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| PART 2 |
| 2. Sense of dread and fear Some people who read this will have had the experience of sensing a particular type of feeling in certain cities or locales. On the Isle of Lewis there is a peculiar feeling of gloom and dread which seems to permeate the atmosphere. In some ways this may be a demonic counterfeit of the soberness which grips a community during times of revival. But the things of God are for the purpose of leading people to God, and this is not the nature of the atmosphere on Lewis. It is difficult to explain the undercurrent of fear which seems to trouble many of the people, but it is there. 3. Alcoholism Another stronghold which is national in scope is that of alcoholism. This has been a traditional problem on the Isle of Lewis, but recently there has been a shift in the number of females one would see in the pubs. Often they outnumber the men. Groups of five to six women can be seen going from pub to pub, and there is an increasing number of middle-aged mothers who are going out on the town on the weekends. This is definitely a new thing in Lewis. Neither is the problem restricted to the adults. On Friday and Saturday nights, a pedestrian area in the centre of Stornoway is the hangout for 200-300 of the youth on the island who drink and talk with one another. As well, young boys and girls (13-14 years old) have been seen staggering around drunk on Friday and Saturday night in Stornoway. Several national newspapers have come and done stories on it because it is such a major phenomenon for "the last stronghold of the pure Gospel." It is obvious that through alcohol the enemy has made great destruction of the family on Lewis. |
| 4. Drug abuse The problem of drug abuse is one which is steadily increasing, both nationwide and on the island. A local evangelist recently stated that they now know that there is some use of Ecstasy and Crack on the island. Among the group in Stornoway on Saturday night, some of the youth take speed or acid and many smoke marijuana. 5. New Age movement and Eastern religions This area is a bit more difficult to examine. In Britain generally, there is a massive influx of Eastern religions and New Age philosophy. Scotland itself has seen an increase in the number of Hare Krishna devotees. It is commonly believed that there are some of the younger people on the island who are experimenting in these religions. Probably one of the most significant aspects of this stronghold is the growing attention focused on the Callanish Stones. This standing stone monument found on the Western side of the island has become the gathering ground for the weird and the occult, especially since Stonehenge in England is closed by the police during times such as Halloween and the summer solstice. In 1991, there were approximately 200-250 people gathered for the summer solstice (up from less than 20 in 1988). Thankfully, some Christians arrived early enough to take control of the central area of the stones and had a prayer and praise meeting. Still, influences like this are having an effect on some of the local people, especially the youth. 6. Television A final factor which has been a negative influence upon the British society is television. Currently there are two major soap operas ("Neighbors" and "Home and Away") which are aired twice a day (same episode). As with soap operas in general, the programs are addicting, and many of the children are among the prime audience of them. Many would agree that television has been a major factor in breaking down the close, intimate nature of the island culture. Thus, it is clear that there is a spiritual battle being waged on the Isle of Lewis. The prizes are the lives of men, women, boys and girls. The enemy is intent on targeting people for destruction; the Church must ask who God is targeting for salvation. |
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| DEFINING THE MISSION This section, a very important one in this chapter, looks at what our perceived mission is for the Isle of Lewis. Specifically, we will attempt to answer the above question of "Who shall we target?" In doing so, we must answer several other questions which will help in giving a format to the information. They are "What is God doing?," "What has been done?," and "What remains to be done?" What Is God Doing? Imperative before attempting any work for God is the question, "What is God doing?" This recognizes the fact that God is the originator of every good thing and that He is actively involved in the world. In His relations with His creatures, He is at work bringing about a cosmic reconciliation which will include not only human beings, but all of the universe. When we begin to see what God is doing, then we will see much more clearly what we are to be doing. |
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