Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Approaching Easter

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You can always tell when we are approaching Easter. Each year there is a flurry of books, articles and seminars about the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, many of which are seeking to discredit the event. Newsweek often leads the parade.

This year's feature in Newsweek appears to support the idea of "Resurrection" but progresses to, "This story has strained the credulity of even the most devoted Believers."

Newsweek's feature takes the reader on a walk through silly things that have been said about Heaven and the Resurrection, focusing on a new book release about Heaven, noting its universality with suicide bombers who fantasize about dark eyed virgins, how reincarnation is gaining adherents, cremation and the Christian, and polls showing people don't believe in the Resurrection like they use to.

The conclusion of Newsweek's feature? "For my part, I don't buy it."

I do buy it. And so do hundreds of millions of Christians around the world.

The following was drawn from a number of sources. Consider this:

The Strength of the Evidence.

1. The large stone was moved, in spite of the Roman guards and seal.

Jesus' tomb was secured in three ways:

(a) A large stone was rolled against it. It was customary to roll big stones against tombs; the stones were generally too big to be moved by just a few men, so levers were used to move them. Some have estimated that the stone that sealed Jesus' tomb weighed 1-1/2 to 2 two tons (1,361-1,814 Kilograms), which is the approximate weight of a mid-size car.

(b) A Roman guard unit--which usually consisted of four soldiers--was stationed at the tomb. Roman guards were strictly disciplined fighting men held to the highest standards. Failure often required death by torturous and humiliating methods.

(c) The Roman seal was affixed to the stone that secured the tomb. The seal stood for the power and authority of the Roman Empire. Breaking the seal meant automatic execution by crucifixion upside down. Anyone trying to move the stone from the tomb's entrance would have broken the seal and thus incurred the wrath of Roman law.

On resurrection Sunday morning, the first thing that impressed the people who approached the tomb was that the large stone was moved. Certainly the entire guard unit would not have fallen asleep with torture and death as the consequences. But even if the guards did fall asleep, how could thieves have sneaked by the guards and moved the massive stone without waking them up?

2. The tomb was empty.

Jesus' tomb was near Jerusalem (John 19:42). Had the tomb not been empty, claims of the resurrection, which were first made in Jerusalem, could not have been maintained for even one hour-- people in Jerusalem could have gone to the tomb to check for themselves.

Both Jewish and Roman sources admit an empty tomb. Those resources range from Josephus to a compilation of fifth-century Jewish writings called the "Toledoth jeshu."

3. Jesus' burial wrappings were in the tomb.

The linen wrappings in the tomb amazed the disciples. Jesus had simply moved through the wrappings, apparently without a struggle, and laid the face cloth aside. Had Jesus' body been stolen, the thieves would not have taken the time to remove the wrappings or fold the face cloth.
4. There were many witnesses to Jesus' appearances.

In studying an event in history, it is important to know how many participants or eyewitnesses were still alive when reports about the event were published. If the number was substantial, the event can be regarded as fairly well established because the eyewitnesses could have refuted an inaccurate report. For instance, if several people witness a murder and the police report contains numerous lies, the eyewitnesses can refute it.

The apostle Paul wrote that Christ had been seen by more than 500 people at one time. What's more, most of the 500 were still alive when Paul was proclaiming the resurrection, so skeptics could simply question the eyewitnesses:

1 Cor 15:3-6: For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep.

5. New Testament accounts were circulated among people who were alive at the time of the resurrection.

Archaeological discoveries have confirmed that New Testament accounts of the resurrection were written within the lifetimes of people who were alive at the time of the resurrection. Those people could certainly have denied the accuracy of the Gospel writers' accounts.

6. The followers of Christ were persecuted and killed for proclaiming the resurrection.

Jesus' disciples fled when Jesus was arrested and taken away for trial prior to being crucified. They were apparently afraid that they would be imprisoned or killed for their association with Jesus. Peter even denied that he knew Jesus. After Jesus was crucified and buried, they remained in hiding, afraid and depressed, until Mary and others came to tell them that Jesus had risen from the dead. Why would these men who had displayed such cowardice risk their lives in going from city to city proclaiming the resurrection if they did not truly believe that Jesus had risen from the dead? They certainly gained nothing for doing so. The disciples did not receive wealth or prestige for preaching the resurrection; there were no material benefits whatsoever. In fact, they were beaten, stoned to death, thrown to lions, tortured, and crucified for their preaching.

Consider The weakness of the Arguments Against The Resurrection.

1. Maybe the women who reported the missing body had mistakenly gone to the wrong tomb.

This would mean that the disciples also went to wrong tomb.

Also, the Jewish authorities and the Roman guards were not mistaken about the location of the tomb. If the women and the disciples had gone to the wrong tomb, the Jewish and Roman authorities would have immediately produced the body of Jesus from the proper tomb in order to stop the rumor of the resurrection.

2. Maybe those who claimed to have seen the risen Jesus were hallucinating.

It's difficult to imagine that more than 500 people had the same illusion or hallucination. Here again, the Jewish and Roman authorities could have produced the body to squelch the rumor.

3. Maybe Jesus swooned.

The swoon theory is that Jesus didn't die, but merely fainted from exhaustion and loss of blood. Everyone thought He was dead. When He later resuscitated, the disciples thought that He had risen from the dead.

It contradicts medical science to believe that Jesus could have survived the crucifixion, let alone survived another two days in the tomb, removed the large stone, overpowered the Roman guards, and then convinced His followers that He had conquered death and the grave.

4. Maybe Jesus' body was stolen.

Who would have stolen the body?

As mentioned above, Jesus' disciples fled in fear when Jesus was arrested and taken away for trial prior to being crucified, and then they stayed in hiding until hearing of the resurrection. Why would these men, who had displayed such cowardice and depression, risk their lives trying to overpower the Roman guards and steel Jesus' body? And why would they have wanted to? There was nothing for them to gain by stealing the body. They were persecuted, tortured, and eventually killed for preaching the resurrection, so there was no motive for them to fabricate a lie.

What's more, even if the disciples would have wanted to maintain a conspiracy, they would not have been able.

Every conceivable method was used by Roman and Jewish officials to stop them from talking. Self-preservation would have eventually won over the disciples' commitment to a conspiracy. If the resurrection were a concocted hoax, the disciples would have testified against one another before succumbing to beatings or the death penalty. Think about America's Watergate: The Nixon administration, the most powerful group of men in the world at the time, could not maintain a conspiracy for even a few weeks. They buckled under pressure and chose self-preservation over maintaining a lie to save their leader.

Consider also that the Romans must not have believed that the disciples stole Jesus' body--had the officials believed it, they would have killed them for breaking the Roman seal.

Theft of Jesus' body by Jewish or Roman authorities doesn't make sense either. If the authorities had the body in their possession or knew where it was, they could have produced the body of Jesus and put an end to Christianity. But they didn't.

There were those in the days of Christ's Resurrection who were as intent on discrediting it as there are today. The opposition could have killed the early Christian movement if they would have just produced a body. The Resurrection stood the test then and it stands the test now.

Approaching Easter is an important spiritual time for any individual. Our thoughts are turned to death and sacrifice on Good Friday and to Resurrection or newness of life, on Sunday morning. A new beginning resulting from the death and Resurrection of the Son of God.

A friend of mine, Randy Alcorn, has written what I believe is the most definitive book available on the topic of Heaven. It is a bestseller. He spent more than 20 years in research before writing it. I strongly recommend you buy it and have it in your home. It is a source of information and great comfort and inspiration.
Heaven by Randy Alcorn.

As we approach Easter, I strongly encourage you to take a few moments and think about it and read what some leading evangelical leaders have written on the subject.

While much has been written, I am giving you a link to
crosswalk.com and 11 essays about Easter that include : The Reality of Salvation: He Rose; Radical Effects of the Resurrection; Jesus Christ's Resurrection: The Exclamation Point; How Firm a Foundation! The Resurrected Lord Jesus Christ; The Day Death Died; Eight Reasons Why I Believe That Jesus Rose From The Dead; History's Greatest Event---The Resurrection of Jesus Christ; The Resurrection of Jesus Christ and the Reality of the Gospel; A world without Easter; Don't Forget The Resurrection and Jesus' Resurrection: Miracle or Myth.

As we approach Easter, at the end of the day, what will ultimately matter is what you personally believe. Not the mountain of evidence supporting the Resurrection or the arguments against its authenticity.

The evidence of the Resurrection is overwhelming, however it is a simple step of faith that transforms lives, turns hopelessness into hope, fear into peace and confusion into purpose. It's called being "born again" or "saved" or "becoming a person of faith."

According to Scripture, if we simply pray a prayer of faith acknowledging that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that he died and was resurrected from the dead and ask Him to forgive our sins and live in us our lives will be transformed by the same power that raised Christ from the dead.

A new life. A new beginning. A new relationship with the most defining personality in the history of the human race. A personality so impacting that even time was divided according to "before Christ" and "after Christ". Your life has or can be impacted in a similar way.

As we approach Easter, rejoice, He is Risen.

God bless you.

_____________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Homosexual Marriage: "Not a Fundamental Right"

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A judge has ruled that homosexual "marriage" is not a fundamental right.

A lesbian couple "married" last June in Massachusetts are now seeking a "divorce" in Pennsylvania.

Judge Scott Lash says "No" because their argument is unsupportable to pass the test for being a fundamental right.

Judge Lash said, "This is a plea for social change. If homosexuals had a fundamental right to marry each other, this plea would be unnecessary."

The judge also wrote the following in his ruling:

"Courts should be reluctant to identify a right as fundamental when not clearly required by the Constitution or established precedent. A court who finds a fundamental right where none exists, bypasses the legislative process and denies the people a voice in effecting social policy, in essence, trumping democracy by judicial fiat."

Take away fact:

Some judges try to "follow" the Constitution and some try to "use" it.

Judges are either elected or appointed by people you elect. In either case it is in your hands.

Be prayerful. Be vigilant. Be active.

________________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Monday, March 29, 2010

Public Wrong on 15 Yr Old Ballard Abortion

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The Seattle Times' editorial board has quickly risen to the occasion pointing out yesterday that, "Facts threaten to be eclipsed by political grandstanding about choice."

Apparently anyone who expresses opposition to a 15 year old girl getting an abortion while her parents think she is in class is, "grandstanding".

That's called "concern" and "outrage"---the same emotions the Times editorial board publishes when it appears pro-life or pro-family or pro-marriage values may be advanced.

They point out that Washington is one of a handful of states without parental consent or notification laws regarding abortion.

Likely no one doubts the depth of the Time's editorial commitment and activism on behalf of far left ideologies, however to be sure, they write, "Too bad a young girl's mistake is now a volley in debates about choice and parental rights."

Are they suggesting those of us who believe in life and parental rights should sit down and shut up?

Comment of the day:

"Anger at the school district and the health care workers is misdirected. The girl was provided a safe and confidential haven."

Few parents see public schools as a true "safe" haven. With the consistent assault on both parental rights and parental authority and the relentless undermining of traditional values, "safe" may well be in the eye of the beholder.

Be sure, however, it is confidential. Too often what happens in school stays in school.

Therein is the reason for outrage directed toward the public school. Trust has been lost. While the school did not directly administer the abortion, they are seen as a complicit facilitator.

Parents and concerned citizens have come to know that classroom materials, especially sex ed, is dominated by Planned Parenthood and their allies and pro-homosexual advocacy groups and the constant undermining and dismissive attitude toward traditional values specifically abstinence teaching.

However, The Times makes a good point. Perhaps the outrage is misdirected. It should be directed at the lawmakers, often strongly allied with Planned Parenthood and NARAL, who consistently block any and all parental rights and consent legislation.

We have a great opportunity to remove some of these people from office in the upcoming election.

As far left secular politicians begin to lose their jobs or even appear to be strongly challenged, I wonder if The Times editorial board will be "grandstanding" or merely expressing concern?

The present state of our culture provides a unique opportunity. The future is in your hands. Outrage toward the sin of abortion is a righteous response and in the American political system we have a proper way of expressing it.

God help us.

________________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Friday, March 26, 2010

Current WA State Legislation Session--Problems and Solutions

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The Washington State 2010 legislative session, as you know, was extended by Gov. Gregoire because the Democrat majority and their leadership were unable to find solutions to the state's enormous budget problems.

The good news, sort of, with the extension is that they are restricted to budget matters only.

Faith and Freedom has been focused on several bills that are directly related to family, life and marriage.

We opposed bills 5674 and 1745, relating to civil unions. Neither bill moved during the session. Many told me it was mostly because of the impact of R-71.

We strongly opposed bill 2793 relating to gender neutrality and surrogacy contracts. Thankfully it did not get out of committee. A new version of this bill will be back next session because it is an important part of the redefining of marriage and family by homosexual activists in the legislature.

Sen. Ed Murray, Rep. Jamie Pederson and other homosexual activists will bring this back.

Two pro-family bills passed--6476 and 2424. Both protect children against sexual predators.

The bill, 6452, designed to essentially close pro-life pregnancy centers, failed to move, thanks to thousands of emails and phone calls and a number of personal visits to certain lawmakers.

One bill specifically directed at underage abortion, as seen at Ballard High School recently, died in committee. Not enough interest on the part of the majority. Tragic.

Several other important bills died in committee as well; 1980, related to marriage protection , 4202 a marriage amendment and 2669 related to state sovereignty and health care.

Problems and Solutions

The Problems are myriad from social to fiscal issues. Evergreen Freedom Foundation and others are carefully and correctly identifying and proposing solutions for the fiscal fiasco liberal legislators have created in Washington State.

We are focused on the social issues, particularly those related to marriage, family and life.

Those who lead the charge to redefine marriage, re-engineer the family and further diminish the sanctity and value of human life are emboldened. A number of victories have given them a swagger. And they are well-funded.

Planned Parenthood has an enormous amount of money flowing into their organization and support from a strong majority in the legislature. They also have the benefit of other organizations of like mind, such as NARAL and Emily's List, to name a couple, working with them toward common goals, rather than against them.

They have a majority in the State Legislature.

And therein is the problem.

The Solutions are wrapped around a couple of things.

First and foremost the assault on the family, marriage and life itself is a spiritual matter. It is an act of rebellion against the Creator and His principles and values. What is important to God is not important to secular progressives. We must pray for spiritual renewal, restoration and intervention.

Secondly, when you walk around the Capitol campus, calling on various lawmakers, it becomes apparent that there are two very different worldviews in play. It becomes overwhelmingly apparent when you sit in committee hearings and sessions.

We have a group of wonderful conservative, people of faith, in elected office. They stand firmly on conservative and biblical principles every time. I have seen them mocked for the beliefs. I have seen the press ignore and undermine them because of their beliefs. They are solid and trustworthy in their positions. However, they are the minority.

I have discussed this with many of them over the past few months.

We have what I and others feel is a very good opportunity to change the legislature this year. Maybe, dramatically change it. There are leaders in the faith community, whom I have heard personally suggesting the Washington State Legislature can never be changed.

I disagree.

Several groups and organizations have said they will not be distributing "voter guides" type information this year, mostly due to lack of funding.

It has been said by some that "these kinds of things don't work." It has also been said by a prophet, speaking for God, "My people perish for lack of knowledge."

Faith and Freedom Foundation has begun the process of gathering information and preparing to publish in both hard copy for church distribution and electronic form for Internet distribution, the necessary details for people of faith to make informed decisions.

Our ability to move forward is completely dependant upon your willingness to help fund it. This year can be a significant year for people of faith, if we take full advantage of the opportunity.

We are taught to "make plans, counting on God to help us."

We are. We are also counting on God speaking to your heart about these import matters.

I know you understand all this. I'm simply letting you know we really need your help at this time. I'll leave the rest with you. And God.

You can donate online or send a check to Faith and Freedom Foundation to be used for educational materials.

Thanks and God bless you.

___________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Thursday, March 25, 2010

Ballard High School Assists in Abortion for 15-Year-Old

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A 15-year-old girl was given a pass at Ballard High School, put in a taxi, and sent off to have an abortion during school hours.

All without her parents knowledge, much less their consent.

Her mother, whom
KOMO NEWS calls "Jill" said, "We had no idea this was being facilitated on campus."

The mother also said, "They just told her that if she concealed it from her family that it would be free of charge and no financial responsibility."

Swedish Hospital refused to comment on the matter, however T.J. Cosgrove of the King County Health Department, who administers the school based health programs, told KOMO it is always best if parents are involved in their children's health care, but don't always have a say."

What? Something is very wrong with this. It would be great if you knew when your 15-year-old was getting an abortion while at school, but we can't tell you?

Cosgrove said, "At any age in the state of Washington, an individual can consent to a termination of pregnancy."

The mother said, "Makes me feel like my rights were completely stripped away."

Indeed they have been.

Did you know that a bill, 1688, was introduced this session that specifically addressed under age abortion. The majority leadership didn't have time or interest to move the bill. It died in committee.

One more reason why we must elect new leadership.

God help the children and God help us to do what is right.

Be Vigilant.

______________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Wednesday, March 24, 2010

"Handwriting On The Wall"

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We often use the phrase, not remembering or knowing its origin.

While the passage of the healthcare bill fundamentally changes, or in the words of the President, "remakes" both the American economy and culture, the process and the methods used to pass it points to an even greater concern; The character flaw in the leadership of our country.

We have lost our way.

Sarah Palin wrote on TWITTER yesterday, "We will remember the corrupt deals, the corrupt process, the lack of transparency, the deceptive gimmicks to game the CBO score and the utter disregard for the will of the American people."

I sincerely hope we will. We must remember. And we must act.

But, is there handwriting on the wall?

If so, what is the message?

The origin of the phrase dates back to a wild party hosted by King Belshazzer, who in the spirit of the moment ordered the gold and silver goblets that his father Nebuchadnezzer had taken from the Temple in Jerusalem to be brought in and used by his drunken nobles, wives and mistresses. They continued their drunken orgy, using the goblets that had been set aside for higher purposes while praising the gods of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood and stone.

There were consequences.

During the perverted celebration, a hand was seen writing on the wall of the chamber, scribing a mysterious message.

Thus, "The handwriting on the wall."

In panic, the King called for counsel from mystics and those of many beliefs. In the end, a Hebrew gave him the interpretation.

This event was so profound and the conditions in Babylon so perverse that it continues to impact popular culture.

George Friderich Handel wrote an oratorio about it (Belshazzer), Lord Byron, Robert Frost and Emily Dickinson wrote poems about it, James Gillray caricatured Napoleon in the role of Belshazzer and Johnny Cash wrote a song about it titled, "Belshazzer" (sic).

Cash's lyrics include, "Well, the people feasted and drank their wine and praised the false gods of his time, all holy things they scorned and mocked, But suddenly all their mocking stopped. For on the wall there appeared a hand, nothing else, there was no man, in blood the hand began to write: 'mene mene tekel upharsin'."

"He was weighed in the balance and found wanting, his kingdom was divided, couldn't stand, He was weighed in the balance and found wanting, his house was built upon the sand."

And there's more. You can Google the lyrics.

The message of the handwriting on the wall was interpreted by a Hebrew named Daniel:

Mene---to number; tekel---to weigh; upharsin---to divide.

Interpretation: "You have been weighed in the balances and found wanting."

It is a tragic story with an even more tragic ending. You can read it in both the Babylonian Talmud and in the Bible in Daniel chapter 5.

Has that message been written on the wall of America?

I don't believe it has. However, I do believe we are staggering toward destruction if we don't change our ways.

I am going to be very direct.

The double talking and misrepresentations of the healthcare bill and its passage certainly exposed a deeper level of corruption in government than many imagined.

The willingness of America to not only continue to kill unborn and unwanted babies and to greatly expand the practice with federal funds is not only barbaric, but is an affront to life and the Giver of life.

This practice is not a "choice". It is a celebratory orgy of rebellion against the Creator Himself and it desecrates that which was created for higher purposes.

And it will not continue without consequences.

I deeply appreciate all the efforts to push back this legislation that is economically unsustainable, undermines the foundations of our freedom and dismantles the best healthcare system in the world.

We will do everything humanly possible to work to reverse the consequences of this terrible legislation.

We must support these efforts. We must also work to change the leadership of our communities and our country as needed. And I believe we will.

There is a looming spiritual challenge and it must be addressed in spiritual terms.

America is slouching toward Gomorrah as we denigrate marriage, elevate and celebrate perversion calling it normal and redefine the most basic component of society---the family. A social unit created by God Himself.

Our country and culture is socially stoned on an overdose of perverted "tolerance" and "diversity".

The Judeo-Christian values and principles---the foundations of our freedoms, are being mocked, scorned and eroded while we worship the false gods of our time.

When we should be sounding the alarm? Many churches are silent on the very issues they should be addressing. While they "emerge" into a culture that is lost and desperately needs a moral compass, they become hardly discernible from the culture itself.

Pastors are often silenced on controversial biblical teachings by intimidation and the fear of being tagged as prejudiced or bigoted or simply not being "accepted" at Rotary.

Socrates said, "An unexamined life is not worth living."

If there is a blood message on the wall, and I believe there is, it must be a last call to our country to turn from our wicked ways. To repent. To honor marriage and family. To stop killing unborn babies. To elect leaders who will honor life and the Creator of life. Leaders who will protect, not destroy our freedoms and honor the Source of those freedoms.

Our culture is sick and we are in need of examining our lives, our motives and our actions.

God help us.

Thank you for your support. It allows us to continue.

______________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Obama Signs Bill---Gregoire Attacks McKenna

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Today is a high mark for the far left as President Obama signs his centerpiece legislation into law.

However, some of the magic has been lost for Governor Gregoire, as she learned yesterday that Attorney General Rob McKenna will join a multi-state lawsuit challenging the President's healthcare legislation.

She told The Seattle Times, "I don't know who he represents. He doesn't represent me."

However, if she follows through with her threat to file a legal brief opposing McKenna's action, he could conceivably have to represent her.

According to McKenna, Washington State will be joining a number of other states challenging the constitutionality of the Obama healthcare bill, specifically the mandated purchase of a healthcare policy and the required expansion of Medicaid eligibility, which violates state's rights guaranteed under the 10th Amendment.

This, of course, does not set well with the Governor. Particularly in that she became aware of McKenna's intention from someone other than McKenna.

On this matter, we agree with the Attorney General and wish him the best.

However, on another matter---the R-71 case coming before the US Supreme Court next month, we do not support Mr. McKenna.

You will recall that we asked the courts to seal the names of those who signed the R-71 petitions because of threats and acts of intimidation from the homosexual community.

Attorney General McKenna and Secretary of State Sam Reed will be opposing the people who signed the petitions, arguing to the Court that the names should be made public regardless of the threats and intimidation.

Perhaps the squabble between the Attorney General and the Governor will be a favorable distraction.

Be Prayerful. Do not be silent.

_________________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Monday, March 22, 2010

March 21, 2010: The Consummate Cultural Collision

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I apologize for the interruption in our daily publishing over the last few days. One of the two companies who provide server space for our website has been having tech difficulties. We expect things to be back to normal over the next few days.
____________

Two trains traveling from opposite points of view collided in the US Capitol last night, with the far left progressives prevailing to pass the largest piece of social legislation in the history of our country.

It defied the will of a majority of the American people and found President Obama experiencing his lowest ever approval rating with 55% disapproving and only 43% approving.

The national resistance to Obama's healthcare plan transcends healthcare itself and includes taxes, abortion, size of government, marriage and family, and the character of the President and the Congress.

Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn. said, "A bit of freedom has been lost today." Indeed it has.

Over the next few days much will be said about the Obama healthcare bill's passage. Democrats will begin to point out the benefits of the new legislation, while the opposition to Obama's "remaking of America" will surely initiate litigation against the trickery and deceit that has characterized this legislation. At least 28 states are already looking at how they can block the negative effect of the President's healthcare plan.

Volumes of columns will be written in the days ahead and future history books will contain chapters, not pages, related to this day. The trickery and deceit will be interpreted by those who control the content at the time.

I took three things from the proceedings. Let me be candid.

1. There are no true "pro-life" Democrats in the US Congress.

In a situation where it would have mattered, those Democrats who professed to be pro-life, proved they are not. Bart Stupak, D-MI, had made much to do about his stand for life and opposition to abortion. So much so that he was scheduled to receive an award from a pro-life organization. The award has been withdrawn.

In the end, Stupak's actions betrayed his words. On the promise by the President of a meaningless Executive Order to insure that no federal funds would pay for abortions, Bart Stupak changed his vote and supported the largest expansion of abortion since Roe v. Wade.

Phyllis Schlafly wrote late yesterday afternoon, "Any formerly pro-life Democrat who casts a "yes" vote for this Senate healthcare bill tonight will be forever remembered as being among the deciding votes which facilitated the largest expansion of abortion services since Roe v. Wade."

She also said, "Mr. Stupak and his Democratic followers have now clarified that you cannot be pro-life and be a Democrat. If abortion was truly their biggest issue, they wouldn't willingly align themselves with the Party of Death."

All lawmakers know that a Presidential Executive Order cannot change or override law. Obama's Executive Order, if ever even issued, would not be worth the paper it is written upon. Stupak knows that and so does the President.

And if you had given Stupak the benefit of the doubt, he assured you of where he really comes from. In his speech after the vote, which he and his party of five put over the top, he turned on his fellow so-called pro-life Democrats, berating and accusing them of politicizing the issue of life.

Charles Krauthammer said his speech "was a disgrace."

His performance last night causes one to wonder what so-called "moderate" Republicans really stand for. Does "moderate" mean you believe in nothing or that you sort of believe in everything?

2. President Obama is de-void of core beliefs.

He says he wants to reduce the number of abortions while he pushes legislation to expand the number of abortions.

He promises NARAL, Planned Parenthood, Emily's List, NOW and other pro abortion organizations his full support, tells America his healthcare plan will not federally fund abortions, promises Stupack an Executive Order that is worthless to prevent federal funding of abortion, gets his and his colleagues votes and declares victory to his allies. And allows Stupak to tell his pro-life supporters, "I tried."

Hypocrisy.

3. We should not be surprised.

Rev. Al Sharpton told FOX NEWS last night that no one should be surprised. He said, "America voted for socialism when they voted for Obama."

The "remaking of America" is well underway.

Within the next few days the government will be taking over the student loan industry with no Congressional discussion.

The government owns part of the auto industry, the banking industry and now the healthcare industry. And they are promising there is much more to be done.

Speaker Pelosi said, "We are honoring the vows of our Founders."

President Obama said in his remarks last night, "Another stone has been laid in the pathway of the American dream."

What he is describing as a stepping stone will surely become a stumbling block that, if not reversed, will bring unimaginable consequences. Some unintended.

As the sun rises over the US Capitol this morning, one could wonder if the sun of destiny is rising or setting on America.

While our country has been fundamentally changed in recent days, I believe it can be restored.

One thing is certain. If people of faith have any sense of wanting to take back our country we must act and we must act now.

John Boehner, R-OH., in his final words last night referred to the carvings of Moses, Blackstone and Jefferson in the Chamber, honoring their association to US laws saying, "We disgrace their values."

Indeed. Nationally, we have disgraced the very principles upon which this country was founded.

Political action will be absolutely necessary in restoring America, but there must be a spiritual awakening. People of faith must pray for God's forgiveness and guidance.

While the church, all too often, remains silent and even tacitly supportive toward fundamentally moral issues having to do with marriage and family and life, people of faith must speak to our culture and pray for God's blessings.

Be prayerful. Do not be silent.

__________________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Changes to Faith & Freedom Blog

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As most of you know, we are using Blogger to publish our daily blogs. Blogger is instigating changes to their current structure and is shifting our blog to a new url. This transition to supposed to be seamless, but it has not been. The new url is:

http://blog.faithandfreedom.us

This new url, however, is not functioning at present and we are working diligently to resolve this issue and hope to be back to our publishing schedule as quickly as possible.

Thank you for your understanding.

Faith & Freedom Staff

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

This blog has moved

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President Obama's Mirage

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"What we need from the next president is somebody who will not just tell you what you want to hear but will tell you what you need to hear." Barack Obama, February 27, 2008.

According to Newsweek's Robert Samuelson, "Barack Obama has failed."

The miseducation has worsened as the healthcare debate approaches its climax.

Samuelson says, "Almost everything you think you know about healthcare is probably wrong."

He says he sees a parallel to healthcare. Housing.

Robert Samuelson, a long time columnist for Newsweek, has written an exclusive article for their website, "A Cost Control Mirage" in which he looks at some surprising healthcare facts and untruths that have been put forward in the effort to get Obama's plan passed.

Our attention and opposition is primarily focused on certain moral aspects of the healthcare bill---specifically federally funded abortion and related life issues, however, the cost aspects of the "plan" are equally moral in nature.

We do not agree with all Samuelson's positions, however he raises some very interesting points and some very revealing facts and studies regarding universal healthcare, affordable healthcare and the uninsured.

He fails to address tort reform as part of a real solution, but I think his column is particularly informative at this time.

I do not believe healthcare is a right. However, if properly reformed, it can be a great blessing to many in this the greatest country in the history of the world.

Obama's plan will not provide that blessing.

Samuelson concludes:

"What people need to know is that Obama's plan evades healthcare's major problems and would worsen the budget outlook. It's a big new spending program when government hasn't paid for the spending programs it already has. 'If not now, when? If not us, who', Obama asks. The answer is: It's not now, and it's not 'us'. Pass or not, Obama's proposal is the illusion of 'reform' not the real thing."

These are perilous times. Much hangs in the balance.

Be prayerful. Be vigilant. Be active. Do not be silent.

God bless you.

________________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Tuesday, March 16, 2010

95% of Faith Based Physicians May Leave Medicine

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Objections to the Obama healthcare plan is so strong that 95% of Christian doctors may leave medicine.

Here's why.

Yesterday the 17,000 member Christian Medical Association urged members of Congress to vote against the Obama healthcare bill approved by the Senate, H.R. 3590.

The idea of a substantial loss of Christian pro-life physicians is one more reason to strongly oppose the Obama healthcare plan.

The following are their reasons in their own words:


NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release - March 15, 2010

Christian Medical Association Physicians Oppose Healthcare Bill on Abortion, Conscience

Washington, DC, March 15, 2010 --The 17,000 members of the Christian Medical Association [www.cmda.org] today urged Members of the House of Representatives to vote against the controversial healthcare overhaul bill approved by the Senate, H.R. 3590.

In a letter [www.cmda.org/hr3590letter] to all Members of the House, CMA CEO David Stevens, MD noted that "The CMA strongly opposes this legislation because it fails to provide strong conscience protections for healthcare professionals, allows direct federal funding of elective abortions in community health centers and allows federal funds to subsidize health plans covering abortions."

CMA has led a national coalition of 50 organizations, Freedom2Care [www.Freedom2Care.org], to fight for conscience rights for healthcare professionals.

Dr. Stevens noted in the letter, "A national survey of faith-based physicians shows that the failure to protect the rights of healthcare professionals to decline to participate not only in abortion but also in other morally controversial procedures and prescriptions, may cause up to 95 percent of faith-based physicians to leave medicine. Since faith-based physicians provide much of the care for poor patients and those in medically underserved areas, their exodus would lead to a national crisis of access to care of catastrophic proportion."

Dr. Stevens also wrote, "The CMA strongly supports funding for community health centers, and many of our physicians work full-time, part-time and on a volunteer basis caring for the poor. But we cannot support federal funding for abortions that will result in yet more abortions while violating the clear will of the American people who do not want their tax dollars used to pay for them."

On the issue of federal subsidy of abortions, Dr. Stevens wrote, "Such funding, however cleverly designed to obscure the result, clearly violates the longstanding Hyde amendment and related laws. Such funding also violates the President's oft-repeated pledge to maintain the status quo on abortion funding. Besides the obvious moral wrong of funding abortions, this policy will also have negative economic consequences. Incentivized by new insurance subsidies, abortionists will simply raise prices and increase their profits. Increased abortions will rob the country of much of the younger generation that otherwise would help avert the financial strain of a top-heavy older population."

The letter also noted "government intrusion into physician-patient decision making and the allocation of medical resources, the absence of meaningful tort reform that is desperately needed to prevent the loss of some of our best physicians—especially obstetricians and gynecologists, and the lack of bipartisan and public support that should undergird any legislation of this magnitude."

Dr. Stevens urged Members to "pursue a new bipartisan, measured and focused approach to true healthcare reform. Seven key principles our members look for in healthcare reform include cost containment, quality assurance, access for the poor, economic fairness, ethical protection, prevention focus and personal responsibility."

_______________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Monday, March 15, 2010

The Government vs The People

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Friday afternoon I got an email from President Obama's "Organizing for America" with the banner message: "Make Sure The People's Voice Is Heard."

The people have spoken and are speaking. They don't want the President's health care bill. What part of the people's voice does he not understand? Or does he just want the folks to speak as a way of releasing their stress?

Today's Rasmussen survey shows 43% favor the Presidents plan, while 53% oppose it. Most, strongly oppose it. The President's approval today is a -16, with 26% strongly approving of his performance and 53% strongly disapproving.

The President told students at Arcadia University, "If you're a young adult, which many of you are, you'll be able to stay on your parent's insurance policy until you're 26 years old."

He is passing out lollipops because a recent PEW Research Poll shows that he is quickly losing support among young people, whom he enchanted during his campaign in 2008.

He is also losing clout among his peers. A Politico article this morning says, "Demand For Obama Wanes Among Moderate Democrats."

The article begins; "Moderate House Democrats facing potentially difficult re-election this fall have a message for President Barack Obama: Don't call us, we'll call you."

So why does the President and his people press on through the night, determined to pass a specific bill that such a large majority of people oppose? Continuing to make statements like, "Make sure the people's voice is heard."

Although support is partisan---resistance is not.

Perhaps there is one driving factor that continues to motivate him.

There can be little question that President Obama is very left leaning, some say socialist, in his beliefs. He has said he is "remaking" America. This health care bill is a leap into socialism.

The New York Times touched the heart of the answer, in an article yesterday afternoon titled "As Health Vote Awaits, Future Of A Presidency Waits Too."

The President's spokesperson has said he would rather be a good one-term president than a mediocre two-term president. But his spokespeople are also saying he wants to hear the peoples voices.

President Obama has made many promises that he simply has not kept. The bloom, as they say, is off the rose in that respect.

He has put so much of himself into this effort, that should he loose by failing to push this particular bill through, he would likely be unable to "remake" the economy and culture with climate legislation, the homosexual agenda and other priorities.

While there is a great deal of ego involved, for sure, I personally believe his ideology---his core socialistic beliefs trump all of that.

He refined his beliefs through his former relationships that concerned some, but not a majority of Americans, his 20-year membership in his former church and in the classroom, where ideas do not have immediate consequences.

This is his main event. And I believe he has a mission that far exceeds mere service.

It is generally believed that if he can't hear us now, he and his colleagues will hear us at election time.

For the sake of country and the generations who are to come, I pray this is so.

God bless you.

___________________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Friday, March 12, 2010

Texas Textbook War---A Battle for the Mind of our Kids

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As of midnight last night the Washington State Legislature used up their 60 days of regular session. The two chambers, both with big Democratic majorities, have been unable to get it done.

A 30-day special session will cost an additional $18,000 per day.
______________________

Over the next few days what happens in Texas will not stay in Texas. It will affect what your child learns in the classroom over the next ten years.

Texas is in the final stages of adopting their standards for social studies textbooks. Because Texas is such a large consumer of textbooks, the publishers use the Texas standards in printing and distributing textbooks to nearly every state in the country.

That's why what they are doing is such a big deal. And it's why secular revisionists are out in full force trying to influence the process of what your child will learn. And what he will not learn.

FOX NEWS says, "A liberal onslaught has been unleashed to try to influence these education standards."

However, the conservatives and people of faith are standing strong for an accurate account of history.

Here is what's happening. You can't make this stuff up.

A recent survey from Rasmussen finds that 60% of Americans believe that most school textbooks are more concerned with presenting information in a politically correct manner than in accuracy.

They've got that right.

The liberals on the panel tried to remove Independence Day, Neil Armstrong, Daniel Boone and Christopher Columbus from the textbook. They even tried to remove any mention of Christmas, but have a section on Diwali.

Conservatives stood their ground and these decisions were reversed.

The panel then tried to remove Albert Einstein and Thomas Edison and feature Mary Kay and Wallace Amos (Famous Amos Cookies). They said this would offer more "diversity" for the kids.

Einstein and Edison are back in the textbooks and so is "BC" and "AD," rather than the "BCE" designation of time before Christ that doesn't acknowledge Christ.

So far the secularists are prevailing in keeping any mention of America's religious heritage out of the textbooks.

Separation of church and state is now under vigorous debate.

Democratic board member Mavis B. Knight has introduced an amendment regarding the separation of church and state which she says, "was intended to inform students that there is a political and legal doctrine out there that addresses the issue," because she says, "I'm afraid the student won't otherwise know about it."

The conservatives are responding that the kids should be taught the truth of the matter, including the background and evolution of that notion. It is yet to be decided.

I have provided a link to the Texas Board of Education web site: http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index2.aspx?id=3643

Professor Larry Schweikart says there are errors in many of the textbooks. He says the first thing he does when he reviews a textbook is to go to the section where they are discussing Ronald Reagan. He says a majority of the books he has reviewed credit Mikhail Gorbachev with ending the Cold War, not Reagan. That, he says, gives you a good idea where the rest of the book stands.

He says that aside from the political bias, there are many factual errors. I have linked the story where he gives several such errors, such as: New Orleans was settled by the French in the 1600's. Fact: It happened in 1718. The Louisiana Purchase extended America to the Mississippi River. Fact: It extended America all the way to the Rocky Mountains.

It cannot be overstated how important it is for parents to know what their children are being taught in the classroom and what is in the child's textbooks. I know it takes effort---but our kids are worth it.

The secular progressives have a plan for your child's education. If you do not prevail, they will.

The question is simply this: What do we teach our kids? There is an all out battle for the mind of your child. The philosophy in the classroom today is the philosophy of the culture in the next generation.

We have a God given responsibility to raise up our children with proper understanding and a biblical world view.

Be very vigilant.

God bless you.

_________________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Thursday, March 11, 2010

Census 2010: Big Money, Homosexual "Marriage" & Mary and Joseph

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The 2010 Census forms will soon be arriving in homes across the country and the 2010 Census Extravaganza has something for everyone---well, almost everyone. The tax payers get hosed while the Census family of participants party.

The $15 billion budget is three times that of the last Census. And that includes the $3 million Super Bowl ad.

It also includes $200 million for a Chicago-New York based PR firm to oversee the direct marketing efforts, $15 million for the road trip with 13 buses and cargo vans with trailers, traveling to Vegas, the Super Bowl, New Orleans and other exiting events and places. The road trip is creating 223 metric tons of carbon emissions.

The Census Bureau has spent money for 115 focus groups in 37 markets and several billion dollars enlisting 56 million school kids to pester their parents about the Census and create math and social studies lessons that promote the Census.

They have spent $80 million for multi-lingual ads promoting the Census in 28 languages. And a video they produced is teaching a Latin person how to write in his country of origin on the form. Ironically, they have the writing hand misspelling the name of the country.

Mary and Joseph are used for PR purposes and a radical policy shift away from a Bush policy will be used to advance the homosexual agenda of "marriage".

Michelle Malkin has called it, "The Supersized Census Boondoggle."

She says history shows that the more the Census spends on advertising, the lower the response rate is.

Malkin wishes the federal government were as responsible with our money as Pepsi is with theirs. They have been advertising in the Super Bowl for more than two decades, but decided in the present economy it was unwise to spend the $3 million for 30 seconds this year.

She concludes, "The US Census is a decennial census mandated by our Constitution. Should Americans know about it? Sure. Should the p.r. budget become a bottomless slush fund in recessionary times? Surely not."

I recommend you read her column.

This Census Extravaganza reaches beyond the mere waste of billions of dollars. It also has a social and cultural component.

I know you're concerned about the 223 metric tons of emissions from the road trip. Not to worry. Carbonfund.org has partnered with our government and will offset all the carbon from the vehicle emissions. It didn't happen---there is no carbon. All is well.

Literature is being distributed to the Latin community urging people to participate because, "Joseph and Mary participated in the Census."

One can only imagine what else is being said in the various ethnic communities.

On the Census Bureau's own web site a video which gives directions for filling out the form, shows a hand printing the name of a person's Latin country of origin. The hand is printing--C O L U M B I A, however the country is spelled C O L O M B I A.

I know, some are thinking we also have errors on this site from time to time. Keep in mind we don't have a $15 billion budget. The error video was still up this morning, however, it has now been removed.

Some months ago The Washington Post reported a planned shift in policy for the 2010 Census regarding homosexual couples.

The Census is reversing a Bush policy that prohibited the release of gay "marriage" data because DOMA prohibits recognition of marriage as anything other than one-man and one-woman.

While the law has not changed, the beliefs in the White House certainly have.

This administration says, "No," DOMA does not prohibit Census Bureau from releasing data about homosexual "marriage".

This policy shift is considered a victory for homosexual activists.

The New Jersey press says the policy shift could radically reshape demographic profiles of the gay community, because this year the Census will let same-sex couples label themselves as husband or wife even if their relationship is not recognized by law.

The Census is leaving it to responders to characterize their own relationships, regardless of legal status.

Gary Gates, a demographer with the University of California in LA says, "The truth is that the number of kinds of legally married couples in this country is a very complicated situation."

Actually, it is not complicated at all. Under federal law, only one man and one woman are legally married. This is a federal Census.

Gates also correctly says, "Politicians use the Census as a yardstick for a community's power. That in turn affects the enactment of public policies."

Will homosexual numbers be inflated by this, "you decide what you are" policy? Probably.

This "policy shift" is another attempt to confuse the discussion about marriage by creating a problem of sorts, then providing a solution that advances the homosexual agenda of redefining marriage.

It is one of those special "incremental" moments of advancing the re-engineering of marriage that Washington State Senator Ed Murray lives for.

The upcoming 2010 election and the 2012 presidential election is a pivotal time in our country and our culture.

This is not a time for ideas soaked in theory.

It is a time for action. I understand action has risk and it costs in a number of ways. Believe me, I understand that.

However, we are in a time when there is no real alternative for those who truly believe in Judeo- Christian principles and believe that this country can continue to thrive, be free and be blessed only, as it embraces godly principles.

It is a time for action. Thank you for standing with us.

God bless you.

__________________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Is the Constitution a "God-Less Document"?

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In our blog Monday regarding the lawsuit in which Shirley Dobson was named, we quoted the Freedom From Religion Foundation, an atheist organization, saying in their court arguments against national prayer that the Constitution was "a god-less document," therefore a call to national prayer is unconstitutional. Particularly, the Presidential Proclamation.

We often hear that. Secularists and atheists declare that we are a secular nation. Even President Obama has said whatever we once were, we are not now a Christian nation.

Whether or not our Founders believed we were a "Christian" nation can be debated, however, it is a fact that those who founded America were predominately Christian, there was a consensus that what they were doing was based on Godly biblical principles and they invoked God's blessing on their decisions and actions.

And they infused biblical principles into every aspect of the culture, including our laws.

When we look at the Constitution in relation to the Declaration of Independence, it puts the matter of whether the Constitution is a god-less document in proper perspective.

Michael Farris, a Constitutional lawyer and founder of the Home School Legal Defense League makes an interesting analogy in his book, "Constitutional Law for Christian Students. Revised Edition." He compares the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution to a present day corporation's articles of incorporation and by-laws respectively.

Here's the short version of what he says:

The Declaration of Independence was the charter of our nation. It makes clear what most citizens of the colonies believed.

They believed that they were establishing a new nation based soundly on the Laws of God.

The opening statement of the Declaration expresses these firm beliefs and convictions. "When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them to another, and to assume among the Powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of Nature and Nature's God entitle them..."

They believed freedom was a gift from Nature and Nature's God. They intended to create a government that would protect these God given freedoms---not dispense them.

By basing our right to be a free nation upon God's law, we were also saying by implication that we owed obedience to the law that allowed us to be a separate country from England.

The last paragraph of the Declaration says they are, "appealing to the Supreme Judge of the World for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name and by the authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly, publish and declare, that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be free and independent states;...", ending with, and for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor."

Farris says the Declaration is our charter. It the legal document that made us a nation like all the other nations of the world. It doesn't tell us how we are going to run our country---that is what our Constitution does.

In a corporation, the Charter is higher than the By-Laws and the By-Laws must be interpreted to be in agreement with the Charter. Therefore, the Constitution of the United States must be in agreement with the Declaration of Independence, or as Farris sometimes calls it, " The Declaration of the United States."

The most important statement in our Declaration is that we want to operate under the laws of God and we invoke His blessing.

When the courts today are deciding what the Constitution means in regard to specific issues, they should review and remember the "Charter" or the Declaration in regards to original intent.

The Constitution doesn't specifically mention God, because it doesn't have to. The Declaration is the charter or higher document and it clearly outlines our relationship with God and His laws.

The Declaration makes it very clear that we are a nation under God's laws. Therefore all laws of our country should be consistent with the law of God or they violate our national charter.

It was our Founders intent that this would be a nation under God, that would look to God for blessing and guidance.

Our Founding Fathers knew that you could not have a free people for very long without Biblical morality.

Here's what they said:

"Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." John Adams.

"Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters." Benjamin Franklin

"Neither the wisest constitution nor the wisest laws will secure the liberty and happiness of a people whose manners are universally corrupt." Samuel Adams.

This country and culture is worth fighting for.

Thank you for standing with us.


Tuesday, March 09, 2010

DOMA "Stands in the Way"

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On the merit of President Obama's promise to end the military's ban on open homosexuality in the ranks, the discussion as to what must happen to accomplish it is underway. And it is raising some serious questions and producing some interesting comments.

Some Republicans are asking whether the military will deny housing and medical benefits to homosexual spouses, which will potentially produce a morale and readiness issue. And create a lack of equality.

Evan Wolfson with "Freedom to Marry" says, "Gay people serving in the military, defending our country, should have the same rules and same opportunities as any other Americans, no more no less."

They do. Homosexuals have the same "rules and opportunities " as everyone else. No more---no less.

They are asking that the rules be changed just for them. Special rights. And just because of their particular propensity of behavior. What about polygamists? Do they also have equal rights? And what about other specific behavioral groups?

Mr. Wolfson also told the press, "The irony is that if gay people were saying we should have a special right not to serve, the anti-gay groups would be clamoring to force gay people into the military."

Mr. Wolfson misses the irony. Homosexuals already have the right not to serve. We have an all-volunteer military. If you don't want to serve---don't serve. We all have that right. Does that somehow not matter because it is not a "special" right?

And what about housing? Will homosexuals who are "married" get the same benefits as those in a natural marriage? At present, five states allow homosexual marriage. What about, say, those from Washington State who are almost married---everything but the name?

Perhaps those Republican Senators---Sen. Curtis King, 14th District, Sen. Dale Brandland, 42nd District and Sen. Cheryl Pflug, 5th District---who voted against marriage and for homosexual "everything but the word marriage" could explain.

Here's the heart of the problem. DOMA stands in the way.

The Defense of Marriage Act defines marriage as between one man and one woman. The 1993 law that bans open gays in the military, also prohibits service members of the same sex from marrying, with the threat of discharge.

How does he deal with that?

If the President keeps his promise to homosexuals, it will create a wide diversity of benefits between homosexuals who are "married" in the five states that allow it, and those from the other states that are not "married" but have some other recognition, such as domestic partners, civil unions, etc.

Are those from Washington State, who are almost married, eligible for more benefits than those from a state that only allows plain domestic partnerships without having made all parental laws gender neutral as the Washington State Legislature is busy doing this session?

Will the military need to create multiple tiers of benefits?

The obvious answer? Abolish DOMA.

Representative Howard "Buck" McKeon, R-Calif. asked Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates if he will recommend that Congress repeal DOMA to avoid creating these disparities.

Gates' spokesman declined to comment.

Be prepared. The next wave of assault against marriage will come from the President's attempt to keep his promise to the homosexual community and a part of that will be the necessity to repeal DOMA because it is unconstitutional. It discriminates against gays and the military is proof. To not address it could compromise our national security---or something like that.

The assault on everything Judeo-Christian, principles and beliefs upon which our country was founded and has thrived, are under attack.

These are perilous times.

If there is any good news in this, it is that President Obama cannot abolish DOMA by fiat. It is a matter that must come before Congress.

If people of faith and conservatives are active in the upcoming election, perhaps the character of our Congress can be changed for the better before this assault arrives on their desk.

We have a great opportunity to change, not only the character of Congress, but that of the State Legislature in Washington State.

There are some highly qualified people running for office who, I believe, will support and advance our core beliefs.

Faith and Freedom Foundation is preparing an extensive educational campaign regarding the candidates who will be on the ballot this fall. It will be educational, not advocacy.

Our PAC will advocate.

We are in need of funds now so we can have all the preliminary work and research completed so all efforts can be toward distribution of educational information to individuals, churches and community groups across the state.

Your donation today would be very helpful.

Thank you and God bless you.
___________________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Monday, March 08, 2010

Shirley Dobson Dismissed from Lawsuit

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Last week a federal judge dismissed all claims against Shirley Dobson, wife of James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family, in a lawsuit challenging the National Day of Prayer Task Force.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation, the atheist group who placed the anti-God plaque in the Capitol in Olympia a couple of Christmas' ago and a few months ago held their national convention in Seattle, has filed a suit arguing that the National Day of Prayer is unconstitutional.

Joel Oster with Alliance Defense Fund said, "The lawsuit against Mrs. Dobson was based on the ridiculous argument that a private citizen can violate the law by praying, and it is just another example of one radical organization's allergic reaction to anything involving God."

The FFRF argues that the Constitution was "written to be a god-less document" and they are challenging the federal law designating a National Day of Prayer and requiring a National Day of Prayer Proclamation by the President.

The President is named in the suit as well. The case against the President is still ongoing, however, the court has said that it cannot stop future presidential prayer proclamations from being issued.

I sincerely hope the President does not use this suit as an excuse to further distance himself from scheduled prayer events in the future.

Shirley Dobson, as you likely know, is the chairman of the National Day of Prayer Task Force, which was founded to express the Judeo-Christian view.

The National Day of Prayer for this year is scheduled for May 6, 2010.

Be Prayerful. Be Active.

______________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Friday, March 05, 2010

Girl Scouts are Panhandlers?

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Seattle City council member Tim Burgess has a plan that if implemented will hurt Girl Scout cookie sales and categorize the Girl Scouts as panhandlers.

Understandably, even those who donate to their church and other organizations involved in providing for the needy, sometimes find panhandling bothersome. And it is often harmful to businesses.

Councilman Burgess' plan "restricts behaviors used by individuals to threaten and intimidate people into giving money." One of the restrictions is the proximity to grocery store entrances, ATM's, etc.

KOMO NEWS is reporting that there are those now suggesting the panhandling plan should apply to the Girl Scouts and their cookie sales. Girl Scouts are panhandlers? I don't think so.

In fact, these kids are learning how the free market works---work and reward, so they won't become panhandlers.

Let's assume Mr. Burgess did not really set out to put the Girl Scouts out of business or label them as panhandlers, but is only trying to address a specific situation.

This, however, raises a separate and different issue; one that often has profound results.

Unintended Consequences.

Wikipedia says, "Any intervention in a complex system may or may not have the intended result, but will inevitably create unanticipated and often undesirable outcomes."

So, what should one do? Nothing, for the sake of safety?

No.

Robert Merton wrote a paper in 1936 titled, "The Unanticipated Consequences of Purposive Social Action." While I do not agree with some of his writings, he listed five possible causes for creating unintended consequences that worth consideration.

1. Ignorance.
2. Error.
3. Immediate interest.
4. Basic values.
5. Self defeating prophecy.

This brings me to what is undeniably the most immediate and value based social issue in our country today.

President Obama's health care plan.

Without judging his motives, it is easy to conclude that he is obsessed with it's passage, regardless of what a majority of Americans want. And it will have devastating long term consequences---intended or unintended.

The Seattle City council will discuss the panhandler/Girl Scout issue on Monday. And they'll probably work something out.

Action is likely on the culturally "transforming" health care plan within the next couple of weeks. The President is absolutely committed to his plan (see picture and story) which will have unimagined consequences. Consequences that cannot be worked out in a Monday morning council meeting, but will change America forever.

Our country needs to reform our health care system. However a "plan" should not reform or "transform" the country and its values.

This issue will either create a new Marxist type euphoria with its passage or will bring us to a time of national restoration with its defeat. I personally believe this issue has that level of consequence.

Take a moment and call your US Senator and Representative or email them and tell them you strongly oppose the Obama health care bill and are asking them to oppose it as well.

Be wise. Be discerning. Be prayerful. Be active. Do not be silent.

God bless you. Thanks for your support.

___________________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Thursday, March 04, 2010

President Obama: "If we want to transform the country..."

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Not long ago, President Obama, in presenting his "American Agenda," was saying, "If we want to transform the country though, that requires a sizable majority." (Video Link).

That was then---this is now.

Although his notion of a sizable majority has changed, his obsession to "transform" the country has not.

Today, he and his administration are preparing to force a health care plan on our country that a majority of Americans do not want.

They resist it for many reasons including; it provides federal funding of abortions, it could bankrupt the country, will destroy the quality of health care in America and will further move America toward socialism and away from our founding principles.

Indeed his health care plan and apparent decision to use "reconciliation," or the "nuclear option," as it is sometimes called as a method to get the bill passed will "transform the country."

I wrote about "reconciliation" in a recent blog titled "Reconciliation: Good Word---Bad Word".

As our far left, so-called progressive President and those who enable him stand poised to "transform the country" using reconciliation, I felt we should take one more look at exactly what reconciliation is and why it is it a threat.

No one is any more qualified to explain it than former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich.

Yesterday he explained the matter in his newsletter. I recommend you read it.

I along with many of you am concerned about the direction of our culture and country. There are indeed those who are working tirelessly to "transform" it into something very different than the country that has risen to become the most prosperous, most free, most exceptional and most blessed country in the history of civilization.

Growing numbers of Americans are beginning to resist, not because we resist change, but because we resist the direction of the present change.

James Russell Lowell was once asked by the French historian, Francios Guizot, "How long will the American republic endure?"

Lowell responded, "As long as the ideas of the men who founded it remain dominate."

If we as a nation do not soon return our public policy to the Christian consensus of our Founding Fathers and the Biblical principles of law that have provided the freedoms we have enjoyed for well over 200 years, it will only be a matter of time before we lose those freedoms.

Patrick Henry told his contemporaries, "When people forget God, tyrants forge their chains."

May God help us during these trying times.

God bless you. Thank you for your encouraging words and financial support.

_________________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Wednesday, March 03, 2010

"Not Guilty" ACORN Issues Defiant Threat

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A few comments from Gary, James Garfield and Ben Stein.

You remember the series of videos released last September with ACORN employees coaching a couple posing as a prostitute and her pimp or boyfriend.

The videos captured ACORN employees discussing how the couple could buy a house for "business" purposes and even how to fund bringing under-age girls into the US from Latin America.

Undercover videos were taken in Brooklyn, Baltimore, Washington D.C., California and a couple of other places, with the same results.

Although the videos were initially ignored by the old media, FOX News and then the Internet launched them and within days the world had seen them, there was a political firestorm and Congress partially de-funded ACORN and called for an investigation. ACORN was already dogged by allegations of fraud and embezzlement.

Yesterday, the Brooklyn district attorney's office said they had completed their 5-month inquiry and "no criminal activity was found."

No criminal activity? Corruption.

ACORN'S response? A threat.

Kevin Whelan, an ACORN spokesman said, "Hopefully today's announcement, and similar results from independent reviews, will make politicians and media examine the facts more carefully the next time a valuable community organization is attacked."

Attacked? I've seen the videos a couple of times and am at a loss to see the attack or ACORN's innocence.

ACORN seems quite self assured, and with good reason. They have a friend.

The Pittsburgh Tribune Review reported in August 2008 that US Senator Barack Obama's presidential campaign paid more than $800,000 to an "off shoot of the liberal Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) for services the Democrat's campaign says it mistakenly misrepresented in federal reports."

The Obama campaign first said the "child of ACORN" had helped with polling, advance work, and staging major events. Then reconsidered, and reported, "no" they actually just worked for the good of all and only worked to get out the vote.

At the time some said it looked like "old style" Chicago politics, not the transparency and integrity the candidate was promising.

That was a year and a half ago.

Andrew Breitbart, who funded the video investigation said yesterday he has more videos and they will soon be released.

The depth of hypocrisy and corruption in government is stunning.

How did we get to this place? Who is responsible? What is the solution?

I think the answer is found in part in the words of James Garfield in 1887, 100 years after the Constitutional Convention, and in some comments written recently by Ben Stein titled, "We Figured Him Out."

First, Garfield: "Now more than ever the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption. If it be intelligent, brave, and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities to represent them in the national legislature---If the next centennial does not find us a great nation---it will because those who represent the enterprise, the culture, and the morality of the nation do not aid in controlling the political forces."

Secondly, Ben Stien: WE FIGURED HIM OUT

Why is President Barack Obama in such a hurry to get his socialized medicine bill passed?

Because he and his cunning circle realize some basic truths:

The American people in their unimaginable kindness and trust voted for a pig in a poke in 2008.

They wanted so much to believe Barack Obama was somehow better and different from other ultra-leftists that they simply took him on faith.

They ignored his anti-white writings in his books.

They ignored his quiet acceptance of hysterical anti-American diatribes by his minister, Jeremiah Wright.

They ignored his refusal to explain years at a time of his life as a student.

They ignored his ultra-left record as a "community organizer," Illinois state legislator, and Senator.

The American people ignored his total zero of an academic record as a student and teacher, his complete lack of scholarship when he was being touted as a scholar.

Now, the American people are starting to wake up to the truth. Barack Obama is a super likeable super leftist, not a fan of this country, way, way too cozy with the terrorist leaders in the Middle East , way beyond naïveté, all the way into active destruction of our interests and our allies and our future. The American people have already awakened to the truth that the stimulus bill -- a great idea in theory -- was really an immense bribe to Democrat interest groups, and in no way an effort to help all Americans.

Now, Americans are waking up to the truth that ObamaCare basically means that every time you are sick or injured, you will have a clerk from the Department of Motor Vehicles telling your doctor what he can and cannot do.

The American people already know that Mr. Obama's plan to lower health costs while expanding coverage and bureaucracy is a myth, a promise of something that never was and never will be -- a bureaucracy lowering costs in a free society. Either the costs go up or the free society goes away.

These are perilous times.. Mrs. Hillary Clinton, our Secretary of State, has given Iran the go-ahead to have nuclear weapons, an unqualified betrayal of the nation. Now, we face a devastating loss of freedom at home in health care. It will be joined by controls on our lives to "protect us" from global warming, itself largely a fraud if believed to be caused by man.

Mr. Obama knows Americans are getting wise and will stop him if he delays at all in taking away our freedoms. There is his urgency and our opportunity. Once freedom is lost, America is lost. Wake up, beloved America ...

May God help us.

_____________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Tuesday, March 02, 2010

Planned Parenthood Caught Breaking the Law Again

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Planned Parenthood has been caught, red handed, so to speak, violating the law and attempting to lie their way out of a very serious matter.

Pro-Life activist group "Live-Action" has released another under cover video from a Planned Parenthood facility, where instead of obeying the law and reporting what they thought was a 14 year-old girl, pregnant from her 31 year-old boy friend, they counseled her on how to get the abortion without parental knowledge, and without her boy friend getting in trouble.

When caught, they lied. Their lie is exposed on additional video.

Live Action
president Lila Rose, posing as a 14 year-old girl, pregnant from her 31 year-old boy friend, is asking the Milwaukee Planned Parenthood about getting an abortion without notifying her parents and not getting her boy friend in trouble. The link above has the video and much more information.

By law, Planned Parenthood is required to report this to the police.

What did they do? They did what seems to be a pattern. They lied.

In the spirit of their "comprehensive health care," instead of reporting the matter to the police as required by law, they are seen and heard on video coaching the young girl on how to obtain a judicial bypass waiver so she can bypass her parents and protect her 31-year-old boyfriend from "getting in trouble."

When the video of this exchange came to light, Teri Huyck, CEO of Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin said publicly, "We were unable to make any report" because the girl didn't give us any identifying information.

A lie.

Now Live Action has released more video which shows the undercover girl giving Planned Parenthood both her name and her birth date.

Note one question in the video that was not forgotten. The issue of who was going to pay for the abortion. Forget the law, but don't forget the money. Don't worry about the girl's well being after being abused by a 31-year-old man, but get that payment.

This is one more profile in the face of evil.

Ignore the law. Lie when caught. Lie again when caught lying. Accuse pro-life pregnancy centers of being incompetent and dishonest. Make regular visits to the White House and prepare to expand the abortion industry with the hoped for $11 Billion from President Obama's health care plan.

A full version of the video has been released to the district attorney and the attorney general. Live Action has conducted several other investigations of Planned Parenthood in other areas with similar results. No parental notification. No information to the police. No problem.

Will elected officials ever find the collective courage to stand in the face of evil and de-fund this expanding enterprise of death?

Likely, no. Not the present class. It is imperative that we elect men and women who believe in life and will act to protect the sanctity of life. And will have the courage to de-fund the face of evil.

Be informed and be inspired to act. Do not be silent.

God bless you.

______________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Monday, March 01, 2010

Perverted Tolerance

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The NCAA has pulled a Focus on the Family ad from their website and the Mayor of Beverly Hills is angry because another Miss California contestant in the Miss USA pageant believes in natural marriage---one man-one woman.

All this in the name of tolerance.

The NCAA (National College Athletic Association) has taken a Focus on the Family ad off their website after homosexuals complained.

The ad features a picture of a father holding his young son. The ad is titled, "Celebrate Life. Celebrate Family."

The caption under the picture says, "All I want for my son is for him to grow up knowing how to do the right thing."

Why is this so controversial that the NCAA would break an advertising agreement made with Focus which included the Tim Tebow ad at the Super Bowl and this ad on the NCAA website?

Is it distasteful or offensive to want the best for your son?

Homosexual activists said the ad had to go because Focus is controversial, because they are pro-life and support natural marriage---one-man, one woman.

Twisted logic. Perverted tolerance.

In another story from Associated Press the mayor of Beverly Hills is angry and is disowning a Miss USA contestant because she does not believe in homosexual marriage.

Lauren Ashley has spoken out against homosexual marriage in recent interviews. She told FOX news she believes same-sex marriage goes against God and the Bible.

Although the pageant rules allow for contestants to choose the area they represent, whether or not they live there, Beverly Hills mayor, Nancy Krasne, is angry saying Ashley doesn't live there and doesn't represent the city in any way, "Which," she says, "has a long history of tolerance and respect."

Tolerance? Respect?

I assure you her address would have never been an issue if she had held the proper beliefs.

Whether it is the NCAA or the city of Beverly Hills or a number of other public entities, there is an increasing trend to re-write or re-define biblical morality, while simultaneously seeking to silence those who believe in it.

It seems tolerance is a one way street and the distaste for biblical Christianity is driving it from the public square, public discourse, education and even the free expression of beliefs in the paid media.

Ironically, intolerance of Christianity and a Christian influenced culture is most often demanded in the name of tolerance.

Christianity must not be tolerated because of the need for greater tolerance. A Perverted Tolerance.

Be informed. Be inspired. Be active.

Thank you for your support of our efforts in this ministry.

_____________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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