Apologetics Index - P
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Christian Non-Christian Secular Pluralistic Grey Zone, Unsure or Offkey
Aberrational, Heretical, Heterodox, Suborthodox or Unorthodox Academic
Profess to be Christian but are outside orthodox Christianity. Off-site Link
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Pace, Charlie
Heads a small faction of Branch Davidians. Expanded on Lois Roden's teaching that the Holy Spirit is feminine, by claiming that the Trinity consists of God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Daughter. Pace is anti- Koresh.
Paganism
This entry has moved over here.
Palmer, Susan J.
Panwave Laboratory
Panchen Lama
The second most important lama in Tibetan Buddhism.
Panentheism
A world view. (pan = "all", en = "in", theos = "god"). Pantheism is the belief that "God is All, All is God." Panentheism adds to this that God is more or larger than All.
The view that the world is contained in and is a manifestation of the divine. Although the divine is immanent in and to the world, it still transcends the universe to some degree. As the human body is to the soul or mind, so the universe is to the divine.
Pantheism
A world view. The belief that only the spiritual dimension exists. Pantheists refer to the perception of a material reality as maya, which means illusion.
Some pantheistic religions are: Hinduism, Buddhism and Taoism. Pantheism also forms the basis for Transcendental Meditation and some aspects of New Age mysticism.
Paramahansa Yogananda
Robert Pardon
Paranormal
Supernatural; not scientifically explainable.
Parliament of the World's Religions
Parsley, Rod
Partners in Harvest
Organization set up by Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship after the Association of Vineyard Churches asked the church to disengage itself from the Vineyard movement (December 5, 1995) due to the Vineyard's concern over the " Toronto Blessing." Partners in Harvest is a network of like-minded churches, pastors and leaders.
Board members: John Arnott, Fred Wright, Steve Witt, Marc Dupont
Email: partners@tacf.org
Passantino, Bob and Gretchen
Founders of Christian discernment ministry, Answers in Action. Closely associated with Hank Hanegraaff, president of the Christian Research Institute.
The Passantinos have been outspoken opponents of theories regarding cult mind-control.
Bob Passantino passed away on Nov. 17, 2003.
In Aug. 2006, Gretchen Passantino joined Hank Hanegraaff in his support of the Local Church, which theologically is a cult of Christianity.
Patriot Movement
Pavesi, Ermanno
Right-hand man to Massimo Introvigne
Peck, M. Scott
Pement, Eric
Until mid-2000, Pement was Senior Editor of Cornerstone Magazine. He is a veteran online apologist; cult expert; author (see articles in Cornerstone Magazine). He is no longer affiliated with Jesus People USA.
Peniel Pentecostal Church
Pensacola Outpouring
Controversial revival movement. Also known as the Brownsville Revival. Named after the Brownsville, Pensacola Assemblies of God church (Florida) where "revival" services have taken place since Father's Day, 1995.
See Controversial Renewal and Revival Movements
Revival in Pensacola A member of the Brownsville AOG explains how the revival started.
Pentecostal
Persons, churches, movements, etc., affirming the belief that speaking in tongues is the primary or exclusive initial evidence of the spiritual blessing known as the baptism in the Holy Spirit; or, those in historical continuity with and general agreement with the twentieth-century movement characterized by this initial-evidence doctrine. These persons, churches, and movements are generally part of institutions and denominations that originated out of the original Pentecostal movement in
the early 1900s.
Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements by Stanley M. Burgess (Editor), Gary B. McGee (Editor), Patrick H. Alexander. Avoids apologetics and polemical approaches, and focuses mostly on North America.
Pentagram
Religious symbol used by Satanists and Wiccans. However, both groups use the symbol in different ways, and assign different meanings to it.
Those differences are explained in a FAQ provided by Witches Voice, the most prominent Wicca site on the net:
Q: So why do you use that "Satanic" symbol?
A: The pentagram, or five pointed star, is not Satanic. Pythagoras used it as a symbol of health and his followers wore them in order to recognize one another. In Medieval times, some Christian knights used the pentagram as their symbol. To modern Wiccans the pentagram means many things; The five points correspond to the elements Air, Earth, Fire and Water with the
top point corresponding to "Spirit". The pentagram in a circle may also represent a human with their legs and arms outstretched, surrounded by universal wisdom or the "Goddess" - humankind at one with the environment. Many Witches and other pagan practitioners do not wear the pentacle at
all, but have other symbols of special meaning to them.
Satanists turn the symbol upside-down, which puts the elements of Fire and Earth at the top (Fire symbolizes willpower and passion and Earth, prosperity and earthly goods) and Spirit, spirituality, at the bottom. Satanists also turn the cross upside-down. This, in itself, does not make the cross or pentagram a Satanic symbol. In some Wiccan traditions, the reversed pentagram is a symbol of "second degree" status - one who has been elevated from "initiate". To members of these traditions, the reversed pentagram is considered highly positive and has no connection to
Satanism. A symbol is simply an image or mark in itself. It is the mind and the beliefs of the beholder which attribute to it a particular meaning.
Peoples Temple
Personal Freedom Outreach (PFO)
Pfarramt für Sekten- und Weltanschauungsfragen
German language only. "Pastoral ministry for Sects and World Views." Countercult ministry of the Evangelical Church in Berlin-Brandenburg, Germany. Headed by Thomas Gandow. In cooperation with Dialog Center International.
Pfeffer, Leo
1998 American Humanist Association's Humanist of the Year. Cult apologists often quote Pfeffer's inaccurate statement:
If you believe in it, it is a religion or perhaps the religion;
and if you do not care one way or another about it, it is a sect;
but if you fear and hate it, it is a cult.
Of course, a religion does not stand or fall with whether or not people believe in it. A sect is not identified by whether or not people care or don't care about it. The vast majority of apologists and counter-cult ministers neither fear nor hate cults.
Phelps, Fred
Pastor of Westboro Baptist Church, a hate group masquerading as a Christian church. For details, see this page.
Philadelphia Church of God
Phillips, Randy
Philosophy
Evangelical Philosophical Society
"The Evangelical Philosophical Society is an organization of professional scholars and laymen devoted to pursuing philosophical excellence for Christ in both the church and the academy. As a part of this pursuit, we seek to offer scholarly, evangelical perspectives on issues relating to the philosophy of religion, philosophical theology, ethics, and issues of general philosophy."
Pierce, Dr. William
Former American Nazi Party officer. Headed the National Alliance, a hate group. Author of The Turner Diaries, written under the pseudonym Andrew Macdonald. Pierce died on July 23, 2002.
Ayah Pin
 The Pluralism Project
The Pluralism Project was developed by Diana L. Eck at Harvard University to study and document the growing religious diversity of the United States, with a special view to its new immigrant religious communities.
Pluralism, Religious
Plymouth Brethren
Poehlmann, Roger
Member of the San Francisco (International) Church or Christ. Theologically, the ICC is a cult of Christianity. Sociologically, it has many cult characteristics as well. Poehlmann is a lay cult-apologist who has been active in a number of public Usenet groups. Nevertheless, he now claims not to be a public figure.
See: N-Files Presents: The Poehlmann Page
Poll, Rich
Interview with Rich Poll Glen Davies, of the Beacom Christian Network, "spoke with Rich Poll about the Apologia Report Website and Issues surrounding apologetics in general. "
Polygamy
See this page
Polytheism
A world view. The believe that there are many different deities, both co-equal or in hierarchy.
Pop Apologetics
Sensationalism and speculation masquerading as apologetics.
Pop Spirituality
Popoff, Peter
The updated entry on Peter Popoff have been moved.
Positive Confession
Posse Comitatus
Postmodernism
The new way of thinking (as opposed to modernism: the old way of thinking).
 See Extended Entry
Potter's House
Cultic church aka as Victory Chapel, The Door, and Christian Fellowship Churches.
Potter's House: Church or Cult? (CONTRA) An ex-member shares his experiences and conclusion.
Christian Fellowship Churches (CONTRA) Rick Ross' extensive collection of articles on this group
Potter, Harry
Power Evangelism
Popularized by Francis McNutt, John Wimber, Charles Kraft, etc. Proponents teach that Jesus and the apostles met the needs of people by healing, casting out demons, and even raising the dead, thus interesting people in the Good News. Teaching that the gifts of the Spirit have not ceased (as some claim), they say today's church can be more effective by approaching evangelism the same way Jesus and the apostles did.
Opponents include those who say the gifts have ceased. Others warn that in some movements the emphasis on spiritual gifts - even for the purpose of evangelism - has lead to and attitude of experience over Scripture.
Christianity With Power Subtitled "Your Worldview and Your Experience of the Supernatural." By Charles H. Kraft
"Power for Living"
[See updated entry for Power For Living]
In the USA, the Arthur S. DeMoss Foundation regularly spends millions of dollars on TV and magazine ads, offering their free book, " Power for Living." No contributions are solicited or accepted, names of those requesting the book are not added to mailing lists, nothing is being offered for sale, and aside from sending the book no one is contacted. The organization does not grant interviews. This approach has puzzled many, with some wondering whether the book promotes a cult. It doesn't.
Prabhupada, A.C. Bhaktivedanta
Prabhupada was the founder of ISKCON, the International Society of Krishna Consciousness, whose followers are more popularly known as "Hare Krishnas," who can be frequently seen in public, dancing, chanting and begging for money. ISKCON is a Vishnuite sect that makes the Hindu god Krishna the supreme diety.
Prana
Sanskrit for "breath" or "life-force."
Prana is believed to be universal divine energy residing behind the material world (akasa). Prana is said to have five forms, and all energy is thought to be a manifestation of it. Swami Nikhilananada describes it in his Vivekananda - The Yogas and Other Works as "the infinite, omnipresent manifesting power of this universe" (979:592). Perfect control of prana makes one God. One can have "infinite knowledge, infinite power, now"
The concept of prana is further described as part of this description of the eight limbs of Yoga.
Prayer Cloth
An item sometimes mailed out by televangelists - primarily those associated with the Word-Faith Movement. They claim that God may provide healing through the prayed-over cloths. They base the practice on this Bible passage:
God did extraordinary miracles through Paul,
so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.
Evangelist and Faith Healer Oral Roberts used to mail these cloths imprinted with the following message:
"I prayed over this cloth for God to deliver you--use as a point of contact (Acts 19:11-12). Oral Roberts, Tulsa 2, Okla. It is not necessary to wear the cloth unless you feel you should. It can be used more than once or for more than one person. If you wish to request more, I will be glad to send them to you. The important thing is to use the cloth as a point of contact for the body ... I have prayed over this cloth in the name of Jesus of Nazareth and asked Him to heal you when you apply it to your body."
This practice is often abused by money-hungry "evangelists." For example, in 1992, Marilyn Hickey mailed out prayer cloths that, according to the letter, would only work if returned to her along with a seed-faith offer... According to Hickey, "Receiving follows giving."
Prayer of Jabez, The
Pregnancy
In certain movements, notably those associated with today's renewal and revival movements, "pregnancy" is part of the terminology indicating that - they claim - God is birthing something spiritual in or through them (or a movement, church, denomination, etcetera).
More at birthing
 Premise
Online journal published by Christian Think Tank CAPO
Price, Frederick
Prominent Word-Faith teacher
Private Spirituality
Probe Ministries
Probe Ministries is a non-profit corporation whose mission is to reclaim the primacy of Christian thought and values in Western culture through media, education, and literature. In seeking to accomplish this mission, Probe provides perspective on the integration of the academic disciplines and historic Christianity.
In addition, Probe acts as a clearing house, communicating the results of its research to the church and society at large."
Probe Ministries
1900 Firman Drive, Suite 100
Richardson, TX 75081
Tel: (972) 480-0240
FAX(972) 644-9664
Email: probe@compuserve.com
Procter&Gamble
Commercial company falsely accused of supporting the Satanic Church.
NOTE: Recently, a new version of the rumor mentioned has surfaced. This time it is claimed that an unnamed P&G executive appeared on the Sally Jessy Raphael television talk show in March 1998, embracing Satanism. The rumor is false. It is debunked on the home page of the Sally Jessy Raphael Show (Accessed August 10, 1999), as well as in the site's FAQ section:
Sally listens:
Rumor has it that the president of Proctor and Gamble said that he was associated with the Church of Satan. This show supposedly aired on March 1, 1998. I would appreciate more information if you have any, perhaps a tape of the show if available. If this is a hoax, please let me know.
Sally Sez:
The rumor going around that the president of Procter and Gamble appeared on The Sally Show and announced he was a member of the church of Satan is not true. This a hoax that's been going around in one form or another for the past 20 years...only originally, it concerned the Phil Donahue Show...then evolved to the Jenny Jones Show...and now it's evolved to The Sally Show. The president of Procter and Gamble has NEVER appeared on The Sally Show...NEVER. Nor has any other person in authority at P&G. Any president of a multi-national corporation (including the head of P&G or Liz Claiborne) would be immediately fired by the board of directors if he or she did such a thing. Also, profits from any such corporation go to the stockholders...not a church designated by the president. Do not send money in to get a transcript. We do not provide transcripts or video tapes of our shows to the public. Frankly, this thing has gotten out of hand. If we had this man on our show, and he had said what it's alleged he said, we would have scored a broadcasting scoop and would have trumpeted it to all the newspapers. It would have been to the show's advantage. But there was no scoop, and there were no headlines.
In a letter reprinted on the P&G site, the executive producer of the Sally Jessy Raphael show writes:
There is no truth to the rumor that the CEO of Procter & Gamble appeared on the Sally® Show and embraced satanism. Nothing about this rumor is true. Please do not send any money to the Sally® Show or request a videotape, as this is a complete hoax.
The Facts About Procter & Gamble's Trademark Procter&Gamble has dedicated an entire page to the rumor. Includes information about the logo, a letter from Phil Donahue, and letters from various religious leaders.
Project Megiddo
Promise, (Stichting)
Promise Keepers
The Promise Keepers entry has been moved.
Prophecy
 Prophecy Club, The
A for-profit "ministry" that specializes in conspiracy theories, pop-apologetics, and presumptious prophecy.
The organization's statement of purpose:
The Mission of The Prophecy Club®: To inform Christians of current events that confirm Bible Prophecy, and the evil devices of Satan; To warn Christians that judgment is coming to America; To challenge Christians to stop sinning and turn to Jesus with all their heart; To provide a platform for Christian speakers to be heard.
The Prophecy Club's site states "The Lord started The Prophecy Club® because 'in general' churches will not sound the warning." Describing the benefits of membership, it promises: "As a partaker in the ministry, you become a partaker of the anointing, blessing, and protection that is upon The Prophecy Club®."
People associated with this movement call each other apostles and prophets. They have started to establish so-called city-churches under the guidance of Peter Martinez and Stan Johnson.
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) includes The Prophecy Club in its report, "Y2K Paranoia: Extremists Confront the Millennium" :
Members are selling books that warn of a government plan to establish an evil dictatorship and imprison "true believers" in concentration camps.
Prophet, Elizabeth Clare
Prophets
Proselytism
Proselytism is the act of encouraging people to convert from one religion, belief or party to another. Also: to make proselytes. In some countries, notably in the Middle East, evangelizing with the aim of getting people to change religions (esp. from, say, Islam or Judaism to Christianity), is discouraged or illegal. Some faiths consider any evangelism by other faiths to be disrespectful. And in today's post-modern society, some people see evangelism as intolerance or even a hate crime.
Sometimes referred to as "sheep stealing"
Prosperity Teaching
Prozac
A drug prescribed by psychiatrist, and maligned (and misrepresented) by the Church of Scientology. See: PROZAC - New directions, Boston Globe, June 11, 2000.
Pseudo-Christian
Beliefs, practices or movements claimed to be "Christian," but which are actually outside of orthodox Christianity.
See also: Cult - a theologicial definition (Cult of Christianity)
Psychiatry
Branch of medicine that deals with mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders. Unlike psychologists, psychiatrist can prescribe medicines.
One of the Church of Scientology's favorite targets.
Psychic
Psychology
The study of mind and behavior. Unlike psychiatrists, psychologists can not prescribe medicines. Considered by some to be incompatible with Christianity - specifically Christian counseling.
 Psychology of Religion
A resource for people interested in psychological aspects of religious belief and behavior.
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