ]
With all of the above-given information in mind, there is a sinful ( see 1 John 3:4, for example ) implication associated with being a toastmaster, namely, that of social drinking. 1 Peter 4:1-4 ( NKJV ) read as follows:
"Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles-when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you."
Thus, drinking alcoholic beverages, drunkenness, and drinking parties ( social drinking, for example ) are all condemned in the Holy Bible ( see Proverbs 20:1 and verse 3 ( immediately above ), for example ). Therefore, Christians will not be affiliated with Toastmasters International.
If you have any questions about the Holy Bible, you can contact me by e-mail at:
<rewillis1_1@juno.com>
<Russell E. Willis>
NOTE: The following quotation is taken from the YMCA website ( http://www.ymca.net/diversity-inclusion ):
"The Y is made up of people of all ages and from every walk of life working side by side to strengthen communities. Together we work to ensure everyone, regardless of gender, income, faith, sexual orientation or cultural background, has the opportunity to live life to its fullest. We share the values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility—everything we do stems from it."
Ephesians 4:5 clearly teaches that there is one faith ( and, thus, "religious" denominationalism is not authorized in the Holy Bible ), and homosexuality is a sin ( see Leviticus 18:22 and Romans 1:24-28 ( especially verses 26-28, for example ), for example ). Thus, the acronym "YMCA," is a misnomer, since this organization associates the name "Christian" with "religious" denominations, though there is no such thing as a denominational Christian. Finally, the New Testament church ( the church of Christ - see Matthew 16:18, Romans 16:16, and Ephesians 1:22, 23, for example ) is not a social club: it is "the house of God" ( see 1 Timothy 3:15, for example; NKJV, for example ).
