Tradition or the Bible?

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. Col. 2:8

Can I speak from experience? As a child, I grew up surrounded by such traditions. You expect them in schools and in society in general, but in church! It was not until I was much older that I began to understand the "elemental spiritual forces" part of this warning.

Far beyond mere error, children are deliberately taught many things of the devil. There, I said it. Really old Christians--historically old--understood this.

While moderns are careful to monitor their child's intake of food and television, they let them take in the very worst of these forces--SPIRITUAL ones that is. You can understand parents who park their young ones in front of a TV baby sitter while they eat junk food more than to deliberately teach evil teachings, as I was taught. One is neglect, the other is indoctrination.

Much is made of the Russian leader, Putin. Whatever he is, he celebrates the resurrection of Christ with his people and bans open displays of immorality. He has banned such programs as the Simpsons. I watched only one episode. In it Jesus was referred to as "the guy with a beard".

The world is not neutral. It swarms with spiritual forces. It's leader is Satan, though soon to be deposed.

View the difference between Russia's Putin and President Obama here.