We receive a constant flow of inquiries about the book BABYLON MYSTERY RELIGION that we no longer publish. It has been translated in numerous languages. Hundreds have quoted from it. Some ministries and bookstores have ordered thousands of copies at a time. Many want to know why a book this popular has been pulled out of print. Some have wondered if I had threats on my life, if severe persecution caused me to recant, or I am trying to be popular. None of this is the case.

In my earlier Christian experience, certain literature fell into my hands about the mixture of paganism into Christianity. While the Roman Catholic Church was usually the target, it seemed other churches had also been contaminated by customs and beliefs for which pagan parallels could be found. The book that was the textbook on the subject--so often quoted and referred to--was THE TWO BABYLONS by Alexander Hislop (1807-1862). Over the years, this book has impacted the thinking of many people-ranging all the way from those in radical cults to very dedicated Christians who hunger for a move of God and are concerned about anything that might hinder that flow. Because this book is very detailed, having a multitude of notes and references, I assumed it was factual.

But in time I would discover that Hislop's "history" was often only an arbitrary piecing together of ancient myths. He claimed Nimrod was a big, ugly, black man; his wife, Semiramis, was a most beautiful white woman with blond hair and blue eyes, a backslider, known for her immoral lifestyle, inventor of soprano singing, the originator of priestly celibacy, etc. He said the Babylonians baptized in water, believing it had virtue because Nimrod and Semiramis suffered for them in water; that Noah's son Shem killed Nimrod; that Semiramis was killed when one of her sons cut off her head, etc. These and many other claims of Hislop, I came to realize, could not be substantiated by any recognized history book!

Hislop's basic claim is expressed in his subtitle: "The Papal Worship proved to be the worship of Nimrod and his wife." But when I checked reference works, all the encyclopedias, etc., not one of them said anything about Nimrod and Semiramis being husband and wife! They did not even live in the same century! Nor is there any basis for Semiramis being the mother of Tammuz, that he was born on December 25th, etc. These are all inventions of Hislop.

After considerable work in finding old reference books to which Hislop referred, it was not uncommon to find things taken out of context. He sought to link the round communion wafers of the Roman Catholic Church with paganism, for example, by citing Wilkinson's ANCIENT EGYPTIANS. Wilkinson also said the Egyptians used oval and triangular cakes, folded cakes, cakes shaped like leaves, animals, a crocodile's head, etc. But Hislop did not mention this. His claims about the cross symbol, the letters I.H.S., candles, and halos were also in error.

Because many of these teachings were interwoven in my book, it could not simply be a case of producing a revised edition. Honesty, despite the financial loss to our ministry, demanded a correction of this teaching. For this reason, we now publish a 128-page book THE BABYLON CONNECTION? which explains all that is involved in this, and includes 60 illustrations and 400 footnote references. We believe the best way to combat errors in the Roman Catholic Church (or any other group) is by the Scriptures themselves--not by trying to find pagan parallels in ancient mythology. Things that are indeed pagan should be rejected, of course; but we should not brand things as being pagan when this is really not the case.

Price for the book THE BABYLON CONNECTION? is $7, including postage.

An inspirational book about turning obstacles into opportunities, from bitter to better, from the mire to the choir, from bad to-beautiful. Chapters include: "Triumphant Prayer," "Sir, We Would See Jesus," "7-UP," and "Going Home Another Way." The poems, humor, and 75 illustrations provide a special dimension. $7.

Over 500 little-known truths about translations, quotations, words, people, places, and things. Was the Fall in Eden a surpise to God? Did Delilah cut off Samson's hair? What does the Koran say about Christ's conception? KJV only? Lost books? Did Jesus fall beneath the cross? Was the Crucifixion on a hill? 30 illustrations. $7.

Though Old Testament law permitted divorce--the Lord himself, figuratively, went through a divorce--by the time of Jesus, Jewish men were abusing this law by divorcing wives "for any cause." In which situations does the New Testament permit divorce? Are divorced Christians who remarry "living in adultery"? $7.

This most interesting study, without dogmatism, shows why many Biblical scholars believe the Flood was regional, not worldwide. Was the ark large enough to hold pairs of every animal in the world? Has ice preserved it on Mt. Ararat? Did Joshua's command to the sun cause a day of "missing time"? Biblical reasons for questioning that "Lucifer" was an angel who sinned, was cast out of heaven, and became the Devil. 50 illustrations. $7.

While not written in a divisive spirit, this book does challenge some popular present-day views on prophecy, presenting the older, historicist view regarding the abomination of desolation, great tribulation, fleeing to the hills, fig tree, etc. Explains reasons for believing Daniel's 70th week pertains to Christ, not Antichrist; why the reformers linked the prophecies about the "man of sin" or Antichrist with the Papacy. 37 illustrations. $7.

At his first coming, Jesus said the kingdom was at hand. Did He then "postpone" the kingdom because the Jews rejected him? Do the scriptures teach a Jewish-type millennium when God will turn back to animal sacrifices in a Jerusalem temple? Presents reasons for believing a "fulfilled" view regarding Joel's prophecy, the 144,000, the coming of Elijah, and Ezekiel 38. Also discusses the error of setting dates for the return of Christ-1844, 1914, etc. $7.

Over 80 Biblical verses speak about casting out demons, yet the subject is commonly shunned. Why? Where do demons live? Can a Christian be demon possessed? Drawings depict demons as they were perceived by Chaldeans, Egyptians, Buddhists, Turks, etc. Exposes demonic activity in the occult, spiritism, fortune telling, disease, insanty, politics, and religion--while pointing to total victory in Christ. $5.

Does the Bible forbid the wearing of slacks, earrings, rings, necklaces, and bracelets? Did Paul forbid Christian women to cut their hair? Must women wear hats to church? Was it a "shame" that some men in the Bible had long hair? This book exposes the folly of external strictness. $5.

Is Christmas an ancient pagan festival to which the name of Christ has been falsely attached? Was Nimrod the first Santa Claus? Was Christ born in winter? Shepherds did not "abide in the fields" in winter, or did they? Does preaching against Christmas ever bring any souls to Christ? Did Jeremiah condemn Christmas trees? $5.

This book explains why the author could no longer in good conscience hold the Wednesday/Saturday view concerning Christ's burial and resurrection. Why does only one verse say "three days and three nights," and 20 verses say "the third day" or "in three days"? Figuring that a day ends at sundown, how should we explain the wording: "in the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn..."? Was a time period the "only" sign Jesus gave that he was the Messiah? $5.

Simply put, this book shows that: "Easter" is not the name of a pagan goddess, Constantine did not start Easter at the Nicene Council, the 40 days of Lent did not start in Babylon, Christians who attend sunrise services are not worshipping Baal, eggs and rabbits are not vile, abominable objects! This study shows how many have been victims of misinformation. $5.