Congress needs to stop appeasing and start atonement

Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
March 16, 2023

It started as a spiritual battle to give hope of healing to a man so he could pass it on to the world. That was what The Scribe Of Salem was all about. Each one of the people had their own struggles until someone came into their lives to help them heal spiritually. Each of them had given up on the hope they would find the answers in a church. The truth is, far too many churches in this country are far from what Christ preached. We may dismiss all this by saying "to each their own" referring to choices, but that created our blindness to what is going on in this country.

13th Minister Of Salem

By the 3rd book, 13th Minister Of Salem, they realize the battle is far from over. Too many have used faith as a political weapon to destroy those with different beliefs. None of this is new. It happened throughout history all over the world. It happened in this country when people hid behind the church to seek retribution and retaliate against anyone they hated. The Salem Witchcraft Trials were not because the leaders actually believed the accused were witches and wizards. They only used what they caused the people to believe was true. They made use of what was done in Scotland, England, and other countries, paying people to hunt down the accused, and torture them into confessions that were only said to end the torture while knowing it would also result in their deaths.

The Salem Witch Trials were a continuation of the abuse of faith. Men and women did horrible things to innocent people and blamed God for all the terrible things they did.

"As years passed, apologies were offered, and restitution was made to some of victims and their families. In 1697, the Massachusetts General Court ordered a day of fasting and prayer in atonement for errors made by the colony, including the witchcraft trials. On this day one judge, Samuel Sewall, and 12 jurors, came forward to apologize for their roles in the Salem witch trials. The other magistrates never admitted there had been a miscarriage of justice, going to their graves believing they did what was best for the colony." (Salem Witch Museum)

The question is, did they apologize because they saw themselves for what they became, or did they do it because they carried so much guilt that every calamity became viewed as God's judgment against them?

On the morning of December 25—no holiday for the Puritans—Sewall buried his little daughter Sarah. That afternoon he sat in the family tomb and contemplated the coffins of his mother, father, cousin, and six dead children. In these gloomy surroundings he must have meditated on the Bible verses his son had read the previous day, especially Matthew 12:7 (“And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless”), which “did awfully bring to mind the Salem Tragedie.” Over the next three weeks Sewall prayed fervently for help, and by the time of the appointed fast day, he knew what he had to do. (American Heritage)

Let the words "and  if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' you would have not condemned the gutless." (Matthew 12:7)

By most accounts, the trials played a major role in the 1st Amendment.

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;"

We are all supposed to have our rights protected equally, no matter what faith we choose as well as the freedom to not participate in any form of religious affiliation. Some want to blame others for trying to take away their rights simply because they do not agree with them, while no one is trying to stop them from believing what they choose. The truth is, those screaming the loudest about are the ones trying to empower their faith to rule over everyone else. Not much different than what happened during the witch trials. Is it?

This is why no member of Congress, no court, and no law enforcement agency should assume the power to prevent citizens from making their own choices. There are plenty of choices for all of us. There are many different faiths, and even within Christianity for us to decide for ourselves. I choose the spiritual path and practice it daily and devotedly. I judge no one for what they believe because I can only judge what they do.

To me, it is less reprehensible for someone to be selfish, evil, power-hungry, and lie about it than it is for someone to claim to be a follower of Jesus while condemning others and spewing contempt for the Son of God they claim to follow and all He taught.

When we allow politicians to make laws because of what they claim they believe, we are no longer free to make our own choices. When we allow our rights to be eroded one by one, we are no longer the country we were meant to be.

The freedom to choose for ourselves what is right for our own families is being taken away from us. It is no longer our decision to raise our children with love and acceptance of their uniqueness. It is no longer acceptable for us, or anyone else, to value the souls of others above the bodies those souls live in. When I hear someone claim to be "pro-life" referring to the unborn, yet they support everything else that destroys the living, they become liars, proving they are pro-birth. Many different faiths in this country believe it is the living, those born with the soul from God within them, that should matter more. 

They condemn people for being "woke" when in fact they want to simply rectify the harm done to others because of the color of their skin. They condemn those who were born into a biological body that does not reflect who they are inside that body. It no longer matters to the "judges" if they are good, loving people treating others with respect and kindness, when they can turn around seeking the power to control them out of hatred.

Politicians use faith like a weapon and then when they cannot find support for their deeds among voters, they seek to remove the ability to vote against them.

Maybe it is time for Congress to have "a day of fasting and prayer in atonement for errors," made by Congress and all leaders in every state who have forgotten they are supposed to be representing all their citizens and not just the ones they seek to appease by abusing the power they were given. 

Alex Wagner, fascinating and infuriating

Alex Wagner is fascinating and infuriating because of her second show last night on MSNBC. I wanted to watch because she was covering what is happening in Florida with teachers being subjected to such extremes, that the shortage of teachers has caused the state to offer veterans positions, simply because they are veterans. (Needless to say, I am glad I moved out of Florida after 15 years there.) Her coverage of what teachers are going through with their training as the state is sinking to a whole new level of indoctrination of "Christian Nationalism" was fascinating.

It was the discussion that was carried out throughout the rest of the show that infuriated me.

She was interviewing Jelani Cobb, dean of the Columbia Journalism School. He is brilliant and Wagner is clearly intelligent. So how is it they missed the biggest point of all?

They missed the encapsulation of the many different Christian-based faiths into one use. Most of us are no longer wondering why Christianity itself has become an uncomfortable thing to belong to.

This is why the Constitution's 1st Amendment is something that needed to be first. It allows people of all faiths to choose on their own what they believe and to believe in nothing. It gives all people the right to speak freely so that no one can say only certain thoughts can be spoken. It gives the press the right to report. Other laws are in place to insure that the rights of others are not violated because of what some freedoms grant them to inflict damage onto others. You cannot slander anyone or you get sued.

All the other Christians out there trying to live as people of good deeds and trying to do the right thing have been slandered because of what the fringe Christian Nationalists try to do to everyone.

Is that really a problem, or just an abstract worry?
It is a serious problem. When nationalists go about constructing their nation, they have to define who is, and who is not, part of the nation. But there are always dissidents and minorities who do not or cannot conform to the nationalists’ preferred cultural template. In the absence of moral authority, nationalists can only establish themselves by force. Scholars are almost unanimous that nationalist governments tend to become authoritarian and oppressive in practice. For example, in past generations, to the extent that the United States had a quasi-established official religion of Protestantism, it did not respect true religious freedom. Worse, the United States and many individual states used Christianity as a prop to support slavery and segregation.

In other words, when you hear people saying the word Christian you may simply assume that you are included in the discussion of what nationalism is doing to the country.

If your faith is strong, you can stand up against this assault with confidence, defending that which you believe. If it is weak, then you may just go against the core of your soul and capitulate to their whims. If we do not defend all people of all faiths in this nation, then what are we willing to become?

Do you think that they will only go after non-Christians? They will not stop there. They will keep eroding all they can until they become the very thing the founding fathers reviled. They will be as the Pharisees were, hypocrites!

All of us of good faith, no matter what that faith is, need to stand up to them and make sure that reporters open their eyes to the fact that there are over 200 different Christian denominations in the US, but not all citizens are among them. The truth is, less than half the population attend religious service, no matter what group they feel connected to. Needless to say, there are also non-Christian-based faiths here are well. 

We may not agree on what we believe but I think we all agree that should be left entirely up to each one of us to decide on our own and not have it forced on us, especially with our tax dollars. That is what all these new laws and regulations are funded by. All of our tax dollars pay for these politicians to take away our rights to believe as we choose to.

I don't know about you, but too many members of my family served in the military defending the rights these elected people want to take away. I want my rights defended as much as I want my neighbor's rights defended and it is appalling so many of us are afraid to even speak out to defend others or even our own.

Start finding out what you are voting for when you decide who to vote for instead of what party they represent. I want to know if they represent the rights of all, or just for some. I want to know if they are true to what they claim, or simply claim it hoping no one notices they are liars. It is time for us to make the devil tremble in the details of the truth.

The truth is, God was pro-choice because He gave all of us free will to decide for ourselves!

Watch Alex Wagner Tonight Highlights: Aug. 17

What about our rights to believe what we choose to believe?

Kathie Costos
June 26, 2022

This was supposed to be a nation where everyone could hold their own religious beliefs and be equally protected under the law. So how is it that the beliefs of the minority of the country, became the law all of us are forced to live with? They use what they believe to remove the same right of others to decide for themselves what they believe!

What about our rights to believe what we choose to believe? The question "who gave them the right to take away our rights" was answered Friday, June 24, 2022.

Why on earth should any of us have to believe what the pro-birthers choose to believe? Why should we have to bow down to their opinion over anything?  Aren't these the same people who supported what Trump did to the country and his moral perversions? He lied about everything, yet they believed. He lied about losing the election, but they violated the Constitution laws about the transfer of power because they didn't like the outcome and refused to believe the majority of the country found Trump unworthy to lead this nation. Justice Thomas's wife had been active in attempting to overturn the election, and yet, he was allowed to participate in hearing the case for Congress to obtain evidence regarding those involved in the efforts to overturn a lawful election. We've seen the result of their "moral" opinions.

So how is it that the rest of the people in this country are supposed to yield our own beliefs, our own faith, our own choices to them? We aren't!

People are fighting back!

Florida's new abortion law violates religious freedom, a synagogue's lawsuit says

NPR AP

"As such, the act prohibits Jewish women from practicing their faith free of government intrusion and this violates their privacy rights and religious freedom," says the lawsuit, filed Friday in Leon County Circuit Court.

The lawsuit adds that people who "do not share the religious views reflected in the act will suffer" and that it "threatens the Jewish people by imposing the laws of other religions upon Jews."

‘It’s important to fight’: US cities erupt in protest as Roe v Wade falls

The claim that pregnancy is a gift from God does not hold up. 

If pregnancy is a gift from God, then why are there so many with birth defects instead of perfect bodies?

If pregnancy is a gift from God, then why do miscarriages happen? Is He taking the gift back?

If pregnancy is a gift from God, then why would God give a man a female child to rape and then cause her to become pregnant with his child and her sibling?

If pregnancy is a gift from God, then why would He use a rapist to deliver it by force on a woman? Would He deliver a gift using rape?

If pregnancy is a gift from God, then why would He give it to some evil person He knows will abuse that child, yet refuse to give the gift to a woman who will cherish that child? Do they think God doesn't know the hearts and minds of all of us?

It is not the human form that is the Gift from God but it is the soul that lives within all those born. What we believe is a personal issue between us and God. 

This used to be a nation where all of us had the right to be free to choose our own beliefs. Now we have judges on the Supreme Court because they lied to Congress. There should be laws against them. Oh, wait, there are! One more reason as to why removing Republicans from office is necessary for the defense of freedom for the rest of us! That is the only way our rights will be restored and impeachment of the liars can happen.

The loudest voices do not speak for the rest of us!

Kathie Costos
June 25, 2022

I woke up this morning in a country I no longer recognize. Every time I heard a pro-birth person say they "believe" life begins at conception, all I could think about was when others believed they were the only Godly people in Salem. Everyone else, not believing or acting like they decided they should, was subjected to accusations, imprisonment, trials, and often, death.

Today on PTSD Patrol I posted SCOTUS: Salem Witch Craft Trials 2.0 It was because the ruling from the Supreme Court eliminating the rights of females to decide what they choose is right for them, was so vital, that the right to choose was the first sentence of the 1st Amendment to the Consitution.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;

In other words, even back then, people were supposed to have the freedom to make their own choices. While this was written, women had very little choice over much at all. SCOTUS ruled against the 1st Amendment by the ruling based on religious reasons and not medical ones. 

The pro-birth movement kept screaming that life began at conception but the Bible does not agree with that. There is a lot that some people believe, but that is their choice. The problem came when they wanted to enforce their rights while making everyone else surrender their own rights.

That is what happened during the Witch Craft Trials. Pilgrims came here for various reasons but one of them was religious freedom. They turned around in the next generation and used it against 200 people and putting 20 of them to death.

You can read more on the link to the post but it was because of this, that I wanted to make sure people knew, this was one of the reasons why I felt it was necessary to write The Lost Son Alive Again and Stranger Angels Among Us. I had to rewrite them because the loudest voices in this country are pushing people away from God.

Over 90% of the people I helped during the last 40 years, said they believed in God, and most believed in Jesus, but none of them attended church. I had to reassure them that Jesus didn't attend a church building either. As a matter of fact, He wasn't free to preach in a Temple either. He prayed and preached outside most of the time. Then I had to reassure them that they could reach God all on their own with a direct line of communication from their soul directly to the One that sent it into their body the second they were born.

Why was that important? Because spiritual healing is vital in healing what other humans do to us. It is vital when a health issue or natural disaster causes PTSD along with everything else. If they understand what PTSD is, then they will go for help. When they understand it, they go for mental health help and the healing begins. Add in spiritual help and there is greater healing.

The National Center for PTSD even approves it! Are you going to go if you think it is all about what the zealots, haters, and corrupters of Christianity have delivered? I wouldn't. The thing is, it doesn't matter what you believe spiritually because the power is in feeding your soul. 

If you believe in God as a Christian, then please understand that the people with the loudest voices do not speak for the rest of us! If you don't believe as a Christian, then please still seek spiritual healing from people of groups who believe as you do. PTSD isn't a Christian thing. It's a survivor thing! 

Matthew 5 Christians time to speak boldly

Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
June 6, 2022

Are you a Matthew 5 kind of Christian? Those who believe they should treat others the way Jesus explained it in the Sermon On The Mount, need to start speaking out just as loudly as those who scream about condemning others, treating others horribly, and lying about how "Christian" they claim to be. To me, they are not just repulsive but make others think all Christians are like them'

 We live in some terrible times but instead of being the voice of what Jesus taught, we walk away, shaking our heads in disgust and then fear saying we are Christians because of them.

When 19 little children and two teachers were slaughtered at Robb Elementary School, right away politicians who professed the loudest about their so-called "Christian values" were defending gun rights instead of the rights of these children to go to school and for parents to be able to send them without fear they would be slaughtered by a weapon intended for war.

People like Sen. Ted Cruz actually said that it was more a mental health issue than a "gun" issue.

Cruz continued to say that targeting felons and fugitives and those with mental illness is a more effective strategy in preventing crime.
The rebuke was swift.

Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) also had choice words for Cruz, tweeting at the Texas senator, “F— you @tedcruz you care about a fetus but will let our children get slaughtered. Just get your ass to Cancun. You are useless.”
Gallego was referencing when Cruz flew to Cancun, Mexico, while his home state of Texas experienced a severe power outage that left millions of Texans without heat or electricity in February 2021.

Firstly, we have the fact that Cruz admitted that people with mental illness can get their hands on these guns at will, but he doesn't have a problem with it. If he cared, then he would support background checks and limitations to access. The slaughterer managed to buy two AR15s on his eighteenth birthday, in the same state where he cannot buy a handgun until the age of twenty-one.

Cruz went to speak at the NRA convention along with others and blamed "evil" for what was done, yet again, avoiding the fact that evil people can obtain these killing machines as easily as everyone else. It is repulsive they do not have a problem with that at all. Ex-President Trump added this, "The existence of evil is one of the very best reasons to arm law-abiding citizens."

There were heavily armed men outside of the school when the children were being slaughtered, yet they insist that arming more people, including teachers will solve the problem.

They use the title of Christian while they do not prove they have any relationship with Jesus at all. These quasi-Christians have been allowed to corrupt people by using their fame to turn people away from Jesus as well as everything that is good. They say that evil is bad while committing evil acts, and we say nothing?

There is a group in the House holding hearings on the January 6th attack on the US Capitol searching for facts. The same people screaming about how their faith matters so much, have no problem with what was done in Trump's name and want to divert the conversation from seeking the truth into something politically motivated when their own actions trying to overturn the election were in fact politically motivated.

When does this end and when do we rise up to speak boldly against these people who apparently hate all we are supposed to love. Seeking to destroy all we are taught we should value, they claim their right to do it. When do we claim our right to defend the One We Follow? 

People like them add to the number of people with #PTSD by all they stand for, from gunshot victims, pandemic patients, and people being attacked for what they do in their own personal lives with the same free will choices we all have. We are only supposed to live our own lives and take care of others with kindness and love, as directed by Jesus. Top all that off within this country, everyone is free under the Constitution to worship as all of us see fit. 

So, when do we do it?

The freewill to decide for themselves

Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
May 16, 2022 

"Ekklesia means ‘the called out ones’ and was about God’s people, not a building."

From Stranger Angels 2nd Edition coming soon.

That is from Stranger Angels. Don't believe it because you never heard it mentioned in church? It should have been because it came from the Book of Acts 7:48-50

48 “However, the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says:
49 “‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool.
What kind of house will you build for me? says the Lord. Or where will my resting place be?
50 Has not my hand made all these things?

Jesus gave many lessons about one faith. He preached outside and told everyone to pray to "Our Father" instead of telling them they must do it in a church. There weren't any churches back then. There were only temples. 

They did not have all these different denominations of followers of Christ. Aside from that fact, this nation has the rights of all people to decide for themselves what they believed, or did not believe. 

The founding fathers were brilliant because those were the same rights and freedoms God grated every human. The freewill to decide for themselves.

So how did we ever get to the point where a religious point of view has been granted so much power over the rest of the people in this country? That is what the abortion debate is all about and is not what all Christians think. The Presbyterians came out and defend the rights of people to choose for themselves.

PARO welcomes those who support the full range of reproductive options that ensure that every child is loved and wanted. The network is committed to ensuring that the policy of the PC(USA) is articulated, understood, and preserved for future generations.

They are not alone defending choice. Presbyterians also support gay rights, but leave it up to congregations to choose to allow it or not. Choice within the same group is a marvelous thing to do. Imagine that! There are many divisions among Christians, and as it should be, however, anyone demanding a right be removed by anyone, or group, is wrong. That is why there are so many different beliefs in Christianity. Now set that aside and realize where you live. You live in a nation built upon freedom of religion. It is so important it is in the 1st Amendment to the Constitution.

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.

The right of all people to decide what they believe and how they will live their own lives is up to them. For the Supreme Court to dare demand everyone else obey a "moral" decision is anti-American and anti-God considering He gave us all the right to decide for ourselves.

Our moral values are often offended by those who scream the loudest because we have to defend ourselves against how they portray themselves on religious grounds. They give the false impression that they speak for all Christians.

It has gotten so bad, that my last three books had to be rewritten because while a lot of people thought the story was really good, they did not like the Bible passages. I included them in on the first editions because people who do not attend church, are usually not aware of how much power and comfort is within the pages. I had to take them out and only left the reference to where the thoughts came from.

That's the thing that really gets me because not attending a "church" is actually supported in the Bible itself. 

This is from Stranger Angels, coming soon on Amazon.

Chris, Bill and David just heard Greet talk about how Paul had Stephen stoned to death. Chris had been accused many times of trying to take down churches. Greer, the daughter of a fabulous preacher, was not just one of Chris's best friends, she was one of his defenders.

They all noticed her face changed and her back stiffened up. David took her hand, “What just happened? What’s going on with you?”

“I just remembered what else Stephen said. God! I wish I remembered it when Chris was being accused of wanting to take down the church!”

“What else did he say?”

“He said that God doesn’t live in houses built by human hands. That He created everything.” She turned to Chris, “I’m sorry that I didn’t remember that. He was saying what others said before him and that God didn’t want building and when Jesus said that Peter was the rock He wasn’t talking a stone one but a living one. He told the people to pray to His Father directly. People use the word church without understanding what Jesus was actually talking about. Ekklesia means ‘the called out ones’ and was about God’s people, not a building. That is exactly what you’ve been saying.”

Chris covered his mouth while he started at Greer. David looked at him, “She’s right. I didn’t remember that either but somehow I knew you were on the right track with what you’ve been saying all along. I mean, if a fire burns down a church, people can still pray on their own. How many churches have had to close and ended up being sold, turned into a house, or office space because people stopped going to them? Safe bet people didn’t think that God died just because their church did. They are all just places and not some kind of super connector to God.”

Bill added, “Just like my Dad and Mandy. They prayed directly to God and didn’t need a church building to do it for them.”

“You’re all right.” He turned to Greer, “That really helped and in a way, I’m glad you didn’t remember it before because that would have reenforced the things I’ve been accused of doing. Now that I know that, I’ll know what to say the next time.”

How could anyone expect someone to seek spiritual healing for PTSD or any other illness, if all they hear are voices condemning them? How can anyone learn how much they are loved by God if they never hear how He created their souls and their bodies are just a vehicle for their souls? Or that they are free to decide for themselves what they do and do not believe?

It is time for the voices of Christians to defend their faith against those who seek to silence them. We should all be tired of them deciding they have the right to decide for everyone else.

VA announces proposed rule regarding equal treatment of faith-based organizations in VA

VA announces proposed rule regarding equal treatment of faith-based organizations in VA-supported social service programs

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposed a rule, Jan. 16, that would implement President Trump’s, May 3, 2018, Executive Order (EO) establishing a White House Faith and Opportunity Initiative, to remove regulatory barriers allowing religious and non-religious organizations equal treatment in VA-supported social service programs.

The proposed rule ensures VA-supported social service programs are implemented in a manner consistent with the Constitution and other applicable federal law.

Under current regulations governing these programs, religious providers of social services — but not other providers of social services — must make referrals under certain circumstances and must post notices regarding this referral procedure. VA’s proposed rule would eliminate religious providers from this requirement.

The current hinderances were not required by any applicable law, and because they were imposed only on religious social service providers, they are in tension with recent Supreme Court precedent regarding nondiscrimination against religious organizations. The proposed rule will foreclose other unequal treatment of religious organizations by ensuring they are not required to provide assurances or notices that are not required of secular organizations.

By compelling religious organizations, but not secular organizations, to post special notices and make referrals, the alternative-provider requirements unequally placed impediments on religious organizations and cast unwarranted suspicion on them

Additionally, the proposed rule will clarify that religious organizations may apply for awards on the same basis as any other organization and that when VA selects award recipients, VA will not discriminate based on an organization’s religious character. The proposed rule further clarifies that religious organizations participating in VA-supported social service programs retain their independence from the government and may continue to carry out their missions consistent with religious freedom protections in federal law, under the First Amendment.

The proposed rule incorporates the Attorney General’s 2017 Memorandum for All Executive Departments and Agencies, Federal Law Protections for Religious Liberty. That memorandum was issued pursuant to President Trump’s, May 4, 2017, Executive Order Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty, which guides all federal administrative agencies and executive departments in complying with federal law.

“Protecting religious liberty is a key part of ensuring Veterans, families and potential partners — no matter their religious beliefs — feel welcome to work with and seek services from VA,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “These important changes will help us accomplish these important goals.”

*******

Well "alrighty then" but when you read the Executive Order on the Establishment of a White House Faith and Opportunity Initiative mentioned in the first part of this, you will be scratching your head too. Apparently, all these things were already done under "executive orders" from previous Presidents.

Sec. 2. Amendments to Executive Orders.
(a) Executive Order 13198 of January 29, 2001 (Agency Responsibilities With Respect to Faith-Based and Community Initiatives)
Executive Order 13279 of December 12, 2002 (Equal Protection of the Laws for Faith-Based and Community Organizations), as amended by Executive Order 13559 of November 17, 2010 (Fundamental Principles and Policymaking Criteria for Partnerships with Faith-Based and Other Neighborhood Organizations)
Executive Order 13280 of December 12, 2002 (Responsibilities of the Department of Agriculture and the Agency for International Development With Respect to Faith-Based and Community Initiatives)
Executive Order 13342 of June 1, 2004 (Responsibilities of the Departments of Commerce and Veterans Affairs and the Small Business Administration with Respect to Faith-Based and Community Initiatives)
Executive Order 13397 of March 7, 2006 (Responsibilities of the Department of Homeland Security With Respect to Faith-Based and Community Initiatives), are hereby amended by:

(i) substituting “White House Faith and Opportunity Initiative” for “White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives” each time it appears in those orders;

(ii) substituting “White House Faith and Opportunity Initiative” for “White House OFBCI” each time it appears in those orders;

(iii) substituting “Centers for Faith and Opportunity Initiatives” for “Centers for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives” each time it appears in those orders; and

(iv) substituting “White House Faith and Opportunity Initiative” for “Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships” each time it appears in those orders.

(b) Executive Order 13279, as amended, is further amended by striking section 2(h) and redesignating sections 2(i) and 2(j) as sections 2(h) and 2(i), respectively.

The First Amendment guarantees freedoms concerning religion, expression, assembly, and the right to petition. It forbids Congress from both promoting one religion over others and also restricting an individual’s religious practices. It guarantees freedom of expression by prohibiting Congress from restricting the press or the rights of individuals to speak freely. It also guarantees the right of citizens to assemble peaceably and to petition their government.

Not sure why it took over a year to do this...or why it is a press release, at least the POW MIA Tables can keep Bibles on them!

Other veterans rights being taken away at VA over POW MIA table?

Air Force veteran wants to force his rights by taking away from others?

What part of the Constitution keeps getting missed by those who want to force everyone else to comply with protecting their "free expression" of lack of faith?

Last I heard, Congress did not make a law establishing a religion. 

Vietnam veterans however, did in fact establish the POW MIA table and the ceremony. They established honoring those who served, risked their lives and did not make it back home to enjoy the freedom they sacrifices their lives to provide to others. 

Yes, the same folks who are so terrified they are not being represented for their non-beliefs, they want to make sure that no one else has the right to express their own beliefs...as protected by the whole part of this...

The Bill of Rights – Full Text

Amendment IThe Bill of Rights – Full Text Amendment I 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.

The missing man table consists of the following elements:

• A small table set for one, symbolising the isolation of the absent service member. The table is usually set close to, or within sight of, the entrance to the dining room. For large events, the missing man table may be set for six places representing each of the five armed services (Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard), with the sixth symbolising the civilians who died during armed conflict.^[8] The table is round to represent the everlasting concern the survivors have for the missing.^[9]
• One or more head covers may be placed upon the table represent the armed service of the missing persons.^[10]
• A white tablecloth to symbolise the pure intentions of the service members who responded to the country's call to arms.^[11]
• A single rose in the vase symbolising the blood that service members have shed in sacrifice to ensure the freedom of the United States of America. This rose also represents the family and friends who keep the faith while awaiting the return of the missing service members.^[12]
• The red ribbon represents a love of country that inspired the service members to serve the country.^[13]
• A slice of lemon on the bread plate that represents the bitter fate of the missing.^[14]
• Salt sprinkled on the bread plate that symbolises the tears shed by waiting families.^[14]
• An inverted glass to represent fact that the missing and fallen cannot partake.^[12]
• A Bible represents the spiritual strength and faith to sustain the lost. This may be omitted in official displays.^[15].
• A lit candle symbolises a light of hope that lives in hearts to illuminate the missing's way home.
• An empty chair to represent the absence of the missing and fallen^[16]

But even they left it out here.

Manchester VA Medical Center, veterans battle over Bible display

New Hampshire Union Leader
By MICHAEL COUSINEAU
May 7, 2019

MANCHESTER -- A Bible once owned by a prisoner of war -- and on display at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center -- has launched a battle over religious freedom.

An Air Force veteran filed a lawsuit Tuesday looking to remove the Bible displayed on a POW/MIA table.

This Bible on the POW/MIA table at the Manchester VA Medical Center has sparked a controversy. DAVID LANE/UNION LEADER

“We would all be outraged if the MVAMC only provided care to Christians, or denied care to non-believers, or those who worship their God in other ways,” attorney Lawrence Vogelman wrote in the seven-page lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Concord.

“The placement of a Christian Bible on this sacred table is just as objectionable,” he said.

Curt Cashour, press secretary for the Department of Veterans Affairs, called the lawsuit “nothing more than an attempt to force VA into censoring a show of respect for America’s POW/MIA community.

“Make no mistake: VA will not be bullied on this issue,” he said in a statement.

Cashour also apologized to veterans for the VA temporarily removing the Bible a few months back.
read more here

Warmly Wish Whiners Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

An associate was worried this week about wishing someone "Merry Christmas" so I had a few things to say about how some folks are offended by being wished good thoughts. After all, it isn't wishing them anything other than they have a good Christmas.

"Christmas was declared a federal holiday in the United States on June 26, 1870" but after all these years, some people just don't get it.

They complain! They are offended by seeing Christmas displays, even those without religious

"Article the third... 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."

This part keeps getting forgotten "or prohibiting the free exercise thereof" because some only care about what they can complain about.

How did this nation established for freedom become a nation of whiners assuming they have the power to "prohibit" what the Bill of Rights never gave them? How did we end up being told we cannot say what we want?

It seems the VA didn't get the memo and must be showing up for work on the 25th.  Someone complained about Christmas decorations so someone else took them down.  Guess it didn't matter how many people enjoyed seeing them.

It also seems that a Professor doesn't seem to understand this date either.

A professor at the University of Central Florida thinks the safest way to greet other people during the Christmas season is to wish them a “Happy Federal Holiday.” This bright idea belongs to Terri Fine, a professor of political science at the University of Central Florida
Happy Federal what? Because the U.S. government in some cases and the state government in others have identified certain days during the year as state and federal holidays, including those that fall during the late fall and winter season – Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day –we have no choice but to observe these holidays whether we want to or not.

Seriously? Well, she can't exactly show up for work if UCF is closed, then again, why would she want to if she gets paid for not working? She doesn't have to do anything she doesn't want to on December 25. No one does. No one has to do, hear or say anything they don't want to.

Hear Christmas music on the radio and don't like it, then change the station. Don't want to watch a program on TV, change the channel. If you don't want anything tied to Christmas, that is your choice, but that does not allow you to remove the rights of others to enjoy a day the way they want to.

Full Definition of holiday
: a day on which one is exempt from work; specifically
: a day marked by a general suspension of work in commemoration of an event

Simple Definition of holy day
: a day when a religious festival or holiday is observed

I am Easter Orthodox (Greek) and our tradition is,

Today, in the Greek and Russian orthodox churches, Christmas is celebrated 13 days after the 25th, which is also referred to as the Epiphany or Three Kings Day. This is the day it is believed that the three wise men finally found Jesus in the manger.

The real day Jesus was born is not known but then again, there are some Christians not acknowledging Christmas at all.

Christian sects and communities that reject the observance of Christmas for theological reasons include Jehovah's Witnesses; some adherents of Messianic Judaism; most Sabbatarian denominations, such as the True Jesus Church and the Church of God (7th-Day); the Iglesia ni Cristo; the Christian Congregation in Brazil; the Christian Congregation in the United States; and certain reformed and fundamentalist churches of various persuasions, including some Independent Baptist, Holiness, Apostolic Pentecostal, and Churches of Christ congregations

No one is forced to do anything when it comes to Christmas. They are not forced to stay home or go to a family dinner or even buy gifts for someone else. They are not forced to give to charities or volunteer their time with the homeless. They are not forced to go to parties or wear an ugly Christmas sweater. They don't have to decorate their property and when it comes to the neighbors doing it, it is their right to do it.

If you are offended by someone wishing you something good or wanting to do something nice for you, then you have bigger issues and should seek professional help. How does it harm you to let others enjoy it their way while you have the right to spend the day anyway you want to?

SO FROM ME TO YOU, I WARMLY WISH YOU A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Religious Freedom Fight On Marine Base

'God Bless The Military' Sign Sparks Religious Freedom Fight On Marine Base
If the sign isn't removed, a group demands more signs, including one saying, "There is no god...We have each other."
HuffPost Hawaii
Chris D'Angelo
Associate Editor
October 1, 2015

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION COURTESY OF MILITARY RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOUNDATION

A large sign was erected on a Hawaii military base in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks with the message, "God bless the military, their families and the civilians who work with them."

Now, 14 years later, a nonprofit religious rights group is demanding it be removed, claiming it violates the Constitution.

"For now, at least, the sign is still there. The Military Religious Freedom Foundation followed up its initial demand with a second on Wednesday -- saying that if the sign is not removed, six more signs should be erected to satisfy Jewish, Muslim, Norse Religious Faith, atheist, agnostic, humanist, secularist, Hindu and Wiccan U.S. Marine clients.

The additional signs, as depicted in the photo illustration below, would contain the same message, but start with "Yehweh bless," "Allah bless," "Odin bless," "Vishnu bless" and "Goddess bless." Another would begin, "There is no god to bless" and end with "We have each other."

The Marine complainants, according to the Marine Corps Times, include at least 21 Protestants, while it was "not immediately clear how many of them are Vikings."
read more here

Trespass and Peril For Your Religious Freedom

Religious freedom is only threatened when one person or group thinks they have the right to force anyone else to surrender their own choice to them. It is as simple as that. Christianity is not being threatened. It may appear that way because few seem able to actually think about what it means to believe what you want while respecting the rights of others to believe what they choose to believe or not.

Trespass Law. an unlawful act causing injury to the person, property, or rights of another, committed with force or violence, actual or implied. a wrongful entry upon the lands of another. the action to recover damages for such an injury. 2. an encroachment or intrusion. 3. an offense, sin, or wrong.

There law is clear and gay rights should not be surrendered due to some religious groups. There are some Christian churches that have no problem with gay parishioners or even performing gay weddings.

The Episcopal Church approves religious weddings for gay couples after controversial debate and so do these. The Presbyterian Church (USA) formally recognized same-sex marriages and Evangelical Lutheran Church of America and United Church of Christ has allowed same-sex couples to get married since 2005.

Most churches will not allow them and that is fine considering Christians have not agreed on much over the last few thousand years, still, had there been any law establishing the right for all gay people to be married wherever they wanted, there would have been a scream heard around the world because then there would be no freedom of religion.

So why would anyone be ok when one Christian believes she has the right as an employee of the government to prevent someone else from having the same right to believe as they want? It is not her right to hinder the rights of others because she does not agree with them.

I am naturally referring to Kim Davis and what she is pulling in Kentucky. It isn't just about the folks seeking equal rights in that county it is about setting a standard for all rights to be reduced in the eyes of the law.

What on earth would she say to a servicemember seeking a license to marry his/her partner? "Sorry but your rights are not as good as mine?"

Any level headed person should be appalled by this because if you are not, then ask yourself who you'd give the power to over your own right to believe as you will. Let them trespass someone else's freedom and you put your own in peril.

Air Force Defends Freedom of Christians to Speak, Finally

Aren't they tired of telling people they are too weak in their own convictions? After all, if they really believed they were right then why would they be so afraid to see a cross or hear someone offer a prayer for them?

Freedom of speech, on of the freedoms they risk their lives to preserve, does not mean they have the right to take it away from people they don't agree with.

No one is stopping them from simply replying they don't approve of the message.

Outcry leads Air Force to rescind ‘blessed day’ ban
Macon Telegraph
BY WAYNE CRENSHAW
March 12, 2015

In the complaint from the airman posted on the foundation’s website, the airman stated “I found the greeting to be a notion that I, as a non-religious member of the military community, should believe a higher power has an influence on how my day should go.”

After widespread outcry, the Air Force reversed a decision to ban Robins Air Force Base security personnel from saying “Have a blessed day” to people entering the gates.

Earlier, the gate guards were told not to give the greeting after an unidentified airman complained to the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, according to the group’s website.

The foundation complained to the base, and the base issued the ban.

News of the ban went viral Thursday. That, in turn, led to this statement from the Air Force later in the day:
“Defenders have been asked to use the standard phrase ‘Welcome to Team Robins’ in their greeting and can add various follow-on greetings as long as they remain courteous and professional,” the statement read. “The Air Force takes any expressed concern over religious freedom very seriously.

“Upon further review and consultation, the Air Force determined use of the phrase ‘have a blessed day’ as a greeting is consistent with Air Force standards and is not in violation of Air Force Instructions.” In the complaint from the airman posted on the foundation’s website, the airman stated “I found the greeting to be a notion that I, as a non-religious member of the military community, should believe a higher power has an influence on how my day should go.”
read more here

Suicide Prevention Chaplain Gets Support From Lawmakers

When this story first broke, I posted "Holy Crap" Christian Chaplain Told He Can't Share Faith? simply stunned by how low some people will sink to "protect" religious rights for their own freedom but never once consider it doesn't give them the right to take away in the process.

It is disgusting when some believe they can force their beliefs on others and equally so when someone believes they can force their non-belief on everyone else.

Most experts say the best way to treat combat PTSD is a triple play, mind, body and spirit since the veteran will struggle with surviving as well as judging their own actions. It is actually harder for believers to seek help afterwards than for non-believers. Why? Because unfortunately there are many who consider PTSD judgement from God topped off with if the veterans struggles with thoughts or attempts to commit suicide, wow, that is a huge sin in their eyes, as long as they don't have to see how they are in fact judging the veteran, which is also a huge sin in Christ's book.

Anyway, people in general believe in God and most believe in Christ. They may not agree on dogma or doctrine and a large percentage no longer attend church services but the majority tell me they believe.

They walk away from an event or a deployment believing that either God saved them or judged them and did it all to them. They believe their pain is God's will simply because they do not understand God anymore than they understand PTSD.

If everyone they know professing to be religious give the appearance of being fine, the veterans needing help will be more reluctant to ask for help. Then you can toss in the cluster of FUBAR they are fed with "resilience training" and you get the idea none of it bodes well for openness or, as Stephen Colbert coined, "truthiness."

So fast forward to when a Chaplain dared to not just talk about having PTSD, but when it was like to have a crisis in faith and then be restored.

To the soldiers sitting there listening to him they would have taken away a deeper understanding that it is ok to feel what they do and ok to ask for help as well as having someone stand there and offer hope that they were not condemned to remain grieving instead of experiencing healing.

I am glad lawmakers have taken this on because freedom of religion must include the right to also choose to worship as well as to not.

This Army Chaplain Was Trying to Help Prevent Suicide. Now 24 Lawmakers Are Defending Him.
IJ Review
BY MIKE MILLER
MILITARY, RELIGION
February 20, 2015

Army chaplain Capt. Joe Lawhorn conducted a suicide-prevention training session at the University of Georgia in November. As a chaplain, he made references to the Bible. He was disciplined by the Army for doing so.

Now 24 lawmakers are trying to help him fight back.

Senators Mike Lee (R-UT), Ted Cruz (R-TX), James Inhofe (R-OK), Tom Cotton (R-AR) David Vitter (R-LA), Roy Blunt (R-MO), and James Lankford (R-OK), along with 17 House members, co-signed a letter to Army Secretary John McHugh. They wrote, in part:

We believe this administrative action sets a dangerous precedent for Army suicide prevention initiatives, the role of Army chaplains, and most importantly, the ability for service members to exercise and express religious beliefs, as protected under the First Amendment and reinforced by current law and [Department of Defense] regulations.

“We fully expect the Army to take the steps necessary in protecting the religious freedom of all soldiers while affirming the vital role of chaplains in ensuring the well-being of our soldiers. During the training session, Lawhorn recounted his bouts with depression while serving as an Army Ranger, and how reading the Bible helped him cope with his struggles.
read more here

Religious Debate Intensifies on Academy Whiteboard

Religious Debate Intensifies on Academy Whiteboard
Military.com
by Bryant Jordan
Mar 19, 2014

An Air Force Academy cadet claims she was verbally and physically accosted by senior cadets for writing "there is no evidence that God ever existed" on her dorm whiteboard in response to a fellow cadet posting a Bible verse.

Mikey Weinstein, founder of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, said the cadet wrote the statement to point out that posting personal beliefs in a hallway of a squadron area is wrong.

But, according to the cadet's parents who wrote Weinstein a letter, almost immediately upon writing the statement she was "shouted down" by two male cadets who were senior to her in rank. They called her "anti-faith" and said she was insulting "all people of faith."

When she tried to stop them from wiping off the whiteboard they pushed her and forcibly held her back, the letter states. Weinstein would not name the cadet and, as the MRFF keeps its clients' identifies confidential.

The parents of the cadet told Weinstein that the family is Christian, and she was only trying to make a point. In the original incident, a cadet penned a Bible verse that read, in part, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me."

In their letter, they said the senior male cadets defended the original whiteboard inscription that spurred their daughter to act. After a cadet complained about the public posting, academy officials got involved, talked to both cadets and the quotation was erased.

"What happened here sparked a debate between competing beliefs," Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Michelle Johnson said in a statement afterwards. "One side's perspective of this decision is that [it] elevated one religious faith over all others, and that posting scriptures from any religion on cadets' whiteboards creates a hostile environment."
read more here

Air Force forced to defend religion policies?

Freedom of Religion means everyone is free to believe what they choose or no one is free.

Air Force leaders detail force cuts, defend religion policies
Stars and Stripes
By Jon Harper
Published: March 14, 2014

WASHINGTON — Air Force leaders detailed future force cuts and defended the service’s religious accommodation practices after coming under attack from conservative lawmakers at a congressional budget hearing Friday.

When presenting the fiscal 2015 budget request and the Future Years Defense Program last week, the Air Force announced that it wants to eliminate the entire A-10 close air support fleet and the U-2 spy plane fleet, and significantly reduce the number of F-15 and F-16 fighters, and MQ-1 drones, because of budget constraints imposed by Congress. Pentagon leaders want to use the resulting savings to invest in modernization and readiness.

The budget request must be approved by Congress. Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James and Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh III said a congressional decision to protect these programs would necessitate cuts in higher-priority programs, and lead to imbalances in the force. As an example, Welsh said that saving the A-10 would force the service to cut back on the number of F-35, F-16 and F-15 fighters.
read more here

Freedom of Religion

Freedom of Religion
Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
March 1, 2014

26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals,[a] and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
Genesis 1

I am free to believe. To believe that God started all of it, no matter how much we get wrong. Even Albert Einstein said "There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle.

I am free to believe that Jesus was the Son of God and that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit live within me and I walk with them, no matter how many times I stumble, fall, lose my way and sin, I am forgiven. Forgiven, not because of me or anything I did, but because of what Jesus did.

I am free do love and to do good just as much as I am free to hate and do selfish things. I am not free of guilt if I do those things to someone else instead of for someone else.

I am free to walk into any house of worship as I see fit to attend but I am not free of their rules. If I decide to attend, then I am obligated to live within their rules.

I am free to walk away from what I do not believe in as much as I am free walk toward where my soul pulls me.

I am free to hold private that which I choose to leave between my soul and God, who knows all I am, just as I am free to speak and make public that which I will. I am not free to stop someone else from doing the same.

In this country we are all supposed to be free to believe what we want, do as we will, say what we want and go where we want, but all of this comes with an obligation.

If we seek to retain these freedoms, we must defend the rights of those we do not agree with. It is not our right to take away the freedoms of someone else.

I refuse to trivialize freedom. I refuse to hear fools speak of their rights being taken away simply because someone does not agree with them. I refuse to defend anyone attempting to take rights away from someone else because they do not like the way they live, the way they think or what they do with their own lives.

God did not give me the right to do anything other than make my own choices and leave the choices others make up to them. He gave me the right to freewill but freedom is something men and women risked their lives to retain.

I refuse to allow one religious denomination to force their beliefs on anyone else. To legislate their beliefs while they are supposed to be elected to represent everyones ability to make their own choices.

We have all heard far too much from people screaming their rights are being taken away because they have been prevented from taking the rights of others away.

If everyone is not free to believe, then no one is.

Pentagon rules adapt for religious exemptions

Religious exemptions for troops easier to request under new rules
Army Times
Andrew Tighman
Staff Writer
January 22, 2014

The Pentagon on Wednesday announced new rules that make it easier for troops to request religious exemptions from uniform rules, grooming standards and other military policies.

The new rules aim to address a spate of controversies in recent years from religious troops seeking special treatment; for example, an Army Sikh wanted to wear a turban with his uniform and a rabbi wanted to wear a beard.

Until now, the Pentagon had no force-wide rules for how to handle requests for religious accommodation, making it unclear who should ultimately make those decisions and what force-wide standards to impose.

From now on, troops’ requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis and be denied only “if it is determined that the needs of mission accomplishment outweigh the needs of the Service member,” according to the new policy.

“Each request must be considered based on its unique facts; the nature of the requested religious accommodation; the effect of approval or denial on the Service member’s exercise of religion; and the effect of approval or denial on mission accomplishment, including unit cohesion,” the policy states.

In addition to grooming and uniform standards, troops can request special accommodation for:

■ Worship practices or special observances

■ Rations that comply with religious dietary restrictions

■ Waivers for some medical requirements

Requests will be denied if they:

■ Interfere with the safe operation of military weapons or equipment

■ Interfere with the proper use of safety or protective gear

■ Jeopardize the public health or safety of the unit
read more here

Vietnam veteran gets VA to pull Duck Dynasty "ugly divisive items" from store

Freedom of speech? Freedom of religion? Yes in both cases. Freedom does not mean you, or anyone else, has the right to use yours while abusing theirs. When Phil Robertson said something and people were hurt by it some came out and screamed about his right to say what he wants. That is absolutely true. He does have the right. So does everyone else.

When they were offended by his words and voiced their views publicly, supporters of Robertson came out and screamed about their faith and free speech. Just because they feel the same way does not mean they have the right to silence those who do not share their same views. Robertson does not represent all Christians and there are Christian denominations embracing gay people as God's children. That is what freedom means. Free to make your own choices and believe what you want. Freedom works both ways.

Today some will be screaming about Robertson and Duck Dynasty's right to make a fortune off a TV show while few will actually stop and think what freedom means. The very freedom veterans fought for and many died for. The freedom generations of homosexual military men and women were ready to die to protect while their own rights were removed.

Removing the products has little to so with the show but more to do with showing a religious view condemning the laws of the military shall not be tolerated.

Duck Dynasty products under fire at VA medical center
ABQ Journal
By Mike Bush
Journal Staff Writer
January 7, 2014

A Vietnam veteran has taken aim at Duck Dynasty products on sale at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center store in Albuquerque, and it looks like all the items in his cross hairs will be removed from the canteen’s shelves.

Robert Anderson is one of many people upset over a magazine interview in which Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson made comments they found racist and homophobic. In the January issue of GQ, the 67-year-old TV patriarch calls homosexuality a sin, comparing it with bestiality. Robertson, who is white, also claims that African-Americans he knew during the Jim Crow era in the South “were happy.”

On Dec. 27, Anderson – who served in the Air Force in Vietnam in the 1960s – wrote to the canteen that he was “greatly offend(ed) that the Veterans Administration Patriot Store would sell items promoting an entertainment group that clearly stands for racism and bigotry.

“The reactionary views incorporated into the Duck Dynasty group are contrary to the policies and mission of the VA medical system to not discriminate among veterans based on race or gender,” he continued. “Please remove these ugly divisive items immediately.”

A few days later, in an email to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Anderson urged quick action “to remove the racist and bigoted products” from VA canteens. On Monday, the Central New Mexico Community College instructor said he was still waiting to hear back from the national office.

Last week, Debra Abeyta, assistant chief of Canteen 501 in Albuquerque, advised Anderson that she, too, was “very upset by the racist remarks made” by Robertson, adding, “We here at the canteen service in no way promote such ideas and have taken steps to remove the product from the store.”
read more here

This is what he said he believed in 2010


While it was very difficult to listen to this whole video of Robertson's preaching what he wants, it became clearer that homosexuals are not his only target. Robertson says he does not believe in evolution even though many believe that God created the world that way. Even the brightest minds say that had the earth been created an inch away from where it began we wouldn't be here. Think about how magnificent that is. He has the right to simplify it anyway he wants.

He ranted about healthcare providers, abortion on and on pointing to the Founding Fathers.

He talks about killing animals but does not mention how putting the "creatures" into our hands also means caring for them along with the earth. Being a meat and potatoes type of person, appreciating the bounty of God providing these creatures into our care.

17:45 he begins on immorality. Running down the list of "sins" all lumped together. As he blows into his duck call devices he talked about Lincoln and the "little piece of meat" hanging down the back of your throat. I had to listen to this part a few times because it didn't make any sense.

This video has some pretty strong language but a friend sent a link to it because the hypocrisy of Robertson is spotlighted along with their yuppy histories. The show is a show but Robertson's preaching is not a show. He says it is what he believes. Pretty sad.