Could Mormon "Apostles" Control A President?

"We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly."

(The LDS 8th Article Of Faith)

One thing that is clear: the Presidential election of 2012 will be as historic as the Presidential election of 2008. For the first time in our nations history either a Black (ultra liberal "Christian") man will be reelected as President or a Mormon will be elected for the first time. Although we could write a book on that by itself, the election offers and interesting mix of polar diversity such the like I have never seen before.

Although the Mormon church aka The Church Of Jesus Christ Of The Latter Day Saints or simply the LDS Church has existed within America since 1823 when the supposed angel "Moroni" visited a 14 year old boy named Joseph Smith to tell him about a "record of ancient inhabitants of the America's which had been hidden in a nearby hill", the Mormon church has been delivering a version of testimony that it calls "another  Gospel of Jesus Christ" which claims to "restore" the true believer to a true faith and belief, as all other churches and beliefs, beginning with the Catholic Church and the Protestant reformations that followed, are  apostate and deceived.

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Athiest Smackdown Over The Historical Jesus

As I have outlined in my post, "The Raging Battle For The Jesus Of History" there is an ongoing fight over whether Jesus really existed or whether he was just a myth promoted by people who had some kind of utopian vision for their society. 

Dr. Bart Ehrman

One thing that I have found interesting is when nonbelievers disagree on the topic they approach one another with the same or similar vitriol in which nonbelievers attack Christians for their belief. Unfortunately for the "mythists" there are people on both sides who understand historical studies and have the ability to decipher historical facts. These people use the same arguments that Christians use to defend the historical person of Jesus. 

Recently, agnostic Bart Ehrman had to take one of his fellow non-believers, who calls himself "The Infidel Guy" (some guy named Reggie), to school on the historical Jesus. When The Infidel Guy mentioned that Paul may have lied about Jesus, and Dr. Ehrman asked "Why would he lie?" it seems that everything fell apart. Not only is there no good reason to believe that Paul lied, there is no historical reason to believe that Jesus did not exist and that Paul was not referring to him. 

What really hyped things up was that Ehrman suggested that the sources such as Robert Price, who has spent great time promoting that Jesus was a myth (made a lot of money too) is not credible at least in Dr. Ehrman's eyes. Although I find it hard to believe that Ehrman was unfamiliar with Price as he seemed to appear at least on radio, because he at least knew about his employment, stating that he was not a professor,  and at least one book he wrote. Ehrman also seems to discredit Dr. Hector Avalos as merely an Old Testament scholar, with the implication that he wouldn't offer any insights on the historical Jesus either. 

In short I guess if atheists want to know anything about the historical Jesus, they should consult Dr. Ehrman which seems to be a two edged sword that Erhman uses to cut whomever might get in his way. 

     

Pt. 1

 Pt. 2


Blessed!

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Is It Really Discrimination Savage? Then What Of Polygamy?

You know you've won a debate when the "moderator" joins the other side to present more false arguments than the opponent.

Brown: "What about the rights of people who wants to marry two, three to four people?"

Savage: (paraphrased) I don't want to answer that question

Savage said that IF same sex marriage slipped toward relationships that he found morally offensive, that he wouldn't advocate it. Well, open the door, because when there is no resistance to this sort of immorality becoming law, then everything is fair game and there will invariably be more morally offensive relationships.

Savage: "Marriage is the legal union between two adults...it should not be incestuous, polygamous either"

Brown: "Once you make marriage based on one's "desires", by what reason do you oppose it" (other relationship arrangements)

Mr. Savage by what rule and or reason should marriage be limited to two, adults, non-incestuous or the polygamists...We're still waiting for an answer. 

We are certainly in a culture war. Very good debate in my humble opinion.

Blessed!

Link:  National Organization For Marriage

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Islam, Submission With No Peace Pt. 8...Is "Muhammad" In The Bible?

The Islamic Apologists

The late Islamic scholar Ahmed Deedat (1918-2005) claimed extensively that Muhammad was mentioned in the bible and that the biblical translators had changed the meaning of the original word to hide this "fact". The reason that Deedat believed and taught this, was because the Quran was supposed to have said that Muhammad was mentioned in the law and in the gospels. 

Sura 7: 157 ~ "those who follow the messenger, the unlettered Prophet, whom they find mentioned in their own (scriptures),- in the law and the Gospel;- for he commands them what is just and forbids them what is evil; he allows them as lawful what is good (and pure) and prohibits them from what is bad (and impure); He releases them from their heavy burdens and from the yokes that are upon them. So it is those who believe in him, honour him, help him, and follow the light which is sent down with him,- it is they who will prosper."

So for Deedat and many other Islamic Apologists, there "must" be a connection to Muhammad, their prophet within the Holy scriptures associated with the Jews religion and with Christianity. This has been debated for years, so it is nothing new. 

In response to his 1986 debate with then Evangelist Jimmy Swaggart, Deedat claimed the following:

The Late Dr. Ahmed Deedat

"Initially when I started talking about the subject about what the Bible says about Muhammad, (pbhn), I didn't know, at the beginning and for a very long time, I didn't know, that the Holy Prophet Muhammad, (pbhn) was mentioned by name, in the bible.Mentioned by name." 

"What has happened is this, first that Muhammad (pbhn) is mentioned by name in the original scriptures. The Old Testament, according to Christian mythologies, was preserved in the Hebrew language. The New Testament, in Greek scriptures, in Greek language. In the Old Testament, the Song Of Solomon chapter 5, verse 16, in the Hebrew language....it says: "חכו ממתקים וכלו מחמדים זה דודי וזה רעי בנות ירושלם׃" The word "ma·ḥă·mad·dîm, (highlighted above) is the word  "Ma ha mad".."im"..."im" is a plural of respect in the Hebrew."   

Dr. Deedat went on to argue that all Eastern languages have a common feature of respect when it is implying a "proper name" or referring to someone of importance. Thus his textual proof that the "Prophet  Muhammad" is mentioned in the bible and that the biblical prophecy is centered around him.  

To the ardent faithful of Islam, this makes much sense. It further leads to great leaps of sentiments that Jesus prophesied about Muhammad as well by referring to him as "the comforter" (Jh, 14:16) Heritics such as Zakir Naik who hasn't fallen far from the Deedat tree, but seemingly landed on his head, promote this fallacy boldly proclaiming that Muhammad is the one who is to lead us and guide us into all truth! More on this fallacious and absurd argument later in the article.  

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Image, Assets & Liability Pt. 3...The "COGIC Shuffle"

"We now live in a litigious society. People file lawsuits for every conceivable grievance, whether real or imagined. To protect the name, image, and assets of the Church of God in Christ, we must take positive steps to seriously investigate very case of alleged sexual abuse by the clergy. We must stand behind and support those who are falsely accused of sexual improprieties and found innocent by the courts. We must also insure that the Church act quickly to take firm and positive action against those who violate the sanctity of their positions and are found guilty of sexual abuse and other sexual improprieties.” Bishop Charles Blake, Presiding Bishop Church Of God in Christ Inc. Oct 29, 2007

In PART 1 and PART 2 of this mini-series, I have looked at both secular and church sexual abuse and the fallout associated with it. By now, I hope that we can see that there is a devastating affect upon the complete and entire community when trust is betrayed in this manner. However, what happens when the church looks past sexual abuse and misuse, even when it is discovered years later, only to focus on image, assets and the way we "do things"?

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Image, Assets & Liability Pt. 2...The "Shuffling" Bishop

Toward the end of the song "Party Rock Anthem", by LMFAO (please don't ask what the acronym represents), there is a character which appears to be Jesus doing the dance called "shuffle". I am unsure if this was a subliminal message directed toward the church or not, but it is very clear that the representatives of Jesus through the corporate body called the modern "church" have been "shuffling" for quite some time. 

The unfortunate part is that it seems the church has been "shuffling" and protecting their worst, while exposing and leaving the innocent to danger and confusion. However, it would seem that that day, the day of irresponsibility, is over:

"Cover up child sex crimes and you'll go to jail. Not house arrest. Not community service. Not a fine. You'll be locked up. It says, loud and clear, that child sex crimes are taken extremely seriously, and will be punished as such," ~ Joelle Casteix, Western Regional the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests Director CNN 6/24/2012

The Latest Example...Held LIABLE

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Image, Assets & Liability Pt. 1..."Silent Associations"

This is the first of a three part series in which I will briefly examine the fallout from covering child sexual abuse in both the secular and religious world. 

Recently, in the news, we have witnessed organizations and individuals held liable for the abuse and mistreatment of individuals. Let's look at the first of a few examples:

Penn State University

"We're going to hold off on making a crime log entry. At this point in time I can justify that decision because of the lack of clear evidence of a crime."  email from Penn State Police Chief Thomas Harmon to Penn State President Gary Schultz regarding a mother's report to campus officials that Jerry Sandusky had engaged in inappropriate sexual contact with her 11 year old son. 

At Penn State University, we are witnessing a whole collegiate system being held accountable for covering up, shuffling off and otherwise accommodating ONE convicted and confused child molester and rapist Jerry Sandusky. I'm quite sure that none of the individuals who were aware of Sandusky's actions would have ever thought that they would be held accountable for what he was doing. They didn't understand that their silence was similar to them taking part in the rape and abuse of children as well. 

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Keep Your Intolerance Out Of My Chicken!

Remember August 1st 2012

To the INTOLERANT Commu-Nazi Dictators of Boston & Chicago

We support our AMERICAN rights as American Citizens to eat at whatever restaurant we want even if the owners don't support your favorite sins. 

As Black folk, we ate at restaurants when we weren't allowed based on the color of our skin. Neither you nor your predecessors barred any of those "good ole boys" from making money and even expanding their business. 

Unlike you however, we support and encourage sound and biblically centered moral values, especially those which have brought society this far. 
So I guess Americans DO have a RIGHT to their own choices. I suppose it's called FREEDOM? Do you remember what that is?

Blessed!

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"Confessions" Of Juanita Bynum II, The Law Of Attraction & Devaluing God

On Juanita Bynum's "Inspirational Vitamin, The Power Of Purpose" on V 103 Radio of Atl. she made the startling confession that she has done it all including lesbianism.

Juanita II at V 103

“I’ve been there and I’ve done it all, I’ve [done] the drugs. I’ve been with men. I’ve been with women.” “It’s not a line, it’s my life!”...“That abuse that I suffered was because I attracted after my own kind. That abuse was already sitting in me.”

Now some are up in arms because Juanita so readily and easily admitted that she experimented with lesbianism throughout what she calls her many "conversions". Yes, this is strange and should be alarming. but the truth is that every "sinner" doesn't sin the same and we all know that Juanita has long had a mental challenge that was made worse when her marriage to Bishop Thomas Weeks II was destroyed. 

There is no way that anyone could think that this lady was thinking with a full deck when she changed her name and showed up to her birthday celebration in her wedding gown and with a sword in hand...FYI: Juanita was far gone at that point and all most of her fans wanted to know was when she was going to next preach so that  they could receive some type of prophecy or to help make a conference budget if they were the sponsor. Y'u-know, they wanted to know when Juanita was going to be able to help make one of those $300,000 to $500,000 offering nights. Plain and simple Juanita was and still is a "cash cau" in many places and in many circumstances. 

The Blame Game

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Is "Pagan Christianity" A Distortion Of Truth?

In 2002 authors Frank Viola, and George Barna, undertook to deliver a work called "Pagan Christianity, Exploring The Roots Of Our Church Practices" in which the claim was made that after reading the book one would have "Tough questions. Nagging questions. Even frightening questions." and that what we would be left with would be "disturbing answers" that would lead us to "the richest truths that Christians can discover" (1)

While I can say that they were certainly correct, because after reading just a portion of the book, I am left with some tough questions, nagging questions and even some frightening questions, but not necessarily for reasons that either of them thought or intended that anyone would be left with such questions. 

Needless to say I am frightened at the completely overstated assumptions, special pleading, genetic fallacy and straw men arguments that Frank and George have delivered in order to critique and , in Frank's own words, "deconstruct" the modern church. While he does deliver a great deal of information, his assumptions are flawed and rooted heavily in genetic fallacy. All of this has led us to not only ask the tough questions of ...what the heck were they thinking???.... and the nagging question of,  "why would someone who does not honor or acknowledge the system of the church seek to profit from it, all at the same time trying to destroy it?"...But we ask other frightening questions such as why would authors interlace and mix so much error with truth if the whole point was to help reform the church? Similar to many groups that seek to undermine Christianity, Frank and George are ultimately making the case that post 1st century, Christianity has merely borrowed it's practices from Paganism and is not centered in truth. What is further puzzling is that they make these assertions as opposed to looking further to see the Jewish roots of many modern Christian beliefs and practices. 

A Brief Example:

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CFR Exposed On Word His Way

Listen to internet radio with HisWordHisWay on Blog Talk Radio

Pastor Harvey Burnett will be one in a panel of featured guests on the Word His Way Blogtalk Radio broadcast, hosted by Pastor Saiko Woods on Thursday July 19th 7:30 PM CST.  Click the Blogtalk Radio link above to hear the program right now...

The show will be open to guests and callers, and Dunamis readers are welcomed and encouraged to attend. The call in number is 858.365.5507.

Sounding The Alarm!

The topic is "Churchfolkradio Exposed Pt. 2 ~ The Saga Continues". The discussion will be a followup to a previous  conversation regarding an internet group called Church Folk Revolution, which among other things, in recent days, promoted sex outside of marriage as a viable behavior for believing Christians. 

In fact, speaking in the context of sexual purity, in a broadcast entitled, "Saved, Single, And Having Sex" 6/4/2012, one of their primary and most vocal teachers claimed that God spoke to him saying, 

"You can't pray away what you're supposed to hump away"

This is simply the tip of the iceberg. Pt. 1 of this conversation was conducted by Pastor Tetaun Moffett of Exministries on The Moment Of Truth Internet broadcast. I will post a link to a portion of that conversation when one is available.

Blessed!   

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"Christian" POLITICS

Dr. Gregory Boyd wrote and presented a book called "The Myth Of A Christian Nation". In the 2012 Presidential election we are confronted with a choice between a Mormon and a Ultra-liberal "Christian". I believe that we should review why and how the Kingdom of God is vastly and uniquely different than any political system or political agenda that we face today.

Has God Called Us To Translate Kingdom Ethics Into Public Policy?

What is the relationship between biblical Christianity and political ethics?

In addition, 2012 is a Church Of God In Christ election year. Not only does the Presiding Bishop, Charles E. Blake, face reelection, but from what I have heard, there are approximately 3 General Board seats that are up and nearly 30 candidates vieing for position.

All I want to know is WHERE IS THE AGENDA FROM ANY OF THE GENERAL BOARD CANDIDATES IN FAVOR OF THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN SEXUALLY ABUSED AND MISUSED BY COGIC CLERGY SEXUAL SINS??? WHERE IS THE CALL FOR COGIC REFORM AND RENEWAL? WE'RE CALLING OUT EVERY CANDIDATE ON THE ISSUE.

That is ANOTHER post soon to come!

Question of the day:

HAS Politics And Political Aspirations Destroyed The Church? 

Enjoy Dr. Boyd as he discusses how social and secular political myths have invaded the church and caused us much damage.
Pt. 1
  

Pt. 2


Pt. 3

  

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The Black Boule Say You Only Understand FAILURE!

Those who have read this blog long enough can readily see that while I love the history, I have very little affinity for the social positions of the Black Boule. Y'u-know, the Boule that was entrusted to oversee the affairs of the Black community and make sure that OUR needs were taken care of and addressed in the political and social arena???

OK, so you didn't get that memo...

Well someplace between when the memo was penned and the Black community crumbling under the weight of inept social, political, economic and educational policy (y'u-know the very things that the Boule was to shore Black people up against) SOMEBODY went on the take...Since most of them who were taking were spawn by the church, and since some of the worst social policy and endorsements in history are now emanating from the Black church in particular (and this is NOT the post for the Black church/White church/Jesus church argument please...) we can only conclude that the church itself is probably one of the greatest progenitors of the absolute breakdown of moral and social values that we are experiencing and facing within the Black community today...

How So???

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Bishop C. H. Mason, Pentecostalism, Magic & Divination. A Response To The Critic

Recently an apparent attack was levied against the founder of the Church Of God In Christ, Bishop C.H. Mason, claiming that he had used the art of Black magic and divination as a method to both divine the Saints of God and deliver the message of Pentecostalism to his followers.

Although Pentecostalism and Mason has had their fair share of critics over the years, this particular attack seemed to have been  inspired in part by the book "Black Magic: Religion And The African American Conjuring Tradition" by Yvonne Chireau University Of CA press 2006.

The book builds upon the assertion that post slavery spiritual ethics revolved around  the use of special material objects as a source of power. As stated in the excerpt, (pg. 111) Bishop Mason would illustrate his sermons by pointing out "earthly signs" and "freaks of nature". What is not discussed as much, is that these "illustrations" were used to deliver analogies in order to support a spiritual point. What was also overlooked was the Jesus often did as much using common and natural objects to illustrate spiritual points or make spiritual teachings. I'll discuss that more specifically toward the end of the article.

Clarifying The Confusion 

Now, the author didn't seem to have studied enough for this compilation of information. Though it wasn't short on information or historical research, it was woefully short on responsible delivery and handling of the information. The author misinterprets the setting of African American response to biblical instructions at the turn of the century, and how biblical commands were carried out within the Black community in general. In addition the author incorrectly classifies all meta-spiritual occurrences  as magic, further exacerbating the problem by lumping all classes of these occurrences together as one or a singular type of event; ie: Black Magic. This is an incorrect and, in my opinion, unscholarly approach set on course by a presupposition which leads to an incorrect examination of the causes that inspired and under girds reported spiritual events, miracles and observations. One can't assume that because mysticism occurred among African cultures that their descendants were inclined to the same type and practices of mysticism. This is a stereotype and a boarder-line insult if not an out right insult on all Black people who hold to and value their spirituality and in particularly their relationship to Christ.

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Along Came A Spider ~ Morgan Freeman: "We Invented God"

According to a recent article by the Huffington Post, one of my favorite actors and host of the Science Channel show "Through the Wormhole With Morgan Freeman." recently said this of God:

"Yes [...] Well, here's a scientific question: Has anybody ever seen hard evidence? What we get is theories from our earlier prophets. Now, people who think that God invented us think that the Earth can't be more than 6,000 years old. So I guess it's a question of belief. My belief system doesn't support a creator as such, as we can call God, who created us in His/Her/Its image."

Tell Me It Ain't So Morgan!

Famous for his roles in suspenseful movies such as "7" (which I couldn't stand the ending), "Along Came A Spider" and "Kiss The Girls", which the latter being among some of the all time favorites of my wife, Morgan Freeman seemed to have left all thinking capacities on the silver screen to deliver a complete non-sequiter regarding theistic religious beliefs.  

Hard Evidence???

Throwing a dagger at Christianity that Morgan thinks rules out the existence of God, Freeman makes the claim that first, noone has ever delivered "hard evidence" for God. I would assume that this is the reason that he does not believe in God. The question are, what IS "hard evidence" and what relationship does "hard evidence" have on the evaluation of truth claims or reality?

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"Queer In The 21st Century" ~ When Gay Marriage Arrives

As the argument over gay marriage has progressed, there are many individuals who simply don't know how to reconcile the issue. The devil has done an adequate job of confusing the church over the issue of moral sexual sin. Others are confused over how the church should govern secular life and affairs as it pertains to homosexual "rights". Then there are others who are, as I have stated, confused over whether gay marriage is an issue of equality or equal access. 

With all of those considerations what we can do is look and see what gay advocacy has done and continues to do to get an idea of what to expect and what to stand against as we move forward in effort to reclaim the moral base and values that has afforded us the freedoms that we experience. 

"Past Performance Is The Best Indicator Of Future Results"

You will see a phrase similar to that above in most investment prospectuses and brochures. However many of them say that past performance IS NOT an indicator of future results to safeguard the provider of the investment against the risk of misrepresentation and fraud. 

On the contrary, within the homosexual marriage arena, one can expect that what has happened in the past is an indicator of what one should expect in the future. For example, what NO ONE should be confused or caught off guard regarding is the fact that when gay marriage is the law that a public re-engineering of social morality will occur, and ALL CHILDREN, especially those within the public school system, will be the target of the re-engineering. 

Anyone that has read this blog knows about what happened to Dr. David Parker in 2004 when he tried to stop the public school from redefining sexual morality for his kindergartner. He got arrested and was told by the state (Massachusetts, the first state to legalize gay marriage) they THEY knew better how to teach his child than he did, because homosexual marriage was the law and his child had a legal obligation to simply accept gay moral standards.

Boston, A Kind Of Queer Place To Be

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A "Genderless" Society? Common Sense Has Finally Left The Building

Is This The New Form Of Child Abuse?

O' Canada...Meet Baby Storm 

Supposedly no one knows Baby Storm's gender because his/her parents have decided to make it a secret even to him/her and certainly to all the rest of us. The parents, Kathy Witterick, 38, and David Stocker, 39,  sent this email out New Year's Day when Baby Storm was born:

"We decided not to share Storm's sex for now -- a tribute to freedom and choice in place of limitation, a standup to what the world could become in Storm's lifetime."

So Baby Storm is a representative of what the world "could become" in baby Storm's lifetime???  So far Grandparents have had to try to explain why everyone is sworn to secrecy regarding Storm's gender. Storm's brothers have even been told that the gender of their brother/sister is a secret. What do these kids tell other kids about their brother/sister? What toys do you buy? What diapers do you buy? If he is a boy, do you dress him in a dress or skirt or lace clothing?

"To raise a child not as a boy or a girl is creating, in some sense, a freak," ..."It sets them up for not knowing who they are."..."To have a sense of self and personal identity is a critical part of normal healthy development,"..."This blocks that and sets the child up for bullying, scapegoating and marginalization."..."We all have sexual identity,"..."The mission to have masculine and feminine traits more equalized and more flexible and not judgmental is awesome in a utopian community. But we take pride in our sexual identity." ~ Dr. Eugene Beresin, director of training in child and adolescent psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital. 

So ultimately even those in the mental health profession claim that this "experiment" is not a good one. In fact it is down right manipulative.

The basis of this is that view is the "theory" that gender is a learned behavior. That if a person is not taught  gender association and expression, that they will be and become a "sexually free" person uninhibited by bring "trained" to embrace a certain gender and having the ability to express themselves as sexually neutral. In essence, in their perfect world, the person may embrace a gender but it will be without being pressured to do so? As Storm's mother says:

"In fact, in not telling the gender of my precious baby, I am saying to the world, 'Please can you just let Storm discover for him/herself what she (he) wants to be?!."

What if Storm gets older and wants to go to the restroom at a restaurant? Do you mean that Storm can impose his "freedom" to invade the privacy of men or women in their respective bathrooms because he is not an expression of either, or because he/she is gender neutral?

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COGIC Significantly Addresses Presidential Position On Gay Marriage

Recently COGIC released the following statement to detail their position on President Obama's  statements regarding gay marriage and civil unions:

Official Statement
of the
Church of God in Christ, Inc.

Regarding Same Sex Marriages and Civil Unions

The President’s position regarding “same-sex marriage” has set off a “firestorm,” unlike any other debate in our civil society, perhaps, since the civil rights unrest of the mid-20^th century. The advocacy for same-sex marriage, while in conflict with our nation’s long-standing moral posture, has indeed, created opportunity for the Church to communicate our unequivocal position about God’s design and foundation for humanity, the biblical mandate for heterosexuality through the bonds of matrimony and, the centuries-old understanding of the only acceptable means of procreation, habitation, and the establishment of the family.

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Sexuality; A Moral Issue. Not An Issue Of Equality Pt. 2

As we stated in Pt. 1 of this examination of the confusion and resultant fallout over the President's decision to  pay gay advocacy, by openly standing in favor of homosexual marriage, there is much confusion over what the church should do and how the church should best respond. Ministers are allover the board on the issue (as planned) with many bailing out on biblical morality more quickly than the first titanic sank. 

Already some are simply calling for Presidential reelection at all costs minimizing the moral and social issues involved, claiming that the community is better off when moral values are lowered to facilitate and endorse homosexual marriage, while obfuscating and infusing the issue with emotives such as "love" and "acceptance"  all of which have nothing to do with the extension of homosexual marriage as a civil right. However, what NONE of the advocates say, whether in the pulpit or on congressional or state house floors, is exactly what happens to everything else when marriage is allowed to move from it's traditional root into the homosexual based root of marital acceptance. For example, do we hear any of the advocates discussing these things:

• (California)....Foster Parents must take a "Reeducation Class" embracing the gay agenda, to be allowed to house foster kids.

• (California) - Public Schools have a mandated pro-homosexual policy that sends objecting students to "appropriate counseling" without notifying their parents.

• (California) - A business was put out of business (with a $150,000 fine) for firing a male employee who wore a dress to work.

• (Colorado )- A dad was told by a judge that he can't teach his daughter anything "homophobic" [who defines what that is?]

• As stated in a teacher's lesson aid, published by the Gay & Lesbian Educators (GALE)..... "We must dishonour the prevailing belief that heterosexuality is the only acceptable orientation, even though that would mean dishonouring the religious beliefs of Christians, Jews, Muslims, etc" 

• (Massachusetts) As reported on The Dunamis Word, in 2004, Dr. David Parker would receive jail time for taking the school and school board to task over the book delivered to his kindergartner,  "Who's In A Family" by Robert Skutch. The book introduced the concept that two fathers and two mothers were acceptable family arrangements, regardless of the child's rearing or family moral values.  When Dr. Parker sought to opt his child out of the segment he was told that was not an option. When he further questioned and protested the issue not only was he placed in jail and fined, he was told by the courts that the school had more authority to educate his child in the law (homosexual acceptance) than he had as a parent to instill moral values regarding marriage and gender relationships. 

Dr. David Parker & Spouse

Now is anyone pointing out those things as the real issue when it comes to homosexual marriage, marital acceptance and normalization? This has nothing to do with the quality of life for those who are homosexuals. However it has everything to do with the moral values of those of us who are not homosexual. We boldly and vehemently stand against homosexual rights being a tool to re-engineer family and moral values and uprooting closely held beliefs? Traditional values would mean nothing in face of the law 

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Sexuality; A Moral Issue, Not An Issue Of Equality Pt. 1

2 Timothy 4:3 ~ For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 

"Moreover, given the increasing diversity of America's population, the dangers of sectarianism have never been greater. Whatever we once were, we are no longer just a Christian nation; we are also a Jewish nation, a Muslim nation, a Buddhist nation, a Hindu nation, and a nation of nonbelievers. And even if we did have only Christians in our midst, if we expelled every non-Christian from the United States of America, whose Christianity would we teach in the schools? Would we go with James Dobson's, or Al Sharpton's? Which passages of Scripture should guide our public policy? Should we go with Leviticus, which suggests slavery is ok and that eating shellfish is abomination? How about Deuteronomy, which suggests stoning your child if he strays from the faith? Or should we just stick to the Sermon on the Mount - a passage that is so radical that it's doubtful that our own Defense Department would survive its application? So before we get carried away, let's read our bibles. Folks haven't been reading their bibles." ~ Senator Barack Obama, "A Call To Renewal" Washington DC 6/8/2006

Since President Obama made specific statements regarding his endorsement of homosexual marriage, the church community has been divided, some even realigning what they believe and how they interpret the bible to align with the Obamaian political agenda and pluralistic world view.

Religious Confusion & The Surprise?

One of the most interesting things regarding the President’s endorsement of gay marriage is that so many preachers, such as Jamal Bryant, say that they were “surprised” at the President’s position.

“A lot of African-American leaders right now are really dazed by this because we didn't see it coming. For the last four years, the African-American clergy have really supported, covered, and prayed for President Obama, and it really came without any warning. Sunday is going to be a real great divide in Black churches and churches across America discussing the issue. African-Americans are, by and large, sexually conservative and socially more aggressive. And so, pastors on Sunday morning are going to be really walking a balancing act. How now do we juxtapose this issue up against a president that we have supported over the last four years?"  ~ Pastor Jamal Bryant  to CNN 5/10/2012

After Jamal's statement of "surprise" he then goes on to say that one particular area of disagreement was no reason to withdraw from supporting the President. I believe that  some of these folk were either asleep, or are “acting” and pretending that they didn’t know what the President stood for afar off. The fact is that a

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COGIC Issues Pt. 3...Clergy Sexual Sins 2012 Edition

I have been doing my best to avoid issues such as these, but recently COGIC claimed to have taken strong action and removed Pastor Erik Cooper of Dominion Harvest Church COGIC of Phoenix, AZ. from his pastoral office due to sexual  SINS. Quite naturally this caught my eye as it would have been one of the few publicized removals of anyone from office that had to do with anything other than money or alleged mishandling of money in recent memory. 

This was the press release that came forward on May 4^th

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST, INC.

Statement on

Pastor Erik M. Cooper

This communication comes in response to claims received by our national office concerning alleged lewd conduct and inappropriate sexual acts alleged to have been committed by Pastor Erik M. Cooper, of Phoenix, Arizona, with an adult female church member. Upon presentation of these accusations to Pastor Cooper, he submitted his resignation and official separation from all responsibilities within the Church of God in Christ (“COGIC”). This includes his local church, district, the Arizona jurisdiction, and the National Church.

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The Spiritual Seduction. Subdued By Gay Rights

1 Timothy 4:1 ~ Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

In the ongoing battle for gay acceptance many good heterosexuals have been caught in the cross hairs and have lost their will to fight for truth or simply stumbled and gotten confused over the real issues. Once such stumble may have happened in Maryland over the issue of gay marriage.

Contrary to what we noted in our story “You Go Maryland...In God We Trust” there are other pastoral voices that endorse gay marriage in the state as well. Pastor Delman Coates of  Mount Ennon Baptist Church in the Prince George’s County town of Clinton, is one such pastor that supports the gay marriage bill of Maryland. He is also reported to have strongly stood with Governor Martin O’Malley lending his time talent and voice to the expansion of marital rights to same sex couples. This is some of what he has said:

“I think that using private, religious beliefs, and local church practices for legislation establishes a dangerous precedent in America,”…

He has said this as well:

“We have fought for inclusion, for freedom of religion, so that means if I want to be free to exercise my own religious beliefs, I have to extend that same courtesy and right to others, regardless of what I may think they do in private,”

And the last thing to examine is this:

“Gays and lesbians are part of our communities, they are part of our families, they are part of our church families,” …“I believe that the church ought to be a place where all people, regardless of their lifestyle, ought to be welcome.’

Now, I want to be the first to say that I don’t know Pastor Coates and in that spirit, I’m confident that he is a good man and an excellent servant of God. So I do not aim to impugn his character. However, he has made certain truth claims which seem to be a basis for his argument in support of homosexual marriage and I believe that his truth statements should be examined as I believe that they exemplify a departure from the faith as it pertains to these matters. 

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The Land Of Over 13 Million Abortions Per Year

Chen Guangcheng

“Please Mr. Obama do everything you can to get me and my family out of this country” ~ Chen Guangcheng 5/3/2012

It’s Amazing What Even A Blind Man Can See.

“Chen Guangcheng, is a self-taught blind lawyer from the Linyi area of Shandong province, was imprisoned for exposing the violence used in enforcing the family planning policy in Linyi and providing legal assistance to peasants in 2005.  In January 2007, he was found guilty of “intentional destruction of property and gathering a mob to disturb traffic” at a hearing from which his lawyer and witnesses were absent because the lawyer had been beaten up and the witnesses kidnapped so that they could not appear in court.” (source)

Thanks to their ONE CHILD policy, China is a place that performs over 13 million abortions per year for no other reason than to control population growth by limiting the total number of children per family to one. 

As noted in the comments section of “The $$$ Billion $$$ Giant Strategy Of Planned Parenthood” Chinese governmental officials routinely apply pressure and incentives to families to uphold their ONE CHILD per household guideline. Male children are favored as opposed to female children. In fact it has been said that if a family determines that  a child is female, even if there are currently no children, an abortion is encouraged.

I wonder where are the American women’s advocacy and human rights groups on that issue? Where is NOW on that issue? It seems that all of them are either lost or sit in absurd silent.

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Savage...It Only Gets Worse...Then There's You!

At a recent high school journalism convention no less, Daniel "Mr. Tolerance", and self proclaimed "Faggot" Savage, took the opportunity, along with tax payer dollars, to terrorize and indoctrinate youth on his thoughts regarding closely held religious beliefs, not only twisting scriptures totally out of context and providing plenty of false biblical interpretations, but also calling biblical admonitions against homosexuality "bull-s***t" that should be ignored. Remember this is the President's national anti-bullying adviser.

THANK GOD for all the BOLD & BRIGHT STUDENTS that walked out on his utter PROFANE GARBAGE!!! Let the crap be relegated to the SEWER where it belongs!!!

If he had gone to someone who actually studied the bible for it's real message, instead of those who promote  propaganda to justify their sins, (aka: Sam Harris or any of the modern irrational atheists and such like) he would have known that the bible does not endorse slavery, especially the chattel slavery that his forefathers more than likely practiced within the United States. Conveniently he fails to mention is that "Origin Of The Species, By Means of Natural Selection or The Preservation of Favored Races In The Struggle For Life" is the materialist myth chalk full of racist and sexist assertions all in the name of science. 

What's equally as important, is this how tax payer education dollars are being spent? If a Christian took the time to waylay the Quran, there would have been outrage. If a Christian or other person of faith pronounced and explained biblical admonitions against homosexuality, there would be a stark condemnation, but where is the condemnation against this?

Let's see, 

When it's against the bible and religion in general, it's called Freedom of speech

When it supports the bible against modern immorality including that of homosexuality, it's called religious bigotry??? 

OK, now we see what the definition of tolerance really is for those claiming a more peaceful, humanitarian and intellectually fulfilling path of modern moral relativism. 

The fact is that we certainly can see the light...the question is can Savage see the anything but himself and his own ignorance???

Blessed!

National Organization For Marriage : Savage Pick On Someone Your Own Size 

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Hip-Hop, Idolatry & The Church Pt. 20

Recently, VH1 aired a program called "Planet Rock: The Story Of Hip Hop and The Crack Generation" which uncovered the relationship between drugs, the hip hop culture, rap music, social and political injustice and the resultant high rates of incarceration and addiction within the black community. Here's the trailer for the program:  

After viewing the program I would recommend it to anyone wanting a look at the genesis of many of the problems that we face today within our inner city communities. This program also outlines the politics that occurred to subdue a generation of Black men and women, thwarting and hindering chances for productive, successful and happy families. In short, there has been a wholesale upheaval of nearly a generation of Black people in particular and too many of us have been lulled into sleep not fully understanding that what has happened over the last 40 years have had an acute effect today on both individuals and families all over the United States.

Then, There's The Church  

What is equally as interesting to me is the disintegration of the influence of the church over the same time period. The church has certainly become a more visable part of the landscape, with larger buildings and more grand places of worship, but with less influence to effect change within the effected communities and the community in general. Too many leaders have sold themselves to being "politically correct" and connected through friendships and ungodly associations. However, there has been a great cost to all of those choices. 

Are We Responders?

Although it wasn't what the video set out to do, as I watched I noticed that it clearly displays the church responding to the proliferation of drugs, crime and violence and the rise of hip-hop as an alternative way of expression for young Black youth. Like in all communities when trouble arises, I noticed that community meetings and strategy sessions took place at the church. 

The problem is that God didn't give the church a mission to simply react or be in a reactive mode.  He gave the church a mission to be proactive and take the gospel to the streets and ultimately into the world. Although the church will respond if it has to, the mission is simply this:

Matthew 28:19-20 ~ "19-Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20-Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Thank God for all those who yield themselves as often as possible by rendering their ministries, time and talents to solving and addressing issues that have devastated a whole generation, but Lord help those who have forgotten the mission of Christ and sought after "other gods", such as the gods of money, status, materialism and political associations. 

If it is that being a "friend" to the world is of greater importance than saving the world from its sins, then we have become like the salt that has lost all of its savor...we're good for nothing, but to be trod under the foot of men.

Matthew 5:13 ~ "Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men."

 

Relocation of the church to the suburbs or to areas in which problems such as these aren't readily witnessed, may make us more comfortable, but it certainly doesn't and didn't make us any more powerful or situated to deliver an effective and timely message or display of the power of God that this generation needs to witness.

Blessed! 

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