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Looking Forward
During this past year we have had a couple of transitions and will soon be announcing our agenda for 2007.
Bob Higley, longtime lobbyist for WERG (Washington Evangelicals for Responsible Government) and then for Faith & Freedom Network, announced earlier that he would be retiring this year.
We are grateful for his work and ministry in Olympia for more than 13 years. We also appreciate his input to Jon Russell, who will become our lobbyist as the 2007 session begins.
Jon, our present Field Director, has a substantial history in politics, is deeply committed to the Judeo-Christian values that Faith & Freedom is committed to advancing in our culture and to the God who gave us these values and principles.
Jon will continue as Field Director, while he serves as lobbyist.
I have spoken to a friend of this ministry and want to share with you, as well, that we have a fairly urgent need for an additional full-time person to join the Faith & Freedom team. We need someone to travel Washington State and work to continue advancing and developing our grassroots network. While there are thousands of people who receive our Blogs and Action Alerts, many of whom are area coordinators for Faith & Freedom, we need to further expand and develop this part of the organization. We have a number of very important issues to address in 2007 and it is vitally important that we interact with legislators from the strongest position possible. The grassroots network represents strength in Olympia and elsewhere, because we’re the folks that elect the legislators.
To bring this person onto the team, we need to raise the budget for that person. Faith & Freedom would need an additional $4,000 per month to cover a modest salary and travel expenses. Please pray with us regarding this matter.
Kathy McDonald, well-known Christian activist and political consultant in the State of Washington will continue to serve as our Director of Development.
Faith & Freedom is underwritten entirely by donations.
Your giving allows us to represent the faith community in our culture.
Thank you for standing with us during these challenging times.
__________________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom
22 Comments:
FNF, Jon,
I appreciate the personal transition and handing of the responsibilities over from a father to a son in doing a work that both consider important. I found it very interesting to read of Jon's direction as noted below that Jon is "deeply committed to the Judeo-Christian values that Faith & Freedom is committed to advancing in our culture".
I would like to make it clear that I am very committed in advancing the values of Jesus Christ in our culture. I have no qualms with that and I do it daily as I pour out love, respect and, yes, that word the some people hate "tolerance" - it is a beautiful word because it really means "kindness". When we understand what it means to be "kind" - a fundamental characteristic of Love that all of us are called to obey - we know that it does not "hurt" its neighbor (Rom 13:10). So we ask ourselves - am I hurting anyone in my life?? How do we know that? May I suggest that when people tell us that we are hurting them - we are. And, if we are truly following the values of Christ, we stop. Yes, we stop hurting people.
Does that mean I don't hold my values in esteem?? To the contrary - I would not hold them otherwise - nor would anyone else for the most part. The question is what is the call of the disciple in terms of judging the world. The answer is in ICor5:12 - God judges those who are without - we are not called to oppress them but allow any peaceful man the freedom that any of us would take for granted. That much is intuitively obvious even to the unsaved - how much more to those who are both called and empowered to walk in "kindness".
Someone will of course have to argue with what kindness really is. The answer is simply - when another peaceful human being tells you that you are being unkind to them - you are being unkind to them - and you stop being unkind. In fact, you start being kind. Most people easily know the difference.
BTW - This is really the fundamental arguement concerning how a mother would treat her unborn child - a lesson most of us grasp. Now we need to extend it to those who already been born and are struggling to live out their lives the best they can.
Jon - if you are willing to follow the genuine values of Jesus as I have noted above, I think you will do a wonderful job and you have my full support.
Peace,
In Him who is our peace,
Human
Jon, our present Field Director, has a substantial history in politics, is deeply committed to the Judeo-Christian values that Faith & Freedom is committed to advancing in our culture and to the God who gave us these values and principles.
Human- I understand what your saying to a point about peace love and kindness. I would like you to explain how truth is involved. because we are supposed to stand for truth. The truth sets us free. Otherwise we are in bondage?
Human are you a new Christian?
Anon 12:16
Thanks for your query. As I noted, I am committed to advancing the values of Jesus Christ in our culture - whether that is in the church or out of the church. The values we are called to are to love God, to love our neighbor as ourselves - "the truth" IS these values, the truth is peace, love and kindness. Until we get to these basics (which we are far from), other than the Gospel itself, we have no other truth that needs to be gone to.
Perhaps a further dimension is the consider this critical truth. The disciples of Jesus are called to judge in the church, God has left the realm outside of the church to Himself (ICor5:12). Thus, the imposition of anyone's ethics in the name of Jesus is in itself disobedience towards the Lord. The reality is that the use of "the sword" against peaceful human beings is an abomination to God and has evil consequences. This was the cause of the Noachin flood - every thought in man's heart was violent.
Regardless, certain men of the baser sort, in disobedience to this call of God, clothe themselves with the name of Christ and attempt to oppress other people with their own desires. The classic example is alcohol prohibition. This was a classic Evangelical political domination and with it, the hidious evil that resulted. Presumably, we would have learned not to do that again and, rather, that Jesus way of education (vs. enforcing on the peaceful unsaved), is best BUT, as I mentioned, these are men of a baser sort, therefore you have all kinds of prohibition against peaceful human beings to the extent that these religious prohibitionists even blaspheme God's own creation by criminalizing it. The US Federal government calls this "the war on drugs". The disciple who judges according to rightousness rather than appearnce knows this is merely a manifestation of evil and violence. And it is an abomination to the heart of God.
Anon, I hope this helps answer your question.
Peace,
In Him who died for ALL Humans,
Human
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
Hi Anon 5:24
I have been a disciple of Jesus Christ for almost 30 years. I am eternally thankful for my salvation and the work that He has done in my life.
I am curious how long have you been walking with God? What is the biggest change you have seen in your life?
Peace,
In Him,
Human
Human ,
There is more to Christianity then knowing the word , without love it is just clanging... and when to use and how to use scripture is an art for some especially at the expense of someone else . If a brother offends you , do not go to the world and shout his offence . But this appears to be your style ,
You appear to know the word , but does not Satan himself know the word .
Having a discussion with aperson who could not quite understand that the First Amendment was discriminatory . And while I was trying to teach the angry soul that I agreed with him , I am glad it is discriminatory , because it prevents not just my religion being taught to his kids , it prevents your religion being taught , or the Hindu Religion , every religion , ehhh except the Muslim religion in California from what I hear . Discrimination is a good thing sometimes .
Because you seem to know a different Christ I know , The one I know is much more on forgiveness and Grace , and quite less assuming the worse . He loves us just where we are in our lives and leads forth to go be better , helps us to stay the course . He knows all , unlike you who professes to .
The reason the logic of the First Amendment and being discriminatory to religion is so to prevent one areligion being promoted over another by taxpayer expense . Because our Founders almost came from states that had state constitutions that did provide a litmus test to serve in office , but had the wisdom to know that God , not the state dictates to the hearts of men .
They shared a view for the most part , the Biblical belief that parents are responsible for their children's knowledge of the scriptures, not the state . ,
but my point to this very angry JC dude , that it does not mean that to use non sectarian means to teach principles and a world view that contradicts those lessons should have any more right in a public school then a religious dogma . The principle is the same . The state teaching a morality , just because it is non sectarian , is breaking the principle of why church and state was put in the Constitution , that those life lesson that deal with our Creator are too important to allow the state to mess with . Thats my opinion ..
This juy JC came on like I was playing the victim , then you wrote this ?
Care to explain brother ? You have offended me . You have promoted a distortion , an out and lie of my character and intentions . You have no right to make any comments in my regards to Evangelicals and your pathetic perverted examples that you stated . You can be a Christian and be a bigot , you have proved this .
Love in Christ , Mick
Human said...
The victim mentality foisted on to the Evangelicals by their leaders has certainly made us all miserable listening to them. At the same time they are responsible for creating victims of all sorts through their heinous prohibition laws, e.g. alcohol, black men cannot marry white women (all these came from those great Evangelicals with who today's Evangelical's go arm in arm with the so called "war on drugs").
The greatest deception an oppressor will give is to look like a victim.
The reality is that I Cor 5:12 has pulled the true disciple out of the role of oppressing the world - it is God's job to judge them. The moral depravity of the world is left to them - my job is to fully submit to Jesus Christ. In doing so, I am the neither the victim nor the oppressor but the Victor through Him who strengthens me.
Peace,
In Christ,
Mick,
Sorry to offend - and I appreciate your mentioning your offense. I cannot respond to what I don't know.
I believe this post was in another thread. However, I will respond here.
The main point of my addressing the victim mentality was related to Evangelicalism as a whole - I never meant it directly toward you in that thread. HOWEVER, if you play the victim game, then it will apply - I hope you don't nor anyone who names the name of Jesus. The victim game is very popular among Evangelical leadership, and, for the most part, is really the result of political hacks who use (abuse) those who would follow Christ. BUT our calling is far greater and a genuine disciple has far more integrity than to stoop to silly political charades.
Does this perhaps make sense?
Regarding my perspective of the love and acceptance of Jesus Christ - please go back and re-read the beginning of my blog. This was in fact the very essence of my response to the young man replacing his father as the lobbyist in Olympia for FNF.
Peace,
In Christ,
Human
FYI re - Right Wing Anit-Christ Religious Leaders using the name of Jesus and playing the Victim Game - please see the following incisive article by Ralph Neas of PFAW which shows the not only blatent hypocriscy by Evangelical leaders BUT overt lies.
Be forewarned that those who practice such hypocrisy and lies shall NOT inherit the Kingdom of God.
Peace,
In Him who is the Truth and our Freedom
Human
"Liberty Sunday" and the Bogus War on Christians
Ralph G. Neas, President, People For the American Way
With the midterm elections just days away and rock-bottom approval ratings for Congress and the Bush Administration, activists on the radical religious right are desperate to re-energize their base. In an eleventh-hour attempt to change the subject from the Iraq war and scandals surrounding Jack Abramoff, Mark Foley, and the Congressional Leadership, the ultra-right Family Research Council (FRC) is turning once again to its victim/martyr strategy of asserting that Christians’ religious liberty is under attack—this time with an ugly, anti-gay emphasis.
This weekend in Boston, FRC, which is closely aligned with the Republican Party, will host “Liberty Sunday,” a simulcast rally designed to mislead and alarm voters about how LGBT rights will affect religious families, and amplify the scapegoating of gay officials in the Congressional page scandal. Their claim is among the most egregious yet: that prohibiting discrimination against gay and lesbian Americans would somehow abridge the religious freedom of right-wing Christians. The web site for their Orwellian "Freedom Watch" program proclaims:
"The expansion of non-discrimination laws to include homosexuality inevitably constricts our right to express and act on our religious beliefs."
What? This goes far beyond questions of same-sex marriages, civil unions, or even laws that protect against hate crimes and workplace discrimination. This is essentially an assertion that religious liberty in this country ought to include the right to discriminate against an entire class of Americans in any and all aspects of life. This is a twisted and dangerous reading of the First Amendment.
And the very premise of the bogus "War on Christians" is warped. No Christian in this country is persecuted or jailed for his or her religious beliefs, or the exercise of them—a claim few nations in history have been able to make. No church is or will ever be forced to accept GLBT members or to perform same-sex marriages. Instead, the guarantee of freedom of religion exists in our Constitution to protect every religion, and every individual, allowing the practice of religion free from government interference.
“Liberty Sunday” follows a long tradition of fanning fears of anti-Christian persecution. To support the reelection of the first President Bush, televangelist Pat Robertson predicted that electing Bill Clinton would usher in a wave of anti-Christian attacks by the government. Even earlier, the Christian Coalition distributed mailers insisting that Christians were on the verge of being imprisoned for their beliefs. Ultra-conservative, anti-gay politicians now hold power in both houses of Congress as well as the White House, and are close to controlling the federal judiciary as well. Warnings that the government is somehow aligned against Christians are ridiculous—and should be challenged.
Check out these masterpieces of inverted logic. At this year's “War on Christians” conference, conservative activist Janet Folger claimed that the ultimate goal of the “homosexual agenda” was nothing short of the criminalization of Christianity. In a recent e-mail asking for people to send him examples of anti-Christian bias, FRC President Tony Perkins asked “Have you been forced to attend pro-homosexual ‘diversity’ training at work? Have your children been subjected to pro-homosexual books or rhetoric in school?” Apparently, any reference to gays or lesbians (other than fiery condemnation) profoundly infringes on religious liberty.
FRC’s stories of alleged anti-Christian discrimination should be challenged as well. Most are either exaggerated anecdotes with little at their core, or anomalous examples that misrepresent the legal questions involved. For example, a prominent Religious Right case centered on a Tennessee student who received a failing grade on a research paper “simply because her topic was Jesus Christ.” Conservative activists were livid when a judge upheld her failing grade, but reporters who dug deeper found that the story wasn’t about “Religious Liberty” at all. In fact, the student failed because she refused to follow directions for the assignment and changed her topic without her teacher’s permission.
Examples of such nonsense abound. Perhaps the most ludicrous was last year's “War on Christmas” canard, when the right wing echo-chamber—Bill O’Reilly, right wing blogs, Religious Right groups, and others—whipped up a faux furor by claiming that a department store's decision to say "Happy Holidays" in its catalog was the equivalent of spitting in the face of Christians. They claimed that any effort to be inclusive of other faiths amounted to disrespect towards Christianity. The campaign deflated in a hurry when it was revealed that the official Bush White House Christmas card said “Happy Holidays” and that Fox News sold an “O’Reilly Factor Holiday Ornament” in its online store. But fear not—the "War on Christmas" will no doubt be back this year to pump up "Christmas" giving to right-wing pressure groups.
There’s a reason that the Religious Right continues to push this particular version of the Big Lie. Americans who know the truth are much more open to equality for all: a recent study by the Center For American Values in Public Life, a program of People For the American Way Foundation, showed that 18% of voters would switch their position and support full marriage equality for same sex couples if they knew that no church would ever be required to bless a marriage it disapproved of.) This argument is a straw man that Liberty Sunday will almost certainly resurrect, and it should be dismantled.
The truth is, this strategy has nothing to do with religious freedom and everything to do with gaining and preserving political power at any cost. Leaders of the Christian Right movement are not simply preachers who happen to be interested in politics. They are major political figures personally invested in the partisan success of the Republican Party. By consistently claiming that Christianity is under attack, they mobilize voters who might otherwise abandon them for their performance on the war in Iraq, the economy, the environment, or a host of other issues that actually affect their daily lives and well-being. And while there are Christian leaders who speak out across the political spectrum, we expect that speeches at Liberty Sunday will claim, either explicitly or implicitly, that Christian voters must vote for GOP candidates.
This debate is not about Christmas trees on courthouse lawns or department store holiday greetings. This debate goes to the heart of religious liberty and separation of church and state in America, fundamental freedoms that have kept our soil free of religious bloodshed for more than 200 years, and made this land a beacon of liberty for oppressed people around the globe. It is a debate about whether one religious group can force the country to continue to discriminate against gay people. It is a debate about the political power to shape the future of the nation.
“Liberty Sunday” is a desperate attempt by radical activists to cling to power by any means necessary, including the "Big Lie" of a war on Christians and the open advocacy of discrimination against gay and lesbian Americans. FRC’s fear mongering and its attempts to claim the moral high ground should be rejected.
Wow ,
You do not see an incrase in secularism in our culture , and the numerous examples of public schools changing in policies in regards to Christmas ? Christmas Plays to Winter Festivals over the years ? You believe that with the increase of acceptance of sexual values being more liberated , and the increasing hatred of say even the boy scouts , at one time just another organization that promoted kids , now without changing anything , to the left it is a right wing hate group . The BoyScouts stayed the same , its values did not change , to the left , their culture has changed , and with it has used its beliefs to force that change on the rest of us .. You are being intellectually dishonest ...
You throw out this garbafge as a means for discussion of our changing culture ? You refuse to admit to the change , and use the same method all hate groups use , don;t look at me , its the fault of the Jews . Or the blacks , ahh its those religious zealots .
You use People For the American Way as a resource . You promote the use of terms like the religious right , sterotyping , using secularism as a means to promote a intellectual superioty strategy with a basis of acceptance because of the lack of a Godly World view ..
And you are cleaning up the church ?
Human- I still see no truth in what you are preaching.Your idea of a cleaned up church is Alcohal, pot and drugs served up at comunion? Church is where sinners go to grow in christ. Not be christ.
Human--love and kindness are the easy part of Christianity. It is a little more challenging when someone has wronged you but still the best part of Christianity. Who doesn't love to spead love and kindness?
I agree with the post of 12:16 and 7:25PM. Where is truth? Wouldn't it be nice and easy and simple to go along and let anyone do what they wish?
Your theology seems imbalanced leaving out large chunks of the bible and gospel. Peace love and kindness are only part of the story. And, it is the easy part of the story.
Mick -
For some reason you are choosing to read all sorts of strange concepts into my writing. Is this because you were offended at one point (by mis understanding a comment I made in another post which I had hoped I had clarified here)??? The root of bitterness, my brother, will rob you of the clarity of mind - please be careful.
I am willing to work with you to eliminate any offense and then begin to clear up your significant misconceptions of anything I have written.
Your call.
Sincerely,
In Christ,
Human
Anon 7:25
I am puzzled by your reference to alcohol, pot and drugs served at communion - what is the source of that??
I note of course that most communion includes alchol. The church I attend, Mars Hill, frequently includes alcohol in various social gatherings - as Jesus did in His.
Peace,
In Christ,
Human
Anon 2:28
Love and kindness are easy?? Why isn't there more being shown?? Why would Jesus have to make this the second greatest command? Why would Paul have to devote a chapter on in Corinthians on it? Etc.
I think you have allowed you mind to somehow understand "truth" as being something other than what Jesus called us to - perhaps something your pastor has indoctrinated you with that is missing the fundamental and challenging characteristics of the gospel of the Kingdom.
Please clarify if I am misrepresenting you.
Thanks,
In Christ,
Human
The source would be the fact that you have in many posts used alcohal and prohibition in your statments against the rightists. And flowers allowable in other posts. Maybe you do not remember those posts. You made it clear in another post that you believe pot should be legal. We can not in christs name just allow everything out of love for each other. There was an event where Jesus was very upset and overturned tables because they allowed things to go on that were not right. We have to take a stand for what is right and not just smile and say thats wonderful. We need to fight for our love of God because every where you turn including these ungodly posts there are people lurking with the its alright attitude. you must be very careful what you believe. And know in scripture who you are in christ not that you are christ.
Anon 4:25
Your statement was that I said that pot, drugs and alcohol should be served at communion. Where did I say this? Notwithstanding the fact that alcohol is already served at communion, I have never even conceived such a notion much less stated it.
My point regarding the cannabis, etc. was not related to its use but to the right wing oppression and violence against those peaceful humans who do. In other words, the focus on was on justice, peace and reform rather than a given use.
Does that make sense?? It is a signficant distinction obviously.
Peace,
In Christ,
Human
"Please clarify if I am misrepresenting you."
Yes you are misrepresenting me in every way. Sorry--I don't have the time to spend on the internet you do so gotta go.
Human you speak like I did before I was a Christian.
Here is what I think. I think Gary's work is beyond critical. I am so grateful for him for doing what he does and feel badly that he has to be the one who has to do it and put up with all the attacks he does. I'm sure life was much better and easier for him when he was a successful business man and TV man.
The problem lies with the rest of us. We need to be out there showing God's love on a small scale in our daily lives and on a large scale.
There is an imbalance so that all the focus ends up on activism.
So Human exactly what are you going to do about it? So far I see judging and complaining and a misuse of scripture.
Me? I plan to start big scale work as soon as I complete my PhD. Daily I show love because I love my God.
And I will speak truth in love. People's eternal soul's depend on it and I can't bear the thought of my savior asking me "why didn't you tell them".
Anon 3:50
You stated that I speak like you did before you became a Christian.
I share the good news of Jesus Christ and how He died to save us and how He calls us to complete surrender to Him.
Are you sure you spoke like this before you were a Christian?? If you did, what are you talking about now?
Peace,
In Christ,
Human
Anon 4:31
With all due respect, NO one's work is beyond critical except for God in Christ. We are called to continuously submit ourselves and thinking to him.
Gary will make honest errors as both you and I will. We depend on the disciples to help us work through those errors.
The issue that other disciples such as Guru have brought up is what appears to be a severe problem of emphasis, a goal towards oppression and a twisting of the facts to support political domination and, ultimately violence as a reflection of legislated morality against peaceful human beings. All this is anti-Christ and, thus, as the saints are called to do in I Cor 5:12, we, in love, judge those who are in the church.
Peace,
In Christ
Human
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