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« Thomas Sowell’s Excellent (And Easy To Read) Book On Understanding The Economy | The Election of Obama & Thoughts on Racism in America »

Like Sheep To The Slaughter…………… They Go After Obama

I believe in the separation of church and state as the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution describes it – and as it was intended by our nation’s founders.  The entire principle can be boiled down to this idea:  “The government does not have the right to tell churches what they CAN and CANNOT do.”  The full text of the amendment reads: 

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

God-haters all over America have taken this seemingly clear statement on religious freedom to ban everything from prayer in schools, Scripture reading, Ten Commandments monuments, assault on the Pledge of Allegiance, and on and on and on.  Just last week, I received a letter in the mail from Barry Lynn, Executive Director of the Americans United for Separation of Church & State, threatening me with potential legal action if I made my political views known regarding the upcoming Presidential election.  The law is very interesting.  As a Pastor, I am in violation of American law if I endorse, or SPEAK AGAINST a political candidate at any church function.  Even if I preface the statement by saying it is my PERSONAL position and not necessarily the church’s position.  When the Pastor speaks at any church gathering, the United States government considers him to be a spokesman for the church at large.  And will prosecute the church for what the Pastor says.
    When you hear this, you might be prone to say that this sounds much more like Soviet Russia, or Nazi Germany, or Fascist Italy in the 20th century.  Yet, sadly, this unconstitutional law is vigorously enforced in 21st century America.  (So much for the part about free speech!)  
    Or, perhaps you go in the other direction and are tempted to say that pastors should be concerned with spiritual/moral issues and leave political/governmental issues alone.  Therein lies the greatest misconception on the issue of Church and State relations.  Church and State CANNOT be separated because Spiritual and moral issues CAN NEVER be separated from the political and governmental entities that pass the laws.  Though some erroneously say, “you cannot legislate morality” the fact is that ALL LAWS are an attempt to legislate morality.  We have laws against murder because our society believes murder is immoral (unless it’s a baby in the womb then we mysteriously say it’s OK).  We have laws against rape because we believe rape is immoral.  We have laws against stealing because…..(you get the point). 
    Church and State cannot be separated because morality cannot be separated from the law.  Any attempt to do so will either create churches that are secular and worthless….or laws that are immoral and dangerous.  Both of these absurdities exist in our country today, espoused by liberal organizations and the Democrat party, they have pulled America further and further down the slippery slope to immorality, and the inevitable judgment of God.  You see, GOD isn’t really intimidated by the ACLU.  Their threats don’t scare Him.  He’s not afraid of losing His tax-exempt status.  God calls nations and people to follow Him and His ways.  And when they arrogantly thumb their nose at Him, He continues to show them grace….until He decides enough is enough.  And His judgment falls on the un-Godly.
    We are currently studying the book of Jeremiah in our Wednesday night Bible Study, and the similarities between Old Testament Israel/Judah….and modern day America are shocking.  Israel thought their greatest problems were political and military.  So they made alliances with the world powers of their day Assyria and Egypt.  They turned from Yahweh, the One True God with whom they had a covenantal relationship with…and they turned to pagan nations for protection.  God offered them “fountains of living water”…but they rejected it for “broken cisterns that can hold no water.” (Jeremiah 2:13)  When pagan kings ordered them to desecrate the Temple they willingly obliged.  When pagan nations worshipped idols, Yahweh’s people joined in.  Israel took money from the Temple treasury and gave it to pagan kings as a gift.  They thought they were appeasing the powerful….but in reality, they were mocking the ALL-POWERFUL.  God makes it very clear, through the prophet Jeremiah, that though they were offered blessings –  they chose worldliness — and they would receive Divine judgment.  The same is true of America today.
    Morality cannot be separated from Law.  Christians cannot be banned from the Political process.  And Church CANNOT be separated from State….NOR SHOULD IT BE!  When you eliminate the true Church, redeemed by Christ, from matters of State, you remove the influence of the One True God from the laws of the people.  And Divine Judgment always follows.  The First Amendment is supposed to protect, rather than silence, churches.
    This year, our Presidential election is the most dangerous we’ve seen in our lifetime.  Barack Hussein Obama has no interest in hearing what the Bible says about morality, in fact he openly mocks it.  Obama favors Hate Speech legislation that silences those who speak out on moral issues such as homosexuality.  Obama embraces homosexuality as a “civil right” and will ultimately push for gay marriage.  Obama opposed the Born Alive Infant Protection Act, and was the only Senator to actually give a speech opposing this bill which would have outlawed the murder of newborn children who survived a botched abortion.  Obama favors re-instituting the “Fairness Doctrine” which requires radio stations to have as many liberal shows as conservative.  Should the government have the right to monitor political and religious speech in a free society?  No.  But Obama doesn’t favor a free society.  He favors a far, left-leaning dictatorship where the Government is God…and He serves as King.  Don’t let the smooth speeches and pretty smile fool you.  His record speaks loud and clear…and he has surrounded himself with some very vicious people.  Yet, like sheep to the slaughter, the masses go after Obama.  Not realizing the danger of what they’re doing.
    America’s greatest problems ARE NOT Economic.  Nor are they Military.  Nor are they Educational.  Nor are they Health Care related.  America’s greatest problems are Spiritual and Moral.  America has repeatedly thumbed its nose at God and mocked Jesus Christ and the slide to judgment has picked up steam in the last several years.  A booming economy does no good, when it exists in a nation full of people who are slaves to the government…and are told to look to it for their survival.  God, speaking through the prophet Jeremiah, warned the nation of Judah:  “Your own wickedness will correct you, and your rebellions will rebuke you….For you forsake the LORD your God, and the fear of me is not in you…. And you will be put to shame…” (Jeremiah 2:19, 36)
    I don’t know exactly how God might choose to judge America.  But an Obama presidency could certainly bring much of it about.  I speak now, because I still can.  Obama, and others like him who may very soon be in power, will seek to silence the voice of opposition.  In the style of a dictator, all dissenters will be “tarred and feathered” and laws passed in the name of fighting “hate” will only serve to remove the true and loving voice of God and His people.  As a Pastor, I’m already banned from endorsing political candidates.  Obama will try to ban me from making other “moral” arguments as well…..but we must obey God rather than man (Acts 4:19-20).  Obama and his goons….or some future president and his goons may one day pass laws to silence, imprison, or even execute those that disagree with them.  You say it could never happen here?  That’s the same thing Germany once said, prior to Hitler.  Anything is possible…even in America.  Especially in America….where people are more concerned with their 401 K’s than they are their standing before God.  Yes, I may be one day silenced by liberal goons calling themselves the “hate crimes police”…..but if so, I plan to die happy.  I’ll be with Jesus, who died the same way…..and I’ll be in Heaven where God’s judgment won’t be necessary anymore.
    Jeremiah was aghast at what was transpiring in his nation, and as God said through the prophet:  “Be appalled O Heavens at this, and shudder….for my people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and made for themselves cisterns, broken cisterns that can hold no water.” (Jeremiah 2:12-13) Listen up America!  Jesus is the fountain of living waters.  Obama is a broken cistern that can hold no water.  McCain falls WAY SHORT of Christ….but is MUCH BETTER than Obama.  And on Tuesday, November 4…the ball will be in your court.  Will you choose to reject the immoral policies of Obama?  Or will you embrace Obama and reject the living waters of Almighty God?  Your judgment hangs in the balance.

This entry was posted on October 29, 2008 at 5:12 pm and is filed under Politicians, Political Issues, Homosexuality. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site.

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8 Responses to “Like Sheep To The Slaughter…………… They Go After Obama”

  1. Scott Tibbetts says:
    October 29, 2008 at 8:57 pm

    Oh yes, Shane, I feel your heart and agree with you. In Thailand the only news the Thai hear are from the liberal media, so they are mostly for Obama. “Change” has become such a mantra, but most people have no clue what this means.

    If there is a democratic “supermajority” then we are really in trouble.

    In your prep for Jeremiah you might find “Death in the City” by Francis Schaeffer very good. Schaeffer applies the message of Jeremiah to today’s woes.

    Yes, yes, we have sent our votes in, and now we are praying for God’s will to be done in these elections.

    May God shine His light on your path today - -

    Scott

  2. Debi says:
    October 29, 2008 at 9:15 pm

    Well said as usual. We are living in a very scary time that could get much more so.

  3. Turfkiller says:
    November 2, 2008 at 6:18 am

    I love God, but I certainly think your brand of Christianity is to be loathed and I thank the founders for that wall of separation that keeps your hate on the other side. When preachers and parents want only Christian prayer in schools, it’s a sure sign that they and their parents are not praying enough at home.

  4. Shane says:
    November 2, 2008 at 8:24 pm

    Thanks for the comment “Turfkiller”—I’m curious. Did you even read the article? Your comments about “hate speech” and “wall of separation” only sound like liberal talking points. There is no “wall of separation” found in the Constitution….As for my “brand” of Christianity, its the Biblical “brand” that embraces Christ as Lord, and no others. Any other “God” is a false “God” and should be discarded for the idol that it is. And how would you know how much praying I do at home? I recommend reading Scripture and the U.S. Constitution instead of simply regurgitating what the ACLU tells you to think.

  5. Turfkiller says:
    November 6, 2008 at 11:48 am

    Shawn,

    I am attempting to understand abortion. Abortion as being practiced here is by in large reprehensible. My presuppositions are:

    1. Abortion is not murder. Abortion can only be committed by the mother but can be aided and abetted by those surrounding the mother.
    2. Abortion may be a medically necessary but that is very rare.
    3. While believing human life starts at fertilization appeals simply, there is at least one additional step necessary, implantation in the womb or maybe some day a growth chamber.
    4. Banning, outlawing and prohibition will not stop abortions but makes them extremely risky for those who can not pay enough cash for them.

    As most abortions are morally and ethically abhorrent, I return back to the question of why a mother would kill her baby to avoid the consequences of birthing. Even as a father, I have to wonder why anyone would support a mother killing a child of mine. If a wife was unfaithful would she feel secure enough to carry the baby to term and what kind of father would we be to the baby?

    Mothers make these decisions based on convenience, fear, embarrassment, careers and I have to wonder what is happening to our society and how it is over riding instinctive and natural behavior. What I see is a failure of the churches not in banning abortion but failing to lead on basic moral values. Banning abortion will not fix the failure of religion and church to teach by example but only sweep the problem into the alley. Our churches failures to lead on basic moral values lies primarily not so much on mothers but for fathers, husbands, families, parents and society, laws and regulations. This is evidenced that by most women who have abortions are members of various religions and churches.

    For example, I do not support gay couples being married. Gay couples need a different name for their unions and their relationships regulated. Calling abortion murder makes you no different than gay couples calling their relationship marriage.

    Not moderating comments that are disagreeable is an appropriate response. Not moderating comments you disagree with is intrinsically hate speech. Everyone should wonder how many comments have not been moderated.

    Specifically you first words “God-haters” make my claim of hate speech.

    The Lord has definitely touched my life but He has burden me with improving and developing my articulation and reason. I hope the Lord will burden you with moderating my opinion.

  6. Shane Kastler says:
    November 7, 2008 at 12:54 am

    Turfkiller,
    You think to little of me. I ALWAYS post (and welcome) comments that disagree with me. The only reason I moderate is to eliminate the spam ads. Now for your arguments concerning abortion…
    1. A new life has begun at the moment of fertilization. With your comment on implantation, you seem to be delving into the stem cell issue, and the harvesting of embryonic stem cells with the intent to use medically rather than allow them to mature. The very fact that they’re able to grow and mature, proves that they are living organisms…of a human persuasion…and the intentional removal of life is thus murder. Just because they’re small and out of sight, doesn’t mean we can kill them.
    2. I agree that “medically necessary” abortions are rare. But when they occur, an ethical dilemma arises as to who shall be allowed to live…the mother or the child. A doctor’s goal should be to do all within their power to save both. If he could kill the child and save the mother. Should he? What about if he could kill the mother and save the child. Should he? Sadly, most would be appalled at the latter, but have no problem with the first scenario.
    3. I answered this one with number 1.
    4. You said banning or outlawing abortions would not stop them. You’re right. But the same could be said of rape. Should we legalize that also? What about assault and battery, stealing, etc.? We have laws against these things, but they still happen in “dark alleys”—that doesn’t mean we should legalize it. We cannot make moral decisions in such a pragmatic way. If we take that approach we will end up justifying anything we choose. We must determine whether something is right or wrong (acceptable or unacceptable) and make our laws accordingly.

    I agree with you that many churches have failed in teaching basic morals. This is because many so-called churches are “churches” in name only and they have abandoned the teaching of the Bible. A full-orbed Biblical faith will affect every aspect of our life, and some churches are guilty of only addressing political issues, when they should teach the whole counsel of God.
    As for the abortion/murder/gay marriage argument. You’re right that gay marriage is no marriage at all. But its because they are attempting to “re-define” what marriage means. Murder is defined as the taking of an innocent life. And that is exactly what abortion does. By not calling it murder you’re denying the reality of the act. Which is actually closer to what the gay marriage defenders are doing.
    As for my “hate-speech”—In your initial comment you accused me of “hating”— By citing my quote of “God-haters” you took a phrase I used to describe how some people view God and used it to describe me. I don’t hate anyone…but some in this world clearly hate God.
    In closing, I’m glad to hear that God has touched your life. I’ll pray for you as you continue to seek more and more of His truth.
    Blessings,
    Shane Kastler
    P.S.—Should I call you “Turfkiller” when I’m praying for you?

  7. Turfkiller says:
    November 12, 2008 at 11:55 am

    Dear Shane,
    I sincerely appreciate and recognize the time you have taken in responding. You have given me much to think about over your ideas and beliefs and my ideas, beliefs and articulation of them.

    One of my earlier comments had not been moderated but it sounds like more of an oversight then intentional.

    I am not going to go over every detail but the process from sex through birth is not perfect. Medical advances have helped increase the chances of success for those who want children and made it safer for those who do not. It’s motives and intentions that make the difference between medical abortion and abortion murder.

    “..intentional removal of life..” is not always murder. There are very good reasons and many different degrees of murder and manslaughter when it’s done for the wrong reasons. It’s just not as simple as all abortion is murder. While killing is intentional but soldiers have different motives and so it’s not murder. Soldiers kill innocents but it’s not murder. There are medically valid reasons for aborting a child or one or more in multiple births but we both believe that many abortions are performed for immoral reasons. How do we separate the good from the bad?

    This is where we as parents, spouses and our churches have failed. Mother’s are motivated to kill children for many reasons. Some may be obeying their parents. Others may be hiding their unfaithfulness or protecting their life style. In the book titled Grand Illusions, The legacy of Planned Parenthood George Grant starting on page 199 describes an incident where reputation was the motivation. In counseling the other Pastor, George Grant failed to accept and celebrate the new life but bemoaned and grieved.

    We don’t ban sex to ban rape. We criminalized rape knowing that rape has nothing to do with sex. Is banning all abortions without regard for any cause in an attempt to stop those with immoral and criminal intentions is no different than the Prohibition era and just as likely to fail for the same reasons.

    Rape has nothing to do with sex, murder and manslaughter have nothing to do with killing and medical abortion has nothing to do with immoral abortion / abortion murder. All of these involve intentions and motivations.

    How do you criminalize abortion murder? How do we control medical abortion and all the ethical questions that entails? I think it can be done but first leadership and moral teaching needs to start with each Christian. Leadership is failing.

    Another example of Church failure are the Roman Catholic Bishops who this week“ . . . approved a new “Blessing of a Child in the Womb.” The prayer seeks a healthy pregnancy for the mother and a plea that “our civic rulers” perform their duties “while respecting the gift of human life.”
    The Bishops need to direct this more to their congregations. They have failed to teach “that the only differences in people are the things they do when things are wrong.” Bishops have failed to teach, demand or ask fathers and mothers in their congregations “What will you do when your wife has another man’s baby? Your teenager is pregnant what will you do? “ instead they focus on the Supreme Court and government to solve the problems they have in their own Church congregations. They have no faith in their congregation and obviously less in the teachings and examples of Jesus.

    Finally, I have never found a God-hater. I find a lot of hypocrisy, those who just don’t care and a lot of bumper sticker Christians. I don’t know who or what you mean by God-haters.

    I’ve backed up on gay relationships and need to reconsider my basic questions and presuppositions.

    My comment on implantation would have been better stated as future medical advances that are yet to be discovered and was not about stem cells. “harvesting of embryonic stem cells” sounds horrible. Stem cell issue may be irrelevant as it may be done in other countries. I have no knowledge on stem cell issue to have even a simple opinion but will be looking into it.

    Thank you for your time and prayers. I promise to keep my comments much simpler and make it easier for the both of us to converse and follow.

  8. Shane Kastler says:
    November 18, 2008 at 12:11 pm

    I agree with you that not all “intentional removal of life” is murder. I should have worded that a little differently. And I agree that the church, by and large, hasn’t lived up to their responsbility in teaching the people. I think the reason for this is that many church’s have embraced an “issues” based brand of topical teaching instead of a systematic teaching of the Bible and its application to daily life. But that’s a blog for another day….You said: “rape has nothing to do with sex”–I know the point your making, that rape is more about a power trip than anything else…but its not true to say “rape has NOTHING to do with sex” because rape, by defintion is forceable sex. While you’re right, that the deeper problem with rapists may not be of a sexual nature…but we still legislate against the act of rape because it harms others. The same is true for abortion. You said that criminalizing abortion can be done, but we have to start with Christian leadership. I agree that Christians need to lead the charge in this area, which is what many of us are attempting to do. But I don’t think we should wait until everyone is on board before we seek legislative restrictions of such an abhorent act. Yes, we teach. But in the mean time, we do what is right. Will it fail as prohibition did? Perhaps. But we should make our decsions based on right and wrong, not on the unknown potential consequences of doing the right thing….As for God-haters…in Romans 1, the Bible talks of those who have so embraced sin that God has essentially handed them over to the sin they have sought. It lists several aspects of such people including their “hatred for God” (see Romans 1:30). You can see hatred of God manifested in many ways in our nation today. From the atheiststs who refuse to even admit God exists…to those who so despise God’s Word that they violently protest against Proposition 8 in California…To those who re-define God into something that appeals to them more than the God who is revealed in Scripture. Why do they do this? Because they hate the God of Scripture that calls some of their pleasures “sin.” Furthermore, Jesus was hated by many in his day, and he assured his followers that others would hate them because of their assocation with him. (see John 15:18-19)
    Thanks again for your comments,
    Shane

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