thestream--2020-04-29--Stream Writers’ Picks: Go-To-Movies When You Are Shut In

Some flicks you just got ta see over and over again .
Especially in times of stress .
Especially , now , when a vast percentage of us are stuck at home .
( Does channel surfing count as a sport ? )
You know the films I ’ m talking about .
Your go-to ’ s .
Maybe they ’ re a classic , maybe they ’ re a popular popcorn favorite , maybe no one else with eyes but you thinks the film rates .
But when you come across it running or find it on demand , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked some of our Stream writers to come up with a couple of their go-to ’ s .
Here ’ s their response .
I hope you will offer up your ( family friendly ) suggestions , too !
Few people know this , but Sir Isaac Newton had a Fourth Law of Motion : “ A Body That Spots Princess Bride Will Stop to Watch Princess Bride.
” Since this is an accepted scientific law , I shall move on .
Instead , I want to highlight two other movies : Dan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monte Cristo .
Dan in Real Life was victimized by the absolute worst trailer in Hollywood history .
The trailer made it out to be a wacky Steve Carrell comedy in the wake of Anchorman and The Office , rather than an incredibly warm , richly funny , brilliantly written and exquisitely acted film .
Carrell plays Dan , a widower with three daughters 17 and younger , who aren ’ t too pleased with him .
While on an errand during an extended family gathering , Dan meets Marie —played by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The two have an instant , powerful connection .
However , to the horror of both , they soon discover she is his brother ’ s brand new girlfriend also in town for the gathering .
Dan is then forced to bury his feelings and his secret , all while his family falls for Marie .
The following scene gives you the flavor of the film without giving anything away…except perhaps one of the funniest line deliveries by a teen actress in memory .
Over Easter weekend many re-viewed The Passion of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ portrayal of Jesus in the final days and hours of his life in Mel Gibson ’ s masterpiece stands as one of the great acting achievements of our generation .
Yet two years before Passion , Caviezel starred in a remake of The Count of Monte Cristo , featuring a young Harry Caville , or as he ’ s also known now , Superman .
Whenever we come across this film , we are glued to the couch .
Sure , we joke that the lead actresses ’ mouth doesn ’ t seem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ watching Caviezel ’ s transition from a naive sailor to battered , embittered prisoner who ’ s lost his faith to elegant Count who finds a way to regain it , is a ride like few others .
Think that looks exciting ?
Jim Caviezel confirms Mel Gibson is set to film a sequel to Passion of the Christ .
Braveheart writer Randall Wallace co-wrote the script .
Caviezel marvels at what Gibson and Wallace have come up with , boldly declaring , “ It ’ s going to be a masterpiece .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ biggest film in world history.
” The film will focus on the events that occurred during the 3 days between the crucifixion and resurrection .
IMDB says The Passion of the Christ : Resurrection is “ expected March 31 , 2021.
” Or just in time for next Easter .
Since these are some discouraging times , I thought I would recommend two of my favorite comedies , two lesser known movies that you might not have seen yet .
Canadian Bacon stars the late John Candy and several other well-known actors , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alda plays the U.S. president , who wants to start a war in order to distract people from blaming him over the shutdown of a weapons manufacturing plant .
After having no success engaging Russia , he comes up with Canada .
He tells the public how awful Canada is , as if the U.S. is on the brink of war with the country .
Soon TV stations are full of anti-Canada propaganda .
Candy plays a bumbling sheriff on the border with Canada who buys into the feud wholeheartedly .
He and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attempt to destroy a U.S. hydroelectric plant .
Then they sneak across the border to dump garbage on Canadian land .
It gets sillier after that .
One of the best scenes is when Candy and his friends are driving around in a large truck in Canada with anti-Canadian graffiti all over it .
They get pulled over … by comic acting great Dan Aykroyd .
This is the late Chris Farley at his best .
He plays a bumbling oddball who drives an advertising truck for his brother ’ s campaign for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ played by Animal House star Tim Matheson .
Farley is such a train wreck that Matheson ’ s campaign manager advises him to get rid of him .
Instead , a smarmy campaign aide played by frequent Farley foil David Spade is assigned to manage him .
Like trying to stop underage kids from drinking but photos make it look like he ’ s drinking with them .
Or showing up at an MTV Rock the Vote campaign where he hangs out with Rastafarians and is mistaken for his brother .
He gets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of himself , culminating with yelling “ Kill Whitey !
” to the stunned audience .
Matheson finally fires Farley .
But does Farley end up saving the day for his brother ?
You ’ ll have to see .
( Though it ’ s not hard to guess . )
In the meantime , here ’ s the trailer .
Of all the theatres in all the towns in all the world , I thought , she ’ ll walk into mine .
Still , I told her , if she didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she ’ d regret it .
Maybe not today , maybe not tomorrow , but soon , and for the rest of her life .
When the movie played at the local theatre a few months ago , my wife agreed to come but threatened to hurt me if I said any of the lines out loud .
I ’ m no good at being noble , I said , but it doesn ’ t take much to see that the problems of two little people don ’ t amount to a hill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And then , with all the romance I could manage , I said : Here ’ s looking at you , kid .
The movie was , of course , Casablanca .
It ’ s a great drama and romance and a bit of a first-class comedy and a first-class thriller as well .
But it ’ s also a great movie for people struggling to do the right thing .
The characters don ’ t ask to make the choices they have to make .
They get dropped into the drama .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get what they want and do the right thing at the same time .
Which they can ’ t .
But they do it , in one of the great movie endings of all time .
One more thing .
Casablanca has the greatest sing-along scene in movie history .
You ’ ll want to stand and sing along , and cheer at the end .

Some flicks you just gotta see over and over again. Especially in times of stress. Especially, now, when a vast percentage of us are stuck at home. (Does channel surfing count as a sport?) You know the films I’m talking about. Your go-to’s. Maybe they’re a classic, maybe they’re a popular popcorn favorite, maybe no one else with eyes but you thinks the film rates. But when you come across it running or find it on demand, you must watch.
We’ve asked some of our Stream writers to come up with a couple of their go-to’s. Here’s their response. I hope you will offer up your (family friendly) suggestions, too!
Al Perrotta
Few people know this, but Sir Isaac Newton had a Fourth Law of Motion: “A Body That Spots Princess Bride Will Stop to Watch Princess Bride.” Since this is an accepted scientific law, I shall move on.
Instead, I want to highlight two other movies: Dan in Real Life and The Count of Monte Cristo.
Dan in Real Life
Dan in Real Life was victimized by the absolute worst trailer in Hollywood history. The trailer made it out to be a wacky Steve Carrell comedy in the wake of Anchorman and The Office, rather than an incredibly warm, richly funny, brilliantly written and exquisitely acted film.
Carrell plays Dan, a widower with three daughters 17 and younger, who aren’t too pleased with him. While on an errand during an extended family gathering, Dan meets Marie —played by the wonderful Juliette Binoche — at a bookstore. The two have an instant, powerful connection. However, to the horror of both, they soon discover she is his brother’s brand new girlfriend also in town for the gathering. Dan is then forced to bury his feelings and his secret, all while his family falls for Marie.
The following scene gives you the flavor of the film without giving anything away…except perhaps one of the funniest line deliveries by a teen actress in memory.
The Count of Monte Cristo
Over Easter weekend many re-viewed The Passion of the Christ. Jim Caviezel’s portrayal of Jesus in the final days and hours of his life in Mel Gibson’s masterpiece stands as one of the great acting achievements of our generation. Yet two years before Passion, Caviezel starred in a remake of The Count of Monte Cristo, featuring a young Harry Caville, or as he’s also known now, Superman. Whenever we come across this film, we are glued to the couch.
Sure, we joke that the lead actresses’ mouth doesn’t seem to move the entire film. But watching Caviezel’s transition from a naive sailor to battered, embittered prisoner who’s lost his faith to elegant Count who finds a way to regain it, is a ride like few others.
Here’s the trailer…
Think that looks exciting? Jim Caviezel confirms Mel Gibson is set to film a sequel to Passion of the Christ. Braveheart writer Randall Wallace co-wrote the script. Caviezel marvels at what Gibson and Wallace have come up with, boldly declaring, “It’s going to be a masterpiece. It’s going to be the biggest film in world history.” The film will focus on the events that occurred during the 3 days between the crucifixion and resurrection. IMDB says The Passion of the Christ: Resurrection is “expected March 31, 2021.” Or just in time for next Easter.
Rachel Alexander
Since these are some discouraging times, I thought I would recommend two of my favorite comedies, two lesser known movies that you might not have seen yet.
Canadian Bacon
Canadian Bacon stars the late John Candy and several other well-known actors, including Alan Alda and Rhea Perlman. Alda plays the U.S. president, who wants to start a war in order to distract people from blaming him over the shutdown of a weapons manufacturing plant. After having no success engaging Russia, he comes up with Canada. He tells the public how awful Canada is, as if the U.S. is on the brink of war with the country. Soon TV stations are full of anti-Canada propaganda.
Candy plays a bumbling sheriff on the border with Canada who buys into the feud wholeheartedly. He and his friends dress up as Canadians and attempt to destroy a U.S. hydroelectric plant. Then they sneak across the border to dump garbage on Canadian land. It gets sillier after that. One of the best scenes is when Candy and his friends are driving around in a large truck in Canada with anti-Canadian graffiti all over it. They get pulled over … by comic acting great Dan Aykroyd.
Black Sheep
This is the late Chris Farley at his best. He plays a bumbling oddball who drives an advertising truck for his brother’s campaign for governor of Washington. His brother is played by Animal House star Tim Matheson. Farley is such a train wreck that Matheson’s campaign manager advises him to get rid of him. Instead, a smarmy campaign aide played by frequent Farley foil David Spade is assigned to manage him.
Hi-jinks and mayhem ensue.
Like trying to stop underage kids from drinking but photos make it look like he’s drinking with them. Or showing up at an MTV Rock the Vote campaign where he hangs out with Rastafarians and is mistaken for his brother. He gets up on stage and makes a fool of himself, culminating with yelling “Kill Whitey!” to the stunned audience.
Matheson finally fires Farley. But does Farley end up saving the day for his brother? You’ll have to see. (Though it’s not hard to guess.) In the meantime, here’s the trailer.
David Mills
Of all the theatres in all the towns in all the world, I thought, she’ll walk into mine. Still, I told her, if she didn’t see it with me, she’d regret it. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but soon, and for the rest of her life. When the movie played at the local theatre a few months ago, my wife agreed to come but threatened to hurt me if I said any of the lines out loud. I’m no good at being noble, I said, but it doesn’t take much to see that the problems of two little people don’t amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world. And then, with all the romance I could manage, I said: Here’s looking at you, kid.
The movie was, of course, Casablanca. It’s a great drama and romance and a bit of a first-class comedy and a first-class thriller as well. But it’s also a great movie for people struggling to do the right thing. The characters don’t ask to make the choices they have to make. They get dropped into the drama. They think of good reasons to try to get what they want and do the right thing at the same time. Which they can’t. But they do the most right thing, in one of the great movie endings of all time. It doesn’t work out, but it does.
One more thing. Casablanca has the greatest sing-along scene in movie history. You’ll want to stand and sing along, and cheer at the end.
CALL TO ACTION: COVID-19 is causing massive disruptions in life. The Stream’s parent organization, LIFE Outreach International, is helping send a first wave of help. LIFE’s local mission partners are already distributing thousands of surgical masks, gloves and other sanitary supplies to first responders, hospitals and nursing homes. In addition, other partners have focused on distributing as many meals as possible to help those who need food. You can help with these efforts. Click here to donate.


thestream--2020-04-28--Freedom from Religion Foundation Slams Clergy, Says ‘Collapse of Churches’ Would Do No Harm

The Freedom from Religion Foundation issued a news release yesterday slamming Chad Wolf , Acting Secretary of Homeland Security , for designating clergy as “ essential ” for securing critical infrastructure .
The release follows upon an inflammatory open letter to Wolf from FFRF co-presidents Annie Laurie Gaylor and Dan Barker .
Their letter seeks to inform Acting Secretary Wolf that clergy ’ s role “ does not remotely touch on infrastructure , energy , transportation or medicine.
” It says , ” The collapse of clergy or churches would in no genuine way impair this country.
” I thought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but this sets a new record for atheist irrationality .
First , there is the question of whether clergy perform essential services during this emergency .
But pardon me , I must correct myself .
There is no question there at all .
Americans are in distress .
We ’ re physically separated ; many of us are in economic trouble ; some are sick .
I don ’ t think even the most committed secularist could be blind to that .
So where do we turn when we ’ re hurting ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , for example ?
Don ’ t ask FFRF — how would they know ?
They hate religion .
Ask someone in ICU who ’ s called for a chaplain .
Ask a staff member who ’ s overwhelmed , and wants support .
Outside the hospital , does anyone need reminding that it helps to be in a supportive group during times like these ?
The church I attend has been collecting “ boxes of love ” containing several days ’ of food for hungry families .
Even for those who don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there ’ s great value in having an organized , central place where we can offer to help others .
The FFRF ’ s news release uses words like “ demand , ” but let ’ s be real .
They don ’ t have moral authority to declare spiritual needs irrelevant .
They ’ d like to , but they don ’ t .
Not even close .
The “ Collapse of Clergy or Churches ” Gaylor and Barker say total religious collapse would “ in no genuine way impair this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — how can I put it charitably ?
— unhinged .
It borders on insane , and I ’ m not saying on which side of that border it stands .
How many examples does it take ?
I ’ ve reported more than once recently on churches in Dayton , Ohio , that are performing city-wide cleanups , leading in tornado recovery efforts , and receiving high marks from state and local officials .
In fact , “ churches took the lead ” in this , according to Larry Lane , Montgomery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This same story is echoed in every town and city across the land .
I guess FFRF thinks it wouldn ’ t “ impair ” a thing if that just went away .
Support The Stream : Serving the Body During This Crisis With Facts .
Faith .
And No Fear .
Hundreds of gospel-centered rescue missions operate as part of the Citygate Network , providing hot food , clothing , shelter , and more to homeless people nationwide .
Thousands more church-based food banks and meal programs serve the poor .
What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ d be no harm if that collapsed ?
Speaking of large numbers , thousands of psychological studies have been done , showing a positive association between religion and mental , physical , and emotional health .
Wouldn ’ t hurt a bit to strip that away , eh ?
No one would even notice .
Gaylor and Barker close their letter claiming “ DHS and DISA are inappropriately privileging religious citizens and clergy .
… Such a show of religious preference undermines the credibility of the department.
” As if this open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ credibility .
But no , this isn ’ t religious preference .
Shutting down such essential services , simply because they ’ re performed by clergy and by churches , would be open anti-religious discrimination .
The government is prohibited from burdening a religious practice unless it has a compelling interest .
Otherwise the government ’ s action must be neutral and generally applicable .
Declaring clergy as nonessential while other types of individuals and businesses ( like golf courses ) are declared essential is not neutral and generally applicable , and would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is just hatred in action .
There ’ s no other reasonable explanation for it .
Ironically , Gaylor has claimed that religious freedom laws are hateful .
That ’ s completely upside-down — as is just about everything else in the demand they ’ ve made to DHS this week .
Tom Gilson ( @ TomGilsonAuthor ) is a senior editor with The Stream , and the author of A Christian Mind : Thoughts on Life and Truth in Jesus Christ and Critical Conversations : A Christian Parent ’ s Guide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lead editor of True Reason : Confronting the Irrationality of the New Atheism .

The Freedom from Religion Foundation issued a news release yesterday slamming Chad Wolf, Acting Secretary of Homeland Security, for designating clergy as “essential” for securing critical infrastructure. The release follows upon an inflammatory open letter to Wolf from FFRF co-presidents Annie Laurie Gaylor and Dan Barker.
Their letter seeks to inform Acting Secretary Wolf that clergy’s role “does not remotely touch on infrastructure, energy, transportation or medicine.” It says, “The collapse of clergy or churches would in no genuine way impair this country.”
I thought I’d heard it all, but this sets a new record for atheist irrationality.
Essential Services
First, there is the question of whether clergy perform essential services during this emergency. But pardon me, I must correct myself. There is no question there at all. Americans are in distress. We’re physically separated; many of us are in economic trouble; some are sick. I don’t think even the most committed secularist could be blind to that.
So where do we turn when we’re hurting? Do hospital chaplains perform an essential service, for example? Don’t ask FFRF — how would they know? They hate religion. Ask someone in ICU who’s called for a chaplain. Ask a staff member who’s overwhelmed, and wants support.
This is hatred in action. There’s no other reasonable explanation for it.
Outside the hospital, does anyone need reminding that it helps to be in a supportive group during times like these? The church I attend has been collecting “boxes of love” containing several days’ of food for hungry families. Even for those who don’t need that kind of help, there’s great value in having an organized, central place where we can offer to help others.
The FFRF’s news release uses words like “demand,” but let’s be real. They don’t have moral authority to declare spiritual needs irrelevant. They’d like to, but they don’t. Not even close.
The “Collapse of Clergy or Churches”
Gaylor and Barker say total religious collapse would “in no genuine way impair this country.” Now, this is just — how can I put it charitably? — unhinged. It borders on insane, and I’m not saying on which side of that border it stands.
How many examples does it take? I’ve reported more than once recently on churches in Dayton, Ohio, that are performing city-wide cleanups, leading in tornado recovery efforts, and receiving high marks from state and local officials. In fact, “churches took the lead” in this, according to Larry Lane, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Resource Officer.
This same story is echoed in every town and city across the land. I guess FFRF thinks it wouldn’t “impair” a thing if that just went away.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Hundreds of gospel-centered rescue missions operate as part of the Citygate Network, providing hot food, clothing, shelter, and more to homeless people nationwide. Thousands more church-based food banks and meal programs serve the poor. What kind of uncaring person would say there’d be no harm if that collapsed?
Speaking of large numbers, thousands of psychological studies have been done, showing a positive association between religion and mental, physical, and emotional health. Wouldn’t hurt a bit to strip that away, eh? No one would even notice.
Hatred in Action
Gaylor and Barker close their letter claiming “DHS and DISA are inappropriately privileging religious citizens and clergy. … Such a show of religious preference undermines the credibility of the department.” As if this open letter did anything to enhance their own credibility.
But no, this isn’t religious preference. Shutting down such essential services, simply because they’re performed by clergy and by churches, would be open anti-religious discrimination. The government is prohibited from burdening a religious practice unless it has a compelling interest. Otherwise the government’s action must be neutral and generally applicable. Declaring clergy as nonessential while other types of individuals and businesses (like golf courses) are declared essential is not neutral and generally applicable, and would not pass a compelling interest test.
This is just hatred in action. There’s no other reasonable explanation for it. Ironically, Gaylor has claimed that religious freedom laws are hateful. That’s completely upside-down — as is just about everything else in the demand they’ve made to DHS this week.
Tom Gilson (@TomGilsonAuthor) is a senior editor with The Stream, and the author of A Christian Mind: Thoughts on Life and Truth in Jesus Christ and Critical Conversations: A Christian Parent’s Guide to Discussing Homosexuality with Teens, and the lead editor of True Reason: Confronting the Irrationality of the New Atheism.


thestream--2020-04-28--This New Poll Could Raise Serious Concerns for American Pentecostals and Charismatics

A new Barna poll points to a dramatic drop in biblical beliefs among American Pentecostals and Charismatics .
If the findings are accurate , what are the likely causes ?
According to the poll , “ although we proclaim ‘ In God We Trust ’ on our currency , a slim 51 % majority of Americans believe in a biblical view of God — down from 73 % thirty years ago .
Increasingly , the research finds mounting evidence that Americans are both redefining — and rejecting — God .
Orthodox Beliefs About God Declining Most Rapidly Among Pentecostal and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more confident about the existence of Satan than they are of God .
Overall , 56 % contend that Satan is an influential spiritual being , yet almost half ( 49 % ) are not fully confident that God truly exists.
” More specifically , “ The largest declines in possession of an orthodox , biblical perspective on the nature of God since 1991 were among individuals who attend Pentecostal or charismatic Protestant churches ( down by 27 percentage points ) ; people in the 18 to 29 year old category ( down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Elders generation , ( i.e.
, people born before 1946 , down 25 points ) ; and women ( down 25 points ) .
” To be sure , some of this data is perplexing .
Why has an almost identical decline occurred among the old and the young ?
One would have expected this from 18-29 year-olds but not from those born before 1946 .
And why virtually the same decline among women ?
What explains that ?
As for the dramatic drop among Pentecostals and Charismatics , that is perplexing as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ polls , Pentecostals and Charismatics led the way in daily Bible study and prayer .
They also tended to have higher standards of holiness and be more engaged in outreach .
( For details and discussion , see the chapter “ Testing the Spirits ” in my book Authentic Fire , and see this major , 2006 survey . )
Pentecostals and Charismatics Tend to Affirm a Biblical Definition of Marriage In keeping with this , a survey released earlier this year indicated that Pentecostal and Charismatic pastors were much more likely to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so-called mainline pastors .
Indeed , they were less likely to affirm same-sex “ marriage ” than even Baptist pastors ( respectively , 1 % to 3 % ) .
That ’ s because Pentecostals and Charismatics tend to have solidly conservative views of the Bible and also put a strong emphasis on personal piety and devotion .
Their Bible colleges and seminaries tend to me more conservative as well .
Support The Stream : Serving the Body During This Crisis With Facts .
Faith .
And No Fear .
On the flip @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insider — we have cultivated many aberrant practices and doctrines in our midst and we have done a very poor job of self-policing .
( I address this at length in Playing with Holy Fire . )
Still , over the years , we have affirmed orthodox , biblical fundamentals .
Why , then , this serious and steep drop ?
What are the causes behind it ?
We ’ re Likely Reaping the Fruit of a Me-Centered Gospel I do not have access to the full results of the Barna poll , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data .
But if Barna ’ s polling is accurate , my educated guess would be this : We are reaping the fruit of preaching a me-centered , self-improvement gospel that is not the gospel at all .
We are seeing the results of our failure to teach doctrinal foundations , choosing to major instead on esoteric spiritual experiences and secondary ( or tertiary ) issues .
We have reaped what we have sown .
Again , I can not prove that these are the causes .
But what can not be denied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our largest , most visible ministries , to major on the majors .
To preach a clear gospel message that convicts of sin and points to the cross .
To call for repentance .
To teach more on the nature of God and the centrality of the Lord Jesus ( along with teaching on the ministry of the Spirit , which we often do quite well ) .
In times past , we preached that sinners were wretched and that grace was amazing .
Today we tell sinners they are amazing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times past , we preached a gospel of salvation .
Today we preach a gospel of self-improvement .
In times past , we preached death to the flesh , death to self , and death to sin , pointing to a brand new life in and under Jesus .
Today , we preach that Jesus came so you could fulfill your dreams , that He came to make you into a bigger and better you .
We used to preach the gospel of self-denial .
Today we preach the gospel of self-realization .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of God ’ s Holy Commandments And sadly , it is Pentecostals and Charismatics who have often led the way in preaching this so-called gospel message .
Could it be , then , that with so much of the culture abandoning gospel foundations , that our lack of rootedness has caused many more to go astray ?
That our bad habits are catching up to us ?
A worship leader in a major Charismatic church that is often criticized for being doctrinally lax posted this on April 10 : I find myself increasingly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ culture and see such a startling lack of representation or instruction on VITAL teachings in scripture ; particularly the passages that warn and admonish .
It troubles me that teachings on these passages are virtually nonexistent in modern preaching , but if I sit down and just read a couple chapters of scripture they ’ re so prevalent I can ’ t ESCAPE them .
And no , I ’ m not talking about the Old Testament/Covenant .
I ’ m talking about the teachings of JESUS .
His apostles .
Peter .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ guys .
So much heresy is running rampant in the church because we ’ re not clearly preaching the reality of eternal judgment , the reality of heaven and hell , or the frequent commands concerning holiness , godliness , purity and true Jesus apprenticeship .
I don ’ t know quite how we got here , but somehow we ’ ve created ‘ Christian ’ cultures that edit scriptures , remove the gravity of His holy commandments , and numb peoples ears to real truth .
He hit the nail on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I have the privilege of preaching in hundreds of churches across America ( and around the world ) , and many of the finest are Pentecostal and Charismatic .
They are passionate .
They are Word-based .
They are vibrant .
And they are bearing much fruit .
That ’ s why this movement , as a whole , continues to lead the world in church growth and missions outreach .
But we can not minimize the glaring problems in our midst .
Much has been given to us .
Much will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get back to the basics .
The Spirit will certainly add His powerful confirmation as we do .
Dr. Michael Brown ( www.askdrbrown.org ) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program .
His latest book is When the World Stops : Words of Faith , Hope , and Wisdom in the Midst of Crisis .
Connect with him on Facebook , Twitter or YouTube .

A new Barna poll points to a dramatic drop in biblical beliefs among American Pentecostals and Charismatics. If the findings are accurate, what are the likely causes?
According to the poll, “although we proclaim ‘In God We Trust’ on our currency, a slim 51% majority of Americans believe in a biblical view of God — down from 73% thirty years ago. Increasingly, the research finds mounting evidence that Americans are both redefining — and rejecting — God.
Orthodox Beliefs About God Declining Most Rapidly Among Pentecostal and Charismatic Churches
“Stunningly, Americans are more confident about the existence of Satan than they are of God. Overall, 56% contend that Satan is an influential spiritual being, yet almost half (49%) are not fully confident that God truly exists.”
More specifically, “The largest declines in possession of an orthodox, biblical perspective on the nature of God since 1991 were among individuals who attend Pentecostal or charismatic Protestant churches (down by 27 percentage points); people in the 18 to 29 year old category (down 26 points); adults in the Elders generation, (i.e., people born before 1946, down 25 points); and women (down 25 points).”
To be sure, some of this data is perplexing. Why has an almost identical decline occurred among the old and the young? One would have expected this from 18-29 year-olds but not from those born before 1946. And why virtually the same decline among women? What explains that?
As for the dramatic drop among Pentecostals and Charismatics, that is perplexing as well, since in other, international polls, Pentecostals and Charismatics led the way in daily Bible study and prayer. They also tended to have higher standards of holiness and be more engaged in outreach. (For details and discussion, see the chapter “Testing the Spirits” in my book Authentic Fire, and see this major, 2006 survey.)
Pentecostals and Charismatics Tend to Affirm a Biblical Definition of Marriage
In keeping with this, a survey released earlier this year indicated that Pentecostal and Charismatic pastors were much more likely to uphold the biblical definition of marriage than so-called mainline pastors. Indeed, they were less likely to affirm same-sex “marriage” than even Baptist pastors (respectively, 1% to 3%).
That’s because Pentecostals and Charismatics tend to have solidly conservative views of the Bible and also put a strong emphasis on personal piety and devotion. Their Bible colleges and seminaries tend to me more conservative as well.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
On the flip side — and I write as an insider — we have cultivated many aberrant practices and doctrines in our midst and we have done a very poor job of self-policing. (I address this at length in Playing with Holy Fire.)
Still, over the years, we have affirmed orthodox, biblical fundamentals. Why, then, this serious and steep drop? What are the causes behind it?
We’re Likely Reaping the Fruit of a Me-Centered Gospel
I do not have access to the full results of the Barna poll, so I can not analyze all the data. But if Barna’s polling is accurate, my educated guess would be this: We are reaping the fruit of preaching a me-centered, self-improvement gospel that is not the gospel at all. We are seeing the results of our failure to teach doctrinal foundations, choosing to major instead on esoteric spiritual experiences and secondary (or tertiary) issues. We have reaped what we have sown.
Again, I cannot prove that these are the causes. But what cannot be denied is our failure, especially in some of our largest, most visible ministries, to major on the majors. To preach a clear gospel message that convicts of sin and points to the cross. To call for repentance. To teach more on the nature of God and the centrality of the Lord Jesus (along with teaching on the ministry of the Spirit, which we often do quite well).
If Barna’s polling is accurate, my educated guess would be this: We are reaping the fruit of preaching a me-centered, self-improvement gospel that is not the gospel at all.
In times past, we preached that sinners were wretched and that grace was amazing. Today we tell sinners they are amazing, making grace a needless afterthought.
In times past, we preached a gospel of salvation. Today we preach a gospel of self-improvement.
In times past, we preached death to the flesh, death to self, and death to sin, pointing to a brand new life in and under Jesus. Today, we preach that Jesus came so you could fulfill your dreams, that He came to make you into a bigger and better you.
We used to preach the gospel of self-denial. Today we preach the gospel of self-realization.
A Christian Culture that Removes the Gravity of God’s Holy Commandments
And sadly, it is Pentecostals and Charismatics who have often led the way in preaching this so-called gospel message.
Could it be, then, that with so much of the culture abandoning gospel foundations, that our lack of rootedness has caused many more to go astray? That our bad habits are catching up to us?
A worship leader in a major Charismatic church that is often criticized for being doctrinally lax posted this on April 10:
I find myself increasingly troubled when I look at western Christian culture and see such a startling lack of representation or instruction on VITAL teachings in scripture; particularly the passages that warn and admonish. It troubles me that teachings on these passages are virtually nonexistent in modern preaching, but if I sit down and just read a couple chapters of scripture they’re so prevalent I can’t ESCAPE them. And no, I’m not talking about the Old Testament/Covenant. I’m talking about the teachings of JESUS. His apostles. Peter. James. John. Paul. Those guys. So much heresy is running rampant in the church because we’re not clearly preaching the reality of eternal judgment, the reality of heaven and hell, or the frequent commands concerning holiness, godliness, purity and true Jesus apprenticeship. I don’t know quite how we got here, but somehow we’ve created ‘Christian’ cultures that edit scriptures, remove the gravity of His holy commandments, and numb peoples ears to real truth.
He hit the nail on the head, multiple times at that.
I have the privilege of preaching in hundreds of churches across America (and around the world), and many of the finest are Pentecostal and Charismatic. They are passionate. They are Word-based. They are vibrant. And they are bearing much fruit. That’s why this movement, as a whole, continues to lead the world in church growth and missions outreach.
But we cannot minimize the glaring problems in our midst. Much has been given to us. Much will be required.
It’s time we get back to the basics. The Spirit will certainly add His powerful confirmation as we do.
Dr. Michael Brown (www.askdrbrown.org) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program. His latest book is When the World Stops: Words of Faith, Hope, and Wisdom in the Midst of Crisis. Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.


thestream--2020-04-28--Why Is Andrew Cuomo Killing Patients in Nursing Homes?

I ’ ve written here before about the weird phenomenon of the cargo cult .
In that context I was describing it in order to make some points about Darwinism .
But today I ’ d like to focus on an even less savory subject , NY Governor Andrew Cuomo .
Because he clearly belongs to such a cult .
His sect uses scraps and fragments of Christian morals and mores .
But without knowing what they ’ re for or how they work .
The End of Weekend At Biden ’ s ?
The media are treating Cuomo as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Joe Biden like the ghost of elections past .
So I suspect something is up .
Maybe the Democratic National Committee has given up on its revival of Weekend At Biden ’ s .
It wants a functioning , conscious candidate who doesn ’ t sniff strange women ’ s heads .
I think the DNC will sooner or later send out a text to all its loyal Assassins at CNN and The New York Times , and tell them to make the hit .
The message will inform them that Tara @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden ( which they have ignored as flimsy ) are suddenly “ troubling ” and “ deeply problematic ” because … well , reasons .
They ’ re clever fellows .
They ’ ll think of something .
Support The Stream : Serving the Body During This Crisis With Facts .
Faith .
And No Fear .
Biden will protest , flap around like a flounder on deck for a news cycle or two , then accept some quiet offer he can ’ t refuse .
The whole thing will be over in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their in-person convention .
Then hire consultants from the old East Germany to conduct a delegate plebiscite by email .
We ’ ll have a whole new race .
And a tougher one .
Will Cuomo Let His Cargo Cult Faith Dictate His Politics ?
What if Andrew Cuomo is not in fact a flagrantly lapsed Catholic , but a member of a South Sea Cargo Cult ?
Then we have the right to know .
No , there ’ s no religious test for public office .
But we must be sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ religion dictate his decisions as president .
Because they seem like the only explanation of his actions as New York Governor .
I wrote about such cults last summer .
With the end of the war , the military abandoned the airbases and stopped dropping cargo .
… In attempts to get cargo to fall by parachute or land in planes or ships again , islanders imitated the same practices they had seen the soldiers , sailors , and airmen use .
Cult behaviors usually involved mimicking the day-to-day activities and dress styles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parade ground drills with wooden or salvaged rifles .
The islanders carved headphones from wood and wore them while sitting in fabricated control towers .
They waved the landing signals while standing on the runways .
They lit signal fires and torches to light up runways and lighthouses .
In a form of sympathetic magic , many built life-size replicas of airplanes out of straw and cut new military-style landing strips out of the jungle , hoping to attract more airplanes .
Cuomo Uses Broken Pieces of Christian Morality for Magic This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( and hence American ) view of the person , as the image of God with unique value and inalienable rights .
He puts that view on like a fake pilot ’ s cap woven of palm fronds , and sings litanies of praise for “ women ’ s reproductive choice.
” When he lit up the Empire State Building in pink to celebrate New York ’ s pro-infanticide law ?
He may in his primitive mind have meant to emulate Christian behavior at Christmas .
Poor Cuomo doesn ’ t realize that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a child ’ s birth , not children ’ s deaths .
Cuomo seems to believe that by aping Christian rituals , he ’ ll attract the valuable “ cargo ” of ordered liberty , justice , and respect for human rights .
Perhaps some patient anthropologist in a Pith helmet will explain to him , “ Sorry , my dear chap .
But that ’ s not how any of this works.
” Cuomo credits the strange taboo that mentally ill “ transgender ” people have the right to demand our compliance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That ’ s one of their “ rights.
” But pro-lifers , orthodox Christians , and Second Amendment advocates don ’ t have the right to reside in New York State .
We can see in the tangle of such wildly conflicting claims the shadowy workings of the pre-philosophical mind , which kneels before lightning and thunder and thinks in images and myths .
Every Life Matters .
Except for Old People The most poignant , touching example of Cuomo ’ s sad , knock-off religion ?
When he spoke to defend his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York State — including the rural environs of Niagara Falls — for the sake of New York City .
Cuomo spoke of his elderly mama with what sounded like filial piety .
Then he aped Christian ethics more plausibly than ever .
He told the press : “ I want to be able to say to the people of New York — I did everything we could do .
And if everything we do saves just one life , I ’ ll be happy.
” That sounded good to me .
Cuomo got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ correctly .
It seems that he got hold of one of the missionaries ’ books and has been memorizing phrases .
But he doesn ’ t know what they mean .
Leave aside his practice of human child sacrifice .
What kind of tribe venerates its elders and claims to protect them from every threat — then callously and needlessly exposes them to death ?
What kind of leader would close down most buying and selling , and lock his villagers in their homes , to fight a plague , then send infected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the old folks ?
And that ’ s exactly what Cuomo is doing .
His Department of Health just issued this decree : Cuomo won ’ t even send nursing home patients to safety on the U.S.S .
Comfort , sitting almost empty off New York ’ s coast .
But he will send likely infected patients , untested , to cough on the other elderly residents in nursing homes where they ’ re meant to be safe .
As The New York Post reports , “ At least 3,500 nursing-home residents in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to date , including 2,000 in New York City , part of more than 16,000 overall.
” Read the heartrending stories The Post has collected from grieving family members of beloved parents and grandparents needlessly killed by the virus .
Have you got that ?
People can ’ t go to church , or New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio will seize the building and steal the land .
All restaurants , bars , and sports stadiums are closed .
The entire economy of the state wheezes on life support .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homes test people before exposing them to the very people most endangered by the Chinese virus , old people ?
That ’ s worse than refusing to close the gay bath houses during the AIDS crisis ( as liberals did ) .
It ’ s on the order of closing pretty much everything except the bath houses .
It boggles the mind of the civilized onlooker .
But it might make sense to a primitive mystic like Cuomo .
I made a joke in very poor taste , early on in this crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who favor Drag Queen Story Hour to spread gender dysphoria to kids , would call for Coronavirus Story Hour in nursing homes .
But didn ’ t really expect Andrew Cuomo to go ahead and do it .
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 .

I’ve written here before about the weird phenomenon of the cargo cult. In that context I was describing it in order to make some points about Darwinism. But today I’d like to focus on an even less savory subject, NY Governor Andrew Cuomo. Because he clearly belongs to such a cult. His sect uses scraps and fragments of Christian morals and mores. But without knowing what they’re for or how they work.
The End of Weekend At Biden’s?
The media are treating Cuomo as the shadow legitimate president in exile, and Joe Biden like the ghost of elections past. So I suspect something is up. Maybe the Democratic National Committee has given up on its revival of Weekend At Biden’s. It wants a functioning, conscious candidate who doesn’t sniff strange women’s heads.
I think the DNC will sooner or later send out a text to all its loyal Assassins at CNN and The New York Times, and tell them to make the hit. The message will inform them that Tara Reade’s sex abuse charges against Biden (which they have ignored as flimsy) are suddenly “troubling” and “deeply problematic” because … well, reasons. They’re clever fellows. They’ll think of something.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Biden will protest, flap around like a flounder on deck for a news cycle or two, then accept some quiet offer he can’t refuse. The whole thing will be over in 48 hours. The Democrats will cancel their in-person convention. Then hire consultants from the old East Germany to conduct a delegate plebiscite by email. We’ll have a whole new race. And a tougher one.
Will Cuomo Let His Cargo Cult Faith Dictate His Politics?
What if Andrew Cuomo is not in fact a flagrantly lapsed Catholic, but a member of a South Sea Cargo Cult? Then we have the right to know. No, there’s no religious test for public office. But we must be sure that he wouldn’t let his religion dictate his decisions as president. Because they seem like the only explanation of his actions as New York Governor.
I wrote about such cults last summer.
Perhaps you’ve heard of Cargo Cults. They emerged among some Pacific Island tribesmen who encountered Western travelers. (Especially, during World War II, American pilots.) … They appeared with mysterious light sticks and dangerous fire sticks. They climbed out of gleaming ships. And carved out airfields. Then they waved their arms and lit their strange fires, and the Great Birds came down. More airmen climbed out of their bellies. Best of all, these newly landed “gods” weren’t hostile, but friendly. They unloaded great boxes of treasure. And gave them out to the natives. Unusual foods and drink, astonishing magic tools and powerful medicines.
Wikipedia reports what happened next:
With the end of the war, the military abandoned the airbases and stopped dropping cargo. … In attempts to get cargo to fall by parachute or land in planes or ships again, islanders imitated the same practices they had seen the soldiers, sailors, and airmen use. Cult behaviors usually involved mimicking the day-to-day activities and dress styles of US soldiers, such as performing parade ground drills with wooden or salvaged rifles. The islanders carved headphones from wood and wore them while sitting in fabricated control towers. They waved the landing signals while standing on the runways. They lit signal fires and torches to light up runways and lighthouses. In a form of sympathetic magic, many built life-size replicas of airplanes out of straw and cut new military-style landing strips out of the jungle, hoping to attract more airplanes.
Cuomo Uses Broken Pieces of Christian Morality for Magic
This is precisely how Andrew Cuomo treats the Christian (and hence American) view of the person, as the image of God with unique value and inalienable rights. He puts that view on like a fake pilot’s cap woven of palm fronds, and sings litanies of praise for “women’s reproductive choice.”
Cuomo seems to believe that by aping Christian rituals, he’ll attract the valuable “cargo” of ordered liberty, justice, and respect for human rights. Perhaps some patient anthropologist in a Pith helmet will explain to him, “Sorry, my dear chap. But that’s not how any of this works.”
When he lit up the Empire State Building in pink to celebrate New York’s pro-infanticide law? He may in his primitive mind have meant to emulate Christian behavior at Christmas. Poor Cuomo doesn’t realize that we light up our cities to celebrate a child’s birth, not children’s deaths.
Cuomo seems to believe that by aping Christian rituals, he’ll attract the valuable “cargo” of ordered liberty, justice, and respect for human rights. Perhaps some patient anthropologist in a Pith helmet will explain to him, “Sorry, my dear chap. But that’s not how any of this works.”
Cuomo credits the strange taboo that mentally ill “transgender” people have the right to demand our compliance with their tragic, self-harming delusions. That’s one of their “rights.”
But pro-lifers, orthodox Christians, and Second Amendment advocates don’t have the right to reside in New York State. We can see in the tangle of such wildly conflicting claims the shadowy workings of the pre-philosophical mind, which kneels before lightning and thunder and thinks in images and myths.
Every Life Matters. Except for Old People
The most poignant, touching example of Cuomo’s sad, knock-off religion? When he spoke to defend his draconian lockdown of the whole of New York State — including the rural environs of Niagara Falls — for the sake of New York City. Cuomo spoke of his elderly mama with what sounded like filial piety. Then he aped Christian ethics more plausibly than ever. He told the press: “I want to be able to say to the people of New York — I did everything we could do. And if everything we do saves just one life, I’ll be happy.”
That sounded good to me. Cuomo got the words right and even pronounced them correctly. It seems that he got hold of one of the missionaries’ books and has been memorizing phrases. But he doesn’t know what they mean. Leave aside his practice of human child sacrifice. What kind of tribe venerates its elders and claims to protect them from every threat — then callously and needlessly exposes them to death? What kind of leader would close down most buying and selling, and lock his villagers in their homes, to fight a plague, then send infected people to sit in the huts with the old folks?
And that’s exactly what Cuomo is doing. His Department of Health just issued this decree:
No resident shall be denied re-admission or admission to the NH [nursing home] solely based on a confirmed or suspected diagnosis of COVID-19. NHs are prohibited from requiring a hospitalized resident who is determined medically stable to be tested for COVID-19 prior to admission or readmission.
Cuomo won’t even send nursing home patients to safety on the U.S.S. Comfort, sitting almost empty off New York’s coast. But he will send likely infected patients, untested, to cough on the other elderly residents in nursing homes where they’re meant to be safe.
As The New York Post reports, “At least 3,500 nursing-home residents in the state have died from the coronavirus to date, including 2,000 in New York City, part of more than 16,000 overall.” Read the heartrending stories The Post has collected from grieving family members of beloved parents and grandparents needlessly killed by the virus.
Coronavirus Story Hour at Nursing Homes
Have you got that? People can’t go to church, or New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio will seize the building and steal the land. All restaurants, bars, and sports stadiums are closed. The entire economy of the state wheezes on life support. But the Governor won’t let nursing homes test people before exposing them to the very people most endangered by the Chinese virus, old people? That’s worse than refusing to close the gay bath houses during the AIDS crisis (as liberals did). It’s on the order of closing pretty much everything except the bath houses. It boggles the mind of the civilized onlooker.
But it might make sense to a primitive mystic like Cuomo.
I made a joke in very poor taste, early on in this crisis. I quipped that the same people who favor Drag Queen Story Hour to spread gender dysphoria to kids, would call for Coronavirus Story Hour in nursing homes.
But didn’t really expect Andrew Cuomo to go ahead and do it.
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--2020-04-28--10 Things We Need to Know — COVID-19 Showcasing America’s True Needs

The COVID-19 plague in America has exposed the soft underbelly of America ’ s security and prosperity .
Falsely believed by most Americans and arrogantly touted by the political elite that our security and economy was invincible , even the proud and ignorant have stumbled and grasped for answers during this plague .
Our nation ’ s response to this unexpected and invisible enemy has separated families , divided grandchildren from their grandparents , prevented physical church gatherings , cancelled thousands of preplanned events and ceased regular education .
It ’ s even confined people to their own homes like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been showcased ?
What should we be learning ?
As a thief in the night , this unseen enemy sneaked in among us and achieved the unthinkable .
It ’ s wounded our economy — the strongest in the world .
It ’ s reordered our priorities in a matter of weeks .
Like the statue of Baal in the Philistines ’ temple of long ago , America ’ s “ gods ” of security , wealth , entertainment , sports , personal gratification and busyness now lie humbled , face down in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ divinely demonstrated His power over the gods of “ mighty ” Egypt 3,500 years ago , He ’ s allowed something powerful to happen to us .
A wakeup call to America as whole ?
Certainly .
But a trumpet alert to God ’ s people ?
Absolutely !
It ’ s a slow-motion 9/11 .
The questions to those who say we know God are : What will we do about this wake-up alarm ?
In whom will we now trust ?
How will our priorities and understanding of God ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s future be reordered ?
Support The Stream : Serving the Body During This Crisis With Facts .
Faith .
And No Fear .
To not intentionally refocus our lives and our trust will only be to pivot to some lesser false “ god , ” the “ god ” of man or government , or some other lie .
So , what do we need to understand and what do we need to do ?
We Have a Choice to Make Before us , we have two choices with two different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have consequences , and we ’ re all making choices in our forced-altered lives .
Government leaders are choosing how to spend more money and how far to plunge our indebted nation even more into debt .
Our leaders are choosing more government subsidies and programs and greater limitations on our freedoms .
Their “ god ” is evident .
Medical “ experts ” are choosing among more impact models , “ solutions ” like vaccines , and also permanent surveillance , immunity papers and other unheard-of violations of civil liberties .
Their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are you choosing ?
Who are you choosing ?
The choices that really matter are being determined today and tomorrow — right now , not next year .
Is God and God ’ s way our choice or is it the god of government ?
Will God ’ s people choose Him and His ways , or will we choose our own way and with the culture re-erect the false gods of entertainment , sports or materialism ?
Through this plague , certain physical needs have been exposed .
Making certain policy and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our greatest need is spiritual and revolves around which god we will trust and conform our lives to .
If our sick and divided nation is ever to be restored , our broken and hurting families healed , prosperity renewed , security from our enemies and God ’ s favor on our land returned , God ’ s people must choose God and then lead the way .
Once a choice is made to serve the Lord , there are 10 needs we must understand and live : 1 .
We need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Have no other god before Me .
— Exodus 20:1-6 • Obey God , serve Him and fear Him .
— Deuteronomy 13:4 • Rehearse history and teach of God ’ s power so your children learn to fear God .
— Deuteronomy 31:13 • The fear of God is the beginning of knowledge .
— Proverbs 2:5 • The sum total of instruction to all mankind is to fear God .
— Ecclesiastes 12:13 2 .
We need to re-embrace the biblical authority of Scripture .
• All Scripture is profitable for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3:14-17 • It is true from the beginning and forever .
— Psalm 119:160 3 .
We need an awareness that the Church is disobedient , lethargic and asleep .
• Christ ’ s warnings to the seven churches and to Laodicea .
— Revelation 2-3 , Revelation 3:14-22 4 .
We need an awareness that 70 % of the pulpits in America are occupied by “ hirelings.
” • George Barna survey — only 30 % of the pulpits in America believe in the Authority of Scripture • Hirelings refuse to warn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — John 10:12-13 5 .
We need a boldness to identify and call out the false prophets in the wolves among us .
• Christ warned of the false prophets and wolves .
— Matthew 7:15 , Matthew 10:16 , Matthew 24:24 • Jesus warned of mass deception in the last days .
— Matthew 24:3-5 • Test the words of those who speak because many are false prophets .
— 1 John 4:1-3 6 .
We need the understanding that national blessing or national judgment hinges on the actions of the remnant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who are called by my name , will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways , then I will hear from heaven , and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
” — 2 Chronicles 7:14 7 .
We need to believe that persecution is coming upon us and this is normal for the believer and the person actively standing for truth .
• All who live according to God ’ s commands will suffer persecution .
— 2 Timothy 3:12 • The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — Luke 21:12 , John 15:20 8 .
We need to understand that the preparation for prayer and meeting God ’ s requirements for prayer is far more important than the act of praying .
• God demands we pray His way : No unconfessed sin .
— Psalm 66:18 • Pray with faith — believing , according to God ’ s will , with pure motives .
— James 4:3 9 .
We need to understand that the continuance of freedom is a result of God ’ s blessing and the hinge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s commands .
• Don ’ t forget that all blessings came from God and if you forget and become ungrateful , God will replace blessings with bondage .
— Deuteronomy 8:1-20 , Deuteronomy 30:1-20 10 .
We need to understand that the choice for president or other elected leaders , while critically important , is secondary to repentance toward God and the choice for God .
• God raises up .
Obey , and I ’ ll make even your enemies to be at peace with you .
— Proverbs 16:7 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pulpits , implemented by fathers and mothers , elected leaders and citizens , will do as Joshua did : “ As for me and my house , we will serve ( choose ) the LORD !
” ( Joshua 24:15 ) The Hon .
Sam Rohrer is president of the American Pastors Network , www.AmericanPastorsNetwork.net , a national network of pastors with constitutional and biblical teachings that discusses today ’ s pressing issues .
He was a Pennsylvania lawmaker for 18 years and hosts the daily “ Stand in the Gap Today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 400 stations and Host of the “ Stand in the Gap ” national television program .

The COVID-19 plague in America has exposed the soft underbelly of America’s security and prosperity. Falsely believed by most Americans and arrogantly touted by the political elite that our security and economy was invincible, even the proud and ignorant have stumbled and grasped for answers during this plague.
Our nation’s response to this unexpected and invisible enemy has separated families, divided grandchildren from their grandparents, prevented physical church gatherings, cancelled thousands of preplanned events and ceased regular education. It’s even confined people to their own homes like house arrest. So what needs have been showcased? What should we be learning?
A Wakeup Call
As a thief in the night, this unseen enemy sneaked in among us and achieved the unthinkable. It’s wounded our economy — the strongest in the world. It’s reordered our priorities in a matter of weeks. Like the statue of Baal in the Philistines’ temple of long ago, America’s “gods” of security, wealth, entertainment, sports, personal gratification and busyness now lie humbled, face down in obeisance to Someone greater. As God divinely demonstrated His power over the gods of “mighty” Egypt 3,500 years ago, He’s allowed something powerful to happen to us.
A wakeup call to America as whole? Certainly. But a trumpet alert to God’s people? Absolutely! It’s a slow-motion 9/11. The questions to those who say we know God are: What will we do about this wake-up alarm? In whom will we now trust? How will our priorities and understanding of God’s role in our lives and our nation’s future be reordered?
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
To not intentionally refocus our lives and our trust will only be to pivot to some lesser false “god,” the “god” of man or government, or some other lie. So, what do we need to understand and what do we need to do?
We Have a Choice to Make
Before us, we have two choices with two different paths and two different results. Choices have consequences, and we’re all making choices in our forced-altered lives.
Government leaders are choosing how to spend more money and how far to plunge our indebted nation even more into debt. Our leaders are choosing more government subsidies and programs and greater limitations on our freedoms. Their “god” is evident.
Medical “experts” are choosing among more impact models, “solutions” like vaccines, and also permanent surveillance, immunity papers and other unheard-of violations of civil liberties. Their “god” is evident.
Our greatest need is spiritual and revolves around which god we will trust and conform our lives to.
How are you choosing? Who are you choosing? The choices that really matter are being determined today and tomorrow — right now, not next year. Is God and God’s way our choice or is it the god of government? Will God’s people choose Him and His ways, or will we choose our own way and with the culture re-erect the false gods of entertainment, sports or materialism?
Choosing to Serve the Lord
Through this plague, certain physical needs have been exposed. Making certain policy and personal adjustments are wise. Yet, our greatest need is spiritual and revolves around which god we will trust and conform our lives to. If our sick and divided nation is ever to be restored, our broken and hurting families healed, prosperity renewed, security from our enemies and God’s favor on our land returned, God’s people must choose God and then lead the way.
Once a choice is made to serve the Lord, there are 10 needs we must understand and live:
1. We need to develop a healthy fear of God
Have no other god before Me. — Exodus 20:1-6
Obey God, serve Him and fear Him. — Deuteronomy 13:4
Rehearse history and teach of God’s power so your children learn to fear God. — Deuteronomy 31:13
The fear of God is the beginning of knowledge. — Proverbs 2:5
Select only leaders who fear God. — Exodus 18:21
The sum total of instruction to all mankind is to fear God. — Ecclesiastes 12:13
2. We need to re-embrace the biblical authority of Scripture.
3. We need an awareness that the Church is disobedient, lethargic and asleep.
Christ’s warnings to the seven churches and to Laodicea. — Revelation 2-3, Revelation 3:14-22
4. We need an awareness that 70% of the pulpits in America are occupied by “hirelings.”
George Barna survey — only 30% of the pulpits in America believe in the Authority of Scripture
Hirelings refuse to warn of spiritual danger and the wolves. — John 10:12-13
5. We need a boldness to identify and call out the false prophets in the wolves among us.
6. We need the understanding that national blessing or national judgment hinges on the actions of the remnant.
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” — 2 Chronicles 7:14
7. We need to believe that persecution is coming upon us and this is normal for the believer and the person actively standing for truth.
All who live according to God’s commands will suffer persecution. — 2 Timothy 3:12
The enemies of truth will persecute you. — Luke 21:12, John 15:20
8. We need to understand that the preparation for prayer and meeting God’s requirements for prayer is far more important than the act of praying.
God demands a broken spirit and obedience before sacrifice. — Psalm 51:16-17
God demands we pray His way: No unconfessed sin. — Psalm 66:18
Pray with faith — believing, according to God’s will, with pure motives. — James 4:3
9. We need to understand that the continuance of freedom is a result of God’s blessing and the hinge pin of obedience and conformity to God’s commands.
Don’t forget that all blessings came from God and if you forget and become ungrateful, God will replace blessings with bondage. — Deuteronomy 8:1-20, Deuteronomy 30:1-20
10. We need to understand that the choice for president or other elected leaders, while critically important, is secondary to repentance toward God and the choice for God.
God raises up. Obey, and I’ll make even your enemies to be at peace with you. — Proverbs 16:7
I pray that America, led by the pulpits, implemented by fathers and mothers, elected leaders and citizens, will do as Joshua did: “As for me and my house, we will serve (choose) the LORD!” (Joshua 24:15)
The Hon. Sam Rohrer is president of the American Pastors Network, www.AmericanPastorsNetwork.net, a national network of pastors with constitutional and biblical teachings that discusses today’s pressing issues. He was a Pennsylvania lawmaker for 18 years and hosts the daily “Stand in the Gap Today” national radio program on more than 400 stations and Host of the “Stand in the Gap” national television program.
CALL TO ACTION: COVID-19 is causing massive disruptions in life. The Stream’s parent organization, LIFE Outreach International, is helping send a first wave of help. LIFE’s local mission partners are already distributing thousands of surgical masks, gloves and other sanitary supplies to first responders, hospitals and nursing homes. In addition, other partners have focused on distributing as many meals as possible to help those who need food. You can help with these efforts. Click here to donate.


thestream--2020-04-29--Loving Your Neighbor With Different Coronavirus Opinions

You ’ re either a mindless lemming for believing everything the government ’ s told you about COVID-19 and going along with the restrictions , or you ’ re a heartless jerk who cares more about making money than old people dying .
That ’ s the impression one gets from social media , anyway .
That ’ s the easy way out .
The way to avoid engaging with different viewpoints .
As Christians , we must show a better way .
But how ?
We can ’ t just say , “ Oh , none of it truly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as we might about certain political debates or ecclesiastical differences .
Lives are at risk .
Even so , we ’ ll do ourselves and our Lord a major disservice if , as we wrestle to identify the best way forward , we abandon the second most important commandment God ever gave : love your neighbor as yourself .
Here are three tips from the Bible for loving your neighbor — including the one with diabolically opposed coronavirus opinions .
First , do not let arguments divide you .
In Romans 14 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early Christians : were certain meats unclean ?
He says no .
But even more important than the freedom to eat is pursuing “ what makes for peace and mutual upbuilding.
” “ Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer , but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother , ” he writes .
“ For if your brother is grieved by what you eat , you are no longer walking in love .
… The faith that you have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Support The Stream : Serving the Body During This Crisis With Facts .
Faith .
And No Fear .
Perhaps you think the COVID-19 warnings and restrictions are way overblown .
You feel perfectly safe getting together with friends and extended family .
But your loved ones prefer you didn ’ t come over , or are worried by those who don ’ t wear masks around them .
Take Paul ’ s advice here .
Don ’ t make others feel inferior for acting according to their personal convictions .
And don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your own “ freedom , ” in a disrespectful way .
If you can have a calm , open-minded dialogue about your disagreements , that ’ s okay .
But first , ask yourself honestly : would challenging them be a hindrance to their faith , or to the unity between the two of you ?
If so , just let it go , and keep “ the faith you have … between yourself and God.
” Be Humble .
Maybe You ’ re Not 100 % Right Second , be humble when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Another biblical directive that ’ s vital , but easy to forget when stakes are high and opinions are strong , is to “ clothe yourselves , all of you , with humility toward one another , for ‘ God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble . '
” Even if you are certain that your opinion is well-informed , backed by data , and proven by the unfolding evidence , you could still be wrong about certain things .
As pastor Kevin DeYoung wisely notes , nothing is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ re still smack-dab in the middle of this complex situation .
“ Let ’ s be mindful of what we truly know and of all the things we don ’ t really know , ” he writes .
“ At some point everything may be obvious , but at present we don ’ t know all the answers — or , likely , even all the questions to ask.
” Keeping this spirit of humility will preserve graciousness as we discuss , debate , and determine the best way to handle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s hard to learn when you ’ re convinced you know everything . )
Think Of Others As You ’ d Want to be Thought Of Third , argue with others the way you want them to argue with you .
The Golden Rule found in Matthew admonishes , “ Whatever you wish that others would do to you , do also to them.
” You may not be out there punching or cussing at those who disagree with you .
( Let ’ s hope not , anyway . )
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thoughts about them .
What if we didn ’ t assume the worst ?
Maybe the people pushing to reopen the economy aren ’ t greedy for money , or worshipers of capitalism .
More likely , they ’ re concerned about the millions of people who have lost their jobs and can no longer provide for their families .
Maybe the people pushing for continued restrictions aren ’ t indifferent to constitutional freedom , or worshipers of government .
They ’ re probably just adhering to the plan they believe will best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us .
Whatever your opinions on the subject , you certainly don ’ t want to be thought of in the worst , most uncharitable terms possible .
So don ’ t think of others that way .
Questions and concerns loom large in all our minds .
They must certainly be dealt with , but not at the expense of one of the greatest commandments in all eternity .
If we prioritize loving our neighbor despite our disagreements , we may even find better answers to the questions at hand .

You’re either a mindless lemming for believing everything the government’s told you about COVID-19 and going along with the restrictions, or you’re a heartless jerk who cares more about making money than old people dying. That’s the impression one gets from social media, anyway.
That’s the easy way out. The way to avoid engaging with different viewpoints. As Christians, we must show a better way. But how? We can’t just say, “Oh, none of it truly matters in the long run,” as we might about certain political debates or ecclesiastical differences. Lives are at risk.
Even so, we’ll do ourselves and our Lord a major disservice if, as we wrestle to identify the best way forward, we abandon the second most important commandment God ever gave: love your neighbor as yourself.
Here are three tips from the Bible for loving your neighbor — including the one with opposite coronavirus opinions.
Don’t Be a Stumbling Block
First, do not let arguments divide you. In Romans 14, Paul addresses a pressing controversy for some early Christians: were certain meats unclean? He says no. But even more important than the freedom to eat is pursuing “what makes for peace and mutual upbuilding.”
“Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother,” he writes. “For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. … The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Perhaps you think the COVID-19 warnings and restrictions are way overblown. You feel perfectly safe getting together with friends and extended family. But your loved ones prefer you didn’t come over, or are worried by those who don’t wear masks around them. Take Paul’s advice here. Don’t make others feel inferior for acting according to their personal convictions. And don’t flaunt your own convictions, your own “freedom,” in a disrespectful way.
If you can have a calm, open-minded dialogue about your disagreements, that’s okay. But first, ask yourself honestly: would challenging them be a hindrance to their faith, or to the unity between the two of you? If so, just let it go, and keep “the faith you have … between yourself and God.”
Be Humble. Maybe You’re Not 100% Right
Second, be humble when you talk to those you disagree with. Another biblical directive that’s vital, but easy to forget when stakes are high and opinions are strong, is to “clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'”
We’ll do ourselves and our Lord a major disservice if, as we wrestle to identify the best way forward, we abandon the second most important commandment God ever gave: love your neighbor as yourself.
Even if you are certain that your opinion is well-informed, backed by data, and proven by the unfolding evidence, you could still be wrong about certain things. As pastor Kevin DeYoung wisely notes, nothing is “obvious” right now, because we’re still smack-dab in the middle of this complex situation. “Let’s be mindful of what we truly know and of all the things we don’t really know,” he writes. “At some point everything may be obvious, but at present we don’t know all the answers — or, likely, even all the questions to ask.”
Keeping this spirit of humility will preserve graciousness as we discuss, debate, and determine the best way to handle this crisis. (Plus, it’s hard to learn when you’re convinced you know everything.)
Think Of Others As You’d Want to be Thought Of
Third, argue with others the way you want them to argue with you. The Golden Rule found in Matthew admonishes, “Whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them.” You may not be out there punching or cussing at those who disagree with you. (Let’s hope not, anyway.) But you’ve likely had some uncharitable thoughts about them. What if we didn’t assume the worst?
Maybe the people pushing to reopen the economy aren’t greedy for money, or worshipers of capitalism. More likely, they’re concerned about the millions of people who have lost their jobs and can no longer provide for their families. Maybe the people pushing for continued restrictions aren’t indifferent to constitutional freedom, or worshipers of government. They’re probably just adhering to the plan they believe will best protect others, especially the vulnerable among us.
Whatever your opinions on the subject, you certainly don’t want to be thought of in the worst, most uncharitable terms possible. So don’t think of others that way.
Questions and concerns loom large in all our minds. They must certainly be dealt with, but not at the expense of one of the greatest commandments in all eternity. If we prioritize loving our neighbor despite our disagreements, we may even find better answers to the questions at hand.
Liberty McArtor, former staff writer for The Stream, is a freelance writer in the great state of Texas, where she lives in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex with her husband and son. Follow Liberty on Twitter @LibertyMcArtor, or learn more about her at LibertyMcArtor.com.


thestream--2020-04-29--Mourning the Death of Healthy Debate

Mourning the Death of Healthy Debate

We face precarious times .
I ’ m sure that is not a shock to most of you , but my reasoning will be .
It is not COVID-19 , or Donald Trump , or even Russian collusion that we have to fear .
It is : our inability to argue intelligently with each other .
That may sound ridiculous considering we are all hunkered down in our homes in the midst of a pandemic , but it is true nonetheless .
I remember a time , way back in my college days , when I could carry on political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disagreed with me , and , while things could get heated , we would end the discussion as friends .
We would either agree to disagree , or , shock of shocks , occasionally change each other ’ s minds .
I have noticed for the last several years now that this type of discourse is no longer possible .
The fine art of argument/discussion has broken down over the years .
It is no longer , as Monty Python pointed out , “ a series of statements intended to establish a proposition.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , half of which support the premise in question , while the other half attempt to show that premise as false , and/or perhaps present a better premise .
For example , you describe a concept that you believe in , and I respond by explaining why I think your logic is flawed or why one of the “ facts ” you used to support your idea is untrue .
That is how a reasonable argument works .
Over the last two decades , this form of discourse has morphed into something far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advent of cable news , the fine art of discussion/argumentation turned into a shouting match between two ridiculous buffoons .
Then it devolved into non-sequitur responses , or addressing a tangent of the original point rather than the point itself .
And now , it has devolved into a most dangerous and destructive version of itself : the personal attack .
No , I don ’ t mean the classic ad hominem attack .
Those are easy enough to deal with .
I mean taking things personally and/or being offended when confronted by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , mind you , but the idea is your opinion is an extension of you and by denigrating it , I am denigrating you .
Therefore , because I have become abusive , you will no longer engage in said argument .
I have encountered this sham quite a bit in the last few years .
Perhaps you have too , but make no mistake : this particular modus operandi is being employed for one purpose only , and that is to shut down the discussion .
No attempt to resolve the point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the truth , no attempt to grow and learn , and no “ let ’ s agree to disagree.
” This current technique is dangerous because it keeps our minds closed , we lose the ability to resolve conflict peacefully , and it can also easily break apart what was once a solid relationship .
As you might guess , at this juncture , I just had a very dear friend of mine unfriend not only me , but my wife , Jan , as well over just such a set of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you , not for your sympathy , but as a portent .
Yes , I am strongly entrenched in a certain political philosophy .
However , what tends to be discounted is that I am not so strongly attached to a political party .
I detest both the Democratic and Republican party with equal fervor .
I mention this last part in order to strengthen the warning I am about to give you : If we can not discuss political events and ideas reasonably , calmly , and intelligently , then we are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matter who is in the White House , or who has the majority in which house , because we , the people , will be divided .
And that not only keeps us ignorant , but it will also allow the powerful to run roughshod over us .
Support The Stream : Serving the Body During This Crisis With Facts .
Faith .
And No Fear .
I don ’ t have to tell you folk that the technique of “ divide and conquer ” is one of the oldest in the books @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politicians thrive on the dissolution of our society .
The Value of Truth In one of my former friend ’ s closing statements to my wife he said , “ You certainly seem to know all the numbers on this very well .
It must be very important to you to be right !
” I ’ m sure this was meant as an insult involving arrogance .
The funny thing is , it is important to Jan and me to be right ; not for the sake of being “ right , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ truth .
We continue to educate ourselves as best we can , in order to get to the truth .
We also enjoy discussing things with people who have a different point of view because that ’ s one of the best ways to learn .
We also both read and listen to a wide variety of political points of view , because to rely on only one source of information is the very death of freedom .
And now we have come to the heart of it .
Please , people , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking arguments personally , open your minds , and listen to friends ( or even strangers ) with opposing points of view .
You will both be the smarter and stronger for it , and , most importantly , the politicians will be the weaker .

We face precarious times. I’m sure that is not a shock to most of you, but my reasoning will be. It is not COVID-19, or Donald Trump, or even Russian collusion that we have to fear. It is: our inability to argue intelligently with each other. That may sound ridiculous considering we are all hunkered down in our homes in the midst of a pandemic. But it is true nonetheless.
I remember a time, way back in my college days, when I could carry on political discussions with a variety of folks who disagreed with me. And, while things could get heated, we would end the discussion as friends. We would either agree to disagree — or, shock of shocks, occasionally change each other’s minds.
The Lost Art of Discussion
I have noticed for the last several years now that this type of discourse is no longer possible. The fine art of argument/discussion has broken down over the years. It is no longer, as Monty Python pointed out, “a series of statements intended to establish a proposition.” A free flow exchange of ideas, half of which support the premise in question, while the other half attempt to show that premise as false, and/or perhaps present a better premise.
For example, you describe a concept that you believe in, and I respond by explaining why I think your logic is flawed or why one of the “facts” you used to support your idea is untrue. That is how a reasonable argument works. Over the last two decades, this form of discourse has morphed into something far less elegant or informative. With the advent of cable news, the fine art of discussion/argumentation turned into a shouting match between two ridiculous buffoons. Then it devolved into non-sequitur responses, or addressing a tangent of the original point rather than the point itself. And now, it has devolved into a most dangerous and destructive version of itself: the personal attack.
Please, people, I beg all of you. Stop taking arguments personally, open your minds, and listen to friends (or even strangers) with opposing points of view. You will both be the smarter and stronger for it, and, most importantly, the politicians will be the weaker.
No, I don’t mean the classic ad hominem attack. Those are easy enough to deal with. I mean taking things personally and/or being offended when confronted by facts. No actual insults are involved, mind you, but the idea is your opinion is an extension of you and by denigrating it, I am denigrating you. Therefore, because I have become abusive, you will no longer engage in said argument.
I have encountered this sham quite a bit in the last few years. Perhaps you have too. But make no mistake: this particular modus operandi is being employed for one purpose only, and that is to shut down the discussion. No attempt to resolve the point in question, no attempt to get at the truth, no attempt to grow and learn, and no “let’s agree to disagree.” This current technique is dangerous because it keeps our minds closed, we lose the ability to resolve conflict peacefully, and it can also easily break apart what was once a solid relationship.
The Loss of a Friend
As you might guess, at this juncture, I just had a very dear friend of mine unfriend not only me, but my wife, Jan, as well over just such a set of circumstances. I relate this story to you, not for your sympathy, but as a portent. Yes, I am strongly entrenched in a certain political philosophy. However, what tends to be discounted is that I am not so strongly attached to a political party. I detest both the Democratic and Republican party with equal fervor. I mention this last part in order to strengthen the warning I am about to give you: If we cannot discuss political events and ideas reasonably, calmly, and intelligently, then we are truly doomed. It won’t matter who is in the White House, or who has the majority in which house, because we, the people, will be divided. And that not only keeps us ignorant, but it will also allow the powerful to run roughshod over us.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
I don’t have to tell you folk that the technique of “divide and conquer” is one of the oldest in the books, and our current crop of power-mad politicians thrive on the dissolution of our society.
The Value of Truth
In one of my former friend’s closing statements to my wife he said, “You certainly seem to know all the numbers on this very well. It must be very important to you to be right!” I’m sure this was meant as an insult involving arrogance. The funny thing is, it is important to Jan and me to be right — not for the sake of being “right,” but because we both value the truth. We continue to educate ourselves as best we can, in order to get to the truth. We also enjoy discussing things with people who have a different point of view because that’s one of the best ways to learn. We also both read and listen to a wide variety of political points of view, because to rely on only one source of information is the very death of freedom.
And now we have come to the heart of it. Please, people, I beg all of you. Stop taking arguments personally, open your minds, and listen to friends (or even strangers) with opposing points of view. You will both be the smarter and stronger for it — and, most importantly, the politicians will be the weaker.
George Janek is a conservative thinker encamped in Northern California.


thestream--2020-04-29--Physicians Say Hospitals Are Pressuring ER Docs to List COVID-19 on Death Certificates. Here’s Why

When Drs .
Dan Erickson and Dr. Artin Massihi of Accelerated Urgent Care held a press conference last week , their goal was to galvanize policymakers to reopen the economy .
The California-based hospital owners may have uncorked a bigger story .
During their long discussion with reporters , Dr. Erickson noted he has spoken to numerous physicians who say they are being pressured to add COVID-19 to death certificates and diagnostic lists — even when the novel coronavirus appears to have no relation to the victim ’ s cause of death .
“ They say , ‘ You know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m writing up my death report I ’ m being pressured to add Covid , ’ ” Erickson said .
“ Why is that ?
Why are we being pressured to add Covid ?
To maybe increase the numbers , and make it look a little bit worse than it is ?
” The longtime ER doctors , who had their video removed from YouTube after the American College of Emergency Physicians ( ACEP ) and the American Academy of Emergency Medicine ( AAEM ) jointly condemned their briefing , aren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 is being classified uniquely .
( There ’ s reason to question some of the snap conclusions the physicians reached in their briefing , but YouTube ’ s decision to ban them is absurd , if predictable . )
Support The Stream : Serving the Body During This Crisis With Facts .
Faith .
And No Fear .
Earlier this month , Illinois ’ s top health official explained that any victim diagnosed with the novel coronavirus would be classified as a COVID-19 death — regardless of whether it contributed to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you died of a clear alternate cause , but you had Covid at the same time , it ’ s still listed as a Covid death , ” Dr. Ngozi Ezike , the director of Illinois ’ s Department of Public Health , explained to reporters .
Not all states have taken an approach as direct as Illinois ’ s , but even where state guidelines don ’ t call for listing the mere presence of COVID-19 as the cause of death , it appears hospital administrators are taking a proactive role .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ applying the alleged pressure on physicians , he said it was hospital administration .
“ We ’ re being pressured in-house to add Covid to the diagnostic list when we think it has nothing to do with the actual cause of death , ” Erickson said .
So are hospitals conspiring to gin up COVID-19 deaths to make the pandemic look worse than it is ?
Probably not .
There ’ s a simpler explanation : incentives .
As Minnesota lawmaker and longtime family practitioner Dr. Scott Jensen recently observed , hospitals are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on death certificates and discharge papers , since the CARES Act increases Medicare payments to hospitals treating COVID-19 victims .
“ Hospital administrators might well want to see COVID-19 attached to a discharge summary or a death certificate .
Why ?
Because if it ’ s a straightforward , garden-variety pneumonia that a person is admitted to the hospital for — if they ’ re Medicare — typically , the diagnosis-related group lump sum payment would be $ 5,000 , ” said Jensen , whose claim was fact-checked by USA Today .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , then it ’ s $ 13,000 , and if that COVID-19 pneumonia patient ends up on a ventilator , it goes up to $ 39,000.
” The idea that physicians would be pressured to list COVID-19 on death certificates even when it appears the virus had little or nothing to do with someone ’ s cause of death might sound crazy , but some would say it was entirely predictable .
“ Show me the incentive and I ’ ll show you the outcome , ” American businessman Charlie Munger once observed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does not require any conspiracy .
By creating a massive federal program that links goosed Medicare payments to COVID-19 treatments , the feds incentivized hospitals to add COVID-19 to diagnostic lists and death certificates .
It also incentivized hospitals to get patients on ventilators , which may have done more harm than good , as hospitals have reported unusually high fatality rates for COVID-19 patients on ventilators .
“ We aren ’ t pressured to test for flu , ” Dr. Erickson said during his press conference .
“ Why are we being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ simple answer is this : incentives matter .
It ’ s a lesson policymakers in Washington , D.C. — who ’ ve also managed to create an employment structure that pays many workers more to stay home than go to work — seem to never learn .
Jonathan Miltimore is the Managing Editor of FEE.org .
His writing/reporting has appeared in TIME magazine , The Wall Street Journal , CNN , Forbes and Fox News .
This article was originally published on FEE.org .

When Drs. Dan Erickson and Dr. Artin Massihi of Accelerated Urgent Care held a press conference last week, their goal was to galvanize policymakers to reopen the economy.
The California-based hospital owners may have uncorked a bigger story.
During their long discussion with reporters, Dr. Erickson noted he has spoken to numerous physicians who say they are being pressured to add COVID-19 to death certificates and diagnostic lists — even when the novel coronavirus appears to have no relation to the victim’s cause of death.
“They say, ‘You know, it’s interesting. When I’m writing up my death report I’m being pressured to add Covid,’” Erickson said. “Why is that? Why are we being pressured to add Covid? To maybe increase the numbers, and make it look a little bit worse than it is?”
The longtime ER doctors, who had their video removed from YouTube after the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) and the American Academy of Emergency Medicine (AAEM) jointly condemned their briefing, aren’t the only ones to say COVID-19 is being classified uniquely. (There’s reason to question some of the snap conclusions the physicians reached in their briefing, but YouTube’s decision to ban them is absurd, if predictable.)
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Earlier this month, Illinois’s top health official explained that any victim diagnosed with the novel coronavirus would be classified as a COVID-19 death — regardless of whether it contributed to the patient’s death.
“If you died of a clear alternate cause, but you had Covid at the same time, it’s still listed as a Covid death,” Dr. Ngozi Ezike, the director of Illinois’s Department of Public Health, explained to reporters.
Not all states have taken an approach as direct as Illinois’s, but even where state guidelines don’t call for listing the mere presence of COVID-19 as the cause of death, it appears hospital administrators are taking a proactive role.
When a reporter asked Erickson who was applying the alleged pressure on physicians, he said it was hospital administration.
“We’re being pressured in-house to add Covid to the diagnostic list when we think it has nothing to do with the actual cause of death,” Erickson said.
So are hospitals conspiring to gin up COVID-19 deaths to make the pandemic look worse than it is? Probably not. There’s a simpler explanation: incentives.
As Minnesota lawmaker and longtime family practitioner Dr. Scott Jensen recently observed, hospitals are incentivized to pressure physicians to include COVID-19 on death certificates and discharge papers, since the CARES Act increases Medicare payments to hospitals treating COVID-19 victims.
“Hospital administrators might well want to see COVID-19 attached to a discharge summary or a death certificate. Why? Because if it’s a straightforward, garden-variety pneumonia that a person is admitted to the hospital for — if they’re Medicare — typically, the diagnosis-related group lump sum payment would be $5,000,” said Jensen, whose claim was fact-checked by USA Today. “But if it’s COVID-19 pneumonia, then it’s $13,000, and if that COVID-19 pneumonia patient ends up on a ventilator, it goes up to $39,000.”
By creating a massive federal program that links goosed Medicare payments to COVID-19 treatments, the feds incentivized hospitals to add COVID-19 to diagnostic lists and death certificates.
The idea that physicians would be pressured to list COVID-19 on death certificates even when it appears the virus had little or nothing to do with someone’s cause of death might sound crazy, but some would say it was entirely predictable.
“Show me the incentive and I’ll show you the outcome,” American businessman Charlie Munger once observed.
The economic incentive is clear and does not require any conspiracy.
By creating a massive federal program that links goosed Medicare payments to COVID-19 treatments, the feds incentivized hospitals to add COVID-19 to diagnostic lists and death certificates. It also incentivized hospitals to get patients on ventilators, which may have done more harm than good, as hospitals have reported unusually high fatality rates for COVID-19 patients on ventilators.
“We aren’t pressured to test for flu,” Dr. Erickson said during his press conference. “Why are we being pressured to add Covid?”
The simple answer is this: incentives matter.
It’s a lesson policymakers in Washington, D.C. — who’ve also managed to create an employment structure that pays many workers more to stay home than go to work — seem to never learn.
Jonathan Miltimore is the Managing Editor of FEE.org. His writing/reporting has appeared in TIME magazine, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, Forbes and Fox News.
This article was originally published on FEE.org.
CALL TO ACTION: COVID-19 is causing massive disruptions in life. The Stream’s parent organization, LIFE Outreach International, is helping send a first wave of help. LIFE’s local mission partners are already distributing thousands of surgical masks, gloves and other sanitary supplies to first responders, hospitals and nursing homes. In addition, other partners have focused on distributing as many meals as possible to help those who need food. You can help with these efforts. Click here to donate.