Friday, July 31, 2009

Ken Schram is Wrong

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KOMO News' Ken Schram says, "the judge blew it," when he issued a restraining order against releasing the names of those who signed Referendum 71.

He says, "And now we end up with a judge who ignores the law in favor of those who want to hide behind it."

Schram, however, admits that the people who are seeking to post the names online and "contact" those who signed are attempting to intimidate. "It's intimidation pure and simple," he says.

The judge is not ignoring the law, he is merely saying that in light of the "pure and simple intimidation" and the documented numerous cases of harassment that occurred during the signature gathering process, perhaps the law should be reviewed in light of these abuses.

I thought liberals were always up for reviewing social norms, laws, and even history itself.

However that part of the issue is not where Schram errors most.

Here's where Schram is way off the mark and his picture on the KOMO logo makes the point.

Right off the top Schram refers to all people of faith who believe in and actively defend natural marriage as, "the anti-gay crowd."

His sweeping, generalized accusation includes thousands of people who hold to a faith and belief that marriage has historically---for more than 5000 years, been between a man and a woman. Every culture has recognized this model because it is the only sustainable model for a successful society. Every major religion condemns homosexual relations. And for those of us who are Christians, we believe the Bible teaches that natural marriage is to be honored and that natural marriage is the biblical model.

We are not "anti" gay we are "pro" marriage.

Schram says, "I think Referendum 71 is a petty, mean-spirited attempt to suppress the rights of same-sex couples."

It isn't.

How many of us does Ken really know? Evidently not many. After working with tens of thousands of people across this state in gathering signatures, neither I, nor anyone else I have spoken with, met anyone who was doing what they were doing out of a mean spirit.

People of faith, who believe the Bible, have an abiding belief that homosexual relations are sin and that the lifestyle leads to a greatly diminished quality of life with eternal consequences. We also believe that people have a right to live as they choose. The spirit of biblical Christianity is to see all people experience the love, forgiveness, deliverance and restoration, regardless of what their sins may be, that comes through the power of a personal relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Only when homosexual activists began to aggressively seek to redefine marriage and the family, did people of faith become active on this issue.

Ken, we are not trying to suppress anything. We are not "anti," we are pro-marriage, pro-life and pro the best life people can possibly experience.

In regard to pointing fingers: perhaps you should revisit your own picture on KOMO's logo. While you are pointing one finger at us, you are pointing three of them at yourself.

And yes, we forgive you.

________________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Thursday, July 30, 2009

Born Baby "Will Ultimately Develop Into a Human Being"

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John D. Holdren made that statement in a book he co-authored with Stanford professors Paul R. Ehrlich and Anne H. Ehrlich titled, "Human Ecology: Problems and Solutions."

On page 235, Holdren and the Ehrlichs' wrote, "The fetus, given the opportunity to develop properly before birth, and given the essential early socializing experiences and sufficient nourishing food during the crucial early years after birth, will ultimately develop into a human being."

When might life begin? Eight? 15 or 25?

Holdren and his co-writers say, "To a biologist the question of when life begins for a human child is almost meaningless, since life is continuous and has been since it first began on Earth several billion years ago."

It is alarming to know that this man and his colleagues have been teaching our children for a generation. It is stunning to know that he is now our President's top science advisor. That's right, he has left Harvard and become, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

But there's more.

You may remember that it was Paul Ehrlich who wrote the 1968 best seller, "The Population Bomb," in which the Washington Post said launched the, "zero population growth" movement in the 1970s and beyond.

Holdren and the Ehrlichs' book, "Human Ecology," then came along to argue that the human race is facing dire consequences unless human population growth is stopped. They sounded much like Al Gore and his global warming, now known as "climate change" prophecies.

They said, "Human values and institutions have set mankind on a collision course with the laws of nature. Human beings cling jealously to their prerogative to reproduce as they please---and they please to make each generation larger than the last---yet endless multiplication on a finite planet is impossible. Most humans aspire to greater material prosperity,'' they said, "but the number of people that can be supported on Earth if everyone is rich is even smaller than if everyone is poor."

The book says, "A fetus is only a potential human being' and that abortion spares," unwanted children" from "unwanted consequences."

The authors chide opponents of abortion for condemning future generations to an, "over-crowded planet."

Holdren appeared before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee in February for a confirmation hearing. I am uncertain why they did not question his statement that a baby, "will ultimately develop into a human being."

However, Sen. David Vitter R-LA, did ask about his population control ideas.

Holdren essentially told Vitter and others that he was preoccupied with the problems of population growth when he wrote those lines, but assured Vitter that he did not think the government should be involved in population control or determining an optimal population.

Sure.

He did say however, regarding how many people should live on the planet at any given time, "We need to aim for what I have been calling 'sustainable prosperity'."

Quick Summary of advice Obama will be getting from his top White House Science advisor:

1. We don't know when children ultimately develop into human beings. Above my pay grade.

2. Pro-life people are condemning future generations to an over-crowded planet.

3. It is better, collectively, for humans, if fewer humans are rich and more humans are poor.

4. When life begins is almost meaningless to a biologist.

5. Life is continuous and has been since it began on Earth several billion years ago.

6. A fetus is only a "potential" human being.

7. Abortion is a good thing because it spares, "unwanted children" from "unwanted consequences."

He and his colleagues have been teaching our children for a generation, now he is officially advising our President.

Do we have the will to resist the remaking of our country and destruction of our culture?

I pray we do. May God help us.

RELATED STORIES:

In the 70s, Obama's Science Adviser Endorsed Giving Trees Legal Standing to Sue in Court

White House Science Adviser Advocated 'De-Development' of the United States
_________________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Unholy Alliance: Church And State

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It is a story that, unfortunately, defines our times. And will heighten our awareness.

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) of Connecticut's website was found last May to contain links to groups promoting a pro-homosexual interpretation of the Bible and religion---including Christianity.

The Family Institute of Connecticut contacted the American Center for Law & Justice (ACLJ), and ACLJ wrote a letter charging that the DCF had violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment by promoting one set of religious beliefs over another on its website.

Example. The state sponsored website linked to the Human Rights Campaign website, a pro-homosexual organization, which featured a document called, "For The Bible Told Me So," which presents a revisionist view of the Bible which rejects traditional Judeo-Christian teachings on homosexuality.

The DCF also had links and relationships to Safe Harbor and True Colors, both primarily homosexual advocacy organizations.

True Colors, for example, holds workshops that include topics that present ex-gay ministries as oppressive and illegitimate, "God and gay," which helps reconcile your sexual orientation with your childhood religion---specifically directed at Mormons and evangelicals, and a workshop titled, "LGBTs And The Real Jesus In The New Millennium." This workshop projects onto Jesus what He would probably say, or what they would want Him to say, about health, sexuality, relationships, family and the ability of LBGT to live happy successful lives.

You won't believe how the state responded to this matter and ACLJ's letter.

Within a few weeks the state responded to ACLJ's letter assuring them they would take care of the matter and be sure that they were compliant with the Constitutional requirements.

The DCF removed the names of Safe Harbor and True Colors from their website as well as certain links.

Victory, right?

Not quite. They have now revised the website with new names and links that lead to, you guessed it, the same sources---still using taxpayer money.

Marcia Segelstein has written an in depth article detailing this story, which is still developing. She also gives the links to follow as they relate to her article.

Segelstein was a producer at CBS for 10 years, an Episcopalian for 40 years and now considers herself a "reluctant rebel" against the mainstream media, the Episcopal Church and the decaying culture her children witness every day.

I strongly recommend you read her linked article to better understand the depth of resolve to revise and remake our culture and even Christianity, by homosexual activists and, sadly, an unrestrained government standing by to aide and abet.

Segelstein says, "It's doubtful the state of Connecticut ever had any intention of concerning itself over the charges of unconstitutionality brought by the American Center for Law & Justice on behalf of Family Institute of CT."

So this story continues and so does the continual assault on all that is good.

BE VIGILANT. BE PRAYERFUL. BE ACTIVE.

___________________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Financial Backers of Homosexual Marriage Backing Off

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The advancement of the homosexual agenda has been so enthusiastically reported and retold that some have predicted the deconstruction of natural marriage is inevitable.

However, some major gay rights players are pushing back, due to the attitudes and beliefs of the general public. Perhaps as people become more informed on the issue, they are becoming less likely to support the redefining of marriage.

The New York Times published an article yesterday titled, "Backers Of Gay Marriage Rethink California Push."

The article reads, "Discouraged by stubborn poll numbers and pessimistic political consultants, major financial backers of same-sex marriage are cautioning gay rights groups to delay a campaign to overturn California's ban on such unions until at least 2012."

Frank Schubert, a spokesman for ProtectMarriage.com, the leading group behind Prop. 8 said, "The other side has said they will not move forward with an initiative until they are sure they can win. That day is not going to come."

Let's pray that he is right.

________________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Monday, July 27, 2009

Conflicting Moral Beliefs in the Church and Culture

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REFERENDUM 71 UPDATE: I'm certain you have read the report that we were able to deliver over 138,000 signatures to the Secretary of State's office Saturday afternoon. We are grateful to all of you who worked so hard and to God for His help.

I was honored to carry the petitions up the steps of the Capitol beside Larry Stickney, Representative Matt Shea, Senator Val Stevens, Rick Wilson and all of you who were there Saturday on behalf of people of faith all across the state.

I have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of positive comments of appreciation and encouragement sent to us since Saturday afternoon, for our willingness to continue to stand in the gap for righteousness. Thank you. You may never know how much that means at this particular time.

The next step is to simply wait for the Secretary's office to certify that there are at least 120,577 valid signatures on the Referendum petitions. It will likely take most, if not all of this week. Maybe longer.

We will keep you updated.

I have a sense that we will be facing an intense challenge or assault on this effort in the near future. Please be in prayer regarding these matters.

To view slideshow from Saturday, click here.
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Conflicting Moral Beliefs in the Church and Culture

As we carried the more than 138,000 signatures into the Secretary's office Saturday, we were greeted by 6 or 8 clergy, mostly, if not all Episcopal, standing in silent protest of what we believe and what we were doing.

This, once again, highlights the different views held within the Christian community. The differences between the positions of evangelical conservatives and those of many of the mainline denominations have been widely discussed for more than 40 years.

More recently, we have become aware of differences of positions among evangelicals regarding some of the most important social issues.

How do people who claim the same faith have such divergent views on such important cultural issues?

In some ways it is complicated by personalities, egos, and political pressures within various organizations and denominations, yet there is a single, less complicated belief that is driving the actions of many who are actively trying to influence our culture.

Recently President Obama told a group of homosexual activists, meeting with him in the oval office, that there are those still holding to, "Worn arguments and old attitudes," regarding homosexual behavior.

This cuts to the heart of the matter. And it is tearing the fabric of the American cultural, some Christian denominations, and even some local congregations and communities.

Moral relativism is the belief that there are no absolutes. No right or wrong. Each person decides what is right and what is wrong. Chuck Colson, in his book, "How Now Shall We Live," says this belief---postmodernism, "rejects any notion of a universal, overarching truth and reduces all ideas to social constructions shaped by class, gender and ethnicity."

Here's how the thought process works.

Jonah Goldberg, editor at large of National Review Online and a member of the USA Today's board of contributors, wrote a column in USA Today last August out of his concern regarding some of the comments candidate Barack Obama was making.

My focus is not President Obama, however, he gives us a clear example of the differences of worldview among those who claim Christian faith.

Goldberg references an earlier Obama interview, which was one we have previously commented on. It is a 2004 interview with Cathleen Falsani of the Chicago Sun Times in which she asks Obama to define sin. He responded that sin is, "being out of alignment with my beliefs."

Therein is the heart of the matter. Christianity has traditionally held that the Bible is God's word and is the basis of a Christian's beliefs. Sin then is being out of alignment with God's beliefs---not our beliefs.

Here's how that difference is responsible for tearing our culture, our churches and sometimes our personal relationships.

Goldberg remembers the explosive fad of postmodernism in the 1980's. I remember that it started much earlier than the 80's and was accelerated when what was then called, "Values Clarification," was introduced into the textbooks of our public education system. "VC" as it was called, essentially advanced the idea that there are no absolutes. It put a new face on an old belief. Relativism. Which is essentially a rebellion against God.

Goldberg says this movement, "Was and is an enormous intellectual hustle in which left wing intellectuals take crow bars and pick axes to anything having to do with the civilizational Mount Rushmore of Dead White European Males."

In the mind of the postmodernist our traditional biblical beliefs of absolutes---right and wrong, true and false, are really just ways for those, in the words of Goldberg, "Pernicious Pale Patriarchs to keep the coalition of the oppressed in their place."

To the postmodernist, truth and reality are socially constructed. So the postmodernist seeks to tear down and remove traditional beliefs, because they privilege the powerful over the powerless, and replace them with new truths more to their liking. More in line with their personal perspective.

This belief claims to liberate society from fixed meanings and rigid categories---like biblical principles. However, they always replace traditional values with new "socially constructed" ones in the form of political correctness.

These beliefs are not liberating, they induce bondage. Patrick Henry once said when people forget God and His principles, tyrants are forging their chains.

The secularization of society is necessary to the success of postmodernism or relativism. This is why we at Faith and Freedom and others are committed to preserving and advancing Judeo-Christian values. They do not oppress, they liberate.

Postmodernism and relativism is really not about others. It is about "me". Why should I conform to "your" beliefs, says the postmodernist to the Christian.

The more society is moved away from eternal biblical truths and the Judeo-Christian values and principles that our Founding Fathers held, the more "new" and "progressive" truths can be introduced.

Truth has then become a matter of perspective.

When the Constitution of the United States does not support a certain social belief , it is declared a "living document" and can mean what ever best serves your agenda.

Once adrift on this sea of "change" we can be "Christian" and still claim that there are many pathways to God, as Obama did in the Falsani interview. We can also accommodate and even celebrate behaviors that are clearly condemned in biblical teaching.

You can claim Christianity, yet deny the absolutes of the Bible on the basis of cultural change and the agent of political correctness which calls for a new "fairness" in our views toward homosexuality, abortion and other important personal and cultural issues.

If you hold to traditional values you will be scorned as someone holding to "worn arguments and old ideas."

Many mainline Christian denominations have been moved away from the beliefs that gave them rise and are now in disarray and decline. This is why.

Biblical Christianity stands on the promises of forgiveness, deliverance, restoration and newness of life in Jesus Christ and eternal salvation, not some kind of so-called love that accommodates postmodernism and relativism.

If we do not communicate this message to our culture, who will? Are we not our brother's keeper?

Evangelicalism has typically held to the fundamental beliefs of biblical Christianity, however as evangelicals pursue new and innovative ways to identify with or not offend certain people groups under the guise of "reaching" them, I think we must be very careful that we ourselves are not "reached" with a view that moves one away from conflict and biblical declarations toward more personal comfort and acceptance by a political correct community.

May God guide His people in these perilous times.

________________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Saturday, July 25, 2009

More Than 138,000 Signatures Delivered on R-71!

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We delivered a little over 138,000 signatures on 9,359 petition sheets to the Secretary of State's office in Olympia a few hours ago.

The Secretary of State's office will now validate the signatures this coming week. Obviously some of the signatures will be disqualified for various reasons.

As you know, we need 120,577 signatures to qualify for the November ballot.

I will give you more information as we progress through the next few days.

Thank you to all who worked so tirelessly on this petition.

________________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

Friday, July 24, 2009

R-71: Too Close to Call

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R-71 petition signature gathering count is too close to call, so we are asking for your help in making one last push.

We feel that by tomorrow morning we will have the 120,577 signatures required, however we also know that some will be invalidated for various reasons. We do not have an adequate cushion of signatures.

We will be turning in the signatures tomorrow at 2 PM.

This is how you can make the difference.

First. If you can gather any additional signatures today, this evening or tomorrow morning, please do so. This will make the difference. If it were not critical, we would not ask.

Second. We are then asking you or someone you know, to drive the additional signatures to Olympia tomorrow [Saturday] at 2 PM and meet Larry Stickney and myself at the Northwest corner of the Capitol steps. We will be there to meet you and to deliver the signatures to the Secretary of State's office.

We know there are several groups and individuals who are already at work on this Help Alert and will be meeting us there.

I will look forward to seeing you as well.

Thank you so much and God bless you.

Gary Randall

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Congressman Takes On Planned Parenthood

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In the past two years Planned Parenthood has received $350 million in taxpayer funding.

That taxpayer support goes to the nonprofit organization which reports a significant profit each year and annual revenues in excess of $1 Billion dollars.

Now a pro-life Congressman is attempting to de-fund Planned Parenthood.

Mike Pence, R-Indiana, has drafted an amendment to de-fund Planned Parenthood. He has attached it to a Department of Health and Human Services funding bill, that in part, throws federal tax dollars toward Planned Parenthood.

ONENEWSNOW reports that abortions are on the rise again and about 1 in 5 are preformed in Planned Parenthood clinics.

The "Susan B. Anthony List" organization is heading up an effort to contact members of the House of Representatives and urge them to vote for the Mike Pence amendment to de-fund Planned Parenthood. You may go the Anthony website or you may click on this website for contact information for communicating with your representative.
_____________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Seattle Times: Fuiten and "A Leaderless Army"

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REFERENDUM 71 UPDATE: It has all come down to this: The number of signatures mailed in and hand delivered today and tomorrow will determine whether Referendum 71 is on the ballot or not. It is that close. The mail volume yesterday was very high, if that continues today and tomorrow we should have enough.

If you plan to mail in your signatures, you must do so today. If you need to have them picked up, we can arrange to have someone meet you and hand deliver them. If that is the case, please contact our office at info@faithandfreedom.us or Larry Stickney at 360-631-1894.

Your efforts, in many cases, have been above and beyond what most would do. We know this is a spiritual matter, not a political one for those who are involved. Please join in prayer today that God will bless the effort and give us the needed signatures to put this issue on the ballot.

We will report more as we know more regarding exact numbers.
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Seattle Times: Fuiten and "A Leaderless Army"

The Seattle Times reported yesterday that the religious right is deflated and in disarray. Pastor Joe Fuiten agrees.

He told The Times, "As a political movement, it is a leaderless army milling about the field."

Fuiten says his, "position on what role the church should play on gay rights is shifting."

He said he holds, "the idea that people ought to be free to live their life and live the way they want to---I don't object to that."

He also affirmed that he is publicly opposed to Referendum 71, won't personally sign it and that the Referendum effort, "drags us backward into a negative fight we're not going to win."

"I don't want the church to be viewed as oppressive," Fuiten explained, "and opposed to people living their lives and eking out whatever happiness they can."

Pastor Emeritus Jan Hettinga of North Shore Baptist said Christians at his church feel, "they've been there and done that on the social issues and all we got was really, really bad press and a bad image."

He says branding the disagreement over same-sex marriage as hatred and bigotry was a smart strategy by gay rights supporters.

Whatever the intention of this article, it may serve all Christian conservatives or evangelicals well. It may cause us to rethink what we do and why we do it.

I would like to share some personal comments, observations and possibilities.

Perhaps the appearance of being "deflated and in disarray" may be greater to those who are in transition as their personal positions are shifting. Or to those outside the evangelical Christian community. It is true that 20,000 gathered at Safeco Field a few years ago in a rally for marriage, however, a few months ago, 2400 people gathered on the steps of the Capitol, in the rain, for marriage, with only a few days notice. And this was without the support of those in transition in their thinking. And without any media advertising to promote the event.

It has become apparent through the R-71 effort to gather signatures that there are many across the state who believe deeply that Christians are called to speak to the culture and in this country, that can be done through the established political system. Preaching the Gospel and standing for Godly principles in government, such as natural marriage, is not mutually exclusive.

They do not feel they are making a choice between standing for what they believe to be biblical values in the culture and also being a witness of the transforming grace of Jesus Christ and His Gospel.

They do not believe they are choosing a message of "hell" over "hope".

And political activism on the part of evangelical Christians has never been the "most important thing" or "the defining piece". A personal relationship with Jesus Christ has always been the most important and defining thing.

James Wellman, a professor at UW, says the religious right is in crises, "I don't think they know what they are going to do next."

Admittedly, some are in transition and are struggling to understand what God wants them to do next. Some, however, are not.

Perhaps our death is exaggerated.

I agree with Pastor Hettinga, it is unfortunate and uncomfortable that anyone who resists the deconstruction of marriage is branded as a hater or a bigot. I have not seen hate or bigotry on the part of those standing for marriage on R-71. I have seen conviction and conscience.

Christian advancement and advocacy has often been unpopular. The word Christian, itself, was not originally intended to be complimentary. Perhaps we will always be "labeled" if we publicly express the absolute biblical values on morality.

But is that reason to withdraw from the dialog on the culture?

America is unique and exceptional in many ways. In fact, there are those who believe America was birthed for special reasons---a manifest destiny.

America's Founders were clear that our country's future was connected to the principles upon which it was founded. America's pastors and Christian leaders were essentially responsible for leading and shaping what this country would become. And they did not abandon their "call" to preach the Gospel in doing so.

If Christians do not speak to the culture, who then will be the conscience of the culture?

Clearly there is a redefining of positions within the Christian community. This is a time in which I believe all people of faith need to reconsider what they do and why they do it.

This is a time of realignment. Those who feel people of faith must continue to stand for righteousness and principle in the culture will find each other and form new and meaningful alliances and relationships. Those who do not will also find new alliances.

That may be interpreted by some as crises or dysfunction, but I believe new and effective voices and methods will emerge.

I do not personally believe that because some leaders have passed away or are aging and tiring of the process that Christian activism in our culture is disappearing.

There are those of this generation that defy the statistics. They believe in traditional biblical values and will assume their role in leadership in the culture as others fade from the scene.

There has been a forceful and public effort to undermine and defeat the efforts of Referendum 71 by those who seek to advance the homosexual agenda and those within the Christian community whose position may be shifting.

Today we do not know if there will be enough signatures to put R-71 on the ballot. That will be decided over the next couple of days. It's close.

Whatever the final verdict will be on R-71, this effort has more clearly defined two distinctly different views within the Christian community. It will likely have a lasting effect in redefining relationships in both churches and organizations.

I sincerely hope and pray that a shifted position, aging and weariness will not result in a repeat performance of attempting to undermine and discredit each time those who have not shifted, attempt to address an important cultural issue.

I am personally not weary and will continue to work with those who are willing to stand for what is right in our culture and in our government. There are others who agree.

There are new leaders to be elected to our government and new legislation to be passed that will advance and preserve Judeo-Christian values for this generation and generations to come.

I trust you will stand with us.

God bless you.

_________________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Shrinking Religious Freedoms

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R71 UPDATE: We have only a couple more days in which to gather in all the remaining R-71 petition signatures and get them in for counting and delivery to the state. We need them by Thursday.

Please make every effort to get them in the mail or if it is a large amount, email us and we will have some one meet you for pick up.
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Shrinking Religious Freedoms

They are calling it the "kissing protest". I call it yet another intrusion into the freedoms of property ownership and freedom of religious belief and expression. It is also trespassing.

It continued Sunday on Mormon owned property in Salt Lake City. I have linked the story.
Julea Ward, a high school teacher, was within four requirements of completing her masters degree when she was dismissed from the program at a state university.

Why? Because she acted on her religious beliefs.

A supervising professor actually set her up, then initiated proceedings against her. They offered remedial help to assist her in changing her belief, when she refused, they dismissed her.

Here's how it happened.

The case began developing about 6 months ago. I have linked a story from the Ann Arbor news from April because it gives a good background on the story.

Ward's dismissal from the program at Easter Michigan State University, just prior to her graduation, stemmed from an incident in a practicum course in which students were under supervision by EMU faculty members.

Julea Ward was faced with counseling a client involved in a homosexual relationship.

Ward did as she had been instructed to do. EMU's handbook for students in the counseling program sets out that they adhere to American Counseling Association standards, which require counselors to not engage in discrimination based on, among other things, sexual orientation.

Counseling students are instructed to refer clients when faced with an ethical dilemma. Prior to the meeting, Ward went to her supervisor, Yvonne Callaway, and told her there was an ethical conflict. Callaway advised Ward to refer the client to another counselor, which Ward did.

Callaway then initiated disciplinary proceedings against Ward, saying Ward's referral was a violation of ethical codes.

Ward has said she is a Christian who derives her beliefs from the Bible and that she believes that homosexual behavior is immoral sexual conduct and she cannot affirm or validate that behavior or otherwise use her counseling skills to facilitate that behavior.

She was then asked in an informal review to undergo a remediation program to change her beliefs relating to counseling homosexuals.

She said she couldn't change those beliefs.

On March 12 of this year she received a letter from the University informing her of her dismissal from the program.

The letter said in part, "Additionally, by your own testimony, you declared that you are unwilling to change this behavior."

If you are unwilling to forsake your beliefs and change your behavior a government-funded school will not allow you access to an education.

She has since filed a lawsuit. Her lawyer says, "In essence, what the University wants to do is affirm homosexual behavior within the context of a counseling relationship in order to get a degree there. That is something she is unwilling to do."

At the time of her dismissal she had four remaining requirements and was maintaining a 3.91 GPA.

You tell me. Is this a modern day fiery furnace?

Now Michigan State Representative Tom McMillin, has introduced a resolution urging Eastern Michigan University to respect the religious rights of its students and staff and halt all discriminatory practices.

He has also asked the State Attorney General to look into the matter.

McMillin said, "Someone should not be withheld from a public university because of their beliefs."

If you don't sell abortion pills in your own pharmacy because of your religious beliefs, they will try to put you out of business or bankrupt you while defending your rights to your religious beliefs. The Stormans in Olympia have been going through this over the past nearly two years.

If you affirm marriage as between one man and one woman and act to protect natural marriage, they will demonstrate against you---even on your own private property. As the case with the Mormon Church and other churches.

If you are a contestant in a Miss USA contest and likely the winner, but do not affirm homosexual "marriage" but respectfully say, when asked, you believe marriage is between a man and a women, you are publicly trashed, called a b---h and generally destroyed.

If you are the Governor of Alaska and hold conservative, biblical values---and express them publicly and find significant public acceptance, the far left secularists exploit your family, relentlessly seek to destroy your career with frivolous law suits and charges, then when you resign as Governor, they declare your political career over, but continue without pause, the most violent, malicious attacks anyone can remember in recent political history.

California is still experiencing retribution from gay activists as a result of Proposition 8.

People gathering signatures for R-71 have experienced aggressive public opposition from those advocating for homosexual "marriage".

Yet there are those who continue to assure the people that the continual expansion of so-called "hate-crimes" legislation and homosexual rights will have no effect on churches, religious organizations, the freedom of speech of preachers and Bible teachers and individual expressions of religious beliefs.

Some of those same people will tell you that you should not be concerned about SB 5688 and should not support R-71 to overturn it, because it will have no effect on marriage.

And if you support anything that impairs the rush to re-engineer society, re-define the family, deconstruct marriage or as President Obama says, "remake America," or advocate the advancement of Judeo-Christian values in our culture, you are tagged as hateful, discriminatory, intolerant and a bigot. And a right wing extremist.

The cultural foundations of this country are crumbling before our eyes, yet there are those who are content to stand and watch as they shield themselves from the heat of the consuming fire with, "I don't think Christians should be involved in those kinds of controversial issues," or, "Whatever will be will be, what can I do about it?" or, "The church should not be involved in the political process." Or worse--this is not the right time.

I can tell you, our Founding Fathers did not agree with that and neither should you.
May God help us in our time of need.

____________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Friday, July 17, 2009

Biden: "We Must Spend More Money to Avoid Going Bankrupt"

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R71 UPDATE: The effort on Referendum 71 has been remarkable. Tens of thousands of you have and are circulating petitions around Washington State. We are approaching the number required, but are not there as of this morning.

Please make the best possible effort this weekend, in church, in front of stores, at events and among friends and family members.

Be sure to mail in your completed petitions so they arrive by the 22nd or 23rd. They are due no later than the 25th.

Remember. Do not detach the signature page from the petition. The petition must be intact.

God bless you for your effort. Thank you for your continuing financial support.
_____________________________

Biden: "We Must Spent More Money to Avoid Going Bankrupt"

Vice-President Joe Biden actually told a group of senior citizens that the Obama administration must spend more money or the country will go bankrupt.

He said, "Now people when I say that look at me and say, 'What are you talking about, Joe. You're telling me we have to go spend money to keep from going bankrupt'."

Biden said, "The answer is yes, that's what I'm telling you."

No country has ever spent itself out of debt and President Obama has created more debt in his first 6 months in office than all of America's Presidents from George Washington to George W. Bush combined.

Biden also told the seniors that they could choose their own health care plan under the new Obama health care plan.

He said, "There'll be a deal in there so there's competition, so what you'll have in there is you'll have the ability to go in there and say, "now look, there is the policy I want. This is the one."

However the Investors Business Daily said yesterday, that is not true.

I sincerely hope America gets this and communicates with their elected officials.

The bill itself does not support what Biden and Obama have been telling the American public. Investor's Business Daily brought the matter to the public's attention yesterday, however, I have linked a quick overview from the HOT AIR web site.

Page 16 of the 1018 page bill reveals a provision making individual private medical insurance illegal.

Most lawmakers have not yet had time to even read the bill.

However, the Obama Administration is pushing to get the bill passed by no later than next week. This is inconceivable in that the bill is at least 1018 pages and one that many are saying will make way for the largest tax increase in history, will further undermine the economy and will dismantle the best health care system in the world.

It is apparent that the Obama Administration is wanting to ram this and other destructive legislation through the Congress, because if it is studied and fully understood, it will be rejected.
There is a growing grassroots reaction to this and US Representatives are hearing from their constituents.

We have a lot going on here in Washington State with the referendum, however I know you care about these matters as well, and I also know that there are many from other states who read this blog.

Please take a moment and contact your US Representative and tell them you strongly oppose Obama's health care plan. Ask them to vote no on the bill.

Be vigilant.

________________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Thursday, July 16, 2009

Pro Marriage Advocates Called "Bastards" at NEA Convention

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R71 UPDATE: R-71 is entering the final week for signature gathering. We are receiving about 8000 or more signatures per day into the R-71 office. Thousands more are being gathered for hand pick up. This coming weekend will be an excellent time to gather more signatures.

Please plan to have all petitions with signatures mailed in so they arrive by the 22nd or 23rd. If you have a large number contact us or Larry Stickney at the R-71 office.

We are not there yet, however, I am encouraged by what I am seeing. God bless you during this last big push to get Referendum 71 on the ballot.

Expenses are continuing during the collection of petitions. Thank you for your financial support.

________________________

Pro Marriage Advocates Called "Bastards" at NEA Convention

A member of the Conservative Educator's Caucus was booed at the National Education Association's National Convention in San Diego for simply stating that they believed marriage was between a man and a woman.

The general legal council of the NEA, America's largest teacher's union, complained about the "Conservative and right wing bastards" who are "after" the NEA and its affiliates. I think he was referring to you and me.

His statement as to why the NEA advocacy has been so successful is very telling and their agenda toward natural marriage is not surprising, but should be very concerning to every parent and grandparent.

Bob Chanin, General Council for the NEA, asked the convention, "Why are these conservative right wing bastards picking on NEA and its affiliates?"

Probably because us right wing conservatives feel he and his NEA is picking on and trying to steal our children.

He told the convention that NEA's advocacy has been effective, but not for the reasons one might believe. He said its success is not because of our creative ideas, it is not because of the merit of our positions, it is not because we care about children, and it is not because we have a vision of a great public school for every child.

NEA, he said, is effective because we have power. "And," he said, "we have power because there are more than 3.2 million people who are willing to pay us hundreds of millions of dollars in dues each year because they believe that we are the union that can most effectively represent them."

Many teachers also fear the union's wrath if they fail to participate.

Jeralee Smith, co-founder of the Conservative Educator's Caucus, said that the NEA will try to take down any legislation in any state that they consider to be discriminatory to homosexuals.

Smith said some of the language in the NEA resolution to support and advance homosexual marriage suggests the NEA will also be working to take down the federal, Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).

However, the groups extreme left position on marriage is causing a decline in membership. While some are expressing concern, the union presses on with their agenda.

While Chanin is not saying that the NEA does not have principled positions, merit-worthy beliefs, a sense of care for children or a vision for public education, he certainly affirms where the priorities lie.

Why is it more important to be a successful lobby for homosexual marriage than to provide the best possible education for children?

What does homosexual marriage have to do with providing an education to our kids?

Why does he place such priority on money and power in the political arena, when the purpose of education is supposed to be to educate?

Money and Power in the NEA's world seems to be the motivator. The ideas of tolerance, inclusiveness and open-mindedness that are served up daily in public classrooms, seem rather hypocritical beneath the boo's of the homosexual frenzy at the NEA convention.

There are many good and principled teachers in classrooms across this country, I know many of them.

However, the force---the NEA, that shapes the environment in which are kids are educated is corrupt and in my opinion not primarily concerned with your child or public education in general. They are preoccupied with an extreme far left social agenda and the money and power that is associated with it. I also know that the NEA's philosophy has varying degrees of influence, depending on individual school systems.

I understand that many parents cannot pull their children from public education, even if inclined to do so.

However, it is incumbent upon all parents and grandparents to be very, very vigilant. Keep a watchful eye on your school district, your child's classroom and the curriculum.

Also be prayerful. There is greater power in prayer than money. People of like mind and heart can change things and principle can prevail. Become involved in your child's classroom, the school and the school district.

There is an ancient Scripture that says, "Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts." Zechariah 4:6.

Prayer Prevails.

_________________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Homosexuals Kissing in Front of Mormon Temple--- In Protest

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R71 UPDATE: Click here.

Matt and his partner Derek, stopped while walking home from a concert last week in Salt Lake City, on the Main Street Plaza, owned by the Mormon Church, to give each other a hug and kiss.

A security guard told them that was inappropriate and against the church's policy. The couple was asked to stop. When they didn't, they were ask to leave. The homosexual couple became angry and argumentative and began using profanity. The security guard called the police, the couple was charged with trespassing.

I saw the first report this last Friday and decided not to comment on it, however, the story has now taken on a new turn, the press has slightly changed the account of what was originally reported and some in the homosexual community are reacting toward the Mormon Church out of disagreement with what the church believes and apparently their right to make policy on their own property.

Sunday morning more than a hundred homosexuals and their advocates gathered in front of the Mormon Temple, on the Plaza, to demonstrate against the LDS church with a gay "kiss-in". Essentially, this was a demonstration against the church's beliefs regarding marriage.

The Salt Lake City Tribune, on Monday, painted a placid picture of love, discrimination and people walking their dogs.

However, there is another side to this. A much darker side.

The Mormon Church owns the property where the two men were kissing. The church feels it was inappropriate behavior on their property and now people are demonstrating against the church, because of what it believes, calling it discrimination.

I am not a Mormon, however, I know that they, as we biblical evangelicals believe that marriage is between a man and a woman.

Why do they not have the right to follow their beliefs with affirming policies on property they own?

When an evangelical pastor preaches that the Bible condemns homosexual behavior---and it does, in church property owned by the congregation, will homosexuals demonstrate against that church?

That has already happened in California and elsewhere as a result of California's Proposition 8.

At what point will litigation begin based on the so-called "hate crimes" legislation that has already become law and more such legislation that is moving forward?

There is a major push from the White House down to normalize this lifestyle, marginalize biblical teaching on the subject and demonize those who do not agree.

I sincerely believe freedom of religious expression is in jeopardy.

Scripture often admonishes God's people to "awaken".

This is a time for people of faith and conservatives to "Wake-Up".

_________________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Sarah Palin to Campaign for Democrats: Todd not registered Republican

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R71 UPDATE: We continue to get good reports from those gathering signatures for R-71. We also continue to receive signature pages that have been separated from the entire petition form. While it is less expensive to mail just the signature page, especially if you have several petitions to send in, if the petition is not intact, it will be disqualified. Please do not separate the signature page. Keep the entire petition together.

Also, for those of you who are harassed while gathering signatures, one of our signature gatherers gave us a great idea yesterday.

She emailed me saying that she has found that if she keeps her video camera with her and begins taking video of those who are verbally assaulting her, they leave very quickly. If you have any video of this kind of behavior, please send it to us at info@faithandfreedom.us.

We will soon have an updated report on the signature count.

___________________

Sarah Palin to Campaign for Democrats: Todd not Registered Republican

Sarah Palin says she plans to jump immediately back into the national political fray.

She says she views the electorate as embattled and fatigued by nonstop partisanship.

So who will she be campaigning for?

In an exclusive interview with Ralph Z. Hallow of The Washington Times she said, "I will go around the country on behalf of candidates who believe in the right things, regardless of their party label or affiliation."

She said, "People are tired of this partisan stuff---even my own son is not a Republican."

Both her son, Track, 20, an enlisted soldier serving in Iraq and her husband Todd, are registered "non-partisan" in Alaska.

As some in the Republican Party are blaming values voters and social Conservatives for recent losses, her message is resonating with those who place principles above politics---and Party affiliation. This may not be the best time for people like Washington State's Secretary of State Sam Reed to be suggesting that the Republican Party move away from social Conservatives so they can win.

Palin's PAC has soared to over $733,000 in the past 5 months.

For those who care about our country and the direction the next election will take, the next 36 months will be very interesting.

May God lead his people in these important matters.

God bless you.

Interesting Article: Madam President?
_____________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Sen. Boxer Predicts Drought, Floods, Fires and More if Climate Bill Fails

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R-71 UPDATE:
Thank you for the great effort so many of you are making on behalf of Referendum 71. We have one Sunday and less than two weeks to gather signatures. At this point we do not have enough signatures, however, I sincerely believe if we make our best push over the next 10 or 11 days we can succeed. God bless you.

We continue to get reports from our volunteer signature gatherers of aggressive opposition. The following happened Saturday at Wal-Mart in Hazeldell. This is the story in the volunteers own words:

Sent: Saturday, July 11, 2009 5:21 PM
Subject: My experience today at Wal-Mart

At about 2 pm today I went to WalMart, Hazel Dell, to join Eric at a table set outside the store, in the sun, to gather signatures for Referendum 71. Many people came to our table freely asking what we were there for and willingly signing our petitions. Eric had been there from 9 or so in the morning and said that he got about 20 signatures an hour. While I was there for about an hour, we continued gathering signatures.

Then this older woman came by, very aggressively against us, speaking in an angry tone, using language I do not use. Eric said that he would go in and talk to the manager, which he did. A man with her took our pictures. Then some time later the police came telling us we were trespassing and that we had to leave.

Eric was in the store getting a sandwich, I told them. I was just a "sub," filling in, but that I thought that he had gotten permission. The police wanted my driver's license, which I told them was not on me but in my car. They didn't ask me to go get it. Rather the manager, or someone from the store, said I had to sign this sheet saying that I could not come back to WalMart.

I read it but did not ask for a copy. [I think now that I should have done that. I suppose I should call and get one.] I told her [the manager?] that I would have to write a letter to the editor explaining this problem as I thought that WalMart was family-friendly and had let us gather signature previously without any trouble.

Then Eric came back. The police told me to remove the table and chairs and info. He did. I did speak with them, nicely. After I asked Eric if he had gotten permission, and he said that he did, I told them that. One officer said that he didn't care. We, it would seem, were the ones creating the disturbance--when in fact, it was the above woman who made the fuss and was not very nice in her speech and manner.

So, we become the problem when we decidedly did nothing to make a problem except to exercise, with dignity and respect, our right to gather signatures, with the permission of the store also.

I am asking Debbie to go talk to the manager and see if this can be straightened out so that we can return.

Pauline

To comment ... click here.
_____________________

Sen. Boxer Predicts Drought, Floods, Fires and More if Climate Bill Fails

Last week Al Gore invoked the spirit of Winston Churchill as he compared the climate change fight to that of World War II against the Nazis. I wrote about it last week and have also linked a video of his comments.

You will note that Gore is telling people at Oxford that if the Waxman-Markley Bill is passed, the bill will, "help bring about global governance." Put another way: A one-world government.

Now Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Cal., is saying if this bill doesn't pass, "There will be droughts, floods, fires, loss of species, damage to agriculture, worsening air pollution and more."

The House has already passed the bill, however there is a chance the Senate may defeat it. Although the Democrats are in the majority, there are a number of Democrats who are not going to support their colleagues on this one.

It is well known that there is a growing body of data that contradicts Al Gore's version of global warming and a growing number of credible scientists who say it is based on a faulty premise.
This bill, if passed, will be the largest tax increase ever placed on the American public. Many feel it will reduce America to a second rate nation.

I would encourage you to take a moment today and call your US Senator and tell them you strongly oppose the Waxman-Markley Bill and ask them to oppose it as well.

Thank you.

Friday, July 10, 2009

Justice Ginsburg: "I thought Roe Was to Rid Undesirables"

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US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Gidsburg has told The New York Times that she was under the impression that legalizing abortion with the 1973 Roe v. Wade case was about eliminating undesirable members of the population.
Maybe this is a normal thought pattern for some, but frankly, it's shocking to some of us.
The interview is scheduled to be published Sunday in The New York Times Magazine.
The entire interview, with Emily Bazeon, is titled, "The Place of Women on the Court," and is available on-line now.
On page 4 of the interview, as it is posted on-line, Ginsburg tells Bazelon, "Frankly, I had thought at the time Roe was decided, there was concern about population growth and particularly growth in populations that we don't want to have too many of."
This interview is in depth and gives you a striking comparison between the far left, secularist world view and the world view of people of faith and traditional values.
President George W. Bush gave us Roberts and Alito.
Candidate Obama said his Supreme Court nominees would be more like Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
There is hope, however it will likely not show itself in this administration.

Thursday, July 09, 2009

Sotomayor Supported Censoring Bible Verses

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President Obama has told us he is "remaking" America. Indeed he is. Every aspect of America.

We are now learning that his nominee for the Supreme Court, Sonia Sotomayor, ruled against a Christian ministry's right to publicly display a Bible verse on a privately owned billboard on Long Island, New York.

She ruled to uphold a lower court's ruling against Pastor Kristopher Okwedy. The pastor's ministry had purchased space on a billboard and was featuring Bible verses that condemn homosexual behavior. Not commentary. Just the verse.

One of the verses featured was the King James version of Leviticus 18:22, which reads, "Thou shalt not lie with mankind as with womankind: It is an abomination."

Sotomayor and two other judges on a panel ruled that the signs should have been taken down and that the pastor did not have the right or the freedom to express Scripture in that way. Or at least those Scriptures.

Every time I, or others, say publicly that the so-called hate crimes bills that legislators are addicted to passing will ultimately be used to suppress freedom of speech on the part of pastors who preach the biblical teaching which condemns homosexual behavior, we are met with outrage and denial from the homosexual activists, from the Governor's office to the Legislature to the street.

This is how religious censorship begins. It seems insignificant to the general public, but line by line, law by law, a case is built against what the elite do not want said in any kind of public discourse.

In the early 70s I spent time in Poland with a number of local pastors, helping to establish and build Christian churches. At that time they were still under the oppression of the old Soviet Union. Freedom of religious expression and speech was greatly suppressed. Pastors and Christian leaders were persecuted, not just socially, but physically, simply because of their expression of Christian faith. They were beaten, often, as a result of trumped up charges over some infraction of the law. I lived in their homes with them and I personally saw the scars on the backs from beatings while they were in jail.

I don't think the American people will ever allow our country to go that far, however these things happen as a result of an accumulation of small advances by those who oppose certain freedoms. The pastors I lived with and worked with, all remembered better times, when they had greater freedoms.

Our 'Establishment Clause' is often quoted and used against Christians having too much freedom of expression in schools and government institutions, yet they have now used this premise against Christian expression in the private sector.

The story I have linked is fairly in depth and does a good job explaining how the case has developed.

There is further evidence that Sotomayor, on what is called "first impression" cases--those that a court has never taken up before, shows a pattern of issuing summary orders, which are unpublished, on controversial cases, as she did recently in the reverse discrimination case involving the firefighters from New Haven.

Because they are first impression cases, she simply refuses to study and analyze those questions on issues that may result in a result that she doesn't like.

Judicial activism.

She has advocated this approach in prior speeches and seminars, we should not be surprised at her positions or her nomination. She fits the profile candidate Obama promised if elected.

I doubt this will get much national attention. But it should.

In this, we have witnessed the denial of free speech to a pastor who was quoting Scripture, not making commentary, in a public place. It is suppression of free speech, selectively applied because the judges did not like the speech---the message.

Please do not tell me that hate crimes laws will not be used against pastors who believe and teach the biblical position on homosexual behavior.

This is not a time for people of faith and conservatives to remain silent.

Wednesday, July 08, 2009

Al Gore on Climate Change and the Nazis

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R-71 UPDATE: R-71 seems to be going well based on the reports that both Larry Stickney and I are receiving. We are beginning to receive signed petitions. We are assessing how many we actually have at this moment. About 75,000 petitions, each having 20 signature lines, have been sent to individuals or churches who have specifically requested them. We will give you an update on how many are in, soon.

Please send in the signed petitions you have on hand now. If you are still gathering signatures, that's great, however if you have the number of signatures you feel you can collect---send in the petition.

Do Not Cut The Signature Page From The Petition. The signature page must be attached to the entire petition or it will be discarded by the State.

We have mailed out an additional 5,000 petitions this week with a letter from Senator Dan Swecker. The letter and petition went to social conservatives who may not have been contacted through our other networks.

Our cost was several thousands of dollars. We have written the check. Could you please help us with this expense, this week? Click here to donate to Faith & Freedom PAC.

Thanks and God bless you.
_____________________

Al Gore on Climate Change and the Nazis

It could have been called the, "Far Left Attack on Personal Freedoms Under The Guise Of Climate Change," however they are calling it the, "Smith School World Forum on Enterprise and the Environment."

Speaking at the conference held in Oxford, England, Al Gore is sounding the alarm. He says he is having a difficult time getting world leaders to put up the money for his climate change, formerly known as global warming; now changed since the globe seems to be cooling, agenda.

He told the audience the world lacked the political will to act and invoked the spirit of Winston Churchill while encouraging leaders to unite to fight climate change.

He said the fight against climate change is similar to the battle against the Nazis.

Sir David King, England's former chief scientist and now director of the Smith School, berated politicians for not following up with massive amounts of money to fund the various schemes of the climate change leaders. He said, "I tried to pull in a lot of IOUs. But where was Lord Mandelson (Business Secretary), where was Ed Miliband (Energy and Climate Change Secretary), where was David Cameron? Where was William Haque?

World leaders are not stepping up with the money Gore and his associates had counted on.
As credible evidence continues to mount that the earth is actually in a cooling trend, that there may well be natural causes for warming trends when they occur and that humans may not be influencing these trends nearly as much as Gore and others have been telling everyone, there has been a political cooling off toward the demands of the so-called "Green" movement. Except in the United States Congress.

The Liberal Lords and Ladies of our own Congress seem so bent on passing the Cap and Trade bill, which is the largest tax increase ever placed on the American public, they are trying to hurry it through Congress before elected officials who may oppose it can even read it, much less study it.

Yes we can.

The Cap and Trade bill---HR 2454 has passed the House. It has not yet passed the Senate.
The Wall Street Journal calls it, "The biggest tax in American history," and the Heritage Foundation says if passed, the bill could cost every American household $3,000 per year.
Even President Obama says electricity bills will "skyrocket".

The folks meeting with Al Gore this week at Oxford have now moved their conversation from measuring carbon emissions from companies and corporations to individuals.

If this bill becomes law it will undermine our personal freedoms in ways that we have never experienced in the history of this country, will cost millions of jobs, bankrupt more businesses and individuals and make Al Gore and his associates even more wealthy.

Human Events has sent out a message from, "The Center for Individual Freedom," that summarizes the catastrophic consequences of this legislation and how it will erode your personal freedoms. And it gives you an opportunity to respond to our elected officials. I suggest you read their message and act.

Perhaps Gore is right.

There are similarities between the encroachment of this legislation on our freedoms and the heavy handed control by the Nazis.

_______________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Tuesday, July 07, 2009

New Study Finds Sexual Orientation Can Be Changed

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R-71 UPDATE: I continue to be encouraged by the notes and emails we receive from people all across the state. I received this email from a person who had requested petitions for R-71.

Gary,
I am retired and by God's grace, I have the time to do this. I feel our pastors will be soon under attack if we let this pass. I am the National Chaplain for Combat Veterans International. I believe it is time to fight the good fight, knowing the time may be short. Thank you and Faith and Freedom for all the good work you are doing to defend our Christian Faith in these challenging days. If we pull together and trust the Lord, this will be nothing more than another "Red Sea" experience. We should be able to praise God for such a great victory.

Your Brother In Christ

I received an email yesterday from a professor in one of Washington State's colleges. I will not reveal the gender of the professor or the college, but am grateful for the advice and insight in presenting our case for R-71. The professor said I am a donor to Faith and Freedom and to R-71. I thank you for your hard and diligent work.

When any appreciation is expressed to Faith and Freedom or myself, I am fully aware that we are only able to do what we do because of your financial support and God's blessing. Together we are able to make a difference in our culture if we remain diligent.

Thank you for your financial support.
_______________________

New Study Finds Sexual Orientation Can Be Changed

Focus on the Family reported yesterday afternoon that a new report in this month's issue of the peer-reviewed Journal of Human Sexuality finds that sexual orientation can be changed.
Focus says, "The study directly refutes unsubstantiated claims made by some factions of the American Psychological Association (APA) and several other professional mental health organizations that it is unethical for therapists to assist patients to overcome unwanted same-sex attractions."

The study also found that:

*Despite knowing the AIDS risk, homosexuals repeatedly and pathologically continue to indulge in unsafe sex practices.

*Homosexuals represent the highest number of STD cases.

*Many homosexual practices are medically dangerous, with or without "protection".

*More than one-third of homosexual men and women are substance abusers.

*Forty percent of homosexual adolescents report suicidal histories.

*Homosexual relationships are more violent than heterosexual relationships.

*Societal bias and discrimination do not, in and of themselves, contribute to the majority of increased health risks for homosexuals.

Jeff Johnson at Focus said, "These findings should have an impact on those who claim to have the best interests of the gay community at heart."

Focus on the Family has long been an advocate for those wishing to separate themselves from the homosexual lifestyle through their "Love Won Out" ministry. Through that aspect of their ministry, many people have found deliverance and freedom.

__________________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

Click here to add these blogs to your email inbox.

Monday, July 06, 2009

Planned Parenthood Continues Its Evil Heritage

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R-71 UPDATE: Thank you for all the good reports we received yesterday and this morning regarding the R-71 petition drive. People across the state were out over the holiday weekend gathering signatures---including elected officials. Senator Dan Swecker was gathering signatures at the Tea Party in Olympia. He told me others were there gathering as well.

July 22nd is the mailing deadline. All petitions must be mailed in by the 22nd. If you have petition forms that are filled out now, please mail them now. Be sure to keep the signature page intact with the complete form, when you mail it.

We will soon be able to begin reporting on the number of signatures gathered. Thank you for your efforts to defend marriage. We have a very short time remaining in which to gather the signatures. The next two weeks must be a major push. Please be in prayer for God's blessing and guidance during these critical days.

Thank you for your financial support.

__________________________

Planned Parenthood: The Great Pretender.

Planned Parenthood is relentless in their assault on women, the poor, minorities, kids and now the general public. This is consistent with the philosophy of their founder, Margaret Sanger.

The organization has been running ads in the Washington DC area---targeted at elected officials, claiming that 90% of its services are preventative and primary care. Suggesting that going to Planned Parenthood is just like going to your regular doctor's office.

The problem is, that's a lie. Its false advertising.

The organization's last annual report shows that primary care patients account for only seven tenths of one percent of its total number of customers.

Jim Sedlack, from American Life League, says they are just trying to get more money from the Obama administration---that would be on top of the $349.6 million they already get from the government.

Sedlack told ONENEWSNOW, "They're trying to set the stage so that they get recognized as an entry point into the health care system and that people don't have to go to another primary care physician, they can get referenced to Planned Parenthood, they can just walk in the door at Planned Parenthood."

He says Planned Parenthood is trying to position itself to appear to be a mainstream health care service.

Ironically, while they work to present themselves as a mainstream health care provider, abortion is their main event, representing fully one-third of all income and government funded abortion will certainly be part of the Obama healthcare plan. More access to healthcare will allow them to expand the number of abortions they perform each year and most certainly will significantly increase their income and outreach.

From its very beginning, Planned Parenthood's evil motives have been cloaked in phony humanitarian ideas.

The group's founder, Margaret Sanger, still portrayed as a feminist heroine, was above all things, a eugenist---one who believed in the inferiority of non-white races. She attempted to set up birth control clinics in poor New York City neighborhoods targeting, "Blacks, Hispanics, Slavs, Amerinds, Fundamentalists, Jews and Catholics."

A moral government would remove public funding from such an evil, social disgrace.

Planned Parenthood is the great pretender.

In a related story, Planned Parenthood has recently put an animated cartoon up on its web site that many feel promotes "sex play" among teens. The cartoon advises teens that taking part in "sex play" and "outercourse" can greatly reduce their risk of getting a sexually transmitted disease.

It's explicit.

Wendy Wright, executive director of Concerned Women for America, says they are once again not telling the truth.

You may read the entire story at CNSNEWS.COM. I recommend it.

The moral foundations of our culture are crumbling. Seattle and hundreds of other cities across the nation this month have turned their heads to nudity and suggestive, indecent behavior, refusing to even enforce existing laws, all in the name of "celebrating" homosexuality in a parade. Led by city officials who are often motivated simply by the fear of lost votes.

Legislators vote to redefine marriage, deconstruct the family, pay for even more abortions and continually move our nation further and further away from the principles that made us a city on a hill.

God help us.

_________________

Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Friday, July 03, 2009

Celebrate Your Faith & Freedom

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As we celebrate our Declaration of Independence and the resulting unparalleled freedoms and prosperity America has experienced, we are mindful that those freedoms are under attack.

Abraham Lincoln once said, "America will never be destroyed from outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves."

Lincoln also said, "To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards of men."

This is not a time for people of faith and conservatives to be silent.

God Bless You and God Bless America,

_________________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Wednesday, July 01, 2009

Publicly Funded School Will Use Bible as Textbook

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R-71 UPDATE: Thank you for standing for natural marriage by circulating R-71 petitions. Many are making a great effort.

Unfortunately, there are some who are standing and working against the very principles you and I are working to uphold, using their influence to normalize a lifestyle and behavior that is not normal.

Yesterday, President Obama told a meeting at the White House that he is dedicated to expanding homosexual rights, saying many Americans still cling to what he called, "worn arguments and old attitudes" about homosexuality.

He told his audience he hopes to persuade all Americans to accept homosexuality. He also reconfirmed his promise to work to abolish the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and other pro-marriage and pro-family policies.

Thank you for the stand you are taking.
_____________________

Publicly Funded School Will Use Bible as Textbook

Surely the sky will fall---at least for those who work so hard to strip every vestige of America's Judeo-Christian heritage from public discourse.

Nampa (Idaho) Classic Academy, a charter school, will be using the Bible as a textbook when classes begin this August.

They will open with 550 students. The first sixth graders enrolled in the school will be learning Latin.

The ninth graders will be studying the history of western civilization, with the Bible included as a primary source of teaching material.

Val Bush, the headmaster of the school, said the Bible will be taught for its literary and historic qualities, as part of a secular education program.

She said, "Some people are rather bigoted; they say you can use anything but that. We say, why?"

Three people have already complained that it appears the school may be rooted in Christian beliefs.

Rooted in Christian beliefs?

I wonder where they think our Founding Fathers were coming from? Education has been so manipulated in recent years, that many have no idea of the relationship between our founders and biblical teaching.

The Academy founder, Isaac Moffett, said, "My philosophy did not match anything in traditional education today."

He says the values the school will be teaching, "include character, charity, civility, destiny, discipline, excellence, industry, integrity, service, loyalty, originality and patriotism."

I am certain there will be a growing chorus of dissent against him and the school as we approach opening day of classes.

This points out how we, as a country, have lost our way. Who would not want their child taught those principles and values?

Unfortunately too many are willing to sacrifice their children to support a far left, so-called progressive, idea of separation of church and state, that is based in the best case, on a misunderstanding of what Thomas Jefferson actually said to the Danbury Baptists and in the worst case, a calculated lie. A myth.

Moffett rightly points out that a 1963 US Supreme Court ruling stated that the Bible has literary and historical educational value and may be used for those teaching purposes.

McGuffey, who created the standard textbooks for early American public education, often made references to God and Judeo-Christian values and principles in the course of teaching. The influence of Noah Webster, the father of our public education and one who once said the Bible is really the "only" textbook needed, and McGuffey influenced not only their own generation, but generations that followed.

Daniel Webster (1782-1852), a leading American statesman said, "If we abide by the principles taught in the Bible, our country will go on prospering and to prosper; but if we neglect its instruction and authority, no man can tell how sudden a catastrophe may overwhelm us and bury us and bury all our glory in profound obscurity."

We have not only neglected those principles, but are now in a place where we fight and litigate to remove them from public discourse and from the education our children.

We have exchanged the truth for a lie.

However, an informed public, inspired to have the will to resist, can prevail and restore America.

________________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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