'My People Are Dying' By: Chuck Colson|, January 14, 2011
Is abortion akin to genocide? That's certainly the opinion of one African-American pastor.
Last fall, I had the privilege to listen to a speech by Walter Hoy, one of the great African-American leaders of our era. His life and ministry offer some amazing parallels to the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Like King, Walter Hoy of Oakland, California, is a minister who focuses on the plight of African-Americans. Last year, Hoy went to jail for his non-violent action on behalf of the smallest of humans--unborn children. He violated a "bubble zone" ordinance in an abortion facility, where he was quietly offering choices to abortion-minded women.
Hoy, the founder of the Issues for Life Foundation, is deeply concerned about what he calls "black genocide"--the horrific rates of abortion within the black community. That's why Hoy is working on what appears to be an impossible goal: passing a human life amendment in liberal California.
When Dr. King wrote his letter, From a Birmingham Jail, he addressed those who thought his civil rights activities unwise and untimely. In his speeches, Hoy also addresses those who say that his cause is worthy and just but that he should just wait. "I can't wait." Hoy says. "You see, my people are dying."
Since 1973, he notes, over 14.5 million black babies have been killed by abortion. Every, single day, 1,200 black babies are put to death in abortion facilities, making abortion the leading cause of death among African Americans! Nearly half of all black babies conceived die in abortion chambers today. Hoy says this means that a black child is safer on the streets of the worst neighborhoods in American than in his mother's womb. Hoy notes that between 1882 and 1968, 3,446 blacks were lynched by the Ku Klux Klan. Today, abortion kills more black Americans in less than three days than the Klan killed in 86 years! Think of it.
American blacks make up twelve percent of the U.S. population, yet thirty-seven percent of all abortions are performed on black women. This is because eugenic-minded pro-abortion forces target American blacks by putting abortion clinics in black neighborhoods, according to Hoy.
He's also turned his rhetorical guns on America's first black president. Quoting Elvita King, niece of Dr. King, he says that "those of us who care about the civil rights of all Americans-born and unborn--oppose Obamacare because we oppose the expansion of the most racist industry in America--the abortion industry."
The high black abortion rate has ominous implications down the road. According to the 2006 U.S. Census, the black fertility rate is 1.9--well below the replacement rate of 2.1. "Within a few decades," Hoy warns, "African Americans may well be an endangered species." This is why he calls abortion the "Darfur of the black community."
Walter Hoy provides a worldview lesson to those who desperately need it. Liberal elites teach women to view abortion as a simple procedure that will enhance their lives. Uh, no. Hoy reveals the ugly truth: those who promote abortion in the black community are racists of the worst kind--and that each abortion of a black child is one more step towards black genocide. And this is why Hoy cannot wait for the right time to try and outlaw abortion in California. His people are dying by the millions.[Bold and Italics emphasis throughout, mine]
FURTHER READING AND INFORMATION
Issues 4 Life Foundation www.issues4life.org
A Mess of Pottage Chuck Colson | BreakPoint | March 24, 2010
Life in the Balance Chuck Colson | BreakPoint | November 01, 2010
Friday, January 14, 2011
Friday, December 24, 2010
#73 - Adios, Christmas
Controlling Language and Minds
By: Chuck Colson| December 22, 2010
Want to control peoples’ minds? Simply control the words they use -- or don’t use.
I recently met a man who left his native Cuba when he was eleven years old. He came from an upper class family and remembered Cuba as a very beautiful country where the people got along well with one another.
Fifty years later, he finally got a chance to go back. Sure, he knew that Communism had impoverished the country, but nothing prepared him for the shock of seeing first hand what had become of his native land. The country has been totally sapped of its energy and strength and resources. People get a ration of food for a month that only lasts them two weeks; so the rest of the time they lie, steal, borrow, beg, whatever they have to do to get food.
It wasn’t only the diminished standard of living that shocked him: He told me about the extent to which the church has been suppressed by the Castro brothers. In fact, not only is freedom of religion severely curtailed in Cuba, there is an effort to expunge words and phrase that contain references to God!
An obvious is the Spanish word for “goodbye,” adios. It literally means “to God.” So, this gentleman told me, it is now suspect. In fact, there is a whole host of other common Spanish idioms being expunged from the language—expressions people had used all their lives. And they're being expunged precisely because they refer to God. In Cuba, as in any totalitarian state, you can get into serious trouble for using the words and expressing ideas banned by the government.
Listening to him, I realized that our culture is doing something similar right here at home: shape people’s beliefs and attitudes by controlling the language they use. The pressure may be more subtle, and the people doing the controlling may be private, not governmental actors, but the goals and effects are the same.
The effort is on obvious display during Christmas. Case in point: for seventy years, Tulsa has held a Christmas parade. Now, no one would ever mistake the parade for a church service: Santa Claus plays a far bigger role than the infant Jesus.
Yet even this watered-down reference to Christ was too much: in the last year, “Christmas” was dropped from the title in favor of “holiday.” If “Christmas” is too much for what is arguably the buckle of the “Bible Belt,” where can you use the phrase?
If you think that this is much ado about nothing and that “happy Holidays” is a perfectly acceptable substitute, you’re missing the whole point. The issue here isn’t avoiding offense – it’s redefining the terms of our discussion, eradicating or at least marginalizing any references to God in the public square. It’s to make people think twice about invoking God, even in passing, in public. Once you control their language, you control the way they think and behave.
The irony is that the approved word “holiday” is itself derived from “holy day”! In fact, today on my Two Minute Warning, I talk more about the need for ChrisAll of this linguistic nonsense is another reminder of why Christians need to reclaim Christmas. The larger culture may be intent on taking Christ out of Christmas but, that’s all the more reason for us to place Him at the center of ours.tians to recapture the true meaning of Christmas. Please, go to ColsonCenter.org and watch it today.
And may you and yours have a blessed Christmas, and a happy holy-day season.
By: Chuck Colson| December 22, 2010
Want to control peoples’ minds? Simply control the words they use -- or don’t use.
I recently met a man who left his native Cuba when he was eleven years old. He came from an upper class family and remembered Cuba as a very beautiful country where the people got along well with one another.
Fifty years later, he finally got a chance to go back. Sure, he knew that Communism had impoverished the country, but nothing prepared him for the shock of seeing first hand what had become of his native land. The country has been totally sapped of its energy and strength and resources. People get a ration of food for a month that only lasts them two weeks; so the rest of the time they lie, steal, borrow, beg, whatever they have to do to get food.
It wasn’t only the diminished standard of living that shocked him: He told me about the extent to which the church has been suppressed by the Castro brothers. In fact, not only is freedom of religion severely curtailed in Cuba, there is an effort to expunge words and phrase that contain references to God!
An obvious is the Spanish word for “goodbye,” adios. It literally means “to God.” So, this gentleman told me, it is now suspect. In fact, there is a whole host of other common Spanish idioms being expunged from the language—expressions people had used all their lives. And they're being expunged precisely because they refer to God. In Cuba, as in any totalitarian state, you can get into serious trouble for using the words and expressing ideas banned by the government.
Listening to him, I realized that our culture is doing something similar right here at home: shape people’s beliefs and attitudes by controlling the language they use. The pressure may be more subtle, and the people doing the controlling may be private, not governmental actors, but the goals and effects are the same.
The effort is on obvious display during Christmas. Case in point: for seventy years, Tulsa has held a Christmas parade. Now, no one would ever mistake the parade for a church service: Santa Claus plays a far bigger role than the infant Jesus.
Yet even this watered-down reference to Christ was too much: in the last year, “Christmas” was dropped from the title in favor of “holiday.” If “Christmas” is too much for what is arguably the buckle of the “Bible Belt,” where can you use the phrase?
If you think that this is much ado about nothing and that “happy Holidays” is a perfectly acceptable substitute, you’re missing the whole point. The issue here isn’t avoiding offense – it’s redefining the terms of our discussion, eradicating or at least marginalizing any references to God in the public square. It’s to make people think twice about invoking God, even in passing, in public. Once you control their language, you control the way they think and behave.
The irony is that the approved word “holiday” is itself derived from “holy day”! In fact, today on my Two Minute Warning, I talk more about the need for ChrisAll of this linguistic nonsense is another reminder of why Christians need to reclaim Christmas. The larger culture may be intent on taking Christ out of Christmas but, that’s all the more reason for us to place Him at the center of ours.tians to recapture the true meaning of Christmas. Please, go to ColsonCenter.org and watch it today.
And may you and yours have a blessed Christmas, and a happy holy-day season.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
#72 - THE SUNDAY SPECIAL - Just Call Me A Jackie Groupie
When you were a teen, who were some of your favorite music personalities?
It might surprise you to know, but though I was a teen during the decade of the Beatles (yes, I am that old!), I really did not care for them. If I was a fan of any music performers, it was The Carpenters. Their music never had an edge or a message; it was just music that made you feel good singing the lyrics on your own. I even remember being crushed when I was overseas and read that Karen Carpenter had died; it was like losing someone in my own family
Today, teen music stars include Justin Beiber, Lady GaGa (sp?), Katy Perry (whose parents, I just learned this morning, are evangelical pastors, though you would not guess that with the outfits she wears). I’ve not had a teen singer I enjoyed for almost 30 years, but about a month ago, I think I actually became a groupie for a pre-teen, a ten-year old named Jackie Evancho.
As I alerted you earlier this month, Jackie had been performing on a national talent show that went on for months called “America’s Got Talent.” I will never forget the night she first performed. The judges, the audience, and I’m sure the millions who heard her were as stunned as I was because her operatic voice was so clear and powerful that you couldn’t believe that it was coming out of a diminutive little girl. So many other acts were flashy, Las Vegas style acts. But suddenly, there was this little girl, in a simple dress, singing like you would expect angels in heaven would sound. It just took your breath away. That first night she performed on national television and EVERY time I’ve seen her perform, the audience rises to give her a standing ovation.
Maybe I find myself so fascinated by her is not just her music, but because she calls us back to a time when performers simply performed. Jackie reminds us older folks of a time when they didn’t need flashy clothes or an edgy reputation or persona to get you to listen to them. As one of the judges said, she’s just pure talent. For me, the fact that two of her songs – “Pie Jesu” and “Ave Maria” – touches a spiritual cord in me that moves me to tears, something that even many Christian music cannot do. And I don’t even understand the words as I don’t of any opera performance.
I can only pray that, by the time she gets to high school (around 15 or 5 years from now), Jackie isn’t remade into another product of Hollywood. The world certainly doesn’t need another Britney Spears or Lady GaGa. The world needs more performers who can take your breath away by their pure, God-given talent. Maybe that’s why I’m not ashamed to say I’m a groupie of a 10-year old.
By the way, you might pray for she and her family as it was revealed AFTER the contest that they have been in danger of losing their home because they can’t keep up their mortgage. (It’s interesting and noteworthy that the person who beat her out for the million dollar prize kept talking about using the money to buy his grandparents a new home, their having lost their through Hurricane Katrina. I have to wonder if the needs of her family were made known during the contest it might have made a difference in swaying enough people to vote for her. Oh yeah, I voted for her the 10 times maximum you were allowed; I’ve never voted on a call in show for anyone before.)
I invite you to go to her website: www.jackieevancho.com (Just her home page makes you want to smile.) Click on the button at the top of the home page labeled “Media,” and you can listen to any of her four of performances. (If you listen to only one, I suggest you check out “Pie Jesu.” I would love to know what YOU think!
It might surprise you to know, but though I was a teen during the decade of the Beatles (yes, I am that old!), I really did not care for them. If I was a fan of any music performers, it was The Carpenters. Their music never had an edge or a message; it was just music that made you feel good singing the lyrics on your own. I even remember being crushed when I was overseas and read that Karen Carpenter had died; it was like losing someone in my own family
Today, teen music stars include Justin Beiber, Lady GaGa (sp?), Katy Perry (whose parents, I just learned this morning, are evangelical pastors, though you would not guess that with the outfits she wears). I’ve not had a teen singer I enjoyed for almost 30 years, but about a month ago, I think I actually became a groupie for a pre-teen, a ten-year old named Jackie Evancho.
As I alerted you earlier this month, Jackie had been performing on a national talent show that went on for months called “America’s Got Talent.” I will never forget the night she first performed. The judges, the audience, and I’m sure the millions who heard her were as stunned as I was because her operatic voice was so clear and powerful that you couldn’t believe that it was coming out of a diminutive little girl. So many other acts were flashy, Las Vegas style acts. But suddenly, there was this little girl, in a simple dress, singing like you would expect angels in heaven would sound. It just took your breath away. That first night she performed on national television and EVERY time I’ve seen her perform, the audience rises to give her a standing ovation.
Maybe I find myself so fascinated by her is not just her music, but because she calls us back to a time when performers simply performed. Jackie reminds us older folks of a time when they didn’t need flashy clothes or an edgy reputation or persona to get you to listen to them. As one of the judges said, she’s just pure talent. For me, the fact that two of her songs – “Pie Jesu” and “Ave Maria” – touches a spiritual cord in me that moves me to tears, something that even many Christian music cannot do. And I don’t even understand the words as I don’t of any opera performance.
I can only pray that, by the time she gets to high school (around 15 or 5 years from now), Jackie isn’t remade into another product of Hollywood. The world certainly doesn’t need another Britney Spears or Lady GaGa. The world needs more performers who can take your breath away by their pure, God-given talent. Maybe that’s why I’m not ashamed to say I’m a groupie of a 10-year old.
By the way, you might pray for she and her family as it was revealed AFTER the contest that they have been in danger of losing their home because they can’t keep up their mortgage. (It’s interesting and noteworthy that the person who beat her out for the million dollar prize kept talking about using the money to buy his grandparents a new home, their having lost their through Hurricane Katrina. I have to wonder if the needs of her family were made known during the contest it might have made a difference in swaying enough people to vote for her. Oh yeah, I voted for her the 10 times maximum you were allowed; I’ve never voted on a call in show for anyone before.)
I invite you to go to her website: www.jackieevancho.com (Just her home page makes you want to smile.) Click on the button at the top of the home page labeled “Media,” and you can listen to any of her four of performances. (If you listen to only one, I suggest you check out “Pie Jesu.” I would love to know what YOU think!
Friday, September 24, 2010
#71 - Politics, Economics and Morality
(1) As always, please be sure to check out “The Coral Ridge Hour” this Sunday (5 pm, Ch. 40.1 in Orlando) This week’s entire broadcast will be about heaven and hell, two subjects you don’t hear spoken of directly very much despite their centrality to the gospel and the Scriptures.
(2)Be sure to check out Crossexamine.com to find out the CABLE broadcast of this new series by the Coral Ridge ministries to help believers understand key issues from a Biblical perspective.
(3)Be sure to check out this week’s editorial cartoons at: http://www.worldmag.com/editorialcartoons/
(4)Be sure to check out (my health permitting) my Sunday Special post this week.
Not So Fast
By: Chuck Colson, Breakpoint.com, September 9, 2010
The politicians just don’t get it: Our nation’s economic health depends on our moral health. Summer is over, but the heat is on. I have just learned from people who would know, that the Republican congressional leadership, in preparation for the mid-term elections, may be stepping away from issues we Christians hold dear.
The Republican leaders, you see, are so confident they can sweep back to power by focusing only on economic issues, that they are ready to promote an election agenda that ignores the party’s historical commitment to life, marriage, and religious liberty. I believe that we, as Christians, need to tell them they are dead wrong. And here’s why. You’ve heard me say many times that the Church can never be captive to a political agenda, that we can never place our hope in any political party.
But we are always free to let leaders in both political parties know that they must hear our concerns. They must realize our allegiance is not to their party, but to those causes that promote the common good. This is why we launched the Manhattan Declaration—to make an unequivocal statement in support of human life, traditional marriage, and religious freedom. And I truly long for the day when both of our great political parties will embrace these causes.
Now, you may say that what the Republicans are doing is just good election strategy. The economy is in the tank, people want jobs and they want Obamacare repealed, so concentrate on those things. But there’s a flaw in that logic. Actually, it’s an enormous blind spot. If the Great Recession of 2008 has taught us anything, it’s that you can’t detach economic prosperity from moral issues. Greed, imprudent spending by individuals and by government, debt, all of these things brought our economy to where we are today. As I’ve said many times on BreakPoint, our economic collapse is the result of our moral and ethical collapse.
We don’t teach our kids that there are such things as right or wrong, and we wonder why they grow up to cheat and steal. And the social costs of disintegrating traditional families in terms of crime, divorce, juvenile delinquency, are truly staggering. You don’t think supporting traditional families—and marriage—matters? Well, then you’ve never been inside a prison, like I have. You haven’t met the thousands of young men and women I have who have told you about their missing fathers or their drugged-out moms.
No society that rejects the moral good can possibly stay solvent. The price tag for moral corruption, as we have learned, is simply too high.
So here is what I want you to do. Call your congressmen and senators, Democrat and Republican alike, tell them you support the sanctity of human life, traditional marriage, and religious freedom. And then tell them you vote.[Note the buttons to the left to help you to locate your Senators and Congressman(or woman).]
Next, also contact information for House Republican leader John Boehner and Republican Whip Eric Cantor.
Let them know you expect the Republican Party to stay true to its traditional support for these supremely important moral concerns. Because America’s economic health depends on America’s moral health.
Further Reading and Information
Representative John Boehner’s office:Kevin.smith@mail.house.gov Phone number (202) 225-6205
Representative Eric Cantor’s office: Kristi.way@mail.house.gov Phone number (202) 225-2815.
The Republicans' Agenda Dilemma in the 2010 Elections, Robert Schlesinger | July 28, 2010 | US News
Fiscal Focus Splits GOP on Social Issues, Ralph C. Hallow | The Washington Times | June 10, 2010
The Manhattan Declaration, Life, Marriage, Religious Liberty | Manhattandeclaration.org
Email sent to Senator Mitch McConnell, (Republican) Minority Leader of the Senate, September 9, 2010
Dear Senator,
As Senate Leader, I assume that you can pass on this message that I was unable to post on the RNC website.
I hope that all of you in the Republican leadership will NEVER take the votes of us registered Republicans for granted. While I take comfort that you at least have taken stands against President Obama's outrageous actions, I am alarmed to hear that you are planning to just focus on the economy and "shut up" about the social issues. This kind of "strategy" to win more elections just will not work with a lot of us Republicans.
In case you don't get it, that's what's given birth to the Tea Party movement. It's not just folks upset about economic policies but folks who are tired of our "representatives" more interested in maintaining their power than in truly representing the views of the majority of people in their party.
I am and will maintain a Republican PRIMARILY because of it's stand on issues of the Sanctity of Life, the preservation of marriage, and the protection of religious liberties. If you choose to remain silent, let alone change your traditional positions on these issues, and you can count on millions of usually Republican voters like me to SIT OUT on your candidates that "shut up" on these issues just so they can get elected.
Senator, for that reason, I will NEVER be sending money to the RNC but will only support candidates who will NOT "shut up." I will always vote on principle, and I don't ever mean economic ones in the main.
Lead the party otherwise, and be sure that I am far from being alone in what I say.
Sincerely yours,
Stan M. Yonashiro
(2)Be sure to check out Crossexamine.com to find out the CABLE broadcast of this new series by the Coral Ridge ministries to help believers understand key issues from a Biblical perspective.
(3)Be sure to check out this week’s editorial cartoons at: http://www.worldmag.com/editorialcartoons/
(4)Be sure to check out (my health permitting) my Sunday Special post this week.
Not So Fast
By: Chuck Colson, Breakpoint.com, September 9, 2010
The politicians just don’t get it: Our nation’s economic health depends on our moral health. Summer is over, but the heat is on. I have just learned from people who would know, that the Republican congressional leadership, in preparation for the mid-term elections, may be stepping away from issues we Christians hold dear.
The Republican leaders, you see, are so confident they can sweep back to power by focusing only on economic issues, that they are ready to promote an election agenda that ignores the party’s historical commitment to life, marriage, and religious liberty. I believe that we, as Christians, need to tell them they are dead wrong. And here’s why. You’ve heard me say many times that the Church can never be captive to a political agenda, that we can never place our hope in any political party.
But we are always free to let leaders in both political parties know that they must hear our concerns. They must realize our allegiance is not to their party, but to those causes that promote the common good. This is why we launched the Manhattan Declaration—to make an unequivocal statement in support of human life, traditional marriage, and religious freedom. And I truly long for the day when both of our great political parties will embrace these causes.
Now, you may say that what the Republicans are doing is just good election strategy. The economy is in the tank, people want jobs and they want Obamacare repealed, so concentrate on those things. But there’s a flaw in that logic. Actually, it’s an enormous blind spot. If the Great Recession of 2008 has taught us anything, it’s that you can’t detach economic prosperity from moral issues. Greed, imprudent spending by individuals and by government, debt, all of these things brought our economy to where we are today. As I’ve said many times on BreakPoint, our economic collapse is the result of our moral and ethical collapse.
We don’t teach our kids that there are such things as right or wrong, and we wonder why they grow up to cheat and steal. And the social costs of disintegrating traditional families in terms of crime, divorce, juvenile delinquency, are truly staggering. You don’t think supporting traditional families—and marriage—matters? Well, then you’ve never been inside a prison, like I have. You haven’t met the thousands of young men and women I have who have told you about their missing fathers or their drugged-out moms.
No society that rejects the moral good can possibly stay solvent. The price tag for moral corruption, as we have learned, is simply too high.
So here is what I want you to do. Call your congressmen and senators, Democrat and Republican alike, tell them you support the sanctity of human life, traditional marriage, and religious freedom. And then tell them you vote.[Note the buttons to the left to help you to locate your Senators and Congressman(or woman).]
Next, also contact information for House Republican leader John Boehner and Republican Whip Eric Cantor.
Let them know you expect the Republican Party to stay true to its traditional support for these supremely important moral concerns. Because America’s economic health depends on America’s moral health.
Further Reading and Information
Representative John Boehner’s office:Kevin.smith@mail.house.gov Phone number (202) 225-6205
Representative Eric Cantor’s office: Kristi.way@mail.house.gov Phone number (202) 225-2815.
The Republicans' Agenda Dilemma in the 2010 Elections, Robert Schlesinger | July 28, 2010 | US News
Fiscal Focus Splits GOP on Social Issues, Ralph C. Hallow | The Washington Times | June 10, 2010
The Manhattan Declaration, Life, Marriage, Religious Liberty | Manhattandeclaration.org
Email sent to Senator Mitch McConnell, (Republican) Minority Leader of the Senate, September 9, 2010
Dear Senator,
As Senate Leader, I assume that you can pass on this message that I was unable to post on the RNC website.
I hope that all of you in the Republican leadership will NEVER take the votes of us registered Republicans for granted. While I take comfort that you at least have taken stands against President Obama's outrageous actions, I am alarmed to hear that you are planning to just focus on the economy and "shut up" about the social issues. This kind of "strategy" to win more elections just will not work with a lot of us Republicans.
In case you don't get it, that's what's given birth to the Tea Party movement. It's not just folks upset about economic policies but folks who are tired of our "representatives" more interested in maintaining their power than in truly representing the views of the majority of people in their party.
I am and will maintain a Republican PRIMARILY because of it's stand on issues of the Sanctity of Life, the preservation of marriage, and the protection of religious liberties. If you choose to remain silent, let alone change your traditional positions on these issues, and you can count on millions of usually Republican voters like me to SIT OUT on your candidates that "shut up" on these issues just so they can get elected.
Senator, for that reason, I will NEVER be sending money to the RNC but will only support candidates who will NOT "shut up." I will always vote on principle, and I don't ever mean economic ones in the main.
Lead the party otherwise, and be sure that I am far from being alone in what I say.
Sincerely yours,
Stan M. Yonashiro
Friday, September 17, 2010
#70 - Obama Tax Hikes Defended by Myths and Straw Man Arguments: Summary
(1) As always, please be sure to check out “The Coral Ridge Hour” this Sunday (5 pm, Ch. 40.1 in Orlando) This week’s entire broadcast will be about heaven and hell, two subjects you don’t hear spoken of directly very much despite their centrality to the gospel and the Scriptures.
(2)Be sure to check out Crossexamine.com to find out the CABLE broadcast of this new series by the Coral Ridge ministries to help believers understand key issues from a Biblical perspective.
(3)Be sure to check out this week’s editorial cartoons at: http://www.worldmag.com/editorialcartoons/
(4)Be sure to check out (my health permitting) my Sunday Special post this week.
Straw Man: Extending current tax policy will not stimulate the economy.
Reality: Extending current tax policy will provide at most a modest boost to the economy, but raising taxes will slow down recovery.
This is a straw man argument because proponents do not argue that continuing current policy would add much to stimulus. Effective economic stimulus requires some new policy.
Myth: Preventing a tax hike is a tax cut.
Fact: Extending the 2001 and 2003 tax provisions is not a tax cut; failure to extend these provisions is a tax hike.
Failure to extend current tax policy would impose massive tax hikes on millions of Americans. Preserving current tax policy is not a tax cut.
Myth: An extension of the tax cuts must be paid for.
Fact: It is neither necessary nor logical to raise taxes to avoid a tax hike elsewhere.
The “fact” in this case may seem so obvious as to be perplexing. Extending current tax policy is not a tax cut; it is the prevention of a tax hike and the deficit is not increased thereby.
Myth: Higher tax rates would not weaken the economy in the short run.
Fact: Higher tax rates would sap the recovery.
Raising taxes on work and investment would mean less work and less investment and can be regarded only as an overtly hostile anti-jobs policy.
Myth: Small businesses would be only marginally impacted by higher taxes rates.
Fact: Successful, growing, hiring small businesses are especially targeted by higher tax rates.
Many Americans report business income from hobbies, sideline businesses, etc., thus inflating the number of so-called “small businesses.” True small businesses have employees and machinery, offer goods and services widely, and are far fewer in number. Yet they earn most of the small business income that would be subject to the higher rates.
Myth: Tax rates matter little in the long run.
Fact: Tax rates have their most powerful effects on long-run growth and wages.
The effects of tax changes take time to manifest fully because major business investments typically require extended evaluation, planning, and implementation. Similarly, while workers respond quickly to changes in tax rates, a full response takes time as they adjust their spending and budgets accordingly.
Myth: The country cannot afford not to raise taxes.
Fact: The problem is spending, not revenues. The country cannot afford to let current spending levels continue.
Taxes as a share of the economy will soon exceed the historical average. The current and projected unsustainable deficits are due to Obama’s spending surge, not a shortage of revenue.
Myth: The Obama tax hikes would alleviate the long-term budget crisis.
Fact: The Obama tax hikes, while enormous in their own right, are almost inconsequential compared to the size of the unfunded spending in Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.
Tax relief enacted a decade ago did not cause excessive entitlement spending. Tax increases today and in the future would do little to address the long-term fiscal picture.
Myth: A strong economy would solve America’s budget woes.
Fact: A strong economy would help, but only aggressive spending reductions would restore a sound fiscal policy.
A strong economy would increase revenues to federal coffers but would not by itself restore a sound fiscal policy. Only significant spending reductions can simultaneously preserve a strong economy while establishing a sustainable fiscal policy.
Myth: President Bush intended the tax cuts to expire.
Fact: The tax cuts were to be permanent and were enacted on a temporary basis solely to overcome a parliamentary hurdle.
President Bush proposed permanent tax relief and repeatedly called for it to be made permanent.
Spending Is the Problem
Obama and his allies have increased spending radically. A sound, responsible budget policy absent tax hikes does not demand radically lower levels of spending but only reversing Obama’s radical spending. Congress should make current tax policy permanent and then get about the business of paring government spending to sustainable levels.
J. D. Foster, Ph.D., is Norman B. Ture Senior Fellow in the Economics of Fiscal Policy in the Thomas A. Roe Institute for Economic Policy Studies at The Heritage Foundation.
[For another perspective on the President’s view on taxes, check out: http://online.worldmag.com/2010/09/16/obama-vs-castro/]
(2)Be sure to check out Crossexamine.com to find out the CABLE broadcast of this new series by the Coral Ridge ministries to help believers understand key issues from a Biblical perspective.
(3)Be sure to check out this week’s editorial cartoons at: http://www.worldmag.com/editorialcartoons/
(4)Be sure to check out (my health permitting) my Sunday Special post this week.
Straw Man: Extending current tax policy will not stimulate the economy.
Reality: Extending current tax policy will provide at most a modest boost to the economy, but raising taxes will slow down recovery.
This is a straw man argument because proponents do not argue that continuing current policy would add much to stimulus. Effective economic stimulus requires some new policy.
Myth: Preventing a tax hike is a tax cut.
Fact: Extending the 2001 and 2003 tax provisions is not a tax cut; failure to extend these provisions is a tax hike.
Failure to extend current tax policy would impose massive tax hikes on millions of Americans. Preserving current tax policy is not a tax cut.
Myth: An extension of the tax cuts must be paid for.
Fact: It is neither necessary nor logical to raise taxes to avoid a tax hike elsewhere.
The “fact” in this case may seem so obvious as to be perplexing. Extending current tax policy is not a tax cut; it is the prevention of a tax hike and the deficit is not increased thereby.
Myth: Higher tax rates would not weaken the economy in the short run.
Fact: Higher tax rates would sap the recovery.
Raising taxes on work and investment would mean less work and less investment and can be regarded only as an overtly hostile anti-jobs policy.
Myth: Small businesses would be only marginally impacted by higher taxes rates.
Fact: Successful, growing, hiring small businesses are especially targeted by higher tax rates.
Many Americans report business income from hobbies, sideline businesses, etc., thus inflating the number of so-called “small businesses.” True small businesses have employees and machinery, offer goods and services widely, and are far fewer in number. Yet they earn most of the small business income that would be subject to the higher rates.
Myth: Tax rates matter little in the long run.
Fact: Tax rates have their most powerful effects on long-run growth and wages.
The effects of tax changes take time to manifest fully because major business investments typically require extended evaluation, planning, and implementation. Similarly, while workers respond quickly to changes in tax rates, a full response takes time as they adjust their spending and budgets accordingly.
Myth: The country cannot afford not to raise taxes.
Fact: The problem is spending, not revenues. The country cannot afford to let current spending levels continue.
Taxes as a share of the economy will soon exceed the historical average. The current and projected unsustainable deficits are due to Obama’s spending surge, not a shortage of revenue.
Myth: The Obama tax hikes would alleviate the long-term budget crisis.
Fact: The Obama tax hikes, while enormous in their own right, are almost inconsequential compared to the size of the unfunded spending in Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.
Tax relief enacted a decade ago did not cause excessive entitlement spending. Tax increases today and in the future would do little to address the long-term fiscal picture.
Myth: A strong economy would solve America’s budget woes.
Fact: A strong economy would help, but only aggressive spending reductions would restore a sound fiscal policy.
A strong economy would increase revenues to federal coffers but would not by itself restore a sound fiscal policy. Only significant spending reductions can simultaneously preserve a strong economy while establishing a sustainable fiscal policy.
Myth: President Bush intended the tax cuts to expire.
Fact: The tax cuts were to be permanent and were enacted on a temporary basis solely to overcome a parliamentary hurdle.
President Bush proposed permanent tax relief and repeatedly called for it to be made permanent.
Spending Is the Problem
Obama and his allies have increased spending radically. A sound, responsible budget policy absent tax hikes does not demand radically lower levels of spending but only reversing Obama’s radical spending. Congress should make current tax policy permanent and then get about the business of paring government spending to sustainable levels.
J. D. Foster, Ph.D., is Norman B. Ture Senior Fellow in the Economics of Fiscal Policy in the Thomas A. Roe Institute for Economic Policy Studies at The Heritage Foundation.
[For another perspective on the President’s view on taxes, check out: http://online.worldmag.com/2010/09/16/obama-vs-castro/]
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
#69 - Statism and Scripture
(This upcoming election is more about the out of control growth of our federal government for many years now, but especially over the past 2 years. The following commentary addresses this issue from a Christian perspective.)
Kudzu Government
Chuck Colson, Breakpoint.com, May 14, 2010
Many Christians are uneasy with the growth of government in American life. They just can’t quite explain why.
From General Motors to health care. From bank bailouts to national anti-obesity campaigns. Government is becoming more and more involved of every aspect of American life. Most Christians are rightly uncomfortable with this. But most of us can’t explain to our friends and neighbors why that is. That’s one reason I broadcast BreakPoint every day—to help Christians understand and defend a Christian worldview as it applies to every area of life. It’s also why I launched the Colson Center for Christian Worldview. At ColsonCenter.org, we feature the work of respected theologians and worldview thinkers—people like T.M. Moore, my long-time colleague.
As part of his weekly “ViewPoint” Bible studies, T.M. Moore has written for us a fantastic study called “Kudzu Government: The Lust for Autonomy and the Roots of Statism.” http://www.colsoncenter.org/the-center/columns/viewpoint The fundamental principle of a statist worldview, T. M. writes, is the belief that “government is in the best position to create the conditions and provide the framework for maximum human flourishing. When such becomes the operating principle of a nation, then nothing is off limits for government intrusion, revision, redefinition, and control.”
T. M. compares this kind of government to kudzu, a rapid-growing, leafy vine. Kudzu has its proper place—as an ornamental vine in a garden. But when it grows unchecked, it literally devours everything in its path. Any of you who have ever driven down a country road in the South know exactly what I mean.
Likewise, government has its proper, biblically sanctioned role—which is to restrain evil and promote justice. But as T. M. writes, “When government becomes a law unto itself...it breaks the bounds of its proper confines, and forcing its ways on every other area and aspect of life, it smothers and chokes everything it touches—values, institutions, establishments and entities—and replaces them with itself.” The statist worldview is particularly dangerous to religion. As T.M. writes, “Few things rankle the kudzu state more than the loud-mouthed prophet who simply won’t go along with the program.” So statist regimes either silence religion altogether (a la Communism and Nazism), or, just as insidiously, co-opt religion to use as a tool for government power and policy.
Look at the situation in America today. I’ve talked many times about the threat of abortion and gay marriage to religious freedom. Revoking non-profit status, laws about anti-discrimination in employment, revoking medical or pharmaceutical licenses—these are all “soft” ways that government can seek to force religious individuals and institutions into conforming to government policies. What makes T. M.’s study on “Kudzu Government” so useful is the way it employs Scripture to illustrate the dangers of statism. The story of Jeroboam, Joseph in Egypt, Ahab, David, and Solomon—all of these illustrate the tendency of those in power to want to assert more and more authority over their subjects’ lives.
Please come to ColsonCenter.org to download a free copy of “Kudzu Government.” Use it yourself, and give it to your small group. And be sure to come back every week for a new ViewPoint study by T. M. Moore on topics of great interest to Christians—all from a thoroughly biblical perspective.
FURTHER READING AND INFORMATION
Rex Lex: Kudzu Government Part 1, T.M. Moore | Colson Center | May 10, 2010
To Be as God: Kudzu Government Part 2, T.M. Moore | Colson Center | May 11, 2010
What’s Yours Is Ours: Kudzu Government Part 3, T.M. Moore | Colson Center | May 12, 2010
Redefining Religion: Kudzu Government Part 4, T.M. Moore | Colson Center | May 13, 2010
Troubling the Truthful: Kudzu Government Part 5, T.M. Moore | Colson Center | May 14, 2010
It’s the Culture: What Makes a Good Society, Chuck Colson | BreakPoint Commentary | May 13, 2010
Kudzu Government
Chuck Colson, Breakpoint.com, May 14, 2010
Many Christians are uneasy with the growth of government in American life. They just can’t quite explain why.
From General Motors to health care. From bank bailouts to national anti-obesity campaigns. Government is becoming more and more involved of every aspect of American life. Most Christians are rightly uncomfortable with this. But most of us can’t explain to our friends and neighbors why that is. That’s one reason I broadcast BreakPoint every day—to help Christians understand and defend a Christian worldview as it applies to every area of life. It’s also why I launched the Colson Center for Christian Worldview. At ColsonCenter.org, we feature the work of respected theologians and worldview thinkers—people like T.M. Moore, my long-time colleague.
As part of his weekly “ViewPoint” Bible studies, T.M. Moore has written for us a fantastic study called “Kudzu Government: The Lust for Autonomy and the Roots of Statism.” http://www.colsoncenter.org/the-center/columns/viewpoint The fundamental principle of a statist worldview, T. M. writes, is the belief that “government is in the best position to create the conditions and provide the framework for maximum human flourishing. When such becomes the operating principle of a nation, then nothing is off limits for government intrusion, revision, redefinition, and control.”
T. M. compares this kind of government to kudzu, a rapid-growing, leafy vine. Kudzu has its proper place—as an ornamental vine in a garden. But when it grows unchecked, it literally devours everything in its path. Any of you who have ever driven down a country road in the South know exactly what I mean.
Likewise, government has its proper, biblically sanctioned role—which is to restrain evil and promote justice. But as T. M. writes, “When government becomes a law unto itself...it breaks the bounds of its proper confines, and forcing its ways on every other area and aspect of life, it smothers and chokes everything it touches—values, institutions, establishments and entities—and replaces them with itself.” The statist worldview is particularly dangerous to religion. As T.M. writes, “Few things rankle the kudzu state more than the loud-mouthed prophet who simply won’t go along with the program.” So statist regimes either silence religion altogether (a la Communism and Nazism), or, just as insidiously, co-opt religion to use as a tool for government power and policy.
Look at the situation in America today. I’ve talked many times about the threat of abortion and gay marriage to religious freedom. Revoking non-profit status, laws about anti-discrimination in employment, revoking medical or pharmaceutical licenses—these are all “soft” ways that government can seek to force religious individuals and institutions into conforming to government policies. What makes T. M.’s study on “Kudzu Government” so useful is the way it employs Scripture to illustrate the dangers of statism. The story of Jeroboam, Joseph in Egypt, Ahab, David, and Solomon—all of these illustrate the tendency of those in power to want to assert more and more authority over their subjects’ lives.
Please come to ColsonCenter.org to download a free copy of “Kudzu Government.” Use it yourself, and give it to your small group. And be sure to come back every week for a new ViewPoint study by T. M. Moore on topics of great interest to Christians—all from a thoroughly biblical perspective.
FURTHER READING AND INFORMATION
Rex Lex: Kudzu Government Part 1, T.M. Moore | Colson Center | May 10, 2010
To Be as God: Kudzu Government Part 2, T.M. Moore | Colson Center | May 11, 2010
What’s Yours Is Ours: Kudzu Government Part 3, T.M. Moore | Colson Center | May 12, 2010
Redefining Religion: Kudzu Government Part 4, T.M. Moore | Colson Center | May 13, 2010
Troubling the Truthful: Kudzu Government Part 5, T.M. Moore | Colson Center | May 14, 2010
It’s the Culture: What Makes a Good Society, Chuck Colson | BreakPoint Commentary | May 13, 2010
Saturday, September 11, 2010
#68- The Mosque Controversy, Part 3: A Unique look at Islam; Also A Commentary on the Koran Burning Controversy
[As every Sunday, please turn into “The Coral Ridge Hour" this SUNDAY 5-5:30 pm (over-the-air, channel 40.1 in Orlando). They will have the second of a two part feature on Radical Islam. Also, if you have cable, please call 1-800-295-5869 for the broadcast times of their new program called “Cross-Examine” - "to help viewers examine everything in life through the lens of the cross of Jesus Christ.” (or go to their website: www.crossexamine.com)]
(On this 9th anniversary of 9/11, I am reminded that on that day, I was at my desk in the office when I heard people rushing to the conference area of the office. As I saw people gathering around a television set, I saw on the screen a plane flying into a building. My first thought was, “What are people doing watching a movie?!!” Then, as I stood there, I saw the second plane crash into the second tower and suddenly realized it was not a movie but a live news report!! It was all so surreal, and I still don’t remember when or how any of us got back to focusing on whatever we were working on that day. So, what’s YOUR memory of that tragic day?)
George Sada, an ethnically Iraqi Assyrian CHRISTIAN and a hero in the former Iraqi air force, wrote a book entitled: “Sadam’s Secrets: How an Iraqi General Defied and Survived Saddam Hussein,” (2006). In it he says:
“I’m often asked about militant Islam and the threat of global terrorism. More than once I’ve been asked about the meaning of the Arabic words “Fatah” and “Jihad.” What I normally tell them is that to followers of the militant brand of Islam, these doctrines express the belief that Allah has commanded them to conquer the nations of the world both by cultural invasion and by the sword. In some cases this means moving thousands of Muslim families into a foreign land-by building mosques and changing the culture from the inside out, and by refusing to assimilate or adopt the beliefs or values of that nation--to conquer the land for Islam. This is an invidious doctrine, but it’s …being carried out in some places today by followers of this type of Islam.” (pp.285-6)
“[They] won’t be stopped by appeasement. They are not interested in political solutions. They don’t want welfare—their animosity is not caused by hunger or poverty or anything of the sort. They understand only one think: total and complete conquest of the West and of anyone who does not bow to them and their dangerous and out-of-date ideology of hate and revenge.” (p.289)
“What I want to say next is not easy for me to say but I think I must say it anyway. One of the nicest things about the American people is that you are generous and friendly people, and because of this you are sometimes naïve and overly trusting. You want to be friendly, so you open up to people and then you’re surprised when they stab you in the back. Many brave young soldiers have died in Iraq for this reason, but I think this is also a big part of the problem with the State Department and others in government who fail to understand the true nature of this enemy” (p. 289-90).
(I know that this event has now been canceled but I thought I’d go ahead and post it anyway just for the insight it presents.)
A Bad Idea - International Burn a Koran Day: by Chuck Colson, Breakpoint.com, September 8, 2010
Remembering the terrorist attacks of 9/11 is something we should do. But there are appropriate and inappropriate ways to do it.
Pastor Terry Jones’s thoughts about Islam are simple and direct. The title of his book says it all: Islam is of the Devil. The same thought is on a sign outside of his church, the Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Florida, and on the T-shirts and coffee mugs the church sells. In order to raise greater awareness of the dangers of Islam, Jones has designated 9/11 as “International Burn a Koran Day.” According to their Facebook page Jones hopes, and I quote, “To bring awareness to the dangers of Islam and that the Koran is leading people to hell. Eternal fire is the only destination the Koran can lead people to so we want to put the Koran in its place—the fire!” End quote.
Every Christian believes that no man can come to God but through Jesus Christ. That’s not a bigoted remark, that’s simply the truth claim that underlies Christianity. And I would expect that Muslims would tell me that my religion, Christianity, is a false religion. The unique thing about the United States is that we are prepared to fight for and defend every single individual’s right to his or her choice to practice the religion of their choice. We learn to respect our differences in a free, pluralistic society. I have also referred repeatedly on BreakPoint to the dangers of the Islamist movement, which is an ideologically extreme perversion of the Islamic faith. And this is why so many armed conflicts around the world involve Muslims—often fighting other Muslims.And the attempts to inject parts of Sharia Law in the United States and Britain are a hazard to our constitutional order.
All that being said, I find Jones’s plan to burn the Koran foolish and contemptible. It poses dangers Jones has either overlooked or chooses to ignore. As Dr. John Rankin, president of the Theological Education Institute correctly notes, if Jones burns the Qur’an, “the images will reverberate on the Internet internationally, and this could lead to unparalleled fury in the Muslim world.” And most of that fury will be directed into violence against Christians in Muslim areas throughout the world. If Jones goes through with this horrid plan, people—Christian people—will suffer and some will die. General Petraeus has even expressed fear for our troops in Afghanistan.
Second, Rankin comments, “The Gospel would thus be slandered.” The Apostle Peter tells Christians that we are to be good apologists, but as we give people reasons for our hope in Christ, it has to be “with gentleness and respect.” Burning the Koran will be taken as the height of disrespect by the Muslim world where copies of the Koran are treated as sacred objects and are handled with the utmost care and reverence. Nothing in the Bible encourages us to treat Muslims or any other religious group with this kind of contempt. Rankin concludes, “The stakes are high in terms of the reputation of the Gospel and protection of innocent lives in tinderbox sections of the Muslim world.”
My most fervent prayer is that Jones will reconsider and cancel the Koran burning in the name of the Gospel of Peace. Part of a Christian worldview is the ability to articulate what we believe and why we believe it in the face of competing worldviews like Islam. But we detract from our witness if we allow anything except the Gospel to offend our unsaved neighbors.
Further Reading and Information
Far From Ground Zero, Obscure Pastor is Ignored No Longer, Damien Cave | The New York Times | August 25, 2010
Gainesville church plans to go ahead with Qur'an burning, James A. Smith, Sr. | Florida Baptist Witness | September 7, 2010
John Rankin Blog, Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Seven Questions for the Pastor Who Wants to Burn Copies of the Koran on 9/11, Fox News | Rev. John Rankin | September 3, 2010
[http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/09/03/rev-john-rankin-pastor-terry-jones-dove-world-outreach-center-bureau]
(On this 9th anniversary of 9/11, I am reminded that on that day, I was at my desk in the office when I heard people rushing to the conference area of the office. As I saw people gathering around a television set, I saw on the screen a plane flying into a building. My first thought was, “What are people doing watching a movie?!!” Then, as I stood there, I saw the second plane crash into the second tower and suddenly realized it was not a movie but a live news report!! It was all so surreal, and I still don’t remember when or how any of us got back to focusing on whatever we were working on that day. So, what’s YOUR memory of that tragic day?)
George Sada, an ethnically Iraqi Assyrian CHRISTIAN and a hero in the former Iraqi air force, wrote a book entitled: “Sadam’s Secrets: How an Iraqi General Defied and Survived Saddam Hussein,” (2006). In it he says:
“I’m often asked about militant Islam and the threat of global terrorism. More than once I’ve been asked about the meaning of the Arabic words “Fatah” and “Jihad.” What I normally tell them is that to followers of the militant brand of Islam, these doctrines express the belief that Allah has commanded them to conquer the nations of the world both by cultural invasion and by the sword. In some cases this means moving thousands of Muslim families into a foreign land-by building mosques and changing the culture from the inside out, and by refusing to assimilate or adopt the beliefs or values of that nation--to conquer the land for Islam. This is an invidious doctrine, but it’s …being carried out in some places today by followers of this type of Islam.” (pp.285-6)
“[They] won’t be stopped by appeasement. They are not interested in political solutions. They don’t want welfare—their animosity is not caused by hunger or poverty or anything of the sort. They understand only one think: total and complete conquest of the West and of anyone who does not bow to them and their dangerous and out-of-date ideology of hate and revenge.” (p.289)
“What I want to say next is not easy for me to say but I think I must say it anyway. One of the nicest things about the American people is that you are generous and friendly people, and because of this you are sometimes naïve and overly trusting. You want to be friendly, so you open up to people and then you’re surprised when they stab you in the back. Many brave young soldiers have died in Iraq for this reason, but I think this is also a big part of the problem with the State Department and others in government who fail to understand the true nature of this enemy” (p. 289-90).
(I know that this event has now been canceled but I thought I’d go ahead and post it anyway just for the insight it presents.)
A Bad Idea - International Burn a Koran Day: by Chuck Colson, Breakpoint.com, September 8, 2010
Remembering the terrorist attacks of 9/11 is something we should do. But there are appropriate and inappropriate ways to do it.
Pastor Terry Jones’s thoughts about Islam are simple and direct. The title of his book says it all: Islam is of the Devil. The same thought is on a sign outside of his church, the Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Florida, and on the T-shirts and coffee mugs the church sells. In order to raise greater awareness of the dangers of Islam, Jones has designated 9/11 as “International Burn a Koran Day.” According to their Facebook page Jones hopes, and I quote, “To bring awareness to the dangers of Islam and that the Koran is leading people to hell. Eternal fire is the only destination the Koran can lead people to so we want to put the Koran in its place—the fire!” End quote.
Every Christian believes that no man can come to God but through Jesus Christ. That’s not a bigoted remark, that’s simply the truth claim that underlies Christianity. And I would expect that Muslims would tell me that my religion, Christianity, is a false religion. The unique thing about the United States is that we are prepared to fight for and defend every single individual’s right to his or her choice to practice the religion of their choice. We learn to respect our differences in a free, pluralistic society. I have also referred repeatedly on BreakPoint to the dangers of the Islamist movement, which is an ideologically extreme perversion of the Islamic faith. And this is why so many armed conflicts around the world involve Muslims—often fighting other Muslims.And the attempts to inject parts of Sharia Law in the United States and Britain are a hazard to our constitutional order.
All that being said, I find Jones’s plan to burn the Koran foolish and contemptible. It poses dangers Jones has either overlooked or chooses to ignore. As Dr. John Rankin, president of the Theological Education Institute correctly notes, if Jones burns the Qur’an, “the images will reverberate on the Internet internationally, and this could lead to unparalleled fury in the Muslim world.” And most of that fury will be directed into violence against Christians in Muslim areas throughout the world. If Jones goes through with this horrid plan, people—Christian people—will suffer and some will die. General Petraeus has even expressed fear for our troops in Afghanistan.
Second, Rankin comments, “The Gospel would thus be slandered.” The Apostle Peter tells Christians that we are to be good apologists, but as we give people reasons for our hope in Christ, it has to be “with gentleness and respect.” Burning the Koran will be taken as the height of disrespect by the Muslim world where copies of the Koran are treated as sacred objects and are handled with the utmost care and reverence. Nothing in the Bible encourages us to treat Muslims or any other religious group with this kind of contempt. Rankin concludes, “The stakes are high in terms of the reputation of the Gospel and protection of innocent lives in tinderbox sections of the Muslim world.”
My most fervent prayer is that Jones will reconsider and cancel the Koran burning in the name of the Gospel of Peace. Part of a Christian worldview is the ability to articulate what we believe and why we believe it in the face of competing worldviews like Islam. But we detract from our witness if we allow anything except the Gospel to offend our unsaved neighbors.
Further Reading and Information
Far From Ground Zero, Obscure Pastor is Ignored No Longer, Damien Cave | The New York Times | August 25, 2010
Gainesville church plans to go ahead with Qur'an burning, James A. Smith, Sr. | Florida Baptist Witness | September 7, 2010
John Rankin Blog, Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Seven Questions for the Pastor Who Wants to Burn Copies of the Koran on 9/11, Fox News | Rev. John Rankin | September 3, 2010
[http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/09/03/rev-john-rankin-pastor-terry-jones-dove-world-outreach-center-bureau]
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