A movie, that goes by several different names, depicts the life of Jesus from the Islamic point of view.
Some consider it Iran's answer to Mel Gibson's "The Passion Of The Christ".
The movie, produced by an Iranian producer and said to be the biggest production ever to come out of Iran, follows the Koran's portrayal of Jesus.
The film shows that he was not crucified and is not the Son of God.
Normally a film such as this that is showing in Iranian theaters may not be seen as that important to Western Christians, however, the film is now being made into a television series for Iran TV and without doubt will be available on the Internet.
Since winning an award at Rome's Religion Today Film Festival in February, it is beginning to generate interest outside of Iran and American news sources are now starting to cover it.
The story that I have seen several times recently is that some are now seeing this film as a possible vehicle to bridge the gap between Islam and Christianity and help bring world peace.
The story that is being advanced is that Islam and Christianity are much the same and we should focus on those things that we hold in common. By changing a few facts about Jesus, in the mind of the producers and some in the media, we can perhaps move beyond the conflicts.
We feel every Christian should be aware of this multi-named film.
It will soon be on the Internet and although I have not heard that anyone is bringing it to America, I will predict that it will be showing up on American college campuses.
I have given more information and several links to help you, especially you parents, to be informed.
The movie goes by at least two names: "The Messiah" and "Jesus, The Spirit of God".
The filmmaker, Nader Talebzadeh, told ABC News, "Everybody knows Jesus, so why not make a film about something everyone relates to?"
He said, "We are talking about the same beautiful man, the same beautiful prophet, the same divine person sent from heaven. In the Koran, it emphasizes maybe three main points: About the birth, about the fact that he was not the son of God, and then, he was not crucified. The rest is [the same] Jesus, the sermons, and the miracles, and the political situation."
The Iranian filmmaker told ABC that one other difference is that the Koran's Jesus was saved and that Judas was crucified instead. "The Koran," he says, "takes it's teaching on that particular issue from the gospel of Barnabas."
He told news sources that, "By this film, I wanted to make a bridge between Christianity and Islam, to open the door for dialogue since there is so much in common ground between Christianity and Islam."
He attaches a great deal of significance in linking Jesus to one of the most important figures in Shiite Islam, the Imam Madhi, whom Muslims say disappeared 12 centuries ago, but whose "return" to earth has been a major tenet in the Shiite belief.
President Ahmadinejad of Iran, has often said he believes his Presidency is about preparing the way for the return of Imam Madhi, thus ushering in an era of peace.
That view, of course, also includes the belief that the earth will then be under the rule of Islam.
Islam sees Jesus as one of five great prophets. The others are Moses, Noah and Abraham. These four prophets have all been sent to earth to announce the coming of the fifth and greatest prophet of all, Mohammed, who would spread the true religion of Islam throughout Shiite Muslims, the majority in Iran, also believe Jesus will accompany the Imam Mahdi when he has his reappearing to save the world.
Attempts to attack, undermine, or question the fundamental beliefs of Christianity are not new and they will certainly continue. However, in an already confused world, with a media that is generally committed to creating a secularist global society, this seems to be an opportunity for some to point out that all religions are basically the same, are antiquated and that it is time to "move on", thus undermining the importance of spiritually in the individual life. It also seems to me that this film could be used to recruit youth away from their Christian heritage. Especially on college campuses.
Certainly it is a reminder that we must teach our children the fundamentals of our Christian faith. Our kids must understand that Jesus is the only begotten Son of God, that he was born of a Virgin, lived and taught that when you have seen Him you have seen God, that He took upon himself the sins of all of us, was crucified, died and was resurrected on the third day. Our acceptance of his sacrifice is eternal salvation. We accept him by believing this in our heart and confessing the same with our mouth.
It crossed my mind and I'm sure it has crossed yours as well. We can only imagine what would happen around the world if a Christian filmmaker made a film about Mohammed and Islam from a Christian, Biblical perspective.
God Bless You.
_______________ Gary Randall President Faith & Freedom
The San Francisco Chronicle is reporting that a state appeals court has agreed to reconsider its decision last month that barred homeschooling parents who lack credentials, to homeschool their children.
Since about 20% of the nation's home-schoolers live in California and other courts tend to follow the lead of California courts, especially on these kinds of matters, this is considered a potential victory for all home-schoolers.
Most who have looked at the court's decision agree that the court over reacted and made a broad decision judgment without even hearing from those who are most affected.
The Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) Senior Counsel Gary McCaleb said, "Because this ruling impacts all Californians, we believe the case deserves a second look. We look forward to presenting this case for rehearing."
He also said, "Parents have a fundamental right to make educational decisions for their children."
The public agrees and have been vocal in their opposition to the ruling. It is the public outcry from both Californians and parents across the country that has caused this case to be reheard.
It is imperative that people of faith and conservatives--values voters, be informed, be vigilant and speak out on the important issues.
____________ Gary Randall President Faith & Freedom
DEQ To Abortion Clinic: "Stop Putting Baby's Bodies In The Dumpster"
The abortion business is a tawdry business for sure, but a recent action by the Department of Environmental Quality will require several abortion clinics to stop dumping medical waste, patient records and baby's bodies in the dumpster.
Albert Hodari, the owner of Womancare Clinics, first lied about the situation saying that it was a new employee that had done it, however, Monica Miller, director of Citizens For A Pro-Life Society, whose members found the illegal dumping at more than one of his clinics said he was lying.
She said he must have had a new employee at each of his Detroit area clinics.
Hodari is not new to controversy in the abortion business. You may recall he is the same person we wrote about last year who killed two women in botched legal abortions and was also caught on video tape bragging about lying to patients and families and not washing his hands between surgical abortions.
This is despicable.
The abortion business not only violates the fundamental right to life, but continues to lead our culture to ever lower levels of common decency.
Baby's bodies in a dumpster. Found with used syringes, ultrasound pictures, used drug vials, used IV bags, bloody medical supplies and other medical waste.
This does not invoke God's blessing.
Monica Miller said, "No human being belongs in the trash."
Should we expect more when popular culture elitists tell us and teach our children that there is no God, we are a product of natural selection and evolution, there is no life after this life, no eternal consequences for our behavior, no real right or wrong, morality is relevant to your own personal truth and choice as a birth control device trumps life?
While this may be seen as an extreme case, it is all too revealing of how life is viewed by those in the abortion business.
God help us.
_________________ Gary Randall President Faith & Freedom
In his article dated, March 23, Easter Sunday, Joel Connelly, columnist for the Seattle P.I., made a noble appeal for political parties and allied interests to stop, "The relentless, nasty negativism." In, "Parties need to get past the mudslinging," he says Americans don't want that. They want to restore a spirit of cooperation to their country.
Connelly, to his credit, points out mudslinging on both sides, sort of. He says of his own Democratic Party that they are, "as pure as the driven slush." While there is an ever so slight reference to the Clinton's obsession with opinion polls, there is apparently, in his mind, no case where Obama has stumbled along the way.
In Connelly's attempt to call people to something higher and better, he himself stumbles and slides into the mud pit.
He says, "Sen. Obama has scared the religious right with his calls on evangelical Christians to embrace the social gospel, rather than the narrow, gay-bashing agenda of movement leaders. Excesses of his Chicago pastor have been treated as manna from heaven as those leaders seek to discredit him."
He then writes, "Reading anti-Obama broadsides from our local Faith and Freedom Network, they seem to have found a new commandment: 'Thou Shalt Bear False Witness Against Thy Neighbor."
Let me tell you why he and his paper are wrong.
The religious right is not scared of anyone's call to the social application of the gospel.
If, by that, he means helping people through social concern in the spirit of Christ, evangelicals have been doing that for a long time. We have and are helping people both here and around the world with food, housing, medical assistance, orphanages, schools and a number of other need-meeting ministries.
While I do not claim to speak for the evangelicals, I can speak about them, because I am one. And have been my entire adult life.
In humility, I can refer to my own activities during a life time of ministry. It is well documented that we not only helped build 143 churches in poor and emerging countries around the world, but led in fundraising and recruiting people to go to these places and give of their time and money to help people they had never met and would likely not see again.
We also helped build hospitals in two countries of Africa and in Calcutta, India. We built a Teen Challenge drug rehab center in Vietnam. We built schools in three countries of Africa, including western Kenya, the area where Obama's family lives. We have helped build houses and helped drill wells in Central America and assisted in building orphanages in Mexico.
Every evangelical pastor and leader I know has done the same and more or has contributed to the efforts of others who were doing the same.
We're not scared of the social implications of the gospel nor of anyone who calls evangelicals to do more. We have been doing this for a long time. It is not new and it is not "change."
We believe in healing those who hurt and helping those who are less fortunate -- regardless of their faith or their beliefs, but we also believe in the lifestyle principles that are taught in the Bible.
We believe the Bible condemns the act of homosexuality, Obama believes that Jesus condoned it in His Sermon on the Mount.
We do not bash gays, we simply resist their efforts to redefine marriage and family. We resist their attempts to normalize and enshrine into law what we feel the Bible condemns. Homosexuality has been rejected by every major religion for the past 5,000 years.
We are generally concerned about both Obama's and Clinton's pro-abortion beliefs. We believe that life is sacred and the sanctity of life should be protected from conception.
They do not. They have consistently supported abortion, including partial-birth abortion.
Because of these and a number of other views held by Obama, Clinton and many in the press, we are not willing to follow their lead down that path.
Scared? No. Concerned? Yes. The issue is not the social application of the gospel, but rather the perversion of it.
Connelly says we at Faith and Freedom Network have found a new commandment regarding Obama, "Thou Shalt Bear False Witness Against Thy Neighbor."
This caused me to reread what we have written about him. It is all in our archives. I found nothing that was stated as fact that is not publicly known to be a fact. We stated our concerns.
We do not see Obama's 20-year relationship with a pastor who has spoken excessively about race and hate toward our country as "manna from heaven."
We see it as a matter of deep concern and feel every American should evaluate the influence of the pastor on his congregation--including the Obama family.
Major news organizations have wondered out loud, how much impact Rev. Wright's anti-American and racial teaching has had on Barack Obama, who now wants to lead this country and the free world.
This is not mudslinging or the lack of a spirit of cooperation. It is a fundamental disagreement with Rev. Wright's belief about America and his influence on someone he has discipled for 20 years.
While Connelly's intentions may have been pure, he himself has fallen into temptation, slid into the mud pit and has resorted to calling this organization a liar, because he does not agree with our position.
The Seattle P.I. has not heeded the call from Connelly either.
This past Monday, the day after Easter, the P.I. chose to carry an article by Frank Rich, titled "The Republican Resurrection." In his lengthy column, he accuses Clinton of mocking her adversaries, calls Mitt Romeny's 'Faith in America' speech "Snake oil" and John McCain incoherent.
Jesus once said, "And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."
Clearly we all have much to learn.
_______________ Gary Randall President Faith & Freedom
Planned Parenthood: "The Stakes Have Never Been Higher"
Planned Parenthood is gearing up for the 2008 election. They will be spending an unprecedented $10m to help pro-abortion candidates get elected.
EMILY's List and NARAL will be spending tens of millions, working in sync with P.P.
They are opening offices across the nation and will be staffing them for the various campaigns. They have told their donors they will be involved, "in federal, state and local elections".
Planned Parenthood has issued a press release and fund raising communication in which they say, "The stakes have never been higher".
I agree.
The choices that are made in this election will set a course for several decades.
And there may be more at play than some conservatives and people of faith realize.
Planned Parenthood is a modern day moral tragedy.
It is well known that they were racist in their beginnings. They continue to target poor and minority neighborhoods.
The Kansas affiliate of P.P. is facing at least 107 criminal charges according to a report from Focus on The Family. In Idaho, an undercover investigation has apparently caught P.P. and six other affiliates accepting racist donations. It is an on going investigation. In California, P.P. clinics are being sued for allegedly over charging federal and state governments $180M.
Now they want to influence the election so they can further their agenda under the guise of helping people.
They have told their constituents that they are directing their political activities toward women and youth for this next election.
I doubt seriously that any conservative or person of faith would want Planned Parenthood setting the social agenda for the foreseeable future.
It is almost certain that the next President will nominate two Justices to the Supreme Court.
Who do you want to make that nomination?
Obama? Clinton? McCain?
If Gregoire is in office, the State Legislature will undoubtedly present a bill for gay marriage in 2009. They are poised to do so and it won't matter that they will be subverting the will of the people, Gregoire will sign it and celebrate.
It is difficult but not impossible to stand against the millions that are being invested in the other side.
Faith and Freedom has had a significant influence in several of the major social issues decisions in the past couple of years.
We believe we are better prepared than ever to represent the Judeo-Christian values, but we cannot do it without you and your support.
If you feel this is a worthwhile effort, please make a donation. It would help us greatly, especially right now.
Most of us are very, very careful what kinds of movies our children and grandchildren go to see.
Sometimes in the process of choosing which ones they will see, the "all knowing" child tells the parent, "everyone" is seeing that one.
Well, the kids may be wrong. Imagine that.
If you are choosing movies that have a very, very low ( if any at all) level of sexual reference, violence and profanity, you are in the majority.
So everyone is not seeing it.
Our friends at White Springs Media sent us information on a new study by A.C. Nielsen company, the leading media measurement company, that affirms that many parents are making the right choices regarding what their kids are seeing.
It is encouraging and I wanted you to see it. You may want to pass it along to your list as well.
I would imagine the film industry is looking at it also. I hope so.
_______________
Study: Profanity Affects PG Box Office By RYAN NAKASHIMALAS
VEGAS (AP) - A new study by The Nielsen Co. found that the PG-rated movies with the least profanity made the most money at the U.S. box office.
Sexuality or violence in those films had less to do with success than the language, the Nielsen PreView group said in a study being released Thursday.
"The reality is that profanity, within PG, is the big demarcation between box office winner and box office loser," research and marketing director Dan O'Toole said at ShoWest, a conference where studios unveil upcoming movie lineups.
"Parents are choosing PG films for their kids that have very, very low levels of profanity. We're talking one-third the level of the average PG film," he said.
The research firm cross-referenced box office data on 400 films in wide release from the fall of 2005 to the fall of 2007 with their ratings for sex, violence and profanity given by Critics Inc.'s Kids-In-Mind.com Web site.
Controlling for marketing and production budgets of films, as well as depictions of violence and sex, movies that scored an average 0.8 on a 10-point profanity scale collected an average of $69 million. Those that averaged 2.8 for profanity averaged $38 million.
All PG movies averaged 2.3 on the profanity scale.
The Nielsen unit, which launched a fee-based research Web site for studios Tuesday, also listed other early predictors of success.
The company found that movies that received approval from more than 70 percent of critics, regardless of their stature, earned far more at the box office.
In addition, Internet buzz about a horror film had little relation to its eventual box office draw. Other films, however, saw paydays increase in relation to Web chatter.
__________________ Gary Randall President Faith & Freedom
The theory of Intelligent Design (ID) holds that certain features of the universe and living things are best explained by an intelligent cause rather than an undirected process such as natural selection. ID is thus a scientific disagreement with the core claim of evolutionary theory that the apparent design of living systems is an illusion.
The war has raged in recent years between those who believe in Darwin's evolutionary theory of undirected natural selection and those who believe there is intelligence behind the marvelous design in the universe.
Now, to the dismay of all those on the left who have supported Darwin without hesitation, a new movie has opened this week that challenges the old Darwinian ideas in ways that are undeniable.
The movie, "Expelled. No Intelligence Allowed," is in theaters across America and is making an impact.
Plan to see it. And take the kids.
The producers of the film say, "The incredible thing about 'Expelled' is that we don't resort to manipulating our interviews for the purpose of 'shock' effect, something that has become common in documentary films these days."
Michael Moore comes to mind.
"People will be stunned," the producers say, "to actually find out what elitist scientists proclaim, which is that a large majority of Americans are simpletons who believe in a fairytale."
Here are a couple of links that give more information on this film.
More than a month ago we were reporting on some of the racial, anti-American beliefs of Obama's pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright.
A few days ago, on the 13th, ABC ran a rather extensive article because they could no longer avoid the issue. Other main stream media followed. Now there is a roar. (Read article. )
Now, today, Obama, who can neither continue to ignore or marginalize the issue, will speak to it. He will explain it to everyone.
Rev. Wright has said, and the press has finally reported, that America created the AIDS virus to infect black people and that America is responsible for 9/11 as a result of its own terrorism.
He has said, "The government gives them drugs, builds bigger prisons, passes a three strikes law, then wants us to sing "God Bless America". No. No. No, G__ D__ America, that's in the Bible for killing innocent people, G__ D___ America for treating our citizens as less than human. G__ D___ America for as long as she acts like she is God and She is supreme."
Rev. Wright is dead wrong.
Over the last several days Obama has been saying that he has removed the pastor from his campaign leadership team, had not heard the inflammatory sermons and if he had heard them he would have objected. In fact, he has said that he only recently became aware of the pastors comments. Yet he has said that he has attended regularly over the past 20 years.
Rev. Wright married Barack and Michelle and baptized their children.
Obama told ABC that Rev. Wright is, "Like an old uncle who says things you don't always agree with."
Obama's real problem transcends all of this. And that is not to minimize any of the above.
Obama has held himself up as the candidate of character. The person of integrity. A man who would change Washington and all it represents.
Now in his first challenge as a national candidate, he is having a "Truth Crises".
I've been a pastor most of my adult life. People who attend church even somewhat regularly know what their pastor believes and what he is saying from the pulpit. If they agree, they stay in the church. If they do not agree, they, as Oprah did, leave the church.
The Obama's have made the decision to stay for the past 20 years and raise their children in that environment. At least until his political ambitions were challenged. We will see where it goes from here.
Often when people are explaining their personal, spiritual beliefs, they will identify their church as a way of affirming their views on social issues. This is exactly what John McCain did when I asked him about his beliefs on the issues that people of faith hold most dear. He told me where he regularly attended services and suggested that I might know his pastor. Actually we did, so I asked if he believed as his pastor did and he said yes, otherwise I would not be attending there.
That's pretty basic.
Under reverse circumstances, Obama would do the same.
Today, he will address the issue, because he can no longer avoid it, but will move quickly to put it behind him and move to paint a much larger picture of racial problems in America. He will begin referring to his pastor of 20 years in the past tense, thus minimizing his own problems and describing how he will unite the country.
He will actually mark this matter as an example of that racism.
However, in spite of all the well-rehearsed and well-delivered speeches, the fact remains that he and his wife have chosen to stay in an environment of hate. And to raise their children in such an environment as well.
Society has moved on. Rev. Wright and Obama, in a strange twist of events, have been left behind with words and phrases from another day.
The man, who would lead America to the city of hope and change, is hopelessly marked by the indelible mark of the past. And by the hate his pastor has taught.
There is much to be accomplished in racial equality. However, African Americans hold top government offices, thanks to George W. Bush. They are among the countries finest in business, broadcasting and entertainment, athletics and education.
Today, Obama will deliver a well-rehearsed speech. He will underestimate the intelligence of the ordinary American people. While women will faint and students will dance for hope and change not knowing where they are going nor from whence they came, his dream will begin to slip away because America has moved on. And America knows the truth when they hear it.
Mrs. Obama will no longer be "proud" of her country, Rev. Wright may write a note or make a call expressing his regret, women will recover and students will hold vigils for what could have been.
But the country will know that Rev. Wright was wrong. And so was Obama.
__________________ Gary Randall President Faith & Freedom
A Bill that provided a moment of silence in public schools at the beginning of each day was overwhelmingly passed by both the House and the Senate just six months ago.
The Bill had bipartisan support and was sponsored by Democrat Senator Kimberly Lightford.
Now, 33 lawmakers have changed their minds and reversed their votes. (Read article). Personally, I'm not buying their argument.
In October, an atheist, with legal support from the ACLU filed suit. He and others like him apparently felt silence was not a good thing because someone might, God forbid, pray during that moment of silence.
While this is in Illinois, it is yet another example of how a small minority of people are driving policy for a large majority of citizens. And they are using a misrepresentation of Thomas Jefferson's letter to a group of Baptists.
Clearly the lawmakers are reacting out of fear. Fear of a costly lawsuit and most likely fear of loosing a vote.
What seems to be absent, except for a few of the lawmakers who have taken a stand on the matter, is any core beliefs and the courage to act on them. If it was an overwhelmingly good idea six months ago, how is it now a bad idea?
Keep in mind that these same lawmakers start each legislative day with prayer. Not silence, but prayer.
Also keep in mind that on April 25th, several thousand public schools across America will be observing a "Day Of Silence" (DOS) in honor of homosexual rights. Not a moment, but a day.
Political winds rather than principle and core beliefs, drive the decisions of too many lawmakers. Our country is choking on a perverted application of political correctness, diversity and tolerance.
Be informed. Be wise. Be prayerful. Vote.
God help us.
______________ Gary Randall President Faith & Freedom
I have recently been communicating with someone who works inside the prison system.
I want to share some of what this person has been sharing with me, while protecting the identity of the person. Clearly there could be negative consequences if the person was identified. This person is, as are their colleagues whom I also hear from, a regular reader of our Blogs and has given me permission to share some of our communication.
We talk a lot about the negative effects of the secularization of our society. How it affects public education, certain religious freedoms and a number of other parts of society. I am learning that the same secular progressive elitism that is undermining our free society is complicating our prison systems in ways that prevent rehabilitation in many if not all cases.
This person tells me, "Let me give you a few examples that I find especially disconcerting."
"Recently, the state Department of Corrections changed their policy to allow any offender to declare themselves any and all religious faiths they choose. Now, in this state, they can be Muslim, Catholic, Buddhist and Baptist all at the same time. All this is an attack on true believers and in essence declares that no religious faith has any value or truth that distinguishes it apart from another. In a step toward tolerance and accommodation they have sought to destroy the unique and exclusive claims of Jesus Christ."
This person explains to me that while this has the same effect on say, Muslims or other religions, the Christians would be the only ones who would express concern and for them the policy would not be changed. Undoubtedly if the Wickens or Muslims were concerned it may have more effect on policy.
This person points out there is a small light on the horizon. The Washington State Legislature recently passed SB 6400 and Gov. Gregoire has said she will sign it.
In essence the Bill allows for two things. One, the teaching of morals and ethics. My friend points out that it's odd that we have come to a place where it takes a legislative mandate to merely be able to teach convicted criminals morals and ethics. Secondly the Bill provides chaplains the freedom to only do those ministerial tasks that are consistent with their faith.
I have also been told that the Oregon Department of Corrections is, behind the scenes and off the record, doing an evaluation to see what policies would need to be changed in order for them to provide same-sex marriage for prisoners.
I am told by those working inside that if this would get into the media they will deny it.
My friend tells me, "The problem isn't that we have too many laws; the problem is that the idealistic correctional smorgasbord of offender programs does not get to the heart of the matter, but only temporarily changes behavior. If people are basically "good" as the idealist suggest, then they simply need to be educated and attend treatment programs that tell them not to feel bad about who they are or what they have done as that will "label them" and keep them in a continual state of dysfunction. The realist Christian believes that people are sinful and only by acknowledging and repenting from their sin and accepting the forgiveness of Christ can they truly start over (be born again)."
In 2006 Washington State reduced the number of chaplains by 33%.
My friend says, "Clearly they are setting a course away from our Christian Heritage and embracing a very secular offender change philosophy and frankly, I grieve the future consequences."
The battle is in every part of our culture.
____________________ Gary Randall President Faith & Freedom
I happened to notice a national column earlier this week that included a letter to Bill O'Reilly at Fox News.
The column was written by Mike Adams, a criminology professor at the University of North Carolina Wilmington and author of several books.
His appeal to O'Reilly caught my attention, but the content of his column shocked me.
I am not unaware of the relentless attempts to advance the homosexual agenda in public schools, but this is beyond anything I have seen.
Adams points out that children as young as 14 have been assigned to read and discuss the homosexual pornographic book, "Angels In America: A Gay Fantasia On National Themes" as required reading at a Deerfield High School in Deerfield Illinois. He, too, is shocked.
Only recently, Adams says, has the requirement been dropped due to an outcry from the public, however the class continues to be taught.
I have linked the Mike Adams column. The content of the exerpts from the "Angels" book is so offensive and sickening that I have chosen not to include them in this blog, however, every parent and grandparent should take a moment and read his column.
In my lifetime I have not seen such a concerted effort, on so many fronts of our culture, to reengineer society and lead our children away from the traditional beliefs of their parents and toward a secularist, so-called elitist, progressive worldview.
Many things hang in the balance in our culture.
Please be informed, wise and prayerful. Then be active.
God bless you.
__________________ Gary Randall President Faith & Freedom
My mistake. While yesterday's blog received many complimentary remarks and a few posts, two people pointed out to me that "Who's" should have been "Whose". You are right, we will correct it in the archives. Also, thank you for your support of what we are doing. This website set an all-time record for visits and hits last month and is on course to break that record this month. __________________________
It is also called "Reproductive outsourcing".
While it is still banned in many states and some countries in Europe, it is big business and it's getting bigger. Fast.
For $25K, about one-third the cost in the US, a couple can have a baby. Homosexuals are increasingly using these services.
When Oprah talked about it on her show, operators say business increased sharply.
The country that most likely gives your credit card company and any number of other financial service companies tech support is now becoming the leader in "reproductive outsourcing."
As their business increases, so do the concerns.
A New York Times/AOL story is reporting that the business is new, but rapidly expanding in India. Clinics that provide the service say they are inundated with calls from the US and Europe. Many, but not all are homosexuals.
The AOL/NYT story features Yonatan Gher, an Israeli, and his homosexual partner.
The ethical, moral and perhaps legal issues are myriad It appears to not be unlike other out-sourced industries such as manufacturing.
Will those who rent their womb be exploited as the media has reported children and women are in the garment and toy industry? And if so, will the media report with the same amount of coverage?
What about health care for the mothers? Often the money for the mothers goes through the clinic. Will the mothers actually get it?
Much is being made of the poverty in which these mothers live. I can personally confirm the poverty. I have worked in India in Christian mission work. The premise is that this new found money source is dramatically changing the lives of the women. Indeed it is. But when American Corporations are seen by the press as exploiting women and children, paying them low wages for their work to increase their profits, why is there not the same level of outcry by the press toward those who are personally using these women to save money?
And then there is the morality of it all.
Mr. Gher says, "People can believe me when I say that if I could bear the baby myself I would."
Mr. Gher, with all due respect, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob never intended that you would bear a child.
Gher also told the Times, "You cannot ignore the discrepancies between Indian poverty and Western wealth. We try our best not to abuse this power. Part of our choice to come here was the idea that there was an opportunity to help someone in India."
Part of the process of helping someone in India was to not tell the mother that the baby was for a homosexual couple. Gay sex is illegal in India.
Gher and his partner told the Times reporter that they have "worked through their doubts."
While Mr. Gher and his partner may have worked through their doubts, this new industry is raising the doubts of many, including some in India.
For those of the Judeo-Christian faith, it is clear that the more we move away from the Creator's laws and principles, the more we are opening ourselves to catastrophic consequences.
_______________ Gary Randall President Faith & Freedom
A few weeks ago a parent in Spokane filed a complaint against Representative John Ahern, R-Spokane for "verbally abusing" a group of teenagers that met with him to lobby for their cause.
Wesley Wilhelm, a parent of one of the kids and the person who filed the complaint, said in his letter to House Republican leader, Richard DeBolt, that the, "Persistent, off-topic and threatening questioning" was "abusive" and asked that Ahern be investigated and punished for a "complete lack of human decency."
The topic and the lawmaker's response is very interesting. So is the board's ruling.
The "abused" teenagers were lobbying on behalf of Planned Parenthood and were asking for more money for PP's programs.
Rep. Ahern asked the kids and their adult chaperon about the number of abortions Planned Parenthood does. He said, "By the way, I need to find out how many babies were killed by Planned Parenthood."
One of the teens told Ahern that she should have control over her own body, to which Ahern asked if the unborn baby should have a say, too.
The Seattle Times reported last Friday that the state ethics board has dismissed the complaint.
The board attorney, Mike O'Connell said, "The legislator is entitled to his opinion and that there's no ethical provision which addresses language which some people think to be offensive."
Following the meeting Ahern received a thank you note signed by the kids and Jet Tilley, the groups director of public policy.
Ahern said, "Obviously, a parent's trying to make a mountain out of a mole hill."
He also observed that Planned Parenthood was trying to refurbish their image by bringing teenagers into the fold.
The Seattle Times also points out that Ahern's 6th Legislative District has recently become a battleground with Democrats winning two of the District's three long held Republican legislative seats.
You don't think all this has to do with that, do you?
__________________ Gary Randall President Faith & Freedom
A three judge panel of the California Court of Appeals has decided that parents in California have no legal right to home school their children.
Unless their ruling is reversed, thousands of students in the state will be subject to criminal sanctions.
People across the state are shocked and outraged.
The ruling reverses an earlier opinion from a Superior Court that found that, "Parents have a constitutional right to school their children in their own home."
Clearly this is an overt effort to further erode parental rights.
The Pacific Justice Institute is representing the parents of Rachel L. who enrolled her in Sunland Christian School. The school has a program that includes a private home school program.
The judges, in their extreme bias, looked past the fact that the school is and has been in compliance with all regulations for 20 years.
Brad Dacus, president of the Pacific Justice Institute said, "If not reversed, the parents of 166,000 students currently receiving education at home will be subject to criminal sanctions."
I strongly recommend you read their report.
This is outrageous, but not surprising, given the propensity of some activist judges and the commitment of public education, Planned Parenthood and other secularist progressive organizations to isolate children from their parents influence and their parents beliefs. Particularly if those beliefs happen to be Christian.
This world view supports the belief that these institutions are more qualified and capable of raising children than many parents with outdated religious beliefs and old loyalties.
This will be challenged. Pray that it will be reversed.
__________________ Gary Randall President Faith & Freedom
Obama: Sermon on The Mount Justifies Same-Sex Unions
Just when you think you have heard it all, you realize you haven't and perhaps never will. If this man was not running for President of The United States and leading in delegates in the Democratic Party, you may dismiss him as merely on the fringe. However he is running and he is leading and people are following him.
Last Sunday Obama told a crowd at Hocking College in Ohio that he believes the Sermon on the Mount justifies his support for legal recognition of same-sex unions.
He also told the Sunday gathering that the teaching on homosexuality in Romans was "obscure".
The Senator told the folks that his position in favor of legalized abortion doesn't make him "less Christian."
In regard to same-sex unions he said, "If people find that controversial I just refer them to the Sermon on the Mount, in which I think, in mind, for my faith, more central than an obscure passage in Romans." (Click here to hear audio clip of speech).
Evidently his reference to the Sermon on the Mount had to do with what we call the Golden Rule, "Do unto others as you would have them do to you." Or perhaps he was thinking of the verse in that part of scripture that says, "Do not judge, or you will be judged."
Ironically, that teaching also includes a warning, "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves."
The "obscure" passage in Romans is directed toward those who have known God and have turned from Him.
It says, "They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped the created things more than the Creator."
St. Paul writes in this "obscure" passage, "Because of this God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men and received in themselves the dire penalty for their perversion."
On abortion he said, women in consultation with their pastor and their doctor and family are in a better position to make these decisions than some bureaucrat in Washington. "That's my view," he said. "I respect people who may disagree, but I certainly don't think that makes me 'less Christian' ". "Okay."
However, a week earlier Cybercast News Service reported that Obama had published an open letter on his website titled "An open letter concerning LGBT equality in America."
In the letter he said, "He favored same-sex unions that were equal to marriage including adoption rights--and that he is open to states codifying same-sex marriage." A much stronger position than the one on Sunday in Ohio.
When Obama was in Illinois, in the Senate, he repeatedly opposed a bill that would have defined as a "person" a baby who had survived an abortion and was born alive.
In a Senate floor speech in 2001, he argued that to call a baby who survived an abortion a "person" would give it equal protection rights under the 14th Amendment and would give creditability to the argument that the same child inside it's mother's womb was also a "person" and thus could not be aborted.
No wonder people are fainting during his speeches.
This Presidential election is a defining moment in American history. It will define a course for a generation or more.
Be wise. Be prayerful.
_______________ Gary Randall President Faith & Freedom
Senator John McCain secured the Republican nomination for President last night.
Governor Mike Huckabee did what he said he would do when someone other than himself reached that point. He dropped out, congratulating McCain in the most sincere and gracious way. Huckabee is known for his kind demeanor, quick wit and great communication skills. He was at his best last night. He is a classy guy.
Senator McCain, not always known as a great speech maker, gave what I consider to be the best speech I have ever heard him give.
I have linked the text of that speech because it lays out what his campaign will be about. I hope you can take a moment and read it.
Clearly, conservatives and people of faith have some decisions to make over the next few months.
I would like to share some personal thoughts with you about that process.
First, if we believe in prayer, and I know most all of us do, we must spend time in prayer specifically about who will lead America.
We must also ask several questions seeking answers on a most personal and spiritual level.
Should conservatives and people of faith set out this election, giving the country a liberal, left leaning President who could theoretically set up a win by a more conservative President in the future?
Should people of faith vote a protest vote for a third party candidate who cannot win?
If McCain doesn't represent all or most of my core beliefs, is it a breach of my personal ethics or convictions to vote for him anyway as the least objectionable candidate?
These and other questions must be answered on a most personal and spiritual level.
I do believe God directs and gives wisdom to those who seek it. I further believe that, "The steps of the righteous are directed by the Lord."
I am sure that as we prayerfully seek wisdom and guidance, discernment will come.
I do not personally believe God wants me to sit out an election. The freedoms that we have been given in this great country are a treasure from God. In our system of government, voting is a matter of stewardship. I do not want to bury a talent.
I believe with all my heart that God will guide His people in these matters.
Oh, yes. About the song, "Go Johnny Go." They were playing the chorus as the McCain celebration began last night. It occurred to me that the verse of that same song says," Johnny Be Good, Johnny Be Good."
We'll see.
________________ Gary Randall President Faith & Freedom
This website had a record amount of traffic this past month. To those who agree with us. Thank you. To those who disagree, thank you, also. We hope you will reconsider. _________________
The Audacity Of Silence
On February 21 I wrote a blog titled "Barack Obama--The Media's Messiah". While many agreed with us, there was, to be sure, a good number who did not.
However the media continues to confirm their personal commitment to Obama.
Last Thursday, Diane Sawyer asked on ABC's Good Morning America, "Have all of us in the media used boxing gloves on Clinton and kid gloves on Obama? Have we been unfair?"
Chris Matthews of MSNBC, after listening to one of Obama's speeches said, "I felt this thrill going up my leg. I mean, I don't have that too often." That was apparently his "Blue Berry Hill" experience.
When Ted Kennedy endorsed Obama, ABC's David Wright said on Night Line, "Today, the audacity of hope had its rendezvous with destiny. No mere endorsement this, more like a political anointment."
However even more telling then the testimonies of faith and commitment to Obama, is the silence--absolute silence on an issue that, under any other circumstances, would be serial front page for most newspapers and the lead story for most television news.
Hillary tried to bring it into the news for her own political gain and some conservative commentators have tried to get the story out, but the mainstream media will have nothing of that.
However, the folks at Media Research Center have done an excellent job of documenting this and other important media issues.
They have really nailed it on the matter of Obama and Tony Rezko. In their story titled, "The Audacity of Silence About Tony Rezko" they document the media's avoidance of a story that would other wise be significant.
Jury selection began yesterday in Chicago for the trial of Syrian-born businessman Antonin "Tony" Rezko. Rezko is a major supporter of Obama.
I know, lots of people give lots of money to lots of people. But if Obama was a conservative, you can be sure the story would be handled differently. And he's more than just a contributor to Obama.
Obama has done legal work for him in the past, but two years ago, the Obamas were able to purchase a $1.6M home only because Rezko's wife bought the adjoining parcel for $625,000 to complete the deal.
This happened two days before the 2006 elections in which the Democrats won by running against a "culture of corruption".
At the time of Obama's property deal, Rezko was already under federal investigation for kick back schemes.
Media Research Center has done a remarkable job in researching, documenting and reporting the story of the media's non-response and how they have struggled not to tell or repeat the story.
So some would say Obama did nothing wrong. Perhaps not, but who knows for sure what's under the warm blanket of silence.
However, even if there is no wrong doing on his part, one has to wonder about his judgment. When you read all the parts of the story, you have to ask Obama, "What were you thinking?"
If he goes over the top today and becomes the Presidential candidate of the Democratic Party, some might ask, "What are they thinking?"
If he, God forbid, would become the President of the United States, in time we all would ask, "What were we thinking?"
And God would say, "You Weren't."
This election is complicated, but important. In fact, I believe it is more important than any in the life time of most of us.
Be prayerful. Be wise. Be active.
God bless you.
________________ Gary Randall President Faith & Freedom
Planned Parenthood To Your Kids: " You Can Trust Us"
America's largest abortion provider has consistently built it's abortion clinics in poorer neighborhoods, thus targeting both low income and minorities.
Now they are turning their attention more and more toward our kids.
In fact they now have a website, teenwire.com, that provides volumes of "information" for teenagers and actually fields questions from kids.
When you click on their website, and I strongly suggest that you do so, you see the banner, "Sexuality and Relationship Information You Can Trust from Planned Parenthood".
The problem? You can't.
Kids and parents should beware and should not trust them. Their agenda, simply stated, is to execute as many abortions as possible. This is why it is important for them to become the teenager's close friend and confidante.
They are misleading kids about pornography and a number of other values.
Planned Parenthood knows pornography is illegal for kids, in fact the website states, "Federal law makes it illegal for anyone under 18 to view pornography." The site then goes on to say, "Many people enjoy using pornography," thus normalizing it to the impressionable teenager.
I call that using information to indoctrinate. Planned Parenthood and their partners in public education have perfected the practice.
The website also tells kids that their parents may not even need to know if they get an abortion.
The "trusted" site, as you might imagine, attacks abstinence-only sex education. They are telling kids, "There are a lot of problems with so-called abstinence-only sex education programs." They say, "Studies show that they [abstinence-only] teach inaccurate medical myths..."
Then they tell kids that, "The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) has identified yet another negative aspect of these programs--they might make school more dangerous for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning (LGBTQ) students."
And there's much more of the same on a variety of important issues.
I am often asked by gay activists why we in the faith community are always trying to push our beliefs into the social arena, particularly in regard to marriage.
The answer is that we are not pushing our beliefs on anyone. Biblical morality has been the norm of our social and legal structure since the founding of this country. They are trying to push their secularist views on us and further enshrine their deviance into law, which is contrary to both the values upon which this country was founded and the natural law of the Creator.
There is no more profound example of this than that of Planned Parenthood not only killing preborn babies, but now aggressively trying to indoctrinate our youth.
The 2008 election is about a lot of things, but perhaps nothing is more important than the issue of life and normalizing that which is not normal human experience. It is very important that we elect those who represent those values and will have the courage to stand for them once elected.
Conservatives, pro-life and people of faith, this is a time when you must engage in the political process.
Be prayerful. Be active.
______________ Gary Randall President Faith & Freedom
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