Tuesday
NOS RELINQUO NOSTER SENTENTIA
LAST WEEK WE OPENED WITH THE LATIN
PHRASE: "QUO VADIS?" TODAY WE USE:
"NOS RELINQUO NOSTER SENTENTIA"
"Nos relinquo noster sententia" is the Latin reply
to last week's question to the American church, "Quo
Vadis?" -- Where are you going? The answer is what
we have come to realize is true about large segments
of the church: We have lost our way. Or perhaps more
accurately: We have abandoned our convictions.
Last week we promised to propose a Bible based
answer to the problem of the decline of the Christian
church in America. The search for an answer to this
very pervasive problem was given added impetus by
Bill Hybel's admission of an erroneous emphasis in
his ministry at Willow Creek Congregational Church,
the second largest "mega-church" in America: "We
made a mistake... We should have taught people
how to read the bible between services, how to
do the spiritual practices mush more aggressively
on their own."
This week our attention was directed to a similar
admission by Tim Keller, pastor of the Redeemer
Presbyterian Church in New York City, and author
of "The Reason for God" -- "I just need to do a
much better job than I have of leadership
development, mentoring and training."
We cannot devote the time or space to set forth a
complete doctrinal theological position as to the Bible
taught ministry of the church. Instead, we offer this very
brief outline, largely based on the words of Jesus Christ.
Anglican theologian W.H. Griffith Thomas authored
a classic textbook titled "Christianity is Christ," which
presents Jesus Christ as the center of the Christian
faith. It will be recalled that when Jesus asked His
disciples who they believed Him to be, Peter
responded with what has been called "the first Christian
creed" -- "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the
living God." Jesus said that upon that statement
of faith He would build His Church. (Matt. 16: 16,18)
And He did. The Scripture records that the early
believers were called "Christians" (Acts 11:26); they
went everywhere preaching the word (Acts 8:4); they
were described as having turned the world upside
down (Acts 17:6), and the Lord added to the Church
those who were saved (Acts 2:47). That is the Bible
record -- the history -- of the Church that Jesus Christ
established.
And the message that Jesus gave them to preach?
"God so loved the world that he gave his only
begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him
should not perish, but have everlasting life."
(John 3:16) "I am the way, the truth and the life;
no man cometh unto the Father but by me."
(John 14:6) "Except a man be born again, he
cannot see the kingdom of God... Ye must be
born again." (John 3: 3,7)
Paul confirmed those things that Jesus had taught,
saying , "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and
thou shalt be saved." (Acts 16:31) "There is
none other name under heaven, given among
men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)
And in establishing what being a Christian involves,
he wrote:"Study to show thyself approved unto
God, a workman who needeth not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth." (II Tim. 2:15)
And what instruction, what directive, did Jesus give
to believers? What was the purpose of the Church?
"Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel
... teach all nations, baptizing them in the name
of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost." (Mark 16:15; Matt. 28:19)
And that is the history, the message and the purpose
of the Church which Jesus founded. It is that faith
which grew to become the largest religion on Earth.
It is that faith which sent believers across the ocean to
establish a new nation called America, based on the
principles of that faith. And it has been the church in
that new nation which through the years -- by faith --
has sent thousands of missionaries to the far corners
of the world in obedience to the Great Commission
of Jesus Christ.
But it is that church which is in decline -- it is not the
faith which has failed, it is the failed demonstration of
that faith by those who call themselves "Christians" or
even "Evangelicals."
We have experienced in recent days attempts by the
"Religious Left" to redefine "Evangelicalism" and the
mission of the church by moving it away from its main
emphasis on the power of the gospel to change lives,
and to broaden its agenda by putting primary emphasis
on a cure for HIV/AIDS, poverty, global climate
change and the environment. But those elements have
always been part of the church's task to bring about
social and cultural change, and they have always been
based on the message of the gospel resulting in the
changed lives of believers.
So what is the promised answer to the question,
"Quo Vadis?" (Where are you going?) addressed to
the American church, and to the church's response,
"Nos relinquo noster sententia" (We have lost our
way, or We have abandoned our convictions.)? The
answer is: "Impleo propositum ecclesia," Fulfill the
purpose of the church, as stated by Jesus Christ. It's
just that simple: Fulfill the purpose of the church.
That is the answer.
So there is the history of the Christian church ... the
message of the church ... the purpose of the church.
It is all just that clear and simple. Then why is the
church in a state of decline today?
This discussion continues in next week's issue
of American News Commentary.
"We may not understand how the spirit works;
but the effect of the spirit on the lives of men is
there for all to see; and the only unanswerable
argument for Christianity is a Christian life. No
man can disregard a religion and a faith and a
power which is able to make bad men good."
-- William Barclay
Some Random Afterthoughts . . .
The continuing problem in the Anglican church,
world-wide. The lingering effects of the ordination
of an openly homosexual bishop in the Episcopal
church in America has brought the Anglican church
close to schism. This week approximately 1,000 of
the more orthodox, Bible believing leaders will be
meeting in Jerusalem, many of them planning to
boycott the once-every-ten-years-Lambeth-conference
in Canterbury in July. One of the leaders is Archbishop
Peter Akinola of Nigeria, who has declared, "There
is no longer any hope for a unified communion."
The recent "marriage" of two homosexual Anglican
priests in a church ceremony has exacerbated the
problem. The issue is centered on the acceptance or
rejection of the Word of God as the final authority for
the church.
Meantime, here in America, the Presbyterian Church
USA will be meeting this week in California to decide
whether or not to re-write the "Book of Order" so as
to permit Presbyterian ministers to marry homosexual
couples. Thus the Presbyterians will be facing up to the
issue which so many "main line" denominations have
dealt with unsatisfactorily, from a Bible-based viewpoint.
In California, where homosexual marriage became legal
last week, Roman Catholic bishops have rejected the
procedure and have declared that marriage"has a unique
place in God's creation, joining a man and a woman
in a committed relationship..."
A personal encounter: Daniel Heimbach, Professor
of Ethics at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
has withdrawn his membership in the Society of
Christian Ethics after the organization took a stand
which he describes as "honoring sin over Scripture."
New guidelines will make it impossible for any member
to remain in good standing who does not affirm homo-
sexuality, and who defend and apply Biblical morality.
What is happening along these lines reminds one of
the old illustration of the camel's nose under the tent.
In case you were wondering, here, according to
Forbes Weekly Newsletter, in 1-10 order are the top
most powerful celebrities in the world today: 1: Oprah
Winfrey; 2: Tiger Woods; 3: Angelina Jolie; 4:
Beyonce Knowles; 5: David Beckham; 6: Johnny
Depp; 7: Jay-Z; 8: The Police (a musical group, not
your local cops); 9: J.K. Rowling; 10: Brad Pitt. In
case you had been wondering, now you know.
For the record, Congressional leaders do well on a
financial basis. Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi
is by far the wealthiest of the Congressional leaders,
with her assets valued at between $30 million and
$131 million. John Boehner, the minority leader in the
House has assets valued at between $2.1 million and
$7.9 million. Over in the Senate, majority leader Harry
Reid's assets are valued at between $2.6 million and
$12.3 million, with minority leader Mitch McConnell's
assets valued at about the same level, $3 million to
$12.7 million. The wide range is provided for in the
financial disclosure forms in the Ethics in Government
Act of 1978, making it extremely difficult to determine
a lawmaker's exact wealth. But they do appear to be
doing quite well, by any standard.
Not exactly a "Founding Father," but wise words,
even so: "Our safety, our liberty, depends upon
preserving the Constitution of the United States as
our fathers made it inviolate. The people of the
United States are the rightful masters of both
Congress and the courts -- not to overthrow the
Constitution, but to overthrow the men who
pervert the Constitution." -- Abraham Lincoln
Quo Vadis?
American News Commentary
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Vol. 10, No. 25 June 18, 2008 © 2008
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"QUO VADIS?" A PERTINENT QUESTION
FOR THE CHURCH; THE FIRST PART
OF A CONTINUING DISCUSSION
"Quo Vadis?" - a Latin phrase meaning "Where
are you going?" is one version of the question Peter
asked of Jesus in John 12:36,"Whither goest thou?"
The answer to that question from the church in
America today came in recent days from one of the
nation's largest, most successful "mega-churches,"
Willow Creek Community Church in South
Barrington, IL, consistently listed as the second
largest church in America, definitely one of the new
category of "giga-churches." Under Senior Pastor
Bill Hybels, Willow Creek has grown to 23,500
members, and is widely regarded as one of the
more successful church ministries in our nation.
But seemingly almost in direct response to the
query, "Where are you going?" Willow Creek
faced a disturbing result of a study recorded in a
book with the perhaps coincidental title, "Reveal:
Where are you?". The book was co-authored by
Cally Parkinson and Greg Hawkins, Executive
Pastor of Willow Creek church.
Bill Hybels described the findings, "earth shaking
... ground breaking ... mind blowing," and said:
"We made a mistake. What we should have done
when people crossed the line of faith and became
Christians, we should have started ... teaching
people that they have to take the responsibility
to become 'self feeders.' We should have taught
people how to read their bible between services,
how to do the spiritual practices much more
aggressively on their own."
James Patrick Holding, writing in Moody News,
made this comment: "The error of the seeker
sensitive movement is monumental in its scope.
The foundation of thousands of American
churches is now discovered to be mere sand.
The extent of this error defies measurement."
Holding further commented on the problem of
meeting the needs of the people:
* "Taking your church through 'Purpose Driven
Life' won't solve this.
* Reading 'Left Behind' novels won't solve this.
* More contemporary music programs, 'extreme'
skateboard demonstrations, and 'seeker-friendly'
techniques won't solve this.
* Joel Osteen will DEFINITELY not solve this.
* Your average Sunday School materials,
which strain mightily to make passages like
Isa. 42 somehow relevant to the average
working person won't solve this.
* Building a new church gymnasium won't
solve this.
* Youth programs involving gimmicks and
games won't solve this.
* Passing out tracts won't solve this.
* Dumbing down the sermons even more and
not mentioning sin won't solve this."
The acknowledgment by Pastor Bill Hybels
that something was lacking in one of the most
successful church ministries in America gives some
encouragement to the thought that something
effective might be done to change the situation.
Plus the fact that Frank Page, the retiring president
of the Southern Baptist Convention (America's
largest Protestant denomination) told the annual
meeting last week that by the year 2030 half of the
nation's present Southern Baptist churches could
be closed if the present downward trend continues.
Recognition of the fact that a problem exists is the
first step toward arriving at a solution.
We will continue this discussion in future issues of
this newsletter. Why? Because it is important. Next
week we plan to propose an answer to this problem,
based -- you guessed it -- on the Word of God.
The Homosexual issue simply does not go away.
For example, Norway has become the sixth country
in the world to make same-sex "marriages" legal.
And the new law permits homosexuals to adopt
children, and permits lesbians to be artificially
inseminated. Strange aberrations of God's clear
plan from the beginning of time as recorded in the
Scriptures: "And God created man in his own
image ... male and female created he them ....
and God blessed them and God said unto them,
be fruitful and multiply..." (Gen. 1:27-28)
And that homosexual Episcopal Bishop in New
Hampshire -- Vicki Gene Robinson -- and his
live-in lover stopped de facto shacking up
together after 19 years and on June 7 entered
into a civil union in a private ceremony in a New
Hampshire Episcopal church. Robinson made
ecclesiastical history in 2003 as he became the
first openly homosexual bishop in more than four
centuries of the church.
But even beyond this unprecedented act, is the
report in the London Telegraph newspaper that
two male homosexual Anglican priests exchanged
wedding vows and were "married" in an Anglican
church in England, using the church's traditional
marriage liturgy, with prescribed readings, hymns
and a Eucharist. The term "blasphemous" was
frequently used in speaking of such a ceremony,
with calls for the Archbishop of Canterbury to take
decisive action before the Anglican Communion
becomes completely disintegrated. The Bishop of
London, in whose diocese the event was reported
to have occurred, is said to be investigating the
matter..
And just to our North, in Canada, the Alberta
Human Rights Tribunal has ordered evangelical
pastor Stephen Boisson to renounce his faith and
never again express his moral opposition to
homosexuality. Boisson was banned from ever
expressing his biblical perspective on
homosexuality and ordered to pay $5,000 for
"damages for pain and suffering" and to apologize
to the activist who complained of being hurt by
his stated position.
All these happenings at the time -- this week --
when by California Supreme Court order,
marriage was officially redefined, and same-sex
"marriage" became legal in California. This
despite a 61.4% vote of the people just 8 years
ago, establishing by law that marriage was only
between a man and a woman. .
Something to laugh at and ignore as harmless,
and can't happen here? Not any more.
Words of wisdom to think on: ""The tragedy
of life and of the world is not that men do not
know God; the tragedy is that, knowing Him,
they still insist on going their own way."
-- William Barclay
Some Random Afterthoughts . . .
Interesting headlines of the week; they give
some indication of the trends of the times . . .
* "Brace yourself for Fifteen Dollar gas"
* "Iran war likely before '08 election"
* "Social Security for illegal aliens"
* "Poll: One quarter of Brits think Churchill
was a myth"
* "Gas prices up 75% since Dems took over
in 2006"
* "Yawn: UN Imposes New Sanctions on Iran."
* "Home prices continue downward spiral"
The opposition doesn't quit. The ACLU has
announced the largest fund-raising effort in its
88-year history. The goal of the campaign is
$335 million, with $258 million already raised.
The major contributor has been George Soros
who gave $12 million. Executive Director Anthony
Romero cited gay rights, immigrant rights and
police brutality among the issues upon which the
ACLU will concentrate in the months ahead.
And meantime nine of the leading homosexual
organizations have announced their strategy to
redefine marriage in America. In releases they
urge their members not to institute suits, but to
move the gay marriage concept through state
courts and state legislatures. And the release
concludes, "When we've won in a critical mass
of states, we can turn to Congress and the
federal courts." The sad fact is that they are right
about favorable decisions from those two sources.
You may have noticed that this newsletter is
not particularly enthusiastic about the UN. That
viewpoint was strengthened this past week
when the UN Human Rights Council (with such
notable Human Rights aficionados as Cuba, Saudi
Arabia and Sri Lanka as members) has issued a
report saying that Great Britain should renounce
its monarchy, and adopt a constitution. Why the
United States should continue to support this
organization is difficult to understand. It may be
said that there has been no noticeable response in
the form of a resignation by Queen Elizabeth II.
A two century-old lifetime motto: "Do all the
good you can, by all the means you can, in all
the ways you can, in all the places you can, at
all the times you can, to all the people you can,
as long as ever you can." -- Charles Wesley
Tis The Season To Be ...
"Tis the season to be ..." Not "jolly" as in the
familiar Christmas song, but rather "Tis the season
to be wary" as in any election campaign. One thing
should always be remembered because it is proved
to be true in every speech by candidates for office:
Be wary of believing campaign promises.
There have been so many examples to prove this
long established principle in recent weeks. Take
just one -- Hillary Clinton's repeated story about
landing in Bosnia during a gunfire attack, and
having to run for protective cover. The problem
with that story was that the news photo coverage
showed her safely on the ground amid a welcoming
group, and receiving flowers from a young girl.
There was not one element of truth in her story, so
ultimately she stopped using it. Embarrassed? No.
Politicians have colossal egos and thick skins.
But more graphic -- much more graphic -- is the
spectacular flip-flop by Barack Obama with respect
to the nation Israel and Jerusalem. In his speech to
the American Israel Public Affairs Committee
(AIPAC) last week he declared unequivocally:
"Jerusalem will remain the capital of Israel
and it must remain undivided." The AIPAC
audience applauded and cheered, as did Bible
believing Christians who understand Israel's place
in God's plan. But one day later Obama's staff
issued a revision, reading in part: "Jerusalem is a
final status issue, which means it has to be
negotiated between the two parties as part of
an agreement that they both can live with."
Under his rapidly revised position, he refused to
rule out other configurations, including establishing
Jerusalem as the capital of a Palestinian state, or
giving Palestine authority over Arab neighborhoods.
Not quite as dramatic as Clinton's story about
being in the midst of a gunfire attack, but much
deeper in meaning for Christians ... a flip-flop we
just cannot accept.
Tis the season to be wary. There is a five month
political campaign ahead of us. Weigh the campaign
promises. Flip-flopping is the new exercise-du-jour.
A date that may have escaped attention, but
which should be remembered: June 6, "D-Day,"
64 years ago in 1944. The largest military invasion
force ever assembled -- 150,000 men, largely
from America, Great Britain and Canada, went\
ashore on the French coast under the battle name
"Overlord," a plan developed and commanded by
General Dwight D. Eisenhower. The losses were
tremendous, numbering at least 10,300, of which
6,600 dead, wounded or captured were Americans.
But the invasion of Europe had begun and 5 days
later, June 11, allied forces on the ground numbered
326,500, with 54,000 vehicles, and over 104 tons
of supplies. Less than a year later Germany had
surrendered.
On the 40th anniversary of D-Day, June 6, 1984,
President Ronald Reagan stood before the U.S.
Ranger monument at Pointe du Hoc, France, and
spoke these words of tribute: "We are here to
mark that day in history when the allied armies
joined in battle to reclaim this continent to liberty.
For four long years, much of Europe had been
under a terrible shadow. Free nations had fallen.
Jews cried out in the camps, and millions cried
out for liberation. Europe was enslaved, and
the world prayed for its rescue. Here in
Normandy the rescue began, at dawn on the
morning of June 6, 1944. Here the allies stood
and fought against tyranny in a giant under-
taking unparalleled in human history...These
are the champions who helped free a continent,
and these are the heroes who helped end a war.
...Strengthened by their courage, heartened by
their valor, and borne by their memory, let us
continue to stand for the ideals for which they
lived and died."
If there was any official American recognition of
D-Day on the 64th anniversary this year, it was
kept very quiet and subdued.
In Britain: the rise of Islam; we have recently
spoken of an Anglican Priest-in-Training, and an
Anglican Bishop who have warned of the failure
of the established church to deal effectively with
the threat of Islam. Now a British "think tank,"
Christian Research, has published a study disclosing
that by the year 2035 practicing Muslims will out-
number worshiping Christians in Britain. The report,
as part of study on Religious Trends estimates that
by 2035 there will be 1.96 million active Muslims,
compared with 1.63 million church-going Christians.
The study also estimated that by the year 2020, 4000
churches will close if congregations continue to shrink
at present rates. A recent census put the number of
Christians in Britain at 41 million -- yet fewer than a
million attend church every Sunday. Christians in
Britain have a monumental task facing them -- at risk
is the Christian church in that nation.
Wise words to recall in an election year, from a
Founding Father: "A democracy is nothing more
than mob rule, where fifty-one percent of the
people can take away the rights of the other
forty-nine." -- Thomas Jefferson, explaining that
here in the USA we have a constitutional republic
and not a democracy.
Some random Afterthoughts . . .
Southern Baptists to meet this week in Indiana
for their annual convention. America's largest
Protestant denomination has remained true to the
Word of God despite efforts to water down the
Gospel message -- including the threat posed by
the new Baptist denomination headed by Jimmy
Carter, Bill Clinton and Al Gore.
A new book ad that's hard to resist: "Author
Peter Schweizer mines volumes of social science
data to determine that a conservative worldview
is better than a liberal one -- for individuals and
society.
"If you're reading these words for any reason other
than 'opposition research,' chances are you're a
conservative. If you're a conservative, chances are
someone who is not a conservative has called you
'self righteous, fanatical, judgmental, out of touch,
condescending, or dumb.' -- or some variation
thereof -- for your views about social issues.
"So chances are you're going to love Peter
Schweizer's new book: Makers and Takers:
Why Conservatives Work Harder, Feel Happier,
Have Closer Families, Take Fewer Drugs, Give
More Generously, Value Honesty More, Are Less
Materialistic and Envious, Whine Less ... And
Even Hug Their Children More, Than Liberals."
It's a l-o-n-g title, but it does sound worth reading.
It's almost amusing, if it weren't so serious. The
UN -- the scandal plagued organization ensconced
in some of our nation's most expensive real estate,
with hands constantly outreached to receive more
millions from us to keep their members living in the
life style to which they have become accustomed --
they have just elected Miguel d'Escoto Brockman,
a Communist, as president, and also named the
government of Burma (famous for denying relief aid
to millions during the recent devastating cyclone
there) as vice president. It is interesting that a US
official was present for the vote, and it was done by
acclamation. It is almost funny (if you like sick humor)
-- a Lenin Prize winner as president, and heartless,
cruel Burma as vice president. And remember that
Cuba and Libya are members of the Human Rights
Commission. One writer suggested that we stop
paying dues to the UN and remodel the building into
a massive apartment complex for the city's poor.
And it appears to be the time to resurrect the old
slogan: "Get the US out of the UN and the UN
out of the US."
Prayer for Barack Obama. Every Friday morning
about 100 pastors meet "telephonically" via a
conference call, and pray specifically for Obama.
Houston pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell (who presided
over the recent wedding of the president's daughter)
said they pray: "For his safety, surety, soundness
of mind, clarity of thought," and added, "they
pray that the planes land safely and that Secret
Service agents keep their eyes open." One might
have thought they would pray for his spiritual well
being -- remembering his statement on October 27,
2007: "There has not been a stronger and more
consistent advocate of LGBT (Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual, Transgender) issues than I have been."
We often cite a quote from one of the Founding
Fathers, reminding us of the Judeo-Christian
principles upon which this nation was established.
But today, here is a quote from the US Supreme
Court in 1980 (Stone vs Graham) banning the
posting of the Ten Commandments in schools:
"If the posted copies of the Ten Commandments
were to have any effect at all, it would be to
induce school children to read them. And if
they read them, meditated upon them, and
perhaps venerated and observed them, this is
not a permissible objective." Apparently the
court sees it as a forbidden thing to teach school
children that in God's eyes it is wrong to covet,
murder, steal, lie, commit adultery, etc. Seems like
we give up a lot in the name of progress, liberalism
and diversity.
WHILE AMERICA SLEPT
THIS SEEMS TO BE THE TIME IN OUR
NATION'S HISTORY TO RECALL THE
TERM: "WHILE AMERICA SLEPT"
It was the title of a book and of a featured article
in a major weekly news magazine on on the 9/11
attack. . . the title of a incisive commentary by a
syndicated columnist on the war in Iraq . . . the
news headline for an Islamic attack on an American
family . . . and an evaluation of the upcoming
presidential election and how to deal with the threat
of terrorism: "While America Slept . . ."
But Hello -- America is still sleeping! The 9/11
attack is now 7 years old . . . the Iraq war goes on
. . . Islamists are still murdering Americans . . . no
one seems to know (or care) what the presidential
candidates will do about terrorism in general, and
Hezbollah in particular. But those are international
issues that we're dozing off about. There are some
purely national issues that are taking place, and we
don't seem to want to be awakened to face them.
There is the court decision in California, where by
a 4-3 vote judges overturned a vote of 61.4% of
the people of California, and declared same-sex
"marriage" is legal in California. The state's governor
put financial gain above the will of the people and
predicted a booming economy saying, "everyone
is going to come here and get married." (But
the marriage amendment to the state constitution
will be on the November ballot -- hopefully many
Christians will care enough to vote!)
Then there is last week's decree by the new
governor of New York state (where by statute
same-sex marriage is not permitted or recognized)
in which he directed that state agencies recognize
same-sex marriages from other jurisdictions. New
York homosexuals need not go through lengthy
residential requirements in the two states where
such marriages are permitted, but can just slip
across the border into Canada, get married and
return home to receive complete recognition if
their new status in New York state.
One other meaningful action while America slept,
was when the Governor of Colorado signed into
law a bill passed by the legislature (SB 200) which
blurs the distinctions between men and women by
making all public restrooms in the state "gender free."
To state it most clearly, anyone, regardless of their
biological identity, can use either the men's or
women's room.
And those are just three actions which have taken
place in the past few days. Perhaps the entire nation
is asleep . . . perhaps the churches of America are
ignoring their responsibilities . . . perhaps just we
Evangelicals are failing to fulfill our Lord's Great
Commission to go and preach and teach. We all
have the right, as American citizens, to demand
that our representatives -- Governors, Senators,
Congressmen -- observe the will of the people
who elected them. But if we remain asleep, and
do nothing to express our convictions to those
officials, we are going to see more of what this
nation was intended to be, taken away.
California updates: Last week we quoted the
governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, pointing to
the economic boom which the same-sex marriage
rule would create. He was right: a UCLA study,
reported in the Los Angeles Times, projects
same-sex marriages will generate as much as
$370 million in the state's economic activity in
the next three years.
the next three years.
And there are always the "polls." Some time ago
a LA Times poll reported that same-sex marriage
was opposed by the people by a 52%-41% margin.
Then followed a Field poll reported that 51% of
California residents approved the same-sex marriage
ruling. Now this week Capitol Research Institute
reports that a poll by ccAdvertising of Herendon,
VA showed traditional marriage (between one man
and one woman) favored 56.20% to 43.80%. One
further result, when asked if the election took place
today, would they vote for or against a marriage
amendment, 54% voted "for," and 35% "against."
"And the winner is!" That's how the presidential
primary finale should be reported. And it began to
look like that term might not be used until the close
of the Democrat party convention in Denver. But
then suddenly this week the race between Hillary
Clinton and Barack Obama was over. There were
divided wins in the 3 final votes -- Clinton won in
Puerto Rico and South Dakota; Obama won in
Montana. The delegates won in those states, plus
the endorsement of uncommitted "super delegates"
put Obama well past the 2,118 delegates needed
to clinch the nomination. Clinton's formal concession
is yet to come, but there are now two "presumptive"
candidates for the November election -- McCain
and Obama, and now the election battles really begin.
Not a Founding Father quote, but appropriate:
"Hillary Clinton was for the war on terror,
including in Iraq, before she had to become
against it to attract her Code Pink feminazi core
for a White House bid. Barack Obama says he
would have been against it from the start, had
he been out of his political diapers at the time
those tough decisions had to be made. Both are
running on ideological hindsight and campaign
rhetoric." -- J.B. Williams, commentator and
columnist writing in NewMediaJournal.us, 06/02/08
Some Random Afterthoughts . . .
Last week we advised you to take note of the
name Paul Eddy, an Anglican priest-in-training, who
is challenging the Church of England to increase their
evangelistic activity in view of the growth of Islam.
Now the Anglican Bishop of Rochester, Michael
Nazir-Ali, has said in the British political journal
"Standpoint," that the lack of Christian ideals in
England has created a "moral and spiritual
vacuum" that radical Islam seeks to fill. He charges
that political and church leaders are not embracing
traditional Christian values. Those two may start a
spiritual revolution (revival?) in Great Britain. They
have found a great need, and merit our prayers.
There is a benefit from the Gore hoax about
"Global Warming." One commentator suggested
that we assume that temperatures do get warmer
over the next 100 years by perhaps a couple of
degrees -- even though it has been cooling for the
past 10 years, and is likely to continue to cool for
the next decade. Under that assumption, here's the
benefit: take Greenland, for example. If that assumed
warming should take place, their local food supplies
would increase dramatically, and the end result there
and all over the world would be more food to feed
millions of people with much less expensive food.
However, Vaclav Klaus, the Czech President, in a
speech at the National Press Club in Washington
last week offered a warning in comparing Global
Warming and Communism: "Like their predecessors,
they will be certain that they have the right to
sacrifice man and his freedom to make their idea
reality. In the past it was in the name of the
Marxists or the proletariat. This time it is in the
name of the planet." Meantime, the U.S. Senate is
beginning debate on the Climate Security Act which,
if signed into law probably by the next President,
would reduce global warming emissions by 65% by
2050. It probably qualifies for inclusion in the "While
America Slept" category.
We have heard much about Iraqi Christians by
the thousands being forced to flee their homeland
due to Islamic attacks; church buildings burned or
destroyed. Although Christians make up only 5%
of Iraq's total population, they represent 40% of
refugees fleeing the country. It is estimated that well
over half of Iraq's Christians have fled. But there is
another religious tragedy taking place in Iraq. A
while back Iraqi Jews numbered about 130,000.
Today reliable estimates put the total number of
Jews remaining in Baghdad at 7 or 8. Yet this
land was an important locale for much of our Old
Testament history.
Wise, not-to-be-forgotten words: "Those who
do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it."
-- George Santayana, 1935
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