The Seattle Post-Intelligencer announced this morning that there would be a gathering of religious leaders later today at Lake Washington High School, which also happens to be the Sunday home of the Antioch Bible Church, led by Pastor Ken Hutcherson.
As you will recall, Pastor Hutcherson put pressure on Microsoft last year and they dropped their support of House Bill 1515, which would have extended existing civil rights laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex and disability to include sexual orientation.
Hutcherson had threatened a national boycott of Microsoft. The Company took a neutral stance on HB 1515, then denied that Hutcherson had influenced them.
It isn't unusual that the media would cover a gathering of liberal religious leaders. What is odd, at least to me, is that they would be promoting it in advance. In light of the supportive commentaries that both Seattle newspapers have been serving up this past year regarding the gay agenda, no one questions where they stand on the issue.
The gathering is scheduled for 1:30 this afternoon. Let's see how many people a newspaper like the Seattle P.I. can get out for such an event.
I will be hosting the "Live From Seattle Show" on KGNW 820 amtoday from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Pacific Time. Those of you in the Seattle area, tune in and we'll talk about it. The toll free line is 1-800-955-8200.
_____________ Gary Randall President Faith & Freedom Network
All of us at Faith & Freedom would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas.
I felt quote by E. Merril Root would be appropriate for this Christmas Day.
"Truth is not a discovery, but a renewal. Truth is like a bell -- it's vibrations fade from the moment it is struck, and to find truth, we must strike the bell again and yet again, that it may not be forgotten, but renewed. Christmas is a bell hung in the center of history, the bell of heaven that concludes the past and initiates the future."
___________ Gary Randall President Faith & Freedom Network
Some psychiatrists think so and are pushing to include it in some diagnostic criteria sets in future editions of their DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) which is published by the American Psychiatric Association.
The Washington Post ran an article on December 10, 2005 titled, “Psychiatry Ponders Whether Extreme Bias Can Be an Illness.”
The title suggests the ominous implications.
The Post said, “Mental health practitioners say they regularly confront extreme forms of racism, homophobia and other prejudice in the course of therapy, and some patients are disabled by those beliefs. As doctors increasingly weigh the effects of race and culture on mental illness, some are asking whether pathological bias ought to be an official psychiatric diagnosis.”
Bottom line:
Some psychiatrists are pushing for racists and people who suffer from “homophobia” to be labeled mentally ill.
The Post makes the case by telling the story of a man who turned down a job because a co-worker might be gay and would not go certain places because he thought he might run into a gay person.
Think about where this can lead.
It could easily put people who strongly oppose homosexual behavior on the same level as people who suffer irrational fears of gays and declare both people mentally ill.
Remember, the American Psychiatric Association has already said that homosexual behavior is normal, so to strongly oppose it would be irrational and abnormal.
I have personally observed how the Soviet Union, who was officially atheist, sent hundreds of thousands of Christians to mental institutions because they said if you believe there is a God, you are insane. Most oppressive governments use some form of this tool.
If bias becomes a mental illness, it will let criminals off the hook as well. It won’t be their fault. They will be victims of an illness.
Chuck Colson also read this article and concluded, “If the day should come that opposition to homosexual conduct is labeled homophobia and homophobia labeled delusional, then it is a very short step to saying that belief in the Bible, which labels that conduct as sinful, is also a mental disorder.”
________________ Gary Randall President Faith & Freedom Network
Want a taste of the Good Life? Join Prison Fellowship founder Chuck Colson and President Mark Earley to understand what the good life is truly about. Enjoy delicious desserts as well as hear Chuck’s reflections on his new book, The Good Life.
Joe Fuiten says, “His books have been very influential in the development of my political philosophy as it relates to the faith. I admire the man greatly and would love for you to have the opportunity to hear him.”
Saturday, January 7th at Cedar Park Church 16300 112th Ave NE Bothell, WA 98011
Dessert reception from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the gym Program from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary.
Navy Chaplain, Gordon Klingenschmitt, is facing what may be the end of his 14-year career as a Navy Chaplain for using the name of Jesus.
His commanding officer told a Navy board that, as a chaplain, he overemphasizes his own faith.
Chaplain Klingenschmitt said, “He was talking about my sermons and prayers. He specifically cited the chaplain school director who told him that I was an immature Chaplain because I pray in Jesus name.”
Unfortunately there is a regulation that mandates that Navy Chaplains are not allowed to pray in the name of Jesus. The regulation was put in place in 1998 during the Clinton Administration.
It’s ironic that the secularists are forever lecturing us on the virtues of diversity, yet our military can’t even experience the diversity of religious from their own chaplains without offending those who preach diversity.
This same scenario was repeated earlier this year at the Air Force Academy.
We need an executive order from the President of the United States that protects the First Amendment rights of military chaplains and other members of the military to pray according to their faith.
Please send an email to your Senator, Representative, and to the President’s office, encouraging the President to issue this Executive Order. Click here to access links to those emails.
________________ Gary Randall President Faith & Freedom Network
After hearing the report on Monday that scientists at the Salk Institute in San Diego are creating human-animal hybrids by injecting mice with hundreds of thousands of human embryonic stem cells, it was great to hear the report from the University of Louisville today.
Scientists at the University have made a discovery of a certain kind of adult stem cell that could drastically change the debate about embryonic stem cell research.
Mariusz Ratajezak, leader of the research team and director of the stem cell biology program at the University said, “We have found a counterpart for embryonic stem cells in adult bone marrow. This could negate the ethical concerns.”
Ryan Reca, one of the researchers said, “It’s huge. It’s an amazing discovery.”
The researchers have actually coaxed stem cells from adult mice to transform into brain, nerve, heart and pancreatic cells.
This kind of diversification was previously thought to only be possible using controversial embryonic stem cells. The process of collecting those cells always requires the destruction of human embryos.
Thank God for those who seek to improve quality of life while upholding the sanctity of life.
_______________ Gary Randall President Faith & Freedom Network
Just when you think it can’t get any more ridiculous, you discover that indeed, it can.
The kids at Bellevue Washington’s Medina Elementary School wanted to help the less fortunate this Christmas, I mean … holiday season. So the kids and their parents decided on a “giving tree.” It would have mittens as decorations and the mittens would carry the age and sex of the person getting the present and what they would really like to receive.
“No!” said a few. And Principal Betty Hill said, “I was gently reminded that the tree represents some part of Christianity.”
In a burst of creativity, the Principal said, “We can easily carry on our giving efforts whether we put the mittens on a sled, a snowman, a tree, or a counter. So we have put our mittens on the counter.”
Kim Rashin, who is Jewish, says the tree didn’t offend her at all. “I am fully in support of having a giving tree.”
The School says it doesn’t matter where the mittens are; it’s the giving that matters.
The problem with that is the whole idea of giving also represents “some part of Christianity.”
It was the founder of Christianity himself who said, “Give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.” Jesus (Matthew 19:21).
So, their dilemma deepens.
____________ Gary Randall President Faith & Freedom Network
All of us at Faith & Freedom Network work everyday, writing blogs, meeting legislators, communicating with you and the general public, and in general doing everything we can to advance Judeo-Christian values and principles.
I came across the following quote that I believe defines every single person who is part of this Faith & Freedom movement.
“May the spirit of Christmas ignite in the hearts of patriotic Americans a determination to redouble our efforts at recapturing control of our national destiny, so that our children and their children may know, as we have known, the joy of true freedom and the infinite glory that shines from the humble manger of the new-born Christ.” Fr. James Thornton
Every effort is worth it.
______________ Gary Randall President Faith & Freedom Network
It was widely reported that Washington’s Governor Gregoire not only attended but spoke to the Gay and Lesbian Leadership Conference in Seattle last month. In doing so, she became the first acting Governor to do so in the history of the State of Washington.
The Seattle PI expressed disappointment that she stopped short of endorsing gay marriage in Washington but reported that she extolled the progress that is being made in the State on behalf of gays and lesbians.
Gregoire vowed unequivocal support on the civil rights bill for homosexuals (1515).
“We still need to move forward,” she said. “The new law failed by one vote in the Senate, but should not be seen as a loss.” She said, “We have not lost, we have begun, we will win.”
Ed Murray, D-Seattle, Washington’s most openly gay legislator said, “She stood with us as Attorney General and she’s stood with us as Governor.”
However, in a less reported story, the Governor seems to be struggling a bit with the facts.
Sharon, known on the internet as Research Mom, pointed out to Faith & Freedom that the Governor, speaking at a luncheon last month said, “When it comes to education, Washington shouldn’t compare itself with states such as Georgia and North Carolina, because doing so meant comparing Washington to mediocrity.” (Puget Sound Business Journal).
However, according to the Fordham Foundation’s review of the standards for all fifty states, Washington State standards fail in both English and Mathematics. They report:
Georgia; English Grade, B; Math Grade, B North Carolina; English Grade, B; Math Grade, C Washington; English Grade, F; Math Grade, F
Perhaps Gregoire should spend a little more time seeking ways to improve our public education and less time advancing the homosexual agenda.
The Puget Sound Business Journal contacted the office of Georgia Governor, Sonny Perdue, regarding Gregoire’s comment. The Governor of Georgia’s response: “Georgia citizens are educated enough not to let somebody steal the governor’s office.”
Ronald Reagan once said, “Facts are funny things.”
________________ Gary Randall President Faith & Freedom Network
When the executives at CBS first previewed A Charlie Brown Christmas in November 1965, they hated it.
They said it was slow, no laugh track, music scoring was all wrong and besides, Charles Schultz was insisting the show end with the Christmas story being read from the Gospel of Luke by a lisping little boy named Linus.
Producer Lee Mendelsen told them, “Look, you can’t read from the Bible on network television.”
Good grief, were they wrong.
That year 50 percent of America’s TV viewers watched the show. Last year, 39 years later, 13.6 million people tuned in, making it the 18th most popular show on TV that week.
Last night, Charlie Brown did it again on ABC.
The Christmas special has become a key part of the Peanuts marketing empire with $1.2 billion in annual revenue. And people feel good and cry when they watch it. And they come back and watch it every year.
Why can’t the big-name stores, you know who they are, figure out that people really like Christmas.
Marty Heires, spokesman for Wal-Mart, the world’s largest retail store, said just yesterday they are asking, “their employees use good judgment” in regard to saying “Merry Christmas.”
Good grief, Wal-Mart.
Sears and K-Mart have been proclaiming on high this week that they don’t, repeat don’t prohibit the word Christmas in their stores. Although they are not using it.
Mr. Heires said that at Wal-Mart, “we’re trying to be more sensitive to persons of all faiths.”
I always thought that retailing was about selling goods, not redefining society.
Perhaps Charlie Brown could give them a new and better business plan.
A Fox News/ Opinion Dynamic poll taken last week showed among other things that a large majority of Americans celebrate Christmas and 83 percent said Nativity scenes should be permitted on public property and 93 percent said, “In God we Trust” should stay on US currency and 90 percent said, “Under God” should stay in the Pledge. A full 82 percent said they think voluntary prayer in school should be restored.
The Charlie Brown business plan would be to relax, go with the numbers and JUST SAY CHRISTMAS!
And “no” Charlie Brown, “everything you touch isn’t ruined.”
_____________ Gary Randall President Faith & Freedom Network
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, last Wednesday, decided to shake-up his administration after the resounding special elections failure by promoting Susan Kennedy to be his chief of staff.
Kennedy, a lesbian and long-time activist had been serving as State Public Utilities Commissioner. She is not only one of the highest profile gay politicians in California, but a former director of an abortion rights group.
Dave Gilliard, who headed up the campaign to recall former Governor Grey Davis said, “This makes Schwarzenegger a man without a country. The Democrats will never accept him or embrace him and now he’s breaking with his base.”
Steve Manigilo, spokesman for Democratic Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuez said, “It leaves many Democrats, as well as Republicans, wondering if he has any core values at all.”
Newly appointed Chief of Staff, Susan Kennedy, told the Californians not to worry. She said, “I believe in this man and where he’s trying to take California. I think a moderate Democrat and a moderate Republican … there is not a lot of light between us.”
That really clears things up, doesn’t it?
It occurred to me once again that people of faith must be vigilant. And that we must vote our values – always.
Noah Webster, father of American public education and the man who gave us our dictionary also gave us his thoughts regarding the people we elect to public office.
“If the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted; laws will be made not for public good so much as for the selfish or local purposes.”
May we learn from our Founding Fathers.
______________ Gary Randall President Faith & Freedom Network
Bret Chenkin, an English teacher at Mount Anthony Union High School in Vermont, got caught last week.
While he was supposed to be teaching English, he was using his influence to blatantly advance his own liberal agenda.
Sample question on his quiz:
“I wish Bush would be (coherent, eschewed) for once during a speech, but there are theories that his everyday diction charms the below-average mind, hence insuring him Republican voters.”
The students were to choose whether “coherent” or “eschewed” was the proper word.
Another example said, “It is frightening the way the extreme Right has (balled, arrogated) aspects of the Constitution and warped them for their own agenda.”
I think arrogated would be the proper word in that case.
When Mr. Chenkin was confronted by Superintendent Wesley Knapp he said, “The kids know it’s hyperbolic, so-to-speak. They know its tongue in cheek.”
This is yet another example of the assault on our children under the guise of education.
I’m reminded of the words of Abraham Lincoln, “The philosophy of the classroom of one generation will be the philosophy of the government of the next.”
__________________ Gary Randall President Faith & Freedom Network
While drinking a latte this morning, I noticed that Starbucks has a seasonal message line on their cups and decorations. In an attempt to define Christmas or “holiday” or whatever they may think December 25 should be called, they are using the phrase, “It only happens once a year.”
And in a sense, it does, if it’s about a day or even a season.
However, there is another view. A view that has been held by billions of people throughout the past 2000 years.
Benjamin Franklin, one of our Founding Fathers, had a little different idea. He said, “A good conscience is a continual Christmas.”
But it was Charles Dickens, in his A Christmas Carol who said it best.
“I will honor Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year.”
Indeed, indeed!
_______________ Gary Randall President Faith & Freedom Network
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