It's Persecution Comes in Many Colors Thing

Dear America,

[fine print on the day -- prepare -- I intend to be all over the place; and with good reason.  bon appetit!]

“Our strategy recognizes that no amount of military force will end the terror that is ISIL unless it’s matched by a broader effort — political and economic — that addresses the underlying conditions that have allowed ISIL to gain traction. … Ultimately, in order for us to defeat terrorist groups like ISIL and al-Qaida, it’s going to also require us to discredit their ideology. This broader challenge of countering violent extremism is not simply a military effort. Ideologies are not defeated with guns; they’re defeated by better ideas — a more attractive and more compelling vision.”

President Obama, yesterday  

And now, let's gain a little perspective and philosophy from 1747 from Benjamin Franklin:

"Were this Union formed, were we once united, thoroughly armed and disciplined, were everything in our power done for our security, as far as human means and foresight could provide, we might then, with more propriety, humbly ask the assistance of Heaven and a blessing on our lawful endeavors." (Smyth, Writings of Benjamin Franklin, plucked from pages of The 5000 Year Leap, Skousen)

Franklin, continued:

"The very fame of our strength and readiness would be a means of discouraging our enemies; for 'tis wise and true saying, that 'One sword often keeps another in the scabbard.'  The way to secure peace is to be prepared for war.  That they are on their guard, and appear ready to receive their adversaries, are in much less danger of being attacked than the supine, secure and negligent."

While this strategy of peace through strength is summed up by Franklin like so --

"Our security lies, I think, in our growing strength, both in numbers and wealth; that creates an increasing ability of assisting this nation in its wars, which will make us more respectable, our friendship more valued, and our enmity feared; thence it will soon be thought proper to treat us not with justice only, but with kindness, and thence we may expect in a few years a total change of measures with regard to us; unless, by neglect of military discipline, we should lose all martial spirit, and our western people become as tame as those in the eastern dominions of Britain [India], when we expect the same oppressions; for there is much truth in the Italian saying, "Make yourselves sheep, and the wolves will eat you."

As we swifty  Skip to My Lou  up to the present day.....here's Marco Rubio, while speaking at CPAC not long ago:

"Our allies no longer trust us, 

our enemies no longer fear us." 

And that's when it happened.

Ding!

The observance of how the Obama Administration "fights" ISIL (or Iran...and any other entity considered to be an enemy of America's security) vs. how the Obama Administration confronts -- no, "degrades and destroys" --  Christianity in America; now, uncharacteristically and profoundly disturbing, making this faith public enemy number one.

Obama, circa 2007:

“Whatever we once were, we’re no longer a Christian nation. At least not just. We are also a Jewish nation, a Muslim nation, and a Buddhist nation, and a Hindu nation, and a nation of nonbelievers,”

And masterfully, paving the way and preparing the world for the pending multicultural America upon the horizon, the very destruction of her foundation begins.

Going back to the president's remarks on ISIL...perhaps tweaking it just a wee bit, we arrive at this:

Ultimately, in order for us to defeat terrorist groups like the Catholic Church or Fundamental Christians, it’s going to also require us to discredit their ideology. This broader challenge of countering violent extremism is not simply a military effort YET. Ideologies are not defeated with guns; they’re defeated by better ideas — a more attractive and more compelling vision, which only the progressive Left can provide. 

In the eight years since, military chaplains are being scolded for holding Christian prayers, or saying Jesus by name; while also, an actual Islamic terrorist attack that killed thirteen patriots at Fort Hood, on American soil, is being labeled "work place violence."

Atheists groups are gaining the secular upper hand, being instrumental in removing prayer in the huddle before football games, or removing the Ten Commandments that were once considered written in stone, from the town square.

And to the most recent demise of our religious rights, and community organizing which blatantly prohibit  "the free exercise thereof," as individuals who decline same-sex marriage services become under assault, taking away not only their religious right to free exercise thereof, but their livelihoods, if not their entire fortune!

In response to Obama's comments on ISIL, here's an excerpt from Dan Gilmore, of The Patriot Post, that makes common sense:

"Clearly, we didn’t win independence from Britain with superior debating skills, nor did we defeat the Nazis or Soviets with speeches. Furthermore, debate works amidst a civil society, but not when one side is enslaving minorities, burning prisoners alive and beheading others, while vowing further violence against people with which it disagrees."

This works for the argument supporting military might through strength, as well as posing the appropriate context to support religious freedom and civil rights for all.

In THIS country, it's the INDIVIDUAL who remains is king, last I checked.

But not only has the LGBT community, along with the assist from the progressive Left agenda, shut down the debate on the most basic of civil rights, it has begun to make this religious, faithful, Bible thumping community the outsiders in their own country!

And yet, given the numbers -- the 60% of this nation who consider to be called Christian, along with people who are unaffiliated with organized Christianity, but think of themselves believers adding another 22%, and realizing the Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu encompass a mere 6% -- the fact of the matter is....drum roll please....we are a CHRISTIAN nation, having been founded by CHRISTIAN values, all along!   Even those who love reality shows should be able to embrace this without issue.

Where are the authentic Christian believers, with the help from a few of the "unaffiliated"or not,  with the courage to back up our most fundamental right?

Where are you in this fight?

Um, I heard once, not that long ago, "make yourselves sheep, the wolves eat you,"

In this country, we have a right to bake our cake and eat it too and NOT take it to a same-sex marriage ceremony  and NOT be persecuted for it -- whether you agree with this or not; in this country, we are born with this right.  For the free exercise thereof supports the INDIVIDUAL religious belief and whatever actions they take, both public and private. The individual cannot be separated from their religion.  Whether in church, at home, at school, at work, it is all the same-same.  [Case in point, how the Muslim scarf has been allowed to stay wrapped in America, even in the workplace; or how Muslims are allowed to stop and pray, even in the workplace.]

It's why the First Amendment to the Constitution was written the way it was written.

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or the prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or the press; or the right of the people peacefully to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." 

It's true -- we do not have an "established" Christian religion in this country -- just look around; we are not commanded to go to mass, or to a church, of any kind; we are free to do  whatever we want when it comes to believing or not believing.   But the truth is, we are a whole bunch of believers.

While the respect and admiration and hope of this very Omniscience that surrounds us - this notion of Divine Providence  written throughout the ages -- and thoroughly having It's way in the founding of this country is not only recorded vividly and profusely within and around our institutions and declarations and history, It was made with firm intention and looking forward with the totality for all future generations.

Some things don't just go away even if a ruckus crowd denies and degrades and aims to destroy it...

Even if five Supremes choose to deny religious conscience...

Even if some people choose to twist the truth into something dirty or wrong headed, or of the wrong ideology.

What has troubled me from the start of this same-sex marriage revolution is the lack of understanding back behind the real life conscience of the Christian believer [And Christianity not being the only religion with exceptions to these unions, while some even oppose to just being gay.].  For according to the actions, through the courts and otherwise, of the LGBT community and the Left, the civil right of simply keeping to yourself and one's own religion is ripe to be trampled upon to no end.

Oh which reminds me of some poignant and thoughtful comments I read earlier this morning, featured on the Huffington Post, and written by a Christian, Gay, woman...Whitney Kay Bacon.  Now, appreciating her experience immensely; I must say it was well written.   That is, up until the end.   It was in her final paragraph, while making her last point, when she said this:

"So, my dear fellow Christians, from one Christian to another, please mind your own business and PLEASE make sure that your hands are clean before you point your finger at me and my community. Amen."

Likewise, Ms. Whitney Kay Bacon.

PLEASE....Let the bakers, the florists, the churches, mind their own business according to their individual beliefs and walk away.   AND let the bakers, the florists, the churches, etc...speak up if they feel so inclined!  [a gag order, pulleeze.]  My, how persecution comes in many colors and flavors.

Wait a minute...wait a minute...
As a matter of fact, and for the record --- the baker in Oregon WAS minding her own business, Ms. Bacon!   Say what....

Now directing a few questions to the general gay community...

Do you really need to sue?
Do you really have to resort to name calling just because she shares certain beliefs as it pertains to marriage along with plenty of other Christians, mind you?
Do you really need to pummel Christianity into the ground and silence it's rightful civil responsibility to voice it's opposition, and act according to one's beliefs, so help me God?
 

It was the lesbian couple that went to the establishment and asked for services -- and it was the service of baking a cake for a gay wedding which the baker could not support; the homosexuality aspect was not the issue.  The Oregon baker, @Sweet Cakes, was simply minding her own business and it was the direct actions of the Lesbian couple who made it America's business.

I'm pretty sure another baker, or florist, or "unaffiliated" church would love to serve you with not only their full support, but with pure love.

How about you go to those people!
How about leaving those whose faith teaches them another definition of marriage, under God, alone. Is that really so hard?   For why would you want to force a business who cannot wholeheartedly come to the table of agreement with you serve you anyway?  Funny, isn't it -- for in this way the bully pulpit takes on an ulterior rainbow universe all of it's very own.

The thing is, reality proves a greater war under foot, upon American soil, and far, far away from the growth of ISIL in the middle east.

And sadly, it is a war against Christianity.

My mantra of late is four little words:  THY will be done.

And in this moment, I pray, for not only THY will be done -- I pray that we, as a nation, find a way through this.   Nothing is by accident. [And believe me when I say, you don't have to pray if you don't want to...just sayin']

THY will be done

[Matter of fact, it is done, already

in the mind of God.

Is that soothing to know, or what...]

I BELIEVE, we are assembled and united by a Higher Purpose, even now.

You are here, right now, for a reason.
I am here, right now, for a reason.

To question and become disturbed by things unsettling and troubling, is to question God -- and that is not going to get us anywhere.

It is time to pray for guidance, humility, love and peace for every single one of us and watch the magic that IS Life, that is God, in action.

Spirit has always proven to be superior to matter ....

take the spirit of overcoming Britain, against all odds, in the American Revolution...

take the spirit of overcoming slavery, against all odds, in the Civil War...[While it was the same Christianity which assisted William Wilberforce use his faith to change the world, for he believed slavery was wrong, long before America's Civil War was fought and won.]

take the spirit of overcoming Christian bigotry happening all over the world, right now, and tragically, even here, in the United States of America...

against all odds.


America has been here before.
And it will take every single one of us, as individuals, to work it out and see it through, allowing Divine Providence to carry us, for Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness for all and ultimately protect this beautiful, spiritual, promised land.

Make it a Good Day, G

It's a Prohibition Prohibited Thing

Dear America,

not sure why we have to re-litigate what the Constitution actually says, or means...

does a cross, atop a hill, translate into a national religion --  a belief system held by all -- without uttering a single word?  But while we're at it --  just how offensive can a cross possibly be really?

and tell me, someone, anyone, atheists and all, where does "the free exercise thereof" start and stop?

Amendment I, of the Constitution of these fine United States, states:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or of the right of the people peacefully to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."

oh, so, all of a sudden we can no longer display in memoriam of service to country, in honor of the selfless giving of life and limb, a universal symbol of faith that transcends our very humanity, monopolized and immortalized by Christianity  (a faith including an overwhelming majority of Americans in it's ranks and recognized the world over) -- BUT we are to have no problem with the state mandating every single one of us to pay for contraception, even if said mandate goes against our religious beliefs with every fiber of our being, as per a new LAW, Obamacare -- usurping company policy, church policy, Catholic hospital policy, far and wide.    Obamacare comingles church and state in ways we never thought possible...[And another hot topic not to be overlooked: the state becoming intimately involved with the definition of marriage and going against religious beliefs...]

If anything, the resolution following individual(s) grievances should come by way of adding something to the memorial --  say the Jewish star,  or some kind of Atheist bench supported with a balanced set of capital A's as it's legs --  but not in the taking of something down!   IF the final answer from 'judge and jury' is to actually REMOVE the cross from atop this fine hill of Mt. Soledad, then it would be in THAT moment that the church and state have tragically, and recklessly, and improperly, comingled relations.  In that moment, the state would be taking sides and prohibiting the free exercise of one religion at the behest of another.

A memorial is a place where people have peacefully assembled by name etched into marble; and in turn, other people assemble throughout the years to honor them.

And just think about it, at some point, people assembled and decided to erect a cross atop a hill in memory of the souls lost in the service to country, on behalf of freedom and liberty everywhere.

In the spirit of the times, way back nearly sixty years ago -- the decision was made to build a cross atop a hill -- an idea fully supported by the neighboring community and the consensus, at large.

And a cross was built. 

And it was good. 

And it was beautiful. 

IT IS BEAUTIFUL.  It takes in the surrounding 360 degree view of San Diego -- from the mountains, to the mesa, to the waves of ocean blue.

The thing is, there is ZERO Constitutional argument or support against the action of placing a cross atop a hill, whether mountain or mole hill, be it federal or state land; with certain, the only argument -- as insecure as it is -- is generated from a despicable place deep down inside, churning, fuming, as a civil co-existence seems to escapes us.  What rises up from the bottom of the earth and allowed to settle into the courts goes against the very intentions of our first amendment, let alone the exceptional nature of this fine nation.

And it's ironic, really.
Just last night our president attended "Christmas in Washington."

Words of wisdom from our dear president -- while citing the need for charity and compassion this holiday season and making the teachings of Jesus instrumental in his appeal -- give rise to a pause:

"Through his example, he taught us that we should love the Lord, love our neighbors, as we love ourselves. It's a teaching that has endured for generations. And today, it lies at the heart of my faith and that of millions of Americans, and billions around the globe," Obama said.

"No matter who we are, or where we come from, or how we worship, it's a message of hope and devotion that can unite all of us this holiday season,"

One would hope, anyway, as the courtroom rises to welcome the judge to the bench in the morning.  And way to go, Mr. President, exhibiting your free exercise thereof.  Amen.

But think about it...

Our faith, from our founders and beyond, IS our state.   It's our state of mind; it's divine providence leading the way; it's in God we trust; it's within us as we live our daily life, surrounding us with love; it's at the core of who we are as a people, as a nation.

The INDIVIDUAL was given free reign in the free exercise of one's religion -- meaning prohibition, prohibited.

No, we do not have a national religion; It has us.  And, like the president said, "no matter who we are, or where we come from, or how we worship, [or not], it's a message of hope and devotion that can unite all of us this holiday season."  

It lies in our heart and soul, and "has endured for generations," whether the cross stays or goes.

Make it a Good Day, G
 

Dear America,

Things are really strange here; anyone else share the thought 'what the heck is going on in the nation's southwest-forty?'

San Diego is all over the national news, and to date, as far as the last couple of weeks are concerned, only one piece of notoriety has been favorable (and even that is depending upon which side your on, i guess).

We have had the horrific disappearance and discovery of Chelsea King.
We have had racial disturbances from our very own UCSD, in La Jolla.
We have an entire family of four missing since the first week of February, their abandoned vehicle found in San Ysidro, just south of the border.
We have had the Poway School system vs. a teacher, Bradley Johnson, over the word "God" displayed large and wide in his classroom.

Guess which one G finds happiness?

(You all get a gold star.)

Judge Roger T. Benetiz is my new best friend and the Thomas More Law Center is my new happy place.

FOR TWENTY FIVE YEARS mind you,
Mr. Bradley proudly displayed infamous American cornerstones:

 “In God We Trust”

“One Nation Under God”

“God Bless America”

“God Shed His Grace on Thee”

FOR SEVENTEEN YEARS let it be known
a second banner was on display, featuring excerpts from the Declaration of Independence:

“All Men Are Created Equal,

They Are Endowed By Their Creator.”

One fear outlined in the dispute by the Poway Unified School District, mitigated the claim that perhaps a "Muslim student might be offended by the slogans." (Within the Hon. Benetiz' response, he notes "more to the point, an imaginary Islamic student is not entitled to a heckler's veto on a teacher's passive, popular or unpopular expression about God's place in the history of the United States. see link below, pg. 28)

Not worthy of a "heckler's veto" ...love that.

The District believed Mr. Johnson was in violation of offensive display, among other things, as evident in his choice of classroom banners which “over-emphasized” God.

A crucial role in the Judge’s decision -- a simple matter really, one that, oh I don't know, the reality that umpteen other classrooms within the district made other "theism's"  wildly known and displayed, some more outlandish than another, and nobody said a word.
Of the items allowed -- according to the Poway Unified School District -- without reprimand:

• a 35 to 40-foot long string of Tibetan prayer flags with writings in Sanskrit and images of Buddha.

• a large poster of John Lennon and the lyrics to the song "Imagine":

"Imagine there's no Heaven, it's easy if you try"

(we all know the rest...)

• a poster of Hindu leader, Mahatma Gandhi's "7 Social Sins":

Politics without principle
Wealth without work

Commerce without morality

Pleasure without conscience

Education without character

Science without humanity

Worship without sacrifice.

• a poster that says: "The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who in times of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality."
• posters of Muslim minister, Malcolm X.
• a Greenpeace poster that says: "Stop Global Warming
• posters of professional athletes and sports teams.
• "Day of Silence" posters.
• Bumper stickers that say:

"Equal Rights Are Not Special Rights,"

"Dare to Think for Yourself,"

"Celebrate Diversity."

• a poster with a large peace sign and the word "peace" in several languages.
• a mock American flag with a peace sign replacing the 50 stars and appearing to be six feet wide and four feet tall.
• an anti-war poster that asks: "How many Iraqi children did we kill today?"
• and there were plenty more...

My new happy place, The Thomas More Law Center, a national public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, specializing in preserving the law of the land, has been arguing on Mr. Bradley Johnson's behalf since January 2007, when the district asked that he remove the posters.

An article featured on the Thomas More website includes pieces of Judge Benitez’s MAGNIFICENT 32-page opinion, which by all standards extends an articulate and thorough criticism of the Poway school districts aversion to mentioning the word God, eloquently raking their undeniable bias over the coals:

“[The school district officials] apparently fear their students are incapable of dealing with diverse viewpoints that include God’s place in American history and culture. . . . That God places prominently in our Nation’s history does not create an Establishment Clause violation requiring curettage and disinfectant for Johnson’s public high school classroom walls. It is a matter of historical fact that our institutions and government actors have in past and present times given place to a supreme God."

[Copy of the Decision link]

Richard Thompson, President and Chief Counsel for the Law Center, commented,

“Many school officials exhibit hostility towards our nation’s Christian heritage. Yet, these same officials see no problem in actively promoting atheism or other religions under the guise of cultural diversity and tolerance. Hopefully, Judge Benitez’s decision will help put an end to this double standard. It is the responsibility of our public schools to educate students on the crucial role Christianity played in our Nation’s founding.”

"In his ruling, Judge Benitez acknowledged that public schools provide students with a healthy exposure to diverse ideas and opinions. He then went on to rule,"

“Fostering diversity, however, does not mean bleaching out historical religious expression or mainstream morality. By squelching only Johnson’s patriotic and religious classroom banners, while permitting other diverse religious and anti-religious classroom displays, the school district does a disservice to the students of Westview High School and the federal and state constitutions do not permit this one-sided censorship.”

[TO read more of the full article, go to More.]
 
Of course, today on Glenn Beck, it is only fitting that he will dedicate the entire hour of his daily Fox News Channel program to the "Indoctrination of our Children" -- I can hardly wait.
 
I have highlighted the McGuffey Readers before, but think MORE than ever -- they ring the proverbial bell of what may ail us, and show what fails us, when it comes to the great duty to educate our children.
 
Here's some "Good Advice" as featured in a story found in the First Reader, for the young boys and girls from the 19th Century (this is the way we used to teach our children):
 

Lesson XXXI

 

Good Advice

If you have done anything during the day

that is wrong, ask forgiveness of God

and your parents.

Remember that you should learn

some good things every day.

If you have learned nothing all day,

that day is lost.

If anyone has done you wrong,

forgive him in your heart

before you go to sleep.

Do not go to sleep with hatred

in your heart toward anyone.

Never speak to anyone

in an angry or harsh voice.

If you have spoken unkind words to

a brother or sister, 

go and ask forgiveness.

If you have disobeyed your parents,

go and confess it.

Ask God to aid you always

to do good and avoid evil.

 

It's not like the math teacher, Mr. Johnson, was speaking the gospel, or for that matter saying anything more than what is imprinted on our money or upon the walls and portico's housing the documentation and representation of American courthouses, Capital buildings, as well as the monuments and iconic cultural architecture promenently built by our forefathers; these profound words are everywhere, self evident and steadfast, to carry us onward and upward, instilling the words of a nation to live by. 

 

These words do have history; these words do have meaning; they are not just words.  Back behind the word is the fundamental reason we became a nation -- separating us from England in order to express our religious freedoms in the first place -- and becoming the inherent foundation to everything we are today. 

 

These are not just simple words, they are words that bind us, unite us, declare us exceptional;

"IN GOD WE TRUST" --undoubtedly these words make a lasting impression upon our hearts and minds; "ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL" --  formally setting in stone words of wisdom and prized moments in American history;

"ONE NATION UNDER GOD" -- yet, look at us now; we have become one nation under God under attack at almost every turn. 

 

Oh but the lessons like "Good Advice" from the McGuffey readers don't stop at the end of the verse; the Readers continue to prescribe further supplemental readings for the teacher, requesting that each student turn to their Bible, to see how the lesson conforms to the word of God.  Following the "Good Advice", it recommends Ephesians 4:26 and 31, Ecclesiastes 7:9 and Proverbs 15:1.

 

"A gentle answer turns away wrath,

but a harsh word stirs up anger."

 Proverbs 15:1

 

How many times have we witnessed this to be true for ourselves?

 

We no longer have to Imagine a world with "no heaven" -- we seem to be at pace for achieving that within days, unless of course, enough of us like the good teacher have anything to say about it.

 

All the ways Christianity is attacked these days only makes me want to be a better girl and persuades me to teach the importance of "Good Advice" to my own ; the horrific disrespect for another human life, as in the recent loss of a fellow San Diego girl, Chelsea King, only makes me pray harder; the destructive racial tensions and antagonism here in my neck of the woods, only makes me wish we all understood "all men are created equal" to the fullness and depth of our individual responsibility back behind the words;  in the midst of searching for answers to the whereabouts of an entire family so close to home, yet so far away, all I can do IS turn it over to God, for it is out of my hands.

 

BUT, as for the happy ending with Bradley Johnson and the able-bodied band of patriots helping him out at The Thomas More Law Center, I commend you all for your vigilance and applaud your undeniable allegiance to the flag and to the beautiful country we live; and last but not least, I sincerely hope that Mr. Johnson's students appreciate how lucky they are for all of the above.

 

Make it a Good Day, G

 

Somewhere along the way doing the right thing and being a good person has been either lost in translation or buried with bad behavior -- whether it is our own or somebody else's.  While in some cases, being good almost comes out appearing entirely unpopular!

WE must persevere and be of good nature; we must reward our children to be a good citizen -- we must grow more good than bad -- or we simply will no longer be.

If in doubt or feeling overwhelmed by the not-so-good, go to http://www.realamericanstories.com/ for more, real, feel good stories.  WE are there and everywhere, just have to look for it.