Posted: 07/17/2007
God and freedom assaulted in the Senate
By Janet Folger
America, America, God shed His grace on thee. Why? It wasn't because we were His favorites. Nor because we were the richest. But there was something about America that wasn't found in other Western nations.
Blessed more than Mexico, Canada or any nation in South America that came looking for gold, as you can see at the 400th anniversary of Jamestown, America came looking for God.
Why has God blessed us so richly? Get a glimpse into Western Hemisphere history from a 1789 snapshot:
In 1789, our first president, George Washington, was sworn in. He immediately kissed his Bible and went to the Capitol for a two-hour worship service. While the ACLU has sandblasted for decades, they still can't erase the fact that our nation was dedicated to God, in whom our national motto declares, "we trust."
In 1789, the single richest colony in the world was … Haiti. The sugar-producing French colony was called "the jewel of the Caribbean." Import and export profits of Haiti exceeded those of the entire United States. Then, following a bloody riot, Haiti was dedicated to voodoo.
So America was dedicated to God, and Haiti was dedicated to Satan. Then, rag-tag America conquered the most powerful nation in the world and went on to become the richest nation in the world. Haiti went from the very richest to the very poorest nation in the world.
There are two things America loved most: God and freedom. But, last week we turned our back on both.
Like honoring a golden calf for our deliverance, last Thursday, I stood in horror watching the state-sanctioned prayer to false gods on the floor of the United States Senate. Ante and Katherine Pavkovic and their daughter, Christan Sugar, were arrested when they boldly stood up in the Senate Gallery and proclaimed: "Lord Jesus, forgive us, Father, for allowing the prayer of the wicked, which is an abomination in your sight. … You shall have no other gods before you. You are the one true, living God. … Lord have mercy."
Unless you sing "Gods bless America, let your senators know how you feel about this abomination: 202-224-3121. God is not fond of idolatry. Ask the people of Haiti.
We have ushered in idolatry with the "official U.S. government stamp of approval" (not to mention the postage stamp dedicated to Islam). And now we are about to strip freedom of speech and criminalize Christianity with the most dangerous amendment in America – No. 2067, about to be attached to the Defense Authorization bill, H.R. 1585.
I wrote about it extensively in my book, "The Criminalization of Christianity," but here's the cliff notes of what so called "hate crime" legislation has already done in America. This is no longer up for debate. Here are the facts:
Madison, Wis. David Ott, a former homosexual, was arrested for a "hate crime" for sharing his testimony with a homosexual at a gas station. He faced a $10,000 fine and one year behind bars. Seven thousands dollars in legal fees later, he was ordered to attend re-education classes at the University of Wisconsin conducted by a lesbian.
St. Petersburg, Fla. Five Christians, including two pastors, were arrested at a homosexual rally for stepping onto the public sidewalk instead of staying caged in their officially designated "free speech zone." Their signs were also "illegal" because they were slightly "bigger than their torsos." Apparently, large people are entitled to more speech than those with smaller frames.
Elmira, N.Y. The Elmira police arrested seven Christians for praying in a public park where a homosexual festival was getting started. A female officer told the group, "You're not going to enter the park, and you're not going to share your religion with anybody in this park." The group of seven didn't say anything, but got down on their faces and silently prayed. They were promptly placed in handcuffs.
Palmdale, Calif., Pastor Audie Yancey, a retired U.S. Marine Corps 20-year veteran, was charged with a "hate crime" for handing out a Christian tract that illustrated the link between Islam and the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. The tract featured a picture of an American flag and beneath it the words, "Remember 9/11: In the name of Allah they brought destruction and death to thousands. In the name of Jesus Christ you can have eternal life."
Just how many cases do we need to cite before America stands up and stops the bill that will criminalize Christianity?
The vote on the amendment that would enshrine this kind of criminalization in national law is scheduled in the Senate this week. It will criminalize not just those willing to speak the truth and spread the Gospel in the public square, but those pastors, authors, radio hosts and anyone who "counsels, commands, induces or procures [the commission of a 'hate crime'], [who will be] punishable as a principal." –Title 18 U.S. Criminal Code, Section Sec. 2(a).
America, America, God shed His grace on thee. God blessed us because we honored Him. We were given freedom. But we're about to lose it unless we use it.
Call your senators at 202-224-3121 or use their direct lines or e-mail addresses. Let them know what you think about the government-approved idolatrous prayer and the assault on Christians and freedom of speech in the dangerous "hate crime amendment" (No. 2067) to the Defense Authorization bill, H.R. 1585. Then go register 10 people to vote.
Disclaimer: Worldview Weekend, Christian Worldview Network and its columnists do not necessarily endorse or agree with every opinion expressed in every article posted on this site. We do however, encourage a healthy and friendly debate on the issues of our day. Whether you agree or disagree, we encourage you to post your feedback by using the feedback button.
Better watch out. When they took away the Christians right to protest I didn't complain because I disliked them, then they took away the churches right to protest, but I didn't complain because I had a different faith. Then they took away the right of the people to petition their government for redress of greivences, but there was no left to protest, so we lost our freedoms. (shortened from the original poem, but you get the idea. I hope.) Click here to reply to this post
Re: God and freedom assaulted in the Senate
Posted On: 07/20/07 03:51:25 PM
Age 66, NH
I want to thank Janet Folger for having the intestinal fortitude to stand up and let the US Senate know what they have done. Here is the body that see’s to it that certain American values are upheld, or at least that is what I used to think. What are they doing? Putting another god before the Almighty Creator of all that is.
Then, I come here to read my fellow American’s comments and find a mixture of ignorance and blasphemy that shrinks what the Senate has done. Oh, there are some who have the idea correct but there are others who have no clue.
We are to pray to Him, the God of the Bible and no one else, in Christ’s name. He is the very One Who made it possible for India’s people and others to come to this country so they could know Him. Why do they not know Him? Because there are so few who will get up off their comfort zone and tell them. God has given you and I the very next breath you and I breathe, how can we sit here and say such things as “If anyone should feel persecuted it's the Hindus, Jews, Muslims, and atheists who are told they are second-class citizens by the Christians.”
No one has made these people second class citizens This is a Christian Nation and they knew that when they came here. (I guess I should say, ‘was a Christian nation’, you can hardly tell anymore.)
Also I want to thank Lou for his input that is so right on for the most part. Click here to reply to this post
Another excellent article by Janet. The reference by a previous poster suggests that praying to saints, and praying to gods are akin. I would say that if anyone calling him/herself a christian, prays to saints, that the poster is correct, and is no different that a buddist. True christians, Pray only to God. Wake up america, before it is too late. Wish I lived there, I'd be screaming at my senator. Regards, Steve Citizen. Click here to reply to this post
Re: God and freedom assaulted in the Senate
Posted On: 07/18/07 08:41:58 PM
Age 72, AR
The assault on freedom is in this article. Your heroes insulted freedom, not just the individual exercising and demonstrating it in entirely proper fashion---by invitation. They insulted the Constitution. They insulted Senator Reid, and the Senate as an institution. Most highly insulted by their actions---and even more by support of that action---is the body of Christianity, indeed the very concept of religion. Close your eyes and listen to what you are advocating. Freedom does not exist if it does not belong to each and all. Click here to reply to this post
Re: Re: God and freedom assaulted in the Senate
Posted On: 07/19/07 11:47:29 PM
Age 63, OH
Have you ever been to India. Go there and see the fruit of the Hindu religion. Go to the Muslim nations and see how much freedom you have there if you can stay alive and keep from being kidnapped. This nation is the fruit of the Christian religion. If you like what we have here you have the Christian religion to thank for it. Freedom does not extend to others that want to destroy everything that our Christian fathers built. Do you think Muslims should have the freedom to murder little babies in the name of Allah. That would be freedom to practice their religion. It was Christian blood that was shed to free this nation from the King of England not Hindu, Muslim, or Jewish blood. Lou Click here to reply to this post
Christians are offended? Puhleeeeeze.
Posted On: 07/18/07 04:22:41 PM
Age 36, MN
How can you say out of one side of your mouth that you are about to have your free speech rights infringed upon, then say out of the other side of your mouth that people from other religions should not be allowed to speak? C'mon. Christians are not persecuted - they are the majority in the USA and try to tell other Americans that they are Un-American if they are not Christians. If anyone should feel persecuted it's the Hindus, Jews, Muslims, and atheists who are told they are second-class citizens by the Christians. Click here to reply to this post
Re: Christians are offended? Puhleeeeeze.
Posted On: 07/19/07 11:37:29 PM
Age 63, OH
This nation was not started by Hindus, Jews, Muslims, and atheists but by Christians for Christians. The Christians let others come to this country with the understanding that this was a Christian nation and they were quests in this nation. The Hindus, Jews , Muslims , and atheists are like a quest who you invite into your house and then they want to steal your house. India is a Hindu nation and any Hindu has a place there if they want to live in a Hindu nation. There are plenty of Muslim nations and Israel is a Jewish nation for them to live. This nation is a Christian nation and it was started by Christians for Christians. Lou Click here to reply to this post
Re: Re: Christians are offended? Puhleeeeeze.
Posted On: 07/20/07 10:18:02 AM
Age 36, MN
Lou - Are you talking about the Christians who started this country and not only left references to any specific religion out of our constitution, but also included a pretty specific statement that says the government can not establish an official religion? Are you talking about the Christians who came to America and immediately started enslaving and killing the natives because they were heathens?
If you want the US to be an officially Christian nation, which denomination's laws will it follow? Every Christian has a different idea about what it means to be a Christian, and this Worldview website is devoted mostly to saying their brand of Evangelical Christianity is right, and other Christians need to get in line with their way of thinking. It would be tough to enforce Christian laws when Christians disagree about what the laws should be.
So what is your solution, Lou? Refuse to admit anyone to the US unless they are Christian? Outlaw other religions? Or maybe we could have a don't ask don't tell policy - you can be a part of other religions, but you can not display those beliefs in public.
I'd like to hear from other regarding this too. Click here to reply to this post
MY HOPE IS IN JESUS
Posted On: 07/24/07 11:00:37 AM
Age 63, OH
1st of all my hope is not in this nation but in the Lord Jesus who is King of all kings. this nation is going to fall so i would not want to put my hope in it. But i want to try to stand for the ways of the Lord Jesus. The men who came and enslaved the natives were not obeying the Lord Jesus Christ. When Washington was inaugurated there was a church service held in the capital. The men who started this nation did not come for freedom FROM religion but freedom OF religion. we should have the freedom to worship the Lord Jesus as we see in the scriptures and He leads us to do. Obviously that does not include the freedom to harm others. but this country was NOT started to have the freedom to worship the Hindu gods. The policy has always been up till now that we let people enter who want to become Americans. Not who want to teach their children to destroy us and be Arab citizens or Mexican citizens in this land. If they do not want to become Americans then do not leave them in. They can have another religion but it should be made clear that the religion of this land is Christian and they have no right to come to our house as quests and then try to make our land Hindu or Muslim. A quest should not come to your house and then try to steal your house. Lou Click here to reply to this post
Re: God and freedom assaulted in the Senate
Posted On: 07/18/07 03:08:42 PM
Age 50, MN
Gee, I can't figure out why Haiti didn't embrace Christianity when the slaves revolted and took over the country. They had only been brought there from their homeland by 'Christians' as slaves to work digging for gold, (after these 'christians' had exterminated the native population) they were left a ravaged land when gold was found in Mexico and 'christian' interests went there. // I guess our gift of slavery and smallpox weren't enough to convince them of the validity of our faith. // Haiti was and is a mess - but let's be real about why it is. Click here to reply to this post
Re: Re: God and freedom assaulted in the Senate
Posted On: 07/20/07 12:13:38 AM
Age 63, OH
Haiti has had a well over a 100 years to straighten out the mess left by people who claimed to be Christians but did not practice what Jesus said. what you see is the fruit of the voodoo religion. Lou Click here to reply to this post
Re: God and freedom assaulted in the Senate
Posted On: 07/18/07 12:06:50 PM
Age 52, FL
I would like to post one other comment if I may. To those people in the article that were referenced. The ones in THIS COUNTRY who stood up for their faith in Jesus - my applause goes out to you. You are true Christians who are not afraid to speak! They are in the fray. I know there are many other Christians also in the fray that go unnoticed. Thank you Jesus for what you are doing in and through your Bride. Nancy Click here to reply to this post
Re: God and freedom assaulted in the Senate
Posted On: 07/18/07 11:29:18 AM
Age 43, IL
Thanks for a very eye-opening article. I appreciate the concise presentation of each incident. Sometimes we seem to think the "arrest" are just abberations. Sadly, they are not and we should be alarmed enough to call on our representatives to preserve our freedom. Click here to reply to this post
Re: God and freedom assaulted in the Senate
Posted On: 07/18/07 10:21:20 AM
Age 58, OR
We know all too well what activist judges do with extending laws beyond their written intent. We have just had that occur here in Oregon. Our state constitution does not say it protects freedom of speech. Instead, it is stated as "freedom of expression of opinion." It sounds like the same thing, right?
Well, no. A judge here has ruled that lap dances in strip clubs meet the constitutional requirements of freedom of expression of opinion.
What they will do with this hate crimes legislation really concerns me. I can see myself being arrested and jailed for merely expressing that homosexuality is defined as sinful behavior in the Bible. Would stating that be motivated by hate on my part? Far from it. Saying that would be motivated by love. Click here to reply to this post
Woodrow Kroll, David Jeremiah,Sean McDowell, Josh McDowell, David Barton, Carl Kerby, Frank Harber, Kerby Anderson, and the Branson Family Reunion DVD Set! This is a $74.95 value for only $34.95! FREE worksheet with purchase!
Russell O'Quinn, Steve Saint, Dr. Michael Youssef, Dr. Erwin Lutzer, Bob Lepine, Star Parker, Kirk Cameron, Ray Comfort, and the Branson Family Reunion DVD Set! This is a $74.95 value for only $34.95!
