thestream--2020-08-21--Skeptics: ‘Jesus Wasn’t Much Good.’ Jesus: ‘Your Mind is Set on the Wrong Things.’

You want to know what Jesus did wrong ?
• He didn ’ t come to set the LGBTQ free .
• He got mad and cursed the fig tree .
• He didn ’ t teach people to boil their bandages .
Yes , you read that last one right : Jesus was a bad example because He gave himself for others .
Nothing reveals the poverty of human vanity and ego more profoundly than that .
These examples all came from skeptics trying to fend off early versions of the argument now expanded into the book Too Good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too good , too consistent , and too unique to be legend .
Atheists want to keep Him a legend , so they take aim at His goodness .
This Is Nothing New And there ’ s nothing the least bit new about it .
People have been unsatisfied with Jesus from the start .
In Luke 4 , Jesus ’ neighbors in Nazareth want Him to be their hometown boy .
He told them He was there for everyone instead .
In Mark 3:21 , His family wants Him to quit making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He kept right on going .
In Matthew 16:21-23 , Peter explains to Him that dying can ’ t be part of His mission .
Jesus explains back to him : “ Get behind Me , Satan !
” Peter ’ s problem there is everyone ’ s problem .
Jesus told him , “ You are not mindful of the things of God , but the things of men.
” The things of men don ’ t accomplish the things of God .
They don ’ t bring true liberation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ include economic or political revolution , which is what would have followed if He ’ d condemned slavery .
It wouldn ’ t have helped one bit with His main mission — setting hearts free .
The effect of that over time was that Christianized Europe simply and quietly brought slavery to an end .
The “ things of men ” would have had Him declare women identical to men in their roles and opportunities .
He did something better and more important : He demonstrated that women were equal to men in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other true equality must flow .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
The “ things of men ” would include modern ideas of LGBTQ “ freedom.
” He didn ’ t come to enslave men and women in false , destructive distortions of marriage and morality .
Setting the LGBTQ free means setting their hearts free — meaning first of all being free from sin .
The “ things of men ” include “ looking out for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include self-sacrificial love .
There are weak , destructive counterfeits of this , to be sure , and they are not of God .
But when Jesus went to the cross He did it in full strength of personality — just read the accounts !
— and He did it for joy ( Heb .
12:1,2 ) .
All these people insist that Jesus shouldn ’ t have been on His mission .
He should have been on ours instead .
He should have fixed up the world the way we think it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the things of men in mind , not the things of God .
Again , though , there ’ s nothing new about it .
He faced it all the time during his stay on earth .
His friends did it about as much as His enemies .
They thought He should change His mission .
“ Stay out of Jerusalem — they ’ ll kill you if you go there !
” He answered by “ setting his face ” toward Jerusalem .
And the Cross .
Has a man ever been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knew so exactly what He was there for , and wouldn ’ t let anything knock Him off course ?
Who was so completely in charge of Himself and the situation , even at His own trial , torture , and brutal execution ?
” When you look to Jesus , you will hear the things of God taught .
You will see the things of God in action .
You will see no moral failure — except perhaps your own , measured against Him .
And you ’ ll see the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( @ TomGilsonAuthor ) is a senior editor with The Stream and the author or editor of six books , including Too Good To Be False : How Jesus ’ Incomparable Character Reveals His Reality , in which he makes the above-mentioned case that Jesus ’ way is true .

You want to know what Jesus did wrong?
He didn’t condemn slavery.
He didn’t declare women’s equality.
He didn’t come to set the LGBTQ free.
He got mad and cursed the fig tree.
He didn’t teach people to boil their bandages.
He loved self-sacrificially.
Yes, you read that last one right: Jesus was a bad example because He gave himself for others. Nothing reveals the poverty of human vanity and ego more profoundly than that.
These examples all came from skeptics trying to fend off early versions of the argument now expanded into the book Too Good to be False: that Jesus is too good, too consistent, and too unique to be legend. Atheists want to keep Him a legend, so they take aim at His goodness.
This Is Nothing New
And there’s nothing the least bit new about it. People have been unsatisfied with Jesus from the start.
In Luke 4, Jesus’ neighbors in Nazareth want Him to be their hometown boy. He told them He was there for everyone instead.
In Mark 3:21, His family wants Him to quit making a scene. He was embarrassing them. He kept right on going.
In Matthew 16:21-23, Peter explains to Him that dying can’t be part of His mission. Jesus explains back to him: “Get behind Me, Satan!”
Peter’s problem there is everyone’s problem. Jesus told him, “You are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” The things of men don’t accomplish the things of God. They don’t bring true liberation.
The “Things of God”
The “things of men” would include economic or political revolution, which is what would have followed if He’d condemned slavery. It wouldn’t have helped one bit with His main mission — setting hearts free. The effect of that over time was that Christianized Europe simply and quietly brought slavery to an end.
The “things of men” would have had Him declare women identical to men in their roles and opportunities. He did something better and more important: He demonstrated that women were equal to men in their worth — that from which all other true equality must flow.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
The “things of men” would include modern ideas of LGBTQ “freedom.” He didn’t come to enslave men and women in false, destructive distortions of marriage and morality. Setting the LGBTQ free means setting their hearts free — meaning first of all being free from sin.
The “things of men” include “looking out for number one.” The things of God include self-sacrificial love. There are weak, destructive counterfeits of this, to be sure, and they are not of God. But when Jesus went to the cross He did it in full strength of personality — just read the accounts! — and He did it for joy (Heb. 12:1,2).
Christ’s Mission
All these people insist that Jesus shouldn’t have been on His mission. He should have been on ours instead. He should have fixed up the world the way we think it should be fixed up. They have the things of men in mind, not the things of God.
Again, though, there’s nothing new about it. He faced it all the time during his stay on earth. His friends did it about as much as His enemies. They thought He should change His mission. “Stay out of Jerusalem — they’ll kill you if you go there!” He answered by “setting his face” toward Jerusalem. And the Cross.
Has a man ever been so completely His own person? Who knew so exactly what He was there for, and wouldn’t let anything knock Him off course? Who was so completely in charge of Himself and the situation, even at His own trial, torture, and brutal execution?”
When you look to Jesus, you will hear the things of God taught. You will see the things of God in action. You will see no moral failure — except perhaps your own, measured against Him. And you’ll see the world’s true hope.
Tom Gilson (@TomGilsonAuthor) is a senior editor with The Stream and the author or editor of six books, including Too Good To Be False: How Jesus’ Incomparable Character Reveals His Reality, in which he makes the above-mentioned case that Jesus’ way is true.


thestream--2020-08-21--The Charge of the Gadarene Swine

The Charge of the Gadarene Swine

When current events are so insane he thinks he ’ ll go crazy just reporting on them straight , a writer is tempted to satire .
That ’ s a dangerous genre these days .
Our enemies have gone so plumb crazy that it ’ s actually hard to satirize them .
A few times here I ’ ve written satires of the crackpot extremes to which the left might go—only to see them actually do so a few weeks later .
( See my Coronavirus Story Hour idea for nursing homes , which Gov .
Andrew Cuomo seems to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy plan . )
Other times you write a satire that ’ s only 110 % as crazy as the real things the other side said .
I did that about Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez .
What can go wrong there ?
Well-intentioned readers can miss the “ Satire ” label .
They read something that sounds … not appreciably more bonkers than the politician ’ s real views and statements .
So they angrily comment on it , and forward it to their friends — and are later embarrassed .
Of course you can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ SATIRE ” in the title .
The outcome there ?
Nobody reads it , since most satires are failures .
Even the good ones don ’ t do good business .
The old line about this genre on Broadway was , “ The definition of ‘ Satire ’ : A show that opens on Wednesday and closes on Saturday.
” On rare occasions an outlet finds a way to get away with it .
The old Saturday Night Live , the current Onion , and The Babylon Bee come to mind — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off efforts to ban it from social media as “ fake news.
” Satire from the right , you see , is “ a slur.
” Watching reports from the Democrat convention of Barack Obama finger-wagging at us about civics , while his party burns down our cities and threatens civil war if Zombie Biden loses … I ’ m close to losing it too .
Down , Down the Slippery Slope to the Sea And so I ’ m driven to the last resort of the outraged : poetic parody .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the left charging down the “ slippery slope ” of its own bad ideas .
From the Pill to abortion to infanticide to gay marriage to throuples to furries to legitimizing pedophilia … and down we go to destruction , like the herd of Gadarene swine .
And so on , for every issue where the left has chosen bad premises false to human nature , and relentlessly pressed each one to its logical extreme .
Sometimes reading about the Democrats I can actually hear the trotters of the Gadarene swine pounding , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chose to write this up , in the form of a parody of a great English poem .
So my hard work isn ’ t wasted , I ’ ll post the original first , with a little historical background .
“ The Charge of the Light Brigade ” is a poem by Britain ’ s then poet-laureate , Alfred Lord Tennyson .
He wrote it to comment on a monstrous military blunder that sent an elite cavalry unit charging straight into Russian batteries , getting most of the brave troops slaughtered .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , certainly unjust Crimean War — which Britain and France fought against Christian Russia , to stop it from liberating the Slavs enslaved by the vicious Ottoman Turks .
( Why ?
For reasons of cynical power politics . )
The British effort was badly mismanaged from the beginning by hapless commanders who ’ d bought ( not earned ) their commissions .
Disease ravaged all armies .
In the end , the Anglo-French still managed to win , but only after many thousands of needless , useless deaths .
Tennyson took the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brigade ’ s destruction , and turned them on their head .
He chose not to focus on the dilettantes who ordered the unit ’ s attack , but the poor brave men who obeyed .
And his poem became a classic of English literature .
I present it below , followed by my own ode to Antifa and Black Lives Matter .
The Charge of the Light Brigade I Half a league , half a league , Half a league onward , All in the valley of Death Rode the six hundred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
Charge for the guns !
” he said .
Into the valley of Death Rode the six hundred .
II “ Forward , the Light Brigade !
” Was there a man dismayed ?
Not though the soldier knew Someone had blundered .
Theirs not to make reply , Theirs not to reason why , Theirs but to do and die .
Into the valley of Death Rode the six hundred .
III Cannon to right of them , Cannon to left of them , Cannon in front of them Volleyed and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shell , Boldly they rode and well , Into the jaws of Death , Into the mouth of hell Rode the six hundred .
IV Flashed all their sabres bare , Flashed as they turned in air Sabring the gunners there , Charging an army , while All the world wondered .
Plunged in the battery-smoke Right through the line they broke ; Cossack and Russian Reeled from the sabre stroke Shattered and sundered .
Then they rode back , but not Not the six hundred .
V Cannon to right of them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cannon behind them Volleyed and thundered ; Stormed at with shot and shell , While horse and hero fell .
They that had fought so well Came through the jaws of Death , Back from the mouth of hell , All that was left of them , Left of six hundred .
VI When can their glory fade ?
O the wild charge they made !
All the world wondered .
Honour the charge they made !
Honour the Light Brigade , Noble six hundred !
Now to mark the “ peaceful protesters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the name of police reform and anti-racism .
The Charge of the Gadarene Bad idea , bad idea , Bad ideas downward , All in the gulley of Sloth Rode the sick myriad .
“ Forward , the Gadarene !
Snort for the sea !
” he said .
Into the gulley of Sloth Rode the sick myriad .
“ Forward , the Gadarene !
” Was there a boar afraid ?
Not though the porker knew He ’ d run out of Gatorade .
Theirs not to think things through , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s true ” , Theirs but to grunt and do .
Into the gulley of Sloth Rode the sick myriad .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Claptrap inviting them , Claptrap inciting them , Claptrap inside of them , Follies and blunders ; Warmed them that they did well , Boldly they slipped and fell , Into the maw of Sloth , Into the briny hell Rode the sick myriad .
Squealed their clichés threadbare , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beat cops there , Wrecking a city , while The limp mayor blundered .
Plunged in the bodega-smoke Right through the fence they broke ; Shop clerk and newsman Reeled from the brickbat stroke , An idiots ’ Iliad .
Then they limped off , but not Not the sick myriad .
Claptrap inviting them , Claptrap inciting them , Claptrap inside of them , Follies and blunders ; Warmed them that they did well .
Boldly they slipped and fell Down the slope that leads to hell , Slid down the pipes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And nought was left of them , Left of sick myriads .
When will their dank musk fade ?
O the squalid slide they made !
Defining our period .
Ponder the wreck they made !
Ponder the Gadarene , The Woke sick myriad !
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 .
He is co-author with Jason Jones of “ God , Guns , & the Government @ @

When current events are so insane he thinks he’ll go crazy just reporting on them straight, a writer is tempted to satire. That’s a dangerous genre these days. Our enemies have gone so plumb crazy that it’s actually hard to satirize them. A few times here I’ve written satires of the crackpot extremes to which the left might go—only to see them actually do so a few weeks later. (See my Coronavirus Story Hour idea for nursing homes, which Gov. Andrew Cuomo seems to have read and mistaken for a solid policy plan.)
Other times you write a satire that’s only 110% as crazy as the real things the other side said. I did that about Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. What can go wrong there? Well-intentioned readers can miss the “Satire” label. They read something that sounds … not appreciably more bonkers than the politician’s real views and statements. So they angrily comment on it, and forward it to their friends — and are later embarrassed.
A Satire Warning Is a Spoiler
Of course you can boldly label the piece with a warning “SATIRE” in the title. The outcome there? Nobody reads it, since most satires are failures. Even the good ones don’t do good business. The old line about this genre on Broadway was, “The definition of ‘Satire’: A show that opens on Wednesday and closes on Saturday.”
On rare occasions an outlet finds a way to get away with it. The old Saturday Night Live, the current Onion, and The Babylon Bee come to mind — though the last one is constantly fending off efforts to ban it from social media as “fake news.” Satire from the right, you see, is “a slur.”
Watching reports from the Democrat convention of Barack Obama finger-wagging at us about civics, while his party burns down our cities and threatens civil war if Zombie Biden loses … I’m close to losing it too.
Down, Down the Slippery Slope to the Sea
And so I’m driven to the last resort of the outraged: poetic parody. In several columns I’ve spoken of the left charging down the “slippery slope” of its own bad ideas. From the Pill to abortion to infanticide to gay marriage to throuples to furries to legitimizing pedophilia … and down we go to destruction, like the herd of Gadarene swine. And so on, for every issue where the left has chosen bad premises false to human nature, and relentlessly pressed each one to its logical extreme. Sometimes reading about the Democrats I can actually hear the trotters of the Gadarene swine pounding, pounding toward the sea.
So I chose to write this up, in the form of a parody of a great English poem. So my hard work isn’t wasted, I’ll post the original first, with a little historical background.
A Botched and Unjust War
“The Charge of the Light Brigade” is a poem by Britain’s then poet-laureate, Alfred Lord Tennyson. He wrote it to comment on a monstrous military blunder that sent an elite cavalry unit charging straight into Russian batteries, getting most of the brave troops slaughtered.
This battle occurred during the hideously botched, certainly unjust Crimean War — which Britain and France fought against Christian Russia, to stop it from liberating the Slavs enslaved by the vicious Ottoman Turks. (Why? For reasons of cynical power politics.) The British effort was badly mismanaged from the beginning by hapless commanders who’d bought (not earned) their commissions. Disease ravaged all armies. In the end, the Anglo-French still managed to win, but only after many thousands of needless, useless deaths.
Tennyson took the botched orders that led to the Light Brigade’s destruction, and turned them on their head. He chose not to focus on the dilettantes who ordered the unit’s attack, but the poor brave men who obeyed. And his poem became a classic of English literature. I present it below, followed by my own ode to Antifa and Black Lives Matter.
The Charge of the Light Brigade
I
Half a league, half a league,
Half a league onward,
All in the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
“Forward, the Light Brigade!
Charge for the guns!” he said.
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
II
“Forward, the Light Brigade!”
Was there a man dismayed?
Not though the soldier knew
Someone had blundered.
Theirs not to make reply,
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do and die.
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
III
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon in front of them
Volleyed and thundered;
Stormed at with shot and shell,
Boldly they rode and well,
Into the jaws of Death,
Into the mouth of hell
Rode the six hundred.
IV
Flashed all their sabres bare,
Flashed as they turned in air
Sabring the gunners there,
Charging an army, while
All the world wondered.
Plunged in the battery-smoke
Right through the line they broke;
Cossack and Russian
Reeled from the sabre stroke
Shattered and sundered.
Then they rode back, but not
Not the six hundred.
V
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon behind them
Volleyed and thundered;
Stormed at with shot and shell,
While horse and hero fell.
They that had fought so well
Came through the jaws of Death,
Back from the mouth of hell,
All that was left of them,
Left of six hundred.
VI
When can their glory fade?
O the wild charge they made!
All the world wondered.
Honour the charge they made!
Honour the Light Brigade,
Noble six hundred!
Now to mark the “peaceful protesters” burning police stations and beating reporters in the name of police reform and anti-racism.
The Charge of the Gadarene
I
Bad idea, bad idea,
Bad ideas downward,
All in the gulley of Sloth
Rode the sick myriad.
“Forward, the Gadarene!
Snort for the sea!” he said.
Into the gulley of Sloth
Rode the sick myriad.
II
“Forward, the Gadarene!”
Was there a boar afraid?
Not though the porker knew
He’d run out of Gatorade.
Theirs not to think things through,
Theirs not to ask “What’s true”,
Theirs but to grunt and do.
Into the gulley of Sloth
Rode the sick myriad.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
III
Claptrap inviting them,
Claptrap inciting them,
Claptrap inside of them,
Follies and blunders;
Warmed them that they did well,
Boldly they slipped and fell,
Into the maw of Sloth,
Into the briny hell
Rode the sick myriad.
IV
Squealed their clichés threadbare,
Tossed their dred-locked hair,
Blinding the beat cops there,
Wrecking a city, while
The limp mayor blundered.
Plunged in the bodega-smoke
Right through the fence they broke;
Shop clerk and newsman
Reeled from the brickbat stroke,
An idiots’ Iliad.
Then they limped off, but not
Not the sick myriad.
V
Claptrap inviting them,
Claptrap inciting them,
Claptrap inside of them,
Follies and blunders;
Warmed them that they did well.
Boldly they slipped and fell
Down the slope that leads to hell,
Slid down the pipes of Sloth,
the Gowanus Canal.
And nought was left of them,
Left of sick myriads.
VI
When will their dank musk fade?
O the squalid slide they made!
Defining our period.
Ponder the wreck they made!
Ponder the Gadarene,
The Woke sick myriad!
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. He is co-author with Jason Jones of “God, Guns, & the Government.”


thestream--2020-08-21--‘It’s Sexualizing Young Girls’: Tucker Carlson Criticizes Netflix Movie About Young Girls Twerking

Fox News host Tucker Carlson criticized an upcoming Netflix film Thursday night for “ sexualizing young girls.
” The Tucker Carlson Tonight host discussed Cuties , a film scheduled to release Sept. 9 that tells the story of 11-year-old Amy , a French girl who “ joins a group of dancers named ‘ the cuties ’ at school , and rapidly grows aware of her burgeoning femininity , ” according to the movie ’ s description .
Carlson drew attention to a now-removed poster for the film that showed four young girls posing on a stage while dressed in tight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the poster Thursday and updated the images , saying the company was “ deeply sorry for the inappropriate artwork ” in a statement to the Daily Caller News Foundation .
“ Take a look at the poster , ” Carlson said .
“ What ’ s the first thing you think of ?
It ’ s sexualizing young girls , really young girls , not 16-year-old girls , like 11-year-old girls .
The poster shows them dancing in cropped dance costumes .
Some parents are offended — you should be offended by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get Cuties removed from Netflix.
” Scheduled for release Sept. 9 , the French film Cuties tells the story of 11-year-old Amy , a French girl who “ joins a group of dancers named ‘ the cuties ’ at school , and rapidly grows aware of her burgeoning femininity — upsetting her mother and her values in the process , ” according to the movie ’ s description .
The film is rated TV-MA for nudity and language , according to Netflix .
“ Why this constant impulse to sexualize young girls , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are protecting girls , ” Carlson asked National Review film critic Armond White .
“ What is this ?
” Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
“ It ’ s not really new , Tucker , ” Armond said , noting that since singer Madonna appeared on the scene , the “ media has found a way to influence and ruin young generations , ” and saying that MTV is “ based on the pernicious indoctrination of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drugs.
” Carlson said that if someone were to hand out cigarettes to children , they would be “ seen as a villain.
” “ This is so much worse than handing our Marlboros , because it corrodes people inside , it helps shape the course of their lives in a really bad direction , and yet we don ’ t even know the names of the people who are pushing this crap , ” Carlson said .
“ Why don ’ t the rest of us say something about it ?
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to lure young people ’ s imaginations , and to get them concentrated on self-abasement , self-abuse , and self-exploitation , ” telling these young people that “ this is the route to fame.
” “ Do you have any idea why they would want to destroy young girls ?
” Carlson asked Armond .
“ I believe it ’ s a way of controlling an audience , of keeping an audience , ” the film critic responded .
“ They always say sex sells , violence sells , and this is what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , when it lacks creativity .
It sells sex and violence .
People take it for granted that this is what pop-culture is , but it ’ s not what pop-culture can be.
” “ Pop-culture can be better than this , [ … ] we should demand better of it , ” he added .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org @

Fox News host Tucker Carlson criticized an upcoming Netflix film Thursday night for “sexualizing young girls.”
The Tucker Carlson Tonight host discussed Cuties, a film scheduled to release Sept. 9 that tells the story of 11-year-old Amy, a French girl who “joins a group of dancers named ‘the cuties’ at school, and rapidly grows aware of her burgeoning femininity,”
according to the movie’s description.
Carlson drew attention to a now-removed poster for the film that showed four young girls posing on a stage while dressed in tight outfits with exposed midriffs. Netflix apologized for the poster Thursday and updated the images, saying the company was “deeply sorry for the inappropriate artwork” in a statement to the Daily Caller News Foundation.
“Take a look at the poster,” Carlson said. “What’s the first thing you think of? It’s sexualizing young girls, really young girls, not 16-year-old girls, like 11-year-old girls. The poster shows them dancing in cropped dance costumes. Some parents are offended — you should be offended by this — they’re trying to get Cuties removed from Netflix.”
Scheduled for release Sept. 9, the French film Cuties tells the story of 11-year-old Amy, a French girl who “joins a group of dancers named ‘the cuties’ at school, and rapidly grows aware of her burgeoning femininity — upsetting her mother and her values in the process,” according to the movie’s description. The film is rated TV-MA for nudity and language, according to Netflix.
“Why this constant impulse to sexualize young girls, from the people who tell us they are protecting girls,” Carlson asked National Review film critic Armond White. “What is this?”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
“It’s not really new, Tucker,” Armond said, noting that since singer Madonna appeared on the scene, the “media has found a way to influence and ruin young generations,” and saying that MTV is “based on the pernicious indoctrination of young people into sex and alcohol and drugs.”
Carlson said that if someone were to hand out cigarettes to children, they would be “seen as a villain.”
To read more on this topic, see Nancy Flory’s “The Hypersexualization of Children in Dance and Today’s Culture: What Parents Should Know.”
“This is so much worse than handing our Marlboros, because it corrodes people inside, it helps shape the course of their lives in a really bad direction, and yet we don’t even know the names of the people who are pushing this crap,” Carlson said. “Why don’t the rest of us say something about it?”
Armond said that Hollywood uses “sex to lure young people’s imaginations, and to get them concentrated on self-abasement, self-abuse, and self-exploitation,” telling these young people that “this is the route to fame.”
“Do you have any idea why they would want to destroy young girls?” Carlson asked Armond.
“I believe it’s a way of controlling an audience, of keeping an audience,” the film critic responded. “They always say sex sells, violence sells, and this is what Hollywood does when it has no imagination, when it lacks creativity. It sells sex and violence. People take it for granted that this is what pop-culture is, but it’s not what pop-culture can be.”
“Pop-culture can be better than this, […] we should demand better of it,” he added.
WATCH:
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Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected].


thestream--2020-08-21--Here’s What You Missed From the Final Night of the Democratic Convention

On the final night of the Democratic National Convention , former Vice President Joe Biden formally accepted the Democratic nomination for president .
Biden said that if elected president , on “ day one ” he would implement a national strategy on the coronavirus pandemic he has been “ laying out since March , ” including rapid testing and manufacturing personal protective equipment in the U.S. Biden also said he would institute a national mandate requiring everyone to wear a mask “ as a patriotic duty to protect one another.
” Biden reflected on the three year anniversary of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Charlottesville , Virginia , in August 2017 .
“ Remember the violent clash that ensued , between those spreading hate and those with the courage to stand against it , ” Biden said .
“ Social security is a sacred obligation , a sacred promise made , ” Biden said before pledging to protect Social Security and Medicare .
Former Democratic New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Biden believes in facts , experts , and the strength of America ’ s diversity while President Donald Trump does not .
Trump should not be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time on social media than working and has allegedly endangered Americans , Bloomberg said .
Two of Biden ’ s children , Hunter and Ashley , introduced him before his speech to tell viewers what kind of president they believe he would be .
“ He will be tough and honest , caring and principled .
He ’ ll listen , he ’ ll be there when you need him , he ’ ll tell you the truth even when you don ’ t want to hear it , he ’ ll never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a video streamed during the virtual convention .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
American actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus hosted former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang where she repeatedly mispronounced Vice President Mike Pence ’ s name , a possible reference to mispronunciations of vice presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris ’ name .
“ If we all vote , there is nothing Facebook , Fox News , and Vladimir Putin can do to stop us , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the former Democratic mayor of South Bend , Indiana , endorsed the Biden-Harris ticket .
“ I ’ ve seen up close their empathy and their capacity , ” Buttigieg said .
Democratic New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker focused on the state of the American economy and endorsed Biden and Harris .
“ Together with Joe and Kamala in the White House , we will raise the minimum wage so no one who works a full-time job in America lives in poverty , ” Booker said .
Content created by The Daily Caller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

On the final night of the Democratic National Convention, former Vice President Joe Biden formally accepted the Democratic nomination for president.
Biden said that if elected president, on “day one” he would implement a national strategy on the coronavirus pandemic he has been “laying out since March,” including rapid testing and manufacturing personal protective equipment in the U.S. Biden also said he would institute a national mandate requiring everyone to wear a mask “as a patriotic duty to protect one another.”
Biden reflected on the three year anniversary of the “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in August 2017. “Remember the violent clash that ensued, between those spreading hate and those with the courage to stand against it,” Biden said.
“Social security is a sacred obligation, a sacred promise made,” Biden said before pledging to protect Social Security and Medicare.
Former Democratic New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Biden believes in facts, experts, and the strength of America’s diversity while President Donald Trump does not. Trump should not be “rehired” because he spends more time on social media than working and has allegedly endangered Americans, Bloomberg said.
Two of Biden’s children, Hunter and Ashley, introduced him before his speech to tell viewers what kind of president they believe he would be. “He will be tough and honest, caring and principled. He’ll listen, he’ll be there when you need him, he’ll tell you the truth even when you don’t want to hear it, he’ll never let you down,” the pair said in a video streamed during the virtual convention.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
American actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus hosted former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang where she repeatedly mispronounced Vice President Mike Pence’s name, a possible reference to mispronunciations of vice presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris’ name.
“If we all vote, there is nothing Facebook, Fox News, and Vladimir Putin can do to stop us,” Louis-Dreyfus said.
Pete Buttigieg, the former Democratic mayor of South Bend, Indiana, endorsed the Biden-Harris ticket. “I’ve seen up close their empathy and their capacity,” Buttigieg said.
Democratic New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker focused on the state of the American economy and endorsed Biden and Harris. “Together with Joe and Kamala in the White House, we will raise the minimum wage so no one who works a full-time job in America lives in poverty,” Booker said.
Copyright 2020 The Daily Caller News Foundation
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected].


thestream--2020-08-21--40th Anniversary of the Historic National Affairs Briefing

Two elections separated by 40 years .
Two pivotal moments in American history .
Two times when the nation was faced with the choice between freedom ’ s blessings and the slavery of socialism .
In 1980 , America chose freedom by electing Ronald Reagan .
But Reagan likely would not have been elected had it not been for a history-changing prayer meeting called by Billy Graham and a miraculous night in Dallas 40 years ago this weekend : The National Affairs Briefing .
America in 1980 was in a sorry state .
We were not ill with a virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jimmy Carter called a “ malaise.
” The economy was as stagnant as a Texas summer .
The national spirit was as dreary as a Seattle winter .
A feeble U.S. was helpless as Iran held 52 of our diplomats and citizens hostage .
And the Soviet Union was spreading its communist poison in soil all over the world .
The United States was not prepared to stop it .
Freedom Only Had 1,000 Days to Live Reverend Billy Graham was in Red Square in Moscow when he heard a word from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ founder James Robison .
“ I know I ’ ve heard God say without course correction we have only 1,000 days of freedom , ” Robison recalls Graham saying .
“ The Soviet threat is going to take freedom down in the United States and around the world.
” America basically had just three short years to turn the tide .
Graham called a prayer meeting with 8 to 10 faith leaders .
Among them : Robison , Pat Robertson , Charles Stanley , Adrian Rogers , Jimmy Draper and Bill Bright .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ shared a startling message .
He , too , had been in Red Square .
And he , too , had been given the exact same message from God that America had 1,000 days of freedom left , unless it changed course .
America , according to both Graham and Bright , needed strong , principled leadership that could communicate effectively necessary changes and direction .
Sparked by the prayer , and led by God , Robison received from the Lord the vision for the “ National Affairs Briefing.
” On the second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 22 , 1980 , some 17,000 people gathered at the Dallas Reunion Arena .
17,000 people of faith who understood the importance of protecting freedom ’ s matchless blessings .
Robison had invited all three presidential candidates to appear : President Jimmy Carter , the Southern Baptist Sunday school teacher ; Independent John Anderson ; and a once-divorced Hollywood actor from California named Ronald Reagan .
Only Reagan accepted the invitation .
Reagan ’ s entire team was against him going , with the exception of Jerry Naylor , his National Director of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s reluctance , Naylor told The Stream , Reagan insisted .
“ When he believed something was right , he would not waver.
” Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Robison began his remarks thanking the former California governor for having the courage to come .
He quoted Proverbs 29:2 : “ When the righteous are in authority the people rejoice , but when the wicked beareth rule , the people mourn.
” As Gov .
Reagan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an arena-shaking message that is as timely today as it was in 1980 .
There is no possible way to separate God from government and have a successful government .
God is the ultimate authority .
I tire of the constant reference to Christians and religious people and the term ‘ separation of church and state , ’ implying that if you belong to a church or if you claim faith in God and believe in God you are to have no basic integral part in political activity or policy making .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moral , the biblical , the godly , the hardworking and the decent individuals in this country stay out of politics , who on earth does that leave to make the policies under which you and I live and struggle to survive ?
” He held up the Bible .
There is marvelous healing in this book , and it needs to be applied to the cancerous , visible sores that embarrass us before the whole world right now .
If you think our solution is political , you too have been deceived @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to some political party or politician .
You commit yourself to the principles of God and demand those parties and politicians align themselves with the eternal values in this book .
And America will forever be the greatest nation on this earth .
Ronald Reagan joined the 17,000 in standing to their feet as Robison finished .
Then he spoke , offering a now-historic opening line suggested to him by Robison .
“ I know this is a non-partisan gathering , and so I know you can not endorse me .
But I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you to know , I endorse you , and what you are doing.
” That opening line was front-page headlines nationwide the next day .
The pendulum swung toward Reagan almost immediately .
Both Robison and Naylor speak of the presence of God at that meeting .
The effect on Reagan was both personal and political , Naylor said .
The mutual embrace that night of evangelical Christians and Ronald Reagan paid immediate political dividends .
“ Not only was there an upswing in the polls after the briefing , ” Naylor recalls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a huge leap forward , both in major and , for the first time , many smaller donations.
” Come November , Ronald Reagan defeated incumbent Jimmy Carter in large part because evangelical voters had been ignited by the National Affairs Briefing .
They turned away from the Southern Baptist Sunday school teacher for the candidate willing to fight for our freedoms .
Willing to stand up to the Soviet threat .
The candidate who understood , as Robison said that momentous night , that “ government is not our provider .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Reagan ’ s victory ensured freedom in the United States of America would last far beyond 1,000 days .
Forty years ago this weekend , history was changed by the power of God , the power of prayer and Christians along with hard working , freedom-loving Americans taking a stand .
Today , Christians again must take a stand , must pray and must call on the power of God to heal our nation and extend freedom ’ s blessings .
This week at the Democratic National Convention we saw a socialist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how the Democrats have moved to his positions .
We saw socialist policies trumpeted loud enough to raise the Politburo dead .
We saw the governor of New York refer to a “ European ” virus , rather than concede COVID-19 came from Communist China .
We saw the Marxist Black Lives Matter rioters give a sidewinding kick to the head of an innocent citizen .
We saw more police and innocents injured by what the former First Lady called “ peaceful protesters.
” We saw , if only for a brief moment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , whose political guru pushes a deadly mix of Marxism and Fascism .
With cities already burning , and socialism at the doorstep of the White House , we face , as we did in 1980 , a choice : America rising to be a shining city on a hill , or America falling to ashes .
However , unlike 1980 , we do not have 1,000 days left .
WATCH AND LISTEN to Gov .
Ronald Reagan ’ s message at the National Affairs Briefing , which helped him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the Managing Editor of The Stream and co-author , with @ JZmirak , of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration .
You can follow him at @ StreamingAl .
And if you aren ’ t already , please follow The Stream at @ Streamdotorg .

Two elections separated by 40 years. Two pivotal moments in American history. Two times when the nation was faced with the choice between freedom’s blessings and the slavery of socialism. In 1980, America chose freedom by electing Ronald Reagan. But Reagan likely would not have been elected had it not been for a history-changing prayer meeting called by Billy Graham and a miraculous night in Dallas 40 years ago this weekend: The National Affairs Briefing.
America in 1980 was in a sorry state. We were not ill with a virus, we were suffering from what President Jimmy Carter called a “malaise.” The economy was as stagnant as a Texas summer. The national spirit was as dreary as a Seattle winter. A feeble U.S. was helpless as Iran held 52 of our diplomats and citizens hostage. And the Soviet Union was spreading its communist poison in soil all over the world. The United States was not prepared to stop it.
Freedom Only Had 1,000 Days to Live
Reverend Billy Graham was in Red Square in Moscow when he heard a word from the Lord. He shared it with Stream founder James Robison. “I know I’ve heard God say without course correction we have only 1,000 days of freedom,” Robison recalls Graham saying. “The Soviet threat is going to take freedom down in the United States and around the world.” America basically had just three short years to turn the tide.
Graham called a prayer meeting with 8 to 10 faith leaders. Among them: Robison, Pat Robertson, Charles Stanley, Adrian Rogers, Jimmy Draper and Bill Bright. Two days of fervent prayer. Bright shared a startling message. He, too, had been in Red Square. And he, too, had been given the exact same message from God that America had 1,000 days of freedom left, unless it changed course. America, according to both Graham and Bright, needed strong, principled leadership that could communicate effectively necessary changes and direction.
Sparked by the prayer, and led by God, Robison received from the Lord the vision for the “National Affairs Briefing.”
National Affairs Briefing
On the second day of the two-day event, August 22, 1980, some 17,000 people gathered at the Dallas Reunion Arena. 17,000 people of faith who understood the importance of protecting freedom’s matchless blessings. Robison had invited all three presidential candidates to appear: President Jimmy Carter, the Southern Baptist Sunday school teacher; Independent John Anderson; and a once-divorced Hollywood actor from California named Ronald Reagan. Only Reagan accepted the invitation.
Reagan’s entire team was against him going, with the exception of Jerry Naylor, his National Director of Special Events. Despite the campaign’s reluctance, Naylor told The Stream, Reagan insisted. “When he believed something was right, he would not waver.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Robison began his remarks thanking the former California governor for having the courage to come. He quoted Proverbs 29:2: “When the righteous are in authority the people rejoice, but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.” As Gov. Reagan sat on the platform, Robison delivered an arena-shaking message that is as timely today as it was in 1980.
There is no possible way to separate God from government and have a successful government. God is the ultimate authority. I tire of the constant reference to Christians and religious people and the term ‘separation of church and state,’ implying that if you belong to a church or if you claim faith in God and believe in God you are to have no basic integral part in political activity or policy making. If the righteous, the pro-family, the moral, the biblical, the godly, the hardworking and the decent individuals in this country stay out of politics, who on earth does that leave to make the policies under which you and I live and struggle to survive?”
He held up the Bible.
There is marvelous healing in this book, and it needs to be applied to the cancerous, visible sores that embarrass us before the whole world right now. If you think our solution is political, you too have been deceived. Don’t you commit yourself to some political party or politician. You commit yourself to the principles of God and demand those parties and politicians align themselves with the eternal values in this book. And America will forever be the greatest nation on this earth.
Ronald Reagan joined the 17,000 in standing to their feet as Robison finished. Then he spoke, offering a now-historic opening line suggested to him by Robison.
“I know this is a non-partisan gathering, and so I know you cannot endorse me. But I only brought that up because I want you to know, I endorse you, and what you are doing.” That opening line was front-page headlines nationwide the next day. The pendulum swung toward Reagan almost immediately.
The Impact Personal and Political
Both Robison and Naylor speak of the presence of God at that meeting. The effect on Reagan was both personal and political, Naylor said.
I knew that Gov. Reagan and Nancy were a church-going couple, but we had never really discussed spiritual issues. After the briefing, I saw it. After so many years with him, I saw a new man! I saw a brightness in his eyes and in his heart. His life changed that night.
The mutual embrace that night of evangelical Christians and Ronald Reagan paid immediate political dividends. “Not only was there an upswing in the polls after the briefing,” Naylor recalls, “but our financial support took a huge leap forward, both in major and, for the first time, many smaller donations.”
Come November, Ronald Reagan defeated incumbent Jimmy Carter in large part because evangelical voters had been ignited by the National Affairs Briefing. They turned away from the Southern Baptist Sunday school teacher for the candidate willing to fight for our freedoms. Willing to stand up to the Soviet threat. The candidate who understood, as Robison said that momentous night, that “government is not our provider. It is a protector, not a producer.” Reagan’s victory ensured freedom in the United States of America would last far beyond 1,000 days.
And Now It’s 2020.
Forty years ago this weekend, history was changed by the power of God, the power of prayer and Christians along with hard working, freedom-loving Americans taking a stand. Today, Christians again must take a stand, must pray and must call on the power of God to heal our nation and extend freedom’s blessings.
This week at the Democratic National Convention we saw a socialist who honeymooned in the Soviet Union celebrate how the Democrats have moved to his positions. We saw socialist policies trumpeted loud enough to raise the Politburo dead. We saw the governor of New York refer to a “European” virus, rather than concede COVID-19 came from Communist China. We saw the Marxist Black Lives Matter rioters give a sidewinding kick to the head of an innocent citizen. We saw more police and innocents injured by what the former First Lady called “peaceful protesters.” We saw, if only for a brief moment, the face of the American left, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, whose political guru pushes a deadly mix of Marxism and Fascism.
With cities already burning, and socialism at the doorstep of the White House, we face, as we did in 1980, a choice: America rising to be a shining city on a hill, or America falling to ashes. However, unlike 1980, we do not have 1,000 days left.
WATCH AND LISTEN to Gov. Ronald Reagan’s message at the National Affairs Briefing, which helped him win the 1980 election.
Al Perrotta is the Managing Editor of The Stream and co-author, with @JZmirak, of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration. You can follow him at @StreamingAl. And if you aren’t already, please follow The Stream at @Streamdotorg.


thestream--2020-08-22--How Americans Think About Abortion, and What Pro-Lifers Must Learn

Recently , political scientist Michael J .
New described the results of what ’ s being called “ the largest known in-depth interview study of American attitudes on abortion ” as “ nuanced.
” A better term would be “ complicated , ” or maybe even “ not-at-all-coherent.
” This new study out of Notre Dame , entitled “ How Americans Understand Abortion , ” not only sought to determine what Americans believe about abortion , but why they believe it and which factors influenced those beliefs .
Anyone who opposes abortion and is committed to protecting the preborn can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Need for Education For example , I found it fascinating that , according to the study , most Americans are simply not “ particularly knowledgeable about the details of abortion.
” Those of us neck deep in the issue may find it unbelievable that anyone could be “ unfamiliar with basic facts about fetal development or public policy , ” or what Roe v. Wade actually did to America , or where state abortion laws currently stand .
But many are , which makes the task of education , especially about the science @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for pro-lifers .
In fact , the data suggests that many Americans would be shocked to learn how permissive our nation ’ s abortion laws are .
The Need for Information Another lesson to learn from this Notre Dame study is that we must do a better job publicizing the “ life-affirming work done by the thousands of pregnancy help centers in the United States.
” Much of the support for legal abortion is based on the fear “ that children born after unintended pregnancies would be neglected , ” and that “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an unintended pregnancy to term.
” In other words , people are simply unaware that these old arguments , which date back to even before Roe itself ( i.e.
, “ who will care for these women and children ” ) , have been substantially answered in incredible ways by pro-lifers everywhere .
Easing concerns about whether help is available for women in unexpected or crisis pregnancies will be essential to any effective pro-life apologetic .
The most important lesson from this study , however , is just how deeply moral relativism is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large percentage of Americans dislike abortion , they are uncomfortable with making abortion illegal .
The data is incredible .
Even those who think that abortion should be legal know that something is wrong with it .
And yet , they simply can ’ t imagine an alternative to the status quo .
“ Successful pro-life outreach to this group , ” New suggests , “ is the key to creating a durable pro-life majority that will restore legal protection to the unborn.
” Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moral Issues of Our Day .
In other words , in addition to the beautiful and brilliant work of caring for children and women in crisis , work the pro-life movement has excelled in for decades , we have to learn to make the case for life .
By “ we , ” I mean “ you ” and “ me.
” We need to know the science surrounding abortion , so that “ they ” will know the science is on the side of life .
We need to know how embryology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the humanity of the fetus .
The case is incredibly strong , in fact , but , as this study reveals , we can ’ t assume that Americans know .
And if they know , we can ’ t assume they ’ ve connected the dots to the immorality of taking innocent preborn lives .
The Importance of the Law The case that abortion is wrong must be made alongside the case that abortion should be illegal , and not just by the “ pro-life professionals.
” If the Supreme Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we should pray it does , the status and safety of preborn children will be decided on a state-by-state basis .
Local law matters when it comes to abortion as much or even more than national law .
After all , the law is a moral teacher .
Many Americans think abortion should be legal simply because it is .
That ’ s why pro-abortion forces oppose any restriction on abortion whatsoever as outrageous infringements on women .
They must not allow a pro-life foot in the door .
Those of us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people know what they should know about abortion so they can make the connections they currently aren ’ t making .
John Stonestreet serves as president of the Colson Center for Christian Worldview .
He ’ s a sought-after author and speaker on areas of faith and culture , theology , worldview , education and apologetics .

Recently, political scientist Michael J. New described the results of what’s being called “the largest known in-depth interview study of American attitudes on abortion” as “nuanced.” A better term would be “complicated,” or maybe even “not-at-all-coherent.”
This new study out of Notre Dame, entitled “How Americans Understand Abortion,” not only sought to determine what Americans believe about abortion, but why they believe it and which factors influenced those beliefs. Anyone who opposes abortion and is committed to protecting the preborn can learn much from the results.
The Need for Education
For example, I found it fascinating that, according to the study, most Americans are simply not “particularly knowledgeable about the details of abortion.”
Those of us neck deep in the issue may find it unbelievable that anyone could be “unfamiliar with basic facts about fetal development or public policy,” or what Roe v. Wade actually did to America, or where state abortion laws currently stand. But many are, which makes the task of education, especially about the science and politics of abortion, a priority for pro-lifers. In fact, the data suggests that many Americans would be shocked to learn how permissive our nation’s abortion laws are.
The Need for Information
Another lesson to learn from this Notre Dame study is that we must do a better job publicizing the “life-affirming work done by the thousands of pregnancy help centers in the United States.” Much of the support for legal abortion is based on the fear “that children born after unintended pregnancies would be neglected,” and that “women would be adversely impacted by carrying an unintended pregnancy to term.” In other words, people are simply unaware that these old arguments, which date back to even before Roe itself (i.e., “who will care for these women and children”), have been substantially answered in incredible ways by pro-lifers everywhere. Easing concerns about whether help is available for women in unexpected or crisis pregnancies will be essential to any effective pro-life apologetic.
The Case for Life
The most important lesson from this study, however, is just how deeply moral relativism is shaping the abortion debate. Though a large percentage of Americans dislike abortion, they are uncomfortable with making abortion illegal. The data is incredible. Even those who think that abortion should be legal know that something is wrong with it. And yet, they simply can’t imagine an alternative to the status quo.
“Successful pro-life outreach to this group,” New suggests, “is the key to creating a durable pro-life majority that will restore legal protection to the unborn.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
In other words, in addition to the beautiful and brilliant work of caring for children and women in crisis, work the pro-life movement has excelled in for decades, we have to learn to make the case for life. By “we,” I mean “you” and “me.” We need to know the science surrounding abortion, so that “they” will know the science is on the side of life. We need to know how embryology and ultrasounds have only strengthened the case for the humanity of the fetus. The case is incredibly strong, in fact, but, as this study reveals, we can’t assume that Americans know. And if they know, we can’t assume they’ve connected the dots to the immorality of taking innocent preborn lives.
The Importance of the Law
The case that abortion is wrong must be made alongside the case that abortion should be illegal, and not just by the “pro-life professionals.” If the Supreme Court manages to overturn Roe v. Wade, and we should pray it does, the status and safety of preborn children will be decided on a state-by-state basis. Local law matters when it comes to abortion as much or even more than national law. After all, the law is a moral teacher. Many Americans think abortion should be legal simply because it is. That’s why pro-abortion forces oppose any restriction on abortion whatsoever as outrageous infringements on women. They must not allow a pro-life foot in the door.
Those of us who care about the unborn must help people know what they should know about abortion so they can make the connections they currently aren’t making.
John Stonestreet serves as president of the Colson Center for Christian Worldview. He’s a sought-after author and speaker on areas of faith and culture, theology, worldview, education and apologetics.
Originally published at breakpoint.org. Reprinted with permission.


thestream--2020-08-22--50 Questions for Christians #25: Archaeologists Dig Up Atheist Straw Man

Part of an extended series of answers to Guy P. Harrison ’ s book 50 Simple Questions for Every Christian .
Read the series intro here .
Guy P. Harrison asks Christians , “ what has archaeology proved ?
” I ask , what does his chapter on this prove ?
Only that it ’ s possible to bury straw man arguments in just about any pile of dirt you care to stick a shovel in .
A “ straw man ” is defined as a weak , distorted version of an opponent ’ s position .
You build up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and then declare yourself the winner .
I wouldn ’ t do it myself .
Too boring .
Why waste time disproving what no one believes in the first place ?
Yet people still do it .
The trick isn ’ t in disproving the other person ’ s beliefs , it ’ s in getting other people thinking that the straw man is what your opponent actually believes .
It ’ s about producing a successful lie .
If that sounds harsh , don ’ t blame me .
Harrison gets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in this chapter , which makes it hard to believe that some of the mistakes I ’ m about to detail come from pure honest ignorance on his part .
He ’ s misrepresenting Christians .
It looks very much as if he ’ s doing it on purpose — which would make it a lie .
Let ’ s begin with his view of biblical archaeology .
The name itself “ rings alarm bells in the skeptic ’ s mind , ” says Harrison , because “ one can ’ t force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Already he ’ s starting to gather his straw and stuff it into the scarecrow shirt .
He even asks whether “ a typical Christian would be incline to trust the work of a ‘ Scientology archaeology.
’ ” But no one who knows the field even slightly thinks it ’ s about hammering artifacts into ( pardon the oxymoron ) a biblical Procrustean bed .
It ’ s just exploring biblically-defined regions , guided by biblical data .
The explorations need not assume that data is true , although in case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s turned out to be .
( Here are two quick sources you can refer to . )
Would I trust the work of a Scientology archaeologist ?
Why not , if she knew how to lead a dig , and if she let others examine her artifacts and her inferences ?
But the comparison is a straw man .
Harrison knows no one will ever find anything by following Scientology ’ s “ data.
” There ’ s plenty to find by following the Bible ’ s information .
Yet there ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many people miss , ” he says .
“ Finding evidence of people who lived thousands of years ago in the Middle East is not the same as finding evidence of God , miracles , angels , and demons.
” Well , slap me up the side of the head and call me an idiot .
And all these years I ’ ve thought we had video of Elijah ’ s victory on Mount Carmel .
And goodness me , I had no idea they ’ d never dug up a real angel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What deceit !
No thinking believer says archaeology is direct evidence of the supernatural .
It can be evidence of the Bible ’ s accuracy , though , as we ’ ll see after we yank the straw off one more misrepresentation .
Do the Dead Sea Scrolls “ Prove Nothing About the Existence of a God ” ?
Harrison says there ’ s “ nothing magical ” about the Dead Sea Scrolls , even though they are ( smell the condescension , folks ) “ important , no doubt , precious to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nothing more about the existence of a god than the museums and artifacts of Rome and Athens prove that Jupiter , Zeus , or Athena were real , he says .
Later on he adds that he “ routinely ” tells people , “ The Dead Sea Scrolls prove only that ancient people could write.
” That word “ magical ” ?
It ’ s ( ironically ) misdirection .
It ’ s a straw man .
No one invests the scrolls with any special power .
And no one thinks they prove @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a straw man , too .
But we do believe they prove something relevant to God ’ s existence .
They give strong supporting the textual accuracy of the Old Testament .
It ’ s not proof that the Scriptures have been preserved unaltered , but it does demonstrate ten centuries of extraordinary care in keeping the text pure .
Harrison must know that .
It ’ s fact number one in just about every list of important biblical finds .
If he doesn ’ t know it , then he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he knows .
More likely , though , he knows it and he ’ s misrepresenting it .
That makes it a lie , too .
Just a different one , that ’ s all .
Can Archaeology Find Anything Interesting At All About Christianity ?
He goes on to say that Christianity ’ s real importance comes from its claims about the supernatural .
If it were just a story about a Jewish people and a Jewish preacher , “ it wouldn ’ t be a big deal.
” Obviously he hadn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be False , which explains how the story is a big deal even if you set the miracles aside .
That ’ s okay , I hadn ’ t written it yet .
Except that part of my book isn ’ t so new .
Christians have long taught that ours is a story-based religion .
Not all of that story is supernatural ; in fact , miracles were prominent in it only a few times since creation ( during the periods of Moses and Joshua , of Elijah and Elisha , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Harrison supposes we think archaeology proves the supernatural somehow .
That ’ s a straw man .
We do hold , however , that if archaeology proved the story wrong — including its non-supernatural parts — it would prove our religion wrong , or would at least badly shake up our understanding of it .
Harrison doesn ’ t take that the least bit seriously .
Part of building a straw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ real position .
He does that repeatedly in this chapter .
The italics in the heading are Harrison ’ s , not mine .
Just so you can hear him sneering .
Harrison says the search for Noah ’ s Ark “ proves … that biblical archaeology is overrun with amateurs , some of whom lie.
” Sure , I can believe there are amateurs out there searching for Noah ’ s Ark .
Recently I saw someone claiming he ’ d invented a perpetual motion machine .
Does that mean the whole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Similarly , biblical archaeology is a respected academic discipline carried out by “ professionals with respectable academic credentials , ” to borrow his own words .
And as “ fond of archaeology ” as he claims to be , it ’ s hard to imagine him not knowing that .
Which means it ’ s hard to imagine he didn ’ t intend to deceive .
He closes the chapter with , “ Nobody likes to be misled or lied to , even if it feels good for a fleeting moment .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christians will agree.
” I ’ d like to see more evidence that he agrees , too .
Tom Gilson ( @ TomGilsonAuthor ) is a senior editor with The Stream and the author or editor of six books , including the forthcoming Too Good To Be False : How Jesus ’ Incomparable Character Reveals His Reality .

Part of an extended series of answers to Guy P. Harrison’s book 50 Simple Questions for Every Christian. Read the series intro here.
Guy P. Harrison asks Christians, “what has archaeology proved?” I ask, what does his chapter on this prove? Only that it’s possible to bury straw man arguments in just about any pile of dirt you care to stick a shovel in.
A “straw man” is defined as a weak, distorted version of an opponent’s position. You build up the straw man, knock it down, and then declare yourself the winner. I wouldn’t do it myself. Too boring. Why waste time disproving what no one believes in the first place?
Yet people still do it. The trick isn’t in disproving the other person’s beliefs, it’s in getting other people thinking that the straw man is what your opponent actually believes. It’s about producing a successful lie.
If that sounds harsh, don’t blame me. Harrison gets almost weepy proclaiming his fondness for archaeology in this chapter, which makes it hard to believe that some of the mistakes I’m about to detail come from pure honest ignorance on his part. He’s misrepresenting Christians. It looks very much as if he’s doing it on purpose — which would make it a lie.
What Is Biblical Archaeology?
Let’s begin with his view of biblical archaeology. The name itself “rings alarm bells in the skeptic’s mind,” says Harrison, because “one can’t force the artifacts to conform to a religion.” Already he’s starting to gather his straw and stuff it into the scarecrow shirt. He even asks whether “a typical Christian would be incline to trust the work of a ‘Scientology archaeology.’”
Part of building a straw man is ignoring your opponent’s real position. Harrison does that repeatedly in this chapter.
But no one who knows the field even slightly thinks it’s about hammering artifacts into (pardon the oxymoron) a biblical Procrustean bed. It’s just exploring biblically-defined regions, guided by biblical data. The explorations need not assume that data is true, although in case after case after case, it’s turned out to be. (Here are two quick sources you can refer to.)
Would I trust the work of a Scientology archaeologist? Why not, if she knew how to lead a dig, and if she let others examine her artifacts and her inferences? But the comparison is a straw man. Harrison knows no one will ever find anything by following Scientology’s “data.” There’s plenty to find by following the Bible’s information.
Does Biblical Archaeology Prove Supernatural Religion?
Yet there’s a “crucial point that too many people miss,” he says. “Finding evidence of people who lived thousands of years ago in the Middle East is not the same as finding evidence of God, miracles, angels, and demons.”
Well, slap me up the side of the head and call me an idiot. And all these years I’ve thought we had video of Elijah’s victory on Mount Carmel. And goodness me, I had no idea they’d never dug up a real angel’s bones!
What misdirection! What deceit! No thinking believer says archaeology is direct evidence of the supernatural. It can be evidence of the Bible’s accuracy, though, as we’ll see after we yank the straw off one more misrepresentation.
Do the Dead Sea Scrolls “Prove Nothing About the Existence of a God”?
Harrison says there’s “nothing magical” about the Dead Sea Scrolls, even though they are (smell the condescension, folks) “important, no doubt, precious to many millions of people.” They prove nothing more about the existence of a god than the museums and artifacts of Rome and Athens prove that Jupiter, Zeus, or Athena were real, he says. Later on he adds that he “routinely” tells people, “The Dead Sea Scrolls prove only that ancient people could write.”
That word “magical”? It’s (ironically) misdirection. It’s a straw man. No one invests the scrolls with any special power. And no one thinks they prove the existence of a god. That’s a straw man, too.
But we do believe they prove something relevant to God’s existence. They give strong supporting the textual accuracy of the Old Testament. It’s not proof that the Scriptures have been preserved unaltered, but it does demonstrate ten centuries of extraordinary care in keeping the text pure.
Harrison must know that. It’s fact number one in just about every list of important biblical finds. If he doesn’t know it, then he’s lying about how much archaeology he knows. More likely, though, he knows it and he’s misrepresenting it. That makes it a lie, too. Just a different one, that’s all.
Can Archaeology Find Anything Interesting At All About Christianity?
He goes on to say that Christianity’s real importance comes from its claims about the supernatural. If it were just a story about a Jewish people and a Jewish preacher, “it wouldn’t be a big deal.” Obviously he hadn’t read my book Too Good to be False, which explains how the story is a big deal even if you set the miracles aside. That’s okay, I hadn’t written it yet.
Except that part of my book isn’t so new. Christians have long taught that ours is a story-based religion. Not all of that story is supernatural; in fact, miracles were prominent in it only a few times since creation (during the periods of Moses and Joshua, of Elijah and Elisha, and the Gospels and Acts).
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Harrison supposes we think archaeology proves the supernatural somehow. That’s a straw man. We do hold, however, that if archaeology proved the story wrong — including its non-supernatural parts — it would prove our religion wrong, or would at least badly shake up our understanding of it.
Harrison doesn’t take that the least bit seriously. Part of building a straw man is ignoring your opponent’s real position. He does that repeatedly in this chapter.
Do Christians Support “Real Archaeology” and “Genuine Scientific Excavations”?
The italics in the heading are Harrison’s, not mine. Just so you can hear him sneering. Harrison says the search for Noah’s Ark “proves … that biblical archaeology is overrun with amateurs, some of whom lie.”
Sure, I can believe there are amateurs out there searching for Noah’s Ark. Recently I saw someone claiming he’d invented a perpetual motion machine. Does that mean the whole field of physics is overrun with amateurs?
Similarly, biblical archaeology is a respected academic discipline carried out by “professionals with respectable academic credentials,” to borrow his own words. And as “fond of archaeology” as he claims to be, it’s hard to imagine him not knowing that. Which means it’s hard to imagine he didn’t intend to deceive.
He closes the chapter with, “Nobody likes to be misled or lied to, even if it feels good for a fleeting moment. On this point, I think most Christians will agree.”
I’d like to see more evidence that he agrees, too.
Tom Gilson (@TomGilsonAuthor) is a senior editor with The Stream and the author or editor of six books, including the forthcoming Too Good To Be False: How Jesus’ Incomparable Character Reveals His Reality.


thestream--2020-08-22--George Washington’s Admonition to America

Last Thursday night the statue-topplers tore down another statue of the father of our country , just after they defaced it .
This statue of George Washington had stood in Grand Park near Los Angeles City Hall since 1933 .
The war on America as founded continues unabated .
A couple of months ago , political cartoonist Michael Ramirez had a brilliant piece showing a statue of George Washington with this description : • First president of the United States • Defeated one of the most powerful nations in the world .
On the other side of the drawing was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warrior .
His name was “ Imah Luzer.
” And his achievements were also listed : The Imah Luzer character holds a rope , lassoed around the bronze likeness of Washington , which he is about to yank down .
Today it seems that many of those who have accomplished nothing positive are trying to tear down reminders of those who have accomplished great things , including heroes of the past .
To borrow a phrase ( from a different context ) from Pulitzer-winning historian Barbara Tuchman , this is “ a barbarian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things.
” Washington is a genuine hero , but some today are making him into a villain .
The reason , of course , is slavery .
George Washington grew up as a gentleman farmer in colonial Virginia and was a fourth generation slave-owner .
By the end of his life , he had decided slavery was immoral and so , at his death , he freed his slaves and made provision for them .
But there is no atonement to the Left .
There is no forgiveness of sins .
Because George @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to these woke social justice warriors .
Nonetheless , there are many warnings that George Washington made that I think modern Americans could learn from , including these mobs of woke social justice warriors .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
First of all , there is the matter of gratitude to God .
The “ woke ” mob seems to operate from a sense of entitlement .
The world owes them everything .
Washington operated from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for God ’ s help at virtually every turn and where he thanked the Lord for His help .
Washington marveled at how many times God helped the American cause .
In 1778 , he wrote to one of his military leaders , “ The hand of Providence has been so conspicuous in all this , that he must be worse than an infidel that lacks faith , and more than wicked , that has not gratitude enough to acknowledge his obligations.
” That is , obligations of gratitude .
Today , instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of ingrates .
No wonder they disrespect the flag and kneel in protest against the National Anthem .
To them , being an American is more of a curse than a blessing .
But George Washington experienced repeatedly what he believed was the hand of Providence in helping his ragtag army of ill-fed farmers and merchants as they faced what was the strongest army and navy on earth at that time .
He said in his First Inaugural Address that our first obligation was to thank the Lord that we even became a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible hand , which conducts the Affairs of men more than the People of the United States .
Every step , by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation , seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency.
” Without God ’ s help , we would not have been able to create this government .
And what is this government ?
Washington puts it this way : It is a government instituted by “ the People of the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t like things as is , we are free to change them .
In his Farewell Address , Washington warns that we should do everything to protect “ religion and morality , ” which he calls twin pillars of human happiness .
He also warns against letting political factions rule the day .
But I think probably the greatest single admonition from our first president comes from his Circular to the States , written in June 1783 .
Washington ended this letter to the governors of the 13 states with a prayer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ the Divine Author of our Blessed Religion , ” meaning Jesus .
And he says that without imitating Jesus , we can never hope to be a happy nation .
I don ’ t think I ’ ve ever seen America in a more miserable state than it is at present , with all the riots in the streets and strangers hurting ( in some cases , killing ) strangers .
Are we imitating Jesus ?
Far from it .
Are we a happy nation ?
Far from it .
We would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , rather than to desecrate his memory .
Jerry Newcombe , D.Min.
, is an on-air host/senior producer for D. James Kennedy Ministries .
He has written or co-written 31 books , such as The Unstoppable Jesus Christ , American Amnesia : Is American Paying the Price for Forgetting God ?
, What If Jesus Had Never Been Born ?
( with D. James Kennedy ) and the bestseller , George Washington ’ s Sacred Fire ( with Peter Lillback ) .
Learn more at www.jerrynewcombe.com and follow him on Twitter @ newcombejerry @

Last Thursday night the statue-topplers tore down another statue of the father of our country, just after they defaced it. This statue of George Washington had stood in Grand Park near Los Angeles City Hall since 1933. The war on America as founded continues unabated.
A couple of months ago, political cartoonist Michael Ramirez had a brilliant piece showing a statue of George Washington with this description:
Father of our country
First president of the United States
Defeated one of the most powerful nations in the world.
On the other side of the drawing was a caricature of a woke social justice warrior. His name was “Imah Luzer.” And his achievements were also listed:
Scored 300 on XBOX
Won participation trophy
Created safe space
Lives with parents.
The Imah Luzer character holds a rope, lassoed around the bronze likeness of Washington, which he is about to yank down. Today it seems that many of those who have accomplished nothing positive are trying to tear down reminders of those who have accomplished great things, including heroes of the past. To borrow a phrase (from a different context) from Pulitzer-winning historian Barbara Tuchman, this is “a barbarian’s gestures of anger against civilized things.”
‘Obligations’ of Gratitude
Washington is a genuine hero, but some today are making him into a villain. The reason, of course, is slavery.
George Washington grew up as a gentleman farmer in colonial Virginia and was a fourth generation slave-owner. By the end of his life, he had decided slavery was immoral and so, at his death, he freed his slaves and made provision for them. But there is no atonement to the Left. There is no forgiveness of sins. Because George Washington owned slaves, he is unforgiveable to these woke social justice warriors.
Nonetheless, there are many warnings that George Washington made that I think modern Americans could learn from, including these mobs of woke social justice warriors.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
First of all, there is the matter of gratitude to God. The “woke” mob seems to operate from a sense of entitlement. The world owes them everything. Washington operated from a Christian perspective, where he asked for God’s help at virtually every turn and where he thanked the Lord for His help.
Washington marveled at how many times God helped the American cause. In 1778, he wrote to one of his military leaders, “The hand of Providence has been so conspicuous in all this, that he must be worse than an infidel that lacks faith, and more than wicked, that has not gratitude enough to acknowledge his obligations.” That is, obligations of gratitude.
The Twin Pillars of Human Happiness
Today, instead of gratitude we see a whole generation of ingrates. No wonder they disrespect the flag and kneel in protest against the National Anthem. To them, being an American is more of a curse than a blessing.
But George Washington experienced repeatedly what he believed was the hand of Providence in helping his ragtag army of ill-fed farmers and merchants as they faced what was the strongest army and navy on earth at that time.
He said in his First Inaugural Address that our first obligation was to thank the Lord that we even became a nation. “No People can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible hand, which conducts the Affairs of men more than the People of the United States. Every step, by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation, seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency.” Without God’s help, we would not have been able to create this government.
And what is this government? Washington puts it this way: It is a government instituted by “the People of the United States” themselves. If we don’t like things as is, we are free to change them.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen America in a more miserable state than it is at present. We would do well to learn from George Washington, rather than to desecrate his memory.
In his Farewell Address, Washington warns that we should do everything to protect “religion and morality,” which he calls twin pillars of human happiness. He also warns against letting political factions rule the day.
But I think probably the greatest single admonition from our first president comes from his Circular to the States, written in June 1783.
Washington ended this letter to the governors of the 13 states with a prayer that we would all learn to imitate “the Divine Author of our Blessed Religion,” meaning Jesus. And he says that without imitating Jesus, we can never hope to be a happy nation.
Learning From George Washington
I don’t think I’ve ever seen America in a more miserable state than it is at present, with all the riots in the streets and strangers hurting (in some cases, killing) strangers.
Are we imitating Jesus? Far from it. Are we a happy nation? Far from it.
We would do well to learn from George Washington, rather than to desecrate his memory.
Jerry Newcombe, D.Min., is an on-air host/senior producer for D. James Kennedy Ministries. He has written or co-written 31 books, such as The Unstoppable Jesus Christ, American Amnesia: Is American Paying the Price for Forgetting God?, What If Jesus Had Never Been Born? (with D. James Kennedy) and the bestseller, George Washington’s Sacred Fire (with Peter Lillback). Learn more at www.jerrynewcombe.com and follow him on Twitter @newcombejerry.


thestream--2020-08-22--Time for Grief and Honesty

Time for Grief and Honesty

The Democratic convention this year , odd Hollywood production that it was in these virtual times , was a bit of an exercise in denial .
There were the feel-good segments about Joe Biden and his life in public office and his painful personal tragedy .
There were shrill attacks on President Donald Trump , probably the easiest thing in the world to do .
One of the segments I found the most jarring belonged to former President Bill Clinton .
One of his gifts as a politician was a charisma that would draw people in and excite them .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ person , campaigning for his wife in a primary state on her first run for president , there was a magnetism to him that was impossible to deny .
None of that was present during his convention remarks this year .
Age and health , of course , could be factors .
But has seeing his name in Jeffrey Epstein stories had an impact ?
Does he fear for how history might regard him ?
I thought I saw in his eyes a man with regrets , a man who might be on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maker , but maybe doesn ’ t quite realize it yet .
His appearance reminded me to pray for him .
He might be a man in the process of grieving on many different fronts .
A friend of mine talks frequently about the importance of grieving during these pandemic days .
We are experiencing so much sadness and disappointment that is beyond our control .
This happens in every human life , but on top of all that , we ’ ve been experiencing trauma culturally — and globally .
We need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is where the Democrats failed — as they attacked Trump , they didn ’ t leave room for something other than anger .
We should have had a moment of silence for all the New Yorkers in nursing homes who died because of the governor of that state ’ s mistakes .
Instead , Gov .
Andrew Cuomo waxed eloquent about coronavirus as a metaphor .
If we really want to be reflective , we would consider that while Cuomo talked about protecting every human life , he clearly didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nursing homes .
And , at the same time , abortion clinics were open in his state .
Yes , we could look at the fact that so many of us radically changed our daily lives to protect others .
But when I think about the fact that we ’ ve had legal abortion in the United States for my entire life , I wonder .
Were our recent actions more about fear ?
We need to recognize what has been going wrong beyond Donald Trump and insist on some consistency in our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Cuomo has also supported the legalization of assisted suicide in his state .
We are living at a time of rising suicide rates — it was bad before COVID-19 , and I ’ m a little bit terrified to know just how bad things get .
While adults fight about opening schools , children suffer in tense or abusive home situations .
Teenagers in need of homes were having trouble getting adopted before the pandemic .
There is so much that is sick in America that has nothing to do with Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Shockingly , the Democratic party that really has no room for pro-life voices aired a prayer from Jesuit priest Fr .
James Martin , in which he included the unborn child in the womb .
God bless him for doing that .
Prayer is powerful , so maybe it could help move a mountain .
We need to acknowledge and grieve this grave political reality before we can move forward in any kind of healthy way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the National Review Institute , editor-at-large of National Review magazine and author of the new book A Year With the Mystics : Visionary Wisdom for Daily Living .
She is also chair of Cardinal Dolan ’ s pro-life commission in New York .
She can be contacted at klopez @ nationalreview.com .

The Democratic convention this year, odd Hollywood production that it was in these virtual times, was a bit of an exercise in denial. There were the feel-good segments about Joe Biden and his life in public office and his painful personal tragedy. There were shrill attacks on President Donald Trump, probably the easiest thing in the world to do.
One of the segments I found the most jarring belonged to former President Bill Clinton. One of his gifts as a politician was a charisma that would draw people in and excite them. The last time I saw him in person, campaigning for his wife in a primary state on her first run for president, there was a magnetism to him that was impossible to deny. None of that was present during his convention remarks this year.
Age and health, of course, could be factors. But has seeing his name in Jeffrey Epstein stories had an impact? Does he fear for how history might regard him? I thought I saw in his eyes a man with regrets, a man who might be on a journey to get right with his maker, but maybe doesn’t quite realize it yet. His appearance reminded me to pray for him. He might be a man in the process of grieving on many different fronts.
The Importance of Grieving
A friend of mine talks frequently about the importance of grieving during these pandemic days. We are experiencing so much sadness and disappointment that is beyond our control. This happens in every human life, but on top of all that, we’ve been experiencing trauma culturally — and globally. We need to acknowledge that and grieve it.
This is where the Democrats failed — as they attacked Trump, they didn’t leave room for something other than anger. We should have had a moment of silence for all the New Yorkers in nursing homes who died because of the governor of that state’s mistakes. Instead, Gov. Andrew Cuomo waxed eloquent about coronavirus as a metaphor. If we really want to be reflective, we would consider that while Cuomo talked about protecting every human life, he clearly didn’t mean our elderly men and women in nursing homes. And, at the same time, abortion clinics were open in his state.
Insist on Consistency
Yes, we could look at the fact that so many of us radically changed our daily lives to protect others. But when I think about the fact that we’ve had legal abortion in the United States for my entire life, I wonder. Were our recent actions more about fear? We need to recognize what has been going wrong beyond Donald Trump and insist on some consistency in our laws and culture.
The eloquent Gov. Cuomo has also supported the legalization of assisted suicide in his state. We are living at a time of rising suicide rates — it was bad before COVID-19, and I’m a little bit terrified to know just how bad things get. While adults fight about opening schools, children suffer in tense or abusive home situations. Teenagers in need of homes were having trouble getting adopted before the pandemic. There is so much that is sick in America that has nothing to do with Donald Trump.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Shockingly, the Democratic party that really has no room for pro-life voices aired a prayer from Jesuit priest Fr. James Martin, in which he included the unborn child in the womb. God bless him for doing that. Prayer is powerful, so maybe it could help move a mountain.
We need to acknowledge and grieve this grave political reality before we can move forward in any kind of healthy way.
Kathryn Jean Lopez is senior fellow at the National Review Institute, editor-at-large of National Review magazine and author of the new book A Year With the Mystics: Visionary Wisdom for Daily Living. She is also chair of Cardinal Dolan’s pro-life commission in New York. She can be contacted at [email protected].