Hello Steve,

SA>US Congress Erupts In Debate Over Biblical Prophecy, The Mark Of The Beast,
SA>Echo New Book By Patrick Heron

SA>Added: Mar 11th, 2007 12:11 PM

SA>Biblical prophecy finds way to legislators in battle over ID plan

SA>By Jon Gambrell, Associated Press Writer | March 11, 2007

SA>LITTLE ROCK --As state legislators line up against the U.S.
SA>government's attempt to standardize driver's licenses nationwide,
SA>some believe it is a beastly plot that will draw the world closer
SA>to the apocalypse.

SA>Their inspiration: a magazine dedicated to biblical prophecy. Their
SA>fear: national ID numbers given to residents are the mark of the
SA>beast, the 666 from the Book of Revelation.

SA>"The ramifications are horrendous," said Sen. Ruth Whitaker, whose
SA>resolution opposing the Real ID Act of 2005 has passed the Arkansas
SA>Senate. "If there is anything akin to Nazi Germany, it is this act."

Several states have balked at putting Real ID into effect.  And now
the Congress is taking another look at it.  There are very real concerns
that Real ID could make identity theft easier for criminals.  It could
also make it easier for terrorists to get into this country.

SA>Congress hopes to reduce identity theft and boost national security
SA>by requiring people to use Real IDs to board airplanes, enter federal
SA>buildings and open some bank accounts. Those who dabble in biblical
SA>prophecy say the new government-issued numbers mark the beginning of
SA>the end.

It seemed like a good idea at the time, but upon closer scrutiny many
holes have been uncovered.  All a criminal or terrorist would have to do
is steal somebody's drivers license (Real ID), replacing it with a fake
one.  By the time somebody learns his/her drivers license has been
lifted it will have been too late.  Or folks might sell their Real ID
to those who would do us harm.

SA>"People are very concerned if the federal government gives you a
SA>number, it will be the mark of the beast," said Missouri Rep. Jim
SA>Guest, the sponsor of a resolution similar to Whitaker's. "There
SA>are everyday people who get the connection to 666."

Everybody has a social security number.  But few people think of
having a social security number as having or being connected to the
number of the beast.

SA>Legislators in Georgia, Maine, Montana, New Mexico, Vermont,
SA>Washington state and Wyoming have also balked at Real ID and a bill
SA>filed in Congress by Rep. Thomas Allen, D-Maine, would repeal it.
SA>Many complain that states will have to pay billions of dollars to
SA>put the system in place by the end of 2009, as mandated by Congress.

SA>Resolutions in Arkansas, Georgia, Maine and Missouri were offered
SA>after legislators read materials, spoke to or had indirect contact
SA>with Endtime Ministries of Dallas, whose magazine, radio show and
SA>outreach examines current events through the prism of Christian
SA>apocalypse.

It is not just an article printed in a fringe magazine that has
people and legislators concerned.

--Lee


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