Christians And Civil Government

The Global Warming Jugernaut Rolls On - Squashing You

2009-12-07T17:45:00.001-08:00

The EPA today decided that it can regulate greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide. That means you'll soon be paying A LOT more for gas, home heating, food, health care... everything. Because everything uses energy.

On the flip side of the coin the revelations that global warming is a fraud go on. As experts dig into the documents that have been released there is no doubt the results supporting were faked. Part of what has been released is the source code for computer programs used to predict future climate change. The program code is filled with notes written by the programmers. This is a normal practice programmers use to help them remember what they've done and why it was done. In this case the notes document adjustments to the software in order to manipulate the data to give results that support global warming. The data was showing global cooling, not global warming, so there is, for example, an adjustment in the software with this note:

"Apply a VERY ARTIFICIAL correction for decline!!"

Another note talks about a "fudge factor" being added to get the numbers to come out they way they wanted them to come out.

Another comment states: "This will be artificially adjusted to look closer to the real temperature." This refers to and effort to suppress data that shows the Middle Ages were warmer than today. By the way, there was no industrial activity in the Middle Ages, which was a 1,000 year period from about the year 600 to 1500. Man-made green house gases didn't exist, yet the world became very warm.

By the way, another thing that has come to light is that although there are three other sources for data on global warming, they all rely on this bad data. So all data supporting global warming is tainted. Oh, if you want to check the data... too bad. It's been destroyed. That's something scientists don't do... unless they want to hide false findings.

Did you know that there was a Little Ice Age from about the year 1600 until about 1850. In other words the world was warm, then it got very cold, then it got warmer again, and now it appears that it is getting colder again. Could it be that this is a natural cycle?

Climate Gate (aka Global Warming)

2009-12-04T19:08:00.000-08:00

It has been several weeks since it was revealed that the "science" supporting global warming was not science after all. But instead global warming was supported by data that was fudged to support global warming -- and any data that contradicted this was thrown out. Global warming was supported by intimidation of those who opposed the religion of global warming. And supported by suppression of any science that did not support the desired conclusion that mankind's activities were causing global warming.

In other words, it was all a lie.

There have been several weeks in which the emails and correspondence showing the lie have been verified as true. No one refutes this fact. The only defense has been to say that non-scientists don't understand how true scientists talk among themselves in private. But that cannot explain away the facts that data was changed, data was suppressed, and the opposition was intimidated into silence. The plain facts stand out clearly showing that global warming, caused my man's activities, is not true.

However, the big story is becoming the GREAT SILENCE. The big story is that the mainstream media has ignored the facts and continues to promote global warming as a man-made disaster that requires massive government intervention, major restrictions on human activity (restrictions that will lead to greater hunger, poverty and disease -- but that's all good because it will result in a still greater need for more government intervention); and huge next taxes. Let the juggernaut of lies roll on. The truth no longer matters.

Global Warming Revealed As A Hoax

2009-11-24T16:52:00.000-08:00

Hackers got into computers at Pennsylvania State University's Earth System Science Center and released to the public emails and documents written by leading climatologists in several countries. It turns out they were sharing information on how to hide data showing we are experiencing global cooling and discussing ways to discredit those who disagree about global warming.

Here is what the Wall Street Journal wrote:

"We do now have hundreds of emails that give every appearance of testifying to concerted and coordinated efforts by leading climatologists to fit the data to their conclusions while attempting to silence and discredit their critics. In the department of inconvenient truths, this one surely deserves a closer look by the media, the U.S. Congress and other investigative bodies."

The truth doesn't matter, does it?

Obama Health Care, Ya or Nay? The Truth About Canada

2009-11-23T20:26:00.000-08:00

Steve Crowder on PJTV goes undercover to find out what health care is really like in Canada. Yes, I know it's another video that doesn't fit in the format for my blog, but it's worth it.

What Is It Like At Gitmo?

2009-11-21T20:35:00.000-08:00

Steven Crowder visits Guantanamo Bay and finds out what conditions are really like.

Health Passed The House, But There's More

2009-11-10T19:40:00.000-08:00

Don't think that because the House of Representatives has passed health care that they are done taking America away from you. Every day they are hard at work expanding the role of government. You just may not be hearing about it because it is also happening in less visible areas than health care.

Take, for example, HR2868. This is considered to be a Homeland Security bill that makes chemical production plants and refineries safe from terrorism. As they always do, it sounds good on the surface, but when you read what the legislation does it turns out to not be what it seems.

I chose this bill because it is one you are likely not to hear about. It's about industry and only those who are in the industries it regulates are interested. But it still effects you. What it does is put the government in charge of deciding how to run an oil refinery or chemical plant. Who would you rather have in charge? Petroleum engineers who know how things run and what needs to be done to have a safe facility, or the government that runs things based on politics and ideology?

How will this effect you?

The cost of your gasoline and heating oil will go up. The cost of everything that uses chemicals will go up. And you'll be the one who pays. (Government employees will always be sure to give themselves COLA increases to cover inflation. So they'll be okay.)

The safety at these facilities will decrease. Of course that only really effects you if you live near one, or happened to be employed by one. So I guess most of you don't really need to worry about that. (Right!)

Have you ever noticed how there are some things government does well, does very well at. And other things government just can't seem to get right?

Our government does very well protecting us. We have a top notch military and live reasonably safe lives. Protecting its citizens is a God-given responsibility of government. Our government does a good job of this.

On the other hand, our government has not done well eliminating poverty or providing health care. The Great Society was supposed to eliminate poverty. But what it accomplished was to trap people in a cycle of poverty they could not escape. Huge sums of money were spent and poverty was not eliminated. Look at Medicaid and Medicare. Both are going broke. Care is already rationed with doctors in some locations refusing to take Medicaid patients. Plus these two government plans are heavily subsidized by private insurance companies. Hospitals charge you and I more to make up for the low rates they get from Medicare and Medicaid. Eliminating poverty and taking care of people is not a responsibility given to government by God, theydon't do either of these things well.

All governments are from God. Government has certain God given responsibilities. Those are the things government does well. The rest are our responsibilities, in most cases our responsibly through our churches.

Government Needs Crisis

2009-11-08T08:28:00.000-08:00

The most critical part of a republic form of government, is that the people must elect Godly, moral people to office. Without that we get a government whose purpose is to serve itself, even when it claims to be operating for the good of the people... even when those in government think they are acting for the good of the people.

A common method those in power use to stay in power is to create a crisis. They are then needed to solve that crisis. But what happens is that their solutions create a greater crisis, providing more justification for retaining their position of power so as to deal with the greater crisis.

What do we see now?

We're told we have a "global warming" crisis. It's an interesting crisis. One problem with this crisis is that we don't have good historical temperature data. No one bothered to keep such records until the 20th century.

Another problem is that if we look at the records for the 20th century what we see is a period of global cooling for the first 1/3 of the century; a period of more moderate cooling during the middle part of the century; and a period of warming for the last 1/3 of the century. Then, for the past ten years we've been in a period of global cooling again.

Those claiming crisis tell us that we only have a temporary respite. Within a year or two the temperatures will start to rise again.

By the way, do you remember what the crisis was in 1975? It was global cooling! There were predictions that food production would start to drop within ten years. You can read about it in Newsweek - April 28, 1975 - Global Cooling.

Cap and Trade - The Ol' Switch-A-Roo

2009-11-07T19:53:00.000-08:00

I can't believe the big push that continues on promoting ethanol as way to reduce the consumption of oil. Not only does it not make sense to burn our food as fuel, it does not make sense as a way to reduce carbon emissions. It's another example of government not being able to make sensible decisions -- something that is true any time government operates outside of the areas in which it is supposed to operate.

What's wrong with ethanol? Let's just look at what will happen regarding cap and trade (a law that is supposed to reduce carbon emissions).

A new paper published in Science Magazine, a magazine not known to be critical of politically liberal ideas, reveals that ethanol generates the same or more greenhouse gases than burning fossil fuels.

Here's the first slight of hand that makes no sense: carbon generated by ethanol is supposed to be better than carbon from fossil fuels, because it "generates no new carbon." How does this work? Ethanol comes from plants. It makes carbon that goes into the atmosphere. Plants absorb carbon from the atmosphere. Thus the carbon from burning ethanol is recycled back into plants. Of course, carbon from burning fossil fuels also is recycled into plants. Plants can't tell the difference between ethanol generated carbon and fossil fuel generated carbon. It's all the same to them.

But here's where the case for burning ethanol breaks down even further. Biofuels are generally grown in third world countries. Ethanol is generally burned in developed countries. To grow the plants that are used to make biofuel mature forests are burned. Carbon that normally would accumulate in those forests is released to the atmosphere. Developed countries get cap and trade credit from ethanol even though they are generating the carbon emissions, and their biofuel is usually grown in a developing country where rain forests are burned down to make room to grow biofuel.

You can feel good about using biofuel. By using ethanol you are not only pushing people in developing countries closer to starvation by making food more expensive, you are striping their country of natural forests and adding to the carbon in the atmosphere. Way to go!!

Why You Can't Get The Swine Flu Vaccine

2009-11-06T17:38:00.000-08:00

Does it seem like the flue season will be over before you get the opportunity to get the H1N1 swine flu vaccine. That just may be true thanks to the American government. Supply is far below the government's estimate of 40 million doses that were supposed to be available by November.

Why is that? Remember, what you are about to read is brought to you by the people who want to take over all of health care.

Last spring the government made the decision to not use vaccine additives. These are called adjuvants. They activate the immune system so that less vaccine is needed to provide immunity. The adjuvants are included in the vaccine worldwide--but not in the U.S. In Europe 3.75 micrograms per person is needed. In the U.S. 15 micrograms per person is required. If adjuvants were used we'd have four times as much vaccine and flu shots would be much more readily available.

Your government is working against your best interests.

Another government decision that is keeping you from getting the vaccine is that they are requiring vaccine be made using chicken eggs. Vaccine can be made much faster using mam made cells, as is done in Europe. By the way, this also means that if Europe was willing to share their vaccine with the U.S., it would not be allowed because it was not made using chicken eggs.

Once again your government is working against your best interests.

Plus there are other things such as vaccine being held back for weeks to check it for impurities. (There are faster ways to do this.) What really gets me is that the mainstream press is silent about this. If this was a Republican administration you'd hear the press screaming about dying babies and sick school children who couldn't get the vaccine because of the evil Republicans.

Is Government Your Savior #1

2009-11-05T16:31:00.000-08:00

It's been a long time since I last posted here. I had not planned to start again, but what our government is doing, and the lack of reporting on it, have become so extreme that I must say something.

When I say the press isn't reporting on it, there is an exception. And that is what I'm using for my source. The Wall Street Journal. (It is the only major newspaper for which the number of subscribers is increasing.) We think of the Wall Street Journal as a newspaper for investors. That's true. And that's why the news is accurate. If a news source for investors allows political ideology to determine what they write and print, then it will ruin investors. To server investors -- both conservative and "progressive" investors, the news must be reported accurately so that investment decisions can be based on facts, not ideology.

So this is my source and what I'm seeing is an America gone crazy. I'll tell you why in the next few posts.

Purpose Of Government

2008-05-04T21:02:00.000-07:00

According to the Bible, what is the purpose of civil government? I'll quote from a book called "10 Things Satan Doesn't Want You To Know". This is from the fourth chapter called The Battle Between Kingdoms.

"Governments, with rare exceptions, seek to expand their power beyond the mandate to restrain evil, preserve order, and promote justice." That's it. Those are the three things a government should be doing.

The purpose of this chapter is to point out that governments tend to go beyond these three things, and that's where we get into the battle between God's kingdom and the kingdom of civil government. On the other hand churches want to get involved in the three mandates of government, and that is equally wrong. The church can point out evil. It's the duty of government to catch criminals, have a trial and give out punishment. The church can point out evil supported by or performed by other governments. It's the duty of government to fight that evil (we call this war). The government is to maintain order through the use of police and the military. No church should never have a police or military force at its command.

When the government expands beyond what it supposed to do, problems will result. When the church expands into taking on government's responsibilities, there will be problems.

The Party Of Inclusiveness

2008-03-15T10:58:00.000-07:00

It has been interesting to watch the Democractic primaries. The party of inclusion seems to be one of racism and polarized politics instead of inclusion. See: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080315/ap_on_el_pr/polarized_politics

This article makes a statement that indicates that the elimination of racism is probably impossible and beyond and mortal capability:

"Those gains have not been enough to erase divisions by race, a task perhaps beyond any mortal and any one election, nor lesser ones between the sexes."

This makes me wonder, since it is the Democractic Party that is split by rasicm, does that mean it is impossible for any other group of people to live, work and govern in harmony? That is the implication here... and it is a very wrong conclusion.

Liberals (they call themselves progressives now) have spoken a lot about inclusiveness, but their actions and policies have not. Their actions and policies have fostered division, Balkinization and exclusiveness. It is not surprising to see this come out in the current campaign.

I have only seen true inclusion in the Christian church. I'm not talking about the liberal Christian church which talks about inclusion, supports gay marriage, but exclude all those who disagree and support the liberial politicians policies that foster division, Balkinization and exclusiveness. I'm talking about the conservative Christian church in which I see mixed marriages, high rates of adoption of children, and people who care about the welfare of others. I'm talking about a place in which people make sacrifices to put their beliefs into action. A place were human life is respected and held in high regard, including the life of children in the womb.

Immediately people say, "But they exclude gays!! They are bigots!!" There go the liberals using words that exclude and divide instead of actions that include. I know of no conservative church that would turn away a gay couple at the door. Although because of the great diversity in conservative churches I am sure there are some. But to turn away anyone at the door* is against the teaching of the Bible. But, to include anyone in Christian fellowship, who is not a Christian, is also against the teaching of the Bible. You don't get to be a Christian just because you want to call yourself a Christian, you must meet certain criteria such as having repented, turned from sin and be trusting solely in Christ for your salvation. If a homosexual does this, they are a Christian.

* Assuming the person at the door is not there to be disruptive or violent.

Is There Any Progress

2006-10-30T09:11:00.000-08:00

David Barton has written a good article in which he discusses "Why Christians Must Vote in This Election." He mentions that many Christians are getting discouraged because we don't see our government making any progress... things seem to be getting worse instead of better. But then he points out that the press seems to avoid reporting news that Christians would take as good news. Here are some of the good news he mentions:

"The Internet Gambling Prohibition Act closes down a huge anti-family industry."

"The Broadcast Decency Act imposes significant penalties on networks and stations for public broadcasts of indecent incidents."

"A religious liberty measure was signed into law that reverses the current Pentagon policy preventing military chaplains from praying according to their faith."

"The Fetal Farming Ban prohibits the creation of fetuses solely to be aborted for research purposes."

"The Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act increases availability to patients of cord blood stem-cell treatments."

"The Freedom to Display the American Flag Act."

" The Child Pornography Prevention Act strengthens and enhances prosecution of child pornography."

Read the details about these acts, as well as others, in his editorial on Good News Daily.

America The Beautiful

2006-07-04T00:01:00.000-07:00

O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern, impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!

O beautiful for heroes proved In liberating strife.
Who more than self the country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain divine!

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for halcyon skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the enameled plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till souls wax fair as earth and air
And music-hearted sea!

O beautiful for pilgrims feet,
Whose stern impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America ! America !
God shed his grace on thee
Till paths be wrought through
wilds of thought
By pilgrim foot and knee!

O beautiful for glory-tale
Of liberating strife
When once and twice,
for man's avail
Men lavished precious life !
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till selfish gain no longer stain
The banner of the free!

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till nobler men keep once again
Thy whiter jubilee!

--- Happy Birthday America!!!

Are We Doing What God Told Us To Do?

2006-07-02T06:34:00.000-07:00

In the past hour 7,000 people went to hell. Based on the average worldwide death rate, at least 7,000 died in the past hour who did not trust Jesus for their salvation. Every hour of the day, 24 hours a day, 7,000 people go to hell.

What have you done to make a difference in this number?

In America we spend $1,500,000 for each person who is saved. This includes the cost of the buildings, salaries, radio programs... everything that is spent on Christianity. We are supposed to be spreading the Gospel to bring people into God's kingdom... and we're bringing them into God's kingdom at a cost of $1,500,000 each.

In May I went on a mission trip to Russia. Our group spent about $30,000 for this trip. 60 people professed a new faith in Jesus Christ. That's $500 per person who was saved.

Are we spending a lot of money in America on things that are not achieving God's purposes? Are we ignoring God's purposes?

Are we applying WWJD? What would Jesus do? What did Jesus do?

"From that time Jesus began to preach and say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." - Matthew 4:17

Are We Safer Today?

2006-06-27T07:26:00.000-07:00

I regularly ask myself if I feel safer today than I did a year ago, or at this time in 2001, or when I was younger (let's say 20 years ago). The answer is "no" in every case. I do not feel safer now.

I do feel safer when it comes to things our military protects us from. What frightens me is that liberals (or "progressives as they now want to be called) seem to be willing to sacrifice everything in their desire for power. They are willing to sacrifice the truth. They are willing to sacrifice their moral principles. They are willing to sacrifice freedom. They are wiolling to sacrifice lives... if they can gain power.

Look at the feminist movement. Their moral stand was to promote freedom and liberation for women. Have you heard them say one thing about what has been accomplished for women in Iraq? No. Their hatred of Bush, and desire for power, overrules what they say they stand for. They are willing to sacrifice women so that their people can return to power.

I feel less safe today because the efforts to attack and bury Christianity in America are growing. Just this week I heard about a roller rink that is being attacked by government official because they played Christian music on an evening dedicated to having Christians kids at the roller rink. That is absurd! What is going on when it even comes into someone's mind that playing Christian music, for Christian kids, in a private facility is something we need to stop? This makes no sense. This makes us less safe.

I feel less safe today because the attacks to erase our Christian heritage in America are growing and spreading. We are rewriting who we are. Why is this happening? Because it will change who we will be... and that is very scary.

Conservatives and Liberals

2006-02-04T17:55:00.000-08:00

We have seen a major difference between conservatives and liberals in the process of selecting the last two Supreme Court justices.

Conservatives are focused on selecting judges who will interpret the constitution in the way the original authors, and those who approved the constitution and its ammendements, intended.

Liberals say the constitution is a living document, whose meaning changes so as to adapt itself to the current culture and situations.

Let's think about what each of these positions means, and what practical effect they would have on us.

The constitution is the foundation of all our laws.

If the meaning of the constitution changes over time, we no longer have that foundation. Essentially each day a group of nine people decide what the laws of the land are. One day you are secure in your home, and the next day you discover your local government can take your home and give it to a developer who wants to build a luxury hotel. Surprise! The meaning of the "living document" has changed.

Conservatives also believe the constitution is a living document, but when the law needs to be changed it is not done by nine people. The constitution should always mean what the authors, and those who approved it, intended it to mean. If the law needs to change to adapt to a new culture or situation, that is what amendments are for.

The difference between conservatives and liberals on this issue is a difference in beliefs concerning who can change the law. Conservatives believe that it is congress that changes the law. If the constitution is not serving us well, then there is a process to amend it, as has been done 27 times. Liberals feel that judges have the right to arbitarily change the law. But that's not how our government was set up.

One way to find out who is right is to reverse positions. Until this last week the Supreme Court had been very liberal for a long time. Now it's slightly conservative. Let's say that in the next six months justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg retires and is replaced by a strong conservative and there is now a strongly conservative Supreme Court. Will liberals still say that the constitution is a living document and judges can interpret to change laws so they are better suited for our current (conservative) culture? I don't think so. That's the flaw in allowing the judiciary to make law. If new situations arise which are not addressed by the original intent of the existing constitutional law, then those situations need to be addressed by new law. That's why we have a legislative branch of government.

End Of The Spear

2006-01-30T11:43:00.000-08:00

Many of the Christian movies I've seen seem to have a cheap, low-budget look to them. No "The End of The Spear". This is a quality film that tells an interesting story. It is well worth seeing.

It is the story of five missionary families. They are trying to find and bring the Gospel to a tribe of people who are so murderous that the government of Ecuador will probably soon send in the army and wipe them out. The missionairies find them, and the men in the families are killed as a result of a misunderstanding among the men ofthe tribe. But, the women go into the jungle village and over time, through the love of Christ, these tribal people in the jungle become Christians. Andnow they are reaching out and bring the good news of the Gospel to other tribes near them, and around the world.

Take two hours this weekend and go see "End of the Spear".

What Pleases God?

2006-01-28T13:13:00.000-08:00

Do you have an opinion on what pleases God?

Do you know what the Bibles says God is pleased by?

A survey is being conducted by Mission to America during the month of February (2006). If you have an opinion on what it is that pleases God, please visit Mission to America, click on the survey link in the upper right corner and give your opinion. The results of the survey will be published on the Mission to America web site.

1,000,000,000 Dead (And Counting)

2006-01-07T22:05:00.000-08:00

The U.S. Census Bureau estimated that the population of the world was 6,488,578,564 as of midnight this past New Year's Eve.

Since 1973 more than One Billion babies have been aborted worldwide. 1/6 the population of the world has been killed off! Never in all of history has there been such a massacre. One billion babies, created in the image of God, have been killed. What must God think of this? How it must make God cry.

Psalm 139:13-16
"You [God] made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother's womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous--and how well I know it.
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book." (NLT)

God created every baby as a human life from the moment of conception. Notice how Psalm 139 above is talking about babies in the womb and in the last line it talks about every day of life being recorded in God's book. There has been no change of subject here. When the Bible says "every day of my life" it is including every day in the womb.

How can we go on killing like this? Where is our humanity? Our civilization? Our compassion for life?

Find Out How Your Representatives Voted

2006-01-03T12:52:00.000-08:00

A new online database provided by the Washington Post allows you to see every vote in the U.S. Congress going back to 1991. You can look up votes in a variety of ways, including some that look like they will be very useful such as vote missers and late night votes.

There are also inks that directly show you impeachment votes, votes on nominations, speaker elections, treaty votes and Vice-Presidential tiebreakers. A separate set of links brings you directly to information on recent votes.

Visit the Washingtom Post Votes Database (http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/) to find out whether your Senators and Representative are truly representing your views.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

2005-12-30T22:11:00.000-08:00

Wow! I like this film even more than the Lord of the Rings. Well worth seeing several times.

Now They Have Jesus

2005-12-24T18:54:00.000-08:00

Several weeks ago I wrote about noticing only two homes decorated with anything related to Jesus. Since then I've added two more homes to my list. One with a nativity scene and another home that is heavily decoraded and includeds a small sign in the bushes with the word Jesus on it. I'm not sure if they are making a statement, but it seems appropriate because when our Savior came into the world, few noticed. It took direct intervention by God to even get a few people to notice (the shepherds and wise men, for example).

Last night, both homes that had nativity scenes had their decorations vandalized and parts of the decorations stolen. The thieves were very selective. For example, they took Jesus. They took who they most needed, Jesus. Now that they have Jesus, may the Lord start a great work in their hearts.

24 Out of 100 Young Americans Killed

2005-12-19T16:47:00.000-08:00

There is an interesting statistic in an article about pregnancy in America. Here is a quote:

"In 1995, for every 100 pregnancies that ended in abortion or a birth, almost 26 ended in abortion. In 2002, 24 ended in abortion, according to Guttmacher data."

Think about what this means:

For every 76 babies that are born in America, 24 American children are killed.

This means that one out of four babies in America were killed in 2002! That's genocide. That's mass murder on a HUGE scale. How do we tolerate such evil?

The article is at: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051219/ap_on_he_me/unwanted_pregnancies

The U.S. Patriot Act - How Safe Are We?

2005-12-16T06:35:00.000-08:00

The debate is now going on in Congress concerning a new Patriot Act and what modifications are needed to strengthen or weaken it. I hope Congress is keeping in mind that we are under attack from many directions. I'm not talking about just Islamic terrorists. Other countries have us in their sights also. Check out this article about how it appears the Chinese military is attacking U.S. military computers to steal secret information:

China Accused Of Hacking U.S. Systems

Of course the Chinese are going to say they aren't doing it. That's SOP. But you can be assured we are the #1 target for more than Islamic terrorists. Although we don't need to be paranoid (that's the job of the people who protect us), it is a dangerous world and most of what's happening, such as this Chinese attack on U.S. military computers, does not make the evening news.

We Are In A Dark Age - Part 2

2005-12-13T05:18:00.000-08:00

I've been looking up definitions. The most common definition of a "dark age" is:

A period of apparent intellectual and moral ignorance. A period in which superstition substitutes for knowledge.

Then I collected definitions of superstition. It is most commonly defined as:

Irrational belief arising from ignorance or fear.

So what is our current situation? Here are what some atheists say about their beliefs:

Dr Scott Todd, an immunologist at Kansas State University: "Even if all the data point to an intelligent designer, such an hypothesis is excluded from science because it is not naturalistic."

Richard Lewontin, Billions and billions of demons, The New York Review: "We take the side of science in spite of the patent absurdity of some of its constructs, in spite of its failure to fulfill many of its extravagant promises of health and life, in spite of the tolerance of the scientific community for unsubstantiated just-so stories, because we have a prior commitment, a commitment to materialism. It is not that the methods and institutions of science somehow compel us to accept a material explanation of the phenomenal world, but, on the contrary, that we are forced by our a priori adherence to material causes to create an apparatus of investigation and a set of concepts that produce material explanations, no matter how counter-intuitive, no matter how mystifying to the uninitiated. Moreover, that materialism is an absolute, for we cannot allow a Divine Foot in the door."

Aldous Huxley (known as Darwin's bulldog for his energetic support of Darwinism) "I had motive for not wanting the world to have a meaning; consequently assumed that it had none... For myself, the philosophy of meaninglessness was essentially an instrument of liberation, sexual and political."

Based on the words of those who most strongly support evolution, it appears that we are in a dark age in which knowledge and truth must take a back seat to the patently absurt "science" of evolution because it does away with God and thus allows evolutionists the "freedom" to engage in immoral behavior. Unfortunately, in satisfying their desire for immoral behavior, they have sucked in huge numbers of innocent people who have trusted and believed them. But what does it matter if people are hurt? In the world of survival of the fittest, as long as I'm doing okay, and I can do what I WANT, then everything is okay.

The truth is that God did create the universe, and as the creator he knows exactly what he created and how it works. Historically, whenever a group of people have turned their backs on God and tried to understand the world based solely on human wisdom, things have gone badly. Science and God go together. It is through science that our understanding of God's creation grows--but it always remains God's creation.

We Are In A New Dark Age

2005-12-11T07:37:00.000-08:00

Three to four hundred years from now, the period we are now living in will be viewed as the second great dark age.

Why?

Because some of our most important science is based on nearly 200 year old 19th century hypothesises (evolution) that are obviously false, but which is force-feed to our children (and us) through our schools, media and government. The result is a moral decline that has resulted in more than one million deaths per year in America alone.

How are bad science and a moral decline linked? Because the bad science is being used to remove God from our lives, and without God the only other option is to turn to ourselves--to human created morality. As the Bible says, when mankind does what is right in their own eyes what we accomplish is to create death, ignorance and misery. (Read the book of Judges.)

Future generations will see our time as a dark age because we have replaced knowlege with entertainment.

Future generations will see our time as a dark age because the majority of us have turned from seeking scientific truth and replaced it with ideology. (See Fraud In Science).

Future generations will see our time as a dark age because we approve and engage in human sacrifice. Just as ancient cultures sacrificed their children to their stone and wooden "gods", we sacrifice our children to the American ideological gods of humanism (seeing ourselves as the center of the universe), convenience and having a "good" lifestyle--and we give it the name "abortion".

Jesus In Lights

2005-12-06T20:17:00.000-08:00

Every evening I take the dog for a walk. This time of year all the homes lite up with Christmas lights makes the walk a little more enjoyable. But I've been noticing something. Jesus isn't part of the celebration.

The are plenty of Santa Clauses, snowmen, reindeer, and candy canes. There a animated reindeer and an eight foot tall snow globe. I've even seen Mickey Mouse and Charlie Brown. Over the past few nights I've walked by hundreds of homes light up for Christmas, but only two have anything even related to Jesus. We are celebrating the birth of Jesus, yet Jesus does not seem to be a part of the celebration.

Of the two homes that have something about Jesus, one has a nativity scene made with colored lights. The other one, however, is my favorite. The only display the house has is a manger in the center of the front yard lite by a single spot light. In the manger is a brightly wrapped Christmas present. This display captures the spirit of Christmas better than any other--God gave us the greatest possible gift, His son.

On Christmas morning you'll see that the present has been opened, and the baby Jesus will be in the manger.

Thank you God! Thank you for the most precious and important gift you could have given us!

Six Results of Watching TV

2005-12-03T18:09:00.000-08:00

1) Immaturity

2) Materialism - you'll learn that you can purchase happiness (and you'll find that no matter how much you purchase, it does not bring happiness).

3) Passivity

4) Learning and entertainment are inseparable. It a teacher can't entertain you, they have nothing to teach you.

5) Instant gratification is the norm.

6) TV will provide your value structure.

A truly excellent book to read is Neil Postman's "Amusing Ourselves to Death" (Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business).

The Bible, Government, and Evil

2005-12-01T17:03:00.000-08:00

If you get the videos I've recommended in my last two posts, you'll see for yourself that Saddam's reign in Iraq was a reign of complete evil. Tens of thousand of innocent people died every month from torture, starvation in detention camps, and just plain murder. More people disappeared and have never been heard from again (for over 20 years now). Saddam's sons ran rape rooms. Children had their faces melted off by chemicals. There are mass graves across the face of Iraq.

According to the Bible, how should we respond to such evil? Did George Bush do the right thing according to the Bible?

The Bible says that as individuals we should not seek revenge, but it is the responsibility of governments to respond to evil. This is what Romans 13:3-4 says:

"For rulers [government] are not the cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid, for it [government] does not bear the sword [have the ability to go to war] for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil."

George Bush lead America to do what the Bible says government is supposed to do, oppose evil. Now, however, liberals and the liberal media are leading America in the other way, such that evil will no longer be afraid of authority, but will instead be laughing in our faces.

Saddam's Mass Graves

2005-12-01T16:54:00.000-08:00

I recommend getting the video Saddam's Mass Graves, if you want to learn the truth about what is happening in Iraq. This is a documentary Kurdish film maker, Jano Rosebiani. He travels into dangerous territory by featuring secret interviews with the victims of Saddam's regime. Rosebiani tastefully exposes the aftermath of grief from surviving family members, some who've lost everyone and everything . The heart-wrenching details from the Iraqi people and their personal stories of survival is truly inspiring. Watch in awe, as you learn the facts about a regime that routinely used false imprisonment, torture and genocide of thousands of innocent men, women and children.

This video is being offered on the internet by the Iraqi Truth Project.

Weapons Of Mass Destruction - Bush Lied

2005-11-25T11:00:00.000-08:00

Who lied to America by saying the following about Saddam Hussain?

"we know he has stored secret supplies of biological and chemical weapons..."

A) Colin Powell
B) Al Gore
C) George W. Bush

Why does this topic come up in this blog? Because truth is fundamental to Christianity. Because truth is important. We base how we will live our lives, and what we support with our votes, on how we perceive truth. This brings us to the problem. Truth no longer has any meaning. Truth is no longer absolute, but is being redefined to mean "anything that supports what I want to believe."

The problem with TRUTH is that finding truth sometimes takes effort; it can be ugly; it can be sad in painfull ways; in most cases it's not entertaining (and Americans now require that they be entertained in everything they do); and sometimes truth does not support what WE WANT to believe.

The issue of George Bush using weapons of mass destruction as the main reason we invaded Iraq is a good example. Many people hate George Bush because he disagrees with their politics. Many hate him because he disagrees with their lack of morality. Many hate him because he is a Christian.

You can understand why someone hates another person by looking at what they use to attack that person. Most often they will use the same general type of thing to attack someone, that their conscience tells them they themselves are doing wrong. In this case morality is being used to attack George W. Bush. The accusation that "Bush lied" is an accusation against the morality of George W. Bush. Accusations coming from supporters of the president who openly lied more than any other president, Bill Clinton.

So, who lied... or did anyone lie about Iraq and weapons of mass destruction?

WMD's was one ofthe reasons Bush gave for the need to remove Suddam Hussain. But, it was not the main reason Bush gave. An excellent summary is provided by the speak Bush made when he gave Saddam Hussain 48 hours to quite Iraq. He said:

"All the decades of deceit and cruelty have now reached an end. There will be no more wars of aggression against your neighbors; no more poison factories; no more executions of dissidents; no more torture chambers and rape rooms. The tyrant will soon be gone. The day of your liberaion is near."

So who is it that is quoted at the beginning of this post?

Al Gore.

Congress had access to all of the same reports on Iraq as President Bush did. What conclusion did the Democrats come to? That we needed to stay out of Iraq because we would be slaughtered. Time after time democrats keep pounding on the theme that Saddam Hussain's weapons of mass destruction would kill tens of thousands of American troops.

The New York Tiimes in January 2003, based on a CIA report of WMDs, said that we must stay out because Saddam would use "his last chance to extract vengeance by taking a large number of victims with him."

So the truth is, the democrats were wrong. Did they lie? No. They were responding to the best information then available--although unlike George Bush they focused on WMDs and ignored the torture, murder and rape being done by Saddam and his sons.

Was the CIA information about WMDs "slanted" by the Bush administration? No. Two commissions who have looked at this have said no. There was no tampering. No modification of intelligence. It was just bad intelligence resulting, in part from Clinton policies that prevented communication between intelligence agencies.

If you'd like to learn the truth about whatis happening in Iraq, I suggest the videos put out by the Iraqi Truth Project. While the production quality of these videos are excellent, the story they tell is not pretty. It is not entertaining. Sometimes the truth even hurts. But the truth is important.

We Have A Neighbor

2005-11-23T06:23:00.000-08:00

We have a neighbor who is politically very liberal. She keeps asking us, "Aren't I a Christian? I didn't vote for Bush, so you conservatives are saying I'm not a Christian. ...and by the way BUSH LIED!" She can't avoid adding "Bush lied!" to the end of almost everything she says.

She can not understand why the news reports say Bush was put into office by Christians. But she didn't vote for Bush. So does that mean she is not a Christian? (And by the way, "Bush lied!")

No, there is no Christian requirement to vote for any specific person. Your salvation does not depend on who you vote for. But as Abigail Adams (wife of President John Adams) commented when faced with choosing between two candidates, both of whom she did not like, Christian voters should look to choose the candidate who best supports Christian values. Which candidate is a judgment we make.

So the answer to my neighbor's question is that no one can judge her Christianity based on whom she voted for. Although that does not preclude the media from noticing that most Christians voted for a specific candidate.

And by the way, one last comment from my neighbor... "Bush lied!"

What Is A Man?

2005-11-15T05:35:00.000-08:00

A baby in the womb is totally helpless. Totally defenseless.

It is a woman's duty to protect and nurture the baby in her. There is no one else who can do that.

It is a man's duty to protect his wife and by doing so he also protects his unborn child. If he has to, it is his duty to give his life to save them. That's what a man does.

A person who makes a woman pregnant IS NOT A MAN, if he voluntarily leaves that woman and is not a father to his child.

A person who makes a woman pregnant IS NOT A MAN if he is not protecting them from harm and danger.

A person who makes a woman pregnant IS NOT A MAN if he is not ready to fight and defend his wife and unborn child with everything he has.

There are about 1,000,000 abortions in America every year. That's 2,739 children murdered every day, seven days a week. Where are the men?

The Party of Death

2005-11-14T06:07:00.000-08:00

Liberals now call themselves "progressives" in an attempt to get away from the negative, anti-Christian images that have come to be associated with the word liberal. But no matter what they call themselves, liberal or progressive, they are still the party of death that has duped large numbers of Americans into supporting their self-centered grab for money and power.

Where do you find support for the murder of innocent babies through abortion? Liberals claim to base their positions on rational thought backed by the best science. But the best science has been telling us for over 20 years that life begins at conception--and yes, babies do feel excruciating pain as they are murdered during an abortion. Liberals claim to base their support for the murder of defenseless babies on compassion forthe mother. Yet medical science shows that abortion is harmful to both the mental and physical health of the former mother.

Where do you find people who are willing to let more people become infected and die from HIV, HPV and other sexually transmitted diseases? Liberals. Condoms offer very little protection against HPV, a disease that kills more women than HIV! This is not a new revelation, science has known this for years, but those who support condoms as the only way to prevent the spread of disease ignored it and watched 20,000 of their sisters die over the past five years.

Liberals would have you think you are no better than dogs. That you can not control your desires any more than a dog in heat can. Why? Because they say you are nothing more than "goo to you". They say you came from bateria, that evolved to animals and became you. That makes you no better than an animal. No better than a dog in heat. You can't control youself so you need to use a condom--you have no other choice.

But you are better than that.

God says that YOU are very special. You were created in the image of God, and that makes you very special, important and worthy of God's love. God loves you so much that he sacrificed his only Son so that you might live. God loves you so much that he will forgive EVERYTHING wrong that you have ever done--even having an abortion or performing an abortion--if you trust him to take care of your eternal salvation.

Trust in God.

2,739 Americans Murdered Today

2005-11-11T05:43:00.000-08:00

Just recently we saw on the news that 2000 Americans died in Iraq. That's sad news. But we also know they gave their lives for an important cause--freedom.

Today, and every day in America -- 7 days a week -- an estimated 2,739 Americans were murdered by abortions. These Americans had no body armor. Not night vision goggles. No weapons to defend themselves. No helecopters or F-15s overhead to protect them. No choice about what would happen in their lives. They were totally naked. Totally defenseless. Unable to speak for themselves. And totally trusting in their mother as their only defense. And their mother betrayed them.

That's 2,739 defenseless babies killed every day. Most just for the convenience of the person God gave them for their protection.

The Catholic Church Opposes The Bible

2005-11-04T04:01:00.000-08:00

Cardinal Paul Poupard, who heads the Pontifical Council for Culture said on Thursday (November 3, 2005) that "the faithful should listen to what secular modern science has to offer, warning that religion risks turning into 'fundamentalism' if it ignores scientific reason."

The reason he gave for the Catholic Church taking this position was based on:

"Pope John Paul II's 1992 declaration that the church's 17th-century denunciation of Galileo was an error resulting from 'tragic mutual incomprehension.' Galileo was condemned for supporting Nicolaus Copernicus' discovery that the Earth revolved around the sun; church teaching at the time placed Earth at the center of the universe."

"The permanent lesson that the Galileo case represents pushes us to keep alive the dialogue between the various disciplines, and in particular between theology and the natural sciences, if we want to prevent similar episodes from repeating themselves in the future" .

He seems to be responding to statements made earlier this year by Christoph Schonborn, the cardinal archbishop of Vienna (July 9th, 2005 New York Times) who said: "Evolution in the sense of common ancestry might be true, but evolution in the neo-Darwinian sense - an unguided, unplanned process of random variation and natural selection - is not. Any system of thought that denies or seeks to explain away the overwhelming evidence for design in biology is ideology, not science."

Unfortunately the leaders of the Catholic Church do not know their own history. At the time of Galileo the Catholic Church was taking the position of secular science, saying the world was the center of the universe. Galileo's work was based on that of Nicolaus Copernicus. By the way, Copernicus was not a scientist by profession. His full time job was as Catholic canon (ecclesiastical administrator). Both Galileo and Copernicus believed they were taking a Biblical position. They were supporting the Bible, not opposing it.

Now history is repeating itself and the Catholic Church is on the wrong side once again--supporting secularism as being superior over God's word.

Dinosaurs and People Living Together

2005-10-29T09:23:00.000-07:00

There is an interesting post here about dinosaurs and the Bible.

Did you know that dinosaurs are described or mentioned in the Bible over fifty times? The Bible is not a book about dinosaurs, it just mentions them incidentally. But it mentions them in ways that make it clear that people and dinosaurs did live together.

Did you know that government records in Italy describe dinosaurs as late as the 1500's?

Did you know that red blood cells have recently been found in fossil bones from a Tyrannosaurus rex in Montana? This means that T. Rex could not have died more than a few thousand years ago. It is a scientific impossibility for this dinosaur to have died millions of years ago.

Do you know that soft, fibrous tissue, and complete blood vessels have recently been found in T. Rex bones? (See Dinosaur soft tissue find—a stunning rebuttal of “millions of years”). This is scientifically impossible if dinosaurs became extinct millions of years ago.

Why has no one found these things previously? Because no one has looked. The belief that dinosaurs became extinct millions of years ago is so ingrained in our culture that no other options can even be considered. However, is that the true way of science? Doesn't the scientific method mean you follow the evidence wherever it leads, and draw your conclusions from the evidence? What we have now is that the conclusion--the earth is millions of years old--determines what evidence will be examined, investigated or searched for. The conclusion that is desired is all that is allowed, without regard to the evidence. We've got the scientific method exactly backward!!

Why do evolutionists insist on ignoring the clear scientific evidence?

Legalism or Sanctification?

2005-10-03T04:47:00.000-07:00

My wife and I were shopping for a stove this weekend and we learned about a stove made specifically for Jews. I don't know if this is true, but we were told that this stove has a timer that does not display the time setting showing when it will turn on. This allows the stove to be set on Friday, so that it turns on Saturday and, for example, heats up a kettle of water for tea. If the timer had a display, then using that timer is considered working on the Sabbath. Since the timer does not have a display, then using the timer is not considered working on the Sabbath.

Some people point to our web sites and call them "legalistic" because we focus on discussing what it means to obey God. (See evangelical.us for example). That means we talk a lot about God's laws.

Is this legalism, which was condemned in the Bible?

Not at all.

When Jesus condemned legalism he was condemning trusting in your own abilities for your salvation. For example, the Jews felt that by not working on the Sabbath they were doing something that would help then have eternal life. Jesus showed us that this is not true. Thus relying on obeying God's laws for your salvation is legalism--and it will not result in your salvation.

Our salvation is a free gift of God, given to us through His grace. There is nothing you can do to earn your salvation.

So why do we talk about obeying God's laws.

Because there is more to "life" than our salvation. John chapter 14 tells us repeatedly that if we love Jesus, we are to obey Jesus. Not because it results in our salvation, but because we love Jesus and WANT TO obey him.

In America today many churchs have taken on the attitude of not teaching about God's law. On the other hand Satan continually pushes disobedience to God's law at us through our culture, media, schools and any other way he can find. We have gotten to the point where we do not know God's law--we do not know what God wants. In fact, we've gone so far that we believe Satan's lies are God's law!

That's why we talk about God's law so much on our web sites. His law leads us away from Satan and toward growing more like Jesus Christ. That process is called sanctification. It's a good thing--and God's law, which helps us in the process of sanctification is good thing. So let's embrace these good things of God and turn our backs on the lies of Satan.

Christian Woman Sentenced To Three Years In Prison

2005-09-02T10:21:00.000-07:00

The three women charged with violating Indonesia's 2002 Child Protection Act by Christianizing Muslim children were found guilty yesterday of all charges in an Indonesian court charged with anti-Christian radicals.

Jeff Hammond, director of Bless Indonesia Today, told ANS Dr. Rebecca Laonita, Mrs. Ratna Mala Bangun, and Mrs. Ety Pangesti, who conducted a “Happy Week” (or “Happy Sunday”) program in their homes in early May, were found “guilty of all charges” and given a sentence of three years.

Hammond pointed out that the guilty verdict was pronounced, even though the children had their parents’ permission to attend, and none of them had changed their religion.

He said the verdict may actually have spared the three a worse fate, as the witnesses and judges were “constantly under the threats of violence from hundreds of Islamic radicals, who threatened to kill the three ladies, witnesses, pastors, missionaries--and even the judges--if the women were acquitted.”

Hammond told ANS that anti-Christian radicals arrived in nine trucks and “brought a coffin to bury the accused if they were found not guilty. Their violent threats continued in their speeches before the session began.”

“Please pray for these three beautiful, gentle women, who were just trying to help save the children of prostitutes from going down the same pathway,” Hammond requested.

More Information:

Read the Full Article - Christian Women Sentenced to Prison
Read A Background Article - Christian Women Accused of Christianizing Children (Article and Pictures)

Federal Court Rules That Atheism Is A Religion

2005-08-24T16:58:00.000-07:00

As schools open this fall we need to be vigilent to ensure religion does not sneek inside the schoolhouse doors. School administrators need to monitor the classrooms to be sure that everyone prays at least once a day. Anyone who does not pray is practicing atheism. The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals has just ruled that atheism is a religion. So obviously we must ensure that no one practices, teaches, or even appears to support atheism in our public schools. We must keep the wall between church and state tall and firm, and requiring everyone to pray is the only way to keep the religion of atheism out of our schools.

Read the news release: Atheism Is A Religion

Our National Anthem

2005-08-02T20:59:00.000-07:00

We all know the words to our National Anthem... or do we?

Our Nation Anthem is about our flag continuing to fly over Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore. But there is more. There is a second verse:

Here are the words of the second verse of the official anthem of the United States of America:

O thus be it ever,
when free men shall stand,
Between their loved homes and war's desolation!
Blessed with victory and peace,
may the heaven rescued land
Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must,
when our cause it is just;
And this be our motto:
"In God is our trust!"
And the star-spangled banner
in triumph shall wave.
O'er the land of the free
and the home of the brave.

Notice who gets the credit for rescuing America from the greater superpower of that time... God (heaven).

God, the power that hath made and preserved our nation. Yes, in God we must trust.

The Motto of the American Revolution

2005-08-01T18:51:00.000-07:00

We don't use mottos much anymore. At one time it was common to create a motto that, in a few words, summed up the spirit of an organization, group or event. A motto gives a focus, defining what a group is about.

Our founding fathers had a motto they used to express the spirit of the Revolutionary War.

That motto was: No King But King Jesus.

Independence Day

2005-07-04T09:34:00.000-07:00

In 1776 America told England, "We don't need you."

There's another side to to independence we don't often think about, although it is obvious. When we say we don't need you, that also means you are no longer obligated to us.

This is the day we celebrate the independence of our country. But there is another independence that many of us have taken for ourselves, without our considering the other side--the "I'm no longer obligated to you" side.

We have declared our independence from God and His right to say what is right and what is wrong. Instead of walking with God, we have decided we have a better way based on our own wisdom. What's the result?

Child Abuse
Pollution
Gang Violence
Drugs
Crime
Divorce

We look at everything that is wrong in the world and we cry out, "God! Why don't you do something? God where are you?"

And when He doesn't respond we say, "I can't believe in a God who allows so much suffering and evil in the world."

But we're forgetting that we have declared our independence from God--and that includes both sides.

In the Bible we read how God blesses nations who obey Him., and He withdraws His blessings from those who do not. When a nation is blessed by God, they prosper. When God's blessings are withdrawn, a nation withers, falls deeper into imorality and eventually dies.

America has been greatly blessed by God. But, is that the case today? Or are we declaring our independence from God?

New Web Site: MTA Info

2005-07-01T16:01:00.000-07:00

When we first started in 2001 we registered the doman "mtainfo.com" along with our other Mission to America domains. The name stands for "Mission to America Information". For years it has been parked on www.missiontoamerica.org.

But we noticed that we were getting quite a few people going to this domain looking for transit information. We get emails saying, "I was looking for the bus schedule and found your web site. I knew it was something my husband should read."

It turns out that the New York City transit authority has "www.MTA.INFO" as one of their web sites. Instead of typing MTA.INFO people were typing MTAINFO.COM.

It came to mind that we should put together a web site that would be a witness to people looking for bus ortrain information. So I am announcing that that www.mtainfo.com is now online as an independent web site.

Are you interested in finding out howto get to heaven? Check out the bus information on MTA INFO.

Freedom of Religion in America: Adieu!

2005-06-30T19:00:00.000-07:00

In his collumn yesterday Lee Ellis wrote:

"A few days ago, the majority of the Supreme Court ruled as if it were using the Constitution of France instead of the Constitution of the USA. The French Constitution states that its nation is a secular one, while our Constitution states that we are a nation under God. One would not know this if the majority of the Supreme Court today is to be believed"

"Mark Levin states in his book, Men in Black, 'Chief Justice William Rehnquist has written that the Court bristles with hostility to all things religious in public life.' Based on a misreading of Thomas Jefferson’s letter to the Danbury Baptists, the Court has propounded and expanded the concept of a 'wall of separation' between church and state."

Read the complete article: Freedom of Religion in America: Adieu!

The Courts Are God?

2005-06-28T16:51:00.000-07:00

With yesterday’s Supreme Court’s two rulings on Ten Commandment’s displays we see the court’s continued efforts to become God.

Does this sound like an extreme statement? Not really. U.S. courts have been ruling in ways in which justices are required to be able to read people’s minds. Something only God can do.

In these recent rulings the court has said that if a Ten Commandments display is placed on public property with religious intentions, it is illegal. If it is placed on public property without religious intent, it is legal. How can intent be truly determined without the ability to read the mind’s of those involved?

We’ve also seen this in “hate crime” legislation. If someone assaults (or in other countries even says something about) another person, and supposedly has certain thoughts in their mind during the assault, then it is a hate crime. But how can anyone, other than God, know what is in another person’s mind? Assault is assault—without regard to who’s involved. It should always be fully investigated; the perpetrator found; and the guilty punished—hopefully in a way that works to prevent future assaults.

In Georgia a school district was required by a court to remove stickers, that stated that evolution is a theory, from a biology book. The court did not dispute the truth of what the stickers said. The court did not find any religious content in the text of the sticker. It was a secular sticker. However, the court said that those who supported placing the sticker in the textbooks did so with a Christian intent. In other words, the court read their minds and did not find a concern about teaching the truth. The judges—acting like God—saw Christian thoughts in their minds. WOW! That’s dangerous--Christians who are interested in the truth being taught in public schools. That’s something the courts think, with their God-like abilities to read minds, must not be allowed.

Let Us Vote, Let Us Vote, Let Us Vote

2005-06-06T09:56:00.000-07:00

Recently, hundreds of people gathered to rally in favor of a North Carolina State Constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. The amendment would define marriage as the union of one man and one woman, preventing judges from redefining marriage in North Carolina. Supporters loudly chanted again and again throughout the rally, "Let us vote! Let us vote! Let us vote!"

A number of nationally recognized speakers -- Mike Johnston, Bob Knight, Bill Maier, and Tony Perkins -- made critical points concerning the impetus for state marriage amendments. Summaries of their speaches are available from Agape Press.

Slavery In America

2005-06-01T07:40:00.000-07:00

Following drug dealing, what is the second most frequently committed crime in the world (including in the United States)?

Human slavery, otherwise known as human trafficking, is the second largest criminal "industry" in the world. This is according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

We like to think of America as a country free of slavery. But, that is not true. Slavery exists, and we choose to ignore it. I'm not talking about some distorted "political" definition of slavery. People are being brought from other countries, typically poor countries, and kept in slavery in this country. The sex trade in particular brings in women and uses them in prostitution, exotic dancing, and other sex related activities. These woman don't speak English, don't understand our laws, and through this ignorance and physical restraint and personal terrorism they are keep as sex slaves.

But slavery in America isn't limited to women. Men and women are brought into America and put to work as domestic servants and in sweatshops. Again through an inability to communicate, lack of knowlege, fear, intimidation and physical restraint they are kept as slaves to their "employers".

Evidence that may indicate someone is trapped as a slave includes:

* Inability to relocate or leave a job

* Not speaking on their own behalf

* Fear and depression

* Bruises and evidence of being controlled

* Evidence the person is not being paid.

* Evidence the person can not come and go as they please

* The person has to ask permission to eat, sleep or go to the bathroom.

* No passport or identification. There identification has been taken from them.

If you think you've encountered a human trafficking victim, please call 1-888-3737-888.

Persecution in Bangladesh / Persecution of Hmong

2005-05-21T08:44:00.000-07:00

Bangladesh - In Bangladesh attacks on converts to Christianity by Islamic extremists are increasing. The Bangladesh government is doing nothing to stop the persecution of these Christians.

Read about Christian persecution in Bangladesh

Vietnam - Beatings, imprisonment, and torture of Hmong Christians are commonplace. For some Hmong Christians, the torture includes drug injections. A witness said that “those that were injected said that they experienced symptoms of chest pains, headaches, and a loss of feeling in their limbs.”

Vietnam is even engaged in chemical warfare against the Hmong. Worshippers are being attacked with chemical weapons. They cause “seizures and uncontrollable shaking.” More than 100 worshippers at two separate church services required medical attention after chemical attacks.

Read about persecution of the Hmong Christians

A bit of good news is that in Vietnam the U.S. government has been working to stop the persecution of Hmong Christians.

Convert From Islam Held In Mental Hospital

2005-05-16T17:24:00.000-07:00

Persecution of Christians in Egypt: A convert from Islam to Christianity is being held against his will in a Cairo mental hospital, where supervising doctors have told him he must stay unless he recants Christianity and returns to Islam. Since his forced confinement, he reportedly has been beaten, whipped and given potentially fatal injections by hospital personnel.

Gaser Mohammed Mahmoud, 30, was committed to the El-Khanka Hospital for Mental and Neurological Health in early January by his adoptive parents, after they learned he had become a Christian two years earlier.

Read this story on the International Christian Response web site.

UZBEKISTAN: Officials "condone" kangaroo court punishments of Christians

2005-05-13T12:06:00.000-07:00

This blog is about Cristians and civil government. We've been posting links to news articles about Christian persecution aroundthe world. What does that have to do with civil government? Governments around tghe world regularly turn a blind eye to Christian persecution, and in many cases it isthe civil government supporting, or actually taking part in, persecution of Christians.

Here's an article about persecution in Uzbekistan.

This article is on an excellent web site dedicated to religious freedom, based in Oslo, Norway.

Christian Persecution in America

2005-05-09T20:25:00.000-07:00

Here's an excellent radio program about the persecution the Focus on the Family ministry is facing. It is the Focus on the Family broadcast for May 9th. I could not find a individual page to link to, so I had to link to the archive page.

http://www.oneplace.com/Ministries/Focus_on_the_Family/Archives.asp

Go to the broadcast for May 9, 2005. It should be available there for the next month. If you'd liker to learn what is happening, listen to this 25 minute radio show. What they describe is not just targeted at Focus on the Family, all Christian ministries have been subject to the same thing, including small ministries such as Mission to America.

Hindu Extremists Attack Church, Burn Bibles

2005-05-05T16:30:00.000-07:00

"Attackers molest female worshippers, severely injure pastor and wife."

"A crowd of nearly 500 Hindu villagers attacked the pastor of a house church, his wife and other church members in the southern state of Karnataka on May 1. The attackers sexually molested female church members and burned Bibles and other Christian literature."

Read the complete news article: Hindus Attack Church

Facing Legal Consequences In Canada

2005-05-03T17:30:00.000-07:00

Just a few years ago who would have imagined that a Catholic Bishop would possibly be persecuted for speaking about one of the church's basic teachings? Bishop Frederick Henry of Calgary has sent out two pastoral letters repeating the church's teaching on homosexuality and as a result is facing complaints of human rights violations. Read more about this in Catholic World News.

Christian Persecution

2005-04-24T20:30:00.000-07:00

As I've had time over the past two weeks or so I've posted links to news stories about the persecution of Christians around the world.

Why?

Because, persecution of Christians is hidden news. You won't read about it in your local paper. You won't see it on the evening news. But, the truth is Christians are the most persecuted group in the world. We don't think of people being martyred in today's world--but the truth is, more Christians are martyred for their faith every year, that any other group.

You just don't hear about it.

Are Christians persecuted in America? To answer this we need to ask, what is persecution?

Are Christians being martyred for their faith in America today? Outside of some wackos, such as at Red Lake Senior High School, no. And this is true for any other group. In America we don't kill or torchure those who disagree with us. That's a good thing.

Are Christian economically discriminated against? Possibly, but not to the point at which it is significant. Christians have lost their jobs because they expressed their Christianity--even, in some cases, in as subtle way as wearing a cross. Some people find a cross offensive (the Bible said that would happen), and when they complain, the one who is wearing the cross has to lose the cross or lose their job.

Are Christian discriminated against politically. In some ways, and in some cases as a result of our own arrogance and stupidity.

The law against political speach in churches is plain discrimination. It denies the right of free speach to a certain class of people. That's not right and it is persecution.

On the other hand, the efforts of some Christian politicians have tried to legislate morality has, in my opinion done much to hurt Christianity. Immoral behavior can not be legislated away, and the Federal government intruding in areas of state's rights should not be happening. On the other hand, legislation that supports immoral behavior can be taken off the books. Abortion should not be approved and supported by our government. Neither should homosexual marriage or civil unions. We should not be celebrating immorality in our laws or government.

But back to persecution.

Yes, there is persecution of Christians in America--but it is not overt and direct, nor is it life threatening. It is subtle--restricting what Christians can say and do. For example, it is tolerant and shows diversity for Muslins to put on a presentation about Islam at a public library. But, the library is not an acceptable forum in which a Christian can talk about their faith.

In Russian, which is a very dark place spiritually, visiting missionaries can go into public schools and teach kids about Bible stories. In America that's illegal and our kids no longer know about Adam & Eve, Noah, Jonah or Esther.

Students saying a Christian prayer at a high school graduation is illegal, but a Muslin call to payers may be blasted out of loudspeakers five times a day in small towns in the mid-west.

The Ten Commandments are torn from public places, while pagan prayer mazes are built into sidewalks, and weekend public "prayer" walks on the mazes are held.

Why am I bringing all this up? After all the Bible has told us this would happen. My point is to help Christians become aware of what's happening, how they are slowly loosing their rights. We need to stand up, have our votes counted, and at least take back our right to free speach in our own church buildings.

Villagers Beat Christians, Burn Down Prayer Hall

2005-04-18T17:55:00.000-07:00

Hindu and Muslim villagers burned down a prayer hall and physically attacked three church members following a baptism ceremony in Kerala, India. Two days later, villagers assaulted Pastor Paul Ciniraj Mohammed and his 54-year-old assistant.

Read more: Pastor and Assistant Attacked

Vietnamese Prison Sentence Stands

2005-04-17T16:49:00.000-07:00

The two Vietnamese Mennonites, Rev Nguyen Hong Quang and Evangelist Pham Ngoc Thach, had their appeal turned down. Rev. Hong Quang has received a threeyear sentence. Phan Ngoc Thach has receiveda two year sentence.

The following link providesthe backgroiund on what has happened: Vietnamese Mennonites

Mennonite Six - In Vietnam Court

2005-04-15T21:17:00.000-07:00

Six Mennonite church workers have been systematically brutalised in jail. One who completed his sentence says he was ‘terrorised’ and is suffering from malnutrition. Another has been crippled. And a 21-year-old Sunday school teacher has been driven out of her mind.

Read the full story:

The Mennonite Six

Two of Vietnam’s imprisoned Mennonite Christians were to have had their appeal heard by the People’s Supreme Court. on April 12. I'll put a link here when we learn what happened.

Brutal Killing of Pastor Terrifies Christians

2005-04-11T16:52:00.000-07:00

Pastor Shamoun Babar, 37, and his driver, Daniel Emanuel, 36, were found on April 7, dumped on a Peshawar road. According to a news release from the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA), they had been tortured and shot.

In other news: On Easter Sunday, there was an attack on the Apostolic Church at Khamba near Lahore, Pakistan. Gumnen opened fire, killing one worshiper and severely injuring seven others.

More about this kidnapping and murder.

17 Christians Arrested / Tortured

2005-04-09T19:36:00.000-07:00

An apparent government crackdown on Christians in Phin district, Savannakhet province in southern Laos has led to the arrest and torture of 17 Christian men.

Read what happened at: Christian Persecution

Christians Arrested For Watching Video

2005-04-07T16:26:00.000-07:00

Police recently arrested 16 Protestants for watching a Christian video in the town of Adi-Kibe in Eritrea. Learn more here:

Members of the Kale Hiwot Church arrested

Thomas Jefferson's Opinion of Christianity

2005-01-27T05:05:00.000-08:00

The following quote from Thomas Jefferson is often used to demonstrate that Jefferson thought Christianity was evil and bad:

"Millions of innocent men, women and children, since the introduction of Christianity, have been burnt, tortured, fined and imprisoned; yet we have not advanced one inch towards uniformity." -Thomas Jefferson, Notes on Virginia, 1782

The problem is that this quote is taken completely out of its context.

In the context of this quote Jefferson is talking about America openly welcoming all types of relgious groups. That America be open to all religions was important to our founding fathers, and it is a fundamental principle of Christianity (Christianity does not repress other religions). Our founding fathers did not want to follow the example of England, and the state church they had - The Church of England. Jefferson was saying that he had such faith in the strength of Christianity that he knew coercion was not necessary for Christianity to ultimately win. Here's more of what Jefferson said so we can see this context:

"Truth can stand by itself... Why subject [opinion] to coercion. To produce uniformity... Is uniformity attainable? Millions of innocent men, women, and children since the introduction of Christianity have been burnt, tortured, fined and imprisoned; yet we have not advanced one inch towards unifority. What has been the effect of coercion? To make one half the world fools, and the other half hypocrites. [I]f there be but one right [religion] and [Christianity] that one, we should wish to see the nine-hundred and ninety wandering sects gathered into the fold of truth. But against such a majority we cannot effect this by force. Reason and persuasion are the only practical instruments. To make way for these, free inquiry must be indulged; and how can we wish others to indulge it while we refuse it ourselves?"

Jefferson is saying that in America we should have the right to express our religious beliefs. It's interesting to note that what we have today is the force of government restricting Christianity--and thus going against what Jefferson is saying in this quote. We no longer have "free inquiry" when it comes to Christianity.

Separation of Church and State

2005-01-26T05:40:00.000-08:00

The phrase "separation of church and state" is not in the U.S. Constitution. It is in a letter Thomas Jefferson wrote to a Baptist church in Danbury Ct. Here's the complte letter:

"Gentlemen,

The affectionate sentiments of esteem and approbation which you are so good as to express towards me on behalf of the Danbury Baptist Association give me the highest satisfaction. . . . Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God; that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship; that the legislative powers of government reach actions only and not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a wall of separation between Church and State. Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties. I reciprocate your kind prayers for the protection and blessing of the common Father and Creator of man, and tender you for yourselves and your religious association assurances of my high respect and esteem." -Thomas Jefferson, letter to Danbury Baptist Association, CT., Jan. 1, 1802

The Danbury Baptist's had written to Jefferson because they were concerned about centralized federal power restricting people's right to worship as they pleased. In their letter they wrote:

"Our sentiments are uniformly on the side of religious liberty: that religion is at all times and places a matter between God and individuals, that no man ought to suffer in name, person, or effects on account of his religious opinions, [and] that the legitimate power of civil government extends no further than to punish the man who works ill to his neighbor. But sir, our constitution of government is not specific. . . . [T]herefore what religious privileges we enjoy (as a minor part of the State) we enjoy as favors granted, and not as inalienable rights."

The Danbury Baptists were concerned that because the protection of the "free exercise of religion" was in the constitution, that suggested that this right came from government rather than from God. If this was true the government could take away the right of "free exercise of religion" any time in the future.

Jefferson was writing to the Danbury Baptists to assure them that the constitution did not give the government to right to interfere, dictate or control religious expression. Jefferson was telling them that the first Amendment was only to prevent the establishment of a national denomination by the federal government.

We see Jefferson saying the same thing in a letter to Dr. Benjamin Rush:

"[T]he clause of the Constitution which, while it secured the freedom of the press, covered also the freedom of religion, had given to the clergy a very favorite hope of obtaining an establishment of a particular form of Christianity through the United States; and as every sect believes its own form the true one, every one perhaps hoped for his own, but especially the Episcopalians and Congregationalists. The returning good sense of our country threatens abortion to their hopes and they believe that any portion of power confided to me will be exerted in opposition to their schemes. And they believe rightly."

The "wall of separation" in the letter to the Danbury Baptists was not to limit religious activities in public, but to prevent the government from interfering with the public expression of religion--exactly the opposite of what we now have.

Defeating Evil

2005-01-20T13:04:00.000-08:00

It's inaguration day and I happened to be searching Google Groups for information about Kaizen. I was looking through various technical groups and noticed that many include anti-Bush spam. The spammer apparently look for inactive groups and then spam them. Most ofthe spam was related to Iraq.

I started thinking -- are we doing good or evil in Iraq?

My first thought was that I remember hearing that under Saddam something like 1,000 Iraq's a month were killed. Yes, the homicide bombers are killing people, including Americans, but it seems on the balance there is a whole lot less killing and thus a lot more good in Iraq than there used to be.

Saddam supported homicide bombers who attacked Israel by paying a $25,000 reward to their families. Paying for murder, that sounds like evil to me. It has stopped, that's good.

Saddam was apparently paying off U.N., French, German and Russians with lucrative oil deals, so they would support him, giving him the false sense of feeling he was untouchable. Bribery is not a good way to run things, it falls in the evil category. Those who accepted the bribes are being brought to light, that is good.

Sometimes somebody has to stand up to evil and say, "Enough!" Thank you George Bush for standing up to evil!

Morality and America

2005-01-08T07:43:00.000-08:00

How does immoral behavior affect culture and our country?

A new page about abortion in America answers this question.

A negative change in moral values does not so much harm us now as it does harm future generations.

Why Christians Should Be Involved In Government

2005-01-08T07:35:00.000-08:00

Why should Christians be involved in government? Why is Christian participation in elections important.

John Francis Mercer was a Representative in the Continental Congress (1782-1784), a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, a U.S. Representative (1791-1794) and Governor of Maryland (1801-1803). This is what he said during the Constitutional Convention in Philedelphia:

"It is a great mistake to suppose that the paper we are to propose will govern the United States. It is the men whom it will bring into the government and interest [they have] in maintaining it that are to govern them. The paper will only mark out the mode and the form. Men are the substance and must do the business."

The Bible says: "When the righteous increase, the people rejoice. But when a wicked man rules, people groan." - Proverbs 29:2

A King Ruling In America?

2005-01-07T14:41:00.000-08:00

Those who fought the Revolutionary War did not like King George III very much. In fact, they had a general inclination against America being ruled by any king or monarch. However, there was one king whom they welcomed as their Lord and ruler. There was one king under whom they willingly served. This king is identified in the motto of the American Revolution.

Yes, the American Revolution had a motto. That motto was:

No King But King Jesus.

Anniversary of the Bill of Rights

2004-12-15T21:10:00.000-08:00

Today is the anniversary of the signing of the Bill of Rights, which guarantees government will not interfere with religion.

I offer the following quote, that is attributed to Woodrow Wilson:

"A nation which does not remember what it was yesterday does not know what it is today, nor what it is trying to do. We're trying to do a futile thing if we don't know where we've come from or what we're about."

We lost a right originally given to the church in the Bill of Rights because we've lost our Christian heritage. Even the least religious Christian of our founding fathers said:

"God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever." - Thomas Jefferson

Why Don't We Know The Truth?

2004-12-06T20:32:00.000-08:00

A high school history teacher in the San Fransisco area is suing the school where he teaches. The school has banned the Declaration of Independence because it mentions the word "God".

For over 50 years our educational system has worked to remove God from education. Then we ask, why don't people know about our Christian heritage? Then we say, we are not a Christian nation. Then we say, our founding fathers were not Christians. And we start to live the lie and deny our heritage. And then we ask, why do we have so many problems in our schools?

It's no surprise that most people today are not aware of our Christian heritage. That heritage has been systematically excluded from our public education system. Maybe it's time we started to learn who we are and where we came from.

Is This The Prayer of A Christian or Non-Christian?

2004-12-05T17:27:00.000-08:00

O most Glorious God, in Jesus Christ my merciful and loving father, I acknowledge and confess my guilt, in the weak and imperfect performance of the duties of this day. I have called on thee for pardon and forgiveness of sins, but so coldly and carelessly, that my prayers are become my sin and stand in need of pardon. I have heard thy holy word, but with such deadness of spirit that I have been an unprofitable and forgetful hearer, so that, O Lord, tho' I have done thy work, yet it hath been so negligently that I may rather expect a curse than a blessing from thee. But, O God, who art rich in mercy and plenteous in redemption, mark not, I beseech thee, what I have done amiss; remember that I am but dust, and remit my transgressions, negligences & ignorances, and cover them all with the absolute obedience of thy dear Son, that those sacrifices which I have offered may be accepted by thee, in and for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ offered upon the cross for me; for his sake, ease me of the burden of my sins, and give me grace that by the call of the Gospel I may rise from the slumber of sin into the newness of life. Let me live according to those holy rules which thou hast this day prescribed in thy holy word; make me to know what is acceptable in thy holy word; make me to know what is acceptable in thy sight, and therein to delight, open the eyes of my understanding, and help me thoroughly to examine myself concerning my knowledge, faith and repentance, increase my faith, and direct me to the true object Jesus Christ the way, the truth and the life, bless O Lord, all the people of this land, from the highest to the lowest, particularly those whom thou has appointed to rule over us in church & state. continue thy goodness to me this night. These weak petitions I humbly implore thee to hear accept and ans. for the sake of thy Dear Son Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Whose prayer was this?

The Father of our Country, George Washington. It is part of a prayer book he wrote.

Separation of Church and State?

2004-11-17T08:30:00.000-08:00

This is what the U.S. Constitution (Bill of Rights) says:

Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

There is nothing in the constitution about the separation of church and state. What the constitution does say is that no law may prohibit the free exercise of religion. This is a provision of the constitution that is often being ignored when it comes to the free exercise of Christianity.

An Observation on the Truth

2004-11-02T06:24:00.000-08:00

In observing the world for nearly 50 years I've noticed that those who loudly and continually denouce a "fault" in another person, are in fact the ones who have that fault. For example, those who continually point a finger at others and pronouce them liars, are themselves the real liars. It is the faults in ourselves that we most often see in others, and accuse others of having.

Mission to America Blog Has Moved

2004-10-28T12:28:00.000-07:00

The Mission to America blog has moved to become part of their main web site. It is located at:

http://www.missiontoamerica.org/blog/index.html

A new Christian blog will be starting here after November 1st. I am first allowing time for those looking for the Mission to America blog to learn about it being relocated, before starting to add posts here that will make this message less obvious.

Mission to America is a 501(c)3 non-profit, and thus is they are limited in what can be said on their web site and blog. This new blog is a private blog with no such limits--thus we will be able to talk openly about politics and churches.