This edition of my week-in-review feature, "The 3", includes a golden opportunity for Christians and the church to be active in sharing the love of Christ in disaster, the life of a Christian pastor in Iran on the line, and a recent credible terrorist threat targeting religious centers.
3 - Relief organizations respond in light of Indonesian tsunami
In the aftermath of an earthquake earlier in the week, 2 additional disasters actually emerged - a tsunami that struck islands in the Mentawai chain of Indonesia, leaving some 400 people dead (and the death toll is apparently climbing), as well as the eruption of the Indonesian volcano Mt. Merapi.
Christian organizations have been mobilizing to respond to these remote areas, where suffering is rampant. World Vision, Southern Baptists, and others are reportedly attempting to transport the needed supplies into the affected areas. Here is an update from CBN News.
As I like to point out, the aftermath of disasters provide a tremendous opportunity for the church of the Lord Jesus Christ to reach out with humanitarian aid, helping to meet physical challenges and to address the spiritual needs of the affected people. As people are offered spiritual hope, in addition to physical help, they can experience of the love of God in action and perhaps come to a saving knowledge of Christ.
2 - Christian pastor in Iran faces possible execution
A Christian pastor in Iran has been placed on trial and found guilty of apostasy for questioning the domination of Muslim doctrine in the school his children attended. In his defense, he argued that Iran's constitution allows the practice of Christianity. His wife was also convicted of apostasy, but she was released earlier this month after serving 4 months in prison.
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has urged President Obama this week to pressure Iran to release the pastor, Youdak Nadarkhani, who reportedly is facing a death sentence if he does not renounce his Christian faith. Here is the story from the Christian Examiner, which originally appeared in Baptist Press.
This is the type of scenario that is repeated all to often in some Islamic countries - freedom of religion is non-existent, and people face severe punishment, persecution, and even death because they dare to speak out on behalf of the Christian faith. Iran is a country of "particular concern", according to the U.S. State Department, and is high on the Christian organization Open Doors' "World Watch List". As the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church approaches on November 14th, we can be mindful of this and similar instances of Christian persecution in many areas of the world, where people place their lives on the line for the sake of their Savior, Jesus Christ.
1 - Churches and other houses of worship in Chicago area urged to be vigilant
With the disturbing announcement on Friday of the interception of explosives found in packages addressed to 2 Jewish houses of worship in the Chicago area, we can be alert or re-alerted to the religious nature of the conflicts that we face in this world. Again, we see the thread of fundamentalist Islam, as expressed here apparently by the militant radical group Al-Queda, which is believed to be responsible for the attempted attacks. Here is the story from The Christian Post about the warnings that have been issued to religious institutions in the Chicago area and beyond.
The religious motivation is seen in a couple of ways: these fundamentalist radicals are performing their deeds in the name of their god, Allah, believing they will be rewarded for their treachery. And, they are targeting, in these cases, other religious groups. We know all too well that Jews and Christians are not viewed favorably by these groups, and their motivation is to do harm to those who do not adhere to their religion. Vigilance is being called for across the country and around the world, and these events serve as a grim reminder of the nature of the religiously-motivated conflict that is transpiring across the globe.
Honorable Mention:
Court victory for Mississippi Personhood Amendment
National Day of Prayer survives court challenge involving Colorado governor
Summary of voter information
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
The 3 - October 24, 2010
This week's edition of "The 3" includes a national discourse on a phrase that many think is in the constitution, confusion over the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, and a major conference on evangelism wrapping up in South Africa.
3 - "Separation of church and state" debated as after-effect of DEbate
The concept of "separation of church and state" has no doubt been a contentious one over the years, as those who are seemingly intent on removing religious references from our society and limiting the free expression of religious ideas in the public square have hidden behind that phrase. It's not in the Constitution, as Christine O'Donnell, Delaware Senate candidate, pointed out in a recent debate with her opponent Chris Coons. When Coons attempted to explain his position, which he used in a discussion over the teaching of creation in public schools, he clarified by essentially saying that, according to the First Amendment, Congress is not to "establish" a religion. Here is the account from USA Today's Faith & Reason Blog.
That is correct, but only half the story - and that half of the story is the dominant principle these days in the debate over what is Constitutionally-permitted religious speech. The other half of the story is that Congress is also not to deny the "free exercise" of religion. It seems to me that people who wish to express a religious viewpoint are expected to comply solely with the "establishment clause", without regard to their free speech or free expression rights. In attempting to prevent a so-called "establishment" of religion, plaintiffs, supported by civil liberties organizations, are attempting to get courts to rule that legitimate expressions of religion in a public setting are somehow unconstitutional.
The phrase "separation of church and state" is not in the Constitution, but the words are those of Thomas Jefferson, who wrote to a group of Baptists, emphasizing there should be a wall of separation, in other words, that the church should be protected from governmental intrusion. In the proper context, the idea is not for religious people to keep silent, but the expressed intent was to keep the church from establishing a state church or religious practice.
2 - Confusion reigns over gays in the military
Early in the week, the U.S. military instructed recruiters to allow openly gay individuals to enroll in its ranks, as the result of a ruling by ONE Federal Judge, Virginia Phillips in California, who disregarded the potentially chaotic effect such a ruling would have. After some anticipation, the Obama Administration did appeal the ruling to the 9th Circuit, which stayed Judge Phillips' ruling - at least until this Monday. The judges are evaluating whether or not to stay Phillips' ruling while the case is being heard. Meanwhile, those recruiters are not pulling back on allowing gays to join the military. Here is the report from CitizenLink.
So, confusion reigns, as the military continues to study what potential effect that allowing open homosexuals in our armed forces will have. Pro-family experts caution about the effect on morale, readiness, and the cohesion of forces, as well as the placing of military chaplains in an uncomfortable position of having to support a policy that may conflict with the position of their respective faiths regarding sexuality.
1 - Lausanne conference spotlights stories of God at work
Despite the absence of an entire delegation from China, in the midst of a computer hacker's blow that prevented many from joining in the conference online, the Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization proceeded in Cape Town, South Africa. Some 4000 delegates from almost 200 nations attended, hearing moving testimonies of how God is at work around the world, plotting strategies for reaching more people with the gospel, and being inspired to take part in some of the justice issues that can be addressed Biblically. CBN News had this summary.
One of the stories from Lausanne that attracted my attention was the report from a minister focused on Iran, who reported that thousands of Muslims are coming to Christ. This was documented in this article from The Christian Post.
Now these thousands who attended the conference in Africa are returning to their respective spheres of influence, and it is hoped that they bring a fresh perspective on how God desires to use them in doing His work, and can help to motivate churches and communities to be involved in the work of winning people to Christ.
Honorable Mention:
President omits "creator" from Declaration references - 3 times!
MI woman seeks Christian roommate, charged with discrimination
TN school district bans prayers at football games, graduations
Deanna Favre testifies to Christian faith in latest struggle
3 - "Separation of church and state" debated as after-effect of DEbate
The concept of "separation of church and state" has no doubt been a contentious one over the years, as those who are seemingly intent on removing religious references from our society and limiting the free expression of religious ideas in the public square have hidden behind that phrase. It's not in the Constitution, as Christine O'Donnell, Delaware Senate candidate, pointed out in a recent debate with her opponent Chris Coons. When Coons attempted to explain his position, which he used in a discussion over the teaching of creation in public schools, he clarified by essentially saying that, according to the First Amendment, Congress is not to "establish" a religion. Here is the account from USA Today's Faith & Reason Blog.
That is correct, but only half the story - and that half of the story is the dominant principle these days in the debate over what is Constitutionally-permitted religious speech. The other half of the story is that Congress is also not to deny the "free exercise" of religion. It seems to me that people who wish to express a religious viewpoint are expected to comply solely with the "establishment clause", without regard to their free speech or free expression rights. In attempting to prevent a so-called "establishment" of religion, plaintiffs, supported by civil liberties organizations, are attempting to get courts to rule that legitimate expressions of religion in a public setting are somehow unconstitutional.
The phrase "separation of church and state" is not in the Constitution, but the words are those of Thomas Jefferson, who wrote to a group of Baptists, emphasizing there should be a wall of separation, in other words, that the church should be protected from governmental intrusion. In the proper context, the idea is not for religious people to keep silent, but the expressed intent was to keep the church from establishing a state church or religious practice.
2 - Confusion reigns over gays in the military
Early in the week, the U.S. military instructed recruiters to allow openly gay individuals to enroll in its ranks, as the result of a ruling by ONE Federal Judge, Virginia Phillips in California, who disregarded the potentially chaotic effect such a ruling would have. After some anticipation, the Obama Administration did appeal the ruling to the 9th Circuit, which stayed Judge Phillips' ruling - at least until this Monday. The judges are evaluating whether or not to stay Phillips' ruling while the case is being heard. Meanwhile, those recruiters are not pulling back on allowing gays to join the military. Here is the report from CitizenLink.
So, confusion reigns, as the military continues to study what potential effect that allowing open homosexuals in our armed forces will have. Pro-family experts caution about the effect on morale, readiness, and the cohesion of forces, as well as the placing of military chaplains in an uncomfortable position of having to support a policy that may conflict with the position of their respective faiths regarding sexuality.
1 - Lausanne conference spotlights stories of God at work
Despite the absence of an entire delegation from China, in the midst of a computer hacker's blow that prevented many from joining in the conference online, the Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization proceeded in Cape Town, South Africa. Some 4000 delegates from almost 200 nations attended, hearing moving testimonies of how God is at work around the world, plotting strategies for reaching more people with the gospel, and being inspired to take part in some of the justice issues that can be addressed Biblically. CBN News had this summary.
One of the stories from Lausanne that attracted my attention was the report from a minister focused on Iran, who reported that thousands of Muslims are coming to Christ. This was documented in this article from The Christian Post.
Now these thousands who attended the conference in Africa are returning to their respective spheres of influence, and it is hoped that they bring a fresh perspective on how God desires to use them in doing His work, and can help to motivate churches and communities to be involved in the work of winning people to Christ.
Honorable Mention:
President omits "creator" from Declaration references - 3 times!
MI woman seeks Christian roommate, charged with discrimination
TN school district bans prayers at football games, graduations
Deanna Favre testifies to Christian faith in latest struggle
Sunday, October 17, 2010
The 3 - October 17, 2010
This edition of my week-in-review feature, "The 3", includes court activity surrounding the military's stance on homosexuals in the armed forces, a large Christian conference taking place in South Africa and one country's delegates who are having some trouble attending, and the enormous spiritual implications of the dramatic Chilean miner rescue.
3 - "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" faces judge's block, Administration appeal
This past week brought new court activity for the current policy regarding gays in the military known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"...and let it be noted that the U.S. military's official position is that homosexuality in the ranks of the armed forces is not allowed. The Clinton Administration enacted the DADT policy as a compromise in light of his attempt to allow known, active homosexuals to serve. Well, this week, a Federal judge who had earlier ruled the policy was unconstitutional went one step further and essentially barred the military from enforcing the policy. CitizenLink had this story.The speculation then began on whether or not the Obama Administration would appeal the ruling to the 9th U.S. Circuit. After all, the Administration is on record as opposing the ban, and the President is taking steps to have it repealed. Therefore, it is believed that the defense of DADT would be tepid, at best. Nevertheless, on Thursday, it was announced that the Department of Justice would appeal the ruling of the ONE judge who attempted to make policy for the entire U.S. military. Here is CitizenLink's follow-up.
Again, it is unclear how vigorous the defense posture of the Obama attorneys will be - apparently, the DOJ is appealing based on how chaotic an immediate reversal of the policy would be. Those who favor the military's current position maintain that it will be chaotic no matter when DADT is rescinded, if indeed it is reversed.
2 - Delegates prepare for Lausanne convention, Chinese government detains attendees
A large conference is getting started in Cape Town, South Africa that is bringing together missions-minded Christians from a variety of organizations from all over the world. The 3rd Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization is designed to bring some 4000 invited participants together from almost 200 nations. According to a press release, the Lausanne Movement was founded by Billy Graham, and the Congress will be reaffirming truths of Biblical Christianity and engage with critical issues facing the church during the next decade.
However, some delegates from one particular nation may not be allowed to make the trip. Reports are widespread that Chinese representatives of a variety of house churches are not being allowed to leave the country, including reports of some being physically removed from the airport. The advocacy organization, ChinaAid, has been tracing some of the incidents, and here are some of their press releases.
So, against the backdrop of a world that so desperately needs to hear the message of the gospel, the delegates are gathering to be inspired and instructed, and to fellowship together in the common bond of Christ's love. Hopefully, the representatives from China, where God is moving in such a powerful way, will be able to attend, to share their stories, and to help to encourage others who desire for the kingdom of God to move forward in their nations.
1 - Christian elements of the Chilean miners' rescue revealed
The moving rescue of 33 miners trapped underground in Chile for weeks attracted attention from all over the world. And, the spiritual element of the rescue and the events leading up to it cannot be denied. Consider this:
- one of the miners was instrumental in leading prayer services each day
- resources were sent down into the mine, including .mp3's of the Jesus film and copies of the New Testament
- 2 miners reportedly gave their lives to Christ
- all 33 miners emerged wearing T-shirts thanking God and giving glory to Him
- miners shared testimonies of God's hand in sustaining them during their ordeal and for their ultimate rescue.
Here is a summary from The Christian Post. Also, Baptist Press offered coverage, including this story about how the miner who has emerged as the spiritual leader, Jose Henriquez, recruited a pastor to aid miners and their families.
This is a high-profile story that can give us as Christians an opportunity to discuss God's faithfulness in the midst of difficult circumstances, and to help people reflect on how God has rescued us from the bondage of sin through a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Honorable Mention:
New pro-life Nebraska law takes effect
Principal encourages support of prayer breakfast, receives discipline
40 Days for Life announces 3000th baby saved
Saturday, October 09, 2010
The 3 - October 9, 2010
This week's edition of "The 3" shines the spotlight on gambling arrests in Alabama, arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court concerning the rather acerbic Westboro Baptist Church protesters, and a throng gathering in Atlanta to be motivated to be a "catalyst".
3 - 11 indicted in gambling probe in Alabama
This Monday, Federal officials were dispatched throughout the state of Alabama to arrest 2 casino owners, 1 casino spokesman, 4 state senators, 3 lobbyists, and a legislative employee. They were indicted in association with activity surrounding the passage of a bill in the Alabama Senate (SB 380) that would have legalized electronic bingo in selected locations in the state, pending a statewide vote. The first version of the bill failed to reach the 21 votes necessary to move forward, but it was reintroduced and passed with exactly 21 votes.
The Alabama Citizens Action Program, or ALCAP, had been involved in opposing the attempt to legalize what they and other Christian organizations across the state regarded to be illegal. And, in fact, the activities of the Governor's Task Force on Illegal Gambling and supportive AL Supreme Court decisions have eliminated the presence of electronic slot machines at all locations, except the Indian casinos in the state. ALCAP posted this report from the Birmingham News on its website.
Gambling represents a regressive tax on society, and punishes the poorest among us. Gambling addicts present a tremendous cost to society, and the economic implications on families are potentially devastating. For some time, Christian leaders have cited the corrupting influence associated with gambling activity, and if these current allegations are proven, it will support what has been contended for some time in Alabama. Corruption surrounding gambling has in fact been proven in other instances. The organization, Stop Predatory Gambling, has published this "white paper" on the relationship of gambling and corruption.
2 - U.S. Supreme Court considers church protest case
The U.S. Supreme Court is back in session, and one of the notable cases is one that concerns religious freedom and free speech. In the Snyder vs. Phelps case, the father of a Marine who lost his life in Afghanistan is alleging that he was offended by the presence of protesters from the Westboro Baptist Church, whose pastor is Fred Phelps. Westboro congregation members attend various functions, including military funerals, basically contending that military members lost their lives because America is under God's judgment because of the sin of homosexuality. Using unsavory signs and comments, the Westboro devotees are offensive in their approach, but a central question in the Supreme Court case is whether or not the Constitution restricts certain types of speech just because someone finds that speech offensive. Here is the setup from Liberty Counsel.
Again, there are definite free speech concerns here - if Westboro members are restricted from their protests, then that precedent could that be applied to other forms of free speech, such as pro-life individuals and groups who peacefully demonstrate at abortion clinics. Public expressions of faith could be found to be restricted if someone finds those expressions offensive. So, even though the Westboro group is considered by many to be deplorable, nevertheless they have a constitutional right to free speech, and hopefully, a ruling from the high court will continue to uphold our free expression rights.
1 - Catalyst draws thousands to energize leaders
For many years, the Catalyst Conference has gathered in Atlanta to creatively inspire and encourage Christians to be passionately and creatively influential. It's commonly thought that the conference falls under the banner of "leadership training", but when you consider that all of us have the potential to have an effect on others, then it's not necessary that a person showing up to Catalyst is officially in a leadership position.
High-profile Christian speakers, such as Andy Stanley, Beth Moore, Craig Groeschel, Francis Chan, and others, instructed the crowd of some 13,000 at the Arena at Gwinnett Center in the greater Atlanta area. Additionally, people involved in such noble causes as fighting human trafficking and providing clean drinking water in third-world countries, caused attendees to examine how they are helping to address the needs of people less fortunate, activated by the love of Christ. Here is the report from The Christian Post.
Again, the conference has the potential to not only motivate those who attend, but then those who have been to the event can go back into their communities and have a distinct influence for the sake of the gospel.
Honorable Mention:
Churches celebrate Clergy Appreciation Month
Business booming for cookie store in Indiana that rejected order for gay activist event
Vermont license plate ruling protects religious references
3 - 11 indicted in gambling probe in Alabama
This Monday, Federal officials were dispatched throughout the state of Alabama to arrest 2 casino owners, 1 casino spokesman, 4 state senators, 3 lobbyists, and a legislative employee. They were indicted in association with activity surrounding the passage of a bill in the Alabama Senate (SB 380) that would have legalized electronic bingo in selected locations in the state, pending a statewide vote. The first version of the bill failed to reach the 21 votes necessary to move forward, but it was reintroduced and passed with exactly 21 votes.
The Alabama Citizens Action Program, or ALCAP, had been involved in opposing the attempt to legalize what they and other Christian organizations across the state regarded to be illegal. And, in fact, the activities of the Governor's Task Force on Illegal Gambling and supportive AL Supreme Court decisions have eliminated the presence of electronic slot machines at all locations, except the Indian casinos in the state. ALCAP posted this report from the Birmingham News on its website.
Gambling represents a regressive tax on society, and punishes the poorest among us. Gambling addicts present a tremendous cost to society, and the economic implications on families are potentially devastating. For some time, Christian leaders have cited the corrupting influence associated with gambling activity, and if these current allegations are proven, it will support what has been contended for some time in Alabama. Corruption surrounding gambling has in fact been proven in other instances. The organization, Stop Predatory Gambling, has published this "white paper" on the relationship of gambling and corruption.
2 - U.S. Supreme Court considers church protest case
The U.S. Supreme Court is back in session, and one of the notable cases is one that concerns religious freedom and free speech. In the Snyder vs. Phelps case, the father of a Marine who lost his life in Afghanistan is alleging that he was offended by the presence of protesters from the Westboro Baptist Church, whose pastor is Fred Phelps. Westboro congregation members attend various functions, including military funerals, basically contending that military members lost their lives because America is under God's judgment because of the sin of homosexuality. Using unsavory signs and comments, the Westboro devotees are offensive in their approach, but a central question in the Supreme Court case is whether or not the Constitution restricts certain types of speech just because someone finds that speech offensive. Here is the setup from Liberty Counsel.
Again, there are definite free speech concerns here - if Westboro members are restricted from their protests, then that precedent could that be applied to other forms of free speech, such as pro-life individuals and groups who peacefully demonstrate at abortion clinics. Public expressions of faith could be found to be restricted if someone finds those expressions offensive. So, even though the Westboro group is considered by many to be deplorable, nevertheless they have a constitutional right to free speech, and hopefully, a ruling from the high court will continue to uphold our free expression rights.
1 - Catalyst draws thousands to energize leaders
For many years, the Catalyst Conference has gathered in Atlanta to creatively inspire and encourage Christians to be passionately and creatively influential. It's commonly thought that the conference falls under the banner of "leadership training", but when you consider that all of us have the potential to have an effect on others, then it's not necessary that a person showing up to Catalyst is officially in a leadership position.
High-profile Christian speakers, such as Andy Stanley, Beth Moore, Craig Groeschel, Francis Chan, and others, instructed the crowd of some 13,000 at the Arena at Gwinnett Center in the greater Atlanta area. Additionally, people involved in such noble causes as fighting human trafficking and providing clean drinking water in third-world countries, caused attendees to examine how they are helping to address the needs of people less fortunate, activated by the love of Christ. Here is the report from The Christian Post.
Again, the conference has the potential to not only motivate those who attend, but then those who have been to the event can go back into their communities and have a distinct influence for the sake of the gospel.
Honorable Mention:
Churches celebrate Clergy Appreciation Month
Business booming for cookie store in Indiana that rejected order for gay activist event
Vermont license plate ruling protects religious references
Saturday, October 02, 2010
The 3 - October 3, 2010
This week's edition of "The 3" includes another thought-provoking survey from the Pew organization, this time regarding how well we know religious history and teachings. Also, President Obama makes more faith statements. Plus, Christians around the world stand together with Jerusalem.
3 - New Pew survey highlights religious knowledge
I include this item just simply because it has generated so much discussion about the knowledge of faith issues and information. This week, The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life released the results of a survey which was intended to indicate Americans' knowledge of religion in general, including information on world religious history, and perhaps the teachings of some churches in specific. Here is the overview of the study from the Pew website.
Probably one of the most notable discussion points is that atheists and agnostics performed the best on the 32-question quiz. Jews and Mormons outdistanced Protestants with their performance on the test. This shouldn't surprise us, because I would think that those who espouse either no belief or an ambivalent set of beliefs would at least have studied some aspects of religion, at the very least to be able to counter religious arguments.
I think also we should not place too much credence on the results, since it is a relatively small group of questions on a wide range of belief systems. You would hope that people would be able to answer questions about their faith and its history, although church leaders might be concerned about that. Take, for instance, the pastor of Oak Hills Church in San Antonio (where Max Lucado pastored for years and still serves on staff). He highlighted, in this Christian Post article, his concern about what he calls, "Biblical illiteracy".
Finally, we can use these survey results to provide a springboard for personal introspection: What do we believe? What do we know about the history and teachings of our own church? And, so importantly, can we defend our faith in the marketplace of ideas that run counter to a Christian worldview perspective? If we know what we believe and even why we believe it, then we have a firm foundation for our lives and for the application of God's truth. Why are YOU a Christian?...that's a question President Obama was asked this week.
2 - Obama's faith under scrutiny...again!
It wasn't too long ago that another Pew survey was focused on President Obama's faith, with about a third of respondents agreeing with him when he states that he is a Christian. Another 18% or so indicated they believed he is a Muslim. Well, as I said at that time, I think it's odd that we are having a rather public discussion evaluating whether or not the President is a Christian. It is, however, certainly a Biblical role that we as Christians are given to look at the fruit of someone who says he or she is a Christian. The end result of that burst of discussion was that Obama is a Christian, but that perhaps his Muslim upbringing makes him more sympathetic to the teachings and practices of Islam.
So, this past week, Mr. Obama was asked why he is a Christian. He gave a fairly detailed (for a backyard political meeting) explanation of his faith. Here is the Associated Press story on what he said.
While he laid out the basic Christian belief of Jesus' dying for our sins, he also seemed to indicate that people of other faiths have their own path to grace. While I agree with him that we should be respectful of other beliefs, it should motivate us as Christians to reach out and share Christ with people of other faiths, as we recognize that Jesus said that He is the way, truth, and life.
When I read the account, I also thought of Terry Jeffrey's column on CNSNews.com recently about Obama's insistence of recognizing people of "no faith", which comprises a very small percentage of the population. It is apparent to me that there was a strong foundation of faith (I believe that was Christian faith) that drove the founders to establish this nation, and while, again, we're respectful of those with whom we disagree, we can't deny the strong religious component of our history. Here is Terry's column.
Also, there are many in evangelical Christianity that do not see Obama's policies as consistent with our perspective. This is especially apparent with the abortion issue - in that same meeting, Obama echoed Bill Clinton's statements that abortion should be "safe, legal, and rare". However, pro-life groups have recognized the current Administration as the most pro-abortion in history. Here is the perspective of Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council regarding the President's recent faith statements.
So, when the President talks about faith, it seems to generate quite a bit of discussion. He is certainly capable of discussing some of the basics of the Christian faith, but does go out of his way to temper what might be perceived as strong Christian statements with a deference to other faiths. In doing so, it becomes difficult to define his personal theology, which I still say is basically a mix of Christianity, with some Islamic teaching thrown in, with a hefty dose of liberation theology, expressed in his policies that provide for confiscation of wealth through taxation, and a redistribution of that wealth in order to bring about economic and social justice.
1 - Christians pray for peace of Jerusalem
On the first Sunday of October, Christians around the world are called to participate in the Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem. Christian leaders from Jack Hayford (a co-founder) to Ravi Zacharias to Kay Arthur to Gary Bauer are among some 1000 Christian leaders who endorse the day, emphasizing the importance of raising awareness for Christians to stand in solidarity with Israel, believing that God continues to have a strategic call and purpose for the Jewish people. More information can be found at the website, www.daytopray.com.
Perhaps as many as 300 million Christians from some 175 nations could be taking part in this significant outreach of prayer, sponsored by Eagles' Wings Ministries, under the direction of Rev. Robert Stearns. CBN has an excellent overview of this day and its implications.
Current events in modern-day Israel have prophetic implications in the fulfillment of God's plan in the earth, as Israel is a barometer of the fulfillment of Bible prophecy. Now, its political leadership is not necessarily a God-ordained institution, but the creation of the nation within its Biblical borders is a seismic event on the landscape of God's plan in the earth, and I believe that as Christians stand together with the Jewish people and the Jewish nation, that God will work His will in the earth. And we remember, the Bible does tell us to "pray for the peace of Jerusalem" (Psalm 122:6).
Honorable Mention:
Organizations that support marriage and 13 state attorneys general file briefs to support Proposition 8
Congress comes against theft of Mojave Desert cross, urges replacement
3 - New Pew survey highlights religious knowledge
I include this item just simply because it has generated so much discussion about the knowledge of faith issues and information. This week, The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life released the results of a survey which was intended to indicate Americans' knowledge of religion in general, including information on world religious history, and perhaps the teachings of some churches in specific. Here is the overview of the study from the Pew website.
Probably one of the most notable discussion points is that atheists and agnostics performed the best on the 32-question quiz. Jews and Mormons outdistanced Protestants with their performance on the test. This shouldn't surprise us, because I would think that those who espouse either no belief or an ambivalent set of beliefs would at least have studied some aspects of religion, at the very least to be able to counter religious arguments.
I think also we should not place too much credence on the results, since it is a relatively small group of questions on a wide range of belief systems. You would hope that people would be able to answer questions about their faith and its history, although church leaders might be concerned about that. Take, for instance, the pastor of Oak Hills Church in San Antonio (where Max Lucado pastored for years and still serves on staff). He highlighted, in this Christian Post article, his concern about what he calls, "Biblical illiteracy".
Finally, we can use these survey results to provide a springboard for personal introspection: What do we believe? What do we know about the history and teachings of our own church? And, so importantly, can we defend our faith in the marketplace of ideas that run counter to a Christian worldview perspective? If we know what we believe and even why we believe it, then we have a firm foundation for our lives and for the application of God's truth. Why are YOU a Christian?...that's a question President Obama was asked this week.
2 - Obama's faith under scrutiny...again!
It wasn't too long ago that another Pew survey was focused on President Obama's faith, with about a third of respondents agreeing with him when he states that he is a Christian. Another 18% or so indicated they believed he is a Muslim. Well, as I said at that time, I think it's odd that we are having a rather public discussion evaluating whether or not the President is a Christian. It is, however, certainly a Biblical role that we as Christians are given to look at the fruit of someone who says he or she is a Christian. The end result of that burst of discussion was that Obama is a Christian, but that perhaps his Muslim upbringing makes him more sympathetic to the teachings and practices of Islam.
So, this past week, Mr. Obama was asked why he is a Christian. He gave a fairly detailed (for a backyard political meeting) explanation of his faith. Here is the Associated Press story on what he said.
While he laid out the basic Christian belief of Jesus' dying for our sins, he also seemed to indicate that people of other faiths have their own path to grace. While I agree with him that we should be respectful of other beliefs, it should motivate us as Christians to reach out and share Christ with people of other faiths, as we recognize that Jesus said that He is the way, truth, and life.
When I read the account, I also thought of Terry Jeffrey's column on CNSNews.com recently about Obama's insistence of recognizing people of "no faith", which comprises a very small percentage of the population. It is apparent to me that there was a strong foundation of faith (I believe that was Christian faith) that drove the founders to establish this nation, and while, again, we're respectful of those with whom we disagree, we can't deny the strong religious component of our history. Here is Terry's column.
Also, there are many in evangelical Christianity that do not see Obama's policies as consistent with our perspective. This is especially apparent with the abortion issue - in that same meeting, Obama echoed Bill Clinton's statements that abortion should be "safe, legal, and rare". However, pro-life groups have recognized the current Administration as the most pro-abortion in history. Here is the perspective of Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council regarding the President's recent faith statements.
So, when the President talks about faith, it seems to generate quite a bit of discussion. He is certainly capable of discussing some of the basics of the Christian faith, but does go out of his way to temper what might be perceived as strong Christian statements with a deference to other faiths. In doing so, it becomes difficult to define his personal theology, which I still say is basically a mix of Christianity, with some Islamic teaching thrown in, with a hefty dose of liberation theology, expressed in his policies that provide for confiscation of wealth through taxation, and a redistribution of that wealth in order to bring about economic and social justice.
1 - Christians pray for peace of Jerusalem
On the first Sunday of October, Christians around the world are called to participate in the Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem. Christian leaders from Jack Hayford (a co-founder) to Ravi Zacharias to Kay Arthur to Gary Bauer are among some 1000 Christian leaders who endorse the day, emphasizing the importance of raising awareness for Christians to stand in solidarity with Israel, believing that God continues to have a strategic call and purpose for the Jewish people. More information can be found at the website, www.daytopray.com.
Perhaps as many as 300 million Christians from some 175 nations could be taking part in this significant outreach of prayer, sponsored by Eagles' Wings Ministries, under the direction of Rev. Robert Stearns. CBN has an excellent overview of this day and its implications.
Current events in modern-day Israel have prophetic implications in the fulfillment of God's plan in the earth, as Israel is a barometer of the fulfillment of Bible prophecy. Now, its political leadership is not necessarily a God-ordained institution, but the creation of the nation within its Biblical borders is a seismic event on the landscape of God's plan in the earth, and I believe that as Christians stand together with the Jewish people and the Jewish nation, that God will work His will in the earth. And we remember, the Bible does tell us to "pray for the peace of Jerusalem" (Psalm 122:6).
Honorable Mention:
Organizations that support marriage and 13 state attorneys general file briefs to support Proposition 8
Congress comes against theft of Mojave Desert cross, urges replacement
Saturday, September 25, 2010
The 3 - September 25, 2010
This week on my week-in-review feature, "The 3", an education showdown continues in the Lone Star State, influencers of the culture with regard to matters of faith meet in 2 locales, and Congress deals with some issues that are relevant to Christians and Christian organizations.
3 - Texas BOE approves balanced approach to Islam
The textbook battle continues to attract attention in the state of Texas, where the state school board earlier this year approved standards that would, among other things, reinforce the concept of American exceptionalism and place a greater emphasis on the role of religion in the history of the country. And, just this week, the school board voted 7-6 to make sure that the treatment of religion was balanced, essentially attempting to ensure that there is not what is considered a pro-Islam, anti-Christian bias. Apparently, board members saw a trend toward making Islam and its impact on world history more prevalent in history textbooks, and felt this resolution was a necessary step. Here is the story from The Christian Post.
There are a lot of eyes watching this textbook case in Texas, because textbook authors and manufacturers will be writing in order to comply with the standards that are passed in this large state. This would no doubt influence many school districts and their curriculum.
2 - Media members who cover religion convene in Denver, Christian counselors meet in Branson
Some large conferences have been scheduled this week involving some groups of influencers. The Religion Newswriters Association (RNA) had its conference in Denver, and a wide variety of religious streams were represented, from Rainn Wilson of The Office, who is a Buddhist, to evangelical seminary leader Dr. Albert Mohler.
This is an important gathering, because the role of religion in American life cannot be underestimated. Even though this is not a distinctly Christian gathering, nonetheless the Christian worldview perspective was included, and hopefully writers can perhaps be more aware of and evenhanded with covering the perspective of Bible-believing Christians. The RNA website is www.rna.org.
Also, the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) gathered in Branson, Missouri for its National Christian Counseling Conference, where they heard from a number of high-profile speakers, such as Dr. Gary Smalley and Dr. Larry Crabb, as well as a variety of workshop leaders, who offered their perspective on many topics that can help in addressing some of the struggles that Christian people face. Dr. Tim Clinton is President of the AACC. The website is www.aacc.net.
1 - U.S. Senate turns back 2 bills with faith-based implications
This week, the U.S. Senate failed to cross the 60-vote threshold necessary to move 2 bills forward which would implement policy that contrasts with the viewpoints of many Christians or Christian organizations. One bill, a Defense Authorization bill, also contained amendments that would rescind the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy with respect to homosexual behavior and would allow taxpayer funding of abortion at overseas military hospitals. Because of those amendments, Republicans refused to vote in favor of the cloture motion, which would have moved the bill forward. 2 Democrats joined 37 Republicans in turning the legislation back. Here's the take from CBN News.
Just 2 days after that bill failed to move forward, the second attempt to force the DISCLOSE legislation through the Senate failed to reach 60 votes. The DISCLOSE Act was introduced in response to the Supreme Court decision earlier this year on campaign finance, and would have forced organizations that sponsor ads during a political season to follow strict disclosure rules, including the possibility of releasing donor names, and forcing the head of the organization to appear in the ad. Opponents claimed free speech concerns, and at the end of the day, the bill again failed to reach the 60-vote threshold. Here is the story from CitizenLink.
Again, this shows the determination of the leadership in the Senate to move legislation forward that runs counter to the Judeo-Christian values to which so many Americans deeply hold. There are serious concerns about the potential repeal of the DADT policy and the effect on troop morale, unit cohesiveness, the moral fiber of our armed services, and even health concerns. The DISCLOSE Act represents yet another attempt to get to the donor lists of organizations, including Christian and pro-family organizations, who respect the privacy of those who donate. If donors' names are released, resulting in a decline in income, then the message of these vital organizations becomes less impactful.
Honorable Mention:
"40 Days for Life" launches in record number of locations
GOP includes social issues in "Pledge to America"
Senate takes up controversial judicial nominees
3 - Texas BOE approves balanced approach to Islam
The textbook battle continues to attract attention in the state of Texas, where the state school board earlier this year approved standards that would, among other things, reinforce the concept of American exceptionalism and place a greater emphasis on the role of religion in the history of the country. And, just this week, the school board voted 7-6 to make sure that the treatment of religion was balanced, essentially attempting to ensure that there is not what is considered a pro-Islam, anti-Christian bias. Apparently, board members saw a trend toward making Islam and its impact on world history more prevalent in history textbooks, and felt this resolution was a necessary step. Here is the story from The Christian Post.
There are a lot of eyes watching this textbook case in Texas, because textbook authors and manufacturers will be writing in order to comply with the standards that are passed in this large state. This would no doubt influence many school districts and their curriculum.
2 - Media members who cover religion convene in Denver, Christian counselors meet in Branson
Some large conferences have been scheduled this week involving some groups of influencers. The Religion Newswriters Association (RNA) had its conference in Denver, and a wide variety of religious streams were represented, from Rainn Wilson of The Office, who is a Buddhist, to evangelical seminary leader Dr. Albert Mohler.
This is an important gathering, because the role of religion in American life cannot be underestimated. Even though this is not a distinctly Christian gathering, nonetheless the Christian worldview perspective was included, and hopefully writers can perhaps be more aware of and evenhanded with covering the perspective of Bible-believing Christians. The RNA website is www.rna.org.
Also, the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) gathered in Branson, Missouri for its National Christian Counseling Conference, where they heard from a number of high-profile speakers, such as Dr. Gary Smalley and Dr. Larry Crabb, as well as a variety of workshop leaders, who offered their perspective on many topics that can help in addressing some of the struggles that Christian people face. Dr. Tim Clinton is President of the AACC. The website is www.aacc.net.
1 - U.S. Senate turns back 2 bills with faith-based implications
This week, the U.S. Senate failed to cross the 60-vote threshold necessary to move 2 bills forward which would implement policy that contrasts with the viewpoints of many Christians or Christian organizations. One bill, a Defense Authorization bill, also contained amendments that would rescind the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy with respect to homosexual behavior and would allow taxpayer funding of abortion at overseas military hospitals. Because of those amendments, Republicans refused to vote in favor of the cloture motion, which would have moved the bill forward. 2 Democrats joined 37 Republicans in turning the legislation back. Here's the take from CBN News.
Just 2 days after that bill failed to move forward, the second attempt to force the DISCLOSE legislation through the Senate failed to reach 60 votes. The DISCLOSE Act was introduced in response to the Supreme Court decision earlier this year on campaign finance, and would have forced organizations that sponsor ads during a political season to follow strict disclosure rules, including the possibility of releasing donor names, and forcing the head of the organization to appear in the ad. Opponents claimed free speech concerns, and at the end of the day, the bill again failed to reach the 60-vote threshold. Here is the story from CitizenLink.
Again, this shows the determination of the leadership in the Senate to move legislation forward that runs counter to the Judeo-Christian values to which so many Americans deeply hold. There are serious concerns about the potential repeal of the DADT policy and the effect on troop morale, unit cohesiveness, the moral fiber of our armed services, and even health concerns. The DISCLOSE Act represents yet another attempt to get to the donor lists of organizations, including Christian and pro-family organizations, who respect the privacy of those who donate. If donors' names are released, resulting in a decline in income, then the message of these vital organizations becomes less impactful.
Honorable Mention:
"40 Days for Life" launches in record number of locations
GOP includes social issues in "Pledge to America"
Senate takes up controversial judicial nominees
Saturday, September 18, 2010
The 3 - September 18, 2010
This week's edition of "The 3" includes another gathering in DC, this time featuring so-called "values voters". Also, invitations spread throughout America in association with "National Back to Church Sunday", and the Pope came calling in Great Britain.
3 - "Values Voters" assemble in the nation's capital
The effect of the so-called "values voters" has been debated over the past few years, especially after the 2004 elections, when this subset of the electorate was said to have played a vital role in the re-election of George W. Bush. On ballots across America that same were marriage amendments, affirming marriage as one man for one woman.
While many think of the "values voters" as those basically concerned about life (abortion) and marriage, the focus has broadened somewhat to include a number of issues that I believe have a moral component. The size of government has become an important issue for this particular group of voters, which in many cases is motivated by a deep adherence to Judeo-Christian values. In this election cycle, we are seeing a true anti-establishment, anti-incumbency sentiment that is calling for a change - to a more restrained, values-centered government. These candidates, such as Rand Paul, Sharron Angle, Joe Miller, and Christine O'Donnell, are pro-life and pro-family, in addition to being fiscal conservatives who are calling for restraint in the government's practices.
Against this backdrop, some 2000 people gathered in Washington, DC to attend the Values Voter Summit, with its lead sponsor, FRC Action. Here is some coverage from CitizenLink about the 2010 Values Voter Summit. Particularly notable is the Presidential straw poll that was taken at the Summit, where Indiana Representative Mike Pence narrowly won over former Arkansas Governor and 2008 candidate Mike Huckabee. Here are the results, from FRC Action.
2 - Thousands of churches take part in "National Back to Church Sunday"
Amid reports of church attendance in decline in some sectors of America, Outreach, Inc. and LifeWay Research teamed up to try to motivate church members to invite people to return to church. September 12th was "National Back to Church Sunday", and the results were quite impressive.
Not only did over 3800 churches participate, but some 1.4 million invitations were sent out by church members across America. At churches who participated, the average attendance was up 26 percent. And, the stories are continuing to be submitted to the sponsors. Here is a recap from the website, www.backtochurch.com.
Also, recently, Outreach released its list of the 100 Largest and 100 Fastest-Growing Churches. Here's the press release about the list an some of the dynamics of it.
1 - Pope visits U.K., meets with Anglican church head
The visit of Pope Benedict to the United Kingdom this week had a number of significant elements. Perhaps most striking about the visit was the willingness of the Pope to address some of the abuse issues that have affected the Catholic Church over the past decade. Certainly the openness that was shown could be considered a positive sign in the process of healing the church is experiencing. Here's a report from the Catholic News Service.
Also, the Pope met with the head of the Anglican church, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams. In light of an announced outreach by Catholics to Anglicans departing the church, this dialogue could be regarded as helpful in bringing understanding between these two large church bodies. Here is the take from The Christian Post on the meeting.
And, the papal visit highlighted possible tensions with Islamic fundamentalism as 6 men were arrested in a possible assassination attempt, presumably by terrorists from North Africa. Here is a report from the Telegraph from the U.K.
This papal visit to the U.K. brought with it some significant implications for people of faith around the world, as what this influential leader says and to whom he says it are worth paying attention to.
Honorable Mention:
Luis Palau energizes and encourages thousands in San Diego
Nebraska coach vows to continue to share Biblical perspective in schools
Children of Christian artists face health challenges
Matt Hammitt - Sanctus Real
Aaron Shust
3 - "Values Voters" assemble in the nation's capital
The effect of the so-called "values voters" has been debated over the past few years, especially after the 2004 elections, when this subset of the electorate was said to have played a vital role in the re-election of George W. Bush. On ballots across America that same were marriage amendments, affirming marriage as one man for one woman.
While many think of the "values voters" as those basically concerned about life (abortion) and marriage, the focus has broadened somewhat to include a number of issues that I believe have a moral component. The size of government has become an important issue for this particular group of voters, which in many cases is motivated by a deep adherence to Judeo-Christian values. In this election cycle, we are seeing a true anti-establishment, anti-incumbency sentiment that is calling for a change - to a more restrained, values-centered government. These candidates, such as Rand Paul, Sharron Angle, Joe Miller, and Christine O'Donnell, are pro-life and pro-family, in addition to being fiscal conservatives who are calling for restraint in the government's practices.
Against this backdrop, some 2000 people gathered in Washington, DC to attend the Values Voter Summit, with its lead sponsor, FRC Action. Here is some coverage from CitizenLink about the 2010 Values Voter Summit. Particularly notable is the Presidential straw poll that was taken at the Summit, where Indiana Representative Mike Pence narrowly won over former Arkansas Governor and 2008 candidate Mike Huckabee. Here are the results, from FRC Action.
2 - Thousands of churches take part in "National Back to Church Sunday"
Amid reports of church attendance in decline in some sectors of America, Outreach, Inc. and LifeWay Research teamed up to try to motivate church members to invite people to return to church. September 12th was "National Back to Church Sunday", and the results were quite impressive.
Not only did over 3800 churches participate, but some 1.4 million invitations were sent out by church members across America. At churches who participated, the average attendance was up 26 percent. And, the stories are continuing to be submitted to the sponsors. Here is a recap from the website, www.backtochurch.com.
Also, recently, Outreach released its list of the 100 Largest and 100 Fastest-Growing Churches. Here's the press release about the list an some of the dynamics of it.
1 - Pope visits U.K., meets with Anglican church head
The visit of Pope Benedict to the United Kingdom this week had a number of significant elements. Perhaps most striking about the visit was the willingness of the Pope to address some of the abuse issues that have affected the Catholic Church over the past decade. Certainly the openness that was shown could be considered a positive sign in the process of healing the church is experiencing. Here's a report from the Catholic News Service.
Also, the Pope met with the head of the Anglican church, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams. In light of an announced outreach by Catholics to Anglicans departing the church, this dialogue could be regarded as helpful in bringing understanding between these two large church bodies. Here is the take from The Christian Post on the meeting.
And, the papal visit highlighted possible tensions with Islamic fundamentalism as 6 men were arrested in a possible assassination attempt, presumably by terrorists from North Africa. Here is a report from the Telegraph from the U.K.
This papal visit to the U.K. brought with it some significant implications for people of faith around the world, as what this influential leader says and to whom he says it are worth paying attention to.
Honorable Mention:
Luis Palau energizes and encourages thousands in San Diego
Nebraska coach vows to continue to share Biblical perspective in schools
Children of Christian artists face health challenges
Matt Hammitt - Sanctus Real
Aaron Shust
Saturday, September 11, 2010
The 3 - September 11, 2010
This week's edition of "The 3", my week-in-review feature, spotlights a judge's ruling on the military's policy on homosexual behavior, the response to the proposed burning of the Koran at a church in Florida, and Christian involvement in commemorating the September 11 tragedies.
3 - Judge rules "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" unconstitutional
The military has been following a Clinton administration-era policy on homosexuals in the military that is known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell". Actually, the official position of the military is that homosexual behavior is prohibited, but when President Clinton attempted to change that position, it was met with solid opposition, so, in a compromised stance, military officials were directed to not ask if a military member was gay.
President Obama, in an attempt to satisfy one significant part of his base, the powerful gay lobby, has made the repeal of this policy a major priority. In fact, since laying down the gauntlet at this year's State of the Union address, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has called for a "study" of the matter, but since he and the President support rescinding the policy, one would anticipate that the study will be done in order to place homosexuality in the military in a positive light. Legislation is also under consideration in Congress, as the House has already voted for a repeal.
Against this backdrop, the judicial branch has jumped into the action, with one Federal Judge declaring the policy to be unconstitutional. This was a ruling in a case where the Obama Justice Department was actually "defending" the policy, which the Administration opposes and wants to rescind. So, this is no surprise, and will no doubt go on to a U.S. Circuit Court for an appeal. A comprehensive report is found in The Christian Post.
The controversy over gays serving in the military continues, with a number of Christian leaders expressing concern over affirming this type of behavior in our armed forces, as well as over the effect that rescinding "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" will have on the cohesion and effectiveness of our troops.
2 - Proposed Koran burning brings violence, dialogue
As of press time on September 11, the Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Florida will not be holding a ceremony where the Muslim holy book, the Koran, will be burned. Pastor Terry Jones had announced this event, which drew a major media emphasis, turned toward this small congregation of roughly 50 people. Muslims overseas demonstrated against the event, and leaders of government and faith urged Jones not to conduct the ceremony.
At the end of the day, Pastor Jones made the right choice. If we regard fundamentalist Islam and those who practice it as our "enemy", the Bible still does not permit us, I believe, to take provocative action against all Muslims by desecrating what they see as a sacred book. We are called to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. That doesn't mean to acquiesce to persecution (and it's important that we speak up against the persecution of Christians around the world), but to respond in kind or take inflammatory action is not the correct response, either.
The dialogue has been quite revealing in light of the controversy. There was an attempt by the pastor to link his Koran burning to the mosque at ground zero, which many view as a provocative action - a symbol of Islamic "victory" at the site where thousands lost their lives. In fact, Jones had said that he had cancelled the burning ceremony because the planners of the Ground Zero mosque had abandoned their plans...when it was revealed that no such deal was made, Jones still attempted to arrange a meeting with the imam of the planned New York City Islamic center.
The excellent point was also made that Christian symbols and the Bible are desecrated all over the world, including the Muslim world - perhaps the over-the-top attention given to this controversy will help to expose the rude types of Christian hostility that are perpetrated in some nations of the world. Dr. Bryant Wright, Pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church outside Atlanta and newly elected President of the Southern Baptist Convention, wrote an excellent piece that puts these controversies in perspective. Here's a report from the Associated Press posted on CBN, along with links to related stories.
1 - Christians remember 9/11 tragedies
While we remember the thousands who lost their lives on this day in 2001, we also attempt to identify and sympathize with the families of the victims, for they, too, were victimized as they were personally affected by faith-based terror. The members of the Awakening America Alliance were using this day as a foundation for deeper and more concerted prayer for our nation through its "Cry Out America" emphasis. Not only was there a gathering of Christian leaders at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, but there were events planned for county courthouses across America.
This press release illustrates the heart of this prayer movement and shows the cross-denominational leadership of the Alliance.
Some Christian and conservative leaders also gathered at the site of the proposed Islamic Center/mosque at Ground Zero in New York City to honor the fallen victims of 9-11 and to register their concern about such a center being constructed at the site. Among the scheduled speakers was Jordan Sekulow of the American Center for Law and Justice, which has filed suit to stop the construction, saying that the building on the site currently is historically significant and that the Muslim group is receiving preferential treatment in the process.
Luis Palau crusade in San Diego creates excitement
Another step in court battle over embryonic stem cell research
New Stephen Hawking book and faith response
3 - Judge rules "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" unconstitutional
The military has been following a Clinton administration-era policy on homosexuals in the military that is known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell". Actually, the official position of the military is that homosexual behavior is prohibited, but when President Clinton attempted to change that position, it was met with solid opposition, so, in a compromised stance, military officials were directed to not ask if a military member was gay.
President Obama, in an attempt to satisfy one significant part of his base, the powerful gay lobby, has made the repeal of this policy a major priority. In fact, since laying down the gauntlet at this year's State of the Union address, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has called for a "study" of the matter, but since he and the President support rescinding the policy, one would anticipate that the study will be done in order to place homosexuality in the military in a positive light. Legislation is also under consideration in Congress, as the House has already voted for a repeal.
Against this backdrop, the judicial branch has jumped into the action, with one Federal Judge declaring the policy to be unconstitutional. This was a ruling in a case where the Obama Justice Department was actually "defending" the policy, which the Administration opposes and wants to rescind. So, this is no surprise, and will no doubt go on to a U.S. Circuit Court for an appeal. A comprehensive report is found in The Christian Post.
The controversy over gays serving in the military continues, with a number of Christian leaders expressing concern over affirming this type of behavior in our armed forces, as well as over the effect that rescinding "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" will have on the cohesion and effectiveness of our troops.
2 - Proposed Koran burning brings violence, dialogue
As of press time on September 11, the Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Florida will not be holding a ceremony where the Muslim holy book, the Koran, will be burned. Pastor Terry Jones had announced this event, which drew a major media emphasis, turned toward this small congregation of roughly 50 people. Muslims overseas demonstrated against the event, and leaders of government and faith urged Jones not to conduct the ceremony.
At the end of the day, Pastor Jones made the right choice. If we regard fundamentalist Islam and those who practice it as our "enemy", the Bible still does not permit us, I believe, to take provocative action against all Muslims by desecrating what they see as a sacred book. We are called to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. That doesn't mean to acquiesce to persecution (and it's important that we speak up against the persecution of Christians around the world), but to respond in kind or take inflammatory action is not the correct response, either.
The dialogue has been quite revealing in light of the controversy. There was an attempt by the pastor to link his Koran burning to the mosque at ground zero, which many view as a provocative action - a symbol of Islamic "victory" at the site where thousands lost their lives. In fact, Jones had said that he had cancelled the burning ceremony because the planners of the Ground Zero mosque had abandoned their plans...when it was revealed that no such deal was made, Jones still attempted to arrange a meeting with the imam of the planned New York City Islamic center.
The excellent point was also made that Christian symbols and the Bible are desecrated all over the world, including the Muslim world - perhaps the over-the-top attention given to this controversy will help to expose the rude types of Christian hostility that are perpetrated in some nations of the world. Dr. Bryant Wright, Pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church outside Atlanta and newly elected President of the Southern Baptist Convention, wrote an excellent piece that puts these controversies in perspective. Here's a report from the Associated Press posted on CBN, along with links to related stories.
1 - Christians remember 9/11 tragedies
While we remember the thousands who lost their lives on this day in 2001, we also attempt to identify and sympathize with the families of the victims, for they, too, were victimized as they were personally affected by faith-based terror. The members of the Awakening America Alliance were using this day as a foundation for deeper and more concerted prayer for our nation through its "Cry Out America" emphasis. Not only was there a gathering of Christian leaders at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, but there were events planned for county courthouses across America.
This press release illustrates the heart of this prayer movement and shows the cross-denominational leadership of the Alliance.
Some Christian and conservative leaders also gathered at the site of the proposed Islamic Center/mosque at Ground Zero in New York City to honor the fallen victims of 9-11 and to register their concern about such a center being constructed at the site. Among the scheduled speakers was Jordan Sekulow of the American Center for Law and Justice, which has filed suit to stop the construction, saying that the building on the site currently is historically significant and that the Muslim group is receiving preferential treatment in the process.
Luis Palau crusade in San Diego creates excitement
Another step in court battle over embryonic stem cell research
New Stephen Hawking book and faith response
Sunday, September 05, 2010
The 3 - September 5, 2010
This week's edition of "The 3", my week-in-review feature, highlights an appeals court ruling on that tricky college-Christian group relationship, the death of an Army chaplain in battle for the first time in 40 years, and the call to Christians across America to pray, underscored by TheCall in California this weekend.
3 - Appeals Court rules that university cannot deny funds to religious group
The relationship between colleges and universities and the students that attend them has become an increasingly troublesome one, as certain institutions, in attempting not to "establish" religion, are creating an atmosphere that does not treat Christian groups in an equal manner, according to the Constitution. Case in point: the recent ruling in Wisconsin, as the University of Wisconsin had attempted to restrict student activity fees from helping to fund a Catholic group on campus, when other student groups were receiving funding. The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said that UW was incorrect, and that all student groups, including religiously-oriented ones, should be treated equally and fairly. Here's the story from the Alliance Defense Fund.
Interestingly enough, the court referred to Christian Legal Society vs. Martinez in its ruling. That's the case that stated that Christian student groups who wished to be recognized on the Hastings Law School campus could not restrict their membership or leadership to only people that adhere to their beliefs and philosophy, i.e. Christian beliefs. The 7th Circuit used the CLS decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to tout equal treatment for all organizations. Hastings was viewed by Christian legal experts as a restrictive ruling that stymies freedom of association.
And, the word has circulated that in light of the Hastings decision that Christian organizations who operate on college campuses are evaluating their participation on those campuses. Most notably, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship has reportedly stated it is examining its relationships with various campuses.
2 - First Army chaplain to lose his life since Vietnam dies in Afghanistan
For the first time since the Vietnam era, an Army chaplain has lost his life in wartime service to his country. 43-year-old Dale Goetz was killed near Kandahar Province in Afghanistan when an explosive device went off near his convoy. Here's the story from TIME magazine.
This incident does remind us of the sacrifice that those who are called to be chaplains make. While they are not sent directly into combat, still they encounter dangerous situations as they attempt to encourage and counsel our troops, including those who are serving in war. And, this type of atmosphere calls for someone who is not only grounded in his faith, but also someone who can provide strength and wisdom for soldiers who perhaps are struggling with some faith issue.
1 - TheCall reminds Christians to stand in the gap
Saturday in Sacramento, California, thousands of Christians gathered in a prayer meeting, solemn assembly, and worship service all rolled into one, as Lou Engle, Jim Garlow, Harry Jackson, and other noted Christian leaders spent time encouraging a large audience to respond to God's call to intercede for our nation. Here's the report from The Christian Post.
While some press reports viewed the latest in a series of TheCall events as being a political rally, history teaches us that this movement is about a Christian response to some social issues, recognizing that prayer and repentance, calling upon the name of Jesus Christ, are essential elements in seeing our country recapture the great vision of our Founders for morality and religious freedom. It is notable that this latest event took place in a state that is the center of controversy for same-sex marriage, which many view as a frontal assault to the God-ordained institution of marriage.
I believe that God is calling His people to pray in this seemingly desperate hour for our nation. Prayer efforts have been sponsored by a number of organizations, including National Religious Broadcasters, Southern Baptist pastors, and the North American Mission Board, as well as pastors such as Michael Youssef and Charles Stanley. With important elections on the horizon, and with an overall dissatisfaction with the direction of our country, I believe that Christians have a great opportunity to provide hope for an entire nation, as we share the message of salvation and pray that the Lord will turn hearts to Him.
Honorable Mention:
TX Appeals Court rejects same-sex divorce
OK to erect 10 Commandments monument on capitol grounds
Sojourners-Soros monetary connection admitted
3 - Appeals Court rules that university cannot deny funds to religious group
The relationship between colleges and universities and the students that attend them has become an increasingly troublesome one, as certain institutions, in attempting not to "establish" religion, are creating an atmosphere that does not treat Christian groups in an equal manner, according to the Constitution. Case in point: the recent ruling in Wisconsin, as the University of Wisconsin had attempted to restrict student activity fees from helping to fund a Catholic group on campus, when other student groups were receiving funding. The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said that UW was incorrect, and that all student groups, including religiously-oriented ones, should be treated equally and fairly. Here's the story from the Alliance Defense Fund.
Interestingly enough, the court referred to Christian Legal Society vs. Martinez in its ruling. That's the case that stated that Christian student groups who wished to be recognized on the Hastings Law School campus could not restrict their membership or leadership to only people that adhere to their beliefs and philosophy, i.e. Christian beliefs. The 7th Circuit used the CLS decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to tout equal treatment for all organizations. Hastings was viewed by Christian legal experts as a restrictive ruling that stymies freedom of association.
And, the word has circulated that in light of the Hastings decision that Christian organizations who operate on college campuses are evaluating their participation on those campuses. Most notably, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship has reportedly stated it is examining its relationships with various campuses.
2 - First Army chaplain to lose his life since Vietnam dies in Afghanistan
For the first time since the Vietnam era, an Army chaplain has lost his life in wartime service to his country. 43-year-old Dale Goetz was killed near Kandahar Province in Afghanistan when an explosive device went off near his convoy. Here's the story from TIME magazine.
This incident does remind us of the sacrifice that those who are called to be chaplains make. While they are not sent directly into combat, still they encounter dangerous situations as they attempt to encourage and counsel our troops, including those who are serving in war. And, this type of atmosphere calls for someone who is not only grounded in his faith, but also someone who can provide strength and wisdom for soldiers who perhaps are struggling with some faith issue.
1 - TheCall reminds Christians to stand in the gap
Saturday in Sacramento, California, thousands of Christians gathered in a prayer meeting, solemn assembly, and worship service all rolled into one, as Lou Engle, Jim Garlow, Harry Jackson, and other noted Christian leaders spent time encouraging a large audience to respond to God's call to intercede for our nation. Here's the report from The Christian Post.
While some press reports viewed the latest in a series of TheCall events as being a political rally, history teaches us that this movement is about a Christian response to some social issues, recognizing that prayer and repentance, calling upon the name of Jesus Christ, are essential elements in seeing our country recapture the great vision of our Founders for morality and religious freedom. It is notable that this latest event took place in a state that is the center of controversy for same-sex marriage, which many view as a frontal assault to the God-ordained institution of marriage.
I believe that God is calling His people to pray in this seemingly desperate hour for our nation. Prayer efforts have been sponsored by a number of organizations, including National Religious Broadcasters, Southern Baptist pastors, and the North American Mission Board, as well as pastors such as Michael Youssef and Charles Stanley. With important elections on the horizon, and with an overall dissatisfaction with the direction of our country, I believe that Christians have a great opportunity to provide hope for an entire nation, as we share the message of salvation and pray that the Lord will turn hearts to Him.
Honorable Mention:
TX Appeals Court rejects same-sex divorce
OK to erect 10 Commandments monument on capitol grounds
Sojourners-Soros monetary connection admitted
Saturday, August 28, 2010
The 3 - August 28, 2010
This edition of "The 3" looks back at a court decision involving the controversial use and destruction of the lives of embryos, a major event in Washington, D.C. that has attracted some evangelical leaders, and the issue of Christian organizations hiring, well, like-minded people.
3 - Judge temporarily halts Federally-funded embryonic stem cell research
This week, a Federal district court judge, using the language of Federal law, ruled that a case challenging taxpayer funding of embryonic stem cell research could move forward. The Christian Medical Association and other plaintiffs were involved in the suit, which is attempting to halt the Obama administration's advancement of Federally-funded embryonic stem cell research. CitizenLink has this report.
While the debate rages over the use of embryos in research, a process which destroys the life of an embryo, the use of adult stem cells has been proven to be effective in treating over 70 diseases. Instead of pursuing the morally challenged and unproven research involving embryos, scientists would do well to shift their focus to harvesting healthy stem cells from adults, a process that does not take the life of a person and has already been proven to save lives.
2 - Christian leaders evaluate participation in Beck festivities
It was billed as a non-political rally designed to call attention to those who have served our country faithfully and to call Americans to a renewed vision and hope for our nation and its founding principles - the "Restoring Honor" rally in the nation's capitol took place on Saturday, August 28th. Talk-show host Glenn Beck and former Alaska governor Sarah Palin were the two most high-profile speakers for the event, which could have drawn between 100,000 and 300,000 people to the National Mall. Complicating the event was the fact that it was being held on the same day as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech at almost the same spot. Civil rights leaders also had an event planned for the same day in the same city, involving a march from a local high school to the proposed MLK Memorial site, just a few blocks from the Lincoln Memorial. But Beck believes the causes embraced by the rally he sponsored, along with a military support organization, are compatible with Dr. King's "dream". The Washington Times had this report, complete with a nice crowd shot, presumably from the Washington Monument site. Issuing a clarion call to traditional values and embracing God, Glenn Beck and others spoke of a restoration of those values and a recognition of those who gave their lives to build that strong foundation.
From a Christian standpoint, it is interesting how there were some Christian leaders who embraced the event and some who did not. In fact, Skyline Wesleyan Church (San Diego) Pastor Jim Garlow wrote an eloquent piece on his Facebook page to highlight why he was involved in not only the rally, but a spiritually-oriented event the night before at the Kennedy Center. Other Christian leaders involved with Glenn Beck and his efforts include Dr. Alveda King, niece of Martin Luther King, Jr., David Barton, John Hagee, and others. The Christian Post had this report on Christian involvement with Beck's events.
I am not a particularly strong Glenn Beck fan, but when you talk about a return to the values and principles that our country has been founded upon, Beck is actually doing a nice job of enunciating those. Here are just a few points to consider:
1 - Glenn Beck said that "Today", referring to August 28, was the day that America began to return to God. Is he proclaiming himself to be the leader of a spiritual awakening or merely someone who wishes to be a catalyst?
2 - What is Glenn Beck's theology? Most say he is a Mormon; the Washington Post said he was a "converted Mormon" (converted "from" or converted "to"?); Garlow says there are those that think that Beck believes that salvation is by grace alone through faith in Christ. Has Beck renounced Mormonism?
3 - Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life" - if we are to turn to God, then through whom do we turn - I believe that it is through salvation through Christ...and I am not sure that is the gospel that Beck is preaching. Who is "God" to Glenn Beck? Is he perhaps citing the lowest common denominator?
4 - Beck talks about God a lot, but he also uses profanity in some of his comments - are those compatible? Is that an appropriate way for a representative of God to communicate?
But, on the positive side, here is someone who is giving glory to God and attempting to call people across America to take pride in our nation and reflect on its foundation. People I trust in the evangelical community are partnering with him, and I think we as people of faith should be involved in speaking out on behalf of the future of our nation, without neglecting the fact that ultimately, a gospel-based, Christ-based spiritual awakening is what will change hearts and reverse the moral decline we have been experiencing.
1 - Court affirms World Vision hiring practices while Christian organizations petition Congress
A ruling in a case that could have far-reaching implications on Christian and other faith-based and non-profit organizations was handed down earlier this week by a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The panel affirmed that the Christian ministry World Vision could hire and fire employees based on their devotion to that organization's Christian principles, encased in its overall statement of faith. Christianity Today had this report.
Think about it - just as a representative of World Vision was quoted as saying - other organizations and entities hire on the basis of their organization's philosophy...members of Congress generally hire people on the basis of their political philosophies; Planned Parenthood likewise would recruit employees on the basis of their support of abortion and other driving principles of that organization. So, it stands to reason that faith-based groups should have that right under law, as well.
This ruling comes against the backdrop of legislation introduced into Congress which would force faith-based organizations that receive Federal money to alter their hiring practices and to hire employees who might disagree with their faith principles. The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability and some 100 other organizations have drafted a letter to members of Congress, asking them not to pass this legislation.
This proposed legislation seems to be yet another chapter in the growing trend of attempts by the Federal government to get inside the hiring practices of faith-based organizations. The Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which could result in churches having to hire homosexuals, and joins this legislation, which would amend the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, as examples of such attempted intrusion. Sure, we as Christians should be tolerant and respectful of those with whom we disagree, but to force a Christian ministry to hire people that don't adhere to our faith perspective threatens to limit our freedom of association and undermine our effectiveness in representing the cause of Christ.
Honorable Mention:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reverses course, releases abstinence study
Life issue influential in Alaska primary election
Virginia Attorney General says Christmas displays OK
3 - Judge temporarily halts Federally-funded embryonic stem cell research
This week, a Federal district court judge, using the language of Federal law, ruled that a case challenging taxpayer funding of embryonic stem cell research could move forward. The Christian Medical Association and other plaintiffs were involved in the suit, which is attempting to halt the Obama administration's advancement of Federally-funded embryonic stem cell research. CitizenLink has this report.
While the debate rages over the use of embryos in research, a process which destroys the life of an embryo, the use of adult stem cells has been proven to be effective in treating over 70 diseases. Instead of pursuing the morally challenged and unproven research involving embryos, scientists would do well to shift their focus to harvesting healthy stem cells from adults, a process that does not take the life of a person and has already been proven to save lives.
2 - Christian leaders evaluate participation in Beck festivities
It was billed as a non-political rally designed to call attention to those who have served our country faithfully and to call Americans to a renewed vision and hope for our nation and its founding principles - the "Restoring Honor" rally in the nation's capitol took place on Saturday, August 28th. Talk-show host Glenn Beck and former Alaska governor Sarah Palin were the two most high-profile speakers for the event, which could have drawn between 100,000 and 300,000 people to the National Mall. Complicating the event was the fact that it was being held on the same day as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech at almost the same spot. Civil rights leaders also had an event planned for the same day in the same city, involving a march from a local high school to the proposed MLK Memorial site, just a few blocks from the Lincoln Memorial. But Beck believes the causes embraced by the rally he sponsored, along with a military support organization, are compatible with Dr. King's "dream". The Washington Times had this report, complete with a nice crowd shot, presumably from the Washington Monument site. Issuing a clarion call to traditional values and embracing God, Glenn Beck and others spoke of a restoration of those values and a recognition of those who gave their lives to build that strong foundation.
From a Christian standpoint, it is interesting how there were some Christian leaders who embraced the event and some who did not. In fact, Skyline Wesleyan Church (San Diego) Pastor Jim Garlow wrote an eloquent piece on his Facebook page to highlight why he was involved in not only the rally, but a spiritually-oriented event the night before at the Kennedy Center. Other Christian leaders involved with Glenn Beck and his efforts include Dr. Alveda King, niece of Martin Luther King, Jr., David Barton, John Hagee, and others. The Christian Post had this report on Christian involvement with Beck's events.
I am not a particularly strong Glenn Beck fan, but when you talk about a return to the values and principles that our country has been founded upon, Beck is actually doing a nice job of enunciating those. Here are just a few points to consider:
1 - Glenn Beck said that "Today", referring to August 28, was the day that America began to return to God. Is he proclaiming himself to be the leader of a spiritual awakening or merely someone who wishes to be a catalyst?
2 - What is Glenn Beck's theology? Most say he is a Mormon; the Washington Post said he was a "converted Mormon" (converted "from" or converted "to"?); Garlow says there are those that think that Beck believes that salvation is by grace alone through faith in Christ. Has Beck renounced Mormonism?
3 - Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life" - if we are to turn to God, then through whom do we turn - I believe that it is through salvation through Christ...and I am not sure that is the gospel that Beck is preaching. Who is "God" to Glenn Beck? Is he perhaps citing the lowest common denominator?
4 - Beck talks about God a lot, but he also uses profanity in some of his comments - are those compatible? Is that an appropriate way for a representative of God to communicate?
But, on the positive side, here is someone who is giving glory to God and attempting to call people across America to take pride in our nation and reflect on its foundation. People I trust in the evangelical community are partnering with him, and I think we as people of faith should be involved in speaking out on behalf of the future of our nation, without neglecting the fact that ultimately, a gospel-based, Christ-based spiritual awakening is what will change hearts and reverse the moral decline we have been experiencing.
1 - Court affirms World Vision hiring practices while Christian organizations petition Congress
A ruling in a case that could have far-reaching implications on Christian and other faith-based and non-profit organizations was handed down earlier this week by a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The panel affirmed that the Christian ministry World Vision could hire and fire employees based on their devotion to that organization's Christian principles, encased in its overall statement of faith. Christianity Today had this report.
Think about it - just as a representative of World Vision was quoted as saying - other organizations and entities hire on the basis of their organization's philosophy...members of Congress generally hire people on the basis of their political philosophies; Planned Parenthood likewise would recruit employees on the basis of their support of abortion and other driving principles of that organization. So, it stands to reason that faith-based groups should have that right under law, as well.
This ruling comes against the backdrop of legislation introduced into Congress which would force faith-based organizations that receive Federal money to alter their hiring practices and to hire employees who might disagree with their faith principles. The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability and some 100 other organizations have drafted a letter to members of Congress, asking them not to pass this legislation.
This proposed legislation seems to be yet another chapter in the growing trend of attempts by the Federal government to get inside the hiring practices of faith-based organizations. The Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which could result in churches having to hire homosexuals, and joins this legislation, which would amend the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, as examples of such attempted intrusion. Sure, we as Christians should be tolerant and respectful of those with whom we disagree, but to force a Christian ministry to hire people that don't adhere to our faith perspective threatens to limit our freedom of association and undermine our effectiveness in representing the cause of Christ.
Honorable Mention:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reverses course, releases abstinence study
Life issue influential in Alaska primary election
Virginia Attorney General says Christmas displays OK
Sunday, August 22, 2010
The 3 - August 22, 2010
This week's edition of "The 3", my week-in-review feature, spotlights the complexity of relief efforts in Pakistan, the speculation on the President's religious faith, and the latest in the Proposition 8 saga in California.
3 - Christian aid groups provide help to Pakistan flood victims
Some 20 million people have been adversely affected by severe flooding in the nation of Pakistan. The fact that this is taking place halfway around the world, as well as other factors, have made it difficult for aid organizations to motivate people to get involve in assisting the victims. That's the word from WorldVision, which is attempting to get badly needed supplies to those who have been directly affected, including numerous people who have been left homeless. Here's a report on that organization's efforts.
Southern Baptists have become involved through Baptist Global Response, and the reports are that relief workers are literally risking their lives in aiding the victims. Baptist Press published this report. Prayers are being solicited for the effectiveness of the relief effort, made more complicated by tensions at relief sites, as victims are contending for the limited supplies.
2 - White House attempts to quell confusion over President's faith
On the heels of the President's declaration of support for the proposed mosque/Islamic cultural center near the site of the former World Trade Center in New York City, a new Pew research poll has revealed that a growing number of Americans believe that President Obama is a Muslim, and a declining number believe that he is a Christian, as he states. 18% of those surveyed indicate they believe Mr. Obama is a Muslim, while just over one-third, 34%, of respondents, said they believe he is a Christian. 43% said they do not know. The White House, meanwhile, has stated that the President is indeed a Christian. I have posted this CBN report on my Meeting House Facebook page.
What the results of this survey mean is unclear, although Obama's intentional outreach to the Muslim world, from his speech in Cairo last year to his hosting a Ramadan gathering at the White House last week, is causing people to perhaps believe that he has embraced the faith which apparently influenced his early upbringing. Franklin Graham entered the debate by telling CNN's John King that he does not believe Obama is a Muslim and takes the President at his word when he says he is a Christian...here's a link to the CNN story.
While the debate continues over Obama's personal faith, one can look at his policies and pronouncements and come to the conclusion that he is reticent to deal with Islamic fundamentalism from a spiritual perspective. Terrorists are taking the lives of innocent victims in the name of Islam, and there does seem to be a hesitance on the part of the Administration to proclaim that and deal with it accordingly.
1 - No same-sex marriages in Cali...yet!
The controversy over Proposition 8 in California entered another chapter this week. Federal district judge Vaughn Walker had struck down the constitutional amendment in California that defined marriage as one man and one woman, and his ruling was due to go into effect this past Wednesday. Well, on Tuesday, a panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals placed the order on hold, granting a stay pending a December hearing on the matter. It looks as if the next issue will be the eligibility of proponents of Proposition 8 to defend the amendment, since the Governor and Attorney General of the state, who would be the likely parties to defend it, support same-sex marriage and will not go to court against it. Here's a report on this week's activities from The Christian Post.
So, here we had this week a moment of sanity in what has become a circus of activity surrounding this one California judge, who used questionable evidence to try to justify two gay men or two women raising children, and who was slapped on the hand when he attempted to try to put the "trial" on TV - a trial which has been referred to as being unnecessary.
Honorable Mention:
Appeals court rules roadside crosses unconstitutional, Alliance Defense Fund to appeal
3 - Christian aid groups provide help to Pakistan flood victims
Some 20 million people have been adversely affected by severe flooding in the nation of Pakistan. The fact that this is taking place halfway around the world, as well as other factors, have made it difficult for aid organizations to motivate people to get involve in assisting the victims. That's the word from WorldVision, which is attempting to get badly needed supplies to those who have been directly affected, including numerous people who have been left homeless. Here's a report on that organization's efforts.
Southern Baptists have become involved through Baptist Global Response, and the reports are that relief workers are literally risking their lives in aiding the victims. Baptist Press published this report. Prayers are being solicited for the effectiveness of the relief effort, made more complicated by tensions at relief sites, as victims are contending for the limited supplies.
2 - White House attempts to quell confusion over President's faith
On the heels of the President's declaration of support for the proposed mosque/Islamic cultural center near the site of the former World Trade Center in New York City, a new Pew research poll has revealed that a growing number of Americans believe that President Obama is a Muslim, and a declining number believe that he is a Christian, as he states. 18% of those surveyed indicate they believe Mr. Obama is a Muslim, while just over one-third, 34%, of respondents, said they believe he is a Christian. 43% said they do not know. The White House, meanwhile, has stated that the President is indeed a Christian. I have posted this CBN report on my Meeting House Facebook page.
What the results of this survey mean is unclear, although Obama's intentional outreach to the Muslim world, from his speech in Cairo last year to his hosting a Ramadan gathering at the White House last week, is causing people to perhaps believe that he has embraced the faith which apparently influenced his early upbringing. Franklin Graham entered the debate by telling CNN's John King that he does not believe Obama is a Muslim and takes the President at his word when he says he is a Christian...here's a link to the CNN story.
While the debate continues over Obama's personal faith, one can look at his policies and pronouncements and come to the conclusion that he is reticent to deal with Islamic fundamentalism from a spiritual perspective. Terrorists are taking the lives of innocent victims in the name of Islam, and there does seem to be a hesitance on the part of the Administration to proclaim that and deal with it accordingly.
1 - No same-sex marriages in Cali...yet!
The controversy over Proposition 8 in California entered another chapter this week. Federal district judge Vaughn Walker had struck down the constitutional amendment in California that defined marriage as one man and one woman, and his ruling was due to go into effect this past Wednesday. Well, on Tuesday, a panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals placed the order on hold, granting a stay pending a December hearing on the matter. It looks as if the next issue will be the eligibility of proponents of Proposition 8 to defend the amendment, since the Governor and Attorney General of the state, who would be the likely parties to defend it, support same-sex marriage and will not go to court against it. Here's a report on this week's activities from The Christian Post.
So, here we had this week a moment of sanity in what has become a circus of activity surrounding this one California judge, who used questionable evidence to try to justify two gay men or two women raising children, and who was slapped on the hand when he attempted to try to put the "trial" on TV - a trial which has been referred to as being unnecessary.
Honorable Mention:
Appeals court rules roadside crosses unconstitutional, Alliance Defense Fund to appeal
Saturday, August 14, 2010
The 3 - August 15, 2010
This week in "The 3", another chapter in the Proposition 8 battle in California, plus the aftermath of a tragedy involving Christians in Afghanistan. Our top story involves the controversy surrounding the proposed Islamic center near the former site of the World Trade Center in New York City.
3 - Proposition 8 battle continues, judge refuses to stay order, taunts proponents
This week, as anticipated - another move from the judge-advocate Vaughn Walker, the Federal district judge responsible for a ruling against the constitutional amendment approved by some 7 million people in California called Proposition 8...a no-nonsense measure defining marriage in the state as one man and one woman. However, when a same-sex couple filed a Federal lawsuit against the amendment, Walker took it upon himself to make the issue into a spectacle, and he continues to do so.
Proponents of the measure had already announced that they would appeal the ruling to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, and Walker refused to stay his ruling pending a decision from the appeals court, basically putting his ruling "on hold" until the day it would presumably take effect anyway. He questioned whether there would be anyone eligible to appeal his ruling, since the governor and attorney general did not do their duty to uphold an amendment to the state's Constitution. Here is the report from The Christian Post.
Mario Diaz has an excellent analysis at the Concerned Women for America website.
So, as we begin the new week, we look to the 9th Circuit to stay Judge Walker's ruling pending its decision on the case. If it refuses to do so, proponents of Prop. 8 may seek relief at the U.S. Supreme Court, where Justice Anthony Kennedy would be the justice who would be hearing the case.
2 - Slain aid workers in Afghanistan identified
It was announced this week that 10 aid workers, affiliated with the Christian organization IAM, which stands for International Assistance Mission, were slain in the nation of Afghanistan, reportedly at the hands of Taliban fighters, who claimed the workers were attempting to "proselytize", which is against Afghan law. In a press release and press conference on Monday, IAM President Dirk Frans affirmed that indeed the 10 workers who were found dead were with IAM, and 6 of the dead were Americans. The workers were part of an Eye Camp team who were providing eye care to poor individuals.
Frans answered concerns about the authorization of the Team, and stated that they did have the proper authorization. Furthermore, he claimed they were not attempting to proselytize, but that they were attempting to abide by the laws of Afghanistan, although it is understood that they were a Christian organization. Frans emphatically said that IAM's work in the nation would continue. Here is a transcript of Frans' comments.
On The Meeting House radio program, on a couple of occasions, I have had the opportunity to interview Mindy Belz, Editor of WORLD Magazine. In fact, a couple of months ago, she described what she had observed regarding efforts to inhibit Christian expression in the nation of Afghanistan. She recently returned to the nation in the wake of these deaths, and filed this report for WORLD. Here is an earlier web-only post she wrote earlier this week.
It is important to note that the Taliban does not reflect the views or authority of the Afghan government, although there is concern about a resurgence of their forces. If this is an attempt by the Taliban to somehow "enforce" Afghan law, it is certainly misguided. The Taliban represents a renewed threat to peace and stability in this turmoil-filled area of the world, and in the face of a government perceived as weak, it it formidable in its position.
1 - Leaders, citizens debate Ground Zero mosque
The proposed mosque, or Islamic cultural center, that is being planned for the area near the former site of the World Trade Center in New York City, has been a hot topic of discussion for the past few weeks, as Christian, Jewish, and conservative leaders have expressed concern, not necessarily because of the facility itself, or of the rights of the leaders to build it, but because of its location: because 9-11 was perpetrated by followers of radical Islam, the proximity of the mosque to this location could be perceived as some sort of commemoration of the deeds of that day.
Also, this week, CNN reported that the Imam of this center, Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, is being sent to the Middle East by the State Department, at taxpayer expense, to promote religious tolerance. However, according to reports, he has stated that he regards America as being behind the 9-11 attacks, and is dedicated to the imposition of Shariah law in the U.S. Here is Frank Gaffney's piece in the Washington Times. Abdul Rauf's ties to organizations that are regarded as radical are troubling, and his ability to share his ideas in a high-profile location, in a site that represents the threat that fundamentalist Islam poses to America, has brought quite a bit of opposition.
In fact, this week, Governor David Paterson of New York, recognizing the rationale of the opposition, has offered to work with the group to perhaps find an alternative location. And, President Obama stepped into the fray during a Ramadan dinner at the White House Friday night, saying that America supports religious freedom, and the proponents of the Cordoba House center should be free to express themselves by constructing this mosque. He said, "I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as anyone else in this country. That includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances. This is America, and our commitment to religious freedom must be unshakable." During the weekend, he seemingly wavered on his statements, according to this piece in the Los Angeles Times.
So, while the Cordoba center has the right and the freedom to construct this mosque, its appropriateness can be called into question. Christian leaders have spoken out, according to this piece in the Christian Post. Michael Youssef, pastor of Atlanta's Church of the Apostles, who will be a guest on the 8/16 edition of The Meeting House, wrote this insightful piece.
Muslims certainly do have the freedom to practice their religion, but the choosing of this location represents much more than just practicing religion - experts believe this is a proposed action in order to make a statement. And, if you want to talk about religious freedom, please note that Shariah law, that is practiced in a number of Islamic countries, does not allow for religious freedom - you must choose the religion dictated to you by government or face a penalty, or even death. Followers of Islam certainly do have the right to practice their religion, but their political philosophy stands in direct contrast to our Constitutional system and the rights for all that are enshrined there.
FDA approves new contraceptive, regarded as abortion drug
Rifqa Bary turns 18, court battle ends
Christian groups respond to flooding in Pakistan
3 - Proposition 8 battle continues, judge refuses to stay order, taunts proponents
This week, as anticipated - another move from the judge-advocate Vaughn Walker, the Federal district judge responsible for a ruling against the constitutional amendment approved by some 7 million people in California called Proposition 8...a no-nonsense measure defining marriage in the state as one man and one woman. However, when a same-sex couple filed a Federal lawsuit against the amendment, Walker took it upon himself to make the issue into a spectacle, and he continues to do so.
Proponents of the measure had already announced that they would appeal the ruling to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, and Walker refused to stay his ruling pending a decision from the appeals court, basically putting his ruling "on hold" until the day it would presumably take effect anyway. He questioned whether there would be anyone eligible to appeal his ruling, since the governor and attorney general did not do their duty to uphold an amendment to the state's Constitution. Here is the report from The Christian Post.
Mario Diaz has an excellent analysis at the Concerned Women for America website.
So, as we begin the new week, we look to the 9th Circuit to stay Judge Walker's ruling pending its decision on the case. If it refuses to do so, proponents of Prop. 8 may seek relief at the U.S. Supreme Court, where Justice Anthony Kennedy would be the justice who would be hearing the case.
2 - Slain aid workers in Afghanistan identified
It was announced this week that 10 aid workers, affiliated with the Christian organization IAM, which stands for International Assistance Mission, were slain in the nation of Afghanistan, reportedly at the hands of Taliban fighters, who claimed the workers were attempting to "proselytize", which is against Afghan law. In a press release and press conference on Monday, IAM President Dirk Frans affirmed that indeed the 10 workers who were found dead were with IAM, and 6 of the dead were Americans. The workers were part of an Eye Camp team who were providing eye care to poor individuals.
Frans answered concerns about the authorization of the Team, and stated that they did have the proper authorization. Furthermore, he claimed they were not attempting to proselytize, but that they were attempting to abide by the laws of Afghanistan, although it is understood that they were a Christian organization. Frans emphatically said that IAM's work in the nation would continue. Here is a transcript of Frans' comments.
On The Meeting House radio program, on a couple of occasions, I have had the opportunity to interview Mindy Belz, Editor of WORLD Magazine. In fact, a couple of months ago, she described what she had observed regarding efforts to inhibit Christian expression in the nation of Afghanistan. She recently returned to the nation in the wake of these deaths, and filed this report for WORLD. Here is an earlier web-only post she wrote earlier this week.
It is important to note that the Taliban does not reflect the views or authority of the Afghan government, although there is concern about a resurgence of their forces. If this is an attempt by the Taliban to somehow "enforce" Afghan law, it is certainly misguided. The Taliban represents a renewed threat to peace and stability in this turmoil-filled area of the world, and in the face of a government perceived as weak, it it formidable in its position.
1 - Leaders, citizens debate Ground Zero mosque
The proposed mosque, or Islamic cultural center, that is being planned for the area near the former site of the World Trade Center in New York City, has been a hot topic of discussion for the past few weeks, as Christian, Jewish, and conservative leaders have expressed concern, not necessarily because of the facility itself, or of the rights of the leaders to build it, but because of its location: because 9-11 was perpetrated by followers of radical Islam, the proximity of the mosque to this location could be perceived as some sort of commemoration of the deeds of that day.
Also, this week, CNN reported that the Imam of this center, Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, is being sent to the Middle East by the State Department, at taxpayer expense, to promote religious tolerance. However, according to reports, he has stated that he regards America as being behind the 9-11 attacks, and is dedicated to the imposition of Shariah law in the U.S. Here is Frank Gaffney's piece in the Washington Times. Abdul Rauf's ties to organizations that are regarded as radical are troubling, and his ability to share his ideas in a high-profile location, in a site that represents the threat that fundamentalist Islam poses to America, has brought quite a bit of opposition.
In fact, this week, Governor David Paterson of New York, recognizing the rationale of the opposition, has offered to work with the group to perhaps find an alternative location. And, President Obama stepped into the fray during a Ramadan dinner at the White House Friday night, saying that America supports religious freedom, and the proponents of the Cordoba House center should be free to express themselves by constructing this mosque. He said, "I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as anyone else in this country. That includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances. This is America, and our commitment to religious freedom must be unshakable." During the weekend, he seemingly wavered on his statements, according to this piece in the Los Angeles Times.
So, while the Cordoba center has the right and the freedom to construct this mosque, its appropriateness can be called into question. Christian leaders have spoken out, according to this piece in the Christian Post. Michael Youssef, pastor of Atlanta's Church of the Apostles, who will be a guest on the 8/16 edition of The Meeting House, wrote this insightful piece.
Muslims certainly do have the freedom to practice their religion, but the choosing of this location represents much more than just practicing religion - experts believe this is a proposed action in order to make a statement. And, if you want to talk about religious freedom, please note that Shariah law, that is practiced in a number of Islamic countries, does not allow for religious freedom - you must choose the religion dictated to you by government or face a penalty, or even death. Followers of Islam certainly do have the right to practice their religion, but their political philosophy stands in direct contrast to our Constitutional system and the rights for all that are enshrined there.
FDA approves new contraceptive, regarded as abortion drug
Rifqa Bary turns 18, court battle ends
Christian groups respond to flooding in Pakistan
Saturday, August 07, 2010
The 3 - August 7, 2010
In this landmark week where judicial activism became a front-and-center issue, the nature of the judiciary was involved in 2 out of the 3 stories in this edition of "The 3". But, in the other instance, hope in Christ is and was the dominant theme, as the life-changing, culture-impacting gospel of Jesus Christ was proclaimed in Southern California.
3 - Kagan confirmed to the U.S. Supreme Court
It was really no surprise to see Elena Kagan confirmed to the U.S. Supreme Court this week. It may have been a bit surprising to see how close the final vote was - with a 63-37 margin, Kagan was opposed by all but 5 Republicans and even 1 Democrat. The Republicans were: Collins, Graham, Gregg, Lugar, and Snowe; the Democrat was Ben Nelson of Nebraska.
Christian and pro-family groups had opposed Kagan for not only her thin judicial resume, but also for her apparent activism in the past - writing policy on partial-birth abortion for the Clinton administration and opposing military recruiters on the Harvard campus, based on the "don't ask, don't tell" policy, when she was a Dean there.
So as the 112th Justice, the third woman currently serving on the court, and someone who we would regard as ideologically in line with the Justice she is replacing, John Paul Stevens, we can count on Kagan to be a solid judicial activist who will be on the court for decades. CitizenLink has this report and further information.
2 - Harvest Crusades Open 3rd Decade
I wanted to rate this event higher than the Kagan confirmation because I believe this annual event in Anaheim, California, will have a tremendous eternal significance. Kagan's confirmation has elevated the political discussion about the role of judges, but Harvest's transformation has enhanced spiritual dynamics, as people examine the role of Christ in their lives. Each year, lives are changed by Jesus, through the strong preaching of Harvest Christian Fellowship Pastor Greg Laurie and the musical testimony of bands such as the David Crowder Band and Sanctus Real.
Here's the scoop from The Christian Post.
So, as the Harvest Crusade at Angels Stadium in Anaheim enters its third decade, having celebrated its 20th anniversary last year, we can look forward to the power of God being released and for thousands to come into a saving knowledge of Christ.
1 - California Judge Strikes Down Proposition 8, Opens Door to Same-Sex Marriage in the State...Again
This past Wednesday, Federal District Judge Vaughn Walker, based in the San Francisco area, not unexpectedly, found Proposition 8, a constitutional amendment approved by almost 53% of California voters affirming marriage as one man for one women and effectively banning same-sex marriage in the state, unconstitutional. In taking this action, Walker essentially created a new constitutional right to gay marriage. The result will be appealed to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and could ultimately end up at the U.S. Supreme Court.
The outcry was swift and stern. Brian Brown, President of the National Organization for Marriage and a guest on my show (download from www.meetinghouseonline.info/download), declared:
"With a stroke of his pen, Judge Walker has overruled the votes and values of 7 million Californians who voted for marriage as one man and one woman. This ruling, if allowed to stand, threatens not only Prop 8 in California but the laws in 45 other states that define marriage as one man and one woman."
Brown went on to say that, "Never in the history of America has a federal judge ruled that there is a federal constitutional right to same sex marriage. The reason for this is simple – there isn’t!”
Bishop Harry Jackson of the High Impact Leadership Coalition said:
“This is a travesty of justice. The majority of Californians — and two-thirds of black voters in California -- have just had their core civil right to vote for marriage stripped from them by an openly gay federal judge who has misread history and the Constitution to impose his San Francisco views on the American people. The implicit comparison Judge Walker made between racism and marriage is particularly offensive to me and to all of us who remember the reality of Jim Crow. It is not bigotry, it is biology that discriminates between same-sex couples and opposite-sex couples." (from NOM website)
Be sure to visit the website of NOM at www.nationformarriage.org.
And, San Diego Pastor Jim Garlow, one of the leading supporters of Prop. 8, was quoted in Charisma magazine as saying, "We did anticipate that this would happen, but our resolve is greater...We have no intention of backing up on this issue because far too much is at stake."Honorable Mention:
Kenya Constitution passes amidst controversy over abortion and funding of supporters by U.S. taxpayers
Way paved for Ground Zero mosque, Christian legal organization sues
3 - Kagan confirmed to the U.S. Supreme Court
It was really no surprise to see Elena Kagan confirmed to the U.S. Supreme Court this week. It may have been a bit surprising to see how close the final vote was - with a 63-37 margin, Kagan was opposed by all but 5 Republicans and even 1 Democrat. The Republicans were: Collins, Graham, Gregg, Lugar, and Snowe; the Democrat was Ben Nelson of Nebraska.
Christian and pro-family groups had opposed Kagan for not only her thin judicial resume, but also for her apparent activism in the past - writing policy on partial-birth abortion for the Clinton administration and opposing military recruiters on the Harvard campus, based on the "don't ask, don't tell" policy, when she was a Dean there.
So as the 112th Justice, the third woman currently serving on the court, and someone who we would regard as ideologically in line with the Justice she is replacing, John Paul Stevens, we can count on Kagan to be a solid judicial activist who will be on the court for decades. CitizenLink has this report and further information.
2 - Harvest Crusades Open 3rd Decade
I wanted to rate this event higher than the Kagan confirmation because I believe this annual event in Anaheim, California, will have a tremendous eternal significance. Kagan's confirmation has elevated the political discussion about the role of judges, but Harvest's transformation has enhanced spiritual dynamics, as people examine the role of Christ in their lives. Each year, lives are changed by Jesus, through the strong preaching of Harvest Christian Fellowship Pastor Greg Laurie and the musical testimony of bands such as the David Crowder Band and Sanctus Real.
Here's the scoop from The Christian Post.
So, as the Harvest Crusade at Angels Stadium in Anaheim enters its third decade, having celebrated its 20th anniversary last year, we can look forward to the power of God being released and for thousands to come into a saving knowledge of Christ.
1 - California Judge Strikes Down Proposition 8, Opens Door to Same-Sex Marriage in the State...Again
This past Wednesday, Federal District Judge Vaughn Walker, based in the San Francisco area, not unexpectedly, found Proposition 8, a constitutional amendment approved by almost 53% of California voters affirming marriage as one man for one women and effectively banning same-sex marriage in the state, unconstitutional. In taking this action, Walker essentially created a new constitutional right to gay marriage. The result will be appealed to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and could ultimately end up at the U.S. Supreme Court.
The outcry was swift and stern. Brian Brown, President of the National Organization for Marriage and a guest on my show (download from www.meetinghouseonline.info/download), declared:
"With a stroke of his pen, Judge Walker has overruled the votes and values of 7 million Californians who voted for marriage as one man and one woman. This ruling, if allowed to stand, threatens not only Prop 8 in California but the laws in 45 other states that define marriage as one man and one woman."
Brown went on to say that, "Never in the history of America has a federal judge ruled that there is a federal constitutional right to same sex marriage. The reason for this is simple – there isn’t!”
Bishop Harry Jackson of the High Impact Leadership Coalition said:
“This is a travesty of justice. The majority of Californians — and two-thirds of black voters in California -- have just had their core civil right to vote for marriage stripped from them by an openly gay federal judge who has misread history and the Constitution to impose his San Francisco views on the American people. The implicit comparison Judge Walker made between racism and marriage is particularly offensive to me and to all of us who remember the reality of Jim Crow. It is not bigotry, it is biology that discriminates between same-sex couples and opposite-sex couples." (from NOM website)
Be sure to visit the website of NOM at www.nationformarriage.org.
And, San Diego Pastor Jim Garlow, one of the leading supporters of Prop. 8, was quoted in Charisma magazine as saying, "We did anticipate that this would happen, but our resolve is greater...We have no intention of backing up on this issue because far too much is at stake."Honorable Mention:
Kenya Constitution passes amidst controversy over abortion and funding of supporters by U.S. taxpayers
Way paved for Ground Zero mosque, Christian legal organization sues
Sunday, August 01, 2010
The 3 - August 1, 2010
This week's edition of "The 3" highlights the way that freedom of speech AND religion are being limited on certain college campuses in America. Also, new light was shed this week on taxpayer funding of abortion under the new health care reform law. Plus, our #1 story deals with disclosure - how much to disclose during the course of a political campaign - and a bill that had some Christian and pro-family groups concerned.
3 - Students' free speech rights on campus challenged
Last week, one of the "Honorable Mention" stories dealt with a graduate student in Augusta, GA at Augusta State University that claims to have been told she would have to alter her Christian beliefs in order to obtain her degree. The student, Jennifer Keeton, is being represented now by the Alliance Defense Fund, who placed this post on one of their websites.
Freedom of speech and freedom of religion, especially on university campuses, is becoming an increasing area of concern for students, as well as instructors. Recently, you may remember a professor at the University of Illinois was dismissed from teaching a class which involved Catholic theology, because when he expressed what the church teaches on matters such as homosexuality, there was at least one student who was allegedly offended. The good news is that Dr. Kenneth Howell was reinstated this week. Here's the story, again from ADF.
There is troubling news, though, from a Federal court regarding free speech and religious freedom on the campus of Eastern Michigan University. A Federal district court has sided with the university in the case of a student who claims that she was dismissed from its graduate program because she did not affirm homosexual behavior as being morally acceptable. ADF, who provided this information, will work with the student, Julea Ward, as she appeals this decision to a higher court.
University campuses so often become breeding grounds for political correctness. That is why it is important to have students in these institutions that possess a Christian worldview and are allowed to express their views in accordance with Biblical truth. Julea, Jennifer, and Dr. Howell have been limited in the expression of their rights, and they are to be commended for the strong stand they have taken.
2 - Federal organization confirms taxpayer funding of abortion in health care
Pro-life, pro-family organizations have been claiming ever since the health care reform debate in Congress that the structure of the proposals being considered allowed abortion to be funded by taxpayers. The Stupak-Pitts Amendment of the House version of the bill provided an exception, but such an amendment was not attached to the final version of the bill. Rep. Stupak voted for final passage of the bill due to an 11th-hour executive order issued by the President, which Christian, pro-family groups at the time said did not have the force of law and claimed that abortion would be paid for by public funds under the new health care bill.
Now, information is continuing to surface that these groups were in fact, accurate in their assessments. I related several weeks ago that 3 states - Pennsylvania, New Mexico, and Maryland - were either inserting or considering abortion funding in some of their plans. And, just this week, an organization called the Congressional Research Service, a division of the Library of Congress, has issued a report confirming the concern about taxpayer abortion funding, according to LifeNews.com.
You mix a pro-abortion Administration with promises made to organizations such as Planned Parenthood, along with members of Congress with special ties to pro-abortion organizations, and you're bound to get that agenda driving reproductive policy. Now, Rep. Chris Smith is attempting to get a bill passed that would prevent abortion from being included in the implementation of health care reform. When you factor polling data that is showing a definite shift to the pro-life point of view, members of Congress are finding their institution is unpopular, and they themselves may be facing stiff re-election bids, and this sort of proposal makes a lot of sense. But too many lawmakers have a pro-abortion point of view, and have had their election campaigns funded by pro-abortion special interests.
One example: California's Barbara Boxer, facing a tough re-election campaign from former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina. She is reportedly poised to receive some $1 million dollars from Planned Parenthood, according to LifeNews.com. And that leads into our top story...
1 - Closing the door on DISCLOSE
One way that organizations help the candidates that embrace their positions is through direct campaign funding - and as long as it's reported properly, that's perfectly legal, and can be a helpful barometer of the positions of a candidate. Another way that candidates get their message out is by way of organizations running advocacy ads.
And, the method by which that has been done was on the verge of changing this week, with the prospect of the so-called DISCLOSE (Democracy is Strengthened by Casting Light on Spending in Elections) Act in the Senate, which had narrowly passed the House. This is a bill that would require certain information about the various organizations paying for these advocacy ads to be included in the ad itself. The bill failed to move forward in the Senate, and here is CitizenLink's take on the bill and the vote.
Opponents characterized the bill as an attempt to curtail free speech leading up to the election and a way for the majority party, the Democrats, to limit opponents from effectively getting their message out. While accountability and transparency are important principles in our system of government, to reveal donor information can cause those donors to think twice about their investment when their privacy is threatened. Christian and pro-family groups were concerned that it could place a damper on already limited resources to get their message out in the public square.
Honorable Mention:
Dove Awards moving to Nashville
Keith Green webcast commemorates 28th anniversary of his death
Top pastors on Twitter announced
Conference Spotlight: Gridiron Men's Conference Tuscaloosa, AL
3 - Students' free speech rights on campus challenged
Last week, one of the "Honorable Mention" stories dealt with a graduate student in Augusta, GA at Augusta State University that claims to have been told she would have to alter her Christian beliefs in order to obtain her degree. The student, Jennifer Keeton, is being represented now by the Alliance Defense Fund, who placed this post on one of their websites.
Freedom of speech and freedom of religion, especially on university campuses, is becoming an increasing area of concern for students, as well as instructors. Recently, you may remember a professor at the University of Illinois was dismissed from teaching a class which involved Catholic theology, because when he expressed what the church teaches on matters such as homosexuality, there was at least one student who was allegedly offended. The good news is that Dr. Kenneth Howell was reinstated this week. Here's the story, again from ADF.
There is troubling news, though, from a Federal court regarding free speech and religious freedom on the campus of Eastern Michigan University. A Federal district court has sided with the university in the case of a student who claims that she was dismissed from its graduate program because she did not affirm homosexual behavior as being morally acceptable. ADF, who provided this information, will work with the student, Julea Ward, as she appeals this decision to a higher court.
University campuses so often become breeding grounds for political correctness. That is why it is important to have students in these institutions that possess a Christian worldview and are allowed to express their views in accordance with Biblical truth. Julea, Jennifer, and Dr. Howell have been limited in the expression of their rights, and they are to be commended for the strong stand they have taken.
2 - Federal organization confirms taxpayer funding of abortion in health care
Pro-life, pro-family organizations have been claiming ever since the health care reform debate in Congress that the structure of the proposals being considered allowed abortion to be funded by taxpayers. The Stupak-Pitts Amendment of the House version of the bill provided an exception, but such an amendment was not attached to the final version of the bill. Rep. Stupak voted for final passage of the bill due to an 11th-hour executive order issued by the President, which Christian, pro-family groups at the time said did not have the force of law and claimed that abortion would be paid for by public funds under the new health care bill.
Now, information is continuing to surface that these groups were in fact, accurate in their assessments. I related several weeks ago that 3 states - Pennsylvania, New Mexico, and Maryland - were either inserting or considering abortion funding in some of their plans. And, just this week, an organization called the Congressional Research Service, a division of the Library of Congress, has issued a report confirming the concern about taxpayer abortion funding, according to LifeNews.com.
You mix a pro-abortion Administration with promises made to organizations such as Planned Parenthood, along with members of Congress with special ties to pro-abortion organizations, and you're bound to get that agenda driving reproductive policy. Now, Rep. Chris Smith is attempting to get a bill passed that would prevent abortion from being included in the implementation of health care reform. When you factor polling data that is showing a definite shift to the pro-life point of view, members of Congress are finding their institution is unpopular, and they themselves may be facing stiff re-election bids, and this sort of proposal makes a lot of sense. But too many lawmakers have a pro-abortion point of view, and have had their election campaigns funded by pro-abortion special interests.
One example: California's Barbara Boxer, facing a tough re-election campaign from former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina. She is reportedly poised to receive some $1 million dollars from Planned Parenthood, according to LifeNews.com. And that leads into our top story...
1 - Closing the door on DISCLOSE
One way that organizations help the candidates that embrace their positions is through direct campaign funding - and as long as it's reported properly, that's perfectly legal, and can be a helpful barometer of the positions of a candidate. Another way that candidates get their message out is by way of organizations running advocacy ads.
And, the method by which that has been done was on the verge of changing this week, with the prospect of the so-called DISCLOSE (Democracy is Strengthened by Casting Light on Spending in Elections) Act in the Senate, which had narrowly passed the House. This is a bill that would require certain information about the various organizations paying for these advocacy ads to be included in the ad itself. The bill failed to move forward in the Senate, and here is CitizenLink's take on the bill and the vote.
Opponents characterized the bill as an attempt to curtail free speech leading up to the election and a way for the majority party, the Democrats, to limit opponents from effectively getting their message out. While accountability and transparency are important principles in our system of government, to reveal donor information can cause those donors to think twice about their investment when their privacy is threatened. Christian and pro-family groups were concerned that it could place a damper on already limited resources to get their message out in the public square.
Honorable Mention:
Dove Awards moving to Nashville
Keith Green webcast commemorates 28th anniversary of his death
Top pastors on Twitter announced
Conference Spotlight: Gridiron Men's Conference Tuscaloosa, AL
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