Obama & Tolerance in America - Is it Better to be a Homeschool Family or Gay

In the light of the recent national coming out of NBA veteran Jason Collins as a man who prefers sex with other men, its interesting to take note of the priorities of the President Obama and his administration.

President Obama was only too glad to make a personal call to Jason Collins to show official and personal support for his prominent revelations. And this call was made in the midst of national fanfare celebrating the announcement, American tolerance towards it and its substance.

The Romeike Family - Persecuted by the German Government for Homeschooling

On the other hand, the Obama administration has been responsible for the denial and argument against political asylum of the Romeike Family from Germany who came to the United State to seek political protection from the German Government's repeated intruding into and interrupting the raising and teaching of their children at home while not always conforming to the German society's view on social issues. The children have repeatedly been forcibly separated from their parents, housed with other families and the parents have been ordered to pay heavy fines for not conforming to government mandates. While initially being granted asylum, the Obama administration rescinded that status and has argued for their deportation to Germany saying that none of the Romeike's rights are being violated.

If you are unfamiliar with this Family and their plight, please read this information. More is available through an online search.

In the light of the Appeals Court denial of asylum, this article was written wondering if the Romeike's would have fared better if they had confessed to being a Gay couple.

So, it's more tolerable for a man to have sex with another man than it is for parents to be able to raise and train their children properly without undo government interference! Welcome to the Third Reich.

A Clash of Worldviews - Gay Human Pride & Christian Bible Truth

Jason Collins - Believes having sex with other men is a Christian Value

Jason Collins has spoken with a huge assist by Sports Illustrated and the Media in general. He has announced his coming out as a man raised with Christian Values who prefers a lifestyle of having sex with other men.

Chris Broussard - believes dedication to any particular sin is not supported by Jesus & the Bible

ESPN's Chris Broussard has also spoken with an assist from the Truth. He has announced that being dedicated to a lifestyle that the Bible and Jesus condemns is being in rebellion to God. Here is a portion of his quote as reported by The Christian Post:

• "Personally I don't believe that you can live an openly homosexual lifestyle or an openly premarital sex between heterosexuals. If you're openly living that type of lifestyle, the Bible says you know them by their fruits, it says that's a sin," Broussard said on ESPN Monday. "If you're openly living in unrepentant sin, whatever it may be, not just homosexuality, adultery, fornication, premarital sex between heterosexuals, whatever it may be. I think that's walking in open rebellion to God and to Jesus Christ."
  
  The analyst went on to question Collins' Christianity amid the debate.
  
  "I would not characterize that person as a Christian because I don't think the Bible would characterize them as a Christian," Broussard said.
   

 While Collins has received open support from noteworthy individuals such as President Barak Obama, former President Billl Clinton, Ellen Degeneres and Kobe Bryant, Broussard has received his share of support from others, some not necessarily Christian. Even actress Meredith Baxter-Smith of The Huffington Post began her article "Chris Broussard, ESPN Reporter, Thinks Jason Collins, Gays, Can Be 'Saved' If They 'Ask God For Forgiveness'" with a respectful acknowledgment of Collins words and actions:

• "You have to hand it to Chris Broussard: He's not one to back down in the face of controversy."

Interestingly, ESPN has offered a tepid apology, which was a statement of regret and nothing more. They have yet to take action against Broussard for his comments. There could be a couple of legitimate reasons for that, but for now, ESPN has remained in the background, content to enjoy the ratings attention (oops! Did I let that slip!?).

In the midst of this attention given to Chris Broussard for comments many are referring to as bigoted and intolerant, it should  be remembered that what he has stated thus far is the Truth. He has not stated anything to my knowledge that is not specifically and clearly supported by the Bible. And for the professing Christian, this is ultimately what you base your life on, the written and preserved revelation of God, His Words, Thoughts and Ways to mankind. Without it, position taken on any and all issues of life are nothing more than the thoughts and opinions of men and subject to change with the whims of men.

This Truth is what ultimately got Jesus nailed to a Roman Cross. From the first time he stood to speak in the local synagogue and quote from Isaiah, they tried to end His life. And He warned His Disciples and his followers to come that this World would hate them just as it hated Him first.

So, the turmoil that surrounds Chris Broussard and his speaking the Truth are nothing surprising. It's part of the territory of following Jesus according to what He has revealed to us about Life. Broussard seems to be exhibiting the peace that Jesus promised his Followers who trust in Him in the midst of emotional turmoil. The vital fact that must be remembered is that this turmoil has happened only because the Truth has been faithfully spoken by Chris Broussard, a Truth that did not originate with him, a Truth that is not always welcome by the World.

ESPN, Tolerance, God & Gay Pride - A Salute to Chris Broussard

ESPN's Chris Broussard speaks candidly!

 On the heels of the earth-shaking revelation from NBA player Jason Collins that he is gay, that he prefers to have sex with other men, comes even more eye opening comments from Chris Broussard, ESPN sportscaster / commentator. Broussard, a born again Christian, says that anyone who is dedicated to having sex with other men is "in rebellion against God."

Current NBA Free Agent Jason Collins

This whole episode began with Sports Illustrated's article on Collins' "coming out" earlier in the week, considered by some, including Jason Collins, as the first ever for an active player in professional sports, Martina Navratilova notwithstanding.

I personally offer a salute to Chris Broussard, not for his comments about the lifestyle choice of Jason Collins, but for his straightforward response to this whole episode and not being afraid to articulate, explain and clarify his personal beliefs. Many Christians in this country could learn much from this man, for he has put his job on the  line by speaking up. Whatever happens, I pray that God would continue to bless him and that Broussard would continue the good fight of faith for his Lord. I also pray that Jason Collins would come to know the Lord Jesus in a personal way. Maybe Broussard could help with that , too!

Tolerating Truth in America - The Bible, Jesus & Judging Others in a Plural Society

In this day when it's almost impossible to make a definitive statement about any topic without upsetting a significant demographic, tolerance is the operative word. Any and all statements which tend to draw conclusions not arrived at by cultural consensus is deemed to be worthy of nothing more than being discarded to the trash heap of distasteful dialogue, hate speech and verbal abortion.

Ken Ham - Answers in Genesis

 Into this societal fray steps Ken Ham, Founder of the apologetics ministry, Answers In Genesis. His article about the Bible and Judging others is a fitting tribute to the veracity of the Word of God for our lives as well as a balanced view of the Bible and it's apparent contradictions.

Increasingly, professing Christians that are dedicated to the notion that the Written Word of God is the standard for man to live by are becoming a target for intolerant attitudes and words. Politically speaking, some have even made the lists of those considered by Government as "Terrorists." American Culture is headed forward with the idea that such parameters are, indeed, not needed or wanted by a society whose truth is determined by the individual, as long as it agrees with a predetermined cultural consensus by the powers that be. As a part of this pre-arranged societal standard, the Bible and its clear statements about life are not to be a candidate for inclusion. It has been rejected. And increasingly, so are those who believe it.

God, Marriage, Money & Starbucks Gay Coffee - For Homosexuals Only

I'm not known for getting involved with boycotts of companies that support causes or ideologies that I don't agree with. I consider them a waste of valuable resources better spent elsewhere. But this is different.

At the annual shareholders meeting of Starbucks, the CEO had some interesting financial advice for a shareholder who didn't agree with the corporate stance of Starbucks regarding Traditional Marriage. Please Click Here for the entire story as reported by Forbes and passed on by Joe Miller.

While I will not be officially supporting any attempted boycott of Starbucks by any organization, I will be willing to take the advice of the CEO of Starbucks and spend my coffee money elsewhere. After all, I wouldn't want to think that the buying public frequenting Starbucks might disagree with any philosophy Starbucks would officially endorse.

Take your Coffee Money elsewhere!

 And I definitely wouldn't want to offend their bottom line, knowing that part of it was earned providing a service and product to an unwanted customer, a Traditional Marriage supporter. God forbid!

Political Undertow - Looking Below The Turmoil

Now that things are really starting to heat up politically for the Republicans, the Democrats are shifting into a higher gear. Both sides are frantically trying to take advantage of this moral free for all. One side tries to circle the wagons. The other is pressing the attack. There's only one problem with this scenario, though.

Both sides of the Political Aisle have the same problem. It is a deeply moral one.

The last two administrations have experienced the same thing; moral free fall. And there's a reason. As much as it is hidden and glossed over, the politicans that matter, the real movers and shakers, do not represent their more moral constituents. The fact that must be frankly admitted by all honest onlookers is that these officeholders, as a whole, do possess the approximate level of moral dignity as the majority of their constituents. The American people just have a difficult time accepting this. Why? Because it's a reflection they are viewing and they don't know how to change that reflection of themselves. But they keep trying to convince themselves that this reform can be accomplished and, thus, they keep struggling to fumigate the political atmosphere with the possible clouds of future political uptopia.

As we see, the current morass many are wallowing in doesn't lend much credence to the notion floated that all things are not as bad as they seem. And it seems that the more we try to convince ourselves of this, the more moral degeneracy seems to surface in our political priests of choice.

And that's the sad part. We are only viewing the surface. What lies below is anything but attractive. The sexual sins seen on the surface only mask the true depravity further down. What lies below is the depth of depravity, a moral lifestyle so repugnant that most Christians shrink in horror at the thought. I believe that what most shrink at is the real possibility that this degeneracy is present among their own ranks, that it is not only present, but pervasive; a perversion so repugnant that a peripheral glance is all that can be withstood.

Meanwhile, the turmoil seen by all allow us to focus on something other than Truth.

And repentance is kept at bay.

Fred Thompson, Ronald Reagan's Successor?

Who saw this coming????? Well, it hasn't actually happened yet, but the fact that Fred Thompson is publicly stating that he's considering running for President as a Republican candidate is extemely significant for conservatives.

As this article from WordNetDaily reveals, the former Senator from Tennessee and star of the television series, Law & Order, doesn't think it is too late to enter the race.

If he does enter, how does this change the field? From whom would Thompson take support? Or would he simply receive the vast majority of the undecideds at this early point in the campaign? How does the strategy of the other candidates change?

Does Thompson have a presidential image? Is he conservative enough on the issues that count, such as Prolife, gun control, illegal immigration, Marriage, Homosexuality, Civil Unions, the war on terror, Iraq, Middle East, Israel, etc?

Is he, as one person has stated, another Ronald Reagan? You be the judge. Either way, the race may become alot more interesting before too long!

James Dobson & Mitt Romney: A Pro Family Duo

According to this report from One News Now, Focus on the Family founder James Dobson is seriously considering supporting Mitt Romney in his campaign for President.

OK! Let me get this straight (no pun intended)! James Dobson has established a career promoting Pro Family values such as Traditional Marriage and Anti Gay & Lesbian Rights. In the past he has publicly refused to endorse candidates not possessing the same Pro family stance as well as the historical voting record.

All of a sudden, the general public is supposed to believe that the Pro Family Advocate is throwing all political caution to the wind and will endorse Romney, who has an established record supporting such anti family activities????? And this is supposed to be good for American families???????

Do I smell something?? Is that a hint of brimstone politics. Does this mean that Dobson is coming out of the political closet? Are his true colors about to be revealed????? Has this been the real Dobson all along??????

Actually, I have reason to realistically believe such a proposition. For it was the week prior to the last Presidential election that Dobson, along with every other Pro Family Advocate in this nation, to my knowledge, failed to inform their supporters, Republican and Democrat, of the statements of President Bush in a public interview. President Bush informed everyone that, regardless of the initiatives of anyone, the final result of the entire Gay rights fight would be a Federal Marriage Amendment or Federal Marriage Statute as well as civil unions. To my knowledge, that conspicuous silence has continued to this day.

And now this!?

When you consider that Pro Family, Pro Constitutional Advocate and Civil & Religious Rights Attorney Jay Sekulow of the American Center for Law and Justice has also agreed to support Mitt Romney for President, nothing is surprising any more.

Christianity, Politics & The Global Gospel

The following link is to an editorial opinion from the Dallas Morning News entitled A Global Gospel. It deals with the subject of the power of Religion in Politics, especially the growing power of Christianity around the world. It specifically warns of the potential pitfalls American politicians might face if they ignore the growing political force of the Christian Church, specifically Roman Catholicism and Anglicanism. This excerpt from the final paragraph is telling.

"Politicians, policymakers and other elites sometimes see religion as a hobby for believers. For the devout, though, it's not a garnish to life; it is life. If the candidates prepping for the White House miss how the new Christianity is fundamentally changing the Third World, they could get blindsided on the global stage. So could we all."

Interesting indeed, is the specific mention of the Anglican Church and its current upheaval over the issue of the ordination of Women and Homosexual Priests in light of the recent proposed return of the Anglican Church to the Roman Catholic Church under the authority of the Roman Pontiff, Pope Leo XVI. This is indeed "new Christianity."

Didn't Solomon say that there's nothing new under the sun?

John Edwards on Jesus and Children

In this article from BREIBART.COM, John Edwards waxes religious when he states his belief that children should be allowed to pray at school. He thinks that "allowing time for children to pray for themselves, to themselves, I think is not only OK, I think it's a good thing." But of course, he's not for teacher led prayer. That would be approaching the point of coercion and we can't have government employees taking the lead in such a personal and private action.

I am not going to pick on John Edwards for his statements and forced religious jargon. Many Democrats have taken up the religious mantle in their political quests of late and the Republicans have consistently done so for decades. So this is nothing new.

What hasn't changed in all the talk about education, political and otherwise, is the stark reality of the law in the United States. Oh sure, we have all kinds of rhetoric being thrown around the many legal battles over the rights of parents in the raising of their children, but the fundamental truth is glossed over with heated words dealing with other, more trite legal subjects.

Ever so often, the truth trickles out of a court case and its written opinion which sheds a ray of light on the darkness of the legal landscape. Such is the case in Massachusetts, as reported by WorldNetDaily, initiated by the parents of two families after their children were exposed to graphic presentations without prior notice according to law. U.S. District Judge Mark L. Wolf dismissed all Federal aspects of this case while also dismissing all state aspects but leaving the option to have the facts ruled upon at the state level. The opinion, though, tells all who will listen, what their present freedoms are regarding education as well as their options should they choose to forego exercising that fundamental freedom guaranteed by the First Amendment to the united States Constitution.

First, the fundamental freedom.

Judge Wolf states that "Parents do have a fundamental right to raise their children." This statement is significant in light of this decision being decried as " every parent's nightmare," by Mass Resistance, a parents rights advocacy group. Here we have a case brought by parents being dismissed, yet the parents are informed what their rights are! Wow!!!! Is anyone listening or reading? Anyone with the slightest legal knowledge knows that a fundamental right is the highest form of right. Pursuant to the Constitution, it cannot be taken away, but will be protected by government officials and, yes, even Judges. Could it be that the parents in this case don't really know the type of right they are attempting to exercise?

Second, the next aspect of this fundamental freedom.

Immediately following the above statement, Judge Wolf says, "They are not required to abandon that responsibility to the state." This statement is doubly significant in that it gets to the heart of the reason that this decision is "every parent's nightmare." When it comes to parents raising their children, parents are not required to send their child to a state regulated institution, nor are they or their children required to participate in activity regulated by the State! If and when a parent does, they must submit to the rules and laws of the state governing their own institutions. It's that simple!

If a parent chooses to raise their children themselves, the State cannot interfere, outside of criminal activity, because the State has no jurisdiction over such private exercises of a fundamental right. Neither can a judge officially recommend a possible course of action for the parents to take in exercising such right.

In light of this last fact, Judge Wolf continues his opinion by telling all what the options are for the two families, as well as all other families, who have abandoned their children to the State by placing them in Public Schools. They can choose to send them to Private Schools or Homeschool them, both of which are regulated by the State.

For most, this fundamental issue will be lost amidst the uproar over the Radical Gay Rights agenda being forced upon students and parents. Sadly , so will a generation of children, simply because their parents didn't know any better. So much for Christian Attoneys!