TOPIC: ACLU Intimidates and Seeks to Deny Free Speech to Christians
Article by christiansunite.com staff
"It's very troubling for the government to dictate what kind of prayers Christians can or cannot offer in the public forum," says Dr. Gary Cass. "Jesus taught His disciples to pray to the Father in His name. To require Christians to not pray in the name of Jesus Christ is asking them to pray contrary to their faith. By what authority does the Government deny Christians their First Amendment right to pray according to the dictates of their conscience?"

Reverend Hashmel Turner, a member of the Fredericksburg, Virginia city council, was threatened with lawsuits from secular anti-Christian groups, including the ACLU, for his Christian prayers during a council meeting. Turner was apart of a rotation of all the council members who would take turns praying at the council meetings. His case is currently making it's way to the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals on March 19, and would allow Christians the right to pray "in Jesus' name" in the public forum.

This case will have a tremendous impact on city councils and state legislatures throughout the United States. "Just because somebody objects to praying in Jesus' name does not mean that Christians must deny their faith to accommodate another person's opposing beliefs. This is discrimination," said Dr. Cass. "Over 80% of American's self-identify as Christians, but Hindu's, Muslim's and Jew's have all prayed in the public forum and no one has restricted the content of their prayers and the ACLU has not threatened them. The majority of Christians are subjected to non-Christian prayers, why are Christians told what they can or cannot pray? This is simply anti-Christian bigotry and an attempt to deny free speech for Christians," said Cass.

The Christian Anti-Defamation Commission is a non-profit organization devoted to protecting the rights of Christians to confidently live their faith. Dr. Gary Cass has degrees from Westminster Theological Seminary. He previously served as Executive Director of the Center for Reclaiming America for Christ, an outreach of Coral Ridge Ministries founded by the late Dr. D. James Kennedy.

TOPIC: Resist Aggression Towards Those Who Belittle our Faith, says Joel Edwards

Article from ChristianityToday.com

In his 2007 Christmas message, the Rev Joel Edwards has called on Christians and non-Christians alike to be tolerant of each other. The General Director of the Evangelical Alliance has addressed the question of how we embrace and worship Christ while living in multi-faith communities. He said that tolerance means people who are free not to worship should avoid making life difficult for those of us who do, but also called on Christians not to respond aggressively. “We must resist the urge to react to any belittling of our belief or our intellect with aggression.” Mr. Edwards said that Christians seem to encounter a “Herodian attitude which takes offence at the Christmas story and demonstrates a passionate intolerance to faith” and cites examples this year such as Christina Odone not being allowed to comment on Christianity at a carol service.
However, he said Christians should take their example from Jesus: “In his birth, which drew the poor and the rich, the frail and the strong, the Jew and the Gentile, we see the pattern for the rest of Jesus’ life, typified by a gracious and welcoming tolerance of diversity, but with a forthright and outspoken intolerance of narrow mindedness. He would walk with sinners, touch lepers and mingle with the poor. Our acceptance and welcome of those who do not think or look like us is surely to our credit. Even if we disagree with secular humanists we can at least acknowledge their starting point: a genuine passion of including those on the margins of power and influence.”
Mr. Edwards also praised the tolerance evident in people of other faiths: “Although people of other faiths may not bow down and worship Jesus, in the UK they have never attempted to prevent Christians from doing so. In a tolerant Britain which truly embraces diversity, freedom means the liberty to worship Christ the King. Christmas was never meant to be an imposition: it is an invitation to worship.”

TOPIC: The Inaccuracy of Kathy Griffin's Remarks on Jesus

Editorial by Lauren Green of FOXNews.com

I just don't understand comedian Kathy Griffin. Please understand that I like her. She's been on the FOX News Channel quite a bit and for the brief times we've talked, I've found her to be funny and self-effacing.
So, it puzzled me at first, then angered me second, that she would accept an award and then insult a man who preached love and acceptance. Why would someone do that? William Donohue of the Catholic League was so angry that he used the “b” word to describe her (rhymes with rich).
In case you haven't yet heard, on Saturday night at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards, Kathy Griffin won a trophy for her show, "My Life on the D-List." Griffin is sort of the female Rodney Dangerfield. Her gimmick is that she's an entertainer who doesn't get a lot of respect. When she accepted her long-awaited award, she said: "A lot of people come up here and thank Jesus for this award. I want you to know that no one had less to do with this award than Jesus."
Now I could have been mildly insulted at that and turned the other cheek, as the founder of Christianity taught. But then she went on to say "Suck it, Jesus. This award is my God now."
Needless to say, she offended me and millions of other Christians. I don't know what went through her mind and why she would think that was cutting edge or even funny. But first, I want to actually show you that, in fact, Kathy Griffin is wrong. Jesus had everything to do with her winning that award.
And here's the reasoning. Jesus died on a cross 2,000 years ago. His dying words were, "Forgive them Father for they know not what they do." He died and they buried him in a rock cut tomb. Three days later, as the Bible says, he rose from the dead. That day is what Christians celebrate as Easter. After the resurrection, Christianity began to take off like wildfire, spreading from the Middle East northward to Europe and westward into Ethiopia. In 300 A.D. Emperor Constantine accepted Christianity and it became the religion of Europe. Rome soon became the seat of the faith. After several years of human failings, the church went through conflicts and quite a few unbiblical years — the crusades and the inquisition to name just two. Out of that came the Reformation — the reforming of the Church, sort of a back-to-basics Bible and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Out of the Reformation emerged a vision of law by Samuel Rutherford, called Lex is Rex, Law is King. From that, others devised a secular version that is used to help lay the foundation of government for a new land called America.
Ninety-four percent of America's founding era documents mention the Bible; 34 percent quote the Bible directly. The idea of bringing unity to the universal is a particularly Biblical concept. The freedoms we enjoy in this country to speak freely and to live freely are directly related to that man who died on a cross 2,000 years ago. So, you see, Kathy Griffin, Jesus has everything to do with you winning that award.
You live in a free country where your abilities can be recognized if you're willing to work hard enough. That's at least the dream of America. If you'd been born in many other parts of the world, your daily activity might involve seeking out a way to survive, or even trying to avoid persecution and death. Luxuries like pursuing a career in the entertainment industry would never have been realized; luxuries like being able to insult the founder of a religion of forgiveness and acceptance would not have been possible.
Kathy Griffin, just because you "can" say something, doesn't mean you "should." When you say "suck it, Jesus," you didn't just insult Christianity … you insulted the very reason you've prospered.

TOPIC: Christians Told to Convert to Islam or Die!
Christian residents of Charsadda in the Northwest Province of Pakistan received a threatening letter with an ultimatum of 10 days to convert to Islam or face dire consequences and bomb explosions. The deadline of the ultimatum expires on May 17, 2007. According to All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA), copies of the letter are being distributed among the Christians in Charsadda, a town in NWFP where Islamic militants have a heavy presence and are attacking video, audio and barber shops.
APMA says the militants are harassing women to veil themselves and not to attend schools and threatening barber shops to stop shaving beards and mustaches. Charsadda is a town where Federal interior minister of Pakistan, Aftab Ahmed Sherpao, narrowly escaped a suicidal attack last month that killed 28 people and injured several. More than 50 Christian families are residing in a Muslim Majority area of Charsadda. Police officials were informed about the letters and security is being stepped up. An e-mail from APMA obtained by ANS [ASSIST News Service] says:

"Over the past years, the influence of religious extremist groups has increased in NWFP and other parts of Pakistan. These pro-Taliban extremists are committing violence in the name of religion to impose their own radical and Taliban style concept of Islam by force, which is worrisome particularly when these elements are taking law in to their own hands, blowing themselves as suicidal bombers and policing the society."

APMA says the ultimatum has further aggravated the sense of insecurity and fear among the Christians of Charsadda as they are spending their days and nights in fear and many are thinking to vacate the area due to threats and possible attacks. "Christians of Pakistan are already facing victimization and discrimination; many innocent Christians are incarcerated and killed and many become targets due to the misuse of blasphemy law by the extremist elements," the organization says. APMA also says:

"Attacks on Churches, Christian schools and other institutions have been experienced by the Christians of Pakistan in the past few years and now the uprise of vigilante groups and the threats have further aggravated the situation. In these circumstances, the government is unable to control the violent activities of militant organizations in Pakistan or provide protection to its citizens. It is noteworthy that Northwest province is ruled by Muthaida Mjlis -e- Amal, MMA (Coalition of pro-Taliban Islamic parties)."

An APMA team visited Charsadda to express their solidarity with the Christians of the area and higher authorities are being informed and asked to increase the security measures and provide protection to the lives and properties of innocent Christians. Christian residents of Charsadda told the APMA team that although they fear for their lives and are mindful that the militants can kill them, they trust God for their protection and cannot succumb to the demands of the Islamic militants.
APMA asks that concerned Christians kindly pray for the protection and safety of Christians of Charsadda, who continue to remain in siege, but undefeated spiritually and continue to uphold their faith in these difficult times. Please also pray for government of Pakistan that God may provide them wisdom and courage to make sincere efforts to control the situation and violence.

From Islamabad, AsiaNews.it reports the same threatening letter was sent to Christian communities in Charsadda and Mardan, ordering the closure of churches and conversion to Islam within 10 days on pain of execution. The police are treating it as a joke. The bishop of Islamabad has expressed deep fear and called for the support of the government the world. The AsiaNews report says: "Convert to Islam within 10 days and shut down all the country's churches: the ultimatum was delivered in a threatening letter that Muslim fundamentalists sent to Christian communities in Charsadda and Mardan, in northern Pakistan. If their orders are not obeyed, 'all Christians will be executed.'" AsiaNews says the letter was sent on May 7 to local churches, who immediately took it to the police. Feroz Shah, district inspector of Charsadda, said he had investigated the matter. "For him," says AsiaNews "'it's a 'joke', and so 'there is no need to make any arrests'. Christians, he added, 'are safe and well-protected in the area.'"
Mgr Anthony Lobo, bishop of Islamabad-Rawalpindi, does not share the inspector's view. He told AsiaNews: "This letter is not a joke, but a threat that needs to be taken seriously. It has left the Christian community of Pakistan very frightened. We have already appealed to higher powers in the country to ask for help and we will continue to do so." According to AsiaNews, the bishop said it was important "to understand that even jokes, if aimed at minorities, could become reality. Even if this letter is the work of an isolated madman, it's possible that he may commit some atrocity against Christians."
The bishop added: "Now we must pray, but we cannot stop at that. We have already protested against this situation of fear and uncertainty and we will continue to do so. In the meantime, I appeal to the world to help us in this dangerous struggle against fundamentalism."

The Sope-Bocks: I wonder if the hate crimes pundits in the US will speak out against the letter and the group that sent it. Let me guess -- NO, they will not say a single word in support of Christians in Pakistan.

Article from christiansunite.com

TOPIC: Atheists' Mockery at ABC's 'Face Off' on God's Existence
by staff at christiansunite.com
A 100-year-old Baptist church in the heart of New York was the venue Saturday for an ABC debate on the existence of God. Actor Kirk Cameron and best-selling author Ray Comfort "faced off" against two atheists from the "Rational Response Squad," in a debate moderated by ABC Nightline's Martin Bashir.

"We were delighted ABC gave us the opportunity to present our case," said Comfort, "but we were taken aback by the aggressive nature of the debate. The audience was evenly divided between believers and atheists. The believers were very polite and quiet, while the atheists were extremely vocal. 'Nasty' is an appropriate word. We felt life a couple of goldfish in a pool of hungry Piranhas, and were getting a sense of what the early Christians must have felt in a Roman coliseum."

In the debate, Comfort presented proof for the existence of God, while Cameron offered evidence to show that the theory of Darwinian evolution is unreasonable and unscientific. They pointed evolutionists to www.IntelligentDesignVersusEvolution.com, where they're offering $10,000 to anyone who can provide a genuine, living transitional form supporting evolutionary claims. The debate also addressed such questions as "Who made God?" and "What about the heathen in Africa who've never heard about God?"

"The atheists made it very clear they didn't like what we said," Cameron explained. "They were full of mockery and sarcasm, belittling the many great scientists and intellectuals who recognize the existence of a Supreme Being. But the average American isn't viciously anti-God. In fact, polls show that more than 90 percent believe in His existence. Our hope is that the program will cause people to think deeply about the evidence presented, and challenge them to consider this most important issue of life."

While Comfort and Cameron will have to wait until Wednesday [tonight] to see what the public thinks of the debate, they report that they've already received encouraging email from one audience member who commended their presentation: "Good job last night! Although I received my invitation to the show via the atheist camp, I must confess that I was impressed with the two of you (and that I was embarrassed by at least two atheist audience members, whose hostile questions bordered on heckling--I admired your calm and courteous responses). ...I find the 'Design means there was a Designer' argument to be perfectly logical. I just have yet to come across convincing evidence that this Master Designer of the Universe inspired the Judeo-Christian Bible.'
Another encouragement, Comfort added, was that both mothers of the two atheists in the debate are Christians--one of whom was in the front row of the audience. Comfort stated, "Both sincerely thanked us for our stand, and said that they were earnestly praying for us."

The entire debate will be streamed on abcnews.go.com/abcnewsnow on Wednesday, May 9, at 2:00 p.m. EDT (11:00 a.m. PST) and an excerpt will be aired that night [tonight] on ABC's Nightline.

TOPIC: Worldly Values and a Christian World View

It's no wonder unbelievers see Christians in a bad light. People look for something different, something that is important and fulfilling. When we, as Believers, live the same way as "the world", they have little reason to use our lives as an a reason for turning to Christ.
Check your priorities and then ACT like a Christian (or stop claiming to be one). Bear fruit and be an encourager. Love your neighbor as yourself and esteem others more highly than yourself. In an "it's all about me" world, Believers needs to be servants and examples of the things that REALLY make a difference.

TOPIC: Lawlessness & Discrimination Reign in Washington, D.C.

From christiansunite.com

Students violently attack White Advisor Karl Rove with no arrests made. Meanwhile peaceful Christians are threatened with arrest and ordered to stop praying on a Capitol Hill public sidewalk during a Stations of the Cross Celebration last week.
"Law enforcement officials are now responding to events bases on the political beliefs and viewpoint of demonstrators rather than their actions," states Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, Director of the Christian Defense Coalition.
The Christian Defense Coalition has written a letter to the Library of Congress seeking a public apology and clarification concerning the unconstitutional disruption of public prayer. The Coalition is being representing by the American Center for Law and Justice and will seek further federal legal action if the matter cannot be resolved. See the letter online here.
Rev. Mahoney, comments,

"There is now a new standard in Washington, D.C. concerning public demonstrations and political gatherings. If you are involved in an anti-war protest, you can violently attack White House officials with no arrests. You can spray- paint the United States Capitol with no arrests or consequences. You can disrupt news conferences with no arrests. And, you can take over congressional offices with no arrests. Meanwhile, if you peacefully chose to exercise your First Amendment rights by praying in the public square you are ordered to stop, are harassed and threatened with arrest."

This kind of discrimination is both unconstitutional and dangerous and brings us back to a tragic time when people were arrested simply because of their skin color."Is there any person out there who believes, that Christians or conservatives would not have been immediately arrested if they had violently attacked Speaker Pelosi or spray painted the United States Capitol Building? Could you imagine the response of law enforcement officers if pro-life demonstrators had shouted down a news conference by Senator Hillary Clinton?"

The Sope-Bocks: The ACLU, as in the American Civil Liberties Union, has been curiously silent regarding the violation against these Americans, who were exercising their First Amendment rights on a public sidewalk. Ironic, isn't it -- a group that touts itself for being the vanguard of American civil liberties doesn't rush to protect the civil liberties of certain Americans. Thus, my reason for renaming the ACLU the "Anti-Christian Liberties Union"

TOPIC: Liberals Will Introduce Anti-Christian Hate Crimes Bill In Congress This Week

by Staff of christiansunite.com
Cartoon by FaithMouse

As Representative John Conyers (D-Michigan) prepares to introduce the anti-Christian hate crimes bill (Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act) in Congress this week, only one person can stop it - President George W. Bush and his veto pen. "Sadly, this new Congress will probably vote in both the House and the Senate to pass this anti-Christian hate crimes bill," said Traditional Values Coalition (TVC) Executive Director Andrea Lafferty. "If there was ever a bill which needed to be vetoed - this is it."
Most Christians might as well rip the pages which condemn homosexuality right out of their Bibles because this bill will make it illegal to publicly express the dictates of their religious beliefs. "It will elevate homosexuality, which is defined by how its adherents engage in sex, to the same level of those who have fought hard and sacrificed to end discrimination based on race and other factors."
According to Conyers' 'Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act,' homosexuals, cross-dressers and other minority groups are so fearful that they are fleeing across state lines to avoid persecution by violent hate mongers. Conyers' bill claims that these homosexuals and cross-dressers also can't buy goods or services in their home states because of this persecution. "The fact is that Conyers' so-called hate crimes bill is a fraud and designed for only one purpose: to add homosexuals, cross-dressers, drag queens and transsexuals as federally-protected minority groups. There is no 'epidemic' of hate crimes - and no mass migration of homosexuals and cross-dressers across state lines."
The FBI's 2005 hate crimes statistics reveal that one-third of the cases of so-called "sexual orientation" bias, were nothing more than name-calling. There were a total of 1,171 such cases. Of those, 301 were listed as "intimidation," defined in law as name-calling or threats. The ultimate objective of this legislation is to claim that 'hate speech' - criticism of homosexuality - incites individuals to violence and must be suppressed and punished. This will violate the First Amendment rights of any person or group that opposes the normalization of homosexuality in our culture. We oppose passage of this dangerous anti-Christian bill and urge President Bush to veto it.

TOPIC: Take the 'Jesus Family Tomb' Coverage Challenge and Win

What media outlet did the worst job covering the Talpiot tomb news?

Source: ChristianityToday.com

The only thing more ridiculous than filmmakers' claims that a tomb outside Jerusalem once held the bones of Jesus of Nazareth, Mary Magdalene, a son of Jesus, and other family members is some of the media coverage those claims have garnered.
It's hard to top James Cameron when he says things like, "This is the biggest archeological story of the century. It's absolutely not a publicity stunt." But some media outlets seem to be trying hard to do so. Here's a sample, from Nashville's WKRN, which began its report:

For many mainstream or traditional Christians, the belief that Jesus was resurrected from the dead is essential to their very faith[,] so hearing that scientists have used DNA samples to prove that his remains were once in a buried stone casket, if true, would cause them to re-think most everything they have ever believed. In response, many Christians refuse to listen.

While we're pretty comprehensive in surveying the mainstream media, there surely will be even better gems than this. So it's contest time...

What media outlet has the most credulous,
exaggerated, or otherwise wacky report
on the "tomb of Jesus"?

Entries (use their feedback form) are due by Friday, March 9. The winner will receive a one-year subscription to Christianity Today (or one of our sister publications) and a copy of The Tomb of Jesus (the tie-in book to the Discovery Channel "documentary").
The winner will be determined purely at the whim of one or more editors here at CT. So don't take the contest too seriously. We hope you're not taking the documentary too seriously, either.

TOPIC: IRD Promotes 'Amazing Grace' -- Criticizes Jesus Tomb Documentary

From christiansunite.com

The entertainment industry should take a cue from the success of the film "Amazing Grace" and direct its efforts toward faith- affirming productions instead of those that tear down religious faith, according to Institute on Religion & Democracy President Jim Tonkowich.
Tonkowich's comments were directed at a new documentary program airing on the Discovery Channel featuring artifacts that allegedly debunk central Christian doctrine. This past weekend, the film "Amazing Grace," about the life of British abolitionist William Wilberforce, appeared in the box office top 10, despite being in only limited release. IRD President Jim Tonkowich commented:"In a time when people struggle with the discouraging realities of war, poverty and injustice, the entertainment industry should be seeking to uplift rather than tear down."
"The Discovery Channel's program is an absurd venture into irresponsible conjecture that appears to be designed to tear at the fabric of the faith and hope of billions worldwide. This controversy is not about a silly documentary that will be quickly forgotten. Rather, it is about recognizing religious faith as legitimate, credible and beneficial to society. Much like the DaVinci code, the documentary promises a tantalizingly alternative view of Biblical events, but ultimately offers little more than groundless speculation. An ossuary labeled "Jesus" is about as specific to Christ as a chunk of wood that is claimed to be a part of the Ark. This program about Jesus' alleged tomb is little more than a cynical ratings ploy that deserves to be buried with all of the other fantastical claims that arise about the "real" Jesus this time of year."

The Institute on Religion and Democracy, founded in 1981, is an ecumenical alliance of U.S. Christians working to reform their churches' social witness, in accord with biblical and historic Christian teachings, thereby contributing to the renewal of democratic society at home and abroad.

TOPIC: What Iraq's Christians Need

Two strategies to build up the church in the war-weary nation.

A Christianity Today editorial

The war in Iraq, soon to enter its fifth year, has become a costly setback for Christianity in that troubled land. Though Iraq has been associated with biblical and Christian history for 5,000 years, the risk remains high that the current short-term disaster will become a long-term catastrophe. At least two broad strategies must be employed to prevent that. The first is pursuit of religious freedom for Christians and other religious minorities in Iraq. This is a crucial missing link in peacemaking regionally and internationally. Robust freedom to believe must not be lost amid strategies for a military victory.
The consequences of ignoring this priority are real. Last October 21, radical Muslim insurgents burst into an Iraqi workplace in Baqouba, northeast of Baghdad. There they confronted 14-year-old Ayad Tariq and asked for his identity card. After noting his Christian affiliation and questioning him, they declared him a "dirty Christian sinner" and, according to media reports, beheaded him on the spot.
Though tied in part to Pope Benedict XVI's controversial comments about Mohammed, this was no isolated incident. Since 2003, church bombings, kidnappings of clergy, rape and murder of Christians, and other violence has taken a sickening toll. Women risk being attacked when they do not wear the hijab head covering. In some urban areas, 60 percent of churches have suspended worship services.
"These churches are not just laying low—they are being eradicated," said Nina Shea, director of the Hudson Institute's Center for Religious Freedom, in a recent congressional testimony. "Violence against Christians and members of the smallest minorities is conducted with impunity." UN officials recently labeled the flight of refugees from Iraq as a "steady, silent exodus."
Religious-freedom advocates support several worthy initiatives to relieve the suffering of everyday Iraqis. The Bush administration and Iraqi leaders should:

• Stop discrimination in aid grants by naming a special aid coordinator in Iraq to insure that Christians and other minorities receive a fair share of international assistance.

• Implement the creation of a homeland for Christians in Iraq's Nineveh Plains to be governed jointly by Christians and other minority groups. (This is provided for under article 125 of Iraq's new constitution.)

• Provide more comprehensive care for the estimated 3 million Iraqi refugees and internally displaced people. The United States should follow through with its commitment to resettle more refugees from Iraq. In 2006, only 202 were resettled, while a total of 20,000 had been authorized.

• Remove religious affiliation from identification cards. There could hardly be an easier way to protect the lives of Christian civilians, such as Ayad Tariq, than issuing new id cards minus religious labels.

Second, we in the Western church must commit fresh resources to the Assyrian church. After major conflict ended in 2003, relief and mission agencies quickly set up projects nationwide. In the years since, all but 10 mission leaders have pulled out, because no one could guarantee their safety. This withdrawal has usually been a wise decision. But the time is dawning for Christian ministry and church leaders—and those who financially and prayerfully support such ministries—to reengage with Iraq, despite the obvious risks. This means supporting Christian ministries that help the Iraqi church sustain its viability. Outside of Iraq, it means reaching out to the millions of Iraqi Christians scattered worldwide. There are tens of thousands in suburban Detroit and San Diego alone, and smaller pockets elsewhere. These sisters and brothers in Christ have many needs we can address right now.
Someday, we pray, they will be able to return to their homeland, where they will once again bring Christ's healing presence to their torn society.

Comments on the editorial:

H. D. Schmidt

Posted: January 22, 2007 3:00 PM

This Nation was founded for other than using the military to spread the Goodness of Christianity, hence the miltary victory the writer refers to, will only increase the disrespect for the little that is still Christian in America. The Founding Fathers would be appalled reading this about what Christians need in Iraq!

CharlieJ

Posted: January 23, 2007 7:17 AM

People in a free and democratic society should be allowed to worship without fear of reprisal or death from their government or so-called "insurgents". Unfortunately people like H.D. Schmidt (above) fail to see the irony of calling the names of the "Founding Fathers" -- for they would have fought to their own death for the rights of the citizens of a country to believe in God and worship freely. The Founding Fathers would be appalled that we would disregard the beliefs of a people group in lieu of a military victory. For their can be no true freedom without freedom to worship.

TOPIC: This is the True Face of Islam
Original source material: FOXNews
Abu Usamah, 43, is a New Jersey-born Muslim cleric with links to a suspected Al Qaeda operative. He is an example of the TRUE face of Islam.
The imam now is spewing his message of hate to a growing group of followers at a mosque in Birmingham, England. His target: the United States, the United Kingdom, Christians and Jews. Abu Usamah at-Thahabi regularly exhorts worshippers at the Green Lane Masjid, or mosque, in Birmingham to hate Westerners, whom he calls "pathological liars" and "kuffar," a derogatory term for non-Muslims. Abu Usamah also calls for the public crucifixion of all "kuffar" and says they should be "left there to bleed to death for three days."
Sources tell FOX News that Abu Usamah is a mysterious character — no one, including federal agents and fellow imams, seems to know what his name was prior to his conversion to Islam. Just prior to the invasion of Iraq in 2003, he called President Bush a "pathological liar" and constantly argued to his followers that "Jews controlled the media." The New Jersey-born imam, who claims to have studied a strict version of Islam at the Islamic University of Medina in Saudi Arabia rants, "Lying is part of their religion. ... They do whatever they want to do. They are liars, they are terrorists themselves. They are lying, you can't believe them. "They are pathological liars."
He also is heard ticking off an enemies list that includes mainstream British culture. "America, the U.K., Germany and France, they have come against the religion of Islam," he declares. "Popular culture … if you're a person who gives yourself to that, your mind is going to be controlled by the so-called powers to be, who make these manmade laws."
The mosque's official Web site says its purpose is to counter Muslim stereotyping, but the UK's Channel 4 report found there is a secret chat room area of the site that only mosque members know about, where At-Thahabi's lectures are broadcast. It is in this chat room, the report says, that Abu Usamah preaches the creation of a "total Islamic state" that advocates harsh punishments for non-believers. "Whoever changes his religion from Islam," he declares, "kill him, in the Islamic state."

The true face of Islam is one of violence & hatred bent on a worldwide Islamic state. Following that fact through, it also means the total annihilation of all other religious groups, especially Christians and Jews. Make no mistakes folks, Islam is out to kill or convert every single living human being on the planet. They really don't care which -- convert or die. It's time to take the gloves off and fight this evil before it takes over our culture and our country.

Click here to view the British news documentary on Abu Usamah.

TOPIC: Trial Opens on Christian Schoolgirl Beheadings
Here's a story you won't hear on the evening news, nor will you read in the liberal press. It's about muslims murdering Christian children -- in a savage and brutal fashion.
Maria Mackay of Christian Today writes:

Three men went on trial in Indonesia Wednesday charged with the beheading of three Christian schoolgirls in October 2005. The trial of the first of three suspects charged with the beheading of three Indonesian Christian schoolgirls in Indonesia has opened Wednesday in Jakarta.
A Muslim man by the name of Hasanuddin is accused along with Lilik Purnomo and Irwanto Irano of killing the three girls as they walked to their private Christian school near their home in the town of Poso in central Sulawesi in October 2005. The killings were met with shock across Indonesia and the international Christian community.
Sulawesi has struggled to halt violence between the island’s Muslims and Christians and the murders are believed to be religiously motivated, particularly as the head of one of the victims was left outside a church. Tensions have threatened to boil over in recent weeks after three Christian militants were executed in September for fatal attacks against Muslims in 2000 – despite an appeal for clemency from the Pope and widespread international criticism of both the trial and sentences.
The suspects of the beheadings faces charges of premeditated murder and carrying out acts of terrorism, according to the BBC, and all three men could face the death sentence if they are found guilty.
The lawyer to the three men told the Associated Press before the trials that all three had confessed their involvement in the killings, which they said were to avenge Muslim deaths. More than 1,000 people were killed between 1998 and 2001 during fierce sectarian fighting in Poso and nearby regions. Sporadic violence continues despite a government-sponsored peace accord signed by Muslim and Christian leaders in the hope of securing lasting peace.

I ask again -- When are we going to wake up and see the danger of Islam to our beliefs, our way of life and our very lives?!?

TOPIC: Acceptable Conduct?
What is acceptable conduct? In a world where "it's all about me" is the main theme, it seems that ANYTHING is acceptable. That is an incorrect, selfish and destructive train of thought. Here is a good devotional expressing how we should conduct ourselves -- especially pointed towards Christian believers...

Sometimes we read signs that begin with the words, “Rules for Use of . . . .” They might be posted on the wall at a swimming pool or an exercise room. The purpose is to inform or remind you of how you are to conduct yourself there. Paul did that for the church. He made a list that could be posted by the door as a reminder of what is acceptable and unacceptable conduct.
Typically this list is applied only to the leaders of the church. Yet Paul said, “I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God.” Yes, these rules apply to leaders but they are the standard of conduct for all believers.
Now read again 1 Timothy 3:1–13, marking the specific “rules.”

1Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer,[a] he desires a noble task. 2Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. 5(If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?) 6He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap. 8Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. 9They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. 10They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. 11In the same way, their wives[b] are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. 12A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well. 13Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus. 14Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, 15if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

Imagine writing them out and posting them on the wall of the church. “Be blameless” would be rule number one, followed by statements on marital fidelity, temper, self-discipline, hospitality and gossip. Hopefully, this list would make quite an impression on Christians.
Far more significant than pool regulations against running and obeying the lifeguard is this list for conduct in the church. Those pool rules are for your safety, to keep you from getting hurt, and for your enjoyment so that your time at the pool will be pleasant. Following the list in 1 Timothy 3 will do the same: it will keep people from getting hurt at church and help make their time there a blessing.
It is easier to apply rules to others. But don’t miss how your life should measure up to this standard.