Friday, August 30, 2013

Most Americans Want The Bible Taught In Public Schools

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A little more than 66% of US adults think teaching the Bible in public schools is important.

And 75% are of the opinion that teaching about the Bible in public schools could help reinforce moral principles.

Studies this year further show that 77% believe the morals and values of the nation are in decline.

I suspect that was reaffirmed when people saw Miley Cyrus (known to children as Disney's Hanna Montana) perform at a televised award show this past week. If you haven't seen it on the news, forget it. If you have, you know what I'm talking about.

Among those who believe our morals and values are in decline, 32% believe the cause is lack of biblical literacy, 29% because of the negative influence of the media and entertainment industry and 25% because of corruption and corporate greed.

However, there are those who express concern about teaching the Bible in the public classroom. About 45% are concerned that introducing the Bible back into the classroom could result in favoring one religion over another.

Interestingly, only 32% were concerned that such a move could offend someone. Obliviously this would create angst among the secularists and atheists who worship at the alter of "separation."

Mark Brunett and Roma Downey, producers of "The Bible" series that set viewing records this past year, are among those weighing in on this issue.

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Defund Obamacare--"A Real Act Of Courage"

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Former US senator from South Carolina, Jim DeMint, now president of the Heritage Foundation, says if defunding Obamacare "isn't worth fighting for, nothing is."

DeMint, a powerful senator when he served, a devout Christian and proven conservative, says now is the time for courage.

He is calling on his former colleagues in Congress to take a different path, a courageous path, and defund Obamacare---even if they think it is the road less traveled.

Here's why he feels so passionately about it and how he feels Congress should defund it without being responsible for "shutting down the government."

I believe his call for courage transcends a political call---it is a call for courage to all people of faith and conservatives---a call to look beyond the easy road.

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Why Is The Defense Department Attacking The Founding Fathers?

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In teaching manuals obtained from the Department of Defense, Judicial Watch has discovered an Air Force student guide titled, "Equal Opportunity and Treatment Incidences." The segment labeled "Extremism" advises young airman to be aware that "many extremists will talk of individual liberties, states' rights, and how to make the world a better place."

However, it is the teaching under the heading "Extremist Ideologies" that I find almost unbelievable.

Our Founders certainly knew conflict and controversy and perhaps were considered "extreme" by tyrannical forces on the other side of the Atlantic---but our own Department of Defense?

Our Founders and the colonists began their Declaration of Independence with the words: "When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve political bonds...they should declare the causes..."

And they declared a long list of causes that included the King's disregard for the laws, oppressive taxation, interfering with the military efforts, harassing people, suppression of religious expression and about two dozen other causes.

Following the list of causes, they wrote, "In every stage of these Oppressions, We have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated petitions have been answered by repeated injury."

And they concluded that in declaring independence from a tyrant king, "We mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."

In this teaching manual, the present leadership in the Defense Department is, in my opinion, casting a shadow on the colonists, including those who signed the Declaration of Independence and later gave us our Constitution, and they are attacking the "Sacred Honor" of those Founders.

What are we thinking?

And what is driving this bizarre behavior?

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

WA A/G: "Hospitals That Birth Babies Must Do Abortions"

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Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson has given an opinion that is intended to give hospitals some guidance, particularly those involved in mergers with other medical operations.

The A/G says any hospital that receives public funds and births babies, must also abort babies that are unwanted.

Ferguson says, "I fully expect all public hospital districts to comply with this opinion."

"This opinion" impacts a growing trend in Washington because many small local hospitals are choosing to affiliate with larger health organizations, including Catholic-affiliated Peace Health and Providence Health and Services.

The US Conference of Catholic Bishops has said church-affiliated hospitals cannot perform abortions, are restricted in contraceptive services and cannot assist in patient suicide.

Catholic hospitals have been established in most cases because of their belief in the sanctity of life and a call to serve people. These hospitals have lived out the Hippocratic Oath to the benefit of all society.

This is a critical matter for healthcare in the state. And for religious freedom.

It is also an illustration of how decisions have consequences.

Monday, August 26, 2013

Should WA State Follow Gov. Christie On "Gay Therapy" Ban?

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Washington State Representative Marko Liias says, "Yes." And plans to pursue it in the upcoming legislative session.

He says, "There are many kids out there being subjected to these treatments that are potentially harmful and I think it's our responsibility to do something about it." And he plans to act on his assumed responsibility.

But first. The Seattle Times published a story with this headline:

Hutchison elected to lead ‘ragtag army’ of state GOP

Former KIRO-TV news anchor Susan Hutchison was elected Saturday to chair the state GOP, with a pledge to turn around years of Republican decline.

I'll be talking a little about this on the radio this morning, live at 9AM, PDT and rebroadcast at 7:30 PM PDT.

You may listen from anywhere in the world. Here's how.

Republican New Jersey Governor Chris Christie signed into law last Monday a ban on counseling young people who experience same sex attractions or have become involved in same sex behavior and want help.

And want out of the lifestyle.

I mentioned Christie's new law on the radio and published it a Blog.

So far, no bill has been introduced in Washington to ban what is often called "conversion therapy," however, Liias did sponsor a bill last session that would have directed the Department of Health to review the matter.

The bill proposal failed in committee.

But Rep. Liias (D-Mukilteo) says it's now time to have a similar law in Washington State and will likely introduce it in the upcoming 2014 legislative session.

Liias says when "California passed a ban it raised an issue I thought Washington should address."

He says, "I think its time to take a fresh look at the issue."

All people of faith and conservatives should also take a look at the issue. An honest look.

And guess what motivated Liaas to take this issue to the next level?

I am profoundly concerned about this new law. It strikes at the heart of The First Amendment, the core teaching of biblical Christianity and the public expression of biblical Christianity.

Friday, August 23, 2013

Duck Calls, Abstinence And Christianity

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As a kid growing up in the Yakima Valley of Washington State, I knew people who were "duck callers"---some of them were very good, some not so good, but most of us hunted ducks.

But it is only recently that I have made the connection between duck calling and Christianity.

And I'm not the only one making the connection.

Nearly 12 million people tuned in this week to watch "Duck Dynasty" on the A&E cable television channel.

That is the highest number of viewers on a cable channel in the history of television.

What's the attraction? I think there are several reasons Americans have become fascinated with the show, two of which have to be family and faith.

While forces work to redefine family and marriage, and to suppress any expression of the Christian faith in our culture, there is a growing desire to see faith and family in action.

"Duck Dynasty" is a reality show that critics claim is about nothing. The episodes that occur on the show are not intellectually challenging for the "elite" among us, nor are they highly sophisticated.

They are, however, about family and faith.

Both are extremely important to the Robertsons.

Two of the them even talked about their sex life with the Christian Post this week.

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Government: Christians Can Be "Rehabilitated," Homosexuals Cannot

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Recent actions are making it clear that there are those in government who believe that Christians can be "rehabilitated," but homosexuals cannot.

New Jersey Governor, Republican Chris Christie signed a bill Monday banning "reparative therapy" for people with same sex attractions.

He said he believes people are born that way and that homosexual sin is not sin.

He also noted that he was relying on "the advice of experts."

However, the "experts" he is referring to are not saying what he says they are saying.

Another government official is saying Christians who oppose homosexual behavior on the grounds of their Christian and biblical faith should be "rehabilitated."

Christie's bill is almost identical to a couple of bills in California.

The Christie matter is of particular importance in that he will likely run for president in the next election and the Republican Party, should he be nominated, will tell Christians that although we do not agree with him on everything, he is "better than the alternative," whomever that may be---probably Hillary Clinton.

That's what they said about Dole, McCain and Romney. They'll say it again. Christie is also pro-abortion.

But these actions touch on an even more important issue. Religious freedom. These actions hit at the very heart of Christianity itself, which is a message of redemption.

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

NBC: True Christians Do Not Oppose Obamacare

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This past Saturday, Ed Schultz of the "Ed Show" on NBC's cable news channel MSNBC passionately told his audience only "a phoney Christian" would oppose Obamacare.

He said, "The Affordable Care Act [Obamacare] and the civil rights legislation passed in the 1960s are the two most moral things the country has ever done."

Really?

Only recently he and his colleagues who share his ideology have been saying that redefining marriage and affirming homosexual behavior and the civil rights legislation of the 1960s were the two most important.

Schultz, an employee of NBC and their news channel, then offered a disgusting mock prayer while one of his guests explained that Jesus is a Marxist and a Radical.

And there's more.

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

1,000,000 Muslims Will March To DC On 9-11-13

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A group calling themselves The American Muslim Political Action Committee (AMPAC) is planning a march to Washington DC. They are asking 1,000,000,000 Muslims to show up and march.

Guess when?

That's right, September 11, 2013.

The timing of the event is not only tasteless, to say the least, but raises questions and affirms the fears of many.

What are they thinking?

What are we thinking to even allow the event?

Not only are the Muslims planning to stand strong in DC on the anniversary of the worst massacre in American history perpetrated in the name of Islam, but the demands they are making on our government are unbelievable.

The organizer of the event is hardly a "peaceful" person.

Monday, August 19, 2013

Harvard To Military: "Let Transgenders Serve With Honor And Dignity"

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Those who have made reference to a "slippery slope" regarding so-called "homosexual rights" have been generally mocked and ridiculed to silence.

On September 28, 2011, the Washington Times said this: "With homosexuals now able to serve openly in the military, the gay rights movement's next battleground is to persuade the Obama administration to end the armed forces' ban on 'transgenders', a group that includes transsexuals and cross-dressers."

They were right.

Slippery slope.

Harvard Kennedy School of Government will be releasing a new study this week that recommends "additional changes to the military policies in order to allow transgender people to serve openly and with honor."

Why are they, in an increasing way, using our military as a social experiment lab when so much hangs in the balance? Like the security of our country and all who live here.

This recommendation, coming from Harvard where Barack Obama has roots, will likely be taken seriously. And given the President's proclivity to advance the homosexual agenda at any social cost to our country and the Christian beliefs so many of us hold, many feel he will act on it under the guise of fairness and "equality."

The stage has been set.

The homosexual agenda is anything but fair or equal.

Many also feel this will further erode the effectiveness of our military and our national security. Many are recalling the most recent episode with Army Pfc Bradly Manning and what he said at his recent trial.

The secular progressives are acting like this is merely a ride at the county fair---exclaiming "weeeeeee" all the way down the slippery slope.

As perversion is affirmed and enshrined into American law, the very foundations of our freedom and existence are being destroyed.

How did we get to this place and what can we do?

Friday, August 16, 2013

Death Panels Begin In Oregon

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When Sarah Palin suggested Obamacare would ultimately usher in "death panels," outrage and ridicule followed. The press attacked the notion and Palin herself, assuring the public that Palin was extreme and should be ignored.

Gayle Atteberry, director of the Oregon Right to Life, attended a meeting earlier this week that was quietly and quickly announced giving the least number of people any sense that it was happening.

Atteberry says it was one of those meetings that "no one knows or cares about, except it is one that will soon rule, perhaps ruin your life."

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Is Atheist Richard Dawkins A Hypocrite?

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Richard Dawkins is an English ethologist, evolutionary biologist, an author, emeritus fellow of New College Oxford, and prior to retirement was the University of Oxford's Professor for public Understanding of Science.

"More importantly," Professor Dawkins says, "I'm an atheist."

He has a worldwide following because of his strident attacks on Christianity and Judaism. He has "distinguished" himself as outspoken and fearless in his attacks on God.

In a recent interview on Qatar based Al Jazeera television---soon to be seen in America on Al Gore's former cable channel, Dawkins said he opposes the "indoctrination" of children by their parents who teach their children their faith.

Speaking about a young woman who claims she was sexually abused by a priest when she was very young, Dawkins said, "Horrible as sexual abuse no doubt was, the damage was arguably less than the long term psychological damage inflicted by bringing up the child as a Catholic in the first place."

So teaching your children your faith and raising them in your church is worse that child abuse?

Apparently in Dawkin's world it is.

At least he stands up for what he believes.

Right?

Not really.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Deceptive Mantras From The Left

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The obsessive drive to become "god" leads the secular left to not only redefine marriage, family and the culture itself, but to create a new order in the vocabulary around these important institutions and functions.

Those who advocate for abortion do so with passion, using their "words" with a straight face, expecting everyone to accept the practice of aborting unwanted babies as "normal." As a right.

In the march to normalize this act, they have created new terminology and new definitions of old words and attached new definitions to all their words.

We all know there is an agenda behind these words and phrases:

"It's my body."

"Freedom to choose."

"Choice."

"Reproductive health."

There is even a segment of the left who is now advocating that abortion is not only a "woman's right," but a "man's right" as well. And they are not talking about the father of the child.

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

University Professor Sharply Denounced And Censored Over Intelligent Design

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Ball State University Professor Eric Hedin has been sharply denounced---and censored, for presenting the theory of Intelligent Design to students in a science course.

Ball State President Jo Ana Gora says that to allow physics professor Hedin to present intelligent design as a valid scientific theory would "violate the academic integrity" of the course he was teaching.

She says, "It would fail to accurately represent the consensus of science scholars."

A lawyer is saying Ball State may be violating their own policies in regard to the matter.

What about academic freedom?

We are constantly told that a true liberal arts education must provide the flexibility to explore many aspects of each subject.

Apparently that is only selectively true.

And guess who is behind the move to punish and censor the professor?

At the heart of this incident is an issue that cuts to the heart of the cultural divide in America, and it will impact your child in the public classroom.

Monday, August 12, 2013

Is The American Dream Dead? Dems-"Yes"; Republicans-"No"

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There is a substantial difference in the way people view the future in America.

Interestingly, it tends to fall along political lines rather than those one might expect.

A new poll just published finds a significant difference between Democrats and Republicans in regard to an individual's view of the future.

Friday, I wrote about whether the sun is "rising" or "setting" on America as a significant world power.

Today I'm looking at the specifics of two very different worldviews and how it affects our personal outlook: both for the future and the way we live in the present.

Why do those who believe the American dream is dead, believe as they do? Is it merely a matter of looking at certain trends or is there more to it?

And why do those who believe the American dream is not dead, believe as they do? Are they in denial, or do they see something the others don't see?

If an individual has a sense of hopelessness and believes that the future is not going to be better, how does that affect their life and the lives of those close to them?

Suicide was the 10th leading cause of death in America in 2012. Is that related to a lack of hope?

What is the solution?

Friday, August 09, 2013

Sunrise Or Sunset In America?

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The Constitutional Convention had been in session for nearly 3 months---continuously.

It had been contentious and often heated as our Founders worked to create a Constitution for the ages. George Washington, the convention president, worked hard to guide the discussion toward a successful conclusion---a ratified Constitution.

After the Convention, James Madison reported this:
"Whilst the last members were signing [the Constitution], Doctor Franklin, looking towards the Presidents chair, at the back of which a rising sun happened to be painted, observed to a few members near him, that painters had found it difficult to distinguish in their art, a rising, from a setting, sun. I have, said he, often and often, in the course of the session, and the vicissitudes of my hopes and fears as to its issue, looked at that behind the President, without being able to tell whether it was rising or setting; but now at length, I have the happiness to know, that it is a rising, and not a setting sun. Franklin, Benjamin"

Source: BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, debates in the Constitutional Convention, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 17, 1787.James Madison, Journal of the Federal Convention, ed. E. H. Scott, p. 763 .

This is a link to a picture of the chair

And the sun indeed rose on America, and we became the most free, most prosperous, most powerful and most generous nation in the history of the world.

But what about now?

Is the sun still rising on America?

If not, can our destiny be changed or altered?

And why is America not mentioned in Scripture that speaks to the end times when other nations are referenced?

Thursday, August 08, 2013

Public School Supt. Takes Stand Against Atheist Threats

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This Saturday, a planned prayer caravan will occur, despite the efforts of an atheist group to stop it.

Christians will be traveling to each of the 29 schools in a public school district, praying for the students, teachers and the school as the district begins its new school year this next week.

The caravan is led and promoted by District Superintendent Billy Coleman. This will be their third annual prayer caravan.

A Wisconsin based atheist group, Freedom From Religion Foundation, is taking action against the superintendent and the school district, claiming what they always claim---violation of separation of church and state."

Wednesday, August 07, 2013

RNC Stands Up--"We Will Not Be Mocked"

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In taking a position against NBC and CNN airing favorable television shows---a documentary and miniseries about Hillary Clinton prior to the 2016 presidential election, the Republican National Committee has also brought attention to a broader and more pervasive trend among secular progressives.

Mocking both our faith and our freedom.

I have been critical toward the RNC on a number of issues lately, but we must applaud them for taking this stand, and even if inadvertently turning the light on the mockery of the Christian faith and the very foundations of our freedom.

With NBC preparing to air a favorable miniseries about Hillary Clinton and CNN preparing to air a favorable documentary about her as we move toward the 2016 presidential election, the RNC has given both an ultimatum.

The RNC has sent a stinging letter to both which says in part, "We won't let you make a mockery of candidates and debates."

Clearly they are remembering CNN's presidential debate moderator Candy Crowley. While "moderating" the debates between Obama and Mitt Romney, she stepped forward prompting Obama with a response to a Romney question and accusation.

In giving these 2 television networks an ultimatum, they have also raised an even more important issue:

The mockery of our faith and our freedoms.

Tuesday, August 06, 2013

Presbyterians Remove "In Christ Alone" From Hymnal

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The Presbyterian Committee on Congregational Songs for the Presbyterian Church (USA) has voted to remove the hymn "In Christ Alone" because of one phrase in the hymn.

The Committee wants to revise the lyrics, but the writers of the hymn won't agree to the revision.

So it is being removed.

Carmen Fowler LaBerge, president of the Presbyterian Lay Committee, says the Congregational Songs Committee decision is evidence of why churches are leaving the PC (USA).

She said, "For the denomination to decide intentionally to remove "In Christ Alone" from the hymnal, is in my view, bare evidence of serious erosion of the denomination's theology related to the atonement."

What phrase caused them to make this decision?

Not all readers are Presbyterians. While this decision reveals a concerning trend in the Presbyterian Church (USA) it also highlights a troublesome trend in a number of our Christian churches.

Monday, August 05, 2013

Obama's "Nudge Squad"--Not A New Tactic

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In the President's pursuit to "remake America," he told his radio audience this past Saturday that fixing income disparity "must be Washington's highest priority." And that it is certainly his own top priority.

Redistribution. Socialism.

The President's former campaign staff has now been re-branded and is called "Organizing for Action". Organizing for Action has launched the new "Truth Team."

I'm wondering whose truth? Since truth is relative and evolving, whose truth will be advocated? How can we actually know the truth when everyone holds and creates their own truth in our relativistic, secular, progressive culture?

And to complete the remaking of America, the Obama administration has announced the formation of what his people call a "Behavioral Insights Team."

Behavioral insights team?

The administration says this team will subtly encourage certain behavior in our population that will be very helpful in getting people to do the right thing.

Former Obama regulatory czar Cass Sunstien and Chicago Booth School of Business professor Richard Thaler have long advocated this tactic in government and have written a book titled, "Nudge" about the subtle practice of "nudging" the public to make certain choices and decisions.

This practice was used by another leader in 1938.

Friday, August 02, 2013

Warning: "These Are Not The Cartoons You Grew Up With"

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The Parent's Television Council has issued an urgent and stern warning to parents and grandparents concerning the explicit content of an animated programming block that has just been launched on television.

PTC says what Fox has been airing on their Sunday night cartoons are "tame" compared to the content of these new programs.

While the programs are not new, per se, they have been available on-line, they are new to broadcast television, and consequently more younger children.

And they are disgustingly immoral in their ground breaking objectionable content.

I'm writing about this today to sound a strong warning to parents and grand parents. This is the worst I've seen on local broadcast TV and its available on your local TV station now.

Thursday, August 01, 2013

WA Public Schools--Most Earn "C" And "D" Grade

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Each year the more than 2000 Washington State public schools are rated according to the state Public Achievement Index.

The Index is based on the State Board of Educators Achievement index from the previous year.

The rating is based on reading, writing, math, science and graduation rates.

The latest report is out and it isn't pretty.

Most public schools across the state are, at best, "C" and "D" grades.

We have published the list.