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Ref. 65 fails to make the WA ballot
The petitions for Referendum 65 were delivered to the Washington office of the Secretary of State late this afternoon. Tim Eyman announced that there were just over 105,000 signatures, falling approximately 7,000 signatures short of the needed 112,500. Based on that number, Referendum 65 will not be on the ballot in November. It was difficult for me to reconcile Tim Eyman's number with the amount of effort and hard work that I saw around the State on behalf of this Referendum.
Many in the news media were asking us this afternoon what our next step will be. We told them Faith & Freedom is deeply committed to advancing Judeo Christian values in our society and would be continuing to work on a number of fronts specifically in regard to HB 2661. We will be exploring what options exist for any further action. We will keep you posted on a regular basis.
Joe Fuiten and I want to thank those of you who participated in the Referendum drive, for all of your hard work and effort.
God bless you.
______________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom
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36 Comments:
BEST NEWS I'VE HEARD ALL YEAR!!!! Finally, a win for decency and morality. The voters have spoken...by their refusal to support biggoted efforts. Signed, heterosexual father of two.
Sorry. You were the good guys, but you lost this battle.
The Gays have won a false victory.
This is a definitely a sign of enlightenment. In 15 years, this issue will be completely behind us and you won't be able to find anyone who will admit they were ever against gay marriage.
Give it up for crying out loud and get down to the business of 'Loving your God and your Neighborhood'
God's will and the gospel of Jesus Christ has triumphed today. May you Christians in Name Only visit your churches -- and SOON! -- and fall to your knees to beg forgiveness for trying to make hate the law of the land.
If Judeo Christian values are to discriminate against your fellow man or woman, then you're doing a great great job.
I'm sure Jesus would probably not like the things you're supposedly doing in His name.
Good going.
Thank God that the people of Washington did not support this initiative!
Thank you for all your good works in the Lord. I believe you have the victory because you believed what is good and right, and fought for it. I will support what is good and right continuously regardless of what others say, and I pray for you to encourage yourself in the Lord. I am encouraged to see that there are righteous among many wicked.
God bless you and may the Lord justify what is good and right in America.
may the Lord justify what is good and right in America.
Like a follower of Satan would know anything about the Lord. You lost today, devil.
The Bible is full of stories about the Remnant of God's people making a stand for his precepts . The job is not for the church to be in politics, God's people yes , but not the church . The church needs to be more then JUST a voting bloc . The truth now is the sex education will be portrayed to show perversion and unhealthy acts as normal , because to some it would be discriminatory to actually be honest . The discrimination should never have occured in the first place, but if people of Faith have been involved in public education , K -12, and higher , the discrimination and the way people of Faith are portrayed , well just read some of the following posts . Remember , these people are welcome in those circles .
I think you have a valid point. If people of faith had been involved with public education in this country, it would have left very little room or credibility for hate-filled closet bigots co-opting the name "Christianity" in order to retain their right to persecute.
A very sad day.
It is one thing to have fought and then lost. It is better than to not have fought at all.
Isaiah 5:20 states;Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness.
Our culture now calls sinful behaviors 'good', unnatural (immoral) behaviors 'natural'. Be not fooled, God is not mocked. His Word will stand forever.
The modern day Prophets have spoken their warnings, both to the culture and the Church and have found a deaf ear. And like Israel of old who did not respond to their Prophets, now is the time for God's correction. Please God, be merciful.
A very sad day.
Not for people alive in the spirit of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Love won out today. Hate lost. God's will has been done and that's a reason to celebrate!
How wonderful that democracy prevailed, freedom prevailed, love for our fellow citizens prevailed.
It's a proud day for America.
Jesus was asked, 'should we pay taxes?' by people trying to entrap Him, and He said 'somebody get me a silver coin.' He looked at it and said, who's on this coin?' and his questioners said, 'Caesar, of course.' Jesus then said, 'well, give Caesar what's his, and give God what's his.'
Jesus obviously knew the difference between the state and the body of believers [what we now call the church]. It is unfortunate that today's Christianists have forgotten that the Founding Fathers, clearly apprehensive about the church becoming the state or vice versa, built a wall to protect both. Trying to breach this wall by legislating discrimination based on spurious interpretations of religious texts is against everything the Founding Fathers worked so hard for...in other words, extremely anti-America and all that it stands for.
I was only surprised that Ref. 65 didn't fall far shorter of the required signatures. Christian churches who understand the essentail nature of family values in a healthy society have lost this round. The self-centered, socially reckless advocates of perversion in the name of Christ not only fail to understand the moral laws of Christianity, but have the same conspicuous lack of respect for the lessons of history as they do for the survival of our society. If followers of Christ had half the dedication and organization that Christianized gay propagandists have demonstrated, we would've had several times the required signatures to place Ref. 65 on the ballot.
The good news is that God is still in charge of this universe in spite of all the rather tedious anthropomorphism and pious rhetoric, and that His laws are never compromised by our myopic lunacy.
What time is it?
Why, it's a few minutes after midnight on June 7, 2007.
What does that mean?
It means your hate is now strictly a First Amendment issue. Practice it in your houses of worship, if you must.
When you decide that love is the answer, the rest of the world will be waiting to welcome you with open arms. I promise it!
Gary,
Now that the immediate crisis is over, how about taking some time to think:
• Seattle and King county have had civil rights protections for years, none of the dire things you and yours are worried about have come to pass.
• HB2661 has nothing to do with 'gay marriage' - it says right in it it can't be used as a precedence by any state court and the arguments before the state courts have been about equal access on an individual citizen basis, not any protected class arguments.
• The Christian values important to our founding fathers were charity, compassion and tolerance.
• Being gay is just a natural variation of how people are. Its not a vice, its not immoral, its not anything really at all other than just that some people love someone of the same gender. I mean, its common sense biology - its normal for people to love men and women the only difference is who is loving whom.
Try promoting some other Judeo-Christian values for awhile and see if they don't leave you feeling better than trying to put your foot on the throats of your neighbors.
Like many of you, I feel heartsick but not surprised by the failure of initiative 65.
Trying to use a gross, fat, corrupt political system to bring this country back into God's good graces is, I think, rather like trying to take a cruse liner up the Duwamish River. You won't get very far.
Only a radical turnabout can save America from its radical problems. For that purpose it will be necessary to go outside the system.
Please see my June 7th online article, www.tell-usa.org/culture
Dear gays,
Put your hand on your heart. You already know what is right and good in your conscience. No matter what kinds of arguments or facts you bring, you know you are wrong and guilty in truth. Soon you will find yourself in destruction and death if you continue in that life style. Save yourself from destruction and death. True love doesn't mean let you do whatever, but to warn of dangers ahead. Yes, you are loved but not your life style. Shame on you for lying to yourself and the truth!
"At 1:32 AM, Bob Struble said...
Like many of you, I feel heartsick but not surprised by the failure of initiative 65."
well you poor little misguided bigot, prepare for a whole lotta heartsickness, cause you fools LOST and will continue to loose and loose and loose...
My goodness, but it's always amazed me how quickly the biggest bullies always turn into the loudest crybabies when they don't get their way.
"Hello, 9-1-1? Yes, quickly, please! We need a WAAAAAAAAAHmbulance for the LOSERS over at the Faith & Freedom Network!"
Dear Homosexuals and Lesbians;
You strive to legitamize your sinful lifestyles but your heart and (hardened) conscience tells you the REAl truth. That's why your life spam includes substance abuse, overdose, and excessive domestic violence.
You do not deserve to be parents because you can not BE real parents (the parts obviously don't fit).
Your selfish, sinful, immoral lifestyle is the beginning of the end of this great country, and for that you joyfully celebrate.
dear anonymous,
You know in your heart the judgement and pride your message demonstrates is a sin against your Gpd, yourself and those you attack. You say that 'no matter what kinds of arguments or facts you bring' you are wrong - you realize that means that it is you that has no connection with the truth because this world we live in, this creation, is truth in and of itself. So I ask you to 'save yourself' from hate and pride. Open your mind to the truth, to the simple and obvious that it would be incredible if there weren't people who fell in love with members of their own gender. Its obvious and as simple to understand by the fact that all men have a genetic woman inside of every cell, and that means they have every biological thing they need to fall in love with men too.
In the Gospels Jesus says his Father's mansion has many rooms, and that many who are so very sure they have a place at His banquet table are going to find out they will be turned away at the door. You are neither God's doorman and your ticked are not necessarily in the mail - it is you who are risking everything by doing all the things you were told explicitly not to do.
Open your mind and heart and realize that on this one little thing, you have it wrong. Peoople are better loving each other, we are designed to be better when coupled up and that design supports loved ones of either gender.
Get that log out of your eye for your own sake and the sake of those around you. Look at the evil that drips from the note just above mine and realize that if this is the kind of person cheering you on, then you are probably on the wrong side of this issue.
Well you are right about the hatred , that is obvious from either side though . This has always been about a multiple of things . Because two homosexuals function better in a couple relationship , where caring , helping each other , supportive , etc is not proof of God's acceptance of same sex couples , that logic describes Aids as God's wrath for same sex couples. Following God's precepts in the Bible usually will bring prosperity and a better life . Regardless if the person believes In Christ or not . But the hatred of homosexuals and the prejudice therefore is what the debate should have been about , but those who supported this legal protections of sexuality differences , also have used a campaign to demonize Christians , especially Evangelical , replacing one bigotry for another . Notice the people cheering about it , I suggest you turn around your own perceptions if indeed you are sincere . Its a no win situation from my perceptions .
a campaign to demonize Christians
If they're being demonized, then it's a self-inflicted wound. They tried to tinker with the civil and human rights of fellow citizens. This tends to make people very cranky.
Of course prejudice from either prespective is 'no win'. Unfortunately its part of human nature, which is why I advocate tolerance of each other even if we are prejudiced against them. But referendum 65 was all about intolerance and how do we get around that? Is it reasonable to expect tolerance when its not reciprocated?
And I do realize that some Christians feel 'persecuted' though it is hard for me to understand why - no one tries to say they should be able to be discriminated against because of their faith as they tried to do to others. Maybe if Gary and his group concentrated on the the ''Judeo Christian values' we all share - courtesy, humility, charity, kindness, family, love, and tolerance. We obvously disagree on the recent issue, so why not let as all make our own decisions about ourselves and let others make theirs? There are much more important things to worry about than what someone might be doing in their bedroom with another consulting adult.
Vishanti - I am so glad that Ref. 65 failed! I have known and worked with Gay People who have vented the unhappiness they feel in same sex relationships. These people have admitted that these relationships are over bearing and demonstrative in nature. The fear of Aids runs rampid with all of them. This has greatly affected children that are involved and they bear the stigmatism that comes with same sex relationships. I have not met one gay person who had come from a healthy home life. Most of them have been sexually, physically and morally abused as children themselves. They have come from all walks of life which includes alcohal and drug abuse. Your looking for love and acceptance but your choose in lifestyles isn't even giving you that. When you accept the abnormal way of life it affects Society as a whole. Recently I had to try and explain to my 8 year old Grandson why some people were gay and that was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. A women I know who is gay was confronted by her Daughter with the same questions. You talk about normality but that can't be defined in the true sense of the word. When God created Adam and Eve, he created a Man and a Women. Being gay as you know isn't a choice but more a medical issue and it would justify all concerned if Medical Research could find a way to correct the lack of male or female genes present. Battles such as this one can get distorted when people look for answers in all the wrong places. Keep in mind that Aids is destroying countries like Africa. Aids is a killer in the Heteralsexual and Homosexual communities all over the world. I can't believe that anyone wants to see this type of destruction happen! I pray that God helps you find peace in the decisions you make and that you, yourself do some soul searching. Again may I remind you that win or loose of Ref. 65 affects Society as a whole.
Vishi on history And as to revisionist - George Washington was a freemason deist so yes, he would be fully in support of individual freedoms and knowing what we know now about sexual orientation would support people living the life that is right for them
Are you crazy , have no knowledge . Washington had a homosexual shot , not kicked out of his Army . In those days there were sodomy laws , who do you think supported them and wrote them ?, What bothers me about people such as your self , you will say anything , regardless of the truth , or lack of knowing it .
Steal their history and you can steal their country .. Karl Marx
Here is some good information . The fact is homosexuality was considered perversion so severe in nature , prison or death could come of it . Even now in our culture , I have heard of homosexuals being tormented by people who take it upon themselves to be God . But excuse me Vishi , I tolerant your behavior , you have no tolerance of me, my Faith , or my right to support a culture and society that promotes sex out of the confines to marriage as destrctive and harmful to children .
The Founders As Christians
(Note: this is a representative list only, there are many other quotes that could be listed)
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Samuel Adams
Father of the American Revolution, Signer of the Declaration of Independence
I ... recommend my Soul to that Almighty Being who gave it, and my body I commit to the dust, relying upon the merits of Jesus Christ for a pardon of all my sins.
Will of Samuel Adams
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Charles Carroll
Signer of the Declaration of Independence
On the mercy of my Redeemer I rely for salvation and on His merits; not on the works I have done in obedience to His precepts.
From an autographed letter in our possession written by Charles Carroll to Charles W. Wharton, Esq., on September 27, 1825, from Doughoragen, Maryland.
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William Cushing
First Associate Justice Appointed by George Washington to the Supreme Court
Sensible of my mortality, but being of sound mind, after recommending my soul to Almighty God through the merits of my Redeemer and my body to the earth ...
Will of William Cushing
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John Dickinson
Signer of the Constitution
Rendering thanks to my Creator for my existence and station among His works, for my birth in a country enlightened by the Gospel and enjoying freedom, and for all His other kindnesses, to Him I resign myself, humbly confiding in His goodness and in His mercy through Jesus Christ for the events of eternity.
Will of John Dickinson
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John Hancock
Signer of the Declaration of Independence
I John Hancock, . . . being advanced in years and being of perfect mind and memory-thanks be given to God-therefore calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing it is appointed for all men once to die [Hebrews 9:27], do make and ordain this my last will and testament…Principally and first of all, I give and recommend my soul into the hands of God that gave it: and my body I recommend to the earth . . . nothing doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mercy and power of God . . .
Will of John Hancock
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Patrick Henry
Governor of Virginia, Patriot
This is all the inheritance I can give to my dear family. The religion of Christ can give them one which will make them rich indeed.
Will of Patrick Henry
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John Jay
First Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court
Unto Him who is the author and giver of all good, I render sincere and humble thanks for His manifold and unmerited blessings, and especially for our redemption and salvation by His beloved son. He has been pleased to bless me with excellent parents, with a virtuous wife, and with worthy children. His protection has accompanied me through many eventful years, faithfully employed in the service of my country; His providence has not only conducted me to this tranquil situation but also given me abundant reason to be contented and thankful. Blessed be His holy name!
Will of John Jay
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Daniel St. Thomas Jenifer
Signer of the Constitution
In the name of God, Amen. I, Daniel of Saint Thomas Jenifer . . . of dispossing mind and memory, commend my soul to my blessed Redeemer . . .
Will of Daniel St. Thomas Jenifer
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Henry Knox
Revolutionary War General, Secretary of War
First, I think it proper to express my unshaken opinion of the immortality of my soul or mind; and to dedicate and devote the same to the supreme head of the Universe-to that great and tremendous Jehovah, - Who created the universal frame of nature, worlds, and systems in number infinite . . . To this awfully sublime Being do I resign my spirit with unlimited confidence of His mercy and protection . . .
Will of Henry Knox
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John Langdon
Signer of the Constitution
In the name of God, Amen. I, John Langdon, . . . considering the uncertainty of life and that it is appointed unto all men once to die [Hebrews 9:27], do make, ordain and publish this my last will and testament in manner following, that is to say-First: I commend my soul to the infinite mercies of God in Christ Jesus, the beloved Son of the Father, who died and rose again that He might be the Lord of the dead and of the living . . . professing to believe and hope in the joyful Scripture doctrine of a resurrection to eternal life . . .
Will of John Langdon
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John Morton
Signer of the Declaration of Independence
With an awful reverence to the great Almighty God, Creator of all mankind, I, John Morton . . . being sick and weak in body but of sound mind and memory-thanks be given to Almighty God for the same, for all His mercies and favors-and considering the certainty of death and the uncertainty of the times thereof, do, for the settling of such temporal estate as it hath pleased God to bless me with in this life . . .
Will of John Morton
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Robert Treat Paine
Signer of the Declaration of Independence
I desire to bless and praise the name of God most high for appointing me my birth in a land of Gospel Light where the glorious tidings of a Savior and of pardon and salvation through Him have been continually sounding in mine ears.
Robert Treat Paine, The Papers of Robert Treat Paine, Stephen Riley and Edward Hanson, editors (Boston: Massachusetts Historical Society, 1992), Vol. I, p. 48, March/April, 1749.
[W]hen I consider that this instrument contemplates my departure from this life and all earthly enjoyments and my entrance on another state of existence, I am constrained to express my adoration of the Supreme Being, the Author of my existence, in full belief of his providential goodness and his forgiving mercy revealed to the world through Jesus Christ, through whom I hope for never ending happiness in a future state, acknowledging with grateful remembrance the happiness I have enjoyed in my passage through a long life . . .
Will of Robert Treat Paine
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Charles Cotesworth Pinckney
Signer of the Constitution
To the eternal, immutable, and only true God be all honor and glory, now and forever, Amen!...
Will of Charles Cotesworth Pinckney
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Rufus Putnam
Revolutionary War General, First Surveyor General of the United States
[F]irst, I give my soul to a holy, sovereign God Who gave it in humble hope of a blessed immortality through the atonement and righteousness of Jesus Christ and the sanctifying grace of the Holy Spirit. My body I commit to the earth to be buried in a decent Christian manner. I fully believe that this body shall, by the mighty power of God, be raised to life at the last day; 'for this corruptable (sic) must put on incorruption and this mortal must put on immortality.' [I Corinthians 15:53].
Will of Rufus Putnam
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Benjamin Rush
Signer of the Declaration of Independence
My only hope of salvation is in the infinite, transcendent love of God manifested to the world by the death of His Son upon the cross. Nothing but His blood will wash away my sins. I rely exclusively upon it. Come, Lord Jesus! Come quickly!
Benjamin Rush, The Autobiography of Benjamin Rush, George Corner, editor (Princeton: Princeton University Press for the American Philosophical Society, 1948), p. 166, Travels Through Life, An Account of Sundry Incidents & Events in the Life of Benjamin Rush.
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Roger Sherman
Signer of the Declaration of Independence, Signer of the Constitution
I believe that there is one only living and true God, existing in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. . . . that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are a revelation from God. . . . that God did send His own Son to become man, die in the room and stead of sinners, and thus to lay a foundation for the offer of pardon and salvation to all mankind so as all may be saved who are willing to accept the Gospel offer.
Lewis Henry Boutell, The Life of Roger Sherman (Chicago: A. C. McClurg and Company, 1896), pp. 272-273.
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Richard Stockton
Signer of the Declaration of Independence
I think it proper here not only to subscribe to the entire belief of the great and leading doctrines of the Christian religion, such as the Being of God, the universal defection and depravity of human nature, the divinity of the person and the completeness of the redemption purchased by the blessed Savior, the necessity of the operations of the Divine Spirit, of Divine Faith, accompanied with an habitual virtuous life, and the universality of the divine Providence, but also . . . that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom; that the way of life held up in the Christian system is calculated for the most complete happiness that can be enjoyed in this mortal state; that all occasions of vice and immorality is injurious either immediately or consequentially, even in this life; that as Almighty God hath not been pleased in the Holy Scriptures to prescribe any precise mode in which He is to be publicly worshipped, all contention about it generally arises from want of knowledge or want of virtue.
Will of Richard Stockton
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Jonathan Trumbull Sr.
Governor of Connecticut, Patriot
Principally and first of all, I bequeath my soul to God the Creator and Giver thereof, and body to the Earth . . . nothing doubting but that I shall receive the same again at the General Resurrection thro the power of Almighty God; believing and hoping for eternal life thro the merits of my dear, exalted Redeemer Jesus Christ.
Will of Jonathan Trumbull
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John Witherspoon
Signer of the Declaration of Independence
I entreat you in the most earnest manner to believe in Jesus Christ, for there is no salvation in any other [Acts 4:12]. . . . [I]f you are not reconciled to God through Jesus Christ, if you are not clothed with the spotless robe of His righteousness, you must forever perish.
John Witherspoon, The Works of John Witherspoon (Edinburgh: J. Ogle, 1815), Vol. V, pp. 276, 278, The Absolute Necessity of Salvation Through Christ, January 2, 1758.
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More info on the De Vishanti codes
1. Patent Untruths
Numerous history texts make claims such as: our “national government was secular from top to bottom,” or that the Founders “reared a national government on a secular basis.” Those who have studied the American Founding know that this is a patent untruth — proved by numbers of Founders, including John Adams, who declared: “The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity.” (Even the text of the Declaration of Independence refutes any charges of government secularism.) This approach usually relies on a general lack of public knowledge about that untruth; consequently, such untruthful claims are rarely made in areas where citizens have broad general knowledge (such as claiming that James Madison used an atomic bomb to end the Civil War, or that the first sub-machine gun was developed in 1536 in Nevada by the Quakers). Revisionism relies on a lack of citizen knowledge in specific areas.
2. Overly Broad Generalizations
This revisionist tool presents the exception as if it were the rule. For example, texts often name Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Paine as proof of the lack of religiosity among the Founders yet fail to mention the rest of the almost 200 Founding Fathers — including the dozens of Founders who not only received their education in schools specializing in the training of ministers of the Gospel but who also were active in Christian ministry and organizations (e.g., John Hancock, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Benjamin Rush, Roger Sherman, et. al).
Similarly, when discussing religion in America, the Salem Witch trials are universally presented; but rarely mentioned are the positive societal changes produced by Quakers, Baptists, Presbyterians, and dozen of other religious groups and organizations that worked for the abolition of slavery, secured religious freedoms for all, and fought to end societal abuses of all types. (Also never mentioned is that the American witch trials resulted in some two dozen deaths — and were halted by religious leaders, while the European witch trials resulted in 100,000; that is, American Christianity at that time might not have been perfect but it was light years ahead of both the Christianity practiced in Europe and the European secularism that resulted in 40,000 executions in the French Revolution.)
3. Omission
Notice the following three examples from American history works:
We whose names are under-written . . . do by these presents solemnly and mutually in the presence of God, and one of another, covenant and combine our selves together into a civil body politick. MAYFLOWER COMPACT, 1620
Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? . . . I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death? PATRICK HENRY, 1775
. . . ART. I.—His Britannic Majesty acknowledges the said United States . . . PEACE TREATY TO END THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, 1783
What was omitted from these important historical quotes?
We whose names are under-written having undertaken for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith and honor of our king and country, a voyage to plant the first colonie in the Northern parts of Virginia do by these presents solemnly and mutually in the presence of God, and one of another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil body politick.
Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death?
In the name of the Most Holy and Undivided Trinity. It having pleased the Divine Providence to dispose the hearts . . . ART. I.—His Britannic Majesty acknowledges the said United States . . .
The omitted segments are those that indicate the strongly religious nature of American government documents and leaders. Also regularly omitted from texts is the fact that gratitude to God was central to the first Pilgrim Thanksgiving — and the fact that in 1782, the Congress of the United States was responsible for America's first English-language Bible; and that in 1800, Congress voted that on Sundays, the Capitol Building would serve as a church building and that by 1867, the largest protestant church in America was the one that met inside the U. S. Capitol; etc.
4. A Lack of Primary Source References
The avoidance of primary-source documents is characteristic in revisionism. For example, the authors of the widely-used text The Godless Constitution blatantly announce that they have “dispensed with the usual scholarly apparatus of footnotes” when discussing the documentation for their thesis that America’s government is built on a secular foundation. Similarly, the text The Search for Christian America purports to examine the Founding Era and finds a distinct lack of Christian influence. Yet 80 percent of the “historical sources” on which it relies to document its finding were published after 1950! That is, to determine what was occurring in the 1700s, they quote from works printed in the 1900s.
Summary
To locate revisionism in a text, look at its tone, the documents it presents, and the heroes it elevates.
To discover a revisionist tone, find the answers to these questions in the textbook: Is exploration and colonization motivated only by the desire for land or gold? Are those who promoted religious and moral values portrayed as harsh, punitive, and intolerant? Is traditional family ignored? Is government presented as statist — that is, that the state (rather than individuals, families, churches, or communities) is to take care of society's needs? Is there a victim ideology — a steady diet of those who have been exploited throughout history rather than those who have uplifted their culture? Are other religions portrayed positively and Christianity negatively (if at all)?
Are original documents presented? (Do students see the actual text or only what someone else says about it?) Do they see the Mayflower Compact, the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, George Washington's “Farewell Address,” and Abraham Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address? Are the documents heavily edited to present only a sentence or two or do they provide a substantive amount of text?
Who are the heroes presented? Do they tend to be angry - fighting an unjust society or government? Do they tend to be modern heroes only? Do they tend to be only secular leaders? For example, the U. S. Capitol displays some 100 statues of the most important individuals in America's history; a significant percentage of those statues are of ministers and Christian leaders. Will your children receive in their textbooks at least the same view of American heroes that is presented in America's pre-eminent government building?
When examining a text, always remember that your children do not know as much about history as you do and consequently have no basis for identifying bias. Therefore, examine each text as if you knew nothing at all about history except what is presented in that text; on that basis, will you be pleased with the tone toward America inculcated in your child through that text? If not, then urge your school to get a better text or be diligent to supplement for your children what is missing or wrongly presented in the text.
It is not melodramatic to state that America's future rests on what is taught to our children, for as Abraham Lincoln wisely observed:
The philosophy of the school room in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next. (attributed)
Famous American educator Noah Webster therefore rightly admonished:
The education of youth should be watched with the most scrupulous attention. . . . [It] lays the foundations on which both law and gospel rest for success.
Indeed!
I checked out Religious Tolerance. ORG . No wonder homosexuals think it s fair , which is the main problem , their idea of fair is saying one religion is good , one is bad ... Unbelievalbe web site , I suggest to many check it out , I sent my note to them , see how they respond . I noticed it is from Canada also , their it is illegal to promote sex out of the contents as immoral if you include homosexual sex in the contents , like quoting the Bible on the radio . What a tolerant viewpoint ,
Seeing your description of Evangelical Christianity , then reading you had received complaints showed me you were concerned , but however it is obvious you do not have any Evangelicals on your board . They would be too insulted . The main considerations you put forth for Evangelicals such as abortions were relevant in a political nature of many Evangelical Christians , but not the Spiritual or what the church itself teaches . That is having a personnel relationship with Jesus Christ , that we all fall short , to promote the good news by word and deed , and to love one another .
For one thing , a large portion of efforts in the Evangelical Church is Missions , here in the US and abroad Missions meaning helping feed , clothe , help with medical aid , and teach new converts how to be Ministers . Of course preaching the Gospel is equally shared with contributing to the physical needs . This is important in the Conservative Church , to share food for the physical needs but also as important to sharing food for the spiritual needs. The liberal churches do not feel the second aspect is as important , and to be fair to my liberal friends , I will leave that subject alone .
Having Christian Identity on the same level with Evangelical is indeed insulting , bigoted and hateful . If this is ignorance , I request you remove that connection immediately till you can research it better . It would be like putting ECO Terrorist on the same tier with the liberal Church of Christ .
Your description that Evangelicals do not wish equal rights for homosexuals is inaccurate , and it is a one sided view point . In the United States , homosexuals do have equal rights . In fact in public schools , opinions and points of view promoting homosexual tolerance are given , according to the past 40 years of our Constitutional opinions , religious references , even to re enforce parental values is prohibited . Your description of this viewpoint comes from a progressive view point that keeps your organization a liberal web site , and not about religious tolerance , or any way promoting all religions . Its derogatory to have a religion described by those who have such an obvious difference and non understanding of it . Homosexuals would most likely flock to your web site , and I assume do support it your organization . This is because of your slant , not your tolerance.
I was Vice Chair of the Kitsap County Ethnic Unity Coalition . When we did forums on the African American Community , or the Native American Community we would use representatives from those communities to provide the bulk of the information . It makes no sense for an Anglo to promote to try and explain the feelings of someone being stopped for driving on the wrong side of town because of their race . You obviously described liberal religious groups in a kindly manner , and I could suggest someone else could describe the same religious viewpoints with the connections to people being over taxed , property rights confiscated and more . Nothing wrong with being tolerant , but all too often that word is used to miss represent another's viewpoint . As you have .
Mick Sheldon
Mick Sheldon:
Thankyou for sharing all the above information.
Are you crazy , have no knowledge . Washington had a homosexual shot , not kicked out of his Army . In those days there were sodomy laws , who do you think supported them and wrote them ?, What bothers me about people such as your self , you will say anything , regardless of the truth , or lack of knowing it .
Liar but then I don't expect much more from this crowd.
1778 - the court-martial of Lt Frederick Gotthold Enslin March 10, 1778
"attempting to commit sodomy, with John Monhort a soldier... and do sentence ime to be dismiss'd the service with Infamy. His Excellency the Commander on Chief approves the sentence .. orders Lt Enslin to be drummed out of the Camp tomorrow morning by all the Drummers and Fifers in the Army never to return; The Drummers and Fifers to attend on the Grand Parade at Guard mounting for that Purpose."
Vishi on history And as to revisionist - George Washington was a freemason deist so yes, he would be fully in support of individual freedoms and knowing what we know now about sexual orientation would support people living the life that is right for them
1778 - the court-martial of Lt Frederick Gotthold Enslin March 10, 1778
Then you call a liar who thought Washington had a guy shot ,no he just supported their freedoms by having him kicked out ? Have you no memory of what you have said , or are there more then one of you ..
"attempting to commit sodomy, with John Monhort a soldier... and do sentence ime to be dismiss'd the service with Infamy. His Excellency the Commander on Chief approves the sentence .. orders Lt Enslin to be drummed out of the Camp tomorrow morning by all the Drummers and Fifers in the Army never to return; The Drummers and Fifers to attend on the Grand Parade at Guard mounting for that Purpose."
Devinci codes says
Liar but then I don't expect much more from this crowd.
but about G Washington he says George Washington was a freemason deist so yes, he would be fully in support of individual freedoms and knowing what we know now about sexual orientation would support people living the life that is right for them
What do we know about a soldier being found in bed with nother soldier during war time that we did not then ?
Gotthold Frederick Enslin
(18th century) U.S.A.
Lieutenant
Valley Forge, Pennsylvania: the first known case of a soldier who, being discovered in bed with a private in February 1778, was convicted on sodomy charges. Lt. Gotthold Frederick Enslin was court-martialed in March 11, and then was expelled, in March 14, from the Continental Army, by order of Gen. Washington
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