thestream--2020-05-23--The Blessing of Vietnam: What One Marine Says About Memorial Day and Those He Will Never Forget

It was a moment he ’ ll never forget .
Company Commander in the USMC Larkin Spivey bent down to check the dead man ’ s pockets .
The man laying on the ground was a North Vietnamese soldier , a casualty of the Vietnam War .
Then he found it .
It was a picture of the man ’ s family .
Before that moment , the enemy was faceless .
But now the enemy had become human , a soldier just doing what he was sent to do .
Everything changed after that , Lt. Col. Spivey told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family .
He was just a man … went where he was sent , did what he had to do and he paid the price.
” The Marines respected the North Vietnam soldiers .
“ They were great soldiers , but … we were doing everything to kill them and we still had to , and did — but it was just different after that.
” The war in Vietnam was tough on everyone in the military .
Many Marines just had to suck it up — and deal with their emotional wounds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it was even more isolating , because he had to stay tough for the men in his charge .
Spivey , along with many men under him , didn ’ t have a lot of spiritual resources to lean on during the hard times .
“ I prayed a few times when I was under a mortar attack or whatever , but it was pretty superficial.
” A lot of the guys acquired PTSD because of what they went through .
Still , Spivey knows of many Marines who went through that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They “ found their answer to PTSD in Jesus Christ.
” Spivey took a little longer than some .
“ I was age 53 before I came to Christ .
But even then , that was the answer to a lot of things that were still going on within me.
” We Owe So Much He thinks about the guys who never made it home .
“ They answered the call , they went , they did what had to be done — what they were told to do — and didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think about several of my friends .
Just the generations that were cut short.
” He has 11 grandkids and thinks about what could have been , had he never returned .
“ We owe so much to countless young men and women who have gone out and done what had to be done.
” Now Spivey travels the country , talking to audiences about his service and his faith .
He ’ s written several books , including one about his faith journey called “ A Skeptic ’ s Guide to God.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot of skepticism about God and religion .
He talks about that , too .
“ A lot of guys went to Vietnam and went through a pretty deep valley , confronting evil and the harsh reality of combat , ” he explains .
“ A lot of them came back to find a deeper faith [ than those who ] have never gone through anything like that .
And so that ’ s one of the blessings of Vietnam as far as the veterans are concerned .
There are just so many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and questioned ‘ where is God in all this ?
’ and came back and finally found peace that only Jesus can bring to your life.
” Memorial Day is not a time to celebrate as much as it is to remember .
“ Remember people that you knew , or maybe those … you didn ’ t know that gave it all.
” As for Spivey , he spends quiet time in church to pray .
He prays for his close friends .
And the Marines who didn ’ t make it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ editor at The Stream .
You can follow her @ NancyFlory3 , and follow The Stream @ Streamdotorg .

It was a moment he’ll never forget. Company Commander in the USMC Larkin Spivey bent down to check the dead man’s pockets. The man laying on the ground was a North Vietnamese soldier, a casualty of the Vietnam War. Then he found it.
It was a picture of the man’s family. Before that moment, the enemy was faceless. But now the enemy had become human, a soldier just doing what he was sent to do.
Everything changed after that, Lt. Col. Spivey told The Stream. “He had a family. He was just a man … went where he was sent, did what he had to do and he paid the price.” The Marines respected the North Vietnam soldiers. “They were great soldiers, but … we were doing everything to kill them and we still had to, and did — but it was just different after that.”
Staying Tough
The war in Vietnam was tough on everyone in the military. Many Marines just had to suck it up — and deal with their emotional wounds later. For a commander like Spivey, it was even more isolating, because he had to stay tough for the men in his charge.
Spivey, along with many men under him, didn’t have a lot of spiritual resources to lean on during the hard times. “I prayed a few times when I was under a mortar attack or whatever, but it was pretty superficial.” A lot of the guys acquired PTSD because of what they went through. Still, Spivey knows of many Marines who went through that and came out on the other side. They “found their answer to PTSD in Jesus Christ.” Spivey took a little longer than some. “I was age 53 before I came to Christ. But even then, that was the answer to a lot of things that were still going on within me.”
We Owe So Much
He thinks about the guys who never made it home. “They answered the call, they went, they did what had to be done — what they were told to do — and didn’t come home. And I think about several of my friends. Just the generations that were cut short.” He has 11 grandkids and thinks about what could have been, had he never returned. “We owe so much to countless young men and women who have gone out and done what had to be done.”
A Deeper Faith
Now Spivey travels the country, talking to audiences about his service and his faith. He’s written several books, including one about his faith journey called “A Skeptic’s Guide to God.” In Vietnam, there was a lot of skepticism about God and religion. He talks about that, too. “A lot of guys went to Vietnam and went through a pretty deep valley, confronting evil and the harsh reality of combat,” he explains. “A lot of them came back to find a deeper faith [than those who] have never gone through anything like that. And so that’s one of the blessings of Vietnam as far as the veterans are concerned. There are just so many stories of guys that went over there and questioned ‘where is God in all this?’ and came back and finally found peace that only Jesus can bring to your life.”
A Time to Remember
Memorial Day is not a time to celebrate as much as it is to remember. “Remember people that you knew, or maybe those … you didn’t know that gave it all.” As for Spivey, he spends quiet time in church to pray. He prays for his close friends. And the Marines who didn’t make it home.
Nancy Flory is an associate editor at The Stream. You can follow her @NancyFlory3, and follow The Stream @Streamdotorg.


thestream--2020-05-23--Newsflash: Planned Parenthood is Corrupt. In Exposing Them, Let’s Promote Something Better

Dunking on Planned Parenthood isn ’ t hard .
At least , not for those of us who value life from conception and believe that abortion harms women .
Planned Parenthood itself tends to make it even easier .
For instance , Fox News recently reported that 37 PP affiliates applied for the Paycheck Protection Program of the CARES Act .
They received a collective $ 80 million .
The Small Business Administration wants them to return the money , which wasn ’ t intended for affiliates of organizations with 500 or more employees .
Now Republican senators are asking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affiliates .
It seems at least some parties at Planned Parenthood knew they were ineligible .
Pro-lifers love this kind of news .
Being America ’ s largest abortion provider is bad enough .
Revelations like this suggest Planned Parenthood is also corrupt and greedy for money .
Of course , there ’ s nothing wrong with exposing Planned Parenthood .
We must .
But if all we ever talk about is how anti-Planned Parenthood we are , we won ’ t get very far in saving lives .
We can ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ real alternative .
Thankfully , there are real alternatives .
Lots of them .
It ’ s no secret that Planned Parenthood is in it for the money .
Recall the Center for Medical Progress videos released in 2015 .
In covertly recorded conversations , Planned Parenthood executives discussed selling aborted fetal tissue .
That ’ s illegal , by the way .
Planned Parenthood sued CMP founder David Daleiden , who was involved in doing the recordings .
Further , Planned Parenthood claimed the videos were deceptively edited .
Forensic investigations have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is now suing Planned Parenthood and the California actors who prosecuted him for the undercover investigations .
There ’ s other evidence that at least some Planned Parenthood facilities sold fetal tissue .
CMP revealed an apparent 2010 contract between Stem-Ex and Planned Parenthood Mar Monte in California .
Stem-Ex agreed to pay the PP facility $ 55 per “ usable ” fetal organ or material .
Despite scandals like these , PP does a good job of marketing itself as essential .
Many people still see Planned Parenthood as the go-to for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and sex education .
Planned Parenthood ’ s own annual reports show that it overstates the impact of such work .
And the claim that abortions are only 3 percent of what it does is demonstrably misleading .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
What many people don ’ t realize is that Federally Qualified Health Centers dramatically outnumber Planned Parenthood facilities .
Pregnancy care centers also outnumber Planned Parenthood facilities .
More and more of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and support that Planned Parenthood pretends to .
Many of these centers offer pregnancy tests , ultrasounds and judgment-free counseling .
Many are directly involved in housing women and children .
Others provide referrals for financial and housing aid .
Several offer sex education courses .
STD testing .
Parenting courses .
Life skills courses .
Basic supplies .
And they do much of this for free .
Tear it Down , Build Something Else Up Planned Parenthood purports to provide basic and necessary care .
In reality , it peddles the lie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s wellbeing .
It relies on performing abortions .
And it attempts to acquire as much public funding as possible .
Countering Planned Parenthood requires exposing its corruption .
The pro-life community does this with zeal .
But combating Planned Parenthood also requires an equally zealous effort to promote the work of pregnancy care centers .
That includes spreading awareness of their existence .
It means supporting them financially .
It means ensuring their accessibility .
And it means encouraging them to continue providing comprehensive , compassionate care .
Pointing out Planned Parenthood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for pro-lifers .
But if we really want to help women and win people over , we can ’ t do it without promoting something better .

Dunking on Planned Parenthood isn’t hard. At least, not for those of us who value life from conception and believe that abortion harms women. Planned Parenthood itself tends to make it even easier.
For instance, Fox News recently reported that 37 PP affiliates applied for the Paycheck Protection Program of the CARES Act. They received a collective $80 million. The Small Business Administration wants them to return the money, which wasn’t intended for affiliates of organizations with 500 or more employees. Now Republican senators are asking the Department of Justice to investigate the affiliates. It seems at least some parties at Planned Parenthood knew they were ineligible.
Pro-lifers love this kind of news. Being America’s largest abortion provider is bad enough. Revelations like this suggest Planned Parenthood is also corrupt and greedy for money.
Of course, there’s nothing wrong with exposing Planned Parenthood. We must. But if all we ever talk about is how anti-Planned Parenthood we are, we won’t get very far in saving lives. We can’t combat the abortion provider without promoting a real alternative. Thankfully, there are real alternatives. Lots of them.
Let’s Be Clear — Planned Parenthood Is Corrupt
It’s no secret that Planned Parenthood is in it for the money. Recall the Center for Medical Progress videos released in 2015. In covertly recorded conversations, Planned Parenthood executives discussed selling aborted fetal tissue. That’s illegal, by the way.
Planned Parenthood sued CMP founder David Daleiden, who was involved in doing the recordings. Further, Planned Parenthood claimed the videos were deceptively edited. Forensic investigations have found that to be false. Daleiden is now suing Planned Parenthood and the California actors who prosecuted him for the undercover investigations.
There’s nothing wrong with exposing Planned Parenthood. We must. But we can’t combat the abortion provider without promoting a real alternative.
There’s other evidence that at least some Planned Parenthood facilities sold fetal tissue. CMP revealed an apparent 2010 contract between Stem-Ex and Planned Parenthood Mar Monte in California. Stem-Ex agreed to pay the PP facility $55 per “usable” fetal organ or material.
The Life-Affirming Alternatives
Despite scandals like these, PP does a good job of marketing itself as essential. Many people still see Planned Parenthood as the go-to for contraception, STD testing, cancer screening, and sex education.
Planned Parenthood’s own annual reports show that it overstates the impact of such work. And the claim that abortions are only 3 percent of what it does is demonstrably misleading.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
What many people don’t realize is that Federally Qualified Health Centers dramatically outnumber Planned Parenthood facilities. Pregnancy care centers also outnumber Planned Parenthood facilities. More and more of these centers offer the kind of care and support that Planned Parenthood pretends to.
Many of these centers offer pregnancy tests, ultrasounds and judgment-free counseling. Many are directly involved in housing women and children. Others provide referrals for financial and housing aid. Several offer sex education courses. STD testing. Parenting courses. Life skills courses. Basic supplies. And they do much of this for free.
Tear it Down, Build Something Else Up
Planned Parenthood purports to provide basic and necessary care. In reality, it peddles the lie that abortion is needed for women’s wellbeing. It relies on performing abortions. And it attempts to acquire as much public funding as possible.
Countering Planned Parenthood requires exposing its corruption. The pro-life community does this with zeal. But combating Planned Parenthood also requires an equally zealous effort to promote the work of pregnancy care centers. That includes spreading awareness of their existence. It means supporting them financially. It means ensuring their accessibility. And it means encouraging them to continue providing comprehensive, compassionate care.
Pointing out Planned Parenthood’s flaws will always be easy for pro-lifers. But if we really want to help women and win people over, we can’t do it without promoting something better.
Liberty McArtor, former staff writer for The Stream, is a freelance writer in the great state of Texas, where she lives north of Dallas with her husband and son. Follow Liberty on Twitter @LibertyMcArtor, or learn more about her at LibertyMcArtor.com.


thestream--2020-05-23--Who Dumped a Violent, Autistic 20-Year-Old COVID Patient on This Nursing Home and Why?

In the sane states of the union ( including Texas , where I live ) the lockdown is slowly lifting .
In most of those same states the most vulnerable Americans were quickly protected .
I count that the biggest imaginable “ win.
” Our state officials didn ’ t dump virus patients on nursing homes , to desperately empty hospital beds for young , healthy patients who pay taxes .
Who never showed up .
So those Korean war veterans , grandparents , and others who built the actual society we now live in made it through this stage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At least in most of the Red States . )
Instead of gasping for their last breaths locked down , far from their families , without even anyone to pray with them .
Just the face of a frightened nurse seen through a plexiglass mask .
What a hellish way to leave this world .
We make this world a hell when we shrug at sorrows like these .
In Blue States , My Fears Came True Early on , back in mid-March , I warned about what might happen to aged , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about Joe Biden ’ s euthanasia-happy chief virus advisor , Ezekiel Emanuel , I was scared .
I wrote that our elders , who lived through much tougher times than we ever faced , were now in danger .
And that ’ s exactly what happened in states like New York , New Jersey , Pennsylvania , and Michigan .
While he bloviated on TV about the need to lock down the state to save “ just one life , ” and fretted about his mama , Matilda , Andrew Cuomo moved coldly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Under the Bus Like other pro-abortion Blue State governors , Cuomo wrote off the elderly in nursing homes .
Forced those homes to infect themselves with COVID patients , to make room in hospitals for the young .
As veteran after veteran , grandmother after grandfather , died a horrific , needless death , Cuomo just shrugged .
Those people were going to die anyway , he told the crowd of fawning reporters .
And most of them just shrugged too .
It took the relentless reporting of The New York Post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Sean Hannity , Laura Ingraham , and Tucker Carlson , for Cuomo to finally back down .
Too late , for thousands of elderly New Yorkers .
Too late for those in other states where this wicked policy remains in effect .
For instance Michigan , where power-besotted Governor Gretchen Whitmer defies her citizens with another three weeks of lockdown .
From that same state , we see a glimpse of the awful suffering she inflicted by following Cuomo ’ s icy , utilitarian calculus .
WARNING : The video below is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man with COVID and possibly also autism assaulting an elderly nursing home patient .
Michigan dumped the young man on the Westwood Nursing Center , which now has the virus too .
We shouldn ’ t be angry with the young man , who is clearly out of his mind .
But our hands should tremble with outrage at politicians who put him among helpless old people , to get him and them out of the way .
Are we really that shocked though ?
Governor Whitmer is a vocal public supporter of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours of video proof that that organization sells human baby parts for profit .
( Yet even President Trump can ’ t get congressional Republicans to defund it . )
The Mainstream Media dismissed that careful reporting as “ doctored.
” The state of California is still trying to imprison the pro-life journalists who compiled it .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
If this video proves too inconvenient for the ambitious Governor Whitmer , will we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” too ?
Will the person who posted it to Youtube face criminal charges for violating somebody ’ s “ privacy ” ?
How long till the next fawning media profile of Whitmer as a champion of “ public health ” and “ Science ?
” A nation that will cannibalize its babies for parts will abandon its elders to secret abuse and choking , solitary deaths .
Such a nation fears death , because it believes nothing comes after .
So it also fears life , which is intrinsically risky , fragile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , looks to strongmen like Cuomo and Whitmer to keep it “ safe , ” and seeks out scapegoats like Georgia Governor Brian Kemp to blame and punish .
President Trump is of course scapegoat-in-chief .
In the absence of God , in the faint , fading shadows of supernatural faith , all we have left is fear .
We fend that off with short , blunt bursts of pleasure and long empty hours of vapid entertainment .
Our children are few , and carefully “ planned , ” swathed in cotton to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ invisible , far away and mostly forgotten .
And that ’ s why I never want to live in a Blue State again .
As soon as it ’ s safe , I want to start volunteering in nursing homes .
Reading to people , talking to them , reminding them that the rest of us still care .
Just do my little part to push back this choking Culture of Death .
John Zmirak is a senior editor at The Stream , and author or co-author of ten books , including The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Politically Incorrect Guide to Catholicism .

In the sane states of the union (including Texas, where I live) the lockdown is slowly lifting. In most of those same states the most vulnerable Americans were quickly protected. I count that the biggest imaginable “win.” Our state officials didn’t dump virus patients on nursing homes, to desperately empty hospital beds for young, healthy patients who pay taxes. Who never showed up.
So those Korean war veterans, grandparents, and others who built the actual society we now live in made it through this stage of the virus crisis alive. (At least in most of the Red States.) Instead of gasping for their last breaths locked down, far from their families, without even anyone to pray with them. Just the face of a frightened nurse seen through a plexiglass mask. What a hellish way to leave this world.
A nation that will cannibalize its babies for parts will abandon its elders to secret abuse and choking, solitary deaths. Such a nation fears death, because it believes nothing comes after. So it also fears life.
We make this world a hell when we shrug at sorrows like these.
In Blue States, My Fears Came True
Early on, back in mid-March, I warned about what might happen to aged, helpless residents in such facilities. Reading about Joe Biden’s euthanasia-happy chief virus advisor, Ezekiel Emanuel, I was scared. I wrote that our elders, who lived through much tougher times than we ever faced, were now in danger.
[Italian seniors] shouldn’t be choking and dying in hospital hallways. Neither should the elderly in America. But I fear that if our health care system gets totally overwhelmed, that’s exactly what will happen. I’m afraid that we, more than Italians, are likely to succumb to a cold-blooded utilitarian calculus. Our health bureaucrats will do things like counting the “likely productive years” of the patients they face, and route resources “efficiently” toward the younger and the stronger.
And that’s exactly what happened in states like New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. While he bloviated on TV about the need to lock down the state to save “just one life,” and fretted about his mama, Matilda, Andrew Cuomo moved coldly and cruelly.
Throwing Our “Matildas” Under the Bus
Like other pro-abortion Blue State governors, Cuomo wrote off the elderly in nursing homes. Forced those homes to infect themselves with COVID patients, to make room in hospitals for the young. As veteran after veteran, grandmother after grandfather, died a horrific, needless death, Cuomo just shrugged. Those people were going to die anyway, he told the crowd of fawning reporters. And most of them just shrugged too.
It took the relentless reporting of The New York Post, and nightly jabs on Fox News by Sean Hannity, Laura Ingraham, and Tucker Carlson, for Cuomo to finally back down. Too late, for thousands of elderly New Yorkers. Too late for those in other states where this wicked policy remains in effect.
Wickedness in Michigan
For instance Michigan, where power-besotted Governor Gretchen Whitmer defies her citizens with another three weeks of lockdown. From that same state, we see a glimpse of the awful suffering she inflicted by following Cuomo’s icy, utilitarian calculus.
WARNING: The video below is shocking. It shows a mentally disturbed man with COVID and possibly also autism assaulting an elderly nursing home patient. Michigan dumped the young man on the Westwood Nursing Center, which now has the virus too.
The young man seems clearly out of his mind. But our hands should tremble with outrage at the “sane” politicians who put him among helpless old people, to get him and them out of the way.
Cannibalize the Young, Abandon the Elderly
Are we really that shocked though? Governor Whitmer is a vocal public supporter of Planned Parenthood. We have hundreds of hours of video proof that that organization sells human baby parts for profit. (Yet even President Trump can’t get congressional Republicans to defund it.) The Mainstream Media dismissed that careful reporting as “doctored.” The state of California is still trying to imprison the pro-life journalists who compiled it.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
If this video proves too inconvenient for the ambitious Governor Whitmer, will we learn that it’s “doctored” too? Will the person who posted it to Youtube face criminal charges for violating somebody’s “privacy”? How long till the next fawning media profile of Whitmer as a champion of “public health” and “Science?”
A nation that will cannibalize its babies for parts will abandon its elders to secret abuse and choking, solitary deaths. Such a nation fears death, because it believes nothing comes after. So it also fears life, which is intrinsically risky, fragile, and short. It cowers indoors, looks to strongmen like Cuomo and Whitmer to keep it “safe,” and seeks out scapegoats like Georgia Governor Brian Kemp to blame and punish. President Trump is of course scapegoat-in-chief.
In the absence of God, in the faint, fading shadows of supernatural faith, all we have left is fear. We fend that off with short, blunt bursts of pleasure and long empty hours of vapid entertainment. Our children are few, and carefully “planned,” swathed in cotton to keep them intact. Our elders are invisible, far away and mostly forgotten.
And that’s why I never want to live in a Blue State again. As soon as it’s safe, I want to start volunteering in nursing homes. Reading to people, talking to them, reminding them that the rest of us still care. Just do my little part to push back this choking Culture of Death.
John Zmirak is a senior editor at The Stream, and author or co-author of ten books, including The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration and The Politically Incorrect Guide to Catholicism.


thestream--2020-05-23--We Know Moral Truths Better Than We Know Many Scientific Claims

I recently came across an article , “ 10 Things You Should Know About Scientism ” by Christian philosopher JP Moreland , in which he dropped a truth-bomb that is too good to not share .
But let me give you a trigger warning .
This is sure to rankle a lot of atheists who seem to unquestionably accept the scientism — the idea that science is our only— source of reliable knowledge .
Contrary to scientism , there are things we know with greater certainty in theology or ethics than certain claims in science .
Consider these two claims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ torture babies for the fun of it .
Which do we know with greater certainty ?
The second claim is the correct answer .
Why ?
The history of the electron has gone through various changes in what an electron is supposed to be .
No one today believes that Thomsonian electrons ( J. J. Thomson was the discoverer of electrons ) exist because our views have changed so much .
It is not unreasonable to believe that in fifty to one hundred years , scientific depictions of the electron will change so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in electrons as we depict them today .
Regarding the second claim , someone may not know how they know it is true , but nevertheless , we all , in fact , know it is true .
If someone denies that , he needs therapy , not an argument .
Now it is not hard to believe that in fifty to one hundred years , most people will no longer believe the second claim .
But it is hard to see what kind of rational considerations could be discovered that would render @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thus , we have more certainty in the second claim than in the first .
And the same is true for certain theological assertions—like that God exists .
When I shared this quote on social media immediately I was met with a lot of guffawing from certain atheists .
I have to wonder if it ’ s because it strikes a nerve against one of their most dearly held doctrines — that science can answer everything .
If you think about it for a minute , what Moreland is saying is hardly controversial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ often say is that one difference between science and faith is that science is humble .
This is because science is provisional — it ’ s constantly willing to be wrong and revise its theories in the face of new evidence .
Popular astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson speaks of the virtues in the scientific method : Faith , or so the argument goes , is the opposite .
It ’ s often dogmatic , unwilling to change its stance in the teeth of evidence .
It ’ s more of a “ because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ let me show you ” type of thing .
All of its arguments are appeals to authority , according to some skeptics .
Where Science Has No Answers So it should not be arguable that science , with all of its promises to give us knowledge , is something that should be held somewhat tentatively .
Science should have some willingness to change its mind .
The existence of gravity or the truth of quantum mechanics may be empirically testable facts , but our understanding of the theories behind them is subject to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t have a strong and confident answer for why there is consciousness or how life originated .
And how human beings and animals evolved is constantly being revised in light of new discoveries .
There are things that are unknown or are held with a lesser degree of certainty .
Moral Values : Not Scientifically Discovered and Not Created By Man The statement , “ There is a vast moral difference between protecting the lives of defenseless , orphans , and using them for target practice , ” is not something that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revision .
And here ’ s the kicker — science can ’ t begin to tell us why we should value one over the other .
At best it can tell us about the brain states of the tortured versus the nurtured .
It can ’ t tell us why we ought to care for the orphan and why we ought not torture them .
Ironically , science also can ’ t tell us why the humility of the scientific method is more virtuous than the “ dogmatism ” and exclusivism of religion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conclusions of science .
“ If It Can ’ t Be Verified By My Physical Senses , I Can ’ t Know It ” Some might argue that science gives us empirical knowledge — that which we can actually verify with our five physical senses .
For example , we can verify with our eyes that spiders have eight legs unless they lose a leg .
That ’ s a scientific fact .
But moral statements can ’ t be verified that way , so they ’ re not actually factual ( some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our moral jelly away from their scientific peanut butter .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
But this is just an old , debunked view called verificationism rearing it ’ s ugly head again .
This view had its heyday nearly a hundred years ago in philosophy departments , but it died out shortly after critics pointed out a fatal flaw : We can ’ t actually verify it with our five physical senses .
There ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ run that shows that factual statements can ’ t be moral .
Therefore , verificationism is self-defeating .
Somehow this flawed view lives on among many modern skeptics .
But What About Moral Diversity ?
Some might argue that morality is different in other cultures and so , therefore , it ’ s relative and makes no truth claims .
Science will at least tell us the facts eventually , while morality is just emotive .
So for example , in India , cows roam free because they ’ re considered to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there ’ s a hamburger spot within driving distance for almost everyone .
But both cultures agree that cannibalism is wrong .
In America , when Grandma dies , we bury her .
We don ’ t even think of violating the hugely powerful taboo on cannibalism .
Hindus don ’ t eat beef because they think the cow could be Grandma reincarnated !
So the moral difference doesn ’ t arise because of conflicting values .
It comes from different views on facts related to common values .
Not “ What ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Is Human ?
” Every culture that has devalued innocent , human life has done so by making it less than human .
Just look at our modern abortion debate — one side stridently says that the unborn are not human , so it ’ s okay to kill them .
They don ’ t say it ’ s fine to murder already-born babies because they ’ re inconvenient to us .
It ’ s because they seem them as fully human .
Think of a country where people were admired for running @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man felt proud of double-crossing all the people who had been kindest to him .
You might just as well try to imagine a country where two and two made five .
Men have differed as regards what people you ought to be unselfish to—whether it was only your own family , or your fellow countrymen , or everyone .
But they have always agreed that you ought not to put yourself first .
Selfishness has never been admired .
Men have differed as to whether you should have one wife or four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you must not simply have any woman you liked .
Just because some objects in the moral landscape are harder to see than others , it doesn ’ t mean that we don ’ t see many moral facts very clearly .
We clearly see that justice is to be preferred to injustice , kindness is to be preferred to cruelty , courage is better than cowardice , and that intellectual dishonesty is never going to be a virtue .
Ethical Truths Are More Certain Than Many Scientific Claims If morality is just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our emotions , it becomes unclear why we should work to solve any moral “ problems.
” We could simply say , “ Hey , this sense of distaste you have for genocide , kidnapping , murder is just that — distaste .
Let ’ s just agree that no real moral problems exist and move on !
” Obviously that ’ s crazy .
The point is that there are universal moral values , they ’ re often glaringly self-evident and need no argument to support them any more than we need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or logic .
And science will never be able to tell us what they are .
Peter Singer , an atheist philosopher says , “ No science is ever going to discover ethical premises inherent in our biological nature , because ethical premises are not the kind of thing discovered by human investigation .
We do not find our ethical premises in our biological nature , or under cabbages either.
” Science depends on people acting ethically — like conducting their investigations safely and honestly .
We take this for granted , just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ existence of the external world that we study in science .
And ethics and science often intersect , like in questions of gene editing , population control , animal rights , and so forth .
To doubt the existence of the moral world is no more justifiable than to doubt the existence of the physical world .
And because of that , Moreland is absolutely correct .
The notion that the assertions of the hard sciences are greatly superior to claims outside science is false .
“ A wise man scales the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stronghold in which they trust.
” ( Proverbs 21:22 ) Originally published at Is Jesus Alive ?
.
Used by permission .
Erik Manning is a Reasonable Faith Chapter Director located in Cedar Rapids , Iowa .
He ’ s a former freelance baseball writer and the co-owner of a vintage and handmade decor business with his wife , Dawn .
He is passionate about the intersection of apologetics and evangelism .

I recently came across an article,“10 Things You Should Know About Scientism” by Christian philosopher JP Moreland, in which he dropped a truth-bomb that is too good to not share. But let me give you a trigger warning. This is sure to rankle a lot of atheists who seem to unquestionably accept the scientism — the idea that science is our only source of reliable knowledge.
Contrary to scientism, there are things we know with greater certainty in theology or ethics than certain claims in science. Consider these two claims: 1. Electrons exist. 2. It is wrong to torture babies for the fun of it. Which do we know with greater certainty? The second claim is the correct answer. Why? The history of the electron has gone through various changes in what an electron is supposed to be. No one today believes that Thomsonian electrons (J. J. Thomson was the discoverer of electrons) exist because our views have changed so much. It is not unreasonable to believe that in fifty to one hundred years, scientific depictions of the electron will change so much that scientists will no longer believe in electrons as we depict them today. Regarding the second claim, someone may not know how they know it is true, but nevertheless, we all, in fact, know it is true. If someone denies that, he needs therapy, not an argument. Now it is not hard to believe that in fifty to one hundred years, most people will no longer believe the second claim. But it is hard to see what kind of rational considerations could be discovered that would render the second claim an irrational belief. Thus, we have more certainty in the second claim than in the first. And the same is true for certain theological assertions—like that God exists.
The Virtues of Science?
When I shared this quote on social media immediately I was met with a lot of guffawing from certain atheists. I have to wonder if it’s because it strikes a nerve against one of their most dearly held doctrines — that science can answer everything.
If you think about it for a minute, what Moreland is saying is hardly controversial. One of the things skeptics will often say is that one difference between science and faith is that science is humble. This is because science is provisional — it’s constantly willing to be wrong and revise its theories in the face of new evidence. Popular astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson speaks of the virtues in the scientific method:
This adventure is made possible by generations of searchers strictly adhering to a simple set of rules: Test ideas by experiment and observation, build on those ideas that pass the test, reject the ones that fail, follow the evidence wherever it leads, and question everything.
Faith, or so the argument goes, is the opposite. It’s often dogmatic, unwilling to change its stance in the teeth of evidence. It’s more of a “because I said so” vs. a “let me show you” type of thing. All of its arguments are appeals to authority, according to some skeptics.
Where Science Has No Answers
So it should not be arguable that science, with all of its promises to give us knowledge, is something that should be held somewhat tentatively. Science should have some willingness to change its mind. The existence of gravity or the truth of quantum mechanics may be empirically testable facts, but our understanding of the theories behind them is subject to change.
Right now, science doesn’t have a strong and confident answer for why there is consciousness or how life originated. And how human beings and animals evolved is constantly being revised in light of new discoveries. There are things that are unknown or are held with a lesser degree of certainty.
Moral Values: Not Scientifically Discovered and Not Created By Man
The statement, “There is a vast moral difference between protecting the lives of defenseless, orphans, and using them for target practice,” is not something that is going to ever be subject to revision. And here’s the kicker — science can’t begin to tell us why we should value one over the other. At best it can tell us about the brain states of the tortured versus the nurtured. It can’t tell us why we ought to care for the orphan and why we ought not torture them.
Ironically, science also can’t tell us why the humility of the scientific method is more virtuous than the “dogmatism” and exclusivism of religion! These are moral conclusions, not conclusions of science.
“If It Can’t Be Verified By My Physical Senses, I Can’t Know It”
Some might argue that science gives us empirical knowledge — that which we can actually verify with our five physical senses. For example, we can verify with our eyes that spiders have eight legs unless they lose a leg. That’s a scientific fact. But moral statements can’t be verified that way, so they’re not actually factual (some say). We need to keep our moral jelly away from their scientific peanut butter.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
But this is just an old, debunked view called verificationism rearing it’s ugly head again. This view had its heyday nearly a hundred years ago in philosophy departments, but it died out shortly after critics pointed out a fatal flaw: We can’t actually verify it with our five physical senses. There’s no scientific experiment that you can run that shows that factual statements can’t be moral. Therefore, verificationism is self-defeating. Somehow this flawed view lives on among many modern skeptics.
But What About Moral Diversity?
Some might argue that morality is different in other cultures and so, therefore, it’s relative and makes no truth claims. Science will at least tell us the facts eventually, while morality is just emotive. So for example, in India, cows roam free because they’re considered to be sacred. But here in America, there’s a hamburger spot within driving distance for almost everyone.
But both cultures agree that cannibalism is wrong. In America, when Grandma dies, we bury her. We don’t even think of violating the hugely powerful taboo on cannibalism. Hindus don’t eat beef because they think the cow could be Grandma reincarnated! So the moral difference doesn’t arise because of conflicting values. It comes from different views on facts related to common values.
Not “What’s Moral?” But “Who Is Human?”
Every culture that has devalued innocent, human life has done so by making it less than human. Just look at our modern abortion debate — one side stridently says that the unborn are not human, so it’s okay to kill them. They don’t say it’s fine to murder already-born babies because they’re inconvenient to us. It’s because they seem them as fully human.
C. S. Lewis wrote,
Think of a country where people were admired for running away in battle, or where a man felt proud of double-crossing all the people who had been kindest to him. You might just as well try to imagine a country where two and two made five. Men have differed as regards what people you ought to be unselfish to—whether it was only your own family, or your fellow countrymen, or everyone. But they have always agreed that you ought not to put yourself first. Selfishness has never been admired. Men have differed as to whether you should have one wife or four. But they have always agreed that you must not simply have any woman you liked.
Just because some objects in the moral landscape are harder to see than others, it doesn’t mean that we don’t see many moral facts very clearly. We clearly see that justice is to be preferred to injustice, kindness is to be preferred to cruelty, courage is better than cowardice, and that intellectual dishonesty is never going to be a virtue.
Ethical Truths Are More Certain Than Many Scientific Claims
If morality is just a matter of preference or expressions of our emotions, it becomes unclear why we should work to solve any moral “problems.” We could simply say, “Hey, this sense of distaste you have for genocide, kidnapping, murder is just that — distaste. Let’s just agree that no real moral problems exist and move on!” Obviously that’s crazy.
The point is that there are universal moral values, they’re often glaringly self-evident and need no argument to support them any more than we need to argue for the laws of mathematics or logic. And science will never be able to tell us what they are.
Peter Singer, an atheist philosopher says, “No science is ever going to discover ethical premises inherent in our biological nature, because ethical premises are not the kind of thing discovered by human investigation. We do not find our ethical premises in our biological nature, or under cabbages either.”
Science Depends On It
Science depends on people acting ethically — like conducting their investigations safely and honestly. We take this for granted, just as much as take for granted the existence of the external world that we study in science. And ethics and science often intersect, like in questions of gene editing, population control, animal rights, and so forth.
To doubt the existence of the moral world is no more justifiable than to doubt the existence of the physical world. And because of that, Moreland is absolutely correct. The notion that the assertions of the hard sciences are greatly superior to claims outside science is false.
“A wise man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.” (Proverbs 21:22)
Originally published at Is Jesus Alive?. Used by permission.
Erik Manning is a Reasonable Faith Chapter Director located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He’s a former freelance baseball writer and the co-owner of a vintage and handmade decor business with his wife, Dawn. He is passionate about the intersection of apologetics and evangelism.


thestream--2020-05-23--Why God is Still the Best Explanation for Objective Moral Truths

Can we “ ground ” moral truths in our personal opinion or in cultural consensus ?
If not , what is the better explanation for such truths ?
In this interview with Patrick & Tony from Cave to the Cross Apologetics , J. Warner talks about the case for Christianity , the nature of faith , and the role of differing approaches to apologetics ( the rational defense of Christian belief ) .
Be sure to check out other Cave to the Cross podcasts !
Patrick : If you want to know more about what J. Warner Wallace is talking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Cross Apologetics.
” We recently covered all this .
We ’ re talking about this now .
Does morals or does ethics require a person or values to be a valuer , and how do you have values without people or more than one person ?
So- J. Warner Wallace : Yeah , if you think about that , there ’ s only a couple ways to ground that .
First of all , not every atheist agrees that there are object moral truths to begin with .
But those who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ truths have to figure out a way to ground them .
Because there ’ s only subjective and objective and if it ’ s all a matter of personal opinion , well that ’ s a subject .
If it ’ s a matter of group think , like cultural consensus , that ’ s a group of subjects .
Those are both subjective explanations .
Sam Harris actually offers a better alternative , I think , which is that it ’ s grounded in the objective nature of human beings .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is our human nature .
That for us to thrive as humans , we adopt a code that is really there to help us thrive .
It ’ s just a reflection of what helps us to thrive .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
But of course , the problem with that is that he has to import a certain notion of thriving , of well-being .
Because if all he means is survival , all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a matter of fact , the three of us are talking right now because somewhere in our history , somebody acted very poorly to make sure their tribe survived over another .
If Harris is right , then you and I are both examples of how bad behavior can help us to thrive .
We can ’ t live here to thrive at all if not for the bad behavior of our ancestors .
So I think we have to define , what do you mean by thrive ?
And then you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet .
Right ?
Because you have a notion — a very loving , sympathetic , tolerant notion — of what it is to thrive as a human .
But where do you get that notion ?
Why is that true for us ?
Right ?
Well you can ’ t say it helps us to survive .
The most tolerant , loving people were usually in history , the victims of a group that is thriving better now .
Because they victimized the pacifists .
So that ’ s the problem : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there .
J. Warner Wallace is a Dateline featured Cold-Case Detective , Senior Fellow at the Colson Center for Christian Worldview , Adj .
Professor of Christian Apologetics at Talbot School of Theology , Biola University , author of Cold-Case Christianity , God ’ s Crime Scene , and Forensic Faith , and creator of the Case Makers Academy for kids .

Can we “ground” moral truths in our personal opinion or in cultural consensus? If not, what is the better explanation for such truths? In this interview with Patrick & Tony from Cave to the Cross Apologetics, J. Warner talks about the case for Christianity, the nature of faith, and the role of differing approaches to apologetics (the rational defense of Christian belief). Be sure to check out other Cave to the Cross podcasts!
Transcript (lightly edited for clarity):
Patrick: If you want to know more about what J. Warner Wallace is talking about, see the podcast “Cave to the Cross Apologetics.” We recently covered all this. We’re talking about this now. Does morals or does ethics require a person or values to be a valuer, and how do you have values without people or more than one person? So-
J. Warner Wallace: Yeah, if you think about that, there’s only a couple ways to ground that. First of all, not every atheist agrees that there are object moral truths to begin with. But those who do think that there are objective moral truths have to figure out a way to ground them. Because there’s only subjective and objective and if it’s all a matter of personal opinion, well that’s a subject. If it’s a matter of group think, like cultural consensus, that’s a group of subjects. Those are both subjective explanations.
Sam Harris actually offers a better alternative, I think, which is that it’s grounded in the objective nature of human beings. The one thing that transcends all of us is our human nature. That for us to thrive as humans, we adopt a code that is really there to help us thrive. It’s just a reflection of what helps us to thrive.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
But of course, the problem with that is that he has to import a certain notion of thriving, of well-being. Because if all he means is survival, all kinds of bad stuff can actually — as a matter of fact, the three of us are talking right now because somewhere in our history, somebody acted very poorly to make sure their tribe survived over another. If Harris is right, then you and I are both examples of how bad behavior can help us to thrive. We can’t live here to thrive at all if not for the bad behavior of our ancestors.
So I think we have to define, what do you mean by thrive? And then you import things you haven’t earned yet. Right? Because you have a notion — a very loving, sympathetic, tolerant notion — of what it is to thrive as a human. But where do you get that notion? Why is that true for us? Right? Well you can’t say it helps us to survive. The most tolerant, loving people were usually in history, the victims of a group that is thriving better now. Because they victimized the pacifists. So that’s the problem: that you cannot get here from there.
J. Warner Wallace is a Dateline featured Cold-Case Detective, Senior Fellow at the Colson Center for Christian Worldview, Adj. Professor of Christian Apologetics at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, author of Cold-Case Christianity, God’s Crime Scene, and Forensic Faith, and creator of the Case Makers Academy for kids.


thestream--2020-05-23--An Open Letter to Christianity Today: Change Course or Step Aside

It saddens me to write this letter , because it wasn ’ t that long ago that you served as a source of encouragement and inspiration to me .
While I was pursuing my advanced liberal arts degree in 2014 , I found myself constantly surrounded by hostile , anti-Christian forces – from professors and fellow students to the theorists we studied .
In that challenging environment I began looking for well-researched counter-perspectives from Christian thinkers .
I searched , and I found you .
I was delighted by short , powerful essays by Rosaria Butterfield .
Informed by helpful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faith and positive life outcomes .
Challenged by narrative-shattering pieces like , “ The Surprising Discovery About Those Colonialist , Proselytizing Missionaries ” by Andrea Palpant Dille .
In fact , I enjoyed CT so much that I purchased a print subscription .
This despite being a stereotypically broke college student .
I kept a growing stack of the magazines on a rickety bookshelf in my apartment .
I ’ m not sure what happened along the way , but today CT is not the publication I discovered as a young , curious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what the Church in America desperately needs it to be .
In the last few months , I ’ ve watched you publish increasingly sloppy , vague , and downright strange editorials .
Pieces that fail to resonate with or sway your main base of evangelical readers .
I suspect that I know why you ’ ve fallen so far from your original mission , and I ’ ll get to that shortly .
Mark Galli ’ s editorial in support of the impeachment of President Donald Trump was probably your most controversial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so poor that the brilliant , and largely apolitical , Christian apologist William Lane Craig chimed in .
He felt compelled to explain that it made no real case for impeachment .
Galli simply assumed Trump was guilty of the now largely-abandoned “ abuse of power ” charge .
Then he asserted that Trump was too “ immoral ” to be president .
Galli did this without addressing the obvious question .
If immorality is a legitimate cause for impeachment , then who among us could ever be president ?
Like many popular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of smugly chastising evangelicals .
“ How could they support such an immoral man ?
” you ask .
But then you ignore the answer .
I expect that kind of lazy jeering from Vox , but not from “ a trusted beacon spotlighting the way in which Christians can live gospel lives for the strengthening of church and society.
” If you were willing to briefly set aside your scorn and listen .
.
.
you might learn something .
Trump ’ s “ mean tweets ” aren ’ t nearly as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leadership .
CT is not keen on commenting on it , but Democrats have been quite transparent .
They have big plans for our country , including increased censorship , restricting religious liberties , expanding abortion access to include murdering newborns , and firearm confiscation .
They ’ ll make all that possible by packing the Supreme Court and fundamentally changing the powers of the federal government .
That ’ s why I find it both laughable and alarming when CT fixates on Trump ’ s Twitter feed .
Or gossips about his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s religion may be ambiguous and his past intermittently scandalous .
But any Christians who seek to express their religion freely and lovingly protect their neighbors from an extremely immoral and increasingly authoritarian government should certainly vote for him in November .
Other popular CT angles are equally tedious .
For instance , your annoyance with conservative evangelicals who don ’ t trust corrupt corporate media outlets .
And your parroting of popular-but-false progressive talking points .
For the sake of brevity I ’ ll end with an observation regarding your obituary for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Silliman mustered the energy to write eleven dull paragraphs , with two of those focused on allegations in long-ago settled controversies .
That ’ s how he remembered a brilliant man who dedicated most of his life to defending the gospel and equipping other Christians to do the same .
That obituary was shameful .
The only reason I can think for why you would run such a cold piece is that Zacharias was so much more relevant to the Christian community than you .
And you felt compelled to try to bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Somewhere along the way , Christianity Today exchanged social convenience for the truth .
Like many Christians , you have fallen for the mistaken belief that if you present yourself as caring about what progressives care about , then you will be spared from their slander and suppression .
You will not .
And the Left has made that clear .
It has weighed your desperate pleas for acceptance and still has found you wanting .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my sincere hope that you will change course and rediscover your original mission .
And you can do that in one simple way : Stop virtue signaling to progressives .
They will not welcome you into the cool kids ’ clique until you have fully abandoned the “ Christianity ” of your title .
Rejecting God ’ s moral authority is foundational to progressive ideologies .
So rather than virtue signal , will you forfeit a few social conveniences and choose to be a true disciple of Jesus ?
Ravi Zacharias did .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ do .
Prepared , he went into the hostile world of academia and popular media and boldly shared unpopular truths about sexuality , abortion , and morality alongside the greatest message of all time—that everyone ( yes , even “ benevolent ” victim classes ) is a sinner and everyone ( even those privileged “ oppressors ” ) can be saved if they submit to the authority of Jesus Christ .
God has not called you to soften or distort what is right .
And His vision for humanity does not need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He needs you to boldly proclaim what He has already declared .
As long as you shirk off that responsibility , you are hindering the work of bolder , more devout Christians .
Will you rediscover your original mission and take back your birthright ?
If not , will you please just get out of the way ?
Carmen Schober is the Editor-in-Chief of Staseos .
She is a wife , mother , fiction writer , cultural commentator , and MMA fan .
She earned her Master ’ s in Creative Writing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she enjoys writing about theology , culture , and storytelling .

Dear Christianity Today,
It saddens me to write this letter, because it wasn’t that long ago that you served as a source of encouragement and inspiration to me. While I was pursuing my advanced liberal arts degree in 2014, I found myself constantly surrounded by hostile, anti-Christian forces – from professors and fellow students to the theorists we studied. In that challenging environment I began looking for well-researched counter-perspectives from Christian thinkers.
I searched, and I found you. I was delighted by short, powerful essays by Rosaria Butterfield. Informed by helpful statistics illustrating the correlation between the Christian faith and positive life outcomes. Challenged by narrative-shattering pieces like, “The Surprising Discovery About Those Colonialist, Proselytizing Missionaries” by Andrea Palpant Dille. In fact, I enjoyed CT so much that I purchased a print subscription. This despite being a stereotypically broke college student. I kept a growing stack of the magazines on a rickety bookshelf in my apartment.
I’m not sure what happened along the way, but today CT is not the publication I discovered as a young, curious Christian college student. Nor is it what the Church in America desperately needs it to be. In the last few months, I’ve watched you publish increasingly sloppy, vague, and downright strange editorials. Pieces that fail to resonate with or sway your main base of evangelical readers. I suspect that I know why you’ve fallen so far from your original mission, and I’ll get to that shortly.
The Tipping Point
Mark Galli’s editorial in support of the impeachment of President Donald Trump was probably your most controversial and your weakest. Its reasoning proved so poor that the brilliant, and largely apolitical, Christian apologist William Lane Craig chimed in. He felt compelled to explain that it made no real case for impeachment. Galli simply assumed Trump was guilty of the now largely-abandoned “abuse of power” charge. Then he asserted that Trump was too “immoral” to be president. Galli did this without addressing the obvious question. If immorality is a legitimate cause for impeachment, then who among us could ever be president?
Like many popular secular publications, you have grown fond of smugly chastising evangelicals. “How could they support such an immoral man?” you ask. But then you ignore the answer. I expect that kind of lazy jeering from Vox, but not from “a trusted beacon spotlighting the way in which Christians can live gospel lives for the strengthening of church and society.” If you were willing to briefly set aside your scorn and listen . . . you might learn something. Trump’s “mean tweets” aren’t nearly as disturbing as the potential consequences of Democratic leadership.
The Frightening Alternative
CT is not keen on commenting on it, but Democrats have been quite transparent. They have big plans for our country, including increased censorship, restricting religious liberties, expanding abortion access to include murdering newborns, and firearm confiscation. They’ll make all that possible by packing the Supreme Court and fundamentally changing the powers of the federal government. That’s why I find it both laughable and alarming when CT fixates on Trump’s Twitter feed. Or gossips about his old sexual sins.
Donald Trump’s religion may be ambiguous and his past intermittently scandalous. But any Christians who seek to express their religion freely and lovingly protect their neighbors from an extremely immoral and increasingly authoritarian government should certainly vote for him in November.
Besmirching a Modern Saint
Other popular CT angles are equally tedious. For instance, your annoyance with conservative evangelicals who don’t trust corrupt corporate media outlets. And your parroting of popular-but-false progressive talking points. For the sake of brevity I’ll end with an observation regarding your obituary for renowned Christian apologist Ravi Zacharias.
Daniel Silliman mustered the energy to write eleven dull paragraphs, with two of those focused on allegations in long-ago settled controversies. That’s how he remembered a brilliant man who dedicated most of his life to defending the gospel and equipping other Christians to do the same. That obituary was shameful. The only reason I can think for why you would run such a cold piece is that Zacharias was so much more relevant to the Christian community than you. And you felt compelled to try to bring him down to your milquetoast level.
The Trap
Somewhere along the way, Christianity Today exchanged social convenience for the truth. Like many Christians, you have fallen for the mistaken belief that if you present yourself as caring about what progressives care about, then you will be spared from their slander and suppression. You will not. And the Left has made that clear. It has weighed your desperate pleas for acceptance and still has found you wanting.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
It is my sincere hope that you will change course and rediscover your original mission. And you can do that in one simple way: Stop virtue signaling to progressives. They will not welcome you into the cool kids’ clique until you have fully abandoned the “Christianity” of your title. Rejecting God’s moral authority is foundational to progressive ideologies. So rather than virtue signal, will you forfeit a few social conveniences and choose to be a true disciple of Jesus?
Ravi Zacharias did. He demonstrated exactly what the Church must do. Prepared, he went into the hostile world of academia and popular media and boldly shared unpopular truths about sexuality, abortion, and morality alongside the greatest message of all time—that everyone (yes, even “benevolent” victim classes) is a sinner and everyone (even those privileged “oppressors”) can be saved if they submit to the authority of Jesus Christ.
My Plea
God has not called you to soften or distort what is right. And His vision for humanity does not need to be updated to fit a progressive agenda. He needs you to boldly proclaim what He has already declared. As long as you shirk off that responsibility, you are hindering the work of bolder, more devout Christians.
Will you rediscover your original mission and take back your birthright? If not, will you please just get out of the way?
Sincerely,
Carmen Schober
Carmen Schober is the Editor-in-Chief of Staseos. She is a wife, mother, fiction writer, cultural commentator, and MMA fan. She earned her Master’s in Creative Writing and English Literature in 2015, and she enjoys writing about theology, culture, and storytelling.


thestream--2020-05-23--Democrats Keep Denying That Voter Fraud Happens, and Getting Caught At It

Democrats are to pushing hard to transform American elections .
To do them completely by mail .
They claim that it ’ s necessary for social distancing .
( Meanwhile , they want liquor stores and pot dispensaries open . )
Some blue state officials are mailing ballots directly to registered voters even though they haven ’ t requested them .
Meanwhile , Democrats poo-poo vote fraud as a racist GOP myth .
In fact , voting by mail yields the most common type of voter fraud .
And Democrats want to make it worse .
No surprise , since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In Philadelphia , a former judge of elections and Democratic committeeman from South Philadelphia accepted bribes from a paid political consultant .
Why ?
To add votes for three Democrats running for judge .
Domenick DeMuro added votes in 2014 , 2015 and 2016 .
He added 27 in 2014 , 40 in 2015 and 46 in 2016 .
While these sound like small numbers , they made a significant difference at that polling place .
For example , in 2014 , 118 votes came in there .
This means over 22 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
DeMuro received $ 2,500 for the vote padding , plus more money to help other candidates .
He pled guilty this last week .
He faces up to 15 years in prison .
In Indiana , prosecutors now investigate a Democratic activist who sent out absentee voter applications with “ Democrat ” for party affiliation already checked .
It resulted in many applications in Vanderburgh County being rejected .
County Clerk Carla Hayden instructed the county Democratic Party to tell Jan Reed to stop .
But she didn ’ t .
Post-marks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showed she continued doing it .
Reed could face felony charges .
In Paterson , NJ , we see claims that ballots were mailed in batches for the recent election .
A postal worker found a huge bundle in one mailbox in Haledon .
The Post Office reported it to the attorney general and the Board of Elections .
We hear reports of postal workers leaving large stacks of ballots in building lobbies because the addresses proved no longer good .
Paterson City Council candidate Frank Filippelli said he received calls from constituents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mailboxes .
A Passaic County spokesman said 16,747 vote-by-mail ballots came in .
But the county ’ s official results page shows 13,557 votes counted .
What happened to the 3,190 votes , 19 % of the votes cast ?
The Board of Elections said 800 votes would not count since they turned up in bundles .
An elections spokesman said 2,390 couldn ’ t count because the signatures on the envelopes did not match those on file .
The fraudulent ballots could have made a difference , since some local races in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Four wards had more votes go uncounted than the winner ’ s margin of victory .
This means the uncounted ballots could have swung those races the other way .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
One of the city council races turned on just 8 votes ; incumbent Shahin Khalique defeated challenger Mohammed Akhtaruzzaman .
Shahin was the more conservative of the candidates .
If the fraudulent ballots had counted , would the more liberal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a genuine absentee ballot fraud scandal going on in Paterson , ” said election law expert and University of California-Irvine School of Law professor Rick Hasen .
The election was completely conducted by mail .
Voters in Wisconsin and other states got caught voting twice during the fall election .
The Wisconsin Election Commission just released the list of counties where 43 of the instances took place .
Most of them involved mail-in ballots .
Those accused voted by mail or in person in two different states .
Some South Carolina ballots ended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ About 20 absentee ballots from Charleston County showed up out of state .
Election officials blame it on the printer , and admitted to previous problems with the company in the past .
And that wasn ’ t all .
Some voters in Greenville County received the wrong ballots for the Democratic presidential primary and a special sheriff ’ s election , held 10 days apart .
Voters in Charleston received ballots misfolded so they couldn ’ t be properly scanned by machines .
The Heritage Foundation continues to add verified instances of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of May 10 , it was up to 1,285 .
Many of them involved single instances of voter fraud , where it wouldn ’ t have a difference in the outcome .
But there were also plenty involving multiple ballots , revealing a clear goal of changing the outcome .
Arizona : Ground Zero for Voting Fraud this November ?
We should worry about the upcoming presidential election .
Expect more voter fraud in swing states , since those prove the easiest to tip with fraudulent votes .
Watch Arizona in particular , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for years .
Around 75 % of Arizona voters vote by mail .
The other swing states average around only 25 % .
Accusations of voter fraud emerged in Arizona in the 2018 election , when many Democrats won surprise victories .
More mail-in ballots got cast before Election Day in 2018 than the total number of voters who cast ballots in 2014 .
This doesn ’ t seem plausible .
The office of the Maricopa County Recorder , which governs elections , recently switched to the Democratic Party .
Adrian Fontes opened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the days leading up to the 2018 general election , all in highly Democratic areas like Tolleson .
The record shows that Democrats continue to commit voter fraud and engage in tactics like Fontes ’ s .
We shouldn ’ t make things easier for them .
Rachel Alexander is a senior editor of The Stream .
Follow her on Twitter at Rach_IC .
Follow The Stream at streamdotorg .
Send tips to rachel.alexander @ stream.org .

Democrats are pushing hard to transform American elections. To do them completely by mail. They claim that it’s necessary for social distancing. (Meanwhile, they want liquor stores and pot dispensaries open.) Some blue state officials are mailing ballots directly to registered voters even though they haven’t requested them. Meanwhile, Democrats poo-poo vote fraud as a racist GOP myth.
In fact, voting by mail yields the most common type of voter fraud. And Democrats want to make it worse. No surprise, since they’re so practiced at it.
In Philadelphia, a former judge of elections and Democratic committeeperson from South Philadelphia accepted bribes from a paid political consultant to add votes for three Democrats running for judge.
In Philadelphia, a former judge of elections and Democratic committeeman from South Philadelphia accepted bribes from a paid political consultant. Why? To add votes for three Democrats running for judge. Domenick DeMuro added votes in 2014, 2015 and 2016. He added 27 in 2014, 40 in 2015 and 46 in 2016. While these sound like small numbers, they made a significant difference at that polling place. For example, in 2014, 118 votes came in there. This means over 22% of those votes were fraudulently cast.
DeMuro received $2,500 for the vote padding, plus more money to help other candidates. He pled guilty this last week. He faces up to 15 years in prison.
Democratic Activist Checked ‘Democrat’ on Voter Applications
In Indiana, prosecutors now investigate a Democratic activist who sent out absentee voter applications with “Democrat” for party affiliation already checked. It resulted in many applications in Vanderburgh County being rejected. County Clerk Carla Hayden instructed the county Democratic Party to tell Jan Reed to stop. But she didn’t. Post-marks on applications that went out after that showed she continued doing it. Reed could face felony charges.
Paterson City Council candidate Frank Filippelli said he received calls from constituents saying their ballots were stolen out of their mailboxes.
In Paterson, N.J., we see claims that ballots were mailed in batches for the recent election. A postal worker found a huge bundle in one mailbox in Haledon. The Post Office reported it to the attorney general and the Board of Elections. We hear reports of postal workers leaving large stacks of ballots in building lobbies because the addresses proved no longer good. Paterson City Council candidate Frank Filippelli said he received calls from constituents reporting their ballots stolen out of their mailboxes.
A Passaic County spokesman said 16,747 vote-by-mail ballots came in. But the county’s official results page shows 13,557 votes counted. What happened to the 3,190 votes, 19% of the votes cast?
3,190 Fraudulent Votes Caught in One County
The Board of Elections said 800 votes would not count since they turned up in bundles. An elections spokesman said 2,390 couldn’t count because the signatures on the envelopes did not match those on file.
The fraudulent ballots could have made a difference, since some local races in Paterson turn on a few dozen votes. Four wards had more votes go uncounted than the winner’s margin of victory. This means the uncounted ballots could have swung those races the other way.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
One of the city council races turned on just 8 votes; incumbent Shahin Khalique defeated challenger Mohammed Akhtaruzzaman. Shahin was the more conservative of the candidates. If the fraudulent ballots had counted, would the more liberal Akhtaruzzaman have won?
“There is a genuine absentee ballot fraud scandal going on in Paterson,” said election law expert and University of California-Irvine School of Law professor Rick Hasen. The election was completely conducted by mail.
Double Voting in Wisconsin
Voters in Wisconsin and other states got caught voting twice during the fall election. The Wisconsin Election Commission just released the list of counties where 43 of the instances took place. Most of them involved mail-in ballots. Those accused voted by mail or in person in two different states.
Some South Carolina ballots ended up in Maryland this past week. About 20 absentee ballots from Charleston County showed up out of state. Election officials blame it on the printer, and admitted to previous problems with the company in the past. And that wasn’t all. Some voters in Greenville County received the wrong ballots for the Democratic presidential primary and a special sheriff’s election, held 10 days apart. Voters in Charleston received ballots misfolded so they couldn’t be properly scanned by machines.
The Heritage Foundation continues to add verified instances of voter fraud to its database. As of May 10, it was up to 1,285 incidents.
The Heritage Foundation continues to add verified instances of voter fraud to its database. As of May 10, it was up to 1,285. Many of them involved single instances of voter fraud, where it wouldn’t have a difference in the outcome. But there were also plenty involving multiple ballots, revealing a clear goal of changing the outcome.
Arizona: Ground Zero for Voting Fraud This November?
We should worry about the upcoming presidential election. Expect more voter fraud in swing states, since those prove the easiest to tip with fraudulent votes. Watch Arizona in particular, since it has had generous vote-by-mail provisions for years. Around 75% of Arizona voters vote by mail. The other swing states average around only 25%.
Accusations of voter fraud emerged in Arizona in the 2018 election, when many Democrats won surprise victories. More mail-in ballots got cast before Election Day in 2018 than the total number of voters who cast ballots in 2014. This doesn’t seem plausible.
The office of the Maricopa County Recorder, which governs elections, recently switched to the Democratic Party. Adrian Fontes opened up five “emergency voting” locations in the days leading up to the 2018 general election, all in highly Democratic areas like Tolleson.
The record shows that Democrats continue to commit voter fraud and engage in tactics like Fontes’s. We shouldn’t make things easier for them.
Rachel Alexander is a senior editor of The Stream. Follow her on Twitter at Rach_IC. Follow The Stream at streamdotorg. Send tips to [email protected].


thestream--2020-05-23--Talking About Jesus: A Young Believer Outshines His Teacher

A few years ago , I was a professor of at a small Christian liberal arts school in Minnesota .
As an elective course , I would train students in Christian evangelism .
On one occasion , we did a survey at the University of Minnesota , where my students started conversations with other students and professors and asked questions like : “ Do you believe that truth is absolute or relative ?
” “ Do you believe that there is a God ?
” and “ Does science answer everything ?
” I do not think anyone was converted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remember many of my students who were not by nature outgoing , came back excited because of the meaningful conversations .
On another occasion , our students went out to the Mall of America and talked with Somali Muslim young adults who seemed open-minded to talk about Jesus .
The experience was so positive that two of my students , Liam and Corbin , were persistent in asking me to take them out again to share the Gospel across the twin cities .
They were not my two top students academically , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make a difference .
I challenged them that after they completed their homework , I ’ d take a group of students and another professor out to share the Gospel .
It was a cold snowy evening in downtown St. Paul , and I was there with Liam and Corbin and a handful of other students and adults .
After we parked and were standing outside a bus stop , Corbin suggested that we say a prayer .
I was little hesitant to make a scene , but I thought it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faith .
So we huddled up beside the bus station and prayed that God would use us as people walked by .
As we were praying , a lady spoke up , “ If you are praying , please said a prayer for me.
” “ Sure , ” I responded .
“ How can I pray for you ?
” “ I am an alcoholic , ” she said .
“ And I have been in and out of rehab .
But Child Protection Services is going to take my baby if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ desperately need God ’ s help.
” Then she started crying .
I have met a lot of drunk people , but few are so willing to admit their problem so soon .
So we prayed that God would do a miracle , as tears ran down her face and asked for the power of the Holy Spirit to fill her and take away the desire to get drunk .
When we finished praying , she never asked for money ( which is a common request from drunk people ) .
Our group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to know her better and hear about her church experience , so we invited her to walk to McDonald ’ s with us to grab a bite to eat .
If Corbin would not have suggested praying , she would never have talked with us .
A Bold Faith that Would Not Be Intimidated As we walked up , I struck up a conversation with a well-built professional man named Anthony and asked him if he had a faith .
He told me , “ Not really.
” “ Is there anything that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a church home ?
” I asked .
“ Nope ” he replied .
After asking a few questions , I felt like I was getting nowhere with Anthony and continued to walk with our group .
It seemed to me that Anthony was spiritually “ cold ” and not at all interested in having a spiritual conversation .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
I gave up and pleasantly thanked him for taking the time to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was more persistent than me and was not going to allow cultural differences to stop him .
Liam spoke up to Anthony and started asking very bold questions , “ If you were to die tonight , how sure are you on a scale from 1 to 10 , you would go to Heaven ?
” I was thinking to myself that these questions might not be the best timing because Anthony had already implied that he was not interested .
Truthfully , I started feeling a little ashamed .
Obviously , this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Liam would not stop talking .
Liam continued , “ If you died tonight , and God was to ask you , ‘ Why should I let you into my kingdom ?
’ , what would you tell God ?
” To keep things lighthearted , I spoke up , “ Anthony , join us for McDonald ’ s .
I ’ m buying.
” To my astonishment , he said , “ Yes , I ’ ll join.
” As we entered McDonald ’ s , I was talking to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking care of .
After everyone had ordered , I look and to my astonishment , I see Liam and Anthony praying together !
Then they were laughing together .
As I walked up , I could hear Liam talking clearly about the love and forgiveness of Jesus .
If You Wait Till You Feel Ready , Will You Ever Be Ready ?
Even though I was the professor and more well-trained with degrees in religion , God chose to use Liam , a home-schooled farm boy from North Dakota , in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I guess I was feeling somewhat timid , but young Liam had a bold faith that would not be intimidated by an initial refusal .
Like my students Liam and Corbin , I want you to be encouraged that God can use you to take risks and initiate conversations with people about Jesus .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Jesus said the greatest command is to “ love the Lord your God with all your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” ( Mark 12:30 ) .
Do not think that you have to wait until you have all the answers and conversational tactics down to get started talking about Jesus .
And , you don ’ t have to worry about becoming some preacher type of person or developing a weird personality that is not your own .
If you ’ re willing to be used by God , he can take you — even with all your deficiencies — and make you an effective ambassador of good news .
However , if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or wait until we feel adequate enough , it is unlikely we will ever accomplish much for God ’ s kingdom .
Dave Sterrett founded Disruptive Truth , a non-profit organization that is training Christians in evangelism and cultural engagement .
He is the author/co-author of several books , including Why Trust Jesus , We Choose Life and I Am Second .
Dave works as an account executive in oncology biotechnology and is passionate about helping cancer patients .

A few years ago, I was a professor of at a small Christian liberal arts school in Minnesota. As an elective course, I would train students in Christian evangelism.
On one occasion, we did a survey at the University of Minnesota, where my students started conversations with other students and professors and asked questions like: “Do you believe that truth is absolute or relative?” “Do you believe that there is a God?” and “Does science answer everything?” I do not think anyone was converted on our first outreach, but I remember many of my students who were not by nature outgoing, came back excited because of the meaningful conversations.
On another occasion, our students went out to the Mall of America and talked with Somali Muslim young adults who seemed open-minded to talk about Jesus. The experience was so positive that two of my students, Liam and Corbin, were persistent in asking me to take them out again to share the Gospel across the twin cities.
They were not my two top students academically, but they both loved the Lord and wanted to make a difference. I challenged them that after they completed their homework, I’d take a group of students and another professor out to share the Gospel.
“Please Say a Prayer for Me”
It was a cold snowy evening in downtown St. Paul, and I was there with Liam and Corbin and a handful of other students and adults. After we parked and were standing outside a bus stop, Corbin suggested that we say a prayer. I was little hesitant to make a scene, but I thought it was great that Corbin was stepping out in faith. So we huddled up beside the bus station and prayed that God would use us as people walked by. As we were praying, a lady spoke up, “If you are praying, please said a prayer for me.” “Sure,” I responded. “How can I pray for you?”
If Corbin would not have suggested praying, she would never have talked with us.
“I am an alcoholic,” she said. “And I have been in and out of rehab. But Child Protection Services is going to take my baby if I do not quit drinking. I desperately need God’s help.” Then she started crying. I have met a lot of drunk people, but few are so willing to admit their problem so soon. So we prayed that God would do a miracle, as tears ran down her face and asked for the power of the Holy Spirit to fill her and take away the desire to get drunk.
When we finished praying, she never asked for money (which is a common request from drunk people). Our group thought it would be good to get to know her better and hear about her church experience, so we invited her to walk to McDonald’s with us to grab a bite to eat. If Corbin would not have suggested praying, she would never have talked with us.
A Bold Faith that Would Not Be Intimidated
As we walked up, I struck up a conversation with a well-built professional man named Anthony and asked him if he had a faith. He told me, “Not really.” “Is there anything that interests you spiritually or do you have a church home?” I asked. “Nope” he replied. After asking a few questions, I felt like I was getting nowhere with Anthony and continued to walk with our group. It seemed to me that Anthony was spiritually “cold” and not at all interested in having a spiritual conversation.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
I gave up and pleasantly thanked him for taking the time to talk with me. But, Liam was more persistent than me and was not going to allow cultural differences to stop him. Liam spoke up to Anthony and started asking very bold questions, “If you were to die tonight, how sure are you on a scale from 1 to 10, you would go to Heaven?” I was thinking to myself that these questions might not be the best timing because Anthony had already implied that he was not interested.
To my astonishment, he said, “Yes, I’ll join.”
Truthfully, I started feeling a little ashamed. Obviously, this man was not interested in the Gospel and Liam would not stop talking. Liam continued, “If you died tonight, and God was to ask you, ‘Why should I let you into my kingdom?’, what would you tell God?” To keep things lighthearted, I spoke up, “Anthony, join us for McDonald’s. I’m buying.” To my astonishment, he said, “Yes, I’ll join.”
As we entered McDonald’s, I was talking to the whole group and making sure everyone was taking care of. After everyone had ordered, I look and to my astonishment, I see Liam and Anthony praying together! Then they were laughing together. As I walked up, I could hear Liam talking clearly about the love and forgiveness of Jesus.
If You Wait Till You Feel Ready, Will You Ever Be Ready?
Even though I was the professor and more well-trained with degrees in religion, God chose to use Liam, a home-schooled farm boy from North Dakota, in his obedience to lead Anthony closer to Jesus. I guess I was feeling somewhat timid, but young Liam had a bold faith that would not be intimidated by an initial refusal.
Like my students Liam and Corbin, I want you to be encouraged that God can use you to take risks and initiate conversations with people about Jesus.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Jesus said the greatest command is to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength” (Mark 12:30).
Do not think that you have to wait until you have all the answers and conversational tactics down to get started talking about Jesus. And, you don’t have to worry about becoming some preacher type of person or developing a weird personality that is not your own.
If you’re willing to be used by God, he can take you — even with all your deficiencies — and make you an effective ambassador of good news. However, if we want to play it safe, or wait until we feel adequate enough, it is unlikely we will ever accomplish much for God’s kingdom.
Dave Sterrett founded Disruptive Truth, a non-profit organization that is training Christians in evangelism and cultural engagement. He is the author/co-author of several books, including Why Trust Jesus, We Choose Life and I Am Second. Dave works as an account executive in oncology biotechnology and is passionate about helping cancer patients.


thestream--2020-05-24--We Owe It to Our Fallen to Love Each Other

There is heated debate as to whether the United States of America is a “ Christian ” nation .
Opinions about what that means and whether it ’ s a good thing vary widely .
I won ’ t wade into it now .
But there is one Christian virtue without which America can not last : love .
On Memorial Day we remember the sacrifice of people who died for this nation .
They not only died for the ideals that make America great , but for the very people in it .
Even the ones who disagree with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about them .
The fact is , none of us would be where we are today if not for the cumulative sacrifice those who died for the American ideals that shape our existence .
“ According to a growing body of political-science research , Americans largely no longer feel a shared sense of national identity , ” The Atlantic reported last November .
“ Democrats and Republicans see their political opponents as enemies with totally incomprehensible beliefs and lifestyles.
” Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Day .
In short , we have forgotten what love is .
Even Christians , who are supposed to exemplify Christ ’ s love , act like it ’ s not important .
We act like we don ’ t know how .
That ’ s almost as bad as completely forgetting about the men and women who ’ ve sacrificed their lives for us .
Why does it matter ?
We may not be called to fight foreign enemies and die for our country on foreign soil .
But we ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1787 at the end of the Constitutional Convention , a woman asked Benjamin Franklin what kind of government he and his colleagues had created .
“ A republic , if you can keep it , ” he famously answered .
Of course , keeping America requires defending her ideals , advocating good policy , protecting the democratic process , and all the other things we try to do best according to our political ideologies .
But a pre-requisite to any of that is love .
Love for each other .
Participating in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your fellow countrymen .
It requires pursuing your neighbors ’ and posterity ’ s best interest as well as your own interests in the present .
It requires love .
Without this , we devolve into the kind of spiteful partisan tribes that we see now .
Our battles last longer than election years .
Our contempt turns every word , every event , every crisis into a reason to bludgeon the other side .
This often boils down into personal attacks , deep hatred , and a refusal to associate with someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Comes In So what are we going to do ?
Continue ripping our nation apart from the inside , when millions throughout history have died protecting it from outside threats ?
There ’ s no better way to dishonor their memory .
Jesus said in John 15:13 , “ Greater love has no one than this , that someone lay down his life for his friends.
” In dying for our nation , America ’ s fallen displayed this kind of love .
In keeping our republic here at home , through elections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ upheaval , we must also display love .
The kind of love Jesus talks about in Luke 6:27-28 : “ Love your enemies , do good to those who hate you , bless those who curse you , pray for those who abuse you.
” Regardless of whatever political solutions we pursue , if we start with this baseline , half the battle to keep our republic will have been won .
This attitude should pervade our personal interactions ( and our online interactions ) .
It should inform our ideas of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the underlying motivation for our political endeavors .
This Memorial Day , let ’ s honor the sacrifice of those who ’ ve died for America by loving our fellow Americans .
Then their sacrifice won ’ t be in vain .

There is heated debate as to whether the United States of America is a “Christian” nation. Opinions about what that means and whether it’s a good thing vary widely. I won’t wade into it now. But there is one Christian virtue without which America cannot last: love.
On Memorial Day we remember the sacrifice of people who died for this nation. They not only died for the ideals that make America great, but for the very people in it. Even the ones who disagree with them, despised them, or forgot about them. The fact is, none of us would be where we are today if not for the cumulative sacrifice those who died for the American ideals that shape our existence.
That’s love.
Neighbors as Enemies
“According to a growing body of political-science research, Americans largely no longer feel a shared sense of national identity,” The Atlantic reported last November. “Democrats and Republicans see their political opponents as enemies with totally incomprehensible beliefs and lifestyles.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
In short, we have forgotten what love is. Even Christians, who are supposed to exemplify Christ’s love, act like it’s not important. We act like we don’t know how. That’s almost as bad as completely forgetting about the men and women who’ve sacrificed their lives for us.
What Keeping It Takes
Why does it matter?
We may not be called to fight foreign enemies and die for our country on foreign soil. But we’re still tasked with keeping it.
In 1787 at the end of the Constitutional Convention, a woman asked Benjamin Franklin what kind of government he and his colleagues had created. “A republic, if you can keep it,” he famously answered.
Of course, keeping America requires defending her ideals, advocating good policy, protecting the democratic process, and all the other things we try to do best according to our political ideologies.
But a pre-requisite to any of that is love. Love for each other. Participating in a republic — keeping one — requires valuing your fellow countrymen. It requires pursuing your neighbors’ and posterity’s best interest as well as your own interests in the present. It requires love.
Without this, we devolve into the kind of spiteful partisan tribes that we see now. Our battles last longer than election years. Our contempt turns every word, every event, every crisis into a reason to bludgeon the other side. This often boils down into personal attacks, deep hatred, and a refusal to associate with someone of a different stripe.
Where Love Comes In
So what are we going to do? Continue ripping our nation apart from the inside, when millions throughout history have died protecting it from outside threats? There’s no better way to dishonor their memory.
Jesus said in John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” In dying for our nation, America’s fallen displayed this kind of love.
In keeping our republic here at home, through elections, seasons of uncertainty, and cultural upheaval, we must also display love. The kind of love Jesus talks about in Luke 6:27-28: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.”
Regardless of whatever political solutions we pursue, if we start with this baseline, half the battle to keep our republic will have been won. This attitude should pervade our personal interactions (and our online interactions). It should inform our ideas of people unlike us. It should serve as the underlying motivation for our political endeavors.
This Memorial Day, let’s honor the sacrifice of those who’ve died for America by loving our fellow Americans. Then their sacrifice won’t be in vain.
Liberty McArtor, former staff writer for The Stream, is a freelance writer in the great state of Texas, where she lives north of Dallas with her husband and son. Follow Liberty on Twitter @LibertyMcArtor, or learn more about her at LibertyMcArtor.com.