lifesitenews--2020-02-11--Pro-family Hungarian leader Orbán praises ‘Catholic approach’ for helping country flourish

February 11 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Hungarian Prime Minister , Viktor Orbán , told a conservative conference in Rome last week that “ the universal Catholic approach ” is the only one “ which appreciates and accepts national sovereignty.
” Orbán made his comments during an address given to the National Conservativism Conference in Rome on February 4 .
In a wide-ranging speech , he spoke about his core anti-Marxist political principles , the impact of Muslim migration to Europe , the reasons for Hungary ’ s economic success and the relationship between national identity and conservative politics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that “ Christianity is Europe 's last hope ” .
He has a strong history of promoting pro-family policies in Hungary and has not been afraid to stand-up to anti-life globalists such as George Soros .
In his speech last week , Orbán highlighted the roles played by former US President Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II in overcoming the Soviet Union and defending the nations of Central Europe .
Orbán said that his generation in Hungary considered Reagan as “ the liberator of our personal life ” .
He said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by changing his strategy during the Cold War from one where “ the target was not to win , just to peacefully coexist ” , to one that can be summarized by the sentence : `` We win , they lose . ''
Orbán said that Reagan ’ s change in strategy resulted in “ the captive nations ” , such as Hungary , becoming “ free again.
” “ Without Ronald Reagan , ” he said , “ there would have been no chance to push the Russians , the Soviet Union @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rid of communism.
” Although himself a Calvinist , he also singled out Pope John Paul II for his role in defending people in Central European nations from the Soviets .
“ We never considered the Holy Father as a Catholic leader of the Vatican , ” he said .
“ We always considered him as the biggest defender of Central European countries on the world stage , whatever their religious background.
” Orbán explained that as young men he and his friends had not wished or intended to enter politics , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they realized that the Soviet Union ’ s structure and the communist regime was not strong enough to survive , and so they thought “ now this is the right moment to do something.
” They founded , in his words , a “ radical anti-communist ” party , which initially had an upper age limit of 35 , due to what Orbán describes as the older generation ’ s tendency to “ make some compromises on communist thinking and communist politics.
” That upper age limit for members was later removed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ his party was not just anti-communist in terms of national independence against the Soviet Union , but that they stood “ against the communist way of thinking , the Marxists way of thinking which is still going on , you know.
” “ The liberal professors and politicians argue by using different words but meaning the same thing , you know , as the Marxists speak , ” he added .
“ That is the reason why we feel that we are still the same anti-communist radical politicians as we were 30 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That is the point.
” Orbán explained that in his view there are two competing views of Europe .
One he identified as “ federalist , empire-oriented approach ” which wants to “ build Europe from above ” and which “ wouldn ’ t like to have sovereign states.
” The other vision , the vision he insists upon , is what he describes as “ building Europe from the bottom ” , which he says means “ respecting national sovereignty and finding a way for sovereign nations to cooperate in order to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nations.
” He describes Hungary as a “ Christian democracy ” and says that Hungary has chosen “ Christian liberty ” instead of “ liberal freedom.
” “ It is very unique , nobody likes it outside Hungary , ” he says .
“ The liberal press is always attacking us , making jokes of us , but it works .
And the people vote for it again and again and again .
This is my approach , and that ’ s the reason why I believe in Christian democracy.
” Interestingly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calls “ the universal Catholic approach ” in shaping his political thinking .
He said that in building up sovereign nations “ we have to resist the attempts to build an empire ” and that “ the universal Catholic approach ” is “ the only one which appreciates and accepts national sovereignty .
It is a global idea but considers sovereign states valuable.
” “ That is the reason why in Hungary , where 75 % are Catholic and 25 % are Calvinists , we are able to cooperate for national sovereignty on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ That creates a national unity for national sovereignty , as we understand .
So Christian democracy I think is the best framework to conceptualize what we are doing.
” The reality of Muslim migration in Europe Orbán explained that in Hungary they have “ Muslim migrants that amount to zero .
So we don ’ t have any.
” He contrasted this with the demographic make-up of western European nations , saying that “ it is pure mathematics to understand where the western countries will develop in terms of demography and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a very severe thing , ” he continued .
“ It is obvious that they will create , will develop or evolve a society which will be a composition of a big Muslim community which is growing and a Christian community which is decreasing .
That is how the Western countries will look like , whether we like it or not .
It is not a wish , it is not a critique , it is a description , you know , of what is going on , not just because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the previous 30 years as they understood the whole issue of migration , and because of the poor performance of families , in terms of reproduction of their nations in many countries.
” He said that , as a result of this , many European countries are seeing “ a new type of society consisting of a decreasing Christian element and an increasing Muslim element.
” “ The liberals support that process , because the liberals think it is good , ” he said .
“ They don ’ t like Christian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the identity as we understand societies , so they think that the new composition of Western societies would provide a nicer life , a better life than it was during the so-called Christian Europe .
Therefore they support that process.
” Orbán said that it was not his job to convince other nations to adopt different immigration policies , but stated his hope that other nations would not attempt to “ force us to follow the same track.
” He said that the 2015 migration crisis had presented a positive opportunity for nations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ask questions such as “ What does it mean to be French ?
What does it mean to be German ?
... What does it mean to be Italian ?
Or to be Central European , or Hungarian ?
” He observed that “ the migration issue is a good cause for Christian democrats and national conservatives to explain again to the people what is at stake , what is really important , and how we imagine the future.
” He said that because of the starkly different approach being taken between liberal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in central and eastern Europe that there was a real possibility that “ in 20 years ’ time Europe will show a different picture on the Western part , on a civilizational basis , and on the Eastern part ” and that would mean it would become “ difficult to answer how we can cooperate if we became so different.
” When asked directly by his interviewer about Hungary ’ s “ pro-natalist policy ” and whether this meant he had “ serious or big ambitions ?
” Orbán initially responded briefly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” When pressed further he said the role that Hungary has been playing of leading the “ fight against the liberal mainstream is not the job of small countries.
” He said that the simple reason they have played that role is “ because there is nobody else ” but said that he hopes that bigger countries , such as Italy or Spain , “ will take the same flag and take the role away from us , or join us in leading that fight.
” LifeSite spoke today with Dr. Imre Téglásy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ HLI ) in Hungary and one of the abortion survivors featured in the new pro-life ad “ Faces of Choice ” which premiered at the recent March for Life and was blocked from being aired during the recent Super Bowl .
Téglásy told LifeSite that , in his view , “ Viktor Orbán is the greatest politician of the last three decades in Hungary.
” He said Orbán has “ recognized the challenge of this crisis caused by the “ demographic winter , ” which means that Europe is underpopulated due to parents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they do not have a family by means of contraception and abortion .
Téglásy noted that when Orbán came to power the fertility rate was tragically low in Hungary ( 1.28 children per family ) and that this meant “ the soon extinction of the whole nation.
” Téglásy said that Orbán has initiated “ lots of incentives to promote the idea of ‘ Making Families Great again.
’ ” Téglásy concluded by praising Orbán ’ s promotion of pro-life and pro-family values .
After an age of feminist liberation , Orbán @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make women free , as well as affirming them in their God-given vocation to become mothers and glorious with their children .

February 11, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán, told a conservative conference in Rome last week that “the universal Catholic approach” is the only one “which appreciates and accepts national sovereignty.”
Orbán made his comments during an address given to the National Conservativism Conference in Rome on February 4. In a wide-ranging speech, he spoke about his core anti-Marxist political principles, the impact of Muslim migration to Europe, the reasons for Hungary’s economic success and the relationship between national identity and conservative politics.
Orbán has said in the past that “Christianity is Europe's last hope”. He has a strong history of promoting pro-family policies in Hungary and has not been afraid to stand-up to anti-life globalists such as George Soros.
In his speech last week, Orbán highlighted the roles played by former US President Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II in overcoming the Soviet Union and defending the nations of Central Europe.
Orbán said that his generation in Hungary considered Reagan as “the liberator of our personal life”. He said that Reagan had “changed the world” by changing his strategy during the Cold War from one where “the target was not to win, just to peacefully coexist”, to one that can be summarized by the sentence: “We win, they lose.” Orbán said that Reagan’s change in strategy resulted in “the captive nations”, such as Hungary, becoming “free again.”
“Without Ronald Reagan,” he said, “there would have been no chance to push the Russians, the Soviet Union out of Central Europe and to get rid of communism.”
Although himself a Calvinist, he also singled out Pope John Paul II for his role in defending people in Central European nations from the Soviets. “We never considered the Holy Father as a Catholic leader of the Vatican,” he said. “We always considered him as the biggest defender of Central European countries on the world stage, whatever their religious background.”
A radical anti-Communism political movement
Orbán explained that as young men he and his friends had not wished or intended to enter politics, but that they did so in 1988 because they realized that the Soviet Union’s structure and the communist regime was not strong enough to survive, and so they thought “now this is the right moment to do something.”
They founded, in his words, a “radical anti-communist” party, which initially had an upper age limit of 35, due to what Orbán describes as the older generation’s tendency to “make some compromises on communist thinking and communist politics.” That upper age limit for members was later removed.
He says that from its founding, his party was not just anti-communist in terms of national independence against the Soviet Union, but that they stood “against the communist way of thinking, the Marxists way of thinking which is still going on, you know.”
“The liberal professors and politicians argue by using different words but meaning the same thing, you know, as the Marxists speak,” he added. “That is the reason why we feel that we are still the same anti-communist radical politicians as we were 30 years ago, fighting the same battle. That is the point.”
A Europe of sovereign nations
Orbán explained that in his view there are two competing views of Europe. One he identified as “federalist, empire-oriented approach” which wants to “build Europe from above” and which “wouldn’t like to have sovereign states.”
The other vision, the vision he insists upon, is what he describes as “building Europe from the bottom”, which he says means “respecting national sovereignty and finding a way for sovereign nations to cooperate in order to find the common interest of the European nations.”
He describes Hungary as a “Christian democracy” and says that Hungary has chosen “Christian liberty” instead of “liberal freedom.”
“It is very unique, nobody likes it outside Hungary,” he says. “The liberal press is always attacking us, making jokes of us, but it works. And the people vote for it again and again and again. This is my approach, and that’s the reason why I believe in Christian democracy.”
Interestingly, Orbán noted the significance of what he calls “the universal Catholic approach” in shaping his political thinking. He said that in building up sovereign nations “we have to resist the attempts to build an empire” and that “the universal Catholic approach” is “the only one which appreciates and accepts national sovereignty. It is a global idea but considers sovereign states valuable.”
“That is the reason why in Hungary, where 75% are Catholic and 25% are Calvinists, we are able to cooperate for national sovereignty on a Christian-democratic basis,” he continued. “That creates a national unity for national sovereignty, as we understand. So Christian democracy I think is the best framework to conceptualize what we are doing.”
The reality of Muslim migration in Europe
Orbán explained that in Hungary they have “Muslim migrants that amount to zero. So we don’t have any.”
He contrasted this with the demographic make-up of western European nations, saying that “it is pure mathematics to understand where the western countries will develop in terms of demography and composition of their societies.”
“Mathematics is a very severe thing,” he continued. “It is obvious that they will create, will develop or evolve a society which will be a composition of a big Muslim community which is growing and a Christian community which is decreasing. That is how the Western countries will look like, whether we like it or not. It is not a wish, it is not a critique, it is a description, you know, of what is going on, not just because of the migration crisis in 2015 but because of the previous 30 years as they understood the whole issue of migration, and because of the poor performance of families, in terms of reproduction of their nations in many countries.”
He said that, as a result of this, many European countries are seeing “a new type of society consisting of a decreasing Christian element and an increasing Muslim element.”
“The liberals support that process, because the liberals think it is good,” he said. “They don’t like Christian society, they don’t like the identity as we understand societies, so they think that the new composition of Western societies would provide a nicer life, a better life than it was during the so-called Christian Europe. Therefore they support that process.”
Orbán said that it was not his job to convince other nations to adopt different immigration policies, but stated his hope that other nations would not attempt to “force us to follow the same track.”
He said that the 2015 migration crisis had presented a positive opportunity for nations to reassert their national identities and to ask questions such as “What does it mean to be French? What does it mean to be German?…What does it mean to be Italian? Or to be Central European, or Hungarian?”
He observed that “the migration issue is a good cause for Christian democrats and national conservatives to explain again to the people what is at stake, what is really important, and how we imagine the future.”
He said that because of the starkly different approach being taken between liberal democracies in western Europe and Christian democracies in central and eastern Europe that there was a real possibility that “in 20 years’ time Europe will show a different picture on the Western part, on a civilizational basis, and on the Eastern part” and that would mean it would become “difficult to answer how we can cooperate if we became so different.”
Leading the fight against “mainstream liberalism”
When asked directly by his interviewer about Hungary’s “pro-natalist policy” and whether this meant he had “serious or big ambitions?” Orbán initially responded briefly, simply saying “Don’t worry.”
When pressed further he said the role that Hungary has been playing of leading the “fight against the liberal mainstream is not the job of small countries.” He said that the simple reason they have played that role is “because there is nobody else” but said that he hopes that bigger countries, such as Italy or Spain, “will take the same flag and take the role away from us, or join us in leading that fight.”
Making families in Hungary “great again”
LifeSite spoke today with Dr. Imre Téglásy, leader of Human Life International (HLI) in Hungary and one of the abortion survivors featured in the new pro-life ad “Faces of Choice” which premiered at the recent March for Life and was blocked from being aired during the recent Super Bowl.
Téglásy told LifeSite that, in his view, “Viktor Orbán is the greatest politician of the last three decades in Hungary.”
He said Orbán has “recognized the challenge of this crisis caused by the “demographic winter,” which means that Europe is underpopulated due to parents refusing to have families or making certain that they do not have a family by means of contraception and abortion.
Téglásy noted that when Orbán came to power the fertility rate was tragically low in Hungary (1.28 children per family) and that this meant “the soon extinction of the whole nation.” Téglásy said that Orbán has initiated “lots of incentives to promote the idea of ‘Making Families Great again.’”
Téglásy concluded by praising Orbán’s promotion of pro-life and pro-family values.
After an age of feminist liberation, Orbán’s government was courageous enough to make women free, as well as affirming them in their God-given vocation to become mothers and glorious with their children.
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lifesitenews--2020-02-11--EXCLUSIVE: Conservative leadership contender would let Canadian politicians debate abortion

BELLEVILLE , Ontario , February 11 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Canadian conservative leadership hopeful and rookie Member of Parliament Derek Sloan says that if elected party chief he ’ ll “ actively encourage ” MPs to bring forward bills on social issues such as abortion and same-sex “ marriage.
” “ I know the base wants people who are not ashamed to be conservative , ” the 35-year-old lawyer and father of three told LifeSiteNews in a recent interview .
“ And as leader , I will never make a caucus member apologize for saying something that ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the party apologize .
I will actively encourage members to push the boundaries when it comes to political correctness .
And that ’ s what the base wants and that ’ s what we need.
” MP for the south-east Ontario riding of Hastings-Lennox and Addington , Sloan scored an impressive 29 percent approval rating from Canadians in an Ipsos poll rating leadership hopefuls , only two of whom — Peter MacKay and Erin O ’ Toole — are approved candidates .
He and another half-dozen aspiring contenders have until February 27 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 25,000 in order to register and be vetted by the leadership committee .
Candidates must also submit the balance of a total of 3,000 signatures and $ 300,000 by March 25 to stay in the race , which ends with the leader announced at a June 27 convention in Toronto .
Sloan decided to enter the race because he ’ s convinced Conservatives must have “ distinct ideological difference on everything ” and “ a bold vision that can catapult the party to a position of dominance .
… And I wasn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that in this election .
And I …thought and thought and prayed about it and decided that now was the time for me to move forward.
” A devout Seventh Day Adventist and social conservative , Sloan contends that there are many in the Tory caucus who share his pro-life and pro-family views , but “ their electoral tactics seem to be along the lines of avoid anything controversial at all costs ” and “ to avoid censure ” from a “ liberal media.
” “ I do n't think that that is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ honesty , the last election ’ s results should , I hope , definitively show that that ’ s not the recipe for success , ” he said .
“ Although some people are taking the opposite lesson from it.
” Indeed , contender MacKay infamously stated after the election that leader Andrew Scheer ’ s social conservative views hung around his neck like a “ stinking albatross.
” Moreover , Global News is suggesting that leaked reports of former MP John Baird ’ s internal review of the party ’ s election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to same-sex “ marriage ” was a major problem for the Conservatives .
Baird is reportedly now thinking of entering the race , telling Global News he appreciates Alberta Premier Jason Kenney urging him to do so , and that the Conservative Party needs to be “ modern.
” Sloan believes the party is “ at a crossroads ” and that the result of the race triggered by Scheer ’ s resignation in December will “ determine whether we chart the course to be the dominant political force in the country or whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 , 15 years.
” As for particular issues , he says he ’ ll be releasing his platform next month .
On abortion , he ’ s “ not specifically endorsing any particular route ” but believes encouraging debate in caucus , and looking to “ a variety of very talented pro-life MPs in caucus to sort of bring forward those ideas ” is the best approach .
Sloan says he supports Conservative policy that Canada should not fund abortion in other countries .
On same-sex “ marriage , ” he is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debate , ” but agrees the Conservative Party has been “ effectively neutral ” on the matter since 2016 , when delegates scrapped its policy supporting the definition of marriage as between one man and one woman .
Section 7 of the policy book allows Conservative MPs to vote their conscience on moral issues and he would let MPs to “ bring forward bills on any issue that 's of concern to them , ” he said , including on same-sex “ mariage.
” As for the firestorm over leadership hopeful Richard Décarie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Evan Solomon that homosexuality is a “ choice , ” Sloan said it “ was just silly ” in the way it “ exploded.
” Décarie also wants to restore the definition of marriage as between one man and one woman .
Sloan thinks Décarie should be allowed to run so party members can vote on his ideas , even though some high-level Tories called for his disqualification for “ bigotry ” in the wake of the controversy , during which the Ottawa press corp besieged Conservative MPs for an opinion on whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ choice.
” “ There ’ s tremendous pressure in the Ottawa bubble , so to speak , by the media and other sources to sort of adopt a politically correct frame of mind , ” Sloan told LifeSiteNews .
“ The pressures are real and they ’ re there .
And that ’ s why … we have to pray for our Members of Parliament and ask for and pray for courage and wisdom for them to deal with these types of things , ” he added .
Sloan had his own run-in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cause of homosexual orientation is “ scientifically unclear , ” and stated his opposition to Bill S-202 , now in the Senate , which will criminalize “ conversion ” therapy .
Bill S-202 is “ over broad ” and “ interferes with parental rights , ” Sloan told LifeSiteNews , adding that when he refers to “ conversion therapy , ” he isn ’ t talking about such alleged practices as shock therapy that “ to my knowledge is not practiced at all today , ” but “ the freedom of people to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and even spiritual guidance that they feel is appropriate.
” He also opposes the Liberal transgender ‘ rights ’ bill C-16 , which he points out allows men who claim to be women to access to women ’ s change rooms and women ’ s prisons .
His willingness to wade into controversial subjects is one way pro-life Conservatives can guage whether he will himself buckle under the pressure , Sloan said .
“ If I wanted to play it safe , I would simply not have done this at all , let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ television , ” he told LifeSiteNews .
“ I know that in the past many people have tried to say the right things and have left social conservatives feeling burned and feeling used .
Nonetheless , it ’ s important that they have a seat at the table , ” he added .
“ It ’ s important that social conservatives are in this , and…really take a look at the candidates and… try and make a difference in this race.
” Sloan is still seeking signatures from individuals who have Conservative Party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those who wish to sign his nomination papers can go to www.dereksloan.ca .
Similarly , those who wish to support pro-life candidate Décarie can go to www.richarddecarie.ca .
Campaign Life is urging Canadians 14 years of age and older to buy a membership in the Conservative Party of Canada as soon as possible in order to influence the outcome of the leadership race .

MP Derek Sloan says the party base 'wants people who are not ashamed to be conservative.'
BELLEVILLE, Ontario, February 11, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Canadian conservative leadership hopeful and rookie Member of Parliament Derek Sloan says that if elected party chief he’ll “actively encourage” MPs to bring forward bills on social issues such as abortion and same-sex “marriage.”
“I know the base wants people who are not ashamed to be conservative,” the 35-year-old lawyer and father of three told LifeSiteNews in a recent interview.
“And as leader, I will never make a caucus member apologize for saying something that’s conservative. I will never make the party apologize. I will actively encourage members to push the boundaries when it comes to political correctness. And that’s what the base wants and that’s what we need.”
MP for the south-east Ontario riding of Hastings-Lennox and Addington, Sloan scored an impressive 29 percent approval rating from Canadians in an Ipsos poll rating leadership hopefuls, only two of whom — Peter MacKay and Erin O’Toole — are approved candidates.
He and another half-dozen aspiring contenders have until February 27 to submit 1,000 member nomination signatures and $25,000 in order to register and be vetted by the leadership committee.
Candidates must also submit the balance of a total of 3,000 signatures and $300,000 by March 25 to stay in the race, which ends with the leader announced at a June 27 convention in Toronto.
Sloan decided to enter the race because he’s convinced Conservatives must have “distinct ideological difference on everything” and “a bold vision that can catapult the party to a position of dominance. … And I wasn’t sure we were going to see that in this election. And I …thought and thought and prayed about it and decided that now was the time for me to move forward.”
A devout Seventh Day Adventist and social conservative, Sloan contends that there are many in the Tory caucus who share his pro-life and pro-family views, but “their electoral tactics seem to be along the lines of avoid anything controversial at all costs” and “to avoid censure” from a “liberal media.”
“I don't think that that is a winning recipe, and in all honesty, the last election’s results should, I hope, definitively show that that’s not the recipe for success,” he said. “Although some people are taking the opposite lesson from it.”
Indeed, contender MacKay infamously stated after the election that leader Andrew Scheer’s social conservative views hung around his neck like a “stinking albatross.”
Moreover, Global News is suggesting that leaked reports of former MP John Baird’s internal review of the party’s election performance say Scheer’s personal opposition to same-sex “marriage” was a major problem for the Conservatives.
Baird is reportedly now thinking of entering the race, telling Global News he appreciates Alberta Premier Jason Kenney urging him to do so, and that the Conservative Party needs to be “modern.”
Sloan believes the party is “at a crossroads” and that the result of the race triggered by Scheer’s resignation in December will “determine whether we chart the course to be the dominant political force in the country or whether we go into the wilderness for another 10, 15 years.”
As for particular issues, he says he’ll be releasing his platform next month.
On abortion, he’s “not specifically endorsing any particular route” but believes encouraging debate in caucus, and looking to “a variety of very talented pro-life MPs in caucus to sort of bring forward those ideas” is the best approach.
Sloan says he supports Conservative policy that Canada should not fund abortion in other countries.
On same-sex “marriage,” he is “not intending to re-open the marriage debate,” but agrees the Conservative Party has been “effectively neutral” on the matter since 2016, when delegates scrapped its policy supporting the definition of marriage as between one man and one woman.
Section 7 of the policy book allows Conservative MPs to vote their conscience on moral issues and he would let MPs to “bring forward bills on any issue that's of concern to them,” he said, including on same-sex “mariage.”
As for the firestorm over leadership hopeful Richard Décarie’s comments to CTV’s Evan Solomon that homosexuality is a “choice,” Sloan said it “was just silly” in the way it “exploded.” Décarie also wants to restore the definition of marriage as between one man and one woman.
Sloan thinks Décarie should be allowed to run so party members can vote on his ideas, even though some high-level Tories called for his disqualification for “bigotry” in the wake of the controversy, during which the Ottawa press corp besieged Conservative MPs for an opinion on whether or not being homosexual was a “choice.”
“There’s tremendous pressure in the Ottawa bubble, so to speak, by the media and other sources to sort of adopt a politically correct frame of mind,” Sloan told LifeSiteNews.
“The pressures are real and they’re there. And that’s why … we have to pray for our Members of Parliament and ask for and pray for courage and wisdom for them to deal with these types of things,” he added.
Sloan had his own run-in with Solomon when he asserted that the cause of homosexual orientation is “scientifically unclear,” and stated his opposition to Bill S-202, now in the Senate, which will criminalize “conversion” therapy.
Sloan suggests “body affirming counselling” for youth struggling with gender identity issues. #cdnpoli #ctvpp More at https://t.co/uCQmGSHoEL pic.twitter.com/CMnihuFVal — CTV Power Play (@CTV_PowerPlay) January 28, 2020
Bill S-202 is “over broad” and “interferes with parental rights,” Sloan told LifeSiteNews, adding that when he refers to “conversion therapy,” he isn’t talking about such alleged practices as shock therapy that “to my knowledge is not practiced at all today,” but “the freedom of people to engage in in the type of counselling and even spiritual guidance that they feel is appropriate.”
He also opposes the Liberal transgender ‘rights’ bill C-16, which he points out allows men who claim to be women to access to women’s change rooms and women’s prisons.
His willingness to wade into controversial subjects is one way pro-life Conservatives can guage whether he will himself buckle under the pressure, Sloan said.
“If I wanted to play it safe, I would simply not have done this at all, let alone been speaking about this on national television,” he told LifeSiteNews.
“I know that in the past many people have tried to say the right things and have left social conservatives feeling burned and feeling used. Nonetheless, it’s important that they have a seat at the table,” he added.
“It’s important that social conservatives are in this, and…really take a look at the candidates and… try and make a difference in this race.”
Sloan is still seeking signatures from individuals who have Conservative Party members for at least 21 days; those who wish to sign his nomination papers can go to www.dereksloan.ca. Similarly, those who wish to support pro-life candidate Décarie can go to www.richarddecarie.ca.
Campaign Life is urging Canadians 14 years of age and older to buy a membership in the Conservative Party of Canada as soon as possible in order to influence the outcome of the leadership race.
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lifesitenews--2020-02-11--Poll shows support for pro-life candidate to lead Canada’s conservative party

February 11 , 2020 , ( LifeSiteNews ) – A pro-life Canadian politician who intends to run for the Conservative party of Canada leadership had a strong showing in a recent poll , which asked respondents who they think is best to lead their party .
Derek Sloan is a newly elected Conservative Member of Parliament for Hastings—Lennox , and Addington .
He had a total of 29 percent of respondents saying they would consider voting Conservative in the next election should he be the party leader .
Jeff Gunnarson , National President for Campaign Life Coalition , Canada ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group , said that Sloan ’ s showing is a positive indication that the social conservative voice is alive and well .
“ He is doing very well , in fact , he is doing as we expected a social conservative would do , ” said Gunnarson to LifeSiteNews .
“ For all intents and purposes , statistically he is tied for second place… ( Peter ) O ’ Toole is considered second man and Sloan is only two points behind the second-place candidate .
The new guy on the block , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( MacKay ) a run for this money.
” The poll conducted by Ipsos for Global News which sampled 1,000 Canadians in late January , showed that 40 per cent of respondents would consider voting Conservative in the next election should pro-abortion Peter MacKay be the party leader .
The poll was released Feb. 4 .
Marilyn Gladu , from the riding of Sarnia—Lambton , and Erin O ’ Toole , from Durham , who both recently said they will march in the June Toronto pride event , came in with 31 per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Conservative Party Andrew Scheer announced in the fall that he will be stepping aside , which prompted the leadership race .
During the 2019 Canadian Federal Election , he came in a close second place to pro-abortion Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau .
Gunnarson noted that although Sloan is relatively unknown heading into the race , the social conservative voter base is not something to be taken lightly .
“ It goes to show you that voters , individual Canadian voters , and party voters , in the makeup there is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conservative and want to see someone like Derek Sloan lead.
” For his part , Gunnarson feels that socially conservative candidates must stay true to their beliefs , but at the same time be able to court all fields of the party .
“ The key here is to have a social conservative , pro-life candidate who can court all spectrums without compromising their principles , ” said Gunnarson .
Derek Sloan was given a “ green light ” by Campaign Life Coalition in their 2019 election guide and they have supported him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to run in the leadership for the Conservative Party of Canada , pro-life Richard Décarie , who said he would return the party to a male-female marriage definition , was not included in this particular poll .
He also has the support of Campaign Life Coalition .
The poll showed that among conservative voters , Peter MacKay had the highest support at 84 percent .
However , despite being in fourth place , Sloan ’ s overall support at 67 percent is not far behind O ’ Toole at 73 percent , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Canada , a group whose mission is to support traditional family and marriage , recently put out a message stating five socially conservative candidates in the running .
They include both Sloan and Décarie .
MacKay is the only candidate who has the full approval of the Conservative Leadership Candidate Nomination Committee .
Both O ’ Toole and Gladu have submitted applications , but they are still in the review process .
Alberta businessman Rick Peterson has also announced that he intends to run .
Applicants must submit a $ 25,000 fee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members in the party from a minimum of seven provinces in 30 ridings .
In order for a candidate to get on the final voting ballot , they need to have a total of $ 300,000 as well as 3,000 signatures .
The deadline to enter the race is set for February 27 .

Derek Sloan has 29 percent of respondents saying they would consider voting Conservative in the next election should he be the party leader.
February 11, 2020, (LifeSiteNews) – A pro-life Canadian politician who intends to run for the Conservative party of Canada leadership had a strong showing in a recent poll, which asked respondents who they think is best to lead their party.
Derek Sloan is a newly elected Conservative Member of Parliament for Hastings—Lennox, and Addington. He had a total of 29 percent of respondents saying they would consider voting Conservative in the next election should he be the party leader.
Jeff Gunnarson, National President for Campaign Life Coalition, Canada’s national pro-life, pro-family political lobbying group, said that Sloan’s showing is a positive indication that the social conservative voice is alive and well.
“He is doing very well, in fact, he is doing as we expected a social conservative would do,” said Gunnarson to LifeSiteNews.
“For all intents and purposes, statistically he is tied for second place… (Peter) O’Toole is considered second man and Sloan is only two points behind the second-place candidate. The new guy on the block, the social conservative guy, is giving Peter (MacKay) a run for this money.”
The poll conducted by Ipsos for Global News which sampled 1,000 Canadians in late January, showed that 40 per cent of respondents would consider voting Conservative in the next election should pro-abortion Peter MacKay be the party leader. The poll was released Feb. 4.
Marilyn Gladu, from the riding of Sarnia—Lambton, and Erin O’Toole, from Durham, who both recently said they will march in the June Toronto pride event, came in with 31 per cent support.
The current leader of the Conservative Party Andrew Scheer announced in the fall that he will be stepping aside, which prompted the leadership race. During the 2019 Canadian Federal Election, he came in a close second place to pro-abortion Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Gunnarson noted that although Sloan is relatively unknown heading into the race, the social conservative voter base is not something to be taken lightly.
“It goes to show you that voters, individual Canadian voters, and party voters, in the makeup there is a good number of Canadians who are socially conservative and want to see someone like Derek Sloan lead.”
For his part, Gunnarson feels that socially conservative candidates must stay true to their beliefs, but at the same time be able to court all fields of the party.
“The key here is to have a social conservative, pro-life candidate who can court all spectrums without compromising their principles,” said Gunnarson.
Derek Sloan was given a “green light” by Campaign Life Coalition in their 2019 election guide and they have supported him via Twitter.
A candidate who intends to run in the leadership for the Conservative Party of Canada, pro-life Richard Décarie, who said he would return the party to a male-female marriage definition, was not included in this particular poll. He also has the support of Campaign Life Coalition.
The poll showed that among conservative voters, Peter MacKay had the highest support at 84 percent. However, despite being in fourth place, Sloan’s overall support at 67 percent is not far behind O’Toole at 73 percent, and Gladu at 69 percent.
Real Women of Canada, a group whose mission is to support traditional family and marriage, recently put out a message stating five socially conservative candidates in the running. They include both Sloan and Décarie.
MacKay is the only candidate who has the full approval of the Conservative Leadership Candidate Nomination Committee. Both O’Toole and Gladu have submitted applications, but they are still in the review process. Alberta businessman Rick Peterson has also announced that he intends to run.
Applicants must submit a $25,000 fee as well as collect 1000 signatures from members in the party from a minimum of seven provinces in 30 ridings. In order for a candidate to get on the final voting ballot, they need to have a total of $300,000 as well as 3,000 signatures. The deadline to enter the race is set for February 27.
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lifesitenews--2020-02-11--NFL star reads the entire Bible, encourages others to do the same

February 11 , 2020 - ( LifeSiteNews ) – One of the highest-paid professional athletes in the NFL has encouraged his fans to read the Bible , a milestone the player recently announced he achieved .
On Twitter , Kirk Cousins , quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings , wrote , “ It took me over two years , but just finished reading through the entire Bible for the first time .
Def recommend it !
” Cousin ’ s suggestion was well-received by many of his online followers , including teammate CJ Ham .
Cousins , 31 , is married @ @ @ @ @ @ @ father is a pastor at Discovery Church in Orlando , Florida .
Cousins has been open about his Christian faith ; in 2017 , he made headlines for turning down a $ 53 million long-term contract with his team at the time , the Washington Redskins , citing it as God ’ s will .
“ My faith is ultimately driving this decision .
Do I feel like the Lord is leading me to make this decision or that decision and where does he give me peace ?
” said Cousins .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to be for football or for something else , but he placed me in Washington , D.C. for a reason .
I believe that with my whole heart , and as a result , I was content to be patient and allow time to reveal that and to continue to just wait on the Lord.
” Cousins also thanked God after he won the first playoff game of his professional career this year .
In early January , after the Vikings defeated the New Orleans Saints 26-20 , Cousins said to Fox @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarterback carries weight but that comes with the job .
Like you said , my faith is important to me .
It is the foundation of my life.
” “ And ultimately , that is where I gain my peace and strength .
Win or lose today , God is still on the throne .
And I take comfort in that.
” His Twitter account bio is itself a Bible passage : “ Micah 6:8 [ : ] ‘ What does the Lord require of you ?
To act justly , love mercy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Along with Cousins and Ham , New England Patriots tight end Benjamin Watson has been open about his faith .
He is the executive producer of Divided Hearts of America , a new documentary about abortion , and has spoken at the March for Life .
“ My goal is to unveil the truth about abortion , the laws , the history and where our country is headed , ” he said .
“ I believe in the sanctity of life , be it in the womb or on your deathbed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the film , I ’ ll engage those who disagree and hear their reasoning .
The No .
1 thing I ’ m looking for is empathy on both sides.
” Despite some of its players being openly Christian , the NFL has disappointed Christian fans in a number of ways .
The 2020 Super Bowl halftime show featured a pole dance and provocative gyrating from Colombian singer Shakira and American actress Jennifer Lopez .
Meanwhile , during that same Super Bowl , Fox Sports Network refused to air a pro-life ad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who survived botched abortions .
In July 2019 , the NFL ’ s Atlanta Falcons and the NBA ’ s Atlanta Hawks co-sponsored a Drag Queen Story Hour at Atlanta ’ s City Hall .

Kirk Cousins of the Minnesota Vikings shared that over the course of two years, he read the entire Bible.
February 11, 2020 – (LifeSiteNews) – One of the highest-paid professional athletes in the NFL has encouraged his fans to read the Bible, a milestone the player recently announced he achieved.
On Twitter, Kirk Cousins, quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings, wrote, “It took me over two years, but just finished reading through the entire Bible for the first time. Def recommend it!”
It took me over two years, but just finished reading through the entire Bible for the first time. Def recommend it! pic.twitter.com/EjBqVWMZLZ — Kirk Cousins (@KirkCousins8) January 18, 2020
Cousin’s suggestion was well-received by many of his online followers, including teammate CJ Ham.
“I’m next,” Ham responded.
Cousins, 31, is married and has two young children. His father is a pastor at Discovery Church in Orlando, Florida. Cousins has been open about his Christian faith; in 2017, he made headlines for turning down a $53 million long-term contract with his team at the time, the Washington Redskins, citing it as God’s will.
“My faith is ultimately driving this decision. Do I feel like the Lord is leading me to make this decision or that decision and where does he give me peace?” said Cousins.
“I didn't know if it was going to be for football or for something else, but he placed me in Washington, D.C. for a reason. I believe that with my whole heart, and as a result, I was content to be patient and allow time to reveal that and to continue to just wait on the Lord.”
Cousins also thanked God after he won the first playoff game of his professional career this year. In early January, after the Vikings defeated the New Orleans Saints 26-20, Cousins said to Fox Sports’ Chris Myers, “The quarterback carries weight but that comes with the job. Like you said, my faith is important to me. It is the foundation of my life.”
“And ultimately, that is where I gain my peace and strength. Win or lose today, God is still on the throne. And I take comfort in that.”
His Twitter account bio is itself a Bible passage: “Micah 6:8[:] ‘What does the Lord require of you? To act justly, love mercy & walk humbly with your God.’”
Along with Cousins and Ham, New England Patriots tight end Benjamin Watson has been open about his faith. He is the executive producer of Divided Hearts of America, a new documentary about abortion, and has spoken at the March for Life.
“My goal is to unveil the truth about abortion, the laws, the history and where our country is headed,” he said. “I believe in the sanctity of life, be it in the womb or on your deathbed. That’s my conviction. But with the film, I’ll engage those who disagree and hear their reasoning. The No. 1 thing I’m looking for is empathy on both sides.”
Despite some of its players being openly Christian, the NFL has disappointed Christian fans in a number of ways.
The 2020 Super Bowl halftime show featured a pole dance and provocative gyrating from Colombian singer Shakira and American actress Jennifer Lopez.
Meanwhile, during that same Super Bowl, Fox Sports Network refused to air a pro-life ad by Faces of Choice featuring 14 people who survived botched abortions.
In July 2019, the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks co-sponsored a Drag Queen Story Hour at Atlanta’s City Hall.
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lifesitenews--2020-02-11--A Christian grandfather’s 12 steps to help guide his grandchildren to heaven

Editor 's note : The letter below was written by a Catholic father to his three grown children and their spouses .
He writes that the letter “ lists twelve concrete steps that they can take to increase the Faith and the spiritual growth of both themselves and their children.
” February 11 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Dear children and spouses of my children : Recently your Mom and I attended a program for teachers to be formed in the faith ( we teach 9th grade Confirmation class ) .
It was very thought-provoking and informative .
Although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with religious instruction , below are a few specific suggestions we gleaned from the program that may help you and your children to deepen your faith and augment your spiritual life .
I regret that I failed to do these very practices when you were younger , but I lacked the necessary wisdom and maturity .
Thank God for Mom 's intervention and wise instruction .
I am now attempting to rectify that serious error .
Do not make the same mistake I made and fail to take an active role in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ young children .
No one else is going to do this for you .
• Daily Family Prayer .
Everyone joins in prayer .
Morning , evening , before each meal , and/or bedtime .
Consider the Rosary , even if only a decade .
The Guardian Angel prayer , St. Michael the Archangel prayer , and Come , Holy Spirit prayer are short but effective prayers that children can easily learn .
Brief periods of prayer are clearly better than none at all .
• Sunday Mass and Holy Eucharist .
Make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eucharist the central focus of your family 's week .
Model for your family humility and deep reverence for Holy Communion .
• Sacrament of Reconciliation/Penance .
Go with your children .
Aim for once monthly , but no less than every 2-3 months .
Remind them that we are all sinners , and that God wants us to ask for His forgiveness .
• The Holy Bible .
Read the Bible regularly , including to your children .
Again , a few minutes spent reading a few verses is better than none @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for our Faith .
Before each reading , ask the Holy Spirit to assist you to better understand God 's word .
• The Saints .
Read about the lives of the Saints to your children at least once weekly .
The Saints are role models that we should emulate .
Let your children hear their remarkable yet very human stories .
Start with their patron Saints .
The Saints ' stories of individual courage and boldness , many even in the face of death , will inspire them as they encounter the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Catholic/Christian Culture .
Place the crucifix and pictures and/or statues of the Blessed Mother and/or Saints in a prominent location throughout your home .
Do not hide your Faith from your children , or neighbors or visitors .
• Gratitude .
Thank God frequently throughout each day for His gifts and His Grace .
Compliment and thank your spouse regularly for his/her sacrifice .
Educate your children about all the gifts God has already bestowed upon them , most importantly life itself , the gift of faith , and you as their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day with a short prayer to ask God to assist you to draw closer to Jesus , our Lord and God , and to become a better Catholic , a better man or woman , a better father or mother , a better son or daughter , a better sibling .
• Discipline .
Challenge yourself to set aside dedicated time each day , even if only five minutes , to pray to God and listen to His response .
Silence is required to hear the voice of God .
Devote time to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uninterrupted and dedicated time , even if only for 10-15 minutes , to talk with your children in an unhurried and attentive manner .
Aim to do this daily , but no less than three times per week .
During this time , turn off everything - television , radio , cell phones , video games .
Allow no exceptions .
• Volunteer .
Seek to perform some charitable service as an entire family at your Church and/or at a local community agency , even if only once or twice per year .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ tough , when there is a storm in your life and seemingly nowhere to turn , trust completely in God that He will calm the storm , just as He did for the Apostles in the boat , and provide you with a safe and welcoming shelter .
Bonus .
Laudate App .
The most popular Catholic app .
Add this to your iPhone .
This app has daily Mass readings , reflections , stories on the Saint of the Day , prayers , etc .
Mom highly recommends it !
Never stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is calling you to become .
Hear and follow His voice .
Mom and I are immensely proud of you and your children .
Continue the good work .

Editor's note: The letter below was written by a Catholic father to his three grown children and their spouses. He writes that the letter “lists twelve concrete steps that they can take to increase the Faith and the spiritual growth of both themselves and their children.”
February 11, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Dear children and spouses of my children: Recently your Mom and I attended a program for teachers to be formed in the faith (we teach 9th grade Confirmation class). It was very thought-provoking and informative. Although you already are doing a good job with religious instruction, below are a few specific suggestions we gleaned from the program that may help you and your children to deepen your faith and augment your spiritual life.
I regret that I failed to do these very practices when you were younger, but I lacked the necessary wisdom and maturity. Thank God for Mom's intervention and wise instruction. I am now attempting to rectify that serious error. Do not make the same mistake I made and fail to take an active role in the spiritual life and faith formation of your young children.
No one else is going to do this for you.
Daily Family Prayer. Everyone joins in prayer. Morning, evening, before each meal, and/or bedtime. Consider the Rosary, even if only a decade. The Guardian Angel prayer, St. Michael the Archangel prayer, and Come, Holy Spirit prayer are short but effective prayers that children can easily learn. Brief periods of prayer are clearly better than none at all. Sunday Mass and Holy Eucharist. Make the Mass and the reception of the Eucharist the central focus of your family's week. Model for your family humility and deep reverence for Holy Communion. Sacrament of Reconciliation/Penance. Go with your children. Aim for once monthly, but no less than every 2-3 months. Remind them that we are all sinners, and that God wants us to ask for His forgiveness. The Holy Bible. Read the Bible regularly, including to your children. Again, a few minutes spent reading a few verses is better than none. The Bible provides a solid foundation for our Faith. Before each reading, ask the Holy Spirit to assist you to better understand God's word. The Saints. Read about the lives of the Saints to your children at least once weekly. The Saints are role models that we should emulate. Let your children hear their remarkable yet very human stories. Start with their patron Saints. The Saints' stories of individual courage and boldness, many even in the face of death, will inspire them as they encounter the dangers of the modern secular culture. Catholic/Christian Culture. Place the crucifix and pictures and/or statues of the Blessed Mother and/or Saints in a prominent location throughout your home. Do not hide your Faith from your children, or neighbors or visitors. Gratitude. Thank God frequently throughout each day for His gifts and His Grace. Compliment and thank your spouse regularly for his/her sacrifice. Educate your children about all the gifts God has already bestowed upon them, most importantly life itself, the gift of faith, and you as their parent. Dedication. Begin each day with a short prayer to ask God to assist you to draw closer to Jesus, our Lord and God, and to become a better Catholic, a better man or woman, a better father or mother, a better son or daughter, a better sibling. Discipline. Challenge yourself to set aside dedicated time each day, even if only five minutes, to pray to God and listen to His response. Silence is required to hear the voice of God. Devote time to Him. Talk. Set aside uninterrupted and dedicated time, even if only for 10-15 minutes, to talk with your children in an unhurried and attentive manner. Aim to do this daily, but no less than three times per week. During this time, turn off everything – television, radio, cell phones, video games. Allow no exceptions. Volunteer. Seek to perform some charitable service as an entire family at your Church and/or at a local community agency, even if only once or twice per year. Trust. Even when times are tough, when there is a storm in your life and seemingly nowhere to turn, trust completely in God that He will calm the storm, just as He did for the Apostles in the boat, and provide you with a safe and welcoming shelter.
Bonus. Laudate App. The most popular Catholic app. Add this to your iPhone. This app has daily Mass readings, reflections, stories on the Saint of the Day, prayers, etc. Mom highly recommends it!
Never stop striving to be the saint that God is calling you to become. Hear and follow His voice.
Mom and I are immensely proud of you and your children. Continue the good work.
Love Dad


lifesitenews--2020-02-11--After huge backlash, major bank reinstates scholarship funding for Christian schools

February 11 , 2020 ( FRC Action ) — Seven hundred kids .
That 's how many students would have lost their scholarships — and a chance at a better life — if Fifth Third Bank had n't come to its senses .
Instead , after a week of uncertainty , the company sat down with Florida parents and pastors and decided not to listen to Florida 's cultural bullies .
It 's one thing for a company to support LGBT extremism .
It 's quite another , the bank agreed , to hurt needy children in the process .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the weekend when they got the good news : one of the biggest contributors to the Florida voucher program was n't dropping out after all .
Fifth Third Bank — who 'd joined Wells Fargo in abandoning the scholarships — had gotten an earful from the local community .
And , after a few days of protests , rallies , and non-stop phone calls , the business finally relented : its $ 5.4 million investment in school choice for the state would go on — regardless of what the Orlando Sentinel and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a major reversal for the bank , who threw the program into complete chaos earlier in the month — all because parents had the option of using those scholarships for religious schools , who ( not surprisingly ) have religious beliefs .
Democratic Reps. Anna K. Eskamani ( D ) and Carlos Guillermo Smith ( D ) apparently object to that and have been harassing corporate donors to drop their contributions over those schools ' biblical views on marriage and sexuality .
Local parents , pastors , and politicians were furious — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ colleagues .
Members like Reps. James Bush III ( D ) and Rep. Al Jasquet ( D ) could n't believe their party would actually use children as pawns to appease the LGBT Left .
`` We have children that need these opportunities , '' Bush said .
When there 's a chance for parents to have a choice that will help their kids , `` we should afford them that opportunity . ''
So when Fifth Third 's leaders finally listened to reason and reinstated their donations , Senator Marco Rubio ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outspoken champion of the program , was thrilled .
`` I am glad to see Fifth Third Bank putting students and their families above destructive identity politics , '' he said .
`` It shows people can raise their voice and overcome the insane 'woke ' agenda that drives our politics and culture .
School vouchers provide opportunities for low income and special needs students , and I am proud of all the Floridians that stood up for these children . ''
Other leaders from both parties , including Governor Ron DeSantis ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for seeing the bigger picture .
As principals like Lakisha Robinson know better than anyone , this option is sometimes the only option for parents .
Her Victory Christian Academy is right smack-dab in the inner-city of Orlando , an `` oasis in the desert , '' as she calls it .
`` We 're almost all minori [ ties ] , '' Lakisha explains .
`` We have mostly African-Americans ... in an area that 's mostly impoverished . ''
When parents have the choice between a failing school or a private @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other ballgame . ''
But Victory , like other schools in the program , is `` unapologetically Christian , '' so having bullies at the door is nothing new .
`` We catch a lot of different heat in this area , '' explained on `` Washington Watch . ''
But the reality is , Lakisha explains , no child is forced to go to their school — parents choose it .
And they do so , she points out , even when they are n't Christians themselves because `` they love the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its proven success .
Sure , she agrees , they could get more money being a charter school ( which is what a lot of liberals have tried to push Victory toward ) , but that would mean surrendering their values .
`` They [ would n't ] allow us to use our Christian curriculum or ... allow us to keep Christian in our name .
And we want it to be Victory Christian Academy , not Victory Academy . ''
The state 's voucher program is one thing that helped her school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ education .
`` It means more to us to stand firm on God 's principles . ''
These needy neighborhoods , she insists , `` need the Word of God more than anything . ''
And the results speak for themselves .
In these past 18 years , students are graduating and getting into good universities .
`` These are first generation college students , '' she says .
Their lives — and the lives of their families — will be forever impacted because of this program .
If Fifth Third Bank can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too .
Join us in calling on their leadership to put aside their petty agenda and support Florida 's children .
Contact them by phone or email here .
Schools like Lakisha 's depend on it !

February 11, 2020 (FRC Action) — Seven hundred kids. That's how many students would have lost their scholarships — and a chance at a better life — if Fifth Third Bank hadn't come to its senses. Instead, after a week of uncertainty, the company sat down with Florida parents and pastors and decided not to listen to Florida's cultural bullies. It's one thing for a company to support LGBT extremism. It's quite another, the bank agreed, to hurt needy children in the process.
Most kids had already left school for the weekend when they got the good news: one of the biggest contributors to the Florida voucher program wasn't dropping out after all. Fifth Third Bank — who'd joined Wells Fargo in abandoning the scholarships — had gotten an earful from the local community. And, after a few days of protests, rallies, and non-stop phone calls, the business finally relented: its $5.4 million investment in school choice for the state would go on — regardless of what the Orlando Sentinel and a handful of liberal lawmakers think.
It was a major reversal for the bank, who threw the program into complete chaos earlier in the month — all because parents had the option of using those scholarships for religious schools, who (not surprisingly) have religious beliefs. Democratic Reps. Anna K. Eskamani (D) and Carlos Guillermo Smith (D) apparently object to that and have been harassing corporate donors to drop their contributions over those schools' biblical views on marriage and sexuality. Local parents, pastors, and politicians were furious — including a good number of their Democratic colleagues. Members like Reps. James Bush III (D) and Rep. Al Jasquet (D) couldn't believe their party would actually use children as pawns to appease the LGBT Left. “We have children that need these opportunities,” Bush said. When there's a chance for parents to have a choice that will help their kids, “we should afford them that opportunity.”
So when Fifth Third's leaders finally listened to reason and reinstated their donations, Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), who's been an outspoken champion of the program, was thrilled. “I am glad to see Fifth Third Bank putting students and their families above destructive identity politics,” he said. “It shows people can raise their voice and overcome the insane 'woke' agenda that drives our politics and culture. School vouchers provide opportunities for low income and special needs students, and I am proud of all the Floridians that stood up for these children.” Other leaders from both parties, including Governor Ron DeSantis (R), also praised the company for seeing the bigger picture.
As principals like Lakisha Robinson know better than anyone, this option is sometimes the only option for parents. Her Victory Christian Academy is right smack-dab in the inner-city of Orlando, an “oasis in the desert,” as she calls it. “We're almost all minori[ties],” Lakisha explains. “We have mostly African-Americans… in an area that's mostly impoverished.” When parents have the choice between a failing school or a private one, “it's a whole other ballgame.”
But Victory, like other schools in the program, is “unapologetically Christian,” so having bullies at the door is nothing new. “We catch a lot of different heat in this area,” explained on “Washington Watch.” But the reality is, Lakisha explains, no child is forced to go to their school — parents choose it. And they do so, she points out, even when they aren't Christians themselves because “they love the positive environment of the academy” and its proven success.
Sure, she agrees, they could get more money being a charter school (which is what a lot of liberals have tried to push Victory toward), but that would mean surrendering their values. “They [wouldn't] allow us to use our Christian curriculum or … allow us to keep Christian in our name. And we want it to be Victory Christian Academy, not Victory Academy.” The state's voucher program is one thing that helped her school keep its identity and offer a high-class education. “It means more to us to stand firm on God's principles.” These needy neighborhoods, she insists, “need the Word of God more than anything.”
And the results speak for themselves. In these past 18 years, students are graduating and getting into good universities. “These are first generation college students,” she says. Their lives — and the lives of their families — will be forever impacted because of this program. If Fifth Third Bank can see that, surely Wells Fargo can too. Join us in calling on their leadership to put aside their petty agenda and support Florida's children. Contact them by phone or email here. Schools like Lakisha's depend on it!
Published with permission from FRC Action .
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lifesitenews--2020-02-11--Switzerland bans death penalty but will now help prisoners kill themselves

February 11 , 2020 ( Society for the Protection of Unborn Children ) — Swiss officials , following a request to die from an imprisoned child rapist , have confirmed that prison inmates will be allowed to undergo assisted suicide .
Michael Robinson , SPUC Director of Communications said : “ When convicted of a crime , one should serve the sentence due .
A child rapist should not have the option to opt out via assisted suicide.
” Peter Vogt was imprisoned in 1996 after he spent decades sexually assaulting girls as young as ten .
Vogt now claims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problems , and has applied to die at a Swiss assisted suicide clinic .
Earlier this year the child rapist wrote a letter to seemingly manipulate his way out of a life-long prison sentence via assisted suicide .
Vogt ’ s letter stated that “ It would be better to be dead than to be left to vegetate behind these walls…Nobody should have to commit suicide in his cell alone.
” Prison officials have now confirmed that assisted suicide should be available to prisoners although the operational procedures have still to be confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assisted suicide is fundamentally wrong and perversely creates a scenario where some prisoners choose to die whilst European nations uphold strong prohibitions on the death penalty for other prisoners ” .
Published with permission from the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children .

Prison officials have now confirmed that assisted suicide should be available to Swiss prisoners.
February 11, 2020 (Society for the Protection of Unborn Children) — Swiss officials, following a request to die from an imprisoned child rapist, have confirmed that prison inmates will be allowed to undergo assisted suicide. Michael Robinson, SPUC Director of Communications said: “When convicted of a crime, one should serve the sentence due. A child rapist should not have the option to opt out via assisted suicide.”
Peter Vogt was imprisoned in 1996 after he spent decades sexually assaulting girls as young as ten. Vogt now claims to be suffering from heart and kidney problems, and has applied to die at a Swiss assisted suicide clinic.
Earlier this year the child rapist wrote a letter to seemingly manipulate his way out of a life-long prison sentence via assisted suicide. Vogt’s letter stated that “It would be better to be dead than to be left to vegetate behind these walls…Nobody should have to commit suicide in his cell alone.”
Prison officials have now confirmed that assisted suicide should be available to prisoners although the operational procedures have still to be confirmed.
Mr Robinson said: “Permitting assisted suicide is fundamentally wrong and perversely creates a scenario where some prisoners choose to die whilst European nations uphold strong prohibitions on the death penalty for other prisoners”.
Published with permission from the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children.
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lifesitenews--2020-02-11--Voter fraud is a huge problem in the Democratic Party

February 11 , 2020 ( American Thinker ) — The Democrats ' explanation for frantically pursuing President Trump 's impeachment and conviction went like this : If he 's not removed from office , he will rig this year 's election as he did in 2016 .
According to Special Counsel Robert Mueller and his hand-picked team of anti-Trump , pro-Hillary investigators , no evidence was found that presidential candidate Donald J. Trump was involved in election-rigging of any kind .
But such rigging did occur in 2016 , including the instances mentioned below .
As Bernie Sanders can attest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was rigged out of existence by collusion between the Clinton campaign and the Democratic National Committee , both of which were later implicated in a nationwide voter fraud operation .
Three weeks prior to the election , investigative journalist James O'Keefe 's Project Veritas released two videos of an undercover sting in which high-level Democrat operatives bragged about running a nationwide voter fraud operation financed by the DNC and the Clinton campaign : • `` We 've been busing in people [ illegal voters ] for 50 years and we 're not going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ We know ] this is illegal . ''
• `` I think backward from how they would prosecute us , and then try to build out a method to avoid [ getting caught ] . ''
• `` We implement the plan across every Republican-held state . ''
• `` [ Our operation ] causes massive changes in state legislatures and Congress . ''
• `` Hillary knows what 's going on . ''
One of the covert operatives caught in the Project Veritas sting is a longtime Democrat named Bob Creamer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violations and bank fraud , Creamer was a respected player in Democratic Party politics .
Official visitor logs show the convicted felon visited the Obama White House 342 times , including 47 personal meetings with President Obama , a fact that was buried by the mainstream media when O'Keefe 's explosive exposés were released less than a month before the election Hillary Clinton was heavily favored to win .
Although Creamer was forced to resign after being caught on tape discussing a nationwide voter fraud operation funded by the DNC and the Clinton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was honored with a front-row seat at President Obama 's farewell address in January 2017 .
Click here to see an NBC News screen grab of Creamer and his wife seated directly in front of the podium where President Obama spoke .
In the Democratic Party , getting caught bragging about a nationwide voter fraud operation is worthy of being awarded the most coveted seat in the house .
How Democrats use false charges of Republican racism to justify and facilitate voter fraud Covert voter fraud operations are n't the only way Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests to the contrary , voter ID laws are not racist , nor do they suppress minority voting .
How does requiring voters to present a photo ID suppress the ability of any adult citizen to vote ?
Government-issued photo IDs are easily obtainable by every legitimate voter in America , including those who do n't drive .
Virtually every voting-age citizen already has photo identification , yet Democrats aggressively oppose laws that require photo IDs to vote .
Blocking voter ID laws is but another way Democrats knowingly rig elections by facilitating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a license to hunt or fish Things that do n't require photo ID in many Democrat-run jurisdictions : As reported by The New York Post , Manhattan Board of Elections commissioner Alan Shulkin was caught on a Project Veritas undercover video slamming Mayor Bill de Blasio 's municipal ID program as contributing to `` all kinds of fraud , '' including voter fraud .
Here 's more of what Commissioner Shulkin had to say : • `` I think there 's a lot of voter fraud . ''
• `` There 's thousands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know where they came from . ''
• `` In some neighborhoods they bus people around to vote , they take them from poll to poll . ''
• `` De Blasio 's municipal IDs can be used for anything , including voting . ''
• `` The city does n't vet people who get ID cards to see who they really are . ''
• `` Anybody can go in there and say I am John Smith and I want an ID card . ''
So was Commissioner Shulkin praised by fellow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a chance .
A month after his comments were made public , he was told by party officials to hit the road .
As shameless practitioners of the `` ends justify the means '' election tactics of Saul Alinsky , the modern Democratic Party actively encourages and facilitates voter fraud at every opportunity .
If America had an honorable press , Democrat election-rigging operations would have been blown out of the water decades ago .
An electrical engineering graduate of Georgia Tech and now retired , John Eidson is a freelance writer in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American Thinker .

February 11, 2020 (American Thinker) — The Democrats' explanation for frantically pursuing President Trump's impeachment and conviction went like this: If he's not removed from office, he will rig this year's election as he did in 2016. According to Special Counsel Robert Mueller and his hand-picked team of anti-Trump, pro-Hillary investigators, no evidence was found that presidential candidate Donald J. Trump was involved in election-rigging of any kind. But such rigging did occur in 2016, including the instances mentioned below.
As Bernie Sanders can attest, his 2016 run for the presidency was rigged out of existence by collusion between the Clinton campaign and the Democratic National Committee, both of which were later implicated in a nationwide voter fraud operation. Three weeks prior to the election, investigative journalist James O'Keefe's Project Veritas released two videos of an undercover sting in which high-level Democrat operatives bragged about running a nationwide voter fraud operation financed by the DNC and the Clinton campaign:
“We've been busing in people [illegal voters] for 50 years and we're not going to stop now.”
“[We know] this is illegal.”
“I think backward from how they would prosecute us, and then try to build out a method to avoid [getting caught].”
“We implement the plan across every Republican-held state.”
“[Our operation] causes massive changes in state legislatures and Congress.”
“Hillary knows what's going on.”
One of the covert operatives caught in the Project Veritas sting is a longtime Democrat named Bob Creamer. Found guilty in 2005 of tax violations and bank fraud, Creamer was a respected player in Democratic Party politics. Official visitor logs show the convicted felon visited the Obama White House 342 times, including 47 personal meetings with President Obama, a fact that was buried by the mainstream media when O'Keefe's explosive exposés were released less than a month before the election Hillary Clinton was heavily favored to win.
Although Creamer was forced to resign after being caught on tape discussing a nationwide voter fraud operation funded by the DNC and the Clinton campaign, the Democrat dirty tricks operative was honored with a front-row seat at President Obama's farewell address in January 2017. Click here to see an NBC News screen grab of Creamer and his wife seated directly in front of the podium where President Obama spoke. In the Democratic Party, getting caught bragging about a nationwide voter fraud operation is worthy of being awarded the most coveted seat in the house.
How Democrats use false charges of Republican racism to justify and facilitate voter fraud
Covert voter fraud operations aren't the only way Democrats subvert fair elections. Despite their feigned protests to the contrary, voter ID laws are not racist, nor do they suppress minority voting. How does requiring voters to present a photo ID suppress the ability of any adult citizen to vote? Government-issued photo IDs are easily obtainable by every legitimate voter in America, including those who don't drive. Virtually every voting-age citizen already has photo identification, yet Democrats aggressively oppose laws that require photo IDs to vote. Blocking voter ID laws is but another way Democrats knowingly rig elections by facilitating and encouraging illegal voting.
Things that require photo identification:
Driving a vehicle
Airport check-in
Hotel check-in
Hospitals & outpatient testing
Doctors' offices
Social Security office
Medicare/Medicaid
Pawn shop transactions
Federal, state & local courts
Military bases
Donating blood
Volunteering at charities
Professional applications
College applications
Job applications
Buying a house
Boarding a cruise ship
Boarding a train
Getting a license to hunt or fish
Buying cigarettes & alcohol
Opening a bank account
Applying for credit
Cashing a check
Getting a tattoo or body piercing
Getting a library card
Visiting Congress
Things that don't require photo ID in many Democrat-run jurisdictions:
Voting
Democrat election official admits rampant voter fraud
As reported by The New York Post, Manhattan Board of Elections commissioner Alan Shulkin was caught on a Project Veritas undercover video slamming Mayor Bill de Blasio's municipal ID program as contributing to “all kinds of fraud,” including voter fraud. Here's more of what Commissioner Shulkin had to say:
“I think there's a lot of voter fraud.”
“There's thousands of absentee ballots and I don't know where they came from.”
“In some neighborhoods they bus people around to vote, they take them from poll to poll.”
“De Blasio's municipal IDs can be used for anything, including voting.”
“The city doesn't vet people who get ID cards to see who they really are.”
“Anybody can go in there and say I am John Smith and I want an ID card.”
So was Commissioner Shulkin praised by fellow Democrats for exposing voter fraud? Not a chance. A month after his comments were made public, he was told by party officials to hit the road.
Bottom line
As shameless practitioners of the “ends justify the means” election tactics of Saul Alinsky, the modern Democratic Party actively encourages and facilitates voter fraud at every opportunity. If America had an honorable press, Democrat election-rigging operations would have been blown out of the water decades ago.
An electrical engineering graduate of Georgia Tech and now retired, John Eidson is a freelance writer in Atlanta.
Published with permission from the American Thinker.
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