Article 1 of the 14 th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States:
1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
Under our Constitution, and our Declaration of Independence, it is properly recognized that ALL people are Created Equal, and have Equal protections under our laws.
So, in light of this stated fact from these Founding Documents upon which our laws are based, can anyone explain to me why it is necessary to pass the so called Hate Crimes Bill ( H.R. 1913) which is to be brought before the US House of Representatives?
Many on the left believe such a bill is necessary to protect certain classes of citizens they have been lobbied to believe, which have been victims of crimes based on their life choices, and deserve protection from all crime in the future.
By now, most of you have understood that this bill is to protect gays/lesbians/bisexual and transgendered people from crimes based entirely on their "orientation". I have a few problems with this, which I am sure to be called every name in the book for, but I would like to do this civilly, by showing facts. If anyone has to respond by snide, rude and childish remarks- well, that's your problem.
The latest data I could find for crime stats is from 2007. For that year, the statistics are:
2007
301,621,157 Population
11,251,828 total crimes committed (reported)
1,408,337 Violent crimes
9,843,481 crimes against property
16,929 murders
90,427 rapes
445,125 robbery
855,856 assaults
2,176,140 burglaries
6,568,572 larceny thefts
1,095,769 vehicle thefts
Now, I know this is not scientific and not really correct, because I can't find all the updated data- but it was told by those proposing this bill that the crimes against people in the GLBT community totalled 1,521. I am assuming this involves violent crimes, but it could be a number which combines all types of crime.
My point here being, that although that number is 1521 more crimes than their should be- compared to the total amount of crimes committed in the US, this is an extremely low number. Now- before I get yelled at, what I mean is statistically this is a very small percentage when looking at the overall crime rates of the US. When you consider say, assaults- at 855,856 total, and if there were 1521 assaults against strictly homosexuals- that means, that 854, 335 assaults were committed against the non homosexual population. No matter how the numbers go- the larger percentage of crime is against non homosexual people.
One of my biggest problems with passing a federal hate crimes bill- has nothing to do with my Biblical beliefs. It has everything to do with common sense, and the Constitutional Law. To pass this type of law, for one, would be unconstitutional in that it would nullify the 14th amendment. People in this country are all to be treated equally as we are all endowed by our Creator equally. It would be discriminatory against a huge portion of the American population to be treated differently when being a victim of crime and having justice served. I have a problem when one person who is a victim of any crime is given more legal weight in the court system than someone else who is a victim of a similar crime. For example- I have gay neighbors who live on the next road over from me. My elderly Mother in Law lives next door. Lets say someone breaks into her house and assaults her before robbing her blind. They catch the guy and after the trial- he is given 20 years. End of story. Now, suppose this guy went to my neighbours home instead- but committed the exact same crime- assault and robbery. Now, because my neighbors happen to be homosexuals, they have rights under the federal hate crimes bill. This makes the crime a federal crime now. The State can hand down a 20 year sentence on this creep, but he could also get an extra 20 years for the federal hate crime.
Does that seem fair? I say no. The two men who are my neighbors are decent guys. My mother in law is a good woman. They are all people- and none are any better than the other- yet because of a passed bill, one gets better justice.
Now- the way the law is- everyone gets the same treatment. If a gay murders someone- they deserve and are handed a life sentence. If a straight person murders a gay, they deserve and are handed a life sentence. Plain and simple- equal treatment, and equal protection. Common sense tells us that all crime is hateful. While some crimes are called crimes of passion, there is NO crime which is NOT motivated by a hateful person.
The other problem I have with this bill, does have to do with my Biblical beliefs. There are no provisions anywhere which prevents Pastors, Christian business owners, Christian landlords, Christians charities and churches from being fined, prosecuted and foreclosed upon because of their Religious beliefs against Homosexuality.
Now, I know that many people from the gay community do not appreciate or tolerate those who disagree on Biblical or any other religious beliefs with their life choices. One only has to see the outrageous behavior from some in the homosexual community towards people who hold strong Religious values and convictions. Look at the recent flap during the Miss USA competition. I could site many more instances, but I'm not looking for either side for scoring points on stupidity. My only aim here is to say AGAIN, that most Bible believing Christians have a strong position on all sin, including homosexuality. This is perceived by many on the left and in the gay community to be considered hate speech.
I've seen many things in my life which I would consider hate speech, but you know what? I don't listen to it. If someone gets in my face, I either try and talk sensibly about it, or I walk away. There is no use for name calling and derogatory remarks and actions.
The first Amendment of the Constitution states:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
This hate crimes bill gives no provisions which guarantee that people who disagree with the GLBT life choices their first amendment rights.
No where in any of the Constitution is the right to be offended or the right to special treatment under the law for perceived or supposed wrongs against a person. There is nothing which states a person should be brought before a trial only because of what that person thinks or believes about anyone else.
There is no evidence where someone has been brutally attacked because a Bible believing Christian pastor spoke against homosexual behavior in his pulpit. Likewise, there is no evidence of gross assault of a homosexual because a Christian business person, landlord, charity or church did not hire because of a life choice which is contrary to those Christian's beliefs.
If you don't believe this bill will end up persecuting Christians, one only has to look at similar laws in other countries such as Canada and Sweden and other countries with hate crime laws.
This bill is nothing more than the leftist socialist government to impose more thought and religious restrictions on a large part of the population. This has nothing to do with equal justice- but everything to do with losing more and more of our rights under the Constitution.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Earth Day- the Biblical Way!
Genesis 1
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness. God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.
And God said, "Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water." So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above it. And it was so. God called the expanse "sky." And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day.
And God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear." And it was so. God called the dry ground "land," and the gathered waters he called "seas." And God saw that it was good.
Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so. The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day.
And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth." And it was so. God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth, to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the fourth day.
And God said, "Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky." So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth." And there was evening, and there was morning—the fifth day.
And God said, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind." And it was so. God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.
Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground."
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."
Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food." And it was so.
God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.
I love the Genesis account of the Creation. I love how there are facts having to do with Science, which weren't "discovered" by scientists until centuries and a millennium later.
While many people have taken the verses about God giving man dominion over the earth and all that is in it, to mean license to rape the earth, I believe that we have been given a special task to be stewards of the beautiful planet God gave to us.
Being a good steward doesn't mean we have to give in to every bogus science claim about global warming, cooling and over population scares. Instead, I take it to mean we respect and be thankful for all the goodness of the earth that God gave us. We need to respect the animals- not because they are "our equals" as some environmentalists claim, but because God created them.
We need to respect trees and plants, not only because they are habitats for creatures, but because they sustain all life, feed life and are beautifully created.
There is a good feeling about recycling, and line drying laundry. Those who can afford or have a convenient way to have an environmentally friendly car are doing a good thing. There is nothing wrong with wanting to keep our planet healthy, but we need to keep things in a Biblical perspective, and keep the Lord God at the center. Without Him, we would not need a beautiful planet, because we wouldn't be here.
Some day, this earth as we know it won't be here anymore:
Jesus tells us that some day this heaven and earth will pass away:
Matthew 24:35
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
And John tells us that there will be a new heaven and a new earth as he saw:
Revelation 21
I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.
Some people would not like to hear passages such as these because many people, especially in the environmental movements, believe that man is the cause of earth's problems and it is only man who can save the earth. Through whatever social program which is popular and politically correct, others will be swayed and deceived into thinking we can make this planet perfect and a "heaven on earth" global village.
Bible believing Christians however, remember that this earth doesn't belong to us. It doesn't belong to the animals, the trees, the endangered swamp rat, spotted owl or any other. This earth belongs to the One who created it. It would do well for others to understand this as well on this earth day.
1Corinthians 10:26
for, "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness. God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.
And God said, "Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water." So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above it. And it was so. God called the expanse "sky." And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day.
And God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear." And it was so. God called the dry ground "land," and the gathered waters he called "seas." And God saw that it was good.
Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so. The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day.
And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth." And it was so. God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth, to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the fourth day.
And God said, "Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky." So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth." And there was evening, and there was morning—the fifth day.
And God said, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind." And it was so. God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.
Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground."
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."
Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food." And it was so.
God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.
I love the Genesis account of the Creation. I love how there are facts having to do with Science, which weren't "discovered" by scientists until centuries and a millennium later.
While many people have taken the verses about God giving man dominion over the earth and all that is in it, to mean license to rape the earth, I believe that we have been given a special task to be stewards of the beautiful planet God gave to us.
Being a good steward doesn't mean we have to give in to every bogus science claim about global warming, cooling and over population scares. Instead, I take it to mean we respect and be thankful for all the goodness of the earth that God gave us. We need to respect the animals- not because they are "our equals" as some environmentalists claim, but because God created them.
We need to respect trees and plants, not only because they are habitats for creatures, but because they sustain all life, feed life and are beautifully created.
There is a good feeling about recycling, and line drying laundry. Those who can afford or have a convenient way to have an environmentally friendly car are doing a good thing. There is nothing wrong with wanting to keep our planet healthy, but we need to keep things in a Biblical perspective, and keep the Lord God at the center. Without Him, we would not need a beautiful planet, because we wouldn't be here.
Some day, this earth as we know it won't be here anymore:
Jesus tells us that some day this heaven and earth will pass away:
Matthew 24:35
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
And John tells us that there will be a new heaven and a new earth as he saw:
Revelation 21
I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.
Some people would not like to hear passages such as these because many people, especially in the environmental movements, believe that man is the cause of earth's problems and it is only man who can save the earth. Through whatever social program which is popular and politically correct, others will be swayed and deceived into thinking we can make this planet perfect and a "heaven on earth" global village.
Bible believing Christians however, remember that this earth doesn't belong to us. It doesn't belong to the animals, the trees, the endangered swamp rat, spotted owl or any other. This earth belongs to the One who created it. It would do well for others to understand this as well on this earth day.
1Corinthians 10:26
for, "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Thoughts Profiling- the New Political Correctness
Wikipedia defines Racial Profiling this way:
Racial profiling is the inclusion of racial or ethnic characteristics in determining whether a person is considered likely to commit a particular type of crime or an illegal act or to behave in a "predictable" manner. It is often confused with the more comprehensive Offender Profiling. Toward the end of the 20th century in the United States, the practice became controversial among the general public[citation needed] as the potential for abuse by law enforcement came to light.
Civil rights advocates are against the use of racial profiling tactics by the police.
Our good buddies at The American Criminal Liberties (oops- sorry!) Make that the American Civil Liberties Union. Their claims are to " represent individuals who have been victims of racial profiling by airlines, police, and government agencies, and our present work also encompasses major initiatives in public education...Our advocacy also includes lobbying for the passage of data collection and anti-profiling legislation and litigation of egregious airline and highway profiling cases. "
And from the DNC's own website- "Democrats will fight to end discrimination based on race, sex, ethnicity, national origin, language, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, and disability in every corner of our country, because that's the America we believe in. We are committed to banning racial, ethnic, and religious profiling and requiring federal, state, and local enforcement agencies to take steps to eliminate the practice "
So, we've established the fact that liberals have a thing against judging people. Yes- the dems are a paragon of virtue when it comes to absolute tolerance. That is, if it is something they agree with. If it is a different idea, something with differing views and opinions that those of the liberal ideals- well! Can't have it. No way. Profiling to a liberal is wrong- UNLESS it is someone who's ideas and opinions are different than their "enlightened" ones.
Did you know that according to the Department of Homeland Security under the Obama administration, I am a terrorist threat?
That's right. Me. A obscure stay at home, homeschooling mom. Me. Wife. Mom. Sister. Plain ol' me. Never broke a law in my life- I am a homeland security threat according to The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Office of Intelligence and Analysis, Extremism and Radicalization Branch .
You see- my ideas that the Bible is for real, that I trust and believe on Jesus Christ- my God for the way I try and live my life, and which forms my views on community, country and social ideas- it is dangerous! The fact that I am against illegal border crossing instead of coming into this country the proper and legal way makes me a bigot. Because I am against abortion and do not agree with homosexual marriage, because I believe in relationships the way that God intended- between a man and a woman that makes me a terrorist threat and a homophobe. Because I believe Jesus Christ is the Only Salvation, and the only Truth, the fact that I believe that some day soon, He is coming back, as written in the Bible Prophecies- that makes me a very dangerous person. Because I believe in the idea that the Government must adhere to a document that so many liberals believe is passe and non globalist and even imperialistic- you know, that living and breathing piece of paper called the CONSTITUTION! Because I believe that this document is the basis of our Government and Law- I am a bigot, white supremacist, racist, sexist, unpatriotic right wing fanatic which needs to be closely monitored. Oh thank God I'm not a war vet- or I'd really be in big trouble! You know, because according to the DHS, vets are loony- and only can be compared to the likes of Timothy McVeigh!
Yes- because I am a Constitutionally minded, Bible believing anti abortion, pro life, tea partying agreeing, pro family Christian- I am deserving to be labeled a terrorist threat by the Obama government.
No, I don't strap bombs to myself, nor have I any intention to behead anyone- but I am dangerous. I don't blow up or fly airplanes into buildings full of innocent people, and I have never proposed wiping any group of people off the face of the earth- but according to the liberal socialist government- I am dangerous.
My thoughts are different than theirs you see. I don't conform to their Utopian ideas and don't see the point in a dialogue with those who want to kill us. I don't conform to their christ- you know, the one who loves and tolerates everything. That guy who is one of many paths and a cool teacher from the old days. My Christ is the LORD, God the Son- all knowing Creator of the Universe and everything contained in it. I don't believe in their ideas that the world is slowly frying, and I actually think the Constitution is a model to live by. I happen to believe that we have a right in the first amendment to our religious beliefs, and to worship, the freedom of speech and the right to petition government when the people believe the government is not listening ( those pesky tea parties). I happen to believe in a persons right to bear arms. I happen to believe in all the rights afforded in the Constitution, which the Framers rightfully acknowledged come from our CREATOR.
If this makes me a danger to society- well, I don't see myself as dangerous.
What I see as dangerous- more dangerous than judging one by one's skin color, is to judge one's thoughts because they are different.
This is only the beginning people. Right now we are only considered possible threats. Some day soon, they, not unlike socialist, humanistic societies who came before, will round us all of us rabble rousing Bible believing Christians for some old fashioned re education.
When people are judged purely for their thoughts- you can bet they will not stop there.
Yes- I see this as another tool to prepare the world for the coming Antichirst- and a sure sign of Christian persecution coming.
Racial profiling is the inclusion of racial or ethnic characteristics in determining whether a person is considered likely to commit a particular type of crime or an illegal act or to behave in a "predictable" manner. It is often confused with the more comprehensive Offender Profiling. Toward the end of the 20th century in the United States, the practice became controversial among the general public[citation needed] as the potential for abuse by law enforcement came to light.
Civil rights advocates are against the use of racial profiling tactics by the police.
Our good buddies at The American Criminal Liberties (oops- sorry!) Make that the American Civil Liberties Union. Their claims are to " represent individuals who have been victims of racial profiling by airlines, police, and government agencies, and our present work also encompasses major initiatives in public education...Our advocacy also includes lobbying for the passage of data collection and anti-profiling legislation and litigation of egregious airline and highway profiling cases. "
And from the DNC's own website- "Democrats will fight to end discrimination based on race, sex, ethnicity, national origin, language, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, and disability in every corner of our country, because that's the America we believe in. We are committed to banning racial, ethnic, and religious profiling and requiring federal, state, and local enforcement agencies to take steps to eliminate the practice "
So, we've established the fact that liberals have a thing against judging people. Yes- the dems are a paragon of virtue when it comes to absolute tolerance. That is, if it is something they agree with. If it is a different idea, something with differing views and opinions that those of the liberal ideals- well! Can't have it. No way. Profiling to a liberal is wrong- UNLESS it is someone who's ideas and opinions are different than their "enlightened" ones.
Did you know that according to the Department of Homeland Security under the Obama administration, I am a terrorist threat?
That's right. Me. A obscure stay at home, homeschooling mom. Me. Wife. Mom. Sister. Plain ol' me. Never broke a law in my life- I am a homeland security threat according to The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Office of Intelligence and Analysis, Extremism and Radicalization Branch .
You see- my ideas that the Bible is for real, that I trust and believe on Jesus Christ- my God for the way I try and live my life, and which forms my views on community, country and social ideas- it is dangerous! The fact that I am against illegal border crossing instead of coming into this country the proper and legal way makes me a bigot. Because I am against abortion and do not agree with homosexual marriage, because I believe in relationships the way that God intended- between a man and a woman that makes me a terrorist threat and a homophobe. Because I believe Jesus Christ is the Only Salvation, and the only Truth, the fact that I believe that some day soon, He is coming back, as written in the Bible Prophecies- that makes me a very dangerous person. Because I believe in the idea that the Government must adhere to a document that so many liberals believe is passe and non globalist and even imperialistic- you know, that living and breathing piece of paper called the CONSTITUTION! Because I believe that this document is the basis of our Government and Law- I am a bigot, white supremacist, racist, sexist, unpatriotic right wing fanatic which needs to be closely monitored. Oh thank God I'm not a war vet- or I'd really be in big trouble! You know, because according to the DHS, vets are loony- and only can be compared to the likes of Timothy McVeigh!
Yes- because I am a Constitutionally minded, Bible believing anti abortion, pro life, tea partying agreeing, pro family Christian- I am deserving to be labeled a terrorist threat by the Obama government.
No, I don't strap bombs to myself, nor have I any intention to behead anyone- but I am dangerous. I don't blow up or fly airplanes into buildings full of innocent people, and I have never proposed wiping any group of people off the face of the earth- but according to the liberal socialist government- I am dangerous.
My thoughts are different than theirs you see. I don't conform to their Utopian ideas and don't see the point in a dialogue with those who want to kill us. I don't conform to their christ- you know, the one who loves and tolerates everything. That guy who is one of many paths and a cool teacher from the old days. My Christ is the LORD, God the Son- all knowing Creator of the Universe and everything contained in it. I don't believe in their ideas that the world is slowly frying, and I actually think the Constitution is a model to live by. I happen to believe that we have a right in the first amendment to our religious beliefs, and to worship, the freedom of speech and the right to petition government when the people believe the government is not listening ( those pesky tea parties). I happen to believe in a persons right to bear arms. I happen to believe in all the rights afforded in the Constitution, which the Framers rightfully acknowledged come from our CREATOR.
If this makes me a danger to society- well, I don't see myself as dangerous.
What I see as dangerous- more dangerous than judging one by one's skin color, is to judge one's thoughts because they are different.
This is only the beginning people. Right now we are only considered possible threats. Some day soon, they, not unlike socialist, humanistic societies who came before, will round us all of us rabble rousing Bible believing Christians for some old fashioned re education.
When people are judged purely for their thoughts- you can bet they will not stop there.
Yes- I see this as another tool to prepare the world for the coming Antichirst- and a sure sign of Christian persecution coming.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
An Easter Message
A few weeks ago, I read this article, and thought it would be a perfect one to post for this Easter weekend. I won't add anything to it, as it says everything much better than I ever could. I will post an Easter song at the end, so I will hope for you all to have a Blessed Easter, or for those who do not yet know the Love and Passion of Jesus- I pray maybe you will see your need for Christ if He is not your Lord and Savior. Every one is going to have to face some tough times ahead, and personal hardships and heartaches. I pray you don't have to go through them without Christ.
Why are they offended by the cross?
Posted: March 15, 2008 1:00 am Eastern© 2009
By Michael Youssef, Ph.D.
Posted: March 15, 2008 1:00 am Eastern© 2009
By Michael Youssef, Ph.D.
As the Christian faithful begin the annual celebration of their holiest days, they continue to experience a growing offense and resentment directed at their holiest symbol: the cross. It is an offense to the natural mind, which is why our path as Christians is to help people be transformed from seeing the cross as an offense to receiving the peace, power and grace of the cross.
Unlike the war on Christmas, the war on the cross has seen very few defenders in the national media. That's understandable. Many who rally to keep the Christmas traditions of today, from a traditional Merry Christmas greeting to a nativity scene at the mall, do not know the true meaning of the cross. Therefore, their silence regarding the cross is deafening to us now.
In recent years, we've seen the ACLU rally to remove the cross as it is displayed in the public arena. From the cross at a San Diego park in 2006, to the city seal cross in Tijeras, N.M., in 2005, to the cross on the seal of Los Angeles County in 2004, all of which were either removed or threatened to be, this concerted effort against the cross has been slowly succeeding in removing it from public life. Those fighting to remove this symbol must either fear the cross itself or are offended by it for unknown reasons, because they chose only to remove this particular religious symbol, while others were left alone.
Today, most evangelical Christians have a deep respect for the cross and would say it is their source of strength, hope, and yes, their very salvation. The cross is the apex of Christian ironies, that a man dying on a Roman cross those many years ago can be the very essence of power, peace and joy in life, yet, throughout history Christian believers have experienced all sorts of expressions of hatred, anger, persecution and even outrage over the cross of Christ. Sir Alfred Ayer, the Oxford philosopher, in an article in the British Guardian, called the cross, "intellectually contemptible and morally outrageous."
While several misguided groups throughout history have distorted the use of the cross – some even trying to claim themselves as Christians – today we must look at the true meaning and help educate our modern society if we are to maintain our freedom to display our holiest symbol.
I say this because if we do not act today, how long will it truly be before removing the cross carries over into our private lives and land, and yes, even into our churches? While I have a deep respect for our Bill of Rights, I also know that in recent years our country has seen activist judges legislating from the bench and even turning to foreign law for answers. This is another reason our voices and votes count in America, and evangelical Christians cannot be silent this Easter season, or at the polls in November.
We must also be aware that even some who claim to be Christians have been infected by the virus of political correctness, and therefore they declare that the cross is obsolete in this culture and the concepts of hell and judgment are merely outdated ideas.
They are not far removed from the growing effort to remove the cross. It all makes sense to a humanistic, secular and atheistic mindset, since they are their own saviors; therefore, to them, no man who died on a cross 2,000 years ago can save them. We, however, know that he did and he can and he will.
The cross is not an outdated symbol. No matter what this world believes, the truth never changes. God does not change. Jesus Christ's sacrifice on the cross, the miracle of His Resurrection and the glory of His Ascension are still as powerful today as they were that first Easter Sunday morning.
Was It A Morning Like This
By Sandi Patty
Was it a morning like this
When the Son still hid from Jerusalem?
And Mary rose from her bed
To tend the Lord She thought was dead
What is a morning like this,
When Mary walked down from Jerusalem?
And two angels stood at the tomb,
Bearers of news she would hear soon.
Did the grass sing?
Did the earth rejoice
To feel you again?
Over and over like a
Trumpet underground,
Did the earth seem to pound:
“He is risen”
over and over
in a never ending round
“He is risen, alleluia, alleluia!”
Was it an morning like this,
When Peter and John from Jerusalem?
And as they raced for the tomb,
Beneath their feet was there a tune?
Was it a morning like this,
When my Lord looked out
On Jerusalem?
He is risen, alleluia, alleluia.
When the Son still hid from Jerusalem?
And Mary rose from her bed
To tend the Lord She thought was dead
What is a morning like this,
When Mary walked down from Jerusalem?
And two angels stood at the tomb,
Bearers of news she would hear soon.
Did the grass sing?
Did the earth rejoice
To feel you again?
Over and over like a
Trumpet underground,
Did the earth seem to pound:
“He is risen”
over and over
in a never ending round
“He is risen, alleluia, alleluia!”
Was it an morning like this,
When Peter and John from Jerusalem?
And as they raced for the tomb,
Beneath their feet was there a tune?
Was it a morning like this,
When my Lord looked out
On Jerusalem?
He is risen, alleluia, alleluia.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
The Evilution of "christianity"
I saw the latest sign that Christianity is indeed the Church of Liodicia:
Barna Survey Examines Changes in Worldview Among Christians over the Past 13 Years .
I'll let you go look at the latest poll results on your own if you wish. Here, I just want to throw in my own two cents- or actually, the Bible's.
First off, pollster George Barna just released another survey :among America's professing "born-again" Christians, only 19% hold a Biblical worldview. For those of you, who are a little mathematically challenged like myself, this means that approximately 80% of those who claim to be christian do not have a Biblical worldview.
It's not like the questions in Barna's survey were deep theological thought provoking ideas which only a person holding a Doctorate in Theology and Religion can understand. For instance, Barna's questions for determining a person's Biblical worldview were the following: Believing that absolute moral truth exists; Believing that the Bible is totally accurate in all of the principles it teaches; Believing that Satan is considered to be a real being or force, not merely symbolic; Believing that a person cannot earn their way into Heaven by trying to be good or do good works; Believing that God is the all-knowing, all-powerful creator of the world who still rules the universe today. In the research, anyone who held all of those beliefs was said to have a Biblical worldview. And again, even among professing "born-again"Christians, only 19% were shown to have a Biblical worldview. In the world of feel good, live your best life now, ear tickling, non offensive, social gospel churches which are so prevalent in society, this really doesn't surprise me. In fact, again, the Bible warns, Jesus warns that in the last days there would be many deceivers coming in His name. The hearts of many will grow cold, and I am making the statement here and now, that many pastors in our society today are misleading millions of people. They are blind, leading the blind, and they will all be shocked and surprised some day when they stand before the Lord and find out that Jesus never knew them.
Here's the lowdown on the survey, along with the Biblical plum line to see just how far off the foundation (Christ) the church has fallen:
One-third of all adults (34%) believe that moral truth is absolute and unaffected by the circumstances. Slightly less than half of the born again adults (46%) believe in absolute moral truth.
Psalm 25:5
guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
Psalm 31:5
Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O LORD, the God of truth.
John 13:20
I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me."
John 14:6
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
For more on Jesus and the Truth- go here.
Half of all adults firmly believe that the Bible is accurate in all the principles it teaches. That proportion includes the four-fifths of born again adults (79%) who concur.
Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness
John 7:38
Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."
1 Timothy 4:13
Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.
For more on the importance and truthfulness of the Bible - go here.
Just one-quarter of adults (27%) are convinced that Satan is a real force. Even a minority of born again adults (40%) adopt that perspective.
Matthew 4:10
Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only."
Mark 1:13
and he (Jesus) was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.
For more of Jesus' words on Satan, go here. One more thing. If many people agree that they believe in angels, why would they not believe in Satan? After all, he is a fallen angel. It is because if one believes in Satan, one must believe in evil and sin as well.
Similarly, only one-quarter of adults (28%) believe that it is impossible for someone to earn their way into Heaven through good behavior. Not quite half of all born again Christians (47%) strongly reject the notion of earning salvation through their deeds.
Hebrews 2:10
In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering.
Acts 4:12
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
Romans 1:16
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
Ephesians 1:13
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,
Philippians 2:13
for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 1:17
For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."
Romans 3:10
As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one;
Romans 3:22-26
This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
There is no Scriptural basis on works plus faith. Jesus Paid our debt in FULL. We can never do enough on our own, no matter how many good deeds, to get to heaven. It is through faith ALONE in Christ Jesus which is our Salvation. The good we do after being born in the Spirit is the fruits of the Spirit- not by ourselves. We can do good things! But they are in vain without the simple faith in Christ for our salvation!
A minority of American adults (40%) are persuaded that Jesus Christ lived a sinless life while He was on earth. Slightly less than two-thirds of the born again segment (62%) strongly believes that He was sinless.
Luke 23:40-42
But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."
Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
John 1
The Word Became Flesh
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God
Since Jesus is God in the Flesh- Jesus can not lie or sin! God can not lie or sin! There are dozens of passages in Scripture which show Jesus- God the Son. A sacrifice in the Old Testament for sins had to be perfect and unblemished. Jesus as the Lamb of God, to take on the sins of the world, as the Ultimate sacrifice- had to be perfect and without blemish. Jesus- is God, therefore, He is PERFECT.
Seven out of ten adults (70%) say that God is the all-powerful, all-knowing creator of the universe who still rules it today. That includes the 93% of born again adults who hold that conviction.
God is Present Everywhere:
Psalm 139:8
If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
Matthew 18:20
For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
God is Eternal:
Deuteronomy 33:27 a
The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.
Revelation 1:17-18
When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
God is All Powerful
Psalm 139:6
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
Psalm 145:3
Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.
Matthew 28:18
Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Colossians 2:10
and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.
So there you have it. With regards to most questions, there are still quite a few who believe in the Word, who have a Biblical belief in Jesus. There are still quite a few Christians however, who don't. Why is this important?
Because, again, it seems that a majority of evangelical churches are bent only on the politically correct doctrines of Prosperity Theology and Entertainment and feel good, seeker sensitive Evangelism. So called Old-fashioned Bible Christianity has been replaced with movements such as the Emerging Church, Purpose Driven Church, Seeker-Sensitive Church, User-Friendly Church,Meta-Church and anything else under the sun. It's important because this Biblically illiterate christian movement is useless at being the "salt" and "light" that our Lord requires. These modern "born-again"evangelicals are walking around with Christless worldviews. They call themselves Christian, but haven't got a clue on what it means to be a follower of Christ. Instead of the Bible, socialist politicians, leftist "evangelicals" such as the Red Letter Christians, and Sojourners, globalist media , entertainers, and humanistic educators are the ones who continue to influence the world with non Biblical concepts that Biblically illiterate "Christians" fall for as the "Gospel truth".
When you're blind, it's awfully hard to see the Truth and not follow after deceivers who claim the title "Christian".
If you are a Christian- which one are you? Are you a follower of Jesus Christ- the Son of God, God in the Flesh- Perfect Word, Holy and Righteous?
Or are you blinded by politically corrected redemption"less" social gospel, empty of the Cross and Resurrection?
If you are not a Bible believing Christian, please dig out your Bible, and look up the references for yourselves. See who Christ is. See what His Whole Word says. Invite Him to your heart and Listen to His Word.
If you are not a believer, I invite you as well, to read the Bible for yourselves- and ask the Lord to reveal Himself to you through His Word. For More information, you can go here. In the archives there are simple answers to Who Jesus is, and How to trust in teh Bible. Find your redemption in Christ. He will Change your Life!
Barna Survey Examines Changes in Worldview Among Christians over the Past 13 Years .
I'll let you go look at the latest poll results on your own if you wish. Here, I just want to throw in my own two cents- or actually, the Bible's.
First off, pollster George Barna just released another survey :among America's professing "born-again" Christians, only 19% hold a Biblical worldview. For those of you, who are a little mathematically challenged like myself, this means that approximately 80% of those who claim to be christian do not have a Biblical worldview.
It's not like the questions in Barna's survey were deep theological thought provoking ideas which only a person holding a Doctorate in Theology and Religion can understand. For instance, Barna's questions for determining a person's Biblical worldview were the following: Believing that absolute moral truth exists; Believing that the Bible is totally accurate in all of the principles it teaches; Believing that Satan is considered to be a real being or force, not merely symbolic; Believing that a person cannot earn their way into Heaven by trying to be good or do good works; Believing that God is the all-knowing, all-powerful creator of the world who still rules the universe today. In the research, anyone who held all of those beliefs was said to have a Biblical worldview. And again, even among professing "born-again"Christians, only 19% were shown to have a Biblical worldview. In the world of feel good, live your best life now, ear tickling, non offensive, social gospel churches which are so prevalent in society, this really doesn't surprise me. In fact, again, the Bible warns, Jesus warns that in the last days there would be many deceivers coming in His name. The hearts of many will grow cold, and I am making the statement here and now, that many pastors in our society today are misleading millions of people. They are blind, leading the blind, and they will all be shocked and surprised some day when they stand before the Lord and find out that Jesus never knew them.
Here's the lowdown on the survey, along with the Biblical plum line to see just how far off the foundation (Christ) the church has fallen:
One-third of all adults (34%) believe that moral truth is absolute and unaffected by the circumstances. Slightly less than half of the born again adults (46%) believe in absolute moral truth.
Psalm 25:5
guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
Psalm 31:5
Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O LORD, the God of truth.
John 13:20
I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me."
John 14:6
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
For more on Jesus and the Truth- go here.
Half of all adults firmly believe that the Bible is accurate in all the principles it teaches. That proportion includes the four-fifths of born again adults (79%) who concur.
Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness
John 7:38
Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."
1 Timothy 4:13
Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.
For more on the importance and truthfulness of the Bible - go here.
Just one-quarter of adults (27%) are convinced that Satan is a real force. Even a minority of born again adults (40%) adopt that perspective.
Matthew 4:10
Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only."
Mark 1:13
and he (Jesus) was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.
For more of Jesus' words on Satan, go here. One more thing. If many people agree that they believe in angels, why would they not believe in Satan? After all, he is a fallen angel. It is because if one believes in Satan, one must believe in evil and sin as well.
Similarly, only one-quarter of adults (28%) believe that it is impossible for someone to earn their way into Heaven through good behavior. Not quite half of all born again Christians (47%) strongly reject the notion of earning salvation through their deeds.
Hebrews 2:10
In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering.
Acts 4:12
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
Romans 1:16
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
Ephesians 1:13
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,
Philippians 2:13
for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 1:17
For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."
Romans 3:10
As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one;
Romans 3:22-26
This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
There is no Scriptural basis on works plus faith. Jesus Paid our debt in FULL. We can never do enough on our own, no matter how many good deeds, to get to heaven. It is through faith ALONE in Christ Jesus which is our Salvation. The good we do after being born in the Spirit is the fruits of the Spirit- not by ourselves. We can do good things! But they are in vain without the simple faith in Christ for our salvation!
A minority of American adults (40%) are persuaded that Jesus Christ lived a sinless life while He was on earth. Slightly less than two-thirds of the born again segment (62%) strongly believes that He was sinless.
Luke 23:40-42
But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."
Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
John 1
The Word Became Flesh
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God
Since Jesus is God in the Flesh- Jesus can not lie or sin! God can not lie or sin! There are dozens of passages in Scripture which show Jesus- God the Son. A sacrifice in the Old Testament for sins had to be perfect and unblemished. Jesus as the Lamb of God, to take on the sins of the world, as the Ultimate sacrifice- had to be perfect and without blemish. Jesus- is God, therefore, He is PERFECT.
Seven out of ten adults (70%) say that God is the all-powerful, all-knowing creator of the universe who still rules it today. That includes the 93% of born again adults who hold that conviction.
God is Present Everywhere:
Psalm 139:8
If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
Matthew 18:20
For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
God is Eternal:
Deuteronomy 33:27 a
The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.
Revelation 1:17-18
When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
God is All Powerful
Psalm 139:6
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
Psalm 145:3
Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.
Matthew 28:18
Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Colossians 2:10
and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.
So there you have it. With regards to most questions, there are still quite a few who believe in the Word, who have a Biblical belief in Jesus. There are still quite a few Christians however, who don't. Why is this important?
Because, again, it seems that a majority of evangelical churches are bent only on the politically correct doctrines of Prosperity Theology and Entertainment and feel good, seeker sensitive Evangelism. So called Old-fashioned Bible Christianity has been replaced with movements such as the Emerging Church, Purpose Driven Church, Seeker-Sensitive Church, User-Friendly Church,Meta-Church and anything else under the sun. It's important because this Biblically illiterate christian movement is useless at being the "salt" and "light" that our Lord requires. These modern "born-again"evangelicals are walking around with Christless worldviews. They call themselves Christian, but haven't got a clue on what it means to be a follower of Christ. Instead of the Bible, socialist politicians, leftist "evangelicals" such as the Red Letter Christians, and Sojourners, globalist media , entertainers, and humanistic educators are the ones who continue to influence the world with non Biblical concepts that Biblically illiterate "Christians" fall for as the "Gospel truth".
When you're blind, it's awfully hard to see the Truth and not follow after deceivers who claim the title "Christian".
If you are a Christian- which one are you? Are you a follower of Jesus Christ- the Son of God, God in the Flesh- Perfect Word, Holy and Righteous?
Or are you blinded by politically corrected redemption"less" social gospel, empty of the Cross and Resurrection?
If you are not a Bible believing Christian, please dig out your Bible, and look up the references for yourselves. See who Christ is. See what His Whole Word says. Invite Him to your heart and Listen to His Word.
If you are not a believer, I invite you as well, to read the Bible for yourselves- and ask the Lord to reveal Himself to you through His Word. For More information, you can go here. In the archives there are simple answers to Who Jesus is, and How to trust in teh Bible. Find your redemption in Christ. He will Change your Life!
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