[Active-l] (NEWS) Today's Cultural Warfare Update
Dara (R'ykandar Korra'ti)
kahvi at murkworks.net
Tue Jun 26 10:07:43 PDT 2007
Big news today includes the Canada Family Action Coalition's strong
swing towards explicit Dominionism (if not Christian
Reconstructionism) via their endorsement and promotion of a book
explicitly calling for Christian government in Canada, published by a
(new?) organisation apparently dedicated to that and which also calls
for crushing secular humanism. Fun! Also, that organisation I
mentioned for the first time in the previous CWU, the National Non-
Sectarian Council of Pro-Family Activists, says most civil rights are
bad, blacks were better off under slavery, and women should get
married and stay married and stop being men, presumably by being seen
outside the house.
And here's today's news.
Faith and Freedom Network column saying that they don't gaybash,
they're just following God's Law, and the media is all on the side of
the queers and hopefully there will be a big fundamentalist upsurge
in the 2008 elections (they've been trying to organise one with their
Change the State in '08 campaign);
Focus on the Family condemns Chicago GBLT community centre;
FotF says that abortion will be a an important issue in 2008; that's
pretty safe; clearly, they want it to be the biggest issue, instead
of things like Iraq;
FotF: "Pro-Lifers Need to Spread the Word on Embryo Adoption," to
keep them out of the hands of evil scientists who want to use them
"for preliminary, general research and then it goes the next step to
cloning";
FotF applauds Supreme Court decisions, specifically the "Bong Hits
for Jesus" case, happy that schools can suppress anti-drug-war
speech, and a ruling that the Freedom from Religion Foundation did
not have standing to sue Mr. Bush's "faith-based" programmes,
specifically "because it rejects the theory of taxpayer standing,"
meaning the idea that taxpayers automatically have standing to sue
regarding expenditure of tax dollars;
Concerned Women for America ACTION ITEM to oppose override of Chief
Executive Bush's veto of the stem-cell research act;
CWA on-hand at the White House for Mr. Bush's veto of the legislation;
CWA ACTION ITEM condemns comprehensive sex-ed, calling it "Rated X,"
and calls for contacting Rep. John Dingell (D-MI) to reauthorise
"Title V" abstinence-only sex education;
Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) reintroduces bill to remove the loser-
pays-legal-fees clause in religious-establishment lawsuits; the
explicit intent is to make it more difficult to sue governments for
religious discrimination and/or endorsement; the specific target is
the ACLU;
Some Deerfield, Illinois parents took out an ad condemning freshman
high school panel discussion which included GBLT topics (a Gay-
Straight Alliance-sponsoured panel, it turns out); you get a lot of
quotes from Concerned Women for America's Matt Barber condemning t3h
qu33rs;
The Christian Examiner placed the text of the ad online; it condemns
students "BEING USED TO FURTHER THE CAUSES OF GAY ACTIVISTS IN THE
HIGH SCHOOL" (CAPS as in original), and compares anti-bullying
programmes including GBLT students to encouraging illegal drug use;
Concerned Women for America condemns woman-led anti-war group "Code
Pink" as too masculine; the only thing that could make this story
funnier is if they had Matt Barber or Robert Knight delivering the
condemnation;
Melinda Henneberger calls for the Democrats to abandon their pro-
abortion-rights positions in a _New York Times_ op-ed;
Canada Family Action Coalition promotes book condemning secular
government;
Canada Family Action Coalition links to christiangovernment.ca as
part of their book promotion, a theocratic organisation explicitly
calling for - I imagine you can see this coming from the domain name
- Christian government;
christiangovernment.ca calls for the imposition of religious
government, stating that, "Secular Humanism is a threat that must be
suppressed for the good of all Canadians"; remember, this is the site
and book linked to by Canada Family Action Coalition, so I think it's
safe to move CFAC into the explicitly Christian Reconstructionist and/
or Dominionist movement(s);
Institute for Canadian Values brings up WorldNetDaily founder Joseph
Farah; also speaking will be Tristan Emmanuel of ECP-Centre, Joseph
Ben-Ami of the Institute for Canadian Values, and - get this! - Dr.
Charles McVety of Canada Family Action Coalition, which is now
endorsing Christian Reconstructionist books and organisations. Does
this make the ICV at least Dominionist-friendly?
George Will claims that "marriage" is a "hate crime" now;
Peter Sprigg condemns GBLT marriage, benefits to same-sex couples, in
USA Today, saying that gay unions cannot benefit society by producing
children;
Family Research Council's Tony Perkins sends out a letter: Wal-Mart
is now dropping all support for all GBLT organisations, specifically
in response to theoconservative pressure against it for joining the
National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. This is part of the
theoconservative effort to wedge GBLT people out of the _economy_, if
possible; they also applaud the "bong hits for Jesus" and "taxpayers
can't sue over tax dollars" decisions mentioned above;
Family Research Council ACTION ITEM against including GBLT people in
Federal hate crimes legislation;
"Ex-gay" Exodus International head Alan Chambers, caught admitting
that "ex-gay" doesn't actually stop you from being, you know, _gay_,
backtracks furiously to the Christian Post;
New Jersey school district apologises for blacking out gay student
kissing in a yearbook filled with straight students kissing; it was
on a "special personal tribute page" in the high school yearbook, and
was some sort of paid-for feature;
National Non-Sectarian Council of Pro-Family Activists, which
includes Robert Knight (Concerned Women for America wonk) and Scott
Lively (author of _The Pink Swastika_, holocaust revisionism blaming
gay men instead of good Germans), says blacks were better off under
slavery ("every group protected by civil rights has suffered terribly
and in certain serious ways deteriorated. Black authorities have
noted the terrifying situation with black youth today that never
existed in America even during slavery"),women were better off
"married and stay[ing] married," because "they have been trained to
be big mouthed men and no man they want, wants them," and condemning
civil rights for queers, too, of course.
----- 1 -----
Homosexuality -- a Tale of two Cities
Faith and Freedom Network
Monday, June 25, 2007
http://www.faithandfreedom.us/weblog/blogger.html
These are the best of times, these are the worst of times – it all
depends on how you view homosexuality and the community of activists
it has created.
[...]
In a run-up to promote the two-weekend gay-lesbian pride parades, the
P.I. has done it’s best to structure how the community should
interpret the proceedings.
Connelly and his colleagues at the P.I. see these as the best of
times, stating that, “social tolerance came to Seattle like dew in
the early morning, quietly, with its exact time of arrival hard to peg.”
[...]
There is not a shred of evidence that homosexuality is genetic or
inherited, yet the homosexual activists do not hesitate to fully
identify with the civil rights movement of African Americans and the
news media, for the most part, do not hesitate to report it as such.
[...]
Most biblically-based ministries are very open to reaching out to
homosexuals and attempting to help them. However, the gay community
measures the sincerity of their outreach by whether they are willing
to accept and affirm the gay lifestyle. While Rev. Stephen Jones of
Seattle’s First Baptist Church would be seen as a caring, tolerant
minister by gays because he defends their lifestyle, Pastors Joe
Fuiten or Ken Hutcherson would be seen as intolerant or even perhaps
uncaring, which is not the case.
[...]
Maybe, just maybe, a return to traditional values and those who
support them will return like dew in the early morning with its time
of arrival pegged in November of 2008.
[More at URL]
----- 2 -----
Chicago Welcomes Gays with $20 Million Center
Focus on the Family
6-25-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004898.cfm
Chicago is hoping its new $20 million gay community center on the
North Side, which officially opened this month, will make it a
destination for homosexuals, The Associated Press reported.
[...]
Caleb Price, a research analyst for Focus on the Family, said the
center illustrates the deception of homosexual activists who
regularly present themselves as a "disadvantaged community."
"However, with this new $20 million gay community center in Chicago
we see more evidence that, in fact, the homosexual community is one
of the wealthiest, most privileged and powerfully influential groups
in the country," he said. "Yet they continue to demand special rights
and recognition from society at large – all based on their self-
identification with sexual behavioral preferences. This is truly
astonishing – and sobering – to those who hold to a biblically
orthodox view of God’s created intent for human sexuality."
[More at URL]
----- 3 -----
40 Percent of Voters Say Abortion is Important in '08
Focus on the Family
6-25-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004899.cfm
Forty-three percent of Republican voters and 38 percent of Democrats
say abortion will be very important to their voting decisions,
according to a survey by the Pew Research Center for the People & the
Press.
[...]
"The starkly polarized views of the two political parties based on
respective party platforms — Republicans as pro-life and Democrats as
pro-abortion — dictate which candidates get on the national ballot,
and that informs how people vote for president." [says Focus on the
Family wonk Carrie Gordon Earll]
[More at URL]
----- 4 -----
Pro-Lifers Need to Spread the Word on Embryo Adoption
Survey suggests 100,000 human embryos could be destroyed for research.
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
6-25-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000004902.cfm
A survey conducted by Duke University and Johns Hopkins indicates
well over half of the infertile couples who have frozen embryos in
storage would be very likely to donate the extras for scientific
research.
If all respondents to the survey were taken up on their offer,
conservative estimates say there would be around 100,000 embryos
available for research. The news shocks Ron Stoddart of the Snowflake
Embryo Adoption Program.
[...]
Stoddart claims ulterior motives on the part of scientists wanting to
get their hands on the frozen embryos.
“They’ll use the embryos and the stem cells from those embryos for
preliminary, general research and then it goes the next step to
cloning," he said.
[More at URL]
----- 5 -----
U.S. Supreme Court Hands Down Three Favorable Decisions
Rulings issued on faith-based programs, grassroots lobbying and
student speech.
by Wendy Cloyd, assistant editor
Focus on the Family
6-25-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLtopstories/A000004903.cfm
The U.S. Supreme Court handed down decisions today in three cases
involving freedom of speech.
The court ruled that a liberal group did not have standing to
challenge the Bush administration's promotion of its faith-based
program; that a pro-life group should not have been barred from pre-
election advertising; and that school officials can restrict drug-
related speech, but not religious speech.
[...]
Freedom from Religion vs. Freedom of Religion
The court ruled the group Freedom from Religion Foundation did not
have standing to challenge the use of taxpayer dollars to advertise
and promote President Bush's faith-based initiative.
Jay Sekulow, chief counsel for the American Center for Law and
Justice, called it a "very significant victory."
[...]
"This was a win," he said, "because it rejects the theory of taxpayer
standing that would have allowed liberal groups to reach into the
executive branch to complain about every speech, every meeting and
every action that the president might take with regard to faith or
faith-based initiatives.["]
[...]
Students' Rights vs. Educators' Duty
In the controversial free-speech case out of Juneau, Alaska – Morse
v. Frederick -- the Supreme Court handed down a narrow ruling that
said school officials can quash drug-related speech at school
functions, but refused to extend that authority to other forms of
controversial speech, including religious expression.
[More at URL]
----- 6 -----
ALERT
Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee
20 June 2007
http://www.cwalac.org/alerts/alert_06-20-07-ESCR.html
Dear Friends,
Today President Bush kept his promise to veto S. 5, the Stem Cell
Research Enhancement Act. Now this destructive taxpayer funded
legislation goes back to the Senate for a veto override attempt.
Please contact your Senators right away and urge them to oppose the
override attempt!
When S. 5 passed in the Senate back in April, the Senate did not have
enough votes to override a presidential veto. With the change in the
Senate composition, this may no longer hold true! Therefore, it is
absolutely crucial that every legislator who opposed S. 5 remain firm
in their opposition and those who supported this legislation
originally reconsider their vote when the Senate attempts to override
the president's veto!
S. 5 would force Americans to pay for unethical embryonic stem cell
research (ESCR). By appropriating millions of federal dollars to
destructive ESCR, instead of adult stem cell research with proven
results, Congress is delaying real hope and real cures for suffering
people. If ESCR is as promising as they claim, then drug companies
should invest their own money in it rather than asking Congress for
ours.
Call your Senators today at (202) 224-3121, and urge them to oppose
an override of the president's veto on destructive ESCR!
Sincerely,
The Legislative Department
Concerned Women for America
P.S. Your financial support is greatly needed at this critical time!
Your generous gift today helps support the work of CWA, including
these alerts. Please consider supporting CWA by going to http://
www.cwfa.org/support_cwa.asp , or by visiting our online store at
http://shop.cwfa.org . Thank you.
----- 7 -----
CWA @ the White House!
Concerned Women for America
Online as of 25 June 2007
http://www.cwfa.org/main.asp
On Wednesday, June 20, 2007, President Bush kept his promise to veto
the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007. Concerned Women for
America (CWA) was honored to join the President at the White House to
show our support for his leadership on this issue.
[More at URL]
----- 8 -----
News Flash: Rated X
Jaclyn Heffernan
June 26. 2007
Warning: This article contains objectionable material that is being
taught to school children.
A recent government study found that leading “comprehensive” sex
education curricula intended to reduce teen sex, pregnancy and
sexually transmitted diseases contain sexually explicit material and
factual errors.
The study was conducted by the Department of Health and Human
Services, Administration for Children and Families (ACF) at the
request of Senator Tom Coburn (R-Oklahoma) and former Senator Rick
Santorum (R-Pennsylvania). The request came after the “Waxman
Report,” written in 2004 by the staff of Rep. Henry Waxman (D-
California), claimed abstinence curricula are deficient. That report
was criticized for its own inaccuracies, and for failing to evaluate
comprehensive sex ed curriculum.
[...]
What the study found will shock many parents and legislators. The
leading comprehensive sex ed curricula discourage the most effective
way to reduce teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases
(delaying sex until, and restricting it to, marriage) by explicitly
describing various sexual activities, encouraging role playing of
sexual acts in the classroom and field trips to buy condoms, and
downplaying the risks of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases
with contraceptive use.
[...]
The small amount of federal funding currently set aside for
abstinence-only programs may be eliminated. One particular channel of
funding for abstinence programs, included in Title V, is set to
expire on June 30, 2007 if it is not re-authorized by Representative
John Dingell (D-Michigan), Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce
Committee. Dingell plans on simply allowing the bill to expire or
making amendments that gut funding for abstinence education. The
money would most likely be re-directed to comprehensive sex ed programs.
Take Action: Concerned Women for America’s (CWA) members should
contact Rep. Dingell at 202-225-4071 to encourage him to reauthorize
Title V before the June 30th deadline.
----- 9 -----
Bill would halt legal fees for ACLU in church-state cases
Baptist Press
Posted on Mar 19, 2007 | by Dustin McNab
http://www.sbcbaptistpress.org/BPnews.asp?ID=25203
WASHINGTON (BP)--It’s not fair for taxpayers to pay the legal bills
for organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU),
says Sen. Sam Brownback.
The Kansas Republican has reintroduced the Public Expression of
Religion Act (PERA), which seeks to change how attorneys’ fees are
granted in cases involving the Establishment Clause of the First
Amendment.
Current law allows attorneys to recover their fees in many kinds of
cases, including suits against government dealing with civil rights
and the Establishment Clause, which says “Congress shall make no law
respecting an establishment of religion.” For instance, if an
attorney wins an Establishment Clause case asking a city government
to remove the Ten Commandments from a courthouse, the city may be
required to pay for the removal and the legal fees for both sides of
the case.
“Currently, many small towns comply with the demands of the ACLU
rather than risk going to trial and paying hundreds of thousands of
dollars in legal fees to the ACLU if they lose the case,” Brownback
said.
Supporters of the bill include the Southern Baptist Ethics &
Religious Liberty Commission, American Legion, Religious Freedom
Coalition, Eagle Forum, Traditional Values Coalition, Concerned Women
for America, American Civil Rights Union, Catholic League for
Religious and Civil Rights, Prison Fellowship Ministries and the
National Religious Broadcasters.
[...]
The House of Representatives approved the bill in September with a
vote of 244-173, but the Senate never acted on it in the last
session. Both were controlled by Republicans at the time; Democrats
now control both chambers.
[More at URL]
----- 10 -----
Parents take out ad chiding school for homosexual program
Christian Examiner staff report
Online as of 25 June 2007
http://www.christianexaminer.com/Articles/Articles%20Apr07/
Art_Apr07_01.html
DEERFIELD, Ill. — A group of Illinois parents took out a full-page
newspaper article in their local newspaper March 1 demanding that
Deerfield High School officials "rein in” the staff for promoting a
one-sided view of homosexuality.
According to the Chicago Tribune, the ad was paid for by the North
Shore Student Advocacy group, which wants the school to drop a
mandatory freshman panel discussion that delves into homosexual
issues. Concerned Women for America, a Christian-based public policy
organization, reported that school officials, upon completion of the
session, require students to sign a confidentiality agreement
promising not to tell anyone—including their own parents—about the
discussion.
[...]
"This is unbelievable,” said Matt Barber, policy director for
Cultural Issues with CWA. “It's not enough that students at
Deerfield High are being exposed to improper and offensive material
relative to unhealthy and high-risk homosexual behaviors, but they've
essentially been told by teachers to lie to their parents about it.
"This goes to the heart of the homosexual agenda. The professional
propagandists in the 'gay-rights' lobby know the method all too
well. If you can maintain control of undeveloped and impressionable
youth and spoon-feed them misinformation, lies and half-truths about
dangerous, disordered and extremely risky behaviors, then you can
control the future and ensure that those behaviors are not only fully
accepted, but celebrated. That's what homosexual activists from GSA
are attempting to do, and that's what DHS is clearly up to as well."
[More at URL]
----- 11 -----
Advertisement in Deerfield, Illinois newspaper
North Shore Student Advocacy
Online as of 25 June 2007
http://www.christianexaminer.com/Images/PDFs/Newspaper_ad.pdf
D H S
WHAT’S GOING ON IN FRESHMAN ADVISORY?
FOR MANY YEARS, HOMOSEXUAL STUDENTS HAVE BEEN
SPEAKING ON A PANEL TO ALL FRESHMAN ADVISORY CLASSES. IT
IS SCHEDULED AGAIN FOR THIS YEAR ON MARCH 6 – 9. WE
BELIEVE THESE STUDENTS ARE BEING USED TO FURTHER THE
CAUSES OF GAY ACTIVISTS IN THE HIGH SCHOOL.
PLEASE ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS:
1. What teachers are preparing these students to speak? What
personal information are they discussing with these students? Is it
appropriate to have teachers discussing personal sexual behavior and
choices with students?
2. Why do they target freshman classes? Aren’t most of the students
who are speaking upper classmen? Isn’t this a form of “bullying”
younger students into thinking a certain way about the moral issue of
homosexuality?
3. Where are your panels of “socially awkward kids,” “fat kids”,
“kids with speech problems” or “handicapped kids?”
4. Since homosexuality is a high risk behavior, isn’t it
irresponsible as educators to promote the “I’m okay, you’re okay”
message to your students? Would you have a panel of students who are
engaging in and promoting drug use, having oral sex, or underage
drinking?
5. What if a freshman is uncomfortable with an “up close and
personal” encounter with gay students’ stories? What are they
supposed to do? Don’t you think if these students walk out, or opt
out, it will cause embarrassment to them? Won’t they be labeled
homophobic or heterosexist? Wouldn’t this be hate speech?
6. What about those students who have deeply held religious beliefs
that homosexuality is morally wrong? Where is their panel? Do you
think it’s your prerogative to teach a one-sided view to these
students, undermining the teachings of their church, synagogue, or
family?
7. Why have you refused, in writing, to allow a parent of a freshman
to observe this class? Why did two school board members, and our
superintendent, cancel a meeting to discuss this issue with parents
and taxpayers, in August of 2006, and subsequently refuse to meet?
8. Last year, the gay activists in your building brought in an adult
gay speaker/author who promoted his sexually graphic books and his
web site that links to 43 gay bars and clubs, fetish groups, and
worse. Is this a responsible action by educators?
www.alexsanchez.com
9. By encouraging gay students to come even further “out,” aren’t
you creating the exact situation you’re supposedly trying to prevent
– making them look and feel different? Is high school a time when
kids naturally want to stand out or blend in? Some of your gay
students are troubled and confused. Do you think it helps when you
put them on display?
10. Why is there no parental notification being given to offer an
opt-out for these gay panel presentations? What else is going on in
Freshman Advisory that parents don’t know about?
DHS – REIN IN YOUR STAFF WHO ARE USING THE
SCHOOL TO PROMOTE THEIR PERSONAL VIEWS!
If these issues concern you, please contact your District 113 School
Board:
Helene Herbstman HEHCUBS at aol.com | Ken Fishbain ken_fishbain at ghr.org
Jeffrey Annenberg jeff at monteropartners.com | Harvey Cohen
HCohen4940 at aol.com
Joel Hurwitz hurwitz4 at aol.com | Marjie Sandlow Msandlow at aol.com
Bonnie Shlensky DBLBadger at aol.com | George Fornero
gfornero at dist113.org
NORTH SHORE STUDENT ADVOCACY
NSSAdvocacy at aol.com
655 Deerfield Road, Suite 100-262, Deerfield, IL 60015
----- 12 -----
Arlington woman nurturing Code Pink activists in D.C.
Teacher leaves job behind for role as 'den mother'
10:55 PM CDT on Friday, June 22, 2007
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/
062307dnnatcodepink.34f0383.html
By CHRISTINE MacDONALD / Special Contributor to The Dallas Morning News
WASHINGTON – Desiree Fairooz has never been "a pink person," but her
new home is replete with pink lampshades, pink throw pillows and pink
quilts. The back yard has pink flowers.
It's appropriate for Code Pink, an anti-war group known for using
humor and outlandish costumes to publicize its views.
[...]
Janice Crouse, a senior fellow with the conservative Concerned Women
for America, said Code Pink members "talk out of both sides of their
mouths."
"They emphasize their femininity but advocate policies that are very
aggressive and more often associated with men," she said.
"They cloak it all in a soft pink covering, when underneath they are
hard as nails," she said. "They advocate for the most radical of
leftist positions," such as impeachment of the president. [Editor's
note: Yes, CWA actively advocated the impeachment of former President
Clinton.]
Ms. Crouse said her group has no position on the Iraq war but is
"very definitely not anti-war."
[More at URL]
----- 13 -----
Why Pro-Choice Is a Bad Choice for Democrats
By MELINDA HENNEBERGER
Published: June 22, 2007
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/22/opinion/22henneberger.html?
ex=1183176000&en=71187f974ed56813&ei=5070&emc=eta1
I KEEP reading about a universe in which social conservatives are
warming to Rudy Giuliani. But this would have to be a place where his
estranged children and three wives and multiple appearances in
fishnets were irrelevant to the Republican base. Where the nice gay
couple he moved in with between marriages would be asked to appear in
the film montage at the nominating convention in St. Paul.
Even in the real world, a pro-choice Republican nominee would be a
gift to the Democrats, because the Republican Party wins over so many
swing voters on abortion alone. Which is why Fred Thompson, who is
against abortion rights, is getting so much grateful attention from
his party now. And why, despite wide opposition to the war in Iraq,
Democrats must still win back such voters to take the White House
next year.
[More at URL]
----- 14 -----
This book is a 21st century must read!
Canada Family Action Coalition
Online as of 25 June 2007
http://www.familyaction.org/state-vs-church-book.htm
In State vs. Church Timothy Bloedow clarifies dynamics by which the
state is now interfering with church, faith and belief. The state,
from its secular value base, has imposed those values upon citizens
and become tyrannical in doing it. Timothy writes, " NO worldview is
neutral." That highlights the essence of what Christians must
understand to defend their faith positions in public debate.
Bloedow's writing maps out strategies of the secularists thereby
providing great insight into what "people of faith"- Christians and
others must do to counter such works. The war for thought and reason,
values and religion, truth and morality are all interconnected. State
and Church will help you connect the dots so you may enter the battle
with a plan that withstands the challenges it will encounter. He
says" Secularism is one of the most intolerant, uncompromising
ideologies invented by man." He is right.
This Canadian book is a key to help Christians shape our national
future.
To ORDER this important book:
Call CFAC at 403-295-2159 ( Visa or M/C )
Only : $20 + $3.50 S/H = $23.50 for paperback
$25 + $4.37 S/H = $29.37 for hardcover.
You can see more about the author, the book and the issue at
www.christiangovernment.ca
----- 15 -----
What is Christian Government?
Christian government includes self-government, family government,
church government and civil government.
Online as of 25 June 2007
http://www.christiangovernment.ca/
Where people are governed by more than one level of civil government,
Christian civil government gives deference to the lowest level of
government, that is, the level of government closest to the people
being served. A Christian worldview advances the ideas of localism
and decentralization.
Christianity advances a federalist model of civil government:
Christian civil government reflects the principles of
decentralization of authority and division of power. Which is to say
that centralist models of government are incompatible with a
Christian view. Centralist models seek to centralize as much civil
power as possible in the highest level of civil government, and to
centralize as much governmental authority as possible in the civil
government, at the expense of self-government, family government and
church government. (Socialism is a centralist model of government.)
Christian governance is an act of service. Politicians are still
called "ministers" as a continual tribute to the Christian worldview,
which teaches that politicians should be servants, not tyrants.
[More at URL]
----- 16 -----
Book release:
State vs. Church: What Christians Can Do to Save Canada from Liberal
Tyranny
Press Release - March 29, 2007
For immediate release
http://www.christiangovernment.ca/book_press.php
RUSSELL, ON - Today is the release of Timothy Bloedow's new book,
"State vs. Church: What Christians Can Do to Save Canada from Liberal
Tyranny."
This book will make Christians enthusiastic about standing up for
Christ in Canada's public square. After reading this book, Christians
will know why their faith is a superior foundation for Canadian
culture and government and why Secular Humanism is a threat that must
be suppressed for the good of all Canadians.
Bloedow's book issues a strong call for the clear separation of the
functions of the church and the state. But it is also a strong
challenge to re-integrate Christian religion with Canadian politics.
"Christianity is the only worldview that offers a firm foundation for
the most important principles of a free and democratic nation," says
Bloedow. "Christianity is the basis for the rule of law, freedom of
conscience, freedom of religion, freedom of speech and equality
before the law."
Secular Humanism has become the religion of modern liberals and
Canada is on a dangerous path towards tyranny as Secular Humanism
becomes increasingly entrenched in this country.
Liberals hate debate because they can't win. That's why they are
militant advocates of censorship and other forms of oppression. They
oppose creation being taught alongside the theory of evolution in
schools; they oppose public dissent on homosexuality with measures
like Bill C-250; through the Court Challenges Program, they have
supported the taxpayer funding of one side of numerous contentious
issues.
"Secular humanist leaders despise equality," notes Bloedow. They
exploit every lever of power available to them, ensuring their own
advancement at the expense of others. So much for the most important
principle of equality in a free society, the equality between the
governors and the governed."
But serious Christian politicians are committed to true equality,
decisive justice and ordered liberty. And this is the vision that
most Canadian have for their country, even those who aren't
Christians themselves.
Canada is a long way down the road towards Secular Humanist tyranny,
but we still have time to turn around. Christians need to understand
the exciting political implications of their faith. And they need to
boldly promote Christian principles for Canada's law and public
policy. These principles, such as the criminalisation of murder and
theft, are being eroded by today's Secular Humanist establishment.
"We must put an end to this anarchy and this reckless abuse of power
by advancing clear Christian positions in Canada's public square,"
says Bloedow.
"That is the message of my provocative book. It is a unique call to
arms for Christians who want to be fully engaged ON THE WINNING SIDE
in the culture war that is being waged today for the soul of Canada."
Buy your copy of "State vs. Church: What Christians Can Do to Save
Canada from Liberal Tyranny" TODAY from our website at
www.christiangovernment.ca. Or please call us to order at
613-482-1790. We have paperback and hardcover copies available for
$20 and $25 respectively (Plus S&H).
- 30 -
For more information, contact Tim Bloedow at: 613-482-1790.
----- 17 -----
Joseph Farah headline speaker at Toronto Dinner June 7
Institute for Canadian Values
Date: May 27, 2007
http://canadianvalues.ca/news.aspx?aid=315
TORONTO - Joseph Farah, founder, editor and chief executive officer
of WorldNetDaily.com, the world's leading independent internet news
source will be the headline speaker in Toronto on the night of June
7th. The topic of his address will be "Breaking the left-wing
monopoly on public discourse".
[...]
Also speaking will be Tristan Emmanuel of ECP-Centre, Dr. Charles
McVety of Canada Family Action Coalition, and Joseph Ben-Ami of the
Institute for Canadian Values.
The Institute for Canadian Values is very happy to be partnering with
the ECP-Centre and Canada Family Action Coalition in this event,"
said Joseph Ben-Amii. "It's important for groups such as ours to work
together whenever and wherever possible. We're particularly excited
because we'll also be announcing a number of initiatives that night
that will build on what we've already been able to accomplish
together in our movement."
[More at URL]
----- 18 -----
When marriage became a ‘hate crime’
By George Will
Jewish World Review June 25, 2007 / 9 Tamuz, 5767
http://jewishworldreview.com/cols/will062507.php3
Marriage is the foundation of the natural family and sustains family
values. That sentence is inflammatory, perhaps even a hate crime.
At least it is in Oakland, Calif. That city's government says those
words italicized here constitute something akin to hate speech, and
can be proscribed from the government's open e-mail system and
employee bulletin board.
[...]
Some African-American Christian women working for Oakland's
government organized the Good News Employee Association (GNEA), which
they announced with a flier describing their group as "a forum for
people of Faith to express their views on the contemporary issues of
the day. With respect for the Natural Family, Marriage and Family
Values." The flier was distributed after other employees' groups,
including those advocating gay rights, had advertised their political
views and activities on the city's e-mail system and bulletin board.
[...]
Effectively, the city has proscribed any speech that even one person
might say questioned the gay rights agenda and therefore created what
that person felt was a "hostile environment." This, even though gay
rights advocates used the city's communication system to advertise
"Happy Coming Out Day." Yet the terms "natural family," "marriage"
and "family values" are considered intolerably inflammatory.
[More at URL]
----- 19 -----
Opposing view: No wedding, no benefits
Only married couples deserve financial support from society.
By Peter Sprigg
USA Today
http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2007/06/post-6.html?csp=34
Society gives "benefits" to marriage because marriage gives benefits
to society. Therefore, when those who are not married, such as people
in homosexual or cohabiting relationships, seek to receive such
public benefits, they bear the burden of proof. They must show that
such relationships benefit society (not just themselves) in the same
way and to the same degree that authentic marriage between a man and
a woman does.
This is a burden they cannot meet. Only the union of a man and a
woman can result in the natural reproduction that is essential
literally to continue the human race. And research clearly
demonstrates that married men and women — and children raised by
their married, biological mother and father — are happier, healthier
and more prosperous than people in any other living situation. These
are the true benefits of marriage.
[More at URL]
----- 20 -----
To: Friends of Family Research Council
From: Family Research Council President Tony Perkins
June 25, 2007 - Monday
Please forward this to your Friends and Family!
Court Protects Political Speech but Not Student Drug Promotion
http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=WU07F13
Pro-family groups got mostly good news in a trio of 5-4 decisions
handed down today by the U.S. Supreme Court. In FEC v. Wisconsin
Right to Life, the Court ruled that public policy non-profits (like
FRC and FRC Action) do not violate campaign finance laws when they
run issue-oriented ads that mention an office-holder close to an
election. A ruling the other way would have been a serious blow to
freedom of speech, and to the ability of groups like FRC and FRC
Action to mobilize public opinion in support of important policies.
For now, at least, non-profits will have much wider freedom to talk
about issues and legislators than BCRA, sometimes dubbed an
"incumbent protection act," allowed them. In the case of Hein v.
Freedom from Religion Foundation (see next item for more details),
the Court ruled that an atheist organization does not have standing
to sue the government over the President's creation of the White
House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. Finally, in
the case of Morse v. Frederick, the Court upheld the actions of a
school that suspended a student for displaying a banner with the
bizarre message "BONG HITS 4 JESUS." FRC is concerned about
restrictions on the free speech of students because it is often
religious or conservative speech that is restricted, but in this case
the Court ruled narrowly that the banner promoted illegal drug use
and was therefore validly found to be disruptive.
Additional Resources
Supreme Court rules in student free speech, faith-based funding,
campaign finance cases
Court Nixes Atheist Challenge to Faith-Based Office
The right of faith-based organizations to compete on an equal basis
with secular ones for federal grants won a victory today at the
Supreme Court. A group of atheists had sued the federal government,
charging that President Bush's executive order creating the White
House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives was an
"establishment of religion" forbidden by the First Amendment.
However, taxpayers are generally not allowed to sue the government
just because they don't like what it does, unless they've suffered
some specific injury. The Supreme Court has previously carved out an
exception in the case of Congressional expenditures that may violate
the establishment clause. But today, the Court rejected a proposal to
expand that exception to executive branch actions as well. Not only
is this a victory for faith-based organizations, but it's a victory
for the separation of powers and for free speech as well. The Court
warned that allowing the suit to go forward would mean allowing "the
federal courts to superintend . . . the speeches, statements, and
myriad daily activities of the President" and his staff. Whether it's
a case of faith in the public square, opposition to homosexual
behavior, or simply the popularity of conservative talk radio,
liberals are showing a disturbing tendency to try to stifle free
speech for those who disagree with them.
Additional Resources
Justices bar ordinary taxpayers from suing over White House faith-
based program
Liberal Partnerships No Longer in Store for Wal-Mart
For Wal-Mart executives, the most pressing issue hasn't been price
wars but the broader culture war. A year after the company's failed
experiment of endorsing pro-homosexual groups, the retail giant
announced that it will no longer donate to "gay, lesbian, bisexual,
and transgender (GLBT) organizations." The news is a significant
victory for many in the pro-family movement who took part in a
grassroots campaign to oppose Wal-Mart's liberal partnerships. In
2006, the company known for its Christian roots did a radical about-
face, joining the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce,
sponsoring the "Out & Equal" convention, and selling homosexual-
themed products in its retail stores. Wal-Mart's liberal
transformation angered many in its customer base and prompted several
groups to boycott the chain altogether. FRC distributed thousands of
educational fliers warning customers that Wal-Mart was rolling back
family values. In the end, the broad backlash forced the company to
revoke its political agenda. Hopefully, this latest decision will
signal other companies to rethink their liberal leanings. Many have
tested the political waters and found that embracing the Left's
agenda often means sacrificing profits and consumer confidence--a
price more retailers are unwilling to pay. For the latest on the
homosexual agenda, log on to www.frc.org to read an op-ed today by
FRC's Vice President for Policy, Peter Sprigg, which appeared in USA
Today.
Additional Resources
No wedding, no benefits
Prayer Request
Our thoughts and prayers are with one of FRC's pro-life allies,
Daniel McConchie, Vice President and Chief of Staff for Americans
United for Life. Over the weekend, Daniel was involved in a
motorcycle crash and suffered serious injuries to his spinal cord. He
is scheduled to undergo surgery tomorrow morning in Wisconsin, and I
know his family would appreciate your prayers.
----- 21 -----
Censoring the Church and Silencing Christians
May 29, 2007 - Tuesday
by: Tony Perkins
http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=DV07E01&f=PG06I01
Hate crime laws now threaten free speech and religious liberty
nationwide and threaten those who speak out against homosexuality.
"Hate Crimes Laws:" Censoring the Church and Silencing Christians is
a provocative look at this disturbing and threatening legal tool of
the homosexual lobby. Hosted by Tony Perkins, President of the Family
Research Council, the program features shocking examples of how hate
crime laws trample free speech, lead to arrests, and censor speech.
Featured on this 40 minute DVD are Dr. D. James Kennedy; Ake Green, a
Swedish pastor arrested for preaching against homosexuality; members
of the Philadelphia 11; Christine Sneeringer, an ex-lesbian; Dr.
Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics
and Religious Liberty Commission; Pastor Danny Nalliah, of Catch the
Fire Ministries (who was prosecuted under hate crimes laws in
Australia); and more.
Press 'play' below for a preview of the DVD:
[More at URL]
----- 22 -----
Exodus Head Clarifies 'Ex-Gay' Remarks
By Lillian Kwon
Christian Post Reporter
Fri, Jun. 22 2007 02:52 PM ET
http://www.christianpost.com/article/
20070622/28111_Exodus_Head_Clarifies_%5C%27Ex-Gay%5C%27_Remarks.htm
Alan Chambers, a former homosexual who heads the nation's largest
evangelical referral ministry on homosexual issues, clarified recent
controversial remarks that he reportedly made regarding the term "ex-
gay."
The president of Exodus International said he did not say that he has
never met a successful ex-gay, as a Los Angeles Times article
suggested, but that he has never met anyone who has loved the term
"ex-gay."
[...]
The Exodus head further clarified another statement he made, in which
he said, "By no means would we ever say change can be sudden or
complete."
Chambers explained that he was not indicating that complete freedom
isn't possible or that people have not experienced "amazing
transformation" from homosexuality. Instead, using words like
"sudden" or "complete" when describing a person's change in
overcoming homosexual desires "gives the impression that people never
struggle again."
Leaving homosexuality is a difficult journey that takes time, as Bob
Stith, national gender issues specialist for the Southern Baptist
Convention, believed Chambers was implying.
[More at URL]
----- 23 -----
District Sorry for Censoring Gay Kiss
Jun 25 04:29 PM US/Eastern
By JEFFREY GOLD
Associated Press Writer
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8Q02BVO0&show_article=1
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) - The school district said Monday it regretted
ordering a picture of a male student kissing his boyfriend blacked
out from all copies of a high school yearbook and said it apologized
to the student.
Andre Jackson, the student, said he was disappointed that the
superintendent had not delivered the apology face-to-face and in
public. Because of that, he said he didn't accept it as sincere.
"I would accept an apology—a public apology," said Jackson, 18.
[...]
"The decision was based, in part, on misinformation that Mr. Jackson
was not one of our students and our review simply focused on the
suggestive nature of the photograph," the district said.
[...]
In the 4 1/2-by-5-inch photo, Jackson is seen turning his head back
over his right shoulder and kissing Escobales, 19, of Allentown, Pa.
It was blacked out after Russell Garris, the district's assistant
superintendent who oversees the city's high schools, told Bolden he
was concerned that the photo could upset parents.
The photo was among several that appeared on a special personal
tribute page in the yearbook.
Jackson, who paid $150 for the page, noted that the yearbook is
filled with pictures of heterosexual couples kissing.
[More at URL]
----- 24 -----
Mike Nifong and Civil Rights
by Rabbi David Eidensohn
National Non-Sectarian Council of Pro-Family Activists
http://www.sinaicentral.com/gendercentral/
mike_nifong_and_contemporary_civ.htm
What do we learn from the sad saga of Mike Nifong? Mike Nifong is the
disgraced former District Attorney of Durham, N.C., who falsely
indicted three white and wealthy Duke University lacrosse players for
rape of a black woman. A special ethics panel disbarred Mr. Nifong,
finding that he deliberately withheld DNA information that proved the
innocence of the indicted boys. Mr. Nifong was called a "rogue"
District Attorney, and thoroughly castigated by the North Carolina
legal authorities.
[...]
America, abetted by an enthusiastic media and college culture,
worships civil rights. Civil rights is crucial for civilization, but
the bible warns us, "Do not be overly righteous." Why? Because, "one
who becomes overly righteous becomes overly wicked." Abuse of
goodness destroys.
We see this with civil rights. Every group protected by civil rights
has suffered terribly and in certain serious ways deteriorated. Black
authorities have noted the terrifying situation with black youth
today that never existed in America even during slavery. Entire
neighborhoods of the inner city are disaster zones. Many black
children have no role models if they want to be good fathers.
After slavery, the blacks, firm in their religion and family values,
maintained themselves as religious families. They were doing
relatively fine until the civil rights movement taught them to hate.
Today, if a black child wants to succeed, some may disparage this and
say it is "white." Tons of money is poured into black schools, but
little changes. Civil rights, becoming "overly righteous" encouraged
blacks to hate and whine and not become normal citizens. Drugs and
sex are more important to the inner city child than good grades. The
young men end up in jail and are taught there to be Islamic fanatics.
The black woman is impregnated by how many people and these children
add to the disaster. This is how they do it in America.
The next victim of civil rights was women.
There was a time in America when a woman married and expected to stay
married. Today a woman in America will never know this security. The
tragedy of single mothers working is a blight on our country. Here we
see the pain of civil rights being "overly righteous." Books are now
appearing from bitter women who are faced with never marrying because
they have been trained to be big mouthed men and no man they want,
wants them. Other books tell us about women who finally married in
their forties and find to their great consternation that they can't
conceive.
Now we are encouraging homosexuals. After pouring the lion's share of
the medical dollar into AIDS, neglecting diseases of the majority
because we worship minorities, homosexuals are still coming down with
AIDS and are even less interested in safe sex than they ever were. In
earlier times a homosexual could be helped with therapy to become
heterosexual. But today because we are "overly righteous" about
minorities, it has become an act of opprobrium to perform conversion
therapy. A married man who is desperate to become heterosexual must
run the gamut of the civil rights fanatics who believe that to do
what he wants is insulting to the Gay Lobby.
[More at URL]
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