I cannot remember a time when religion was in the news to the extent we see it today. Most of the reason for that is terrorism attacks by radical Muslims but there is also a great deal of public attention focused on Christianity these days.
Of course much of what we see and hear is either distorted or downright wrong. For example, Pope Benedict XVI was lambasted by Muslims around the world recently for comments he made during a speech in Germany . Would it surprise you to know that the point the Pope was making was the exact opposite of what he was accused of? You can find the entire text of his speech on the Vatican ’s website at www.vatican.va.
Then there was Rosie O’Donnell’s ridiculous comment on the ABC TV program “The View.” Ms. O’Donnell said “Radical Christianity is just as threatening as radical Islam in a country like America .” Even her liberal co-hosts were shocked and immediately pointed out that Christians are not threatening to kill anyone.
The Pope apologized. ABC did not.
NBC TV aired a prime time special with Madonna hanging on a cross. Not only is there no apology, these types of programs are considered “brave” and “cutting edge” by Hollywood . I think it’s interesting that they don’t consider anything criticizing Islam as brave. I guess they’re not that brave.
Last, and probably least, is NBC TV now showing episodes of the Christian cartoon Veggie Tales. NBC decided to censor them in order not to offend any atheistic four year olds. A friend sent me a tongue in cheek letter to NBC written by Bill Hanes. I close with his comments:
I want to thank NBC for beginning to see the light that vegetables have a big influence on the culture in America and that vegetables need an advocate for protection.
It is sad when these right-wing conservative Christians use vegetables to promote their religion of love. I am speaking about poor old Bob the Tomato on Veggie Tales! I wonder how he feels being pushed into the role of defender of Christian love. So, I am very happy that the NBC executives made such a bold and radical move of censoring the original Veggie Tales programs that had the audacity to tell children that God loved them. What courage that took on the part of NBC executives!!!!
You can be sure that I am going to make sure I tell lots of children to watch Veggie Tales on NBC and the other cartoons they have on Saturday morning because I really don’t want my children, or any other children, exposed to any poor vegetable forced to say that the Christian God loves children.
Matter of fact, it really makes me want to watch any program on NBC. So you can be sure I am very motivated to watch NBC programs now because I feel so protected; again, what courage and boldness,
P.S. If you know any 12 step programs to help me I would appreciate it. After thinking about poor old Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber being forced to say those things I just can’t eat any more salad. Am I abusing those vegetables? Are they forced to be my food? Please help me!
The Seneca Cayuga Tribe is in the process of buying 30 acres in Grove to build a casino. The land is located just north of the Grand Lake Association building on Highway 59. Some think Indian tribes can place casinos anywhere they wish with impunity but that’s not true. In order for land to be purchased for gambling purposes, that land must first be put in trust and the plan then must be approved by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The BIA allows time for public comment and there are several cities in the United States right now that are successfully resisting Indian casinos in their communities.
That resistance has been successful only when city and community leaders have presented a united voice to oppose gambling in their city.
Just a year ago, the Seneca Cayuga Tribe was attempting to purchase land adjacent to Sailboat Bridge . A resolution was presented to the Grove City Council in opposition to the plan. Here is an excerpt:
As business leaders and pastors, we together resolve to oppose the expansion of gambling, and in particular the introduction of new casino facilities, within the city limits of Grove, Oklahoma .
We believe that the entire enterprise of gambling and casinos is completely opposed to the principles of the Word of God. It reveals dissatisfaction with God’s provision, as well as encouraging a desire to gain something for nothing, therefore contributing to the moral decay of society.
Gambling, including casinos, will increase the need for criminal justice and social welfare programs at a high price. We know that gambling can be addictive behavior that leads to compulsive and sometimes pathological problem gambling.
The casinos that would be introduced to the city of Grove would, without regard to whatever else it might bring, expand the potential for a loss of income that would exert unnecessary pressure upon families, create more opportunity to entrap people in compulsive life activity, and direct the energy of many lives to focus upon the results of gambling instead of trusting God for the future.
Because we are opposed to gambling, including casino-type gambling, we respectfully ask that you as our elected representatives do everything within your power to oppose such development.
Signed: Mr. Jeff Lungren, Auto Dealer: Mr. Howard Sitton; Dr. Leonard Miller, retired; Dr. Zach Bechtol, Family Physician; Mr. Marty Dyer, Realtor; Mr. Dale Moore, Denture and Dental Services; Mr. & Mrs. Tim Langley, Builders and Realtors; Mr. Gerald Mills, Mills & Mills Inc.; Mr. Darrel Mastin, Investment Representative; Mr. Ed Hamilton, Banker; Mr. Tom Locke, Banker; Mr. & Mrs. Craig Schaeffer, Realtor and Builder; Mr. Rowdy Morris; Mr. William Gregory, Administrative Manager; Mr. Donald P. Smith, Realtor; Mr. Charles Needham, Realtor; Mr. & Mrs. Quinton Dodd, Realtors; Mr. Phil Holmon, Director Northeastern Baptist Churches; Rev. James S. Wilder, First Baptist Church; Pastor Steven G. Dyer, Newsong Church; Pastor Wayne Shaw, First Christian Church; Pastor Phil Buck, Lakewood Community Church; Pastor Leon Vernon, Grove Christian Center; Pastor Gerald Helms, First Assembly of God; Pastor Marty Hughes, Independent Baptist Church; Pastor Bill Lay, Cornerstone Church; Pastor Randall R. Hamill, First United Methodist Church; Pastor Mark Hester, Elk River Baptist Church.
The Sailboat Bridge plan has apparently been replaced by this new idea next to GLA. If we want Grove to remain a clean wholesome community we are going to have to take a solid stand as a community.
Should the tribe persist in this plan, we will be calling upon all business, community and religious leaders to join in this effort.
The slimy little pervert who claimed he killed JonBenet Ramsey will apparently not be charged with her murder. Since DNA tests did not match anything found at the scene of the little girl’s murder, officials have concluded that John Mark Karr was just a slimy little pervert and not a murderer.
It makes for great television news fodder. It has all the elements of scintillation; sex, beauty, intrigue, mystery and evil. As usual, in our sound bite driven self-absorbed society, the larger problem is completely overlooked in the midst of the lurid details.
America is in the midst of a pornography explosion. The internet is the primary vehicle and Americans (mostly men) are devouring it to the tune of billions of dollars each year.
The statistics are truly staggering. There are now over four million pornographic websites. The porn industry rakes in $14 billion a year. 15% of those who view porn on the internet will develop sexually deviant problems. The largest group of internet porn viewers is 12-17 years of age.
For years we’ve been told that pornography is a victimless crime. The lie was accepted and criminal penalties for pornography were largely removed a generation ago. When the victims surface, the psychologists and social engineers who convinced us there were no victims simply try to pretend the victims don’t exist.
The mass murderer Ted Bundy explained in detail how his pornography addiction led him down a path that ended in his execution. America yawned.
Now John Mark Karr is living in a fantasy world of child sex and bondage. America listens for a few minutes and then yawns. There are millions more just like him lustfully fantasizing over internet filth right now.
Our society and our government are not accurately assessing the risk it poses to our children and our future. JonBenet was one little girl that was murdered, but there are many that are victims to this horrible explosion of pornography.
Our greater problem is that we must do something about this epidemic. Our Congress outlawed internet pornography in 1996. President Clinton signed the bill. The Supreme Court at that time ruled it unconstitutional. Perhaps the best way to fight this problem is to pass a similar bill today.