In Lady GaGa's newest release, a song and video titled "Judas," GaGa is depicted as a Mary Magdalene figure--- riding with a motorcycle gang--- infatuated with Judas. While cruising with the gang, she clutches to a Jesus figure who is wearing a golden crown of thorns.
Some of the song's lyrics--"Oh, I'm in love with Judas, Judas---In the biblical sense I am beyond repentance. Fame hooker, prostitute, wench, vomits her mind."
Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, announced earlier this week that our State Department played an "instrumental" role in "sealing the deal" for Lady GaGa to perform at the Gay Pride events in Rome.
And Jesus wept.
She also announced that State Department officials are meeting with "sex workers" and others around the world in the cause of protecting Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgender rights.
She called it an example of "people to people" diplomacy at its best.
It is being widely reported that Greece---particularly Athens, is burning as a result of rioting.
History gives us a picture of ancient Rome burning.
Would someone please take the matches away from Hillary and Barack before they get out their fiddles?
In celebrating our freedoms this weekend, remember to be especially thankful for our right to vote.
Thank you for supporting us in our efforts to defend and advance Judeo-Christian values and principles in an ever darkening culture.
God help us.
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Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
When the Foundations are Being Destroyed
"When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?" PS. 11:3 (NIV)
Things were so bad, David wrote in the Psalms that the wicked bend their bows and are "shooting from the shadows at the upright in heart."
He also wrote in PS. 12, "The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men."
Clearly that defines the trend in America's culture today:
What can people of faith do?
Some are suggesting we put the social issues, the values, aside for the 2012 election. Some in the church suggest we should stay out of cultural issues all together. "Religion and politics just don't mix," they say.
They were telling David the same thing several thousand years ago during his time of testing, saying, "Flee like a bird to your mountain." ( Ps. 11) Run for the hills, godly people must not soil themselves, nor make themselves vulnerable with these unpleasant cultural issues.
He didn't buy it. And neither do I. I believe many of you don't buy it either.
Faith and Freedom is committed to following biblical guidelines in all we do.
I'm asking for your financial support to allow us to continue in this work.
Ours is not a popular position in the current culture. Particularly here in the Northwest. Anyone who opposes these destructive agendas is personally attacked. Read some of the comments directed toward me posted on my blogs. There are many others so vile they cannot be published.
Here's 5 things we're trying to communicate to a culture in which the foundations are being destroyed. Everything we do is based from biblical principles, biblical teaching and biblical action concepts.
1. Be Transformed, Not Conformed.
"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Romans 12:2 NIV
Current cultural trends are conforming Christian beliefs to the culture rather than godly beliefs transforming the culture.
The reason? A professed identity with Jesus Christ and Christianity, but a denial of its power to transform.
2. Be Awake. Be Aware.
"And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber..." 1 TH. 5:6
3. Embrace Wisdom and Understanding.
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: all who follow His precepts have good understanding." Pr. 1:7
Stay true to God's word. Follow His precepts. There are many misleading voices today. Our own President has referred to Scriptural teaching on homosexuality in Romans 1 as "obscure," dismissing it. The Emerging Church Movement is redefining core evangelical beliefs, while the left is redefining Scripture to support their practice of abortion, homosexual behavior and the re-engineering of the family. These practices destroy individuals and nations.
4. Stand Firm. Fear Not.
"Wicked men are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous stands firm." Pr. 12:7
Assaults on God's Word and His precepts have come and gone throughout human history. This is a time of assault on His truth and a testing of those who believe it. And it is growing in its intensity. God is often mocked. Those who serve Him in His Truth are often shunned and ridiculed, if they voice their beliefs publicly.
5. "Faith by itself if not accompanied by action, is dead." James 2:17
State Senator Ruben Diaz was the lone Democrat to vote against homosexual marriage in New York last Friday and the only lawmaker to speak against it from the floor. Following the vote Senator Diaz said, "We have to organize better. The problem with the Christian movement, with the Christians and pastors, is that they pray too much and act too little."
Diaz has received threats, including death threats since taking a public stand in defense of natural marriage.
Senator Diaz is also a Pentecostal pastor and president of the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization.
Your financial support allows us to continue speaking godly principles to the culture and organizing efforts to advance truth and legitimate hope in the message of the gospel. Your prayer sustains us.
Your support is necessary for us to continue. Click here to make an online tax deductible donation.
Thank you for standing with us with your donation and your prayer.
God bless you.
Gary Randall
Things were so bad, David wrote in the Psalms that the wicked bend their bows and are "shooting from the shadows at the upright in heart."
He also wrote in PS. 12, "The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men."
Clearly that defines the trend in America's culture today:
- Perversion is celebrated in cities across America under the guise of "equality" and "pride" and "tolerance."
- A US President doesn't even know what he believes about marriage, but says his belief is "evolving".
- Rob Bell, pastor of Mars Hill church in Grandville, Michigan, is now preaching that there is no hell--all will ultimately go to heaven. Love will win out. A theology of Universalism, yet, calling himself an evangelical and denying that he believes in Universalism.
- Oprah and President Obama have both claimed publicly to be a Christian, yet both have said they do not believe Jesus is the only way to God, even though Jesus Himself says He is.
- Politicians campaign, speaking to churches and Christian Universities, declaring to share their values, but when elected we discover they have a very different set of beliefs and values.
- We slaughter tens of millions of babies and call it a "right"--- a "choice."
- Our National Christian heritage is denied, revised, maligned and marginalized. Sometimes mocked.
- Public Education, while failing to adequately educate, has been transformed into a social experimental laboratory for political correctness and the advancement of extreme social agendas.
- Military readiness has been compromised in favor of normalizing deviant behavior.
- Right is wrong---wrong is right and those who oppose come under attack. And are often silenced.
- An "Emerging Church" movement, in its rush to relevance, has become indistinguishable from those they claim they want to reach. They are conforming to the culture, rather than transforming the culture by the gospel they claim to advocate. They deny its power.
- The religious left is destroying this country under the guise of "social justice" by demanding more and more government entitlements, all leading to a culture of tyranny built on those very entitlements.
What can people of faith do?
Some are suggesting we put the social issues, the values, aside for the 2012 election. Some in the church suggest we should stay out of cultural issues all together. "Religion and politics just don't mix," they say.
They were telling David the same thing several thousand years ago during his time of testing, saying, "Flee like a bird to your mountain." ( Ps. 11) Run for the hills, godly people must not soil themselves, nor make themselves vulnerable with these unpleasant cultural issues.
He didn't buy it. And neither do I. I believe many of you don't buy it either.
Faith and Freedom is committed to following biblical guidelines in all we do.
I'm asking for your financial support to allow us to continue in this work.
Ours is not a popular position in the current culture. Particularly here in the Northwest. Anyone who opposes these destructive agendas is personally attacked. Read some of the comments directed toward me posted on my blogs. There are many others so vile they cannot be published.
Here's 5 things we're trying to communicate to a culture in which the foundations are being destroyed. Everything we do is based from biblical principles, biblical teaching and biblical action concepts.
1. Be Transformed, Not Conformed.
"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Romans 12:2 NIV
Current cultural trends are conforming Christian beliefs to the culture rather than godly beliefs transforming the culture.
The reason? A professed identity with Jesus Christ and Christianity, but a denial of its power to transform.
2. Be Awake. Be Aware.
"And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber..." 1 TH. 5:6
3. Embrace Wisdom and Understanding.
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: all who follow His precepts have good understanding." Pr. 1:7
Stay true to God's word. Follow His precepts. There are many misleading voices today. Our own President has referred to Scriptural teaching on homosexuality in Romans 1 as "obscure," dismissing it. The Emerging Church Movement is redefining core evangelical beliefs, while the left is redefining Scripture to support their practice of abortion, homosexual behavior and the re-engineering of the family. These practices destroy individuals and nations.
4. Stand Firm. Fear Not.
"Wicked men are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous stands firm." Pr. 12:7
Assaults on God's Word and His precepts have come and gone throughout human history. This is a time of assault on His truth and a testing of those who believe it. And it is growing in its intensity. God is often mocked. Those who serve Him in His Truth are often shunned and ridiculed, if they voice their beliefs publicly.
5. "Faith by itself if not accompanied by action, is dead." James 2:17
State Senator Ruben Diaz was the lone Democrat to vote against homosexual marriage in New York last Friday and the only lawmaker to speak against it from the floor. Following the vote Senator Diaz said, "We have to organize better. The problem with the Christian movement, with the Christians and pastors, is that they pray too much and act too little."
Diaz has received threats, including death threats since taking a public stand in defense of natural marriage.
Senator Diaz is also a Pentecostal pastor and president of the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization.
Your financial support allows us to continue speaking godly principles to the culture and organizing efforts to advance truth and legitimate hope in the message of the gospel. Your prayer sustains us.
Your support is necessary for us to continue. Click here to make an online tax deductible donation.
Thank you for standing with us with your donation and your prayer.
God bless you.
Gary Randall
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
NY Republicans: A Collapse of Courage -- or Worse
New York Republicans redefined marriage in their state last Friday night. This is the first time a Republican controlled legislative chamber in any state has ever supported homosexual "marriage".
Many called it a profound failure of moral courage.
I'm calling it a collapse of courage---or worse.
It's an implosion of individuals who ran on one set of beliefs, then, once elected, acted on a very different set of beliefs---or none at all, beyond their own political aspirations and ambitions.
Hollow people.
After being elected by mostly conservative, often people of faith, who would never support so-called "gay-marriage," they went to Albany and facilitated Gov. Cuomo in his staging to run for US President after Obama is finished.
Brian Brown, president of the National Organization for Marriage, who has pledged at least $2 million to make sure there are consequences to such behavior by lawmakers said, "Selling out your principles to get elected is wrong. Selling out your principles to help someone else get elected is just plain dumb."
Consequences is part of the dynamic of politics. However, that does not seem to be a priority concern for some Republicans in Washington State.
SB 5688 (2009-2010) set the table for homosexual "marriage" to be served up sooner than later. Here, as in the recent New York vote, there were a few Republicans who facilitated Sen. Ed Murray, Gov. Gregoire and a few others, for whatever reason, and abandoned their colleagues and a majority of their constituents and voted for the "Everything But Marriage" bill.
A couple of them have since retired or left the Senate.
However Curtis King R-14th District (Yakima) is still telling the people of Yakima he is their guy, representing them, fighting for them, etc. And Sen. Cheryl Pflug, R-5th District (East Side King County- Issaquah), is fighting for her constituents even though a majority in the 5th District does not support so-called homosexual "marriage".
Consequences? Not much. One of Cheryl's supporters who defined herself as a "Christian activist" wrote to me following my mention of her vote, scolding me and telling me even though Cheryl did not support marriage, she was pro-life.
I don't know about you, but as for me, I will not be silent as long as a voice is given me. And you, in our extensive readership, with God's blessing, is giving me a voice. From my heart--thank you.
Some are, with furrowed brow, consumed with the discussion of how Post Modernism is reshaping our culture and how we must adapt to it, while others are advocating that people of faith should push back so we can be more effective and not be tagged a bigot or hater because we support natural, biblical marriage and other biblical values and principles in the culture.
We must understand the implication of Post Modernism and yes, they will tag you a bigot or worse because of your beliefs if you voice them.
I am not a Catholic, but I wholly agree with the New York Catholic Bishops I quoted yesterday. If you didn't read their comments, please do.
David wrote in the 12th Psalm, verse one: (Living Bible) "Lord! Help! Godly men are fast disappearing. Where in the world can dependable men be found? Everyone deceives and flatters and lies. There is no sincerity left."
If you read verses 2 and following, you will see God's response.
Your financial support allows us to continue to have a voice in a conflicted and confused world. Your donation is needed now. Thank you.
Be Vigilant. Be Informed. Be Active. Be Prayerful.
::Click here to add these blogs to your email inbox.
Many called it a profound failure of moral courage.
I'm calling it a collapse of courage---or worse.
It's an implosion of individuals who ran on one set of beliefs, then, once elected, acted on a very different set of beliefs---or none at all, beyond their own political aspirations and ambitions.
Hollow people.
After being elected by mostly conservative, often people of faith, who would never support so-called "gay-marriage," they went to Albany and facilitated Gov. Cuomo in his staging to run for US President after Obama is finished.
Brian Brown, president of the National Organization for Marriage, who has pledged at least $2 million to make sure there are consequences to such behavior by lawmakers said, "Selling out your principles to get elected is wrong. Selling out your principles to help someone else get elected is just plain dumb."
Consequences is part of the dynamic of politics. However, that does not seem to be a priority concern for some Republicans in Washington State.
SB 5688 (2009-2010) set the table for homosexual "marriage" to be served up sooner than later. Here, as in the recent New York vote, there were a few Republicans who facilitated Sen. Ed Murray, Gov. Gregoire and a few others, for whatever reason, and abandoned their colleagues and a majority of their constituents and voted for the "Everything But Marriage" bill.
A couple of them have since retired or left the Senate.
However Curtis King R-14th District (Yakima) is still telling the people of Yakima he is their guy, representing them, fighting for them, etc. And Sen. Cheryl Pflug, R-5th District (East Side King County- Issaquah), is fighting for her constituents even though a majority in the 5th District does not support so-called homosexual "marriage".
Consequences? Not much. One of Cheryl's supporters who defined herself as a "Christian activist" wrote to me following my mention of her vote, scolding me and telling me even though Cheryl did not support marriage, she was pro-life.
I don't know about you, but as for me, I will not be silent as long as a voice is given me. And you, in our extensive readership, with God's blessing, is giving me a voice. From my heart--thank you.
Some are, with furrowed brow, consumed with the discussion of how Post Modernism is reshaping our culture and how we must adapt to it, while others are advocating that people of faith should push back so we can be more effective and not be tagged a bigot or hater because we support natural, biblical marriage and other biblical values and principles in the culture.
We must understand the implication of Post Modernism and yes, they will tag you a bigot or worse because of your beliefs if you voice them.
I am not a Catholic, but I wholly agree with the New York Catholic Bishops I quoted yesterday. If you didn't read their comments, please do.
David wrote in the 12th Psalm, verse one: (Living Bible) "Lord! Help! Godly men are fast disappearing. Where in the world can dependable men be found? Everyone deceives and flatters and lies. There is no sincerity left."
If you read verses 2 and following, you will see God's response.
Your financial support allows us to continue to have a voice in a conflicted and confused world. Your donation is needed now. Thank you.
Be Vigilant. Be Informed. Be Active. Be Prayerful.
::Click here to add these blogs to your email inbox.
Monday, June 27, 2011
NY Bishops: "Our Beliefs Will Be Ridiculed"
NY Gov. Cuomo, a Catholic, signed into law a bill that redefines marriage in the state of New York at 11:55 p.m. Friday night, just in time for Saturday's Gay Parade spectacle.
Expressing strong respect and the right to dignity for homosexuals, the Catholic bishops of New York State released a statement saying, "But we just as strongly affirm that marriage is the joining of one man and one woman in a lifelong, loving union that is open to children, ordered for the good of those children and the spouses themselves."
They continued, "This definition cannot change, though we realize that our beliefs about the nature of marriage will continue to be ridiculed, and that some will even now attempt to enact government sanctions against churches and religious organizations that preach these timeless truths."
Indeed.
Ironically, as these bishops issued their statement, the New York City Gay Pride exhibition of perversion passed directly in front of Saint Patrick's Cathedral--the seat of the Catholic Archdiocese of New York.
Gov. Cuomo led the exhibition, telling the press, "New York has sent a message to the nation, its time for marriage equality."
Marriage equality has always existed in America. Everyone has the right to marry, Governor.
Suzanne Goldberg, a professor at Columbia University Law School said having same-sex marriage in New York will have, "tremendous moral and political force" for the rest of the country, "in part because New York is such a large state and in part because it hasn't come easily."
Four Republicans insured the victory by breaking from their colleagues and voting against marriage.
One lone voice spoke in support of natural marriage from the floor. Senator Ruben Diaz said, "God, not Albany, has settled the definition of marriage a long time ago."
The bishops said, "We worry that both marriage and the family will be undermined by this tragic presumption of government in passing legislation that attempts to redefine these cornerstones of society."
"Our society," they said, "must regain what it appears to have lost---a true understanding of the meaning and place of marriage, as revealed by God, grounded in nature, and respected by America's foundational principles."
I'm reminded of St. Paul's writing in Romans chapter 1--- they "became futile in their thoughts and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools...and exchanged God's truth for the lie."
Be Vigilant. Be Discerning. Be Prayerful. Be Active.
::Click here to add these blogs to your email inbox.
Expressing strong respect and the right to dignity for homosexuals, the Catholic bishops of New York State released a statement saying, "But we just as strongly affirm that marriage is the joining of one man and one woman in a lifelong, loving union that is open to children, ordered for the good of those children and the spouses themselves."
They continued, "This definition cannot change, though we realize that our beliefs about the nature of marriage will continue to be ridiculed, and that some will even now attempt to enact government sanctions against churches and religious organizations that preach these timeless truths."
Indeed.
Ironically, as these bishops issued their statement, the New York City Gay Pride exhibition of perversion passed directly in front of Saint Patrick's Cathedral--the seat of the Catholic Archdiocese of New York.
Gov. Cuomo led the exhibition, telling the press, "New York has sent a message to the nation, its time for marriage equality."
Marriage equality has always existed in America. Everyone has the right to marry, Governor.
Suzanne Goldberg, a professor at Columbia University Law School said having same-sex marriage in New York will have, "tremendous moral and political force" for the rest of the country, "in part because New York is such a large state and in part because it hasn't come easily."
Four Republicans insured the victory by breaking from their colleagues and voting against marriage.
One lone voice spoke in support of natural marriage from the floor. Senator Ruben Diaz said, "God, not Albany, has settled the definition of marriage a long time ago."
The bishops said, "We worry that both marriage and the family will be undermined by this tragic presumption of government in passing legislation that attempts to redefine these cornerstones of society."
"Our society," they said, "must regain what it appears to have lost---a true understanding of the meaning and place of marriage, as revealed by God, grounded in nature, and respected by America's foundational principles."
I'm reminded of St. Paul's writing in Romans chapter 1--- they "became futile in their thoughts and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools...and exchanged God's truth for the lie."
Be Vigilant. Be Discerning. Be Prayerful. Be Active.
::Click here to add these blogs to your email inbox.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Unnatural Selection: How "Choice" Leads to Violence
Since the late 1970s, 163 million female babies have been aborted by parents who preferred a boy.
Mara Hvistendahl, a noted journalist, influential writer and a feminist, has become so alarmed by the global trend of choosing boys over girls---sex-selective abortion, that she has written new book titled, "Unnatural Selection".
She is not pro-life, nor is she writing from a moral or even political point of view and mocks the biblical teaching on Creationism as the "West's predominant creation myth."
Yet her book is significant to the pro-life movement. That's why I reviewed it. And why I am sharing some thoughts from the book. Although unintended, her book is a gift to the pro-life cause.
She documents that in nature, 105 boys are born for every 100 girls. This ratio is universal in all cultures and economic levels, except...
The exception is why she wrote the book.
The case she makes is that artificially created gender imbalance leads to cultural violence. And in doing so, inadvertently affirms the pro-life position.
She documents that in India today, there are 112 boys born for every 100 girls. In China the number is 121, with some Chinese towns over 150 to 100.
This growing imbalance is not unique to Asia. Azerbaijan has 115, Georgia 118, and Armenia is 120.
Here's how Planned Parenthood and other organizations like them are creating a cultural world crises of violence and the process that got us here. And a profile of the human and moral conflict that accompanies abortion.
In the 1970s, amniocentesis, which reveals the sex of a baby in utero, became available in developing countries. Although meant for good, by the 1980s it was known simply as the "sex test" in India and other countries where parents often prefer sons to daughters.
Then came ultrasound.
A sign in an Indian clinic says it all, "Better 500 rupees now, than 5000 later." A reference to the cost of a girl's dowry.
In her negative bias toward Western culture, she documents how the Ford Foundation, United Nations and Planned Parenthood have advanced sex selective abortion as a means of population growth control.
For example, she quotes Malcom Potts, the medical director for International Planned Parenthood Federation in 1976 saying that when it comes to developing nations, abortion was better than birth control. He wrote, "Early abortion is safe, effortless, cheap and potentially the easiest method to administer."
She documents Planned Parenthood's close relationship to China's family planning and reminds readers that as early as 1969, the Population Councils' Sheldon Segal was publicly calling for more abortions as a means of combating the "Population Bomb," the title of a book written by Paul Ehrlich which caused hysteria much like Al Gore and his global warming hysteria of more recent times.
While Hvistendahl is solidly pro-abortion, she argues that gender imbalances are a sign of bad things to come.
She writes, "Historically, societies in which men substantially outnumber women are not nice places to live---often unstable, sometimes violent," noting high sex ratios in fourth century BC Athens, China's Taiping Rebellion in the 1800s, and even America's early western frontier.
She documents that there is compelling evidence of a link between high sex ratios and violence. According to her research, historically, high sex ratios mean a society is going to have "surplus men" with no hope of marrying due to a lack of women. "In Chinese provinces where sex ratios have spiked, a crime wave has followed," she says.
She found that in India today the best predictor of violence and crime for any given area is not income, but sex ratio. Another problem for some on the far left.
There's much more---unnatural sex ratios lead to abuse of women, more prostitution, etc. However, here's my point: Here's why I wrote this today.
While she believes something must be done about the advancing sex ratio imbalance, she is deeply conflicted in her own beliefs.
She worries out loud as she writes that this situation "could lead to a feminist's worst nightmare: a ban on all abortions."
The worst nightmare, then, is not the killing of 163 million baby girls, but the possible loss of the opportunity to do so.
Moral conflict.
She writes, "After decades of fighting for a woman's right to choose the outcome of her own pregnancy, it is difficult to turn around and point out that women are abusing that right."
She particularly worries about the "Right Wing" or "Christian Right" using sex-selective abortion as part of a wider war on abortion itself.
This book may well be one of the most consequential books written about the atrocities of abortion. And its coming from one of their own.
If "choice" is the moral imperative guiding abortion, and they say it is, then there is no way they can take a position against sex-selective abortion. Aborting a baby because she is a girl is, in their frame of reference, no different than aborting a baby as birth control, Down Syndrome or any number of other reasons often used to justify taking a child's life.
Choice is Choice.
And this is where violating God's principles and truth will always take an individual, a nation or a world.
Confusion and conflict.
Be Vigilant. Be Discerning. Be Prayerful. Be Active. Be Blessed.
:: Click here to add these blogs to your email inbox.
Mara Hvistendahl, a noted journalist, influential writer and a feminist, has become so alarmed by the global trend of choosing boys over girls---sex-selective abortion, that she has written new book titled, "Unnatural Selection".
She is not pro-life, nor is she writing from a moral or even political point of view and mocks the biblical teaching on Creationism as the "West's predominant creation myth."
Yet her book is significant to the pro-life movement. That's why I reviewed it. And why I am sharing some thoughts from the book. Although unintended, her book is a gift to the pro-life cause.
She documents that in nature, 105 boys are born for every 100 girls. This ratio is universal in all cultures and economic levels, except...
The exception is why she wrote the book.
The case she makes is that artificially created gender imbalance leads to cultural violence. And in doing so, inadvertently affirms the pro-life position.
She documents that in India today, there are 112 boys born for every 100 girls. In China the number is 121, with some Chinese towns over 150 to 100.
This growing imbalance is not unique to Asia. Azerbaijan has 115, Georgia 118, and Armenia is 120.
Here's how Planned Parenthood and other organizations like them are creating a cultural world crises of violence and the process that got us here. And a profile of the human and moral conflict that accompanies abortion.
In the 1970s, amniocentesis, which reveals the sex of a baby in utero, became available in developing countries. Although meant for good, by the 1980s it was known simply as the "sex test" in India and other countries where parents often prefer sons to daughters.
Then came ultrasound.
A sign in an Indian clinic says it all, "Better 500 rupees now, than 5000 later." A reference to the cost of a girl's dowry.
In her negative bias toward Western culture, she documents how the Ford Foundation, United Nations and Planned Parenthood have advanced sex selective abortion as a means of population growth control.
For example, she quotes Malcom Potts, the medical director for International Planned Parenthood Federation in 1976 saying that when it comes to developing nations, abortion was better than birth control. He wrote, "Early abortion is safe, effortless, cheap and potentially the easiest method to administer."
She documents Planned Parenthood's close relationship to China's family planning and reminds readers that as early as 1969, the Population Councils' Sheldon Segal was publicly calling for more abortions as a means of combating the "Population Bomb," the title of a book written by Paul Ehrlich which caused hysteria much like Al Gore and his global warming hysteria of more recent times.
While Hvistendahl is solidly pro-abortion, she argues that gender imbalances are a sign of bad things to come.
She writes, "Historically, societies in which men substantially outnumber women are not nice places to live---often unstable, sometimes violent," noting high sex ratios in fourth century BC Athens, China's Taiping Rebellion in the 1800s, and even America's early western frontier.
She documents that there is compelling evidence of a link between high sex ratios and violence. According to her research, historically, high sex ratios mean a society is going to have "surplus men" with no hope of marrying due to a lack of women. "In Chinese provinces where sex ratios have spiked, a crime wave has followed," she says.
She found that in India today the best predictor of violence and crime for any given area is not income, but sex ratio. Another problem for some on the far left.
There's much more---unnatural sex ratios lead to abuse of women, more prostitution, etc. However, here's my point: Here's why I wrote this today.
While she believes something must be done about the advancing sex ratio imbalance, she is deeply conflicted in her own beliefs.
She worries out loud as she writes that this situation "could lead to a feminist's worst nightmare: a ban on all abortions."
The worst nightmare, then, is not the killing of 163 million baby girls, but the possible loss of the opportunity to do so.
Moral conflict.
She writes, "After decades of fighting for a woman's right to choose the outcome of her own pregnancy, it is difficult to turn around and point out that women are abusing that right."
She particularly worries about the "Right Wing" or "Christian Right" using sex-selective abortion as part of a wider war on abortion itself.
This book may well be one of the most consequential books written about the atrocities of abortion. And its coming from one of their own.
If "choice" is the moral imperative guiding abortion, and they say it is, then there is no way they can take a position against sex-selective abortion. Aborting a baby because she is a girl is, in their frame of reference, no different than aborting a baby as birth control, Down Syndrome or any number of other reasons often used to justify taking a child's life.
Choice is Choice.
And this is where violating God's principles and truth will always take an individual, a nation or a world.
Confusion and conflict.
Be Vigilant. Be Discerning. Be Prayerful. Be Active. Be Blessed.
:: Click here to add these blogs to your email inbox.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Atheists "Really Insulted" by 9/11 Sign Demanding Removal
Following 9/11, the seven firemen from the firehouse on Richards Street in Brooklyn who lost their lives have been remembered by family and the community as the "Seven in Heaven."
Approaching the 10th anniversary of 9/11, the people in the community felt they wanted to further honor these men by putting up a street sign by the firehouse on Richards Street.
The sign was hung this week. It says "Seven In Heaven Way".
Now the American Atheists organization is demanding it be removed. If they were to win their threatened lawsuit, it would affect the names of hundreds of cities and towns across America.
Here's how far we have drifted from our founding and, for that matter, from common sense. And look how the atheists are invoking God and biblical principles to make their case.
David Silverman, president of American Atheists told the press, "Its improper for the city to endorse the view that heaven exists. It links Christianity and heroism."
Ken Bronstein, one of his associates said, "The problem with the sign is that you are assuming that you know what they felt deep down. You're assuming they believed in heaven."
He told FOX radio, the sign is "really insulting."
Craig Hammerman, district manager for Brooklyn Community Board 6, is wondering out loud, why, if they were so insulted, they never raised their concerns as "the sign" went through public review at the community board level and when it came before the city council on the public agenda.
A pathetic picture, with questionable motives.
Bronstien says if the city doesn't remove the sign he will likely file a lawsuit. And the ACLU will likely represent him.
Think about this. If the courts should rule in his favor, hundreds of cities and towns across America should change their names.
If a sign that reads "Seven In Heaven Way" cannot hang in front of a Brooklyn firehouse, how can L.A. be Los Angeles, the "city of angels?" And what about Corpus Christi, Latin for "The Body of Christ?" That would be really, really insulting.
Zion? Providence? Bethlehem? St. Paul? St. Petersburg? St. Joseph? In fact, I checked out the list of cities and towns with biblical names at Yahoo Answers. It's very long. If you've got a minute read it. You will note there are not so many in the Northwest.
And if the sign in Brooklyn comes down, should we not rid Washington D.C. of all its biblical inscriptions and references that are etched in stone and concrete by our Founders and those who followed them? They would be much more insulting than the sign in Brooklyn.
Prepare the jack hammers and wrecking balls.
And one last thought. While they insist they do not believe in God,--- don't want Him in the culture, they are invoking the very principles of freedom our Founders declared to be given by God. The freedoms fought for as a result of our Declaration of Independence, and the wars that would follow.
If it were not for the steadfast belief in God and His gift of human rights and freedom, these folks would never be given the opportunity to attempt to remove Him.
God is good. His mercy endures forever.
May God give us a renewed sense of Truth.
If you have not joined us on the petition to NBC, please do so. If you have, please consider forwarding the information to friends and family asking them to join us. A link can also be found on the Faith and Freedom homepage: http://www.faithandfreedom.us
Be Vigilant. Be Discerning. Be Informed. Be Prayerful. Be Blessed.
:: Click here to add these blogs to your email inbox.
Approaching the 10th anniversary of 9/11, the people in the community felt they wanted to further honor these men by putting up a street sign by the firehouse on Richards Street.
The sign was hung this week. It says "Seven In Heaven Way".
Now the American Atheists organization is demanding it be removed. If they were to win their threatened lawsuit, it would affect the names of hundreds of cities and towns across America.
Here's how far we have drifted from our founding and, for that matter, from common sense. And look how the atheists are invoking God and biblical principles to make their case.
David Silverman, president of American Atheists told the press, "Its improper for the city to endorse the view that heaven exists. It links Christianity and heroism."
Ken Bronstein, one of his associates said, "The problem with the sign is that you are assuming that you know what they felt deep down. You're assuming they believed in heaven."
He told FOX radio, the sign is "really insulting."
Craig Hammerman, district manager for Brooklyn Community Board 6, is wondering out loud, why, if they were so insulted, they never raised their concerns as "the sign" went through public review at the community board level and when it came before the city council on the public agenda.
A pathetic picture, with questionable motives.
Bronstien says if the city doesn't remove the sign he will likely file a lawsuit. And the ACLU will likely represent him.
Think about this. If the courts should rule in his favor, hundreds of cities and towns across America should change their names.
If a sign that reads "Seven In Heaven Way" cannot hang in front of a Brooklyn firehouse, how can L.A. be Los Angeles, the "city of angels?" And what about Corpus Christi, Latin for "The Body of Christ?" That would be really, really insulting.
Zion? Providence? Bethlehem? St. Paul? St. Petersburg? St. Joseph? In fact, I checked out the list of cities and towns with biblical names at Yahoo Answers. It's very long. If you've got a minute read it. You will note there are not so many in the Northwest.
And if the sign in Brooklyn comes down, should we not rid Washington D.C. of all its biblical inscriptions and references that are etched in stone and concrete by our Founders and those who followed them? They would be much more insulting than the sign in Brooklyn.
Prepare the jack hammers and wrecking balls.
And one last thought. While they insist they do not believe in God,--- don't want Him in the culture, they are invoking the very principles of freedom our Founders declared to be given by God. The freedoms fought for as a result of our Declaration of Independence, and the wars that would follow.
If it were not for the steadfast belief in God and His gift of human rights and freedom, these folks would never be given the opportunity to attempt to remove Him.
God is good. His mercy endures forever.
May God give us a renewed sense of Truth.
If you have not joined us on the petition to NBC, please do so. If you have, please consider forwarding the information to friends and family asking them to join us. A link can also be found on the Faith and Freedom homepage: http://www.faithandfreedom.us
Be Vigilant. Be Discerning. Be Informed. Be Prayerful. Be Blessed.
:: Click here to add these blogs to your email inbox.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
NBC Remains Silent, the Public Does Not
After NBC's pathetic Sunday afternoon "apology" if they "offended anyone" by editing out "under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance in their opening segment to the US Open, we immediately spoke out on the issue. Some in the Christian community initially questioned our criticism of their actions, saying it was understandable in the context.
Things can always be rationalized or "understood" when viewed from a relativistic worldview. This is not acceptable behavior using so-called "publicly" owned airwaves. A major US television network should do better.
NBC has remained silent, but the public has not. Yesterday, leaders and organizations were joining in a growing chorus of objection to their actions.
ACLJ released a statement saying: “The phrase 'under God' is not a throw-away line, an afterthought. It's been a critical part of the Pledge for more than half a century – a time-honored tradition.”
“NBC and the USGA spent a great deal of time and money chronicling the history and heritage of America's most prestigious golf event. You'd think they'd get it – that America's history and heritage must be chronicled correctly – and that includes keeping the phrase – 'under God' – in the Pledge of Allegiance."
Yesterday we launched an effort, along with other like minded organizations, to convince NBC not to air the scheduled weekly series "The Playboy Club" on Friday evenings this fall.
Thank you for the immediate response. People from Hawaii to Florida and certainly around the Northwest are signing our pledge.
We are asking you to take a stand and pledge not to watch the show should they air the program as scheduled. And if so, you would boycott the advertisers.
If you have not joined us in this effort please do. We need you to stand with us. Click here to join the Pledge. You can click here to read yesterday's blog about the effort.
There is a time to be silent and there is a time to speak. This is a time to speak.
Thanks for standing for what is right. God bless you.
Be Vigilant. Be Discerning. Be Informed. Be Active. Be Prayerful.
:: Click here to add these blogs to your email inbox.
Things can always be rationalized or "understood" when viewed from a relativistic worldview. This is not acceptable behavior using so-called "publicly" owned airwaves. A major US television network should do better.
NBC has remained silent, but the public has not. Yesterday, leaders and organizations were joining in a growing chorus of objection to their actions.
ACLJ released a statement saying: “The phrase 'under God' is not a throw-away line, an afterthought. It's been a critical part of the Pledge for more than half a century – a time-honored tradition.”
“NBC and the USGA spent a great deal of time and money chronicling the history and heritage of America's most prestigious golf event. You'd think they'd get it – that America's history and heritage must be chronicled correctly – and that includes keeping the phrase – 'under God' – in the Pledge of Allegiance."
Yesterday we launched an effort, along with other like minded organizations, to convince NBC not to air the scheduled weekly series "The Playboy Club" on Friday evenings this fall.
Thank you for the immediate response. People from Hawaii to Florida and certainly around the Northwest are signing our pledge.
We are asking you to take a stand and pledge not to watch the show should they air the program as scheduled. And if so, you would boycott the advertisers.
If you have not joined us in this effort please do. We need you to stand with us. Click here to join the Pledge. You can click here to read yesterday's blog about the effort.
There is a time to be silent and there is a time to speak. This is a time to speak.
Thanks for standing for what is right. God bless you.
Be Vigilant. Be Discerning. Be Informed. Be Active. Be Prayerful.
:: Click here to add these blogs to your email inbox.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
NBC to Air "Play Boy Club" - Unless...
In followup to yesterday's blog; there has been a growing outcry from the Christian/conservative community regarding NBC's editing of the Pledge of Allegiance. As we expressed yesterday morning, NBC's actions were purposeful, not an oversight, and as we also mentioned, their apology was pathetic.
Now the Media Research Council has released the following statement, which we fully support:
“NBC’s pathetic apology did nothing but compound the offense by refusing to admit what they had done. Either NBC identifies and fires the employee or employees responsible for this act or the network is guilty of deliberately giving aid and comfort to religious bigots.”
The MRC is “urging religious leaders to educate their congregations to NBC’s attack on faith and join us in publicly denouncing the network.”
Beginning this fall, NBC will begin airing "The Playboy Club" at 10 PM/9 Central.
Here's how NBC describes the new weekly series set in 1963:
"The provocative new series captures a time and place that challenged the social mores, where a visionary created an empire, and an icon changed American culture."
Playboy, in the early 1960's, opened the floodgate to public pornography and celebrated the misuse and mistreatment of women in our culture. They indeed did change the culture.
NBC affiliate KSL in Salt Lake City has already notified NBC they refuse to air the show.
Many churches and faith based organizations are discussing how---not whether, they should respond.
Here's what Faith and Freedom is doing.
Faith and Freedom Foundation has made the decision to join a growing coalition of faith based organizations who will be asking NBC to drop the show and not air it. If they do air it we are asking you to pledge not to watch it and we will ask you to boycott the advertisers on the show. If we get to that point, we will give you the list of advertisers.
Please stand with us in this effort. We feel it is very important and a strong and firm response from the Christian community is vital.
Click here to join with us and others.
I am asking NBC to Remove "The Playboy Club" from their fall program line-up. I will not watch it and will boycott the advertisers on the show, should it air.
Now the Media Research Council has released the following statement, which we fully support:
“NBC’s pathetic apology did nothing but compound the offense by refusing to admit what they had done. Either NBC identifies and fires the employee or employees responsible for this act or the network is guilty of deliberately giving aid and comfort to religious bigots.”
The MRC is “urging religious leaders to educate their congregations to NBC’s attack on faith and join us in publicly denouncing the network.”
Beginning this fall, NBC will begin airing "The Playboy Club" at 10 PM/9 Central.
Here's how NBC describes the new weekly series set in 1963:
"The provocative new series captures a time and place that challenged the social mores, where a visionary created an empire, and an icon changed American culture."
Playboy, in the early 1960's, opened the floodgate to public pornography and celebrated the misuse and mistreatment of women in our culture. They indeed did change the culture.
NBC affiliate KSL in Salt Lake City has already notified NBC they refuse to air the show.
Many churches and faith based organizations are discussing how---not whether, they should respond.
Here's what Faith and Freedom is doing.
Faith and Freedom Foundation has made the decision to join a growing coalition of faith based organizations who will be asking NBC to drop the show and not air it. If they do air it we are asking you to pledge not to watch it and we will ask you to boycott the advertisers on the show. If we get to that point, we will give you the list of advertisers.
Please stand with us in this effort. We feel it is very important and a strong and firm response from the Christian community is vital.
Click here to join with us and others.
I am asking NBC to Remove "The Playboy Club" from their fall program line-up. I will not watch it and will boycott the advertisers on the show, should it air.
Monday, June 20, 2011
NBC Edits Out "Under God" and "Indivisible"
To their worldwide audience, NBC cut the words "under God" and "indivisible" from their lead in segment to the U.S. Open yesterday.
Their apology was perhaps more telling than their action.
Here's what happened.
NBC's apology went like this:
“We began our coverage of this final round just about three hours ago and when we did it was our intent to begin the coverage of this U.S. Open Championship with a feature that captured the patriotism of our national championship being held in our nation’s capital for the third time. Regrettably, a portion of the Pledge of Allegiance that was in that feature was edited out. It was not done to upset anyone and we’d like to apologize to those of you who were offended by it.”---H/T SBNation and Christopher McCloskey of NBC.
But it didn't capture the patriotism. Patriotism traditionally includes the idea that our freedoms are granted by God and that we are "one nation, indivisible..." neither of which seemed important to NBC. And is their regret only because they angered some of their viewers who were bold enough to contact them? Not because they attach any particular importance to these components of the Pledge?
I have linked their lead in segment here. I have personally edited thousands of hours of video that was broadcast at the network level. You don't inadvertently omit or include anything. It's all very intentional.
What do you think?
Be Vigilant. Be Discerning. Be Active. Be Prayerful.
:: Click here to add these blogs to your email inbox.
Their apology was perhaps more telling than their action.
Here's what happened.
NBC's apology went like this:
“We began our coverage of this final round just about three hours ago and when we did it was our intent to begin the coverage of this U.S. Open Championship with a feature that captured the patriotism of our national championship being held in our nation’s capital for the third time. Regrettably, a portion of the Pledge of Allegiance that was in that feature was edited out. It was not done to upset anyone and we’d like to apologize to those of you who were offended by it.”---H/T SBNation and Christopher McCloskey of NBC.
But it didn't capture the patriotism. Patriotism traditionally includes the idea that our freedoms are granted by God and that we are "one nation, indivisible..." neither of which seemed important to NBC. And is their regret only because they angered some of their viewers who were bold enough to contact them? Not because they attach any particular importance to these components of the Pledge?
I have linked their lead in segment here. I have personally edited thousands of hours of video that was broadcast at the network level. You don't inadvertently omit or include anything. It's all very intentional.
What do you think?
Be Vigilant. Be Discerning. Be Active. Be Prayerful.
:: Click here to add these blogs to your email inbox.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Congresswoman Equates Islamic Terrorism to Militant Christians
I could have titled this, "The Assisted Suicide of America."
Representative Peter King, R-New York, and now chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee has, since being appointed as chair, begun hearings on homeland security and those who present the greatest danger to our security.
You would think this would be something that lawmakers could kind of agree upon in that the terrorists are respecters of none--they kill Democrats and Republicans.
You would be dead wrong.
King conducted another round of hearings earlier this week in which Representative Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, in anger equated "Christian militants" to Islamic terrorists. The objections to "looking into" or "studying" Islamic Terrorism took on an unbelievable tone.
Jackson Lee compared Verne Jay Merrell, who set off the bombs in Spokane near a newspaper office and an abortion clinic, with organized international Islamic terrorism.
Please know, I do not condone any violence, under any circumstances, by anyone. Not Christians, not Muslims, not Blacks, not whites---nobody. It's wrong and must addressed with justice, as was the case with Merrell.
But shouldn't reasonable people see some difference between a Verne Merrell and organized international Islamic terrorism?
When police professionals from New York and Los Angeles told the lawmakers that young inmates were being radicalized to Islamic terrorism in our prisons and called it an "evolving threat," it is difficult to grasp the response of Rep. Jackson Lee and other liberals.
Here's what they said, what Rep. King said, an article published by Andrew Breitbart on the subject and how we are committing assisted suicide in this country.
When Representative Jackson Lee and her colleagues heard the report from law professionals, they actively argued over the true meaning of "radicalized" and said this discussion was "racist" and they should be focusing on, "Broader issues like--gangs, unfair sentencing practices that target young black men, and other extremists, including white supremacists."
King told them they had chaired this committee for the past four years and had addressed none of those issues.
Hypocrisy.
America is committing assisted suicide, administered by the masters of political correctness.
Look at the progression:
Christmas Tree = Holiday tree. Thomas Jefferson prohibits it. No, the Constitution prohibits it.
Support illegal immigration = Compassion.
Oppose illegal immigration = Racism. Hate.
Defend natural marriage, DOMA = Bigotry. Hate. Intolerance. Extreme. Fundamentalism.
Defend Life and its sanctity = Anti woman. Anti choice. Narrow. Out of touch. Extreme.
Identify Muslim terrorists = Racial profiling. Racism. Intolerance.
And so it goes.
Following an earlier hearing conducted by Rep. King with similar responses, Andrew Brietbart, who published the Planned Parenthood sting videos and most recently broke the Anthony Weiner story, has published, "Move Along, Mullahs Say, Nothing To See Hear".
There are a number of contributors, some Muslims. I have linked the story here. Take a moment and read it.
Be Informed. Be Vigilant. Be Discerning. Be Prayerful.
::Click here to add these blogs to your email inbox.
Representative Peter King, R-New York, and now chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee has, since being appointed as chair, begun hearings on homeland security and those who present the greatest danger to our security.
You would think this would be something that lawmakers could kind of agree upon in that the terrorists are respecters of none--they kill Democrats and Republicans.
You would be dead wrong.
King conducted another round of hearings earlier this week in which Representative Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, in anger equated "Christian militants" to Islamic terrorists. The objections to "looking into" or "studying" Islamic Terrorism took on an unbelievable tone.
Jackson Lee compared Verne Jay Merrell, who set off the bombs in Spokane near a newspaper office and an abortion clinic, with organized international Islamic terrorism.
Please know, I do not condone any violence, under any circumstances, by anyone. Not Christians, not Muslims, not Blacks, not whites---nobody. It's wrong and must addressed with justice, as was the case with Merrell.
But shouldn't reasonable people see some difference between a Verne Merrell and organized international Islamic terrorism?
When police professionals from New York and Los Angeles told the lawmakers that young inmates were being radicalized to Islamic terrorism in our prisons and called it an "evolving threat," it is difficult to grasp the response of Rep. Jackson Lee and other liberals.
Here's what they said, what Rep. King said, an article published by Andrew Breitbart on the subject and how we are committing assisted suicide in this country.
When Representative Jackson Lee and her colleagues heard the report from law professionals, they actively argued over the true meaning of "radicalized" and said this discussion was "racist" and they should be focusing on, "Broader issues like--gangs, unfair sentencing practices that target young black men, and other extremists, including white supremacists."
King told them they had chaired this committee for the past four years and had addressed none of those issues.
Hypocrisy.
America is committing assisted suicide, administered by the masters of political correctness.
Look at the progression:
Christmas Tree = Holiday tree. Thomas Jefferson prohibits it. No, the Constitution prohibits it.
Support illegal immigration = Compassion.
Oppose illegal immigration = Racism. Hate.
Defend natural marriage, DOMA = Bigotry. Hate. Intolerance. Extreme. Fundamentalism.
Defend Life and its sanctity = Anti woman. Anti choice. Narrow. Out of touch. Extreme.
Identify Muslim terrorists = Racial profiling. Racism. Intolerance.
And so it goes.
Following an earlier hearing conducted by Rep. King with similar responses, Andrew Brietbart, who published the Planned Parenthood sting videos and most recently broke the Anthony Weiner story, has published, "Move Along, Mullahs Say, Nothing To See Hear".
There are a number of contributors, some Muslims. I have linked the story here. Take a moment and read it.
Be Informed. Be Vigilant. Be Discerning. Be Prayerful.
::Click here to add these blogs to your email inbox.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Most Free -- Least Free States
Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the most free/least free state of all?
A new study by the Libertarian leaning Mercatus Center at George Mason University has produced a Freedom Ranking for each of the 50 states.
While other such studies have been done they say this is the most comprehensive to date. The rankings are based on public policies affecting individual freedoms, economic, social and personal spheres.
Daniel Rothschild, managing director of state and local policy for the Mercatus Center told the Maryland Reporter, "We hope that this study will spark a broader discussion of what freedom looks like."
This is important. What does freedom look like? How should freedom be defined?
And how "free" is Washington? Oregon? Idaho? Or your state?
A couple of observations:
1. When you click to the study you will see shades of blue on various states that relate to their level of freedom, not necessarily political view although there is a correlation in regard to some, but not all states. Those conducting the study observed, "While bright blue states tend to be more liberal on some things, the majority of them are more "paternalistic."
2. With some exceptions, population trends show people moving away from the "less free" states while "more free" states have seen population growth.
New Hampshire is ranked #1 free state. New York is #50--least free.
Idaho is #4, Oregon #8 most free, while Washington is #40 most free.
You can put together a compendium of any number of things from this study and say "this is freedom," however, I would suggest you keep in mind the Founder's definition and the Christian consensus from which it was drawn, when a passion for freedom birthed the greatest nation in the history of the human race.
Any way you slice it, Washington does not appear to be a leader. Maybe paternalistic.
This is the link to the Mercatus Center study. Read it carefully. Higher education and politicians are giving these findings a high degree of importance and influence regarding our future pursuit and definition of freedom. You should, as well.
Be Informed. Be Vigilant. Be Active. Be discerning. Be Prayerful.
Click here to add these blogs to your email inbox.
A new study by the Libertarian leaning Mercatus Center at George Mason University has produced a Freedom Ranking for each of the 50 states.
While other such studies have been done they say this is the most comprehensive to date. The rankings are based on public policies affecting individual freedoms, economic, social and personal spheres.
Daniel Rothschild, managing director of state and local policy for the Mercatus Center told the Maryland Reporter, "We hope that this study will spark a broader discussion of what freedom looks like."
This is important. What does freedom look like? How should freedom be defined?
And how "free" is Washington? Oregon? Idaho? Or your state?
A couple of observations:
1. When you click to the study you will see shades of blue on various states that relate to their level of freedom, not necessarily political view although there is a correlation in regard to some, but not all states. Those conducting the study observed, "While bright blue states tend to be more liberal on some things, the majority of them are more "paternalistic."
2. With some exceptions, population trends show people moving away from the "less free" states while "more free" states have seen population growth.
New Hampshire is ranked #1 free state. New York is #50--least free.
Idaho is #4, Oregon #8 most free, while Washington is #40 most free.
You can put together a compendium of any number of things from this study and say "this is freedom," however, I would suggest you keep in mind the Founder's definition and the Christian consensus from which it was drawn, when a passion for freedom birthed the greatest nation in the history of the human race.
Any way you slice it, Washington does not appear to be a leader. Maybe paternalistic.
This is the link to the Mercatus Center study. Read it carefully. Higher education and politicians are giving these findings a high degree of importance and influence regarding our future pursuit and definition of freedom. You should, as well.
Be Informed. Be Vigilant. Be Active. Be discerning. Be Prayerful.
Click here to add these blogs to your email inbox.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Public Education: There They Go Again
A mother has been forced to file a complaint with the US Department of Education because her children's middle school conducted an explicit sex survey without the parent's written consent.
Every parent should be aware of this. Here's what happened and how it happened.
Fitchburg Memorial Middle School in Massachusetts says they felt they "passive" parental consent, meaning they sent the consent form home with the kids and if parents didn't object, they gave the 10 and 11-year-old kids the explicit sex survey.
John Whitehead, with the Rutherford Institute says, "What the schools say is that [if] they don't receive the consent note back with the parents saying they can't do it, they go ahead and do it anyway."
Whitehead says, "I think kids will probably on the Internet and see what these things mean, so I think just asking these questions raises some things that children should not be thinking about."
Indoctrination.
He said, "If I ask these same questions in my neighborhood to local kids, the police would be at my door in 30 minutes, suspecting me to be a pedophile."
Indeed they would---and should.
Whitehead says that "presuming" parents have given their tacit permission violates the "Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment".
He is now going to propose a policy that will require the school to obtain written parental consent.
I have met John several times and have interviewed him on television. He is an excellent lawyer, a passionate Christian conservative and devoted father. I think he will be successful with the new policy.
This is a link to the story as it was reported by local media. One might conclude that John Whitehead or even the parent is the problem, not the school, the survey or the lack of parental consent.
The bigger issue, obviously, is that public education has, to a great degree, become a social laboratory for the far left secularist movement.
Parents, I cannot overstate the importance of your vigilance in regard to your child in public schools. I know they are getting out this week for the summer, but those with the agenda never take a break. They will welcome your kids back in September with their arms open.
Be Vigilant. Be Discerning. Be Active. Be Prayerful. Be Blessed.
____________
Gary Randall
President
Click here to add these blogs to your email inbox.
Every parent should be aware of this. Here's what happened and how it happened.
Fitchburg Memorial Middle School in Massachusetts says they felt they "passive" parental consent, meaning they sent the consent form home with the kids and if parents didn't object, they gave the 10 and 11-year-old kids the explicit sex survey.
John Whitehead, with the Rutherford Institute says, "What the schools say is that [if] they don't receive the consent note back with the parents saying they can't do it, they go ahead and do it anyway."
Whitehead says, "I think kids will probably on the Internet and see what these things mean, so I think just asking these questions raises some things that children should not be thinking about."
Indoctrination.
He said, "If I ask these same questions in my neighborhood to local kids, the police would be at my door in 30 minutes, suspecting me to be a pedophile."
Indeed they would---and should.
Whitehead says that "presuming" parents have given their tacit permission violates the "Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment".
He is now going to propose a policy that will require the school to obtain written parental consent.
I have met John several times and have interviewed him on television. He is an excellent lawyer, a passionate Christian conservative and devoted father. I think he will be successful with the new policy.
This is a link to the story as it was reported by local media. One might conclude that John Whitehead or even the parent is the problem, not the school, the survey or the lack of parental consent.
The bigger issue, obviously, is that public education has, to a great degree, become a social laboratory for the far left secularist movement.
Parents, I cannot overstate the importance of your vigilance in regard to your child in public schools. I know they are getting out this week for the summer, but those with the agenda never take a break. They will welcome your kids back in September with their arms open.
Be Vigilant. Be Discerning. Be Active. Be Prayerful. Be Blessed.
____________
Gary Randall
President
Click here to add these blogs to your email inbox.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Compromise Can Be a Deadly Practice
To be or not to be is not a question of compromise. Either you be or you don't be.
--Golda Meir (Israeli Founder and Prime Minister. 1898-1978)
Most of us have heard of the "Hyde Amendment" named for Henry Hyde, the Republican Congressman from Illinois, who served in Congress for 32 years.
Hyde was a strong, uncompromising pro-life lawmaker. His pro-life "Hyde Amendment" has been attached to Congressional spending bills since 1976. He passed away in 2007.
His goal with the "Hyde Amendment"? It was to bar the use of federal funds to pay for abortions.
A change---a compromise, in Henry Hyde's amendment in 1977, has now become a stumbling block for pro-life legislators seeking to bar state spending on abortions. Reuters says if Hyde knew, he would "turn over in his grave."
It all happened with a little compromise allowed by pro-life advocates. A little so-called "fairness" a little "bi-partisanship" on an absolute principle--the sanctity of life.
You've read what the "little foxes do to the vines," well, here's what has happened.
In 1977, pro-life advocates allowed a slight change to Hyde's Amendment. They agreed to allow exceptions on funding for pregnancies that result from rape and incest.
Keith Mason, founder and president of Personhood USA, told the press that in a strange twist of fate, the "Hyde Amendment" ---whose purpose was to deny federal funding of abortion, has now become a stumbling block in efforts to stop state funding of abortions altogether.
He said, "A compromise in legislation that was part of the pro-life movement is the very hurdle that we have to overcome."
Pro-life leaders and state legislators are dealing with this issue.
For example, Louisiana State Representative John La Bruzzo, who sponsored a bill in his state to eliminate funding for abortion said, "The Hyde Amendment, or rather the exception to the Amendment, is our primary obstacle right now."
The Louisiana law, that has been de-railed for the moment, would have been a direct challenge to Roe v. Wade.
I have linked the story above. Note the bias on the part of "news" provider Reuters.
Also note where compromise takes us on absolute truth and principles.
Bi-partisanship is not the equivalent of patriotism, nor is compromise a Christian virtue when it is dealing with the sanctity of life.
There may have been a time in a far away place, when the political parties were not that far apart. This is not that day. A call for "bi-partisanship" from the far left is, in reality, a call for compromise on the part of people of faith and conservatives.
It has been said, "Peace won by the compromise of principles is a short-lived achievement."
I would say it again.
Be Vigilant. Be Firm. Be Certain. Be Discerning. Be Active. Be Prayerful. Be Blessed.
______________
Gary Randall
President
Faith and Freedom
Click here to add these blogs to your email inbox.
--Golda Meir (Israeli Founder and Prime Minister. 1898-1978)
Most of us have heard of the "Hyde Amendment" named for Henry Hyde, the Republican Congressman from Illinois, who served in Congress for 32 years.
Hyde was a strong, uncompromising pro-life lawmaker. His pro-life "Hyde Amendment" has been attached to Congressional spending bills since 1976. He passed away in 2007.
His goal with the "Hyde Amendment"? It was to bar the use of federal funds to pay for abortions.
A change---a compromise, in Henry Hyde's amendment in 1977, has now become a stumbling block for pro-life legislators seeking to bar state spending on abortions. Reuters says if Hyde knew, he would "turn over in his grave."
It all happened with a little compromise allowed by pro-life advocates. A little so-called "fairness" a little "bi-partisanship" on an absolute principle--the sanctity of life.
You've read what the "little foxes do to the vines," well, here's what has happened.
In 1977, pro-life advocates allowed a slight change to Hyde's Amendment. They agreed to allow exceptions on funding for pregnancies that result from rape and incest.
Keith Mason, founder and president of Personhood USA, told the press that in a strange twist of fate, the "Hyde Amendment" ---whose purpose was to deny federal funding of abortion, has now become a stumbling block in efforts to stop state funding of abortions altogether.
He said, "A compromise in legislation that was part of the pro-life movement is the very hurdle that we have to overcome."
Pro-life leaders and state legislators are dealing with this issue.
For example, Louisiana State Representative John La Bruzzo, who sponsored a bill in his state to eliminate funding for abortion said, "The Hyde Amendment, or rather the exception to the Amendment, is our primary obstacle right now."
The Louisiana law, that has been de-railed for the moment, would have been a direct challenge to Roe v. Wade.
I have linked the story above. Note the bias on the part of "news" provider Reuters.
Also note where compromise takes us on absolute truth and principles.
Bi-partisanship is not the equivalent of patriotism, nor is compromise a Christian virtue when it is dealing with the sanctity of life.
There may have been a time in a far away place, when the political parties were not that far apart. This is not that day. A call for "bi-partisanship" from the far left is, in reality, a call for compromise on the part of people of faith and conservatives.
It has been said, "Peace won by the compromise of principles is a short-lived achievement."
I would say it again.
Be Vigilant. Be Firm. Be Certain. Be Discerning. Be Active. Be Prayerful. Be Blessed.
______________
Gary Randall
President
Faith and Freedom
Click here to add these blogs to your email inbox.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Palin and a Pathological Press
(păth'ə-lŏj'ĭ-kəl) pronunciation also path·o·log·ic (-ĭk)
adj.
Of, relating to, or manifesting behavior that is habitual, maladaptive, and compulsive: a pathological liar. pathologically path'o·log'i·cal·ly adv.
______________
June 8: POLITICO published the headline: "Stars Collide: Bachmann vs. Palin"
June 8: Yahoo jumped on board, along with hundreds of secondary newspapers across the country, running their version of "truth", "Bachmann vs. Palin: Does the 'Cat fight' Narrative Help Anyone?"
June 10: "POLITICO Admits Error In Attributing Bachmann Criticism To Palin." Link.
POLITICO said on, June 8, that Palin made the following disparaging statement about Michele Bachmann regarding the conservative movement: "I built the constituency, not Bachmann, not anyone else."
And their lie took off. Palin didn't say that and called them on it and they were forced to admit an "error".
I have linked the above stories. You can read the details. It's bizarre, but unfortunately, not uncommon.
There is a much bigger issue at play and over the next 18-months leading up to the next presidential election, the press will be compulsive in advancing an agenda that many do not embrace, that is often misleading and sometimes untruthful in their commitment to re-make America.
One of their own unknowingly defined the press in America in his scathing book on corporate greed. Here's why they are pathological.
In 2004, Joel Bakin wrote and Simon & Schuster published, "The Pathological Pursuit of Profit and Power."
The book identified the greed that had brought down Enron, Worldcom and other corporations, advancing the premise that corporations are by nature dangerous and harmful.
The press loved the book, promoting and quoting it often.
Bakin wrote that a corporation, "Any corporation, is a unique structure and set of imperatives that direct the actions of people within it."
He also wrote and was quoted in a number of op-ed columns, "The corporation's legal mandate is to pursue, relentlessly, and without exception, its own self interest, regardless of the often harmful consequences it might cause others."
Concluding he wrote, "As a result, I argue, the corporation is a pathological institution, a dangerous possessor of great power it wields over people and societies."
Well now, news organizations are certainly "corporations" and while initially created to be profitable---I'm thinking of Randolph Hearst and others who made their fortunes in the news business, they have now shifted their focus.
Over time, the pathology has changed. Once profit driven organizations, guided by successfully serving their constituents with dependable news, these behemoths have become driven by ideology, not profit. They are now willing to advance their cultural agenda at the expense of the company they work for, resulting in the decline of readership, shrinkage of advertising revenue and corporate collapse for many of them. We have all read the stories of failed newspapers over the past few years. Blame it on the Internet if you like, but its ideology, not technology that in the end, is killing these folks.
And it will continue.
They are obsessive and compulsive about the re-making of America. Re-read Bakin's words with the press in mind and substitute the goal of "profit" with the goal of "ideology".
When called out, they retract or apologize, otherwise, they let their words stand and they call it "news".
Who is more corrupt? Who is administering the greater damage?--- Relentlessly, powerfully and without exception?
Be Vigilant. Be Discerning--- Very Discerning. Be Informed. Be Prayerful. Be Free.
______________
Gary Randall
President
Faith and Freedom
Click here to add these blogs to your email inbox.
adj.
Of, relating to, or manifesting behavior that is habitual, maladaptive, and compulsive: a pathological liar. pathologically path'o·log'i·cal·ly adv.
______________
June 8: POLITICO published the headline: "Stars Collide: Bachmann vs. Palin"
June 8: Yahoo jumped on board, along with hundreds of secondary newspapers across the country, running their version of "truth", "Bachmann vs. Palin: Does the 'Cat fight' Narrative Help Anyone?"
June 10: "POLITICO Admits Error In Attributing Bachmann Criticism To Palin." Link.
POLITICO said on, June 8, that Palin made the following disparaging statement about Michele Bachmann regarding the conservative movement: "I built the constituency, not Bachmann, not anyone else."
And their lie took off. Palin didn't say that and called them on it and they were forced to admit an "error".
I have linked the above stories. You can read the details. It's bizarre, but unfortunately, not uncommon.
There is a much bigger issue at play and over the next 18-months leading up to the next presidential election, the press will be compulsive in advancing an agenda that many do not embrace, that is often misleading and sometimes untruthful in their commitment to re-make America.
One of their own unknowingly defined the press in America in his scathing book on corporate greed. Here's why they are pathological.
In 2004, Joel Bakin wrote and Simon & Schuster published, "The Pathological Pursuit of Profit and Power."
The book identified the greed that had brought down Enron, Worldcom and other corporations, advancing the premise that corporations are by nature dangerous and harmful.
The press loved the book, promoting and quoting it often.
Bakin wrote that a corporation, "Any corporation, is a unique structure and set of imperatives that direct the actions of people within it."
He also wrote and was quoted in a number of op-ed columns, "The corporation's legal mandate is to pursue, relentlessly, and without exception, its own self interest, regardless of the often harmful consequences it might cause others."
Concluding he wrote, "As a result, I argue, the corporation is a pathological institution, a dangerous possessor of great power it wields over people and societies."
Well now, news organizations are certainly "corporations" and while initially created to be profitable---I'm thinking of Randolph Hearst and others who made their fortunes in the news business, they have now shifted their focus.
Over time, the pathology has changed. Once profit driven organizations, guided by successfully serving their constituents with dependable news, these behemoths have become driven by ideology, not profit. They are now willing to advance their cultural agenda at the expense of the company they work for, resulting in the decline of readership, shrinkage of advertising revenue and corporate collapse for many of them. We have all read the stories of failed newspapers over the past few years. Blame it on the Internet if you like, but its ideology, not technology that in the end, is killing these folks.
And it will continue.
They are obsessive and compulsive about the re-making of America. Re-read Bakin's words with the press in mind and substitute the goal of "profit" with the goal of "ideology".
When called out, they retract or apologize, otherwise, they let their words stand and they call it "news".
Who is more corrupt? Who is administering the greater damage?--- Relentlessly, powerfully and without exception?
Be Vigilant. Be Discerning--- Very Discerning. Be Informed. Be Prayerful. Be Free.
______________
Gary Randall
President
Faith and Freedom
Click here to add these blogs to your email inbox.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Hope Isn't Floating--it is Sinking
Americans are now less convinced than they have been at any time during the Obama presidency, that it is still possible for anyone in this country to work their way out of poverty.
Here's the numbers. And we would like to know what our readers think. Please weigh in on our survey.
In early March 2009, as President Bush left office, 56% said it was possible for anyone to work their way out of poverty, and that was following years of negative press toward the President and his policies on nearly every front.
Barack Obama ran on "Hope" and "Change" and little else. The press swooned and the public wept and sang, and continue to do so, but now things have changed, and not as promised.
Now only 44% believe it's possible to work your way out of poverty, 38% say they still think its possible, but 18% are not sure.
I have linked the Rasmussen Survey here.
I would like to know how you feel, if America continues with the same policies in place.
Click here to cast your vote.
______________
Gary Randall
President
Faith and Freedom
Add these blogs to your email inbox.
Here's the numbers. And we would like to know what our readers think. Please weigh in on our survey.
In early March 2009, as President Bush left office, 56% said it was possible for anyone to work their way out of poverty, and that was following years of negative press toward the President and his policies on nearly every front.
Barack Obama ran on "Hope" and "Change" and little else. The press swooned and the public wept and sang, and continue to do so, but now things have changed, and not as promised.
Now only 44% believe it's possible to work your way out of poverty, 38% say they still think its possible, but 18% are not sure.
I have linked the Rasmussen Survey here.
I would like to know how you feel, if America continues with the same policies in place.
Click here to cast your vote.
______________
Gary Randall
President
Faith and Freedom
Add these blogs to your email inbox.
Thursday, June 09, 2011
No More Churches in School Buildings
A federal appeals court has ruled that a city can block religious groups---particularly Christian churches from renting and using public school buildings for worship services outside regular school hours, such as weekend days.
_____________
But first, an update on the first ever LGBT government sponsored "Summit" in DC.
Government officials would not let reporters or cameras into the breakout sessions this week.
Also, Education Secretary Arne Duncan, reminded those in attendance that he "supported the first charter school for LGBT students in Chicago." And he announced that in July (next month) the "Department of Education will be holding the first 'training' session for promoting college completion for LGBT students." I have linked that story here.
_____________
This has provided much needed revenue for school districts, while meeting a need in the community. Now New York City can block churches from renting the facilities.
There are those among us who continue to beat the drum, demanding that all religious vestige be expelled from the public fabric of a country founded on Christian principles.
God Help Us.
___________
Gary Randall
President
Click here to add these blogs to your email inbox.
_____________
But first, an update on the first ever LGBT government sponsored "Summit" in DC.
Government officials would not let reporters or cameras into the breakout sessions this week.
Also, Education Secretary Arne Duncan, reminded those in attendance that he "supported the first charter school for LGBT students in Chicago." And he announced that in July (next month) the "Department of Education will be holding the first 'training' session for promoting college completion for LGBT students." I have linked that story here.
_____________
This has provided much needed revenue for school districts, while meeting a need in the community. Now New York City can block churches from renting the facilities.
There are those among us who continue to beat the drum, demanding that all religious vestige be expelled from the public fabric of a country founded on Christian principles.
God Help Us.
___________
Gary Randall
President
Click here to add these blogs to your email inbox.
Wednesday, June 08, 2011
"Your Federal Government Has Come Out of the Closet"
The Obama Administration is holding a youth camp---a "summit," underwritten and supported by the federal government; for lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender youth (LGBT).
Pam Hyde, HHS administrator for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services and a lesbian said, "Your federal government has finally come out of the closet in support of LGBT youth."
All kids need to be loved, supported and helped.
Are other behavioral groups of kids being elevated and given similar emphasis?
Kathleen Sebelius, Health and Human Services Secretary, told the first ever Federal LGBT Youth Summit, "I want to tell you, you have a friend in this administration."
And kids involved in homosexual behavior need a friend, because they are more likely to experience depression, have thoughts of suicide, have emotional problems or abuse drugs or alcohol, than those kids not involved in that behavior.
Ms. Sebeilus confirmed their heightened difficulties, but told the kids the problems they were encountering was a result of "what is happening to you" in the culture.
Is this the proper path to helping these kids? Can the blind lead the blind without falling into a ditch? Jesus said they could not.
Participants of the "Summit" included; The American Federation of Teachers, the National Education Association, Human Rights Campaign, and other similar organizations.
Perhaps the most defining image of the conference and the confusion it advanced and is enabling was captured in a photograph and message of "MAX" by Rachelle Lee Smith, invited to the "Summit" by Kevin Jennings, the President's Safe School czar, who is leaving his post this month.
Here's the story of "MAX". It breaks my heart.
Rachelle's portrait of "MAX" is featured in the story linked above.
"MAX" says, "In high school I dated boys--I was a straight girl. After starting college I identified as a card carrying dyke. Soon I realized that what I was feeling wasn't sexual orientation, it was about gender. I came out as a guy the summer of '99. Now I live as a gay man---a punk rock queer boy who happens to also be in love with a girl. Who knows? Maybe next year I'll grow a tail."
Kids need love and acceptance and guidance. We all do. We all face challenges, but if someone has a proclivity toward alcohol, should we celebrate alcoholism?
Personally, I think our government should go back into the closet and spend some serious time in prayer. These kids need help, not people who merely enable them.
God help us.
________________
Gary Randall
President
Click here to add these blogs to your email inbox.
Pam Hyde, HHS administrator for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services and a lesbian said, "Your federal government has finally come out of the closet in support of LGBT youth."
All kids need to be loved, supported and helped.
Are other behavioral groups of kids being elevated and given similar emphasis?
Kathleen Sebelius, Health and Human Services Secretary, told the first ever Federal LGBT Youth Summit, "I want to tell you, you have a friend in this administration."
And kids involved in homosexual behavior need a friend, because they are more likely to experience depression, have thoughts of suicide, have emotional problems or abuse drugs or alcohol, than those kids not involved in that behavior.
Ms. Sebeilus confirmed their heightened difficulties, but told the kids the problems they were encountering was a result of "what is happening to you" in the culture.
Is this the proper path to helping these kids? Can the blind lead the blind without falling into a ditch? Jesus said they could not.
Participants of the "Summit" included; The American Federation of Teachers, the National Education Association, Human Rights Campaign, and other similar organizations.
Perhaps the most defining image of the conference and the confusion it advanced and is enabling was captured in a photograph and message of "MAX" by Rachelle Lee Smith, invited to the "Summit" by Kevin Jennings, the President's Safe School czar, who is leaving his post this month.
Here's the story of "MAX". It breaks my heart.
Rachelle's portrait of "MAX" is featured in the story linked above.
"MAX" says, "In high school I dated boys--I was a straight girl. After starting college I identified as a card carrying dyke. Soon I realized that what I was feeling wasn't sexual orientation, it was about gender. I came out as a guy the summer of '99. Now I live as a gay man---a punk rock queer boy who happens to also be in love with a girl. Who knows? Maybe next year I'll grow a tail."
Kids need love and acceptance and guidance. We all do. We all face challenges, but if someone has a proclivity toward alcohol, should we celebrate alcoholism?
Personally, I think our government should go back into the closet and spend some serious time in prayer. These kids need help, not people who merely enable them.
God help us.
________________
Gary Randall
President
Click here to add these blogs to your email inbox.
Tuesday, June 07, 2011
Adam Gadahn: Christianity, Music And Terrorism
Adam Gadahn, a homegrown Muslim terrorist and spokesman for al Qaeda, released another video on the Internet this past Friday, calling on Muslims living in America to carry out deadly one-man terrorist acts against Americans.
ABC News reported that Gadahn's video, called "Do Not Rely On Others, Take The Task Upon Yourself," was interspersed with messages from himself, other terrorists and even some older messages from Osama bin Laden.
He urged Muslims to pursue attacks on Americans with whatever means available and not to worry about being captured because many who have been, are "Now back home with their families or back on the front lines, fighting the enemy."
ABC says he is currently considered al Qaeda's leading media voice.
Back in November, 2004, to their credit, ABC identified "Azzam the American," a known terrorist, as Adam Gadahn.
But who is Adam Gadahn and what is his background? And did you know he was born here in the Northwest?
Christianity, Music, Islam---and terrorism: An American Tragedy.
Adam Gadahn was born in Oregon, September 1, 1978. He was born Adam Pearlman, son of 1970's psychedelic rocker, Phil Pearlman.
Phil was fairly well known in LA during the 70's. I was in the church in North Hollywood and was aware of him. He was deeply involved in the counter culture movement at U.C. Irvine and among other things released probably his most successful album titled, "Relatively Clean Rivers" in which he dreamed that Arabs and Jews would get together and "melt their weapons into sprinklers, tractors and hoes."
Phil's father, Adam's paternal grandfather, Dr. Carl Pearlman, was a prominent urologist in LA and served on the Board of Directors of The Anti-Defamation League. He, of course, was Jewish.
Adam's paternal grandmother, Agnes Branch Pearlman, was a Christian, an editor of a genealogical publication and a philanthropist.
Prior to Adam's birth, his parents Phil and Jennifer became Christians as a result of Phil picking up a Bible someone had left behind on the beach.
After Adam's birth, the Pearlman's changed their name to "Gadahn" after the biblical warrior Gideon.
Again living in California, most of Adam's growing up was on a 40-acre farm outside LA. They lived very close to the earth---very basic, even for a time living without electricity or running water.
During these growing up years Adam became involved, deeply involved, in "death metal" music, contacting musicians and fans alike---immersing himself in its culture. Death metal is perverse, with groups such as Obituary, Morbid Angel, Deicide, Possessed and worse. I would not print most of their lyrics.
In 1993, Adam formed his own one-man band, calling it "Aphasia" and began contributing to the Death Metal magazine "Xenocide".
In 1995, he moved in with his grandparents in Santa Anna, rejected Christianity, and began studying in a mosque in Orange County and later that year converted to Sunni Islam.
He later told the New Yorker (2007) that his music had caused him to be "estranged from his family" and expressed regret.
Upon becoming a Muslim, he denounced the death metal music.
His Imam, Muzammil Siddigi, later said, "I never thought he would go to that level." Yet Siddiqi advocates the conversion of America to Islam through "gradual change" and gradual implementation of Islam's Shariah Law.
There's more in this saga, but you can see how this tragedy unfolded in one kid's life. It gives us much to think about. Particularly we Christians.
Although he denounced the music, many who have studied his conversion feel the music played a very important role in what he became.
A personal Experience:
Our church in North Hollywood had a number of parking lots because it had a large congregation. I usually parked in the lot across Burbank Blvd. from the main entrance to the church building.
I pulled into my spot on a Monday morning and noticed two legs with jeans and sandals sticking out from under the shrubs alongside the lot. At first I thought some one had merely fallen or had been drinking or doing drugs and had passed out. A closer look revealed that the person was a teenager and appeared to be dead.
The North Hollywood police confirmed that the young man was probably a teenager and was dead. The only identification found on the body was a tape (this was before CD's) of the music group Black Sabbath and a piece of notebook paper with the question scrawled on it, "Who am I?" about a dozen times.
Forensics were not then what they are today. Two weeks later, the police were still unable to identify the teenager. When I called, they simply referred to him as the "Black Sabbath" kid.
I never knew who he was---and neither did he.
Music and entertainment in general is defining our culture in ways that are destructive. Parents must be aware of what and to whom their kids are listening.
Kids ask the question "who am I?" in a thousand different ways, searching for meaning in their lives. There is one right answer. "You are a human being created by a God who loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. And to know the Bible is to know the plan and the God who gave it."
Parents, please ... Be Diligent. Be Vigilant. Be Discerning. Be Engaged.
____________
Gary Randall
President
Click here to add these blogs to your email inbox.
ABC News reported that Gadahn's video, called "Do Not Rely On Others, Take The Task Upon Yourself," was interspersed with messages from himself, other terrorists and even some older messages from Osama bin Laden.
He urged Muslims to pursue attacks on Americans with whatever means available and not to worry about being captured because many who have been, are "Now back home with their families or back on the front lines, fighting the enemy."
ABC says he is currently considered al Qaeda's leading media voice.
Back in November, 2004, to their credit, ABC identified "Azzam the American," a known terrorist, as Adam Gadahn.
But who is Adam Gadahn and what is his background? And did you know he was born here in the Northwest?
Christianity, Music, Islam---and terrorism: An American Tragedy.
Adam Gadahn was born in Oregon, September 1, 1978. He was born Adam Pearlman, son of 1970's psychedelic rocker, Phil Pearlman.
Phil was fairly well known in LA during the 70's. I was in the church in North Hollywood and was aware of him. He was deeply involved in the counter culture movement at U.C. Irvine and among other things released probably his most successful album titled, "Relatively Clean Rivers" in which he dreamed that Arabs and Jews would get together and "melt their weapons into sprinklers, tractors and hoes."
Phil's father, Adam's paternal grandfather, Dr. Carl Pearlman, was a prominent urologist in LA and served on the Board of Directors of The Anti-Defamation League. He, of course, was Jewish.
Adam's paternal grandmother, Agnes Branch Pearlman, was a Christian, an editor of a genealogical publication and a philanthropist.
Prior to Adam's birth, his parents Phil and Jennifer became Christians as a result of Phil picking up a Bible someone had left behind on the beach.
After Adam's birth, the Pearlman's changed their name to "Gadahn" after the biblical warrior Gideon.
Again living in California, most of Adam's growing up was on a 40-acre farm outside LA. They lived very close to the earth---very basic, even for a time living without electricity or running water.
During these growing up years Adam became involved, deeply involved, in "death metal" music, contacting musicians and fans alike---immersing himself in its culture. Death metal is perverse, with groups such as Obituary, Morbid Angel, Deicide, Possessed and worse. I would not print most of their lyrics.
In 1993, Adam formed his own one-man band, calling it "Aphasia" and began contributing to the Death Metal magazine "Xenocide".
In 1995, he moved in with his grandparents in Santa Anna, rejected Christianity, and began studying in a mosque in Orange County and later that year converted to Sunni Islam.
He later told the New Yorker (2007) that his music had caused him to be "estranged from his family" and expressed regret.
Upon becoming a Muslim, he denounced the death metal music.
His Imam, Muzammil Siddigi, later said, "I never thought he would go to that level." Yet Siddiqi advocates the conversion of America to Islam through "gradual change" and gradual implementation of Islam's Shariah Law.
There's more in this saga, but you can see how this tragedy unfolded in one kid's life. It gives us much to think about. Particularly we Christians.
Although he denounced the music, many who have studied his conversion feel the music played a very important role in what he became.
A personal Experience:
Our church in North Hollywood had a number of parking lots because it had a large congregation. I usually parked in the lot across Burbank Blvd. from the main entrance to the church building.
I pulled into my spot on a Monday morning and noticed two legs with jeans and sandals sticking out from under the shrubs alongside the lot. At first I thought some one had merely fallen or had been drinking or doing drugs and had passed out. A closer look revealed that the person was a teenager and appeared to be dead.
The North Hollywood police confirmed that the young man was probably a teenager and was dead. The only identification found on the body was a tape (this was before CD's) of the music group Black Sabbath and a piece of notebook paper with the question scrawled on it, "Who am I?" about a dozen times.
Forensics were not then what they are today. Two weeks later, the police were still unable to identify the teenager. When I called, they simply referred to him as the "Black Sabbath" kid.
I never knew who he was---and neither did he.
Music and entertainment in general is defining our culture in ways that are destructive. Parents must be aware of what and to whom their kids are listening.
Kids ask the question "who am I?" in a thousand different ways, searching for meaning in their lives. There is one right answer. "You are a human being created by a God who loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. And to know the Bible is to know the plan and the God who gave it."
Parents, please ... Be Diligent. Be Vigilant. Be Discerning. Be Engaged.
____________
Gary Randall
President
Click here to add these blogs to your email inbox.
Monday, June 06, 2011
Secular Atheism Loses One
Christa and Danny Schultz said their son would "suffer irreparable harm" if anyone prayed at their son's graduation ceremony.
Their lawyer said the whole idea of someone praying to God, "caused him a great deal of anxiety."
Anxiety and Irreparable harm.
Thursday, June 2:
Supported by Americans United for Separation of Church and State, the Schultz's got their case before Chief US District Judge Fred Biery, who immediately ordered Medina Valley School District not to pray at their graduation ceremony. In the spirit of the moment federal judge Fred also said they could not use "specific religious words" like "prayer" and "Amen." Judge Fred also banned kids or faculty from saying phrases like, "join in prayer" or "bow your heads," "Amen" and the word "prayer."
The federal judge said the school had to remove the terms "invocation" and "benediction" from the graduation program and use "opening remarks" and "closing remarks" ---and he said, you can't say "in a deity's name we pray."
So what if the kids did it anyway?
Federal Judge Fred said his ruling would be "enforced by incarceration or other sanctions for contempt of court if not obeyed by District official (sic) and their agents."
Judicial activism.
Rev. Barry Linn, with Americans United for Separation of Church and State and an advocate for the ruling, hailed the Judge's decision---"Way to go Fred," he said.
However, never underestimate what a single day can bring.
Friday, June 3:
Parents and citizens reacted as Texans sometimes do. There was public outcry. Texas Attorney General, Steve Abbott, said the ruling was unconstitutional, a blatant attack from those who do not believe in God---"attempts by atheists and agnostics to use courts to eliminate from the public landscape any and all references to God whatsoever."
A/G Gregg Abbott told the press, "It's an ongoing attempt to purge God from the public setting, while at the same time demanding from the courts an increased yielding to all things atheist and agnostic."
I cannot imagine Attorney General Rob McKenna taking time away from his crusade to hand the names of petition signers of R-71 over to homosexual activists, to defend anything even close to this. Can you?
The 5th US Circuit Court agreed with A/G Abbott and said "No" to Judge Fred on Friday afternoon.
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, expressed gratitude that the initial ban had been denounced and said Judge Fred gave, "exactly the wrong civics lesson to the class of 2011."
Indeed.
This issue once again highlights how a small minority are attempting to steal the culture.
A/G Abbott said, "It seems like a trampling of the First Amendment rather than protecting the First Amendment."
You have heard the illustration: "Put a frog in a kettle and slowly increase the heat and the frog, feeling comfortable, finally boils to death."
I would add: If they turn up the heat too quickly, the frog will jump out of the kettle and turn off the fire.
Anti Christian activists, homosexual activists and abortion activists have become rather satisfied with some of their wins in recent years and with that satisfaction and their champion in the White House, have embraced a false sense that the public is either intimidated to silence or have accepted their message.
That may not be true. I pray so. There may be an awaking that will not be silent and will not be intimidated regarding biblical, common sense values in the American culture. There may be frogs that are jumping out of the kettle as we speak.
America is the greatest nation in the history of the human race and was built on these very Judeo-Christian values. There are more than a thousand reasons why we should not abandon those values at a time when we need them most.
Be Vocal. Be Vigilant. Be Discerning. Be prayerful. Be Active. Be Blessed.
_________________
Gary Randall
President
Faith and Freedom
Click here to add these blogs to your email inbox.
Their lawyer said the whole idea of someone praying to God, "caused him a great deal of anxiety."
Anxiety and Irreparable harm.
Thursday, June 2:
Supported by Americans United for Separation of Church and State, the Schultz's got their case before Chief US District Judge Fred Biery, who immediately ordered Medina Valley School District not to pray at their graduation ceremony. In the spirit of the moment federal judge Fred also said they could not use "specific religious words" like "prayer" and "Amen." Judge Fred also banned kids or faculty from saying phrases like, "join in prayer" or "bow your heads," "Amen" and the word "prayer."
The federal judge said the school had to remove the terms "invocation" and "benediction" from the graduation program and use "opening remarks" and "closing remarks" ---and he said, you can't say "in a deity's name we pray."
So what if the kids did it anyway?
Federal Judge Fred said his ruling would be "enforced by incarceration or other sanctions for contempt of court if not obeyed by District official (sic) and their agents."
Judicial activism.
Rev. Barry Linn, with Americans United for Separation of Church and State and an advocate for the ruling, hailed the Judge's decision---"Way to go Fred," he said.
However, never underestimate what a single day can bring.
Friday, June 3:
Parents and citizens reacted as Texans sometimes do. There was public outcry. Texas Attorney General, Steve Abbott, said the ruling was unconstitutional, a blatant attack from those who do not believe in God---"attempts by atheists and agnostics to use courts to eliminate from the public landscape any and all references to God whatsoever."
A/G Gregg Abbott told the press, "It's an ongoing attempt to purge God from the public setting, while at the same time demanding from the courts an increased yielding to all things atheist and agnostic."
I cannot imagine Attorney General Rob McKenna taking time away from his crusade to hand the names of petition signers of R-71 over to homosexual activists, to defend anything even close to this. Can you?
The 5th US Circuit Court agreed with A/G Abbott and said "No" to Judge Fred on Friday afternoon.
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, expressed gratitude that the initial ban had been denounced and said Judge Fred gave, "exactly the wrong civics lesson to the class of 2011."
Indeed.
This issue once again highlights how a small minority are attempting to steal the culture.
A/G Abbott said, "It seems like a trampling of the First Amendment rather than protecting the First Amendment."
You have heard the illustration: "Put a frog in a kettle and slowly increase the heat and the frog, feeling comfortable, finally boils to death."
I would add: If they turn up the heat too quickly, the frog will jump out of the kettle and turn off the fire.
Anti Christian activists, homosexual activists and abortion activists have become rather satisfied with some of their wins in recent years and with that satisfaction and their champion in the White House, have embraced a false sense that the public is either intimidated to silence or have accepted their message.
That may not be true. I pray so. There may be an awaking that will not be silent and will not be intimidated regarding biblical, common sense values in the American culture. There may be frogs that are jumping out of the kettle as we speak.
America is the greatest nation in the history of the human race and was built on these very Judeo-Christian values. There are more than a thousand reasons why we should not abandon those values at a time when we need them most.
Be Vocal. Be Vigilant. Be Discerning. Be prayerful. Be Active. Be Blessed.
_________________
Gary Randall
President
Faith and Freedom
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Friday, June 03, 2011
Sen. Mitch McConnell--No Comment On Gay Marriages in Military
No comment?
But Senator Mitch McConnell (R-Ky) is Minority Leader in the Senate. The highest ranking Republican in the Senate.
He says he supports the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), but "hasn't given any thought" as to whether it should apply to the US Military across the board.
"Hasn't given any thought?"
You will recall several weeks ago the Office of the Chief of Navy Chaplains announced that homosexual Navy personnel could begin getting "married" in Navy chapels and that Navy chaplains could perform the ceremonies.
Public outcry. CNSNEWS broke the story and people like us started talking and writing about it and House Armed Services Committee Chairman, Todd Akin (R-Mo), immediately introduced an amendment to the Defense authorization bill blocking the Chief's order.
Within a day, the Navy Chaplin's Office reversed itself saying the order was, "suspended until further notice."
It's important that the most powerful Republican in the Senate "hasn't even thought about it," yet.
CNSNEWS followed up with the Senator this week. What they discovered is not encouraging.
The House Defense authorization must now be reconciled with a Senate version and then voted upon by the Senate, which will likely happen within the next couple of weeks.
Sen. McConnell is the most powerful Republican in the Senate, here's the conversation.
CNSNEWS asked Sen. McConnell personally, "Do you believe the federal law, the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) should apply to the US Military across the board?"
McConnell: "I support the Defense of Marriage Act. I haven't given any thought, frankly, to the question you asked, and, therefore I think I'll probably not respond."
No Thought. No response.
CNSNEWS to McConnell's press this past Tuesday, by email, regarding Rep. Akin's amendment: "Does Senator McConnell agree with that amendment?"
McConnell's office: "Sen. McConnell was asked about the House DOD bill at his press conference this past Friday, to which he said he supported DOMA, he also said he hasn't had a chance to look at the details of the House-passed bill...I don't have anything beyond what he said on Friday, but feel free to stay in touch on this."
Alliance Defense Fund is preparing to sue the federal government for the protection of religious freedom if the Senate does not pass the bill with the provision.
Conservative Christians are looking for leadership not only on fiscal issues, but social issues that are very important to millions of us. This does not look like leadership.
Unless Senator McConnell puts actions to what he says he believes, many will not hear what he believes as clearly as they will see what he believes by what he does.
Perhaps the Senator should give that some thought and those in his office who read this might pass it along.
Ronald Reagan once said, "Our people look to us for leadership and nobody can provide it if we don't. But we won't be very effective leaders unless we can rise above the bureaucracies and give our governments a strong push in the right direction."
Senator McConnell, this is a time to rise and push in the right direction.
Be Vigilant. Be Discerning. Be Active. Be Prayerful.
_____________
Gary Randall
President
Faith and Freedom
Click here to add these blogs to your email inbox.
But Senator Mitch McConnell (R-Ky) is Minority Leader in the Senate. The highest ranking Republican in the Senate.
He says he supports the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), but "hasn't given any thought" as to whether it should apply to the US Military across the board.
"Hasn't given any thought?"
You will recall several weeks ago the Office of the Chief of Navy Chaplains announced that homosexual Navy personnel could begin getting "married" in Navy chapels and that Navy chaplains could perform the ceremonies.
Public outcry. CNSNEWS broke the story and people like us started talking and writing about it and House Armed Services Committee Chairman, Todd Akin (R-Mo), immediately introduced an amendment to the Defense authorization bill blocking the Chief's order.
Within a day, the Navy Chaplin's Office reversed itself saying the order was, "suspended until further notice."
It's important that the most powerful Republican in the Senate "hasn't even thought about it," yet.
CNSNEWS followed up with the Senator this week. What they discovered is not encouraging.
The House Defense authorization must now be reconciled with a Senate version and then voted upon by the Senate, which will likely happen within the next couple of weeks.
Sen. McConnell is the most powerful Republican in the Senate, here's the conversation.
CNSNEWS asked Sen. McConnell personally, "Do you believe the federal law, the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) should apply to the US Military across the board?"
McConnell: "I support the Defense of Marriage Act. I haven't given any thought, frankly, to the question you asked, and, therefore I think I'll probably not respond."
No Thought. No response.
CNSNEWS to McConnell's press this past Tuesday, by email, regarding Rep. Akin's amendment: "Does Senator McConnell agree with that amendment?"
McConnell's office: "Sen. McConnell was asked about the House DOD bill at his press conference this past Friday, to which he said he supported DOMA, he also said he hasn't had a chance to look at the details of the House-passed bill...I don't have anything beyond what he said on Friday, but feel free to stay in touch on this."
Alliance Defense Fund is preparing to sue the federal government for the protection of religious freedom if the Senate does not pass the bill with the provision.
Conservative Christians are looking for leadership not only on fiscal issues, but social issues that are very important to millions of us. This does not look like leadership.
Unless Senator McConnell puts actions to what he says he believes, many will not hear what he believes as clearly as they will see what he believes by what he does.
Perhaps the Senator should give that some thought and those in his office who read this might pass it along.
Ronald Reagan once said, "Our people look to us for leadership and nobody can provide it if we don't. But we won't be very effective leaders unless we can rise above the bureaucracies and give our governments a strong push in the right direction."
Senator McConnell, this is a time to rise and push in the right direction.
Be Vigilant. Be Discerning. Be Active. Be Prayerful.
_____________
Gary Randall
President
Faith and Freedom
Click here to add these blogs to your email inbox.
Thursday, June 02, 2011
Presbyterians Urged to Reconsider
The Presbyterian Lay Committee is directing people, through print ads, to a petition where they can declare their stance on the PC (USA) 's liberal direction.
The message of the petition says in part, "I grieve over the apparent departure of the Presbyterian Church (USA) from these Scriptural truths, and I am estranged from its policies and programs that do not affirm Christ alone, Scripture alone and the institution of marriage alone, as the divinely ordained context for human sexuality..."
The Committee has run these ads in The Wall Street Journal, the Los Angeles Times, the Atlanta Journal Constitution and the Houston Chronicle.
Ironically, the Minneapolis Star Tribune, that promotes itself as a "voice for tolerance" and claims in its promotions that it sees "The First Amendment as its guiding light and tolerance as its North Star," said "No," we won't run your ad---unless you modify it. The modification would have eliminated their message. I have linked the story above.
Tolerance in its finest moment.
Presbyterians (USA) have reason to be concerned about the direction of their church denomination. A study last January found that only 1 in 3 Presbyterians (USA) believe Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation. There were other findings. I have linked the story for your convenience.
Many Presbyterian and other churches are going through a time of discovery as to whom they really are and what they really believe.
I have included a list of Presbyterian and other churches in Washington State who consider themselves "Gay Affirming," meaning the church affirms or celebrates homosexual behavior rather than presenting it as in violation of Scriptural teaching---sin.
I have also included a statement from First Presbyterian Church in Bellevue.
The following is part of a statement published by Dr. Scott Dudley, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Bellevue.
I have linked the entire statement here.
This is a link to the list of churches in Washington State that declare themselves to be "Gay Affirming" churches. I defined a "gay affirming" church above.
Be Vigilant. Be Informed. Be Prayerful.
_______________
Gary Randall
President
Faith and Freedom
Click here to add these blogs to your email inbox.
The message of the petition says in part, "I grieve over the apparent departure of the Presbyterian Church (USA) from these Scriptural truths, and I am estranged from its policies and programs that do not affirm Christ alone, Scripture alone and the institution of marriage alone, as the divinely ordained context for human sexuality..."
The Committee has run these ads in The Wall Street Journal, the Los Angeles Times, the Atlanta Journal Constitution and the Houston Chronicle.
Ironically, the Minneapolis Star Tribune, that promotes itself as a "voice for tolerance" and claims in its promotions that it sees "The First Amendment as its guiding light and tolerance as its North Star," said "No," we won't run your ad---unless you modify it. The modification would have eliminated their message. I have linked the story above.
Tolerance in its finest moment.
Presbyterians (USA) have reason to be concerned about the direction of their church denomination. A study last January found that only 1 in 3 Presbyterians (USA) believe Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation. There were other findings. I have linked the story for your convenience.
Many Presbyterian and other churches are going through a time of discovery as to whom they really are and what they really believe.
I have included a list of Presbyterian and other churches in Washington State who consider themselves "Gay Affirming," meaning the church affirms or celebrates homosexual behavior rather than presenting it as in violation of Scriptural teaching---sin.
I have also included a statement from First Presbyterian Church in Bellevue.
The following is part of a statement published by Dr. Scott Dudley, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Bellevue.
The Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA) has voted, by a slim margin, to change the wording of ordination standards by removing specific language requiring fidelity in marriage and chastity in singleness for those ordained as pastor, elder or deacon. This change is known as Amendment 10-A and is being wrongly interpreted and reported by some as allowing non-celibate gays and lesbians into ordained church leadership.
The passage of Amendment 10-A will not change anything at FPCB or any of the presbyteries in the state of Washington. We strongly oppose this amendment. Our congregation, our presbytery, and all five presbyteries in Washington state rejected Amendment 10-A and similar previous efforts. And nothing in 10-A requires us to change our local church practices. Instead, we continue to affirm the following: Those who are called to office in the church are to lead a life in obedience to Scripture and in conformity to the historic confessional standards of the church. Among these standards is the requirement to live either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman, or chastity in singleness. Persons refusing to repent of any self-acknowledged practice which scripture and the confessions call sin shall not be ordained and/or installed as deacons, elders, or ministers of the Word and Sacrament.
I have linked the entire statement here.
This is a link to the list of churches in Washington State that declare themselves to be "Gay Affirming" churches. I defined a "gay affirming" church above.
Be Vigilant. Be Informed. Be Prayerful.
_______________
Gary Randall
President
Faith and Freedom
Click here to add these blogs to your email inbox.
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