The old Soviet Union was well known for vodka, borscht and re-education camps. As awful as the first two sound, the third was far worse as citizens who did not tow the party line and were perceived to be a threat to the government were sent off to have their thinking adjusted. To the American mind, steeped in the concept of free speech, the idea of punishment for unpopular “thought crimes” convinced those of us who lived through the cold war of the righteousness of our cause.

Back during the poisonous sixties, radicals were fond of telling us “Dissent is the highest form of patriotism”, misattributed to Thomas Jefferson – perhaps to give them some undeserved credibility. These same people, now grown older and having wormed their way into positions of power are now singing a different tune. Many of these were professional students who never left the ivy covered halls of academia. They never learned about life in the real world and have done little but let their disastrous ideas percolate until they are now in a position to execute them.

Augusta State University student Jennifer Keeton has run into the work of these guardians of secular humanistic doctrine. She has been told that, to complete her masters degree in counseling, she must set aside her Christian beliefs about homosexuality and submit to a re-education program… or be expelled from the university. The university, of all places, purports to be a place of acceptance and open discussion, yet there there are some ideas and concepts just too radical for these old time radicals.

While the mortar board set is fond of telling us that there are no absolutes, that each person is responsible for finding their own “truth”, they are absolutely sure that some “truths” just are not acceptable enough to be explored, or even talked about in polite company. In spite of their high sounding “academic freedom” rhetoric, there is an “absolute truth” they live by. That truth is no one can criticize or question the validity of the homosexual experience.

Fortunately, with the help of the Alliance Defense Fund, Jennifer Keeton is fighting back by suing the school that will accept deviant life styles, almost every form or religion and atheism, but not Christianity. There is a clear case of religious discrimination… the kind we are told is illegal. This young lady is standing up and fighting the good fight. We wish her well, and we all need to keep her in our prayers.

PR: wait… I: wait… L: wait… LD: wait… I: wait… wait… Rank: wait… Traffic: wait… Price: wait… C: wait…

We can only hope that we see enough change in Washington to defund such programs in the absence of the possibility of an actual repeal. At a time when our country is more divided than at any time in the recent past, we do not need one more, or multiplied numbers of agencies designed to assign quotas and pit one group of citizens (usually) against another.

The United States has long been known as a “melting pot” where newcomers to our country were integrated into a more or less common culture with common language and aspirations. Immigrants came here, and believed they were coming to the promised land. Most saw an opportunity filled land and they wanted to get their piece of the pie. Our country prospered as more and more legal immigrants joined the pursuit of the American Dream. This is not surprising as our creator knew the value of unity when he said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.” (Genesis 11:1-9 NIV)

Unfortunately, somewhere around forty years ago, academics and overly ambitious political types decided they could garner more influence by pushing the idea of multiculturalism. It’s the old strategy of divide and conquer. From a common effort to keep our country strong, we moved to parochial society primarily looking out for group benefits, even if it did damage to the rest of our American brothers and sisters. This fragmentation of society can be defined by memberships in unions, or some sort of racial or possibly social group. Instead of working to create an expanding economy driven by entrepreneurial effort and expertise, we have retreated to a zero-sum game where everyone’s gain is offset by someone else’s loss.

This is a plan destined for failure. It is a plan that, by definition, makes our citizens jealous of any gains by any group they don’t belong to. We have become suspicious of our government and suspicious of our fellow Americans… anyone not like ourselves. Ivory tower promoters of the multicultural curse on our land live in the dream world where the words of Karl Marx, “From each according to his ability, to each according to his need,” actually make sense. They totally misunderstand the human nature that will cause men (and women) to create and innovate when they can reap rewards for their ingenuity. This same human nature will slam the brakes on innovative creativity if people see the fruits of their labors snatched away before they can be enjoyed.

The lack of economic understanding on the part of the national government, concerning the creation of wealth they intend to confiscate to fund their grandiose schemes is astounding. We cannot continue to carve out benefits for unions, ethnic groups and now, illegal groups. We have an administration obsessed with the common political practice of creating focused benefits combined with broad base financing to the point where the broad based financing consists, not of the taxpayers, but the taxpayers grand children.

I have been learned many years ago that when you find yourself in a hole… you stop digging. The Obama administration, already way over its head in debt, is even bringing in a bigger backhoe to dig even deeper. They are catering to the most extreme and least productive segments of our society and their base, promising all sorts of benefits at the expense of other segments of the population. This is a situation guaranteed to create dissension and fragmentation of our society… possibly even violence when the money runs out or the citizens tire of being financially raped.

Our country is in trouble and this condition will not be cured until we send the multiculturalists packing and return to our founding values of individual responsibility and unity of purpose. We cannot remain fragmented and stand strong. We cannot rob Peter to pay Paul… even though the current plan has the complete support of Paul. It is time to review Ben Franklin’s sage advice that “We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.”

Don’t you get tired of people pussyfooting around about the nonsense taking place in Washington and around our country? Many speak of their “concern” about freedom destroying trends in hushed tones. Words that come from pastors like Rev. Swaggart are said to be inflammatory and not very helpful in our multi-cultural, diversity worshiping world. These people don’t want to rock the boat or are afraid to be seen as extremists. They are afraid of what others will think. They wring their hands and wonder, “what can we do?” All this, just like the Jews in Germany during the 1930s.

Compartmentalized Christians who split their lives between Sunday morning, and their own time, won’t like or even comprehend what the preacher in the video was saying. Those who understand that life cannot be split into segments with conflicting loyalties know exactly what Brother Swaggart is talking about. Those without even a claim to the Christian faith will see him as foolish, ridiculous and even dangerous. However without this understanding and passion, our efforts will turn out to be half hearted and futile.

Whatever else each of us finds we must do, I believe Charles Stanley from Atlanta has the ultimate answer that will back to the America God gave us. What is he suggesting? Two things really. The answer is found in II Chronicles 7:14 “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (NIV) The two things are that we (the Christians, not the philistines running our world) need to do is seek the hand of God to work on our behalf, and the hard part, clean up our own lives… stop acting like the rest of the world. We are here, but can anyone tell we are different? Is there enough evidence in your life that you could be convicted of being a Christian?

Dr. Stanley is calling us to 140 Days of Intercession for America – twenty weeks, with a different focus each week such as Personal Preparation, Increasing Taxation and Killing the Unborn. Find out more at InTouch.org. Sign up to be a prayer warrior, then hit your knees… it’s the surest, and in reality, the only way to victory.

[Editors Note:  If we haven't read this recently, now is a good time to do it again.]

IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.–Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the

Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

Georgia:

Button Gwinnett

Lyman Hall

George Walton

North Carolina:

William Hooper

Joseph Hewes

John Penn

South Carolina:

Edward Rutledge

Thomas Heyward, Jr.

Thomas Lynch, Jr.

Arthur Middleton

Massachusetts:

John Hancock

Maryland:

Samuel Chase

William Paca

Thomas Stone

Charles Carroll of Carrollton

Virginia:

George Wythe

Richard Henry Lee

Thomas Jefferson

Benjamin Harrison

Thomas Nelson, Jr.

Francis Lightfoot Lee

Carter Braxton

Pennsylvania:

Robert Morris

Benjamin Rush

Benjamin Franklin

John Morton

George Clymer

James Smith

George Taylor

James Wilson

George Ross

Delaware:

Caesar Rodney

George Read

Thomas McKean

New York:

William Floyd

Philip Livingston

Francis Lewis

Lewis Morris

New Jersey:

Richard Stockton

John Witherspoon

Francis Hopkinson

John Hart

Abraham Clark

New Hampshire:

Josiah Bartlett

William Whipple

Massachusetts:

Samuel Adams

John Adams

Robert Treat Paine

Elbridge Gerry

Rhode Island:

Stephen Hopkins

William Ellery

Connecticut:

Roger Sherman

Samuel Huntington

William Williams

Oliver Wolcott

New Hampshire:

Matthew Thornton

In a bizarre ruling that lacks honesty, constitutional reason and plain old common sense, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 Monday that a Christian organization (or any organization for that matter) on a public college campus cannot determine its own membership and leadership rules.

You may remember that in April, The Family Foundation hosted a luncheon with attorneys from the Alliance Defense Fund who were involved in the case, Christian Legal Society v. Martinez. This case arose when the University of California Hastings College of Law in San Francisco denied recognition to CLS, including equal meeting space and most means of communicating on campus (the first time in the school’s history that they had denied such recognition to any organization). The reason? Although CLS welcomes everyone to all its activities and events, CLS would not agree to eliminate its Statement of Faith requirement for officers and those who select them, the voting members. Hastings deemed CLS’s Statement of Faith and its interpretation that Christians should not engage in extramarital sexual activity to violate the religion and sexual orientation portions of its nondiscrimination policy. Hastings has since interpreted its rule as prohibiting all groups from excluding anyone from voting membership or leadership on the basis of beliefs of any kind. The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Hastings’ decision.

The Supreme Court Monday in a decision written by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg stated that the “accept-all-comers” policy was constitutional. Essentially, Hastings Law School now requires that any club that receives university approval must allow anyone to join – including leaders – even if those individuals are antagonistic to the mission and purpose of the organization! In other words, the College Republicans would have to allow Democrats in their leadership, and visa versa.

In addition, if “all-comers” can join and become the majority, speech is limited to that which is accepted by the majority. The free exchange of ideas is limited only to those ideas that are “politically correct” and accepted by the majority. The consequences of such limits on speech and expression are enormous.

In coming to its conclusions, the Court completely ignored the true facts of the case and sidestepped ruling on the true underlying issues – a so-called “non-discrimination” policy that clearly and boldly discriminates against religious belief.

Incredibly, in a case of either profound naïveté or outright ignorance, Ginsberg argued that it is unlikely that college students would attempt to infiltrate an organization they don’t agree with. Seriously?

The case is not completed. While the Court upheld the Hasting “accept-all-comers” policy it sent the case back to the Ninth Circuit (perhaps the most liberal court this side of The Hague) to determine if Hastings had applied its policy to CLS fairly. The good news is that because the facts of the case are so narrow the decision is limited only to Hastings College of Law, the only place where an “all-comers” policy exists. The bad news is that the Court had an opportunity to strengthen the first amendment and chose not to do so.

In their dissent, Justices Alito, Roberts, Scalia and Thomas vehemently disagreed with the majority, calling the decision a “serious setback for freedom of expression in this country,” adding, there is “no freedom for expression that offends prevailing standards of political correctness in our country’s institutions of higher learning.” The dissent also calls into question the honesty of the majority, arguing that the majority ignored facts and simply accepted arguments from Hastings that were clearly dishonest.

As I have been saying for sometime, religious liberty in American is facing ever-increasing threat. While some may call it hyperbole, the list of cases where Christians have lost their freedom of expression or freedom of association continues to grow. While most Americans are focused on the depressed economy and the exponential growth of our federal government, we cannot ignore the fact that our freedom to express our faith publically is being undermined.

Sadly, it seems that the church in America will be the last to know that it is no longer free.

Victoria Cobb is President of The Family Foundation based in Richmond VA.

Sure the Obama administration appears to be doing everything in its power to bring about the hope and change they ambiguously promised. We can, and must, pray for a change of heart in the White House. However, it is within the realm of possibility the Almighty may tell us “no”. Just as he told the Israelites that they needed to go and clear the promised land themselves… and suffered because they did not complete the job. It is entirely possible, that He will not dramatically clear the snake pit of Washington with a wave of his all powerful hand. He may be looking for us to do the job. He may be looking at us to take advantage of the freedoms we have been given as Americans and put people in office that will stand against the increasingly dictatorial tendencies of Barack Hussein Obama.

We need to send people to represent us in the nation’s capitol who will agree with Thomas Jefferson when he said, “I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.” We don’t need, indeed we cannot afford, to send those to Washington who seek to work “across the aisle” and compromise with the enemies of freedom and make their machinations slightly less onerous. These are dangerous times and we need men and women of courage who will stand for victory rather than compromise which leads to defeat.

We cannot afford to be like Great Britain where they have already surrendered to a failing welfare state and the primary argument on election day is which party or coalition can best keep their bureaucratic monster from running around on the rocks of financial ruin. We need leaders dedicated to defunding, dismantling and even destroying the Washington power structure.

Barack Hussein Obama knows this. Every step he and his minions take is designed to increase the power of the national government and decrease the freedom of the American people, who he apparently despises. A good illustration of this comes from a recent webinar by Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli where he describe liberty as a pie chart. It cannot be expanded by economic activity or governmental edict. The liberty pie has only two pieces… individual power and governmental power. It represents a zero sum game. When one side increases, the other, of necessity, decreases.

We must work to expand the individual freedom piece of the liberty pie and shrink the authoritarian madness coming from inside the beltway. We need to reverse the restrictions on the American people Immediately!… if not sooner! Otherwise we need to consider something else President Kennedy taught us, “Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.”

Just like some big-tent Republicans like to tell us about the party they believe they control, the tea partiers are not a monolithic army goose stepping toward conquest. They are people who believe in smaller, less intrusive government that protects rather than restricts freedom. Unlike the other party, pursuing this goal by various approaches, with, sometimes, various candidates, is actually permitted. That’s one of the funny things about freedom – not everyone wants the same thing or goes about it in the same way.

But Republican establishment insiders say they believe in smaller, less intrusive government as well. This may be true, in comparison to the progressive extremes now in power, but the people in Peoria, Paducah and Petersburg often have other ideas. What scares many party leaders is that these “true believers” give the public a point of comparison… and the old timers don’t show up to well. They tend to look like stodgy old men content with their elevated place in the system. Beyond this, these candidates owe their allegiance to the grassroots, not party insiders who paved they way for them… in exchange for loyalty, favors and who knows what else.

But what about those not on the inside with nothing in particular to gain from compliant candidates and legislators? They are the ones who think conservatives should quietly come along and support their moderate, but humdrum choices. Some sincerely believe that only the party anointed are worthy and suited to serve. They believe in the wisdom of the party… something the freedom fighters find anathema. Yet somehow, to succeed, everyone under this “big tent” needs to be pulling together. This often works in practice as unenthusiastic conservatives still carried the water for an uninspiring candidate against Barack Hussein Obama. Cooperation such as this, with the wrong candidate still results in a second place finish… and there is no prize for that.

It would seem that even though the establishment candidate did not win in places like Nevada, Kentucky and South Carolina, it would be to everyone’s benefit for the more reserved Republicans to come out and work to get these fine small government candidates elected. It’s been said that many “fiscal conservatives” don’t care how many abortions their daughter gets as long as their taxes are low. I would suggest, no I would scream at the top of my lungs, that the tea party people want low taxes too, and they are leading the way. Can’t we all agree that less money taken by Washington would be a good thing? And can’t we agree that we are in a financial crisis because the government has spent and spent and borrowed and borrowed beyond our ability or desire to pay… and THAT needs to be stopped and reversed. That is the big picture!

Social conservatives are usually asked to set aside their beliefs for “party unity”. Can’t those with more “moderate” mind sets do that also. The price of failure is the survival of our country. Both the tea partiers and establishment types tell us they want smaller government with less spending and debt. Some are just willing to go to greater lengths to achieve this critical goal. Barry Goldwater, a conservative who was left hanging by many in his own party told us, “Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. Moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.”

The stakes are even higher now than they were in 1964 when Sen Javits led much of the New York delegation from the Republican convention floor on hearing Goldwater’s remark. Defeating the progressive agenda that would turn our wonderful country into a an effete European style socialism is something that must be accomplished at all costs… even supporting hard core conservatives, maybe even a libertarian or two.

My shepherds have abandoned their flocks.

You are my shepherds. You are responsible for the protection of the lambs. How has the fox entered into the fields? You were asleep? The Word was left for your guidance and to proclaim the laws for the Fathers children. Do you not see and understand the meaning of the Word? Nations have been lost. Multitudes of the Fathers children have not survived. Darkness covers the earth. The Fathers children have been deceived and are now asleep. You are to awaken them.

The Churches have been silent. Your silence is approval of injustice. You were told to love one another. To love is to correct. The good father that fails to correct his child, loses that child forever. Silence has destroyed the families. Silence has allowed the murder of millions of the Fathers children. Silence is approval. Love,or correction, demands that any injustice be corrected immediately. Every wrong word must be corrected. Forgiveness is for your benefit. Forgiveness prevents you from judging and therefor saves you from resentment. Resentment separates you from the Father. Your forgiveness does not excuse the sinner. Forgiveness is for your benefit. Only the Father can forgive sin.

You the shepherds must be strong before the mighty. Noble before the weak. You must train your flock to recognize good from evil. There is only right or wrong. No other path exists except in the deceived mind of man. Do not listen to the deceiver who seeks power over you. You have been told to be in the world, not of this world. One can look upon the raging sea and understand it’s power without jumping into it. If you seek approval of man over the Father, can you be his shepherds? Be not afraid for the Father is with you, if you are with him. Return children to their father and fathers to their faith in the Father, not in man. Teach the fathers that only faith and patience will save them and their families. The family cannot be saved unless the fathers are first returned to faith. Shepherds, follow these words and the Kingdom will soon be upon you. Discipline, not license, is the law.

You must unite all your congregations in a single purpose, to bring forth the Kingdom. The Father, is the Father in any language. Put aside your differences, for only united can you overthrow the corrupt. Remove all blight from the chosen lands of the Father. Cleanse first from the inside. Inside the deceived minds of the faithful. Open their minds with truth. Did not the Son tell you that the truth shall set you free? You do not understand the power given you by the Father. Power comes from unity of purpose and action. No force on this earth will be able to oppose you if you are united in truth and not afraid.

The Kingdom will be upon you when you heed these words. Poverty is a creation of man, not the Father. Disease is caused by sin. Crime is a purposeful tool of the enemy of the Father and righteous men. The earth was created with an abundance of wealth for all the Fathers children. Every one of the faithful can live as Kings. Understand the power you hold and use it wisely. The enemy of the Father and men understands your potential power. That is why you are feared. That is why those that serve the darkness want your silence. Speak out, oppose all injustice, and free the faithful members of the Fathers flock. Be not afraid for He is with you, if you are with Him..

Church leaders and elders, let these words cause you to pause and reflect. Have you followed the teachings of Jesus Christ in your relationship with your congregation? Have you corrected them? Have you shown them the way they have to live, if they want to be with the Father? Do members of your Church divorce and separate father from son and daughter? Do members of your Church have or condone abortions? Have you trained the young of your flock in the responsibilities of marriage? Do the women of your Church understand their duty to their husbands? Do the husbands understand that their role as the head of the family is to set an example and lead their family in faith? Do they know the real meaning of love? Do they realize that no family can serve the Father, unless the head of the family is himself faithful? Do you members of your congregation empower dishonorable, Godless leaders?

Those are tough questions. The answers are obvious. When the divorce rate is 50% of all marriages and when 1,300,000.00 innocent children of the Father are killed every year in the United States alone, His shepherds are not watching over their flock. The fox is stealing the sheep.

What can you do to correct these conditions? The enormous problems facing our country today are not only the responsibility of the Church, but every single person who calls themselves a Christian. It is now time to live up to He who’s name we claim to follow and live our lives correctly. It is time to love and correct, our neighbors, our children, also ourselves. There are over 224  million people in the United States who claim to be a Christian. Christians cannot allow injustice to continue. They must follow Jesus Christ, who said; “We must let our light be shown”.

In His Service

Rev Maxwell Diener

This article was orginally published by Rev Diener in http://uniteforchrist.org.

Here is the TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Why Millennialism Matters

The Role of Civil Religion and Culture

Millennial Theologies in America

Post-Millennialism and the Founding of America

Civil War, World War and the Rise of Pre-Millennialism

Israel, Nuclear War and the Last Days

Contemporary Pre-Millennialism in the American Electorate

Contemporary Pre-Millennialism and American Culture

The Holy Land and Armageddon: U.S. Policy in the Middle East

Anti-Christ, Gog, Magog, and Armies From the East

Conclusions and Recommendations

Bibliography

Remember, this is not a Christian university report or even a secular university’s religion department report, but rather a report written by an active duty Army major (who is now stationed in Afghanistan, I am told) for one of America’s war colleges. Before analyzing this report, here are some questions to ponder. Whose brainchild was this report? Did the major select the topic himself or did a superior assign it to him? To whom exactly was the report distributed? How was the report used? What are the interconnections between this report and the MIAC and Department of Homeland Security reports that draw similar conclusions? And perhaps the biggest question is, What does this report portend for government action in the future?

When Major Stuckert speaks of millennialism, he is referring to the Biblical doctrine of Eschatology–specifically, the Second Coming of Jesus Christ to the earth to institute a 1,000-year (millennial) reign. He recognizes some of the nuances of this doctrine in his study, most notably post-millennialism and pre-millennialism. His report is heavily focused on pre-millennialism, however.

At this point, I feel it is necessary to make this observation: whether one is a post-millennialist or a pre-millennialist, the fact that we Christians believe in the literal return of Jesus Christ to the earth to establish His Kingdom puts us in the same boat, as far as the ramifications of Major Stuckert’s report–and similar reports–are concerned. We Christians need to recognize that, as far as the Stuckerts of this world are concerned, because we believe the Bible and we believe in the literal return of Christ, we are considered an enemy. We can disagree with one another all we want to about whether there is a Rapture (and if there is one, when it will occur), whether Christ will return before or after a millennial kingdom takes place, and scores of other theological differences, but none of that is important to the events at hand: there is a growing sense among many governmental and military leaders in America that Bible-believing Christians are an enemy that must be marginalized, warned about, watched, and even controlled. And it does not matter to a tinker’s dam to these Machiavellians whether one is a post-millennialist or a pre-millennialist. If we believe the Bible and believe that Jesus is coming again, they consider us “dangerous.” And we Christians better wake up to this stark reality, stop fighting each other, and focus on working together to preserve our liberties!

And one more early observation: there is an eerie and uncanny connection between the verbiage and spirit of Stuckert’s report and the now-infamous MIAC and Homeland Security reports. The timing, too, is significant. The MIAC and Homeland Security reports were produced shortly after Major Stuckert’s report was produced. A coincidence? Not on your life!

Here are some excerpts from Stuckert’s report:

“Millennialism has great explanatory value, significant policy implications, and creates potential vulnerabilities that adversaries may exploit.” (Abstract, page iii.)

“These factors [results of millennial belief] can be problematic for any military leader or planner attempting to achieve U.S. Government policy objectives through strategy, operations and programs.” (Abstract, page iv.)

Notice that from the very outset of this report, Stuckert asserts that Christians who believe in the Second Coming create circumstances or conditions that might be “problematic” for America’s military leaders. We Christians also create “potential vulnerabilities” that America’s enemies may “exploit,” according to Stuckert. Furthermore, Stuckert laments that we Christians may even interfere with “U.S. Government policy objectives.”

Pray tell, exactly what are those “U.S. Government policy objectives” that Christians might prove to be “problematic” for? And is Major Stuckert suggesting that those Christian military officers currently serving in the US armed forces are somehow “problematic” to “U.S. Government policy objectives”? And do these same Christian officers make America “vulnerable” to our enemies? Is he suggesting that military officers in the US armed forces who believe in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ be expunged from military service, because of their beliefs?

As one will observe when reading the 61-page treatise, Major Stuckert, with a broad brush, paints millennialist Christians as being serious problems for America’s foreign policy and for “U.S. Government policy objectives,” and that we must be dealt with; but he offers no details on what, exactly, should be done. Or if he did, that part of his treatise is not a matter of public record.

More quotes:

“The impact of American millennial religious ideas on U.S. Government policy will add to strategic hubris, compel increasingly reckless international action, and continue to over-commit the military in ways the Nation cannot afford.” (Page 1)

Again, notice that Christians who believe in Christ’s return add to pride, recklessness, and war. Good grief! I suppose that we Christians are also responsible for the escalating price of gas and oil too–and maybe even global warming!

Stuckert continues:

“First, millennial thought and its policy implications may create strategic transparency that affords adversaries an advantage in decision-making. Second, an understanding of American millennial thinking may provide adversaries with the means to manipulate American policy and subsequent action. Third, the enemy may exploit American millennialism to increase the fragility of and even disrupt coalitions. Fourth, adversaries may exploit American millennialism to demoralize or TERRORIZE joint forces and the American people. By recognizing these potential vulnerabilities, military leaders and planners may TAKE ACTION NOW to mitigate the effects.” (Page 2. Emphasis added.)

Dear reader, is the hair standing up on the back of your neck yet? If not, it should be!

According to Major Stuckert, the belief in Christ’s Second Coming makes us vulnerable to America’s adversaries. In fact, these adversaries (are they foreign or domestic? He doesn’t specify) might even exploit this belief to “TERRORIZE . . . the American people.” (Emphasis added.)

There’s that “T” word again! Do you now see the connection to the MIAC and Homeland Security reports? Is it all starting to make sense now? Because we believe in the literal return of Christ to the earth, do people such as Major Stuckert consider us to be potential terrorists?

And just what does Stuckert mean by the statement, “Military leaders and planners may take action now to mitigate the effects”? Does he propose that we Christians be rounded up and put in all these FEMA camps (that don’t exist)? Just how does he plan for the US military to “mitigate” the effects of us Christians? This statement is downright chilling!

In this report, Major Stuckert specifically mentions the holiness and Pentecostal churches; as well as the Assemblies of God; non-denominational churches; and Independent and Southern Baptists. Again, anyone who believes in the Second Coming of Christ is targeted in this report. According to Stuckert, “Millennialism actually refers to any system of belief or interpretation that employs a literal thousand years, or chiliad, in reading and applying Revelation 20:1-7.” (Page 9)

Stuckert even went so far as to say that Christian “mission work, especially overseas, [has] significant implications for U.S. foreign policy.” (Page 27)

I bet that when you folks make that financial donation to your church’s foreign missions program you have no idea that you are causing significant (negative) implications for US foreign policy. Well, Stuckert thinks you are.

Stuckert also berates Millennialists for “[driving] the U.S. further from the U.N. in the near future since many pre-millennialists have to come to view that body as a platform for the Anti-Christ.” He went on to say, “American pre-millennialists will also feel increasingly threatened by the E.U. in coming years.” And, “Pre-millennial interpretations of biblical prophecy that predict the emergence of a one-world government led by an anti-Christ causes distrust and even antagonism toward organizations like the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, the European Union, NAFTA and OPEC.” (Page 52)

In other words, folks, Stuckert is greatly chagrined that we Christians do not, and will not, accept the push toward global government being orchestrated by institutions such as the UN, the EU, et al. He feels that because we oppose NAFTA, GATT, the WTO, the FTAA, and the overall NEW WORLD ORDER agenda, we are “problematic” and must be “mitigated.”

Stuckert goes on to blame Christians for “problems for relations between the U.S. and Russia” (Page 53), problems in the Middle East and China (Page 56), as well as coming “global disaster.” (Page 55)

Major Stuckert then makes an incredible admission on page 58. He said, “War is primarily about politics. While geography and technology play a role, in order to be successful military leaders must be able to see the political goals as clearly as possible. Because of the influence of pre-millennialism, it can be difficult for military leaders to see themselves and their government accurately and state policy goals objectively.”

What did he say? “War is primarily about politics”? I thought war was about defending the people and territory of the United States. I thought war was about protecting freedom and liberty. War is about politics? So that’s why our young men are fighting and dying in Iraq and Afghanistan? It’s all about politics? If so, whose politics? Major Stuckert’s? Barack Obama’s? George W. Bush’s? The CFR’s? The UN’s? Exactly whose politics is sending our sons and daughters to fight and die? The good major doesn’t say.

But did you catch that last sentence? “Because of the influence of pre-millennialism [and he could just as easily have said post-millennialism], it can be difficult for military leaders to see themselves and their government accurately and state policy goals objectively.”

Holy cow! Belief in the Second Coming blinds military leaders? They cannot see themselves or their government accurately? What the heck does this mean? Is Stuckert saying that because a military officer believes the Bible–believes in the return of Christ to the earth–he or she cannot see themselves and cannot “see” their government properly? Exactly what is it about his or her government that cannot be accurately seen? Maybe Stuckert means that because a Christian military officer believes in God, he or she cannot recognize government to be his or her god. Is that it, Major Stuckert? You want us all to see the US federal government as god?

On page 59, Stuckert accuses belief in millennialism of producing “pessimism and paranoia.” On the same page, he accuses people who believe in millennialism of causing a “predisposition toward pessimism in world affairs and a general worsening of international relations.”

Yeah! That’s right, Major! You devote 61 pages (and untold hours producing them) accusing Christians of bringing “global disaster” to the world, but we are the ones who are paranoid? If that isn’t the pot calling the kettle black, I don’t know what is.

On page 60, Stuckert blames Christians for having a “proclivity for clear differentiations between good, evil, right, and wrong [which] do not always serve us well in foreign relations or security policy.” Oh! Really?

Is Stuckert saying that there is no right and wrong in regard to America’s policies with foreign nations? Is he saying that there is no such thing as right and wrong in regard to security policies? Is Stuckert saying the US government should be able to do whatever it likes, regardless of right and wrong? Is he saying that anything done in the name of “security” is right, regardless of what it is? Is it right to lie to the American people, Mr. Stuckert? Is it right to violate the US Constitution? Is it right to murder? If there is no such thing as right and wrong, moral and immoral, in regard to the waging of war and other security matters, pray tell, what were those Nuremberg trials all about?

In researching this column, I found a World Net Daily report written by Bob Unruh on December 19, 2009. In his report, Unruh said that an Army spokesman “could not say whether any other writings ever had attacked a religious belief as Stuckert’s work.” That’s a good point. Where is the Army report that singles out people who embrace Islam, Judaism, Catholicism, or liberal Protestantism as being “problematic” to America’s foreign policy? Why is it that only people who embrace conservative Christianity, or fundamentalism/millennialism were singled out?

Unruh’s report also notes that “no study or article refuting” Stuckert’s report has been discovered. Therefore, absent a counterpoint, it might be accurate to conclude that Stuckert’s report has become de facto US government policy. It certainly does appear that the particulars of Stuckert’s report made their way to both the MIAC and DHS reports.

See Bob Unruh’s report at:

http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.printable&pageId=119315

See Major Stuckert’s report at:

http://tinyurl.com/am-millennialism-pdf

For more by Chuck Baldwin, go to http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/homebackup/

1 Thessalonians 5:3: For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

Subtle and committed enemies will take our gifts but never change their focus. Regardless of the strength of our arguments to convert them into friends, they will remain oblivious to logic and focused on their opposition to us. The major difference between a constructive opponent and a destructive enemy is their relentlessness to not yield to wisdom and be changed by its enlightenment.

Time may pass but their hatred lasts, but we should not be shocked; we should just learn to discern who our enemy really is and what their main motivation, or unresolved issue is with regards to us.

Not because our enemy may change their name or face, or find a different banner to fly over their camp or by which to disguise their plots, does it mean that they are any less of a threat.

If we are to win the spiritual battle of our lives then it is imperative that we clearly identify our adversary and realize that the evil that drives their actions is an ageless personality with a universal and strategic plan.

2 Corinthians 2:11: Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. Satan has devices (weapons) that he will be using in this warfare. The enemy’s specific assignment against us will be seen through the devices that they will be using in their warfare.

The definition of the word devices helps us to see his global strategy:

The word “devices” is defined as:

1. Tool or Machine: a tool or machine designed to perform a particular task or function (Even though it is obvious that destructive machines are weapons, Satan will often manipulate and hide behind or in ignorant people that he uses as tools in doing his biding)

2. Ploy: a way of achieving something, especially a clever or dishonest/ deceptive way (This is usually used by betrayers and deceivers)

3. Explosive Object: a bomb or something that causes an explosion or fire (Such as are now frequently used in and for terrorism. Explosive objects can also represent the subtle but poisonous seeds that we allow to be planted in the garden of life that can later explode to destroy the whole garden.)

4. Literary or Dramatic Tool: something designed to create a particular effect in a literary or dramatic work, or to evoke a particular response from a reader, listener, or viewer (This is the Eye Gate: Pornography- lust, sexual immorality, etc,)

Evil most often understands and applies Kingdom Principles better than the righteous Kingdom citizens since “the evil one” was once a Kingdom resident (Ezekiel 28: 13- 15). Satan often uses Kingdom Principles most effectively; this is seen in how he starts his attacks on a personal “one on one” basis, as he looks for the weaknesses and openings in our individual lives. From the seed of a person he reaps the tree of a nation.

Two other Kingdom Principles the enemy understands and has twisted to his usage are:

1. The strength in waiting (or as the old saints say ‘tarrying’) for your breakthrough

2. The dynamics of seasons that bring us the time for the fulfillment of purpose.

1 Peter 5:8: Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

“The hell with our enemies”, is not a statement of direction from me or you, but information regarding where their schemes were hatched. It may also be information regarding our enemy’s destination unless they change their nature.

For all the torment and adversity that our true enemies may have caused in our lives, ..for all the tears that they may have caused to fall.. the saddest part about our enemies is that they often only occupy the closest positions in our lives that we have allowed them to.

Things will never change for us until we are willing to declare from our hearts an end to their season of pain: Psalm 6:8: Away from me, all you who do evil, for the LORD has heard my weeping.

YOM HA ‘SHOAH:

Yesterday my church in Kissimmee, Florida observed a moment of silence in respect of Yom Ha ‘Shoah, which is the Holocaust Remembrance Day for the 6 million Jews that Adolf Hitler exterminated during World War II.

“Voices of the Survivors” was the theme of this year’s commemoration in Israel, which began Sunday night with a state ceremony and continues through Monday evening. There are about 222,000 Holocaust survivors left.

Memorials are an effective rebuke for our apathy. Listening to the threats and lunatic ravings of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, as he completes Iran’s nuclear program, we realize that a storm cloud is rising on the horizon.

Just before Yom Ha’ Shoah officially began, a Tel Aviv University report that was released found that anti-Semitic incidents doubled worldwide last year compared with 2008, with researchers counting 1,129 incidents of physical violence.

For those that feel disconnected from Israel and the crisis of the Middle East, I regret to inform you that, that is not a wise option. Israel is God’s compass for prophetic navigation.

A Global Nuclear Summit that will be held next week in Washington, where the Arab countries that will be attending have planned to press Israel to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not be attending.

Surrounded by many Arab enemies, Israel is the only country in the Middle East with nuclear weapons but they have always avoided the topic of the strength of their arsenal. I believe that wisdom shows us that when your enemy knows your strengths they will also know your weakness.

Middle East countries that “claim” that they don’t want Iran to have a nuclear bomb are again citing what they call the “hypocrisy” of an international effort to stop a Muslim country like Iran from pursuing a nuclear program when no pressure is applied to Israel to declare its arsenal.

Members, when you are a hated minority; regardless of what you do or say, there is always a hidden and destructive agenda behind your enemy’s mask of peace. But, there is a strength of preservation that lies in our ability to clearly identify our enemy and to separate ourselves from them.

There is also a comfort of assurance in knowing that despite the enemy’s noise and size, the G-d of King David; who marvelously demonstrated His power against Goliath and the Philistines (Philistine means immigrants and it is where the name Palestine comes from) at the Valley of Elah (1Samuel 17), is the G-d that will always uphold and bring victory to His covenant people. (I thank G-d this includes us who have been adopted Romans 8: 15-17)

Psalm 23:4 & 5: Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Shalom,

Pastor Alexis Wallace

You can find out more about Pastor Wallace and his ministry at http://www.shalomcaribbean.com/.