Saturday, August 17, 2013

TH Magazine: Persecution of Christians ... in America

Elisabeth Meinecke


From the military to the classroom, Christianity is under assault in the US. Todd Starnes reports for Townhall Magazine.

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Prepare for persecution.
That’s the message Frank Page has for evangelical Christians living in the United States. Page is president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee—the nation’s largest non-Catholic denomination.
“I’m not a conspiracy theorist,” Page said. ‘But I do believe the day is coming when churches will see outright persecution—as well as harassment and marginalization in this culture.”
Page has earned a reputation as an even-keel religious leader not prone to hyperbole. But in recent days he’s begun sounding a clarion call to his fellow Christians in the U.S.—persecution is on the horizon.
“There will be active and open persecution because of the biblical worldview of churches,” Page said. “Our culture is with increased rapidity moving towards an intolerance towards anyone who has a biblical worldview. Churches better gear up and realize the days are coming.”
And there is mounting evidence to suggest Page may be correct. In 2009, a Department of Homeland Security memorandum identified future threats to national security coming from Evangelicals and pro-life groups.
A recent Army briefing listed Evangelical Christianity and Catholicism as examples of religious extremism. Another military officer sent a letter to subordinates warning them to be on the lookout for soldiers who support the Family Research Council and the American Family Association. The officer labeled both organizations as hate groups.
“When you have national leaders who say Baptists and other evangelicals are guilty of hate speech because of our recitation of simple scripture, then you are going to see the alienation and active persecution of churches in the United States,” Page said.
Under the Obama administration, the Pentagon launched a crackdown on Christian activity in the military. And in some cases, chaplains and Christian service members have been punished for expressing their faith.
“As one general so aptly put it—they expect us to check our religion in at the door—don’t bring that here,” Lee said. “Your armed forces, the sons and daughters of the men and women like you—are being told to hide that light under a basket.”
Among some of the high-profile attacks on religious liberty within the military were the following:
• Christian prayers were banned at graveside services at National Cemetery in Houston, unless family members signed off on the prayers in advance.
• Bibles and other religious materials were at one point banned from Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
• A chaplain was relieved of his command over a military chapel because he would not allow same-sex weddings to take place in the chapel.
• The Air Force censored a video created by a chaplain because it included the word “God.” The Air Force feared the word might offend Muslims and atheists. ...
...continue reading in Townhall's September issue.



Recommend this article

Friday, August 16, 2013

Is the cost of keeping you alive too high for obama's "death panels"?


Verne Strickland Blogmaster August 16, 2013




ObamaCare – When the cost of keeping your life is too high, the government will decide if it’s your turn to die.

America’s mature citizens are at high risk of falling prey to ObamaCare’s most extreme measures.

If you are 50 or older, you must take a stand NOW to protect your healthcare rights before it is too late.

 

Who would you choose to decide what medical care you will or will not receive? Most people defer their medical decisions to a licensed, experienced physician.
 

Under ObamaCare, that decision made by you may not be an option any longer.

Soon, a new system will ensure that government bureaucrats will be making those decisions for you AND your doctor – the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB).

The Independent Payment Advisory Board is a fifteen-member board, which has been placed in authority to make decisions over the care services made available to Medicare and Medicaid users.

The IPAB, referred to as the death panel, may be most accurately portrayed in President Obama’s attempted sugar coating of the harsh reality in his response to Jane Sturm after she questioned him regarding a pacemaker for her 100-year-old mother.

President Barack Obama said…
 

End-of-life care is one of the most difficult sets of decisions that WE’RE going to have to make... But understand that those decisions are already being made in one way or another. If they’re not being made under Medicare and Medicaid, they’re being made by private insurers... At least we can let doctors know – and your mom know – that you know what, maybe this isn’t going to help. Maybe you’re better off not having the surgery, but taking the painkiller. [emphasis added]

Now the feds are responsible for “End-of-life care.”  And government bureaucrats who have never received medical training are letting doctors know what procedures are or are not worth it.
 

These Death Panel appointees are then instead offering painkillers… to do what exactly? Ease your journey to a more rapid death.

You have this assurance with ObamaCare… you are no longer in control of making decisions determining your health and life, and neither are your doctors. The government will be handing out death sentences at the judgment of a few non-medically trained bureaucrats.

So… the value of your life has been reduced to the value of the almighty dollar.

Unbridled authority given to bureaucrats with no required medical training is an absolute immoral abuse of power allotted to a federal agency.
 

Because end-of-life care decisions hold the gravest implications of all medical decisions, America’s seniors are in the most immediate danger and stand to loose more than any other group at the hand of the IPAB.

If you are over 50, your must take a stand NOW to protect your healthcare rights before it is too late.

September 30th is the last date for Congress to decide whether or not they will fund ObamaCare for the October 1st beginning enrollment date. Your congressmen need to hear your voice while it still matters!

Verne, Grassfire has joined with Conservative 50 Plus, the nation’s premier conservative alternative to AARP, to take on Washington in the battle to protect our nation’s seniors against the assault son our God-given and constitutionally protected rights.

Defend your right to choose your own healthcare options by adding your name to our petition to stop ObamaCare today.

www.grassrootsaction.com/901/petition.asp

If you are 50 or older, join us in our efforts to protect you and your doctor’s ability to make informed medical decisions about your health and the health of those you love.

www.grassrootsaction.com/901/petition.asp

Perhaps you are struggling with diabetes, a loved one is facing heart disease, or a mother or father is waiting in line for a kidney transplant. Do not leave health care in the government’s hands!

Say, “NO,” to government bureaucrats making your life’s most private decisions.

www.grassrootsaction.com/901/petition.asp

These death panels are real, and together with Conservative 50 Plus, we are waging war on Washington to prevent them from gaining the power of life and death over you and every other senior citizen.

Thank you for taking this important step to stop government intrusion into our most private of life’s decisions.

Your friends at Grassfire and Conservative 50 Plus

P.S. Grassfire Nation and Conservative 50 Plus are dedicated to preventing this egregious overstep of government authority to protect you and your loved ones. Join with us today!

www.grassrootsaction.com/901/petition.asp