Voter Forced Acquiescence

After some six weeks and counting after the election , too much of America is beginning to surrender to some sort of “ forced acquiescence.
” In the midst of the fog of this most recent election , half of America is floundering to understand , “ What happened ?
” Testimonies of voter fraud abound from hundreds of thousands of printed bogus ballots from China , alleged double counting of ballots , cemetery votes , illegal ballot harvesting , etc .
So many questions but still no answers .
Do you really think that the institutions that orchestrated this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
No , their only interest was the outcome .
They got the outcome they wanted , so it ’ s time to move on and accept the supposed results .
After all , it was House Leader Pelosi who famously said , that “ no matter the results of the election , Joe Biden will be inaugurated the 46th President of the United States.
” And remember it was VP Biden boldly bragging that he had put together the best voter fraud organization in history.
” So , what did they know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been conditioned to rely on the establishment media for our news and information , the arbiters of alleged objective news reporting .
Our founding fathers and constitution protected them to protect us from political self-interest and corruption .
So , how is that working out for us today ?
The establishment media has abandoned their responsibilities to become propogandists and ideologues .
They have become lost and out of their lane as defined by our constitution and everyone is paying a price .
Even though our instincts are screaming out against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along to get along .
More and more people just don ’ t even want to talk about it anymore .
And meanwhile , our nation continues to warehouse lie after lie .
The Land of the Thoughtless and Cowards We are becoming such useful idiots .
We were raised on questioning authority , remember that ?
And now , critical thought and questions are surrendered to a class elite that is telling how we should think , what to say and how to live .
The land of the free and home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the thoughtless and cowards .
We are skipping down the yellow brick road with our cowardly fellow lions looking to our ruling masters for sustenance and acceptance .
Who has deceived you ?
It we don ’ t see this as a battle for good and evil , it may be too late .
Yes , America and the world has grown too comfortable in accepting evil and is it any wonder we find ourselves so confused ?
And we don ’ t have to go too far back in history to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blind eye to evil .
Evil is never satisfied and demands total obedience and surrender .
It ’ s only when you ’ re trapped that you scramble for survival and if you ’ re able to be extricated do you wonder , how did this happen to us ?
We say we have learned , and this will never happen again , until it happens again .
It all seems to start with a lie that opens the door for evil to multiply and eventually take over every aspect of our lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government , church , communications , entertainment , sports etc .
Lying , stealing , cheating , and the erosion of our very moral character are scattered in the wake of our aimless lives .
How sad and pathetic as we increasingly accept the unacceptable , without even a mere blush of shame .
We are warned of that day , when evil is called good and good is called evil .
Well , that day is now .
If we don ’ t reverse course now , this yellow brick road that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in disaster for us and our families .
All it takes is more acceptance , acquiescence , turning a blind eye to be fully blind to the truth and be the victims to this diabolical dystopia .
What Can We Do ?
And the question I keep hearing is , what can I do about it ?
I ’ m just one person .
That ’ s the way change happens , with one person .
The prevailing forces today want us to feel defeated and discouraged .
As in history they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passive .
But I am starting to see people across our country shouting out their windows that they ’ ve had it and won ’ t take it any longer .
They are mounting up forces to take our country back .
As President Trump said in his inauguration speech , it ’ s time for the country to return to the rightful hands of We The People .
This revolution starts with reclaiming our own lives , our families , children and wives , our communities , churches , states and country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to keep electing people in office that are not interested in serving but being served ?
They are professional politicians who have carved out an elitist lifestyle at the people ’ s expense .
How does this happen ?
And as if that ’ s not bad enough , according to my friend Trevor Loudon , the author , preeminent researcher and political analyst , “ We have continued to elect people in office who are card-carrying socialists and communists.
” As he declares , you ’ d be surprised how many couldn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be a DC dog catcher .
And yet , they are on committees with access to all the country ’ s most private national security files .
And it ’ s these very people and forces who are threatened by an America First policy and mind set .
They do not support America First .
They have been selling us out for decades at our expense and for their own greed and survival .
This can no longer be acceptable .
There can be no room for “ forced acquiescence.
” America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these diabolical forces .
Today , they are not an existential threat , but they are amongst us , so the battle has come to us .
Now what will you do for your God , your family and your country ?

After some six weeks and counting after the election, too much of America is beginning to surrender to some sort of “forced acquiescence.”
In the midst of the fog of this most recent election, half of America is floundering to understand, “What happened?” Testimonies of voter fraud abound from hundreds of thousands of printed bogus ballots from China, alleged double counting of ballots, cemetery votes, illegal ballot harvesting, etc. So many questions but still no answers.
Do you really think that the institutions that orchestrated this whole thing are interested in the truth? No, their only interest was the outcome. They got the outcome they wanted, so it’s time to move on and accept the supposed results. After all, it was House Leader Pelosi who famously said, that “no matter the results of the election, Joe Biden will be inaugurated the 46th President of the United States.”
And remember it was VP Biden boldly bragging that he had put together the best voter fraud organization in history.” So, what did they know that we didn’t?
The Establishment Media
We have been conditioned to rely on the establishment media for our news and information, the arbiters of alleged objective news reporting. Our founding fathers and constitution protected them to protect us from political self-interest and corruption. So, how is that working out for us today? The establishment media has abandoned their responsibilities to become propogandists and ideologues. They have become lost and out of their lane as defined by our constitution and everyone is paying a price.
Even though our instincts are screaming out against the lie, we must accept and go along to get along. More and more people just don’t even want to talk about it anymore. And meanwhile, our nation continues to warehouse lie after lie.
The Land of the Thoughtless and Cowards
We are becoming such useful idiots. We were raised on questioning authority, remember that? And now, critical thought and questions are surrendered to a class elite that is telling how we should think, what to say and how to live. The land of the free and home of the brave is becoming the land of the thoughtless and cowards.
We are skipping down the yellow brick road with our cowardly fellow lions looking to our ruling masters for sustenance and acceptance. Who has deceived you? It we don’t see this as a battle for good and evil, it may be too late. Yes, America and the world has grown too comfortable in accepting evil and is it any wonder we find ourselves so confused?
A Battle of Good and Evil
And we don’t have to go too far back in history to see the ill effects of turning a blind eye to evil. Evil is never satisfied and demands total obedience and surrender. It’s only when you’re trapped that you scramble for survival and if you’re able to be extricated do you wonder, how did this happen to us?
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
We say we have learned, and this will never happen again, until it happens again. It all seems to start with a lie that opens the door for evil to multiply and eventually take over every aspect of our lives. It metastasizes throughout our institutions, government, church, communications, entertainment, sports etc. Lying, stealing, cheating, and the erosion of our very moral character are scattered in the wake of our aimless lives. How sad and pathetic as we increasingly accept the unacceptable, without even a mere blush of shame.
We are warned of that day, when evil is called good and good is called evil. Well, that day is now. If we don’t reverse course now, this yellow brick road that leads to even more evil will end in disaster for us and our families. All it takes is more acceptance, acquiescence, turning a blind eye to be fully blind to the truth and be the victims to this diabolical dystopia.
What Can We Do?
And the question I keep hearing is, what can I do about it? I’m just one person. That’s the way change happens, with one person. The prevailing forces today want us to feel defeated and discouraged. As in history they are counting on good people staying quiet and passive. But I am starting to see people across our country shouting out their windows that they’ve had it and won’t take it any longer.
They are mounting up forces to take our country back. As President Trump said in his inauguration speech, it’s time for the country to return to the rightful hands of We The People. This revolution starts with reclaiming our own lives, our families, children and wives, our communities, churches, states and country.
Card-Carrying Socialists and Communists
How we have lost our way to keep electing people in office that are not interested in serving but being served? They are professional politicians who have carved out an elitist lifestyle at the people’s expense. How does this happen?
And as if that’s not bad enough, according to my friend Trevor Loudon, the author, preeminent researcher and political analyst, “We have continued to elect people in office who are card-carrying socialists and communists.” As he declares, you’d be surprised how many couldn’t even pass a security clearance to be a DC dog catcher. And yet, they are on committees with access to all the country’s most private national security files.
And it’s these very people and forces who are threatened by an America First policy and mind set. They do not support America First. They have been selling us out for decades at our expense and for their own greed and survival.
No Room for Forced Acquiescence
This can no longer be acceptable. There can be no room for “forced acquiescence.” America must come together and stand united against these diabolical forces. Today, they are not an existential threat, but they are amongst us, so the battle has come to us. Now what will you do for your God, your family and your country?
Originally published at ReactionaryTimes.com. Republished with permission.


thestream--2020-12-31--Frodo Baggins and New Year’s: How Should We Understand Pagan Origins of Our Holidays?

It ’ s usual this time of year for some folks to point out that the celebration of Christmas and Easter are “ pagan.
” Are they right ?
In fact , they are both right and wrong .
They are right because much of what we take for granted in our Western culture has deep roots in the pre-Christian cultures of Europe , but does that mean we have to get rid of every trace of paganism ?
If so we must get rid of our Christmas trees and our Easter eggs .
We must also re-name the days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pagan deities Tiu ( Tuesday ) Wotan ( Wednesday ) Thor ( Thursday ) Frige ( Friday ) and Saturn ( Saturday ) not to mention the worship of the Sun and Moon ( Sunday and Monday ) .
We must also demand that the names of the months of the year be purged of their demonic and absurd pagan associations !
Out Janus , the two-faced god of January !
Begone Mars for March , the goddess Maia for May and Juno to follow .
New Year ’ s Day !
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year should be celebrated at the beginning of January is pagan through and through !
It would be both impossible and insane to try to purge every trace of paganism from our culture .
The ancient customs have merged , developed and adapted to changing times , but they are not to be scorned simply because they are pagan or because they are from the past .
Common sense should prevail .
Just because there are traces of pagan cultures does not mean we worship pagan gods .
A good example of how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a harmless modern celebration is New Year ’ s Day .
The earliest records of a New Year celebration are from Mesopotamia around 2000 B.C .
Then the new year was heralded not in mid winter , but at the Spring equinox in mid-March .
Following these already ancient customs , the first Roman calendar had ten months and also recognized March as the beginning of the year .
This is why September , October , November and December have their names : from March they were the seventh , eighth , ninth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Rome , Numa Pontilius added January and February to the calendar and in 153 B.C .
we have the first record of January first being celebrated as New Year ’ s Day .
It change was decreed for civil reasons ( the consuls began their term at that time ) but many people still recognized mid-March as the start of the year .
When Julius Caesar replaced the old lunar based calendar with a solar calendar he also formally established the beginning of January as New Year ’ s Day .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christianity as the new religion of Rome , the vestiges of pagan culture were purged .
New Year ’ s Day at the beginning of January was officially eliminated at the Council of Tours in 597 , and across Europe the start of a new year flipped back to the more ancient time of March 25 .
The date of March 25 not only connected with the most ancient celebrations of the new year at the Spring equinox , but in the Christian calendar March 25 is the celebration of the Annunciation — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Virgin Mary that she would bear a son .
The date of March 25 was determined by the Jewish belief that great men were conceived on the same day of the year as their death .
Jesus Christ died on March 25 , ( so the theory goes ) which means he was conceived on March 25 .
Christians understood that the beginning of the life of the Son of God in the Virgin Mary ’ s womb was the beginning of God ’ s work among mankind , the restoration and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a new creation .
It was therefore theologically fitting that March 25 or Lady Day ( in honor of the Virgin Mary ) should be celebrated as New Year ’ s Day .
And so it was for a thousand years .
Then in 1582 Pope Gregory XIII tinkered with Julius Caesar ’ s ancient calendar .
Because of imprecise calculations , the date of Easter had been drifting and the pope decided it needed fixing .
Part of the reform was to re-establish January first as New Year ’ s Day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Eastern Orthodox rejected the reform .
Seeing this as not only papal presumption , but paganism restored , many Protestants also rejected the new Gregorian calendar .
The British did not adopt the new calendar until 1752 .
The Greeks held out until 1923 .
The monks of Mt Athos still hold on to the Julian calendar .
Did I mention Frodo Baggins ?
J.R.R.Tolkien — the creator of Middle Earth — was a devout Catholic Christian .
He wove his faith into his masterpiece The Lord of the Rings in very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ story he keeps a precise calendar of events .
Tolkien says that it is on March 25 that the ring of power is cast into the fires of Mount Doom , and so the destruction of the demonic Sauron heralds a new beginning for Middle Earth .
Thus Tolkien gives a nod to the medieval Christian tradition that March 25 is the true New Year ’ s Day — the beginning of the defeat of this world ’ s dark Lord and the dawn of mankind ’ s redemption .
As you celebrate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for one thousand years the welcoming of a new year was not just a calendar event , and not a pagan celebration , but a deeply Christian event which linked the start of the new year with the renewal of nature and the redemption of the world .
As for me and my house , we ’ ll celebrate New Year ’ s Eve and set off some fireworks , but on March 25 we will celebrate Lady Day — the day we remember the incarnation of Christ the Lord when the Angel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good hobbit lovers , we ’ ll will celebrate Tolkien Reading Day with a meeting of friends , the reading of Tolkien , a pint of ale and maybe even a few puffs on a pipe .
Dwight Longenecker is the author of Reluctant Allies-Essays on Eliot and the Inklings .
Visit his blog , browse his books and be in touch at dwightlongenecker.com .

It’s usual this time of year for some folks to point out that the celebration of Christmas and Easter are “pagan.” Are they right? In fact, they are both right and wrong.
They are right because much of what we take for granted in our Western culture has deep roots in the pre-Christian cultures of Europe, but does that mean we have to get rid of every trace of paganism? If so we must get rid of our Christmas trees and our Easter eggs. We must also re-name the days of the week because they honor the pagan deities Tiu (Tuesday) Wotan (Wednesday) Thor (Thursday) Frige (Friday) and Saturn (Saturday) not to mention the worship of the Sun and Moon (Sunday and Monday).
We must also demand that the names of the months of the year be purged of their demonic and absurd pagan associations! Out Janus, the two-faced god of January! Begone Mars for March, the goddess Maia for May and Juno to follow. New Year’s Day! The horror! That the beginning of the year should be celebrated at the beginning of January is pagan through and through!
Roots in Rome
It would be both impossible and insane to try to purge every trace of paganism from our culture. The ancient customs have merged, developed and adapted to changing times, but they are not to be scorned simply because they are pagan or because they are from the past. Common sense should prevail. Just because there are traces of pagan cultures does not mean we worship pagan gods.
A good example of how an originally pagan custom has developed into a harmless modern celebration is New Year’s Day.
Just because there are traces of pagan cultures does not mean we worship pagan gods.
The earliest records of a New Year celebration are from Mesopotamia around 2000 B.C. Then the new year was heralded not in mid winter, but at the Spring equinox in mid-March. Following these already ancient customs, the first Roman calendar had ten months and also recognized March as the beginning of the year. This is why September, October, November and December have their names: from March they were the seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth months.
The second king of Rome, Numa Pontilius added January and February to the calendar and in 153 B.C. we have the first record of January first being celebrated as New Year’s Day. The change was decreed for civil reasons (the consuls began their term at that time) but many people still recognized mid-March as the start of the year.
When Julius Caesar replaced the old lunar based calendar with a solar calendar he also formally established the beginning of January as New Year’s Day. As the Empire fell and Europe transitioned to Christianity as the new religion of Rome, the vestiges of pagan culture were purged. New Year’s Day at the beginning of January was officially eliminated at the Council of Tours in 597, and across Europe the start of a new year flipped back to the more ancient time of March 25.
The Fresh Start
The date of March 25 not only connected with the most ancient celebrations of the new year at the Spring equinox, but in the Christian calendar March 25 is the celebration of the Annunciation — the announcement by the Angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary that she would bear a son. The date of March 25 was determined by the Jewish belief that great men were conceived on the same day of the year as their death. Jesus Christ died on March 25, (so the theory goes) which means he was conceived on March 25.
Christians understood that the beginning of the life of the Son of God in the Virgin Mary’s womb was the beginning of God’s work among mankind, the restoration and redemption of the world and the beginning of a new creation. It was therefore theologically fitting that March 25 or Lady Day (in honor of the Virgin Mary) should be celebrated as New Year’s Day. And so it was for a thousand years.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Then, in 1582, Pope Gregory XIII tinkered with Julius Caesar’s ancient calendar. Because of imprecise calculations, the date of Easter had been drifting and the pope decided it needed fixing. Part of the reform was to re-establish January first as New Year’s Day. Seeing this as papal presumption, the Eastern Orthodox rejected the reform. Seeing this as not only papal presumption, but paganism restored, many Protestants also rejected the new Gregorian calendar. The British did not adopt the new calendar until 1752. The Greeks held out until 1923. The monks of Mt Athos still hold on to the Julian calendar.
The Middle Ages and Middle Earth
Did I mention Frodo Baggins? J.R.R.Tolkien — the creator of Middle Earth — was a devout Catholic Christian. He wove his faith into his masterpiece The Lord of the Rings in very subtle ways. In his epic fantasy story he keeps a precise calendar of events. Tolkien says that it is on March 25 that the ring of power is cast into the fires of Mount Doom, and so the destruction of the demonic Sauron heralds a new beginning for Middle Earth. Thus Tolkien gives a nod to the medieval Christian tradition that March 25 is the true New Year’s Day — the beginning of the defeat of this world’s dark Lord and the dawn of mankind’s redemption.
As you celebrate New Year’s Day remember that for one thousand years the welcoming of a new year was not just a calendar event, and not a pagan celebration, but a deeply Christian event which linked the start of the new year with the renewal of nature and the redemption of the world.
As for me and my house, we’ll celebrate New Year’s Eve and set off some fireworks. But on March 25 we will celebrate Lady Day — the day we remember the incarnation of Christ the Lord when the Angel Gabriel overshadowed Mary. And, like all good hobbit lovers, we’ll will celebrate Tolkien Reading Day with a meeting of friends, the reading of Tolkien, a pint of ale and maybe even a few puffs on a pipe.
Dwight Longenecker is the author of Reluctant Allies-Essays on Eliot and the Inklings. Visit his blog, browse his books and be in touch at dwightlongenecker.com.


thestream--2020-12-31--Military Photo of the Day: Ending the Year With a Blast

Bradley Fighting Vehicles are bathed in a red and orange glow from ignited gasses as an M1 Abrams tank ’ @ @ @ @ @ the Pabrade Training Area in Lithuania on December 22 , 2020 .
Have a safe @ @ @ @ @ s Eve , everyone !

Bradley Fighting Vehicles are bathed in a red and orange glow from ignited gasses as an M1 Abrams tank’s main gun fires at the Pabrade Training Area in Lithuania on December 22, 2020.
Have a safe and Happy New Year’s Eve, everyone!
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.


thestream--2020-12-31--The State Senator Couldn’t Believe Christians Can Think

Ed Gomes has died .
If you live outside Connecticut , you won ’ t have heard of the former state senator .
A local writer gave him a hagiographic obituary .
The state ’ s democratic establishment mourned him .
He had a normal , maybe even a generally admirable life .
He was a good Democratic politician by the standards of that party .
And he was a good example of the kind of liberal politician the pro-family movement has to deal with .
The kind who wants to push those of us who are religious out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ known to pro-family people for his attacks on the faith of Brian Brown in 2007 and myself in 2009 .
He did it in public hearings , when we testified against measures to approve same-sex marriage .
Behind his questions you can hear the usual liberal lines about “ imposing your values ” and “ separation of church and state.
” Behind his questions were the claim that Christians can ’ t join in political life because we ’ re Christians .
You can watch his bizarre interrogation of Brian here .
Brian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Institute of Connecticut .
Gomes began by saying he was Catholic too , though he had been married in a civil ceremony .
“ You ’ re telling that according to what you said [ are ] the teachings of the Catholic Church , that I shouldn ’ t even have an opinion as a senator on this issue at all , ” he told Brian .
Which of course he had not said — at all .
Gomes then claimed that Brian opposed same-sex marriage because he was a Catholic .
Brian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s logical and rational to believe , and to understand , that marriage is the union of a man and a woman.
” He explains this in more detail .
Gomes repeats his original claim and then insists that the Church ’ s teaching “ is the basis of your argument.
” Brian explains again that he believes what he believes on what he thinks are rational grounds .
He pointed out that lots of people who aren ’ t Catholic take the same position .
Then Gomes repeats his original claim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again .
“ I don ’ t know exactly what you ’ re saying , ” he told the senator , “ but if you ’ re saying that Catholics , or people who have religious beliefs , are automatically disqualified from standing up and speaking on them , because it ’ s some sort of irrational basis , I think that is fundamentally flawed.
” He insists that the Catholic teaching is rational and true .
Gomes closed his questioning trying to explain why he ’ d asked the question he did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you know , they tried to scare us with heaven and hell and all that .
I thought you were telling me that I was going to hell if I cast my vote.
” The state government ’ s network CT-N , curiously , chose not to film the hearing at which I testified two years later .
You can read the transcript of Gomes ’ exchange with me here .
( Search “ Wolfgang , ” then scroll down to Gomes ’ name . )
In 2009 , I was having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the transcript that in the 90 minutes that the Committee sought my opinions on Catholicism or homosexuality , I kept returning the discussion to the actual bill that was on the agenda .
It dealt with religious liberty .
It was in that context that Gomes came at me .
The first thing he did was to bring up Brian Brown .
“ Brian sends his regards , ” I replied .
It was an amazing moment .
Brian had been gone for almost two years .
But the Left never forgets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There were many curious omissions in the official transcripts in those days .
This one omits Gomes ’ full reaction to me .
He insisted that Brian “ smirked ” at him two years earlier , when he asked Brian if he was going to hell .
He threatened physical violence against Brian if they should ever meet again .
Neither appear in the official transcript .
As he had done with Brian two years earlier , Gomes repeatedly sought to divine my opinion of homosexuality .
I told him that his line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be like me pointing out that both co-chairmen of the Committee are practicing homosexuals and claim that they use their office to further a personal agenda .
They are the ones who want to put the issue on the table .
I hadn ’ t discussed it and didn ’ t want to discuss it .
But if they want to discuss how the issue of homosexuality motivates me , we must discuss how it motivates them .
It turns out they didn ’ t want to have that discussion .
Years later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senator , upset because an ally lost a confirmation fight , claimed I said something I hadn ’ t said .
“ I remember Peter Wolfgang of the Family Institute testifying before Rep. Lawlor and Sen. McDonald in the Judiciary Committee , ” said Beth Bye , “ and saying ‘ How can I ever get a fair hearing from two practicing homosexuals ?
’ ” What I actually said ( according to the official transcript ) : “ To me , that would be the equivalent of my making an issue out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are practicing homosexuals .
If I were to make an issue out of that , that would be , it would be wrong , because it would be making an issue out of your motivation.
” I was being rational and fair .
But the left chose to misquote me to make me look like a bigot .
Ironically , since I was responding to people who actually made the bigoted argument .
As he had with Brian , Gomes kept casting his line on the topic of Catholicism , before giving up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stop right here because you ’ re confusing the hell out of me , ” he finally concluded .
I had answered him and the other committee members clearly .
Apparently Gomes ( and Bye ) can ’ t believe that a Catholic can believe something on rational grounds , the way other people do .
We can ’ t think on our own .
He seems to have thought we were slaves to our religion , and not people with minds .
Even though he was himself Catholic .
I trust he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contrary to what he misread in Brian ’ s face , Catholics will be praying for him .
Peter Wolfgang is president of aFamily Institute of Connecticut Action .
He lives in Waterbury , Connecticut , with his wife and their seven children .
The views expressed on The Stream are solely his own .

Ed Gomes has died. If you live outside Connecticut, you won’t have heard of the former state senator.
A local writer gave him a hagiographic obituary. The state’s democratic establishment mourned him. He had a normal, maybe even a generally admirable life. He was a good Democratic politician by the standards of that party.
And he was a good example of the kind of liberal politician the pro-family movement has to deal with. The kind who wants to push those of us who are religious out of the public square.
Gomes v. Brown
Gomes is best known to pro-family people for his attacks on the faith of Brian Brown in 2007 and myself in 2009. He did it in public hearings, when we testified against measures to approve same-sex marriage. Behind his questions you can hear the usual liberal lines about “imposing your values” and “separation of church and state.” Behind his questions were the claim that Christians can’t join in political life because we’re Christians.
You can watch his bizarre interrogation of Brian here. Brian was then the director of the Family Institute of Connecticut. Gomes began by saying he was Catholic too, though he had been married in a civil ceremony. “You’re telling that according to what you said [are] the teachings of the Catholic Church, that I shouldn’t even have an opinion as a senator on this issue at all,” he told Brian. Which of course he had not said — at all.
Gomes then claimed that Brian opposed same-sex marriage because he was a Catholic. Brian said no. “I believe it’s logical and rational to believe, and to understand, that marriage is the union of a man and a woman.”
He explains this in more detail. Gomes repeats his original claim and then insists that the Church’s teaching “is the basis of your argument.” Brian explains again that he believes what he believes on what he thinks are rational grounds. He pointed out that lots of people who aren’t Catholic take the same position.
Then Gomes repeats his original claim a third time. Brian gamely tried again. “I don’t know exactly what you’re saying,” he told the senator, “but if you’re saying that Catholics, or people who have religious beliefs, are automatically disqualified from standing up and speaking on them, because it’s some sort of irrational basis, I think that is fundamentally flawed.” He insists that the Catholic teaching is rational and true.
Gomes closed his questioning trying to explain why he’d asked the question he did. “When I was a kid, you know, they tried to scare us with heaven and hell and all that. I thought you were telling me that I was going to hell if I cast my vote.”
Gomes v. Wolfgang
The state government’s network CT-N, curiously, chose not to film the hearing at which I testified two years later. You can read the transcript of Gomes’ exchange with me here. (Search “Wolfgang,” then scroll down to Gomes’ name.)
In 2009, I was having none of it. You will notice in the transcript that in the 90 minutes that the Committee sought my opinions on Catholicism or homosexuality, I kept returning the discussion to the actual bill that was on the agenda. It dealt with religious liberty.
It was in that context that Gomes came at me. The first thing he did was to bring up Brian Brown. “Brian sends his regards,” I replied. It was an amazing moment. Brian had been gone for almost two years. But the Left never forgets a slight, real or perceived.
There were many curious omissions in the official transcripts in those days. This one omits Gomes’ full reaction to me. He insisted that Brian “smirked” at him two years earlier, when he asked Brian if he was going to hell. He threatened physical violence against Brian if they should ever meet again. Neither appear in the official transcript.
The Left Never Forgets
As he had done with Brian two years earlier, Gomes repeatedly sought to divine my opinion of homosexuality. I told him that his line of questioning was wrong. It would be like me pointing out that both co-chairmen of the Committee are practicing homosexuals and claim that they use their office to further a personal agenda.
They are the ones who want to put the issue on the table. I hadn’t discussed it and didn’t want to discuss it. But if they want to discuss how the issue of homosexuality motivates me, we must discuss how it motivates them.
It turns out they didn’t want to have that discussion.
Years later, by the way, another state senator, upset because an ally lost a confirmation fight, claimed I said something I hadn’t said. “I remember Peter Wolfgang of the Family Institute testifying before Rep. Lawlor and Sen. McDonald in the Judiciary Committee,” said Beth Bye, “and saying ‘How can I ever get a fair hearing from two practicing homosexuals?’”
What I actually said (according to the official transcript): “To me, that would be the equivalent of my making an issue out of the fact that both of you are practicing homosexuals. If I were to make an issue out of that, that would be, it would be wrong, because it would be making an issue out of your motivation.”
I was being rational and fair. But the left chose to misquote me to make me look like a bigot. Ironically, since I was responding to people who actually made the bigoted argument.
Gomes Gives Up
As he had with Brian, Gomes kept casting his line on the topic of Catholicism, before giving up. “I’m going to stop right here because you’re confusing the hell out of me,” he finally concluded.
I had answered him and the other committee members clearly. Apparently Gomes (and Bye) can’t believe that a Catholic can believe something on rational grounds, the way other people do. We can’t think on our own. He seems to have thought we were slaves to our religion, and not people with minds. Even though he was himself Catholic.
I trust he is now less confused. And, contrary to what he misread in Brian’s face, Catholics will be praying for him.
Rest in peace, Senator.
Peter Wolfgang is president of a Family Institute of Connecticut Action. He lives in Waterbury, Connecticut, with his wife and their seven children. The views expressed on The Stream are solely his own.


thestream--2020-12-31--My Wish List for 2021

My Wish List for 2021

If you could wish for anything in 2021 , what would be at the top of your list ?
I don ’ t mean millennial-type wishes , such as , “ I wish for peace on earth and no more conflicts.
” Or , “ I wish that no one will get sick in 2021.
” Those are wonderful wishes , but they must await the Second Coming .
But if you could wish for anything within the realm of earthly possibility , however farfetched , what would you wish for ?
Here ’ s my top 5 list ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come up with 5 or 50 other , top wishes , as you certainly could ) .
1 .
May we have a definitive , indisputable outcome to the presidential election .
As things stand today , we are not just dealing with tens of millions of Americans who are disappointed with the election outcome , as happens every four years .
We ’ re dealing with tens of millions of Americans who do not accept the election outcome as legitimate .
At this point , barring President Trump confirming Joe Biden as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ qualification , I can not see a large percentage of Trump supporters believing that Biden actually won .
The president would have to say something like this : “ I have seen detailed , inside information , and I can absolutely guarantee you that Joe Biden won this election , fair and square .
Please support him and pray for him .
Believe me.
” Even then , many would still not believe .
Conversely , should Trump ’ s attorneys and Congressional supporters pull off the greatest electoral miracle in history and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s no way that the Biden voters would support that for a minute .
Something definitive must happen , so definitive that both sides would say , “ We recognize this man as our next president , fair and square.
” But how ?
What would convince both sides of either massive electoral fraud or of a fairly contested election ?
That ’ s why this is at the top of my wish list .
Short of this happening , 2021 will be a big mess .
2 .
May the church regain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Commission .
To a great extent , as followers of Jesus , many of us lost our way in 2020 .
Not only did the pandemic make it very difficult for us to gather together for prayer and worship and fellowship as we were in the habit of doing , but we got consumed with election fever .
Our social media pages were often dominated by politically-related posts , either praising Trump or attacking Trump and , more recently , either pushing for “ Stop the Steal ” or denying there was any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our whole focus was on race-related issues , as if nothing else in the entire world mattered .
Had we spent half of this time and energy focusing on drawing close to the Lord in prayer , winning the lost , and loving our neighbor , I believe we would be in a much different place today , not to mention the state of those around us .
Can you even remember what it was like to have a simple , undistracted focus on loving Jesus ?
On enjoying His presence in worship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reaching out to non-believers , without a political thought dominating your mind throughout the day ?
May we return to the simple foundations of our faith in 2021 , based on which real blessing can come to our nation .
3 .
May the pandemic be a thing of the past .
I can make this short and sweet .
COVID , COVID , go away and don ’ t come back another day .
No more mass infections .
No more reports of people dying by the thousands .
No more masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more need for controversial vaccines .
No more pandemic !
4 .
May America awaken to the horrible persecution of our brothers and sisters in other parts of the world .
For the most part , here in America , the terrible suffering of Christians in countries like Nigeria and China and India is out of sight and out of mind .
On occasion , we will be jarred by a shocking headline reporting the latest atrocities .
But even then , we rarely even stop and pray , let alone shed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ What can we do ?
” We read things like , “ Three unidentified men shot and killed a pastor in the east Indian state of Jharkhand while he was returning home with his wife after baptizing new believers , according to a report.
” Then we go back to checking sports scores , or following up on the latest , salacious news story , or giving ourselves to something else mundane .
But this pastor was part of our own family , murdered because he was a Christian .
And what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Yet reports indicate that the persecution of Christians in 2021 will only increase .
May 2021 be the year when the Body worldwide begins to beat with one , united heart .
5 .
May 2021 be known as a year of truth .
I recently opined that , “ If there is any one thing that strikes me looking back at this calamitous and difficult year it is that we are experiencing a deep crisis of trust.
” We are assured that everything is not as it appears to be , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hidden agenda , that the most powerful people on the planet are secretly working together to destroy us , and that massive conspiratorial plots are manipulating our daily lives .
And , generally speaking , there is at least some reason for our suspicions and there are some facts mixed in with the lies .
How , then , can we discern the difference between falsehood and truth ?
How can we avoid being led astray , whether by the media or the Internet , whether by politicians or preachers ?
May error @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blinders will fall off and there will be an awakening to reality .
And may the tendencies within us that make us vulnerable to deception be revealed as well .
May truth triumph in this new year .
Having said all this , I can immediately think of a long list of items that could have made it to my top 5 , which most likely are very different than your top 5 ( or 50 ) .
And I didn ’ t even say a word about racial reconciliation or the like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5 for starters .
Any one of them coming to pass in 2021 would be amazing .
All 5 would be a dream come true .
Do we have Your ear , Lord ?
Dr. Michael Brown ( www.askdrbrown.org ) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program .
His latest book is Evangelicals at the Crossroads : Will We Pass the Trump Test ?
Connect with him on Facebook , Twitter or YouTube .

If you could wish for anything in 2021, what would be at the top of your list? I don’t mean millennial-type wishes, such as, “I wish for peace on earth and no more conflicts.” Or, “I wish that no one will get sick in 2021.” Those are wonderful wishes, but they must await the Second Coming. But if you could wish for anything within the realm of earthly possibility, however farfetched, what would you wish for? Here’s my top 5 list (although, admittedly, I could easily come up with 5 or 50 other, top wishes, as you certainly could).
1. May we have a definitive, indisputable outcome to the presidential election.
As things stand today, we are not just dealing with tens of millions of Americans who are disappointed with the election outcome, as happens every four years. We’re dealing with tens of millions of Americans who do not accept the election outcome as legitimate.
At this point, barring President Trump confirming Joe Biden as our next president, without equivocation or qualification, I cannot see a large percentage of Trump supporters believing that Biden actually won.
The president would have to say something like this: “I have seen detailed, inside information, and I can absolutely guarantee you that Joe Biden won this election, fair and square. Please support him and pray for him. Believe me.”
Even then, many would still not believe.
Conversely, should Trump’s attorneys and Congressional supporters pull off the greatest electoral miracle in history and overturn the election results, there’s no way that the Biden voters would support that for a minute.
Something definitive must happen, so definitive that both sides would say, “We recognize this man as our next president, fair and square.”
But how? What would convince both sides of either massive electoral fraud or of a fairly contested election?
That’s why this is at the top of my wish list. Short of this happening, 2021 will be a big mess.
2. May the church regain its focus on Jesus and the Great Commission.
To a great extent, as followers of Jesus, many of us lost our way in 2020. Not only did the pandemic make it very difficult for us to gather together for prayer and worship and fellowship as we were in the habit of doing, but we got consumed with election fever.
Had we spent half of this time and energy focusing on drawing close to the Lord in prayer, winning the lost, and loving our neighbor, I believe we would be in a much different place today, not to mention the state of those around us.
Our social media pages were often dominated by politically-related posts, either praising Trump or attacking Trump and, more recently, either pushing for “Stop the Steal” or denying there was any steal at all. For others, our whole focus was on race-related issues, as if nothing else in the entire world mattered.
Had we spent half of this time and energy focusing on drawing close to the Lord in prayer, winning the lost, and loving our neighbor, I believe we would be in a much different place today, not to mention the state of those around us.
Can you even remember what it was like to have a simple, undistracted focus on loving Jesus? On enjoying His presence in worship, digging into His Word, and reaching out to non-believers, without a political thought dominating your mind throughout the day?
May we return to the simple foundations of our faith in 2021, based on which real blessing can come to our nation.
3. May the pandemic be a thing of the past.
I can make this short and sweet. COVID, COVID, go away and don’t come back another day. No more mass infections. No more reports of people dying by the thousands. No more masks. No more social distancing. No more need for controversial vaccines. No more pandemic!
4. May America awaken to the horrible persecution of our brothers and sisters in other parts of the world.
For the most part, here in America, the terrible suffering of Christians in countries like Nigeria and China and India is out of sight and out of mind. On occasion, we will be jarred by a shocking headline reporting the latest atrocities. But even then, we rarely even stop and pray, let alone shed a tear, let alone ask ourselves, “What can we do?”
We read things like, “Three unidentified men shot and killed a pastor in the east Indian state of Jharkhand while he was returning home with his wife after baptizing new believers, according to a report.” Then we go back to checking sports scores, or following up on the latest, salacious news story, or giving ourselves to something else mundane.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
But this pastor was part of our own family, murdered because he was a Christian. And what about his widowed wife and orphaned children? Yet reports indicate that the persecution of Christians in 2021 will only increase.
May 2021 be the year when the Body worldwide begins to beat with one, united heart.
5. May 2021 be known as a year of truth.
I recently opined that, “If there is any one thing that strikes me looking back at this calamitous and difficult year it is that we are experiencing a deep crisis of trust.”
We are assured that everything is not as it appears to be, that behind every news report is a hidden agenda, that the most powerful people on the planet are secretly working together to destroy us, and that massive conspiratorial plots are manipulating our daily lives.
And, generally speaking, there is at least some reason for our suspicions and there are some facts mixed in with the lies. How, then, can we discern the difference between falsehood and truth? How can we avoid being led astray, whether by the media or the Internet, whether by politicians or preachers?
May error be exposed so dramatically in 2021 that blinders will fall off and there will be an awakening to reality. And may the tendencies within us that make us vulnerable to deception be revealed as well. May truth triumph in this new year.
Having said all this, I can immediately think of a long list of items that could have made it to my top 5, which most likely are very different than your top 5 (or 50). And I didn’t even say a word about racial reconciliation or the like.
But I’ll take these 5 for starters.
Any one of them coming to pass in 2021 would be amazing. All 5 would be a dream come true.
Do we have Your ear, Lord?
Dr. Michael Brown (www.askdrbrown.org) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program. His latest book is Evangelicals at the Crossroads: Will We Pass the Trump Test? Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.


thestream--2020-12-31--Don’t Throw Daniel Under the Bus

Don’t Throw Daniel Under the Bus

One of the greatest joys of my life has been learning the importance of the servant role in fulfilling God ’ s kingdom purpose .
Acts of service clearly point people to the greatness of God .
For the last 40 years , I have spoken truth to national , church and business leaders – and they have always heard it presented with strong conviction and unconditional love .
The situation right now , though , is very troubling .
For some , it appears to be a “ crime ” to speak the truth to President Trump and encourage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boldly championed religious causes and concerns ) .
I , along with others , are being labeled , even by professing Christians , with names that many consider very unflattering .
A few critics have even said I ’ m an “ idolater , ” regardless of the fact I ’ ve never been partisan or sectarian .
You can rest assured that I ’ m never going to approve of anything improper , like Trump ’ s previous lifestyle and many things in his life that still need to be honed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ still being shaped by the hands of the Master Potter .
President Trump is not now…nor will anyone other than Jesus ever be my “ savior.
” But to toss aside the amazing things God has done in answer to prayer during the past few years is just plain foolishness .
The president accepted with sincere appreciation wise counsel offered by diverse but very strong , totally committed-to-God church leaders .
During the past four years , I witnessed these leaders moving in the supernatural unity Jesus prayed for in John 17 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ filled with God ’ s prophets and representatives sharing wisdom with kings , leaders and those with great influence .
Every single person in Scripture , except Jesus , was flawed , and yet God used them for His Kingdom purposes when they accepted or shared wisdom from above .
Solomon was far from an ideal moral example , yet he gave us some of the greatest wisdom and understanding .
Simon Peter failed miserably with his unhealthy arrogance and denying Jesus while boasting that he was the only one Jesus could always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ separate issues , but the Lord still knew they could hear the truth , be corrected by the truth , and be used by Him to accomplish His kingdom purpose .
This is the thing I think everybody needs to hear : Donald Trump asked for the truth and forcefully told me to help surround him with prayer and wisdom , and to never let him forget it .
Since our first meeting eight months before the 2016 election until now , he has taken virtually every personal call that I have made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serious concerns and even important corrections .
Likely very few have ever shared more directly sincere concerns and counsel than I have face to face and on the phone .
Often it was just the two of us , but on other occasions , there were numerous witnesses in the circle or on the phone .
Every time the president heard truth and wisdom , he always expressed appreciation and never pushed back .
Over the past four years , the church leaders I referred to as standing in supernatural unity have remained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encouragement to the president .
They were never partisan .
And they never compromised .
They are biblically principled individuals who understand the strength of our Constitution and that it is greater than all of the men who penned it .
They were willing to risk their reputations by sharing biblical truth with a president who made it clear to them he wanted to hear it because he cared about the concerns of dedicated Christians .
He said boldly to all with ears to hear , “ I want to give the church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with pastors on numerous occasions that he wanted the church to be able to address issues that matter and not fear losing their tax-exempt status .
Confirming this , he signed an executive order in May 2017 , urging the Treasury Department to show leniency in enforcing the Johnson Amendment .
All of this had an effect on the president .
In answer to the prayers of many believers and interactions with faith leaders , everyone began to see the president make amazing decisions that benefited all American families .
Without a doubt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an answer to the prayers of His people who long for healing in this land .
God has used him , imperfect as he is , to bring correction to areas of our nation that were faltering , and to return to biblical and historically confirmed principles .
Many respected Bible teachers , including my friend Beth Moore , have done a great job teaching on the faith , fearlessness and effectiveness of Daniel .
Surely everyone knows Daniel counseled and shared God ’ s wisdom with four kings who were anything but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prophets spoke truth to kings and national leaders , as did New Testament apostles .
Why does any Bible-believing Christian question or criticize church leaders today for seeking to faithfully do the same thing ?
I can tell you as a participant , an eyewitness to the counsel shared with President Trump , every one of them was seeking to faithfully fulfill and accomplish what our biblical example revealed .
The same is true throughout history .
Every time leaders receive the truth delivered fearlessly and unwaveringly , the people benefit .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these other faith leaders have sought .
In answer to prayer , God miraculously opened the door for us to speak into this president ’ s life , unlike any president in my lifetime .
So I ’ m simply saying this : Don ’ t throw Daniel under the bus !
Don ’ t throw Amos , Isaiah , Jeremiah or any prophet under the bus just because they preach truth to less-than-righteous kings .
Finally , I want to say to Donald Trump : Thank you for listening to the truth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Let me close by repeating what I ’ ve said for four years : I have never personally been received more openly , attentively or with such sincere appreciation as I have from Donald Trump – both before and after he became president .
I see this as God answering the prayers of His people and fulfilling Kingdom purpose .
James Robison is The Stream ’ s founder and publisher .
He is co-founder of LIFE Outreach International and co-host of LIFE Today .
He ’ s the author of many books , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Living Amazed .

One of the greatest joys of my life has been learning the importance of the servant role in fulfilling God’s kingdom purpose. Acts of service clearly point people to the greatness of God. For the last 40 years, I have spoken truth to national, church and business leaders – and they have always heard it presented with strong conviction and unconditional love.
The situation right now, though, is very troubling. For some, it appears to be a “crime” to speak the truth to President Trump and encourage him (the man who has so boldly championed religious causes and concerns). I, along with others, are being labeled, even by professing Christians, with names that many consider very unflattering. A few critics have even said I’m an “idolater,” regardless of the fact I’ve never been partisan or sectarian. You can rest assured that I’m never going to approve of anything improper, like Trump’s previous lifestyle and many things in his life that still need to be honed. Even at age 77, I am still being shaped by the hands of the Master Potter.
President Trump is not now…nor will anyone other than Jesus ever be my “savior.” But to toss aside the amazing things God has done in answer to prayer during the past few years is just plain foolishness. The president accepted with sincere appreciation wise counsel offered by diverse but very strong, totally committed-to-God church leaders. During the past four years, I witnessed these leaders moving in the supernatural unity Jesus prayed for in John 17.
Prophets and Kings
Both the Old and New Testaments are filled with God’s prophets and representatives sharing wisdom with kings, leaders and those with great influence. Every single person in Scripture, except Jesus, was flawed, and yet God used them for His Kingdom purposes when they accepted or shared wisdom from above. Solomon was far from an ideal moral example, yet he gave us some of the greatest wisdom and understanding. Simon Peter failed miserably with his unhealthy arrogance and denying Jesus while boasting that he was the only one Jesus could always count on. The other disciples had separate issues, but the Lord still knew they could hear the truth, be corrected by the truth, and be used by Him to accomplish His kingdom purpose.
This is the thing I think everybody needs to hear: Donald Trump asked for the truth and forcefully told me to help surround him with prayer and wisdom, and to never let him forget it. Since our first meeting eight months before the 2016 election until now, he has taken virtually every personal call that I have made to him. Many of them were serious concerns and even important corrections. Likely very few have ever shared more directly sincere concerns and counsel than I have face to face and on the phone. Often it was just the two of us, but on other occasions, there were numerous witnesses in the circle or on the phone. Every time the president heard truth and wisdom, he always expressed appreciation and never pushed back.
The President’s Faith Council
Over the past four years, the church leaders I referred to as standing in supernatural unity have remained faithful in their prayers, counsel and encouragement to the president. They were never partisan. And they never compromised. They are biblically principled individuals who understand the strength of our Constitution and that it is greater than all of the men who penned it. They were willing to risk their reputations by sharing biblical truth with a president who made it clear to them he wanted to hear it because he cared about the concerns of dedicated Christians. He said boldly to all with ears to hear, “I want to give the church her voice back.” The president shared with pastors on numerous occasions that he wanted the church to be able to address issues that matter and not fear losing their tax-exempt status. Confirming this, he signed an executive order in May 2017, urging the Treasury Department to show leniency in enforcing the Johnson Amendment.
All of this had an effect on the president. In answer to the prayers of many believers and interactions with faith leaders, everyone began to see the president make amazing decisions that benefited all American families. Without a doubt, God has used President Trump as an answer to the prayers of His people who long for healing in this land. God has used him, imperfect as he is, to bring correction to areas of our nation that were faltering, and to return to biblical and historically confirmed principles.
Preaching Truth
Many respected Bible teachers, including my friend Beth Moore, have done a great job teaching on the faith, fearlessness and effectiveness of Daniel. Surely everyone knows Daniel counseled and shared God’s wisdom with four kings who were anything but Godly. All of the Old Testament prophets spoke truth to kings and national leaders, as did New Testament apostles. Why does any Bible-believing Christian question or criticize church leaders today for seeking to faithfully do the same thing? I can tell you as a participant, an eyewitness to the counsel shared with President Trump, every one of them was seeking to faithfully fulfill and accomplish what our biblical example revealed.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
The same is true throughout history. Every time leaders receive the truth delivered fearlessly and unwaveringly, the people benefit. This is precisely the role that I and these other faith leaders have sought. In answer to prayer, God miraculously opened the door for us to speak into this president’s life, unlike any president in my lifetime.
So I’m simply saying this: Don’t throw Daniel under the bus! Don’t throw Amos, Isaiah, Jeremiah or any prophet under the bus just because they preach truth to less-than-righteous kings.
Finally, I want to say to Donald Trump: Thank you for listening to the truth and expressing sincere gratitude for it. Let me close by repeating what I’ve said for four years: I have never personally been received more openly, attentively or with such sincere appreciation as I have from Donald Trump – both before and after he became president. I see this as God answering the prayers of His people and fulfilling Kingdom purpose.
James Robison is The Stream’s founder and publisher. He is co-founder of LIFE Outreach International and co-host of LIFE Today. He’s the author of many books, including Indivisible (with Jay Richards) and Living Amazed.


thestream--2020-12-31--#2020Hindsight 2: What We’ve Learned From This Crazy Year

We ’ ve been reflecting here at The Stream on what this hard year has taught us .
Here are some of our thoughts and learnings .
Interestingly , though we didn ’ t plan it this way , it ’ s all about family — including a beloved dog .
Would it be cliché to say 2020 taught me long-suffering ?
Seriously , one positive lesson 2020 taught me is that even in a tragic , troubled , topsy-turvy year , God shows up , steps up , lifts up .
Take Black Friday .
Black Friday had no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Just three days before , our precious dog Dapper had suddenly died , blowing up our Thanksgiving and tearing a huge hole in our hearts .
Friday we ’ d be bringing Dapper to be cremated in Leonardtown , Maryland .
Leonardtown to me was “ The place halfway between my sisters with the great Mexican restaurant and Patuxent Naval Air Station nearby.
” My best hope for the day was that it wouldn ’ t be terrible .
The nightmare phase would be over and the days of steady sorrow would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s tiny body in the morning , then decided to find a coffee shop just to decompress .
Siri led us a mile or so away and into historic Leonardtown .
I ’ d never been there .
After catching our breath with chai latte , we decided , “ Well , we ’ re here .
Might as well walk around.
” Leonardtown dates back to the 17th century and was a bustling place in the 19th century .
We found ourselves captivated by the historic houses , intrigued by the local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s connection to musical theater history ( “ Showboat ” ) .
From there , the Shepherd drew us downhill to the waterfront park on Breton Bay , just off the Potomac .
There , we laid on the “ green pastures ” and soaked in the “ still waters .
We felt such peace and belonging , we found ourselves staying until sunset .
It was — when by all rights it should not have been — a great day .
As we walked back up the hill with our other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sun settling over the waters behind us , I felt the Lord say , “ This is a glimpse of your next season of life.
” Life was going to move on , with peace and beauty and discovery .
Music played throughout the town square .
And church bells rang .
What did I learn from 2020 ?
Life will move on in 2021 , with peace and beauty and discovery .
At this time last year , my expectant wife and I were terrified after our baby received a prenatal diagnosis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Natalie Josie Sileo was born on Feb. 4 , 2020 , just before the COVID-19 pandemic began to dominate so much of American life .
While there are unique challenges of raising a child with special needs , the tragic events of 2020 taught us to be even more grateful that our little girl is healthy .
We ’ ve also learned that people with Down syndrome are some of the happiest people on the planet .
As Natalie ’ s bright smile reminds us every day , people with Down syndrome @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They are a blessing from God .
2020 has been a hard year by all accounts .
My beautiful cousin Dawna went to be with Jesus after a short bout with cancer .
Another cousin passed away earlier this year .
He was in his 30s .
One cousin had a massive heart attack in his 30s .
Thankfully , he ’ s on the mend .
Then Dawna ’ s sister had a stroke .
She was unable to attend her sister ’ s funeral .
Finally , my aunt and uncle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
My uncle is still sedated and is unresponsive at this time .
Death and illness has ravaged my family .
And yet , we know that God is in control of life and death ( Psalm 139:16 ) .
2020 has taught me to appreciate each day that I have been given .
To love without limits .
To tell those around me how much they mean to me .
Until God calls me home , I plan to cherish each moment with those God placed in my life .
2020 has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the labor and delivery ward as I write this , and my first grandchild is due to arrive right around the time this article will be published .
What a hopeful , happy way to end such a hard year !
The world he ’ ll be born into , though , looks a lot more more risky than it did last year at this time .
Less predictable , less orderly , not nearly so much the kind of thing we have control over .
We ’ ve had an illusion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could do it all .
Our nation would stay strong forever .
We had our flaws , but we were on the way ; we figured we ’ d keep getting better and better .
Science would lead us to conquer nature , and especially to defeat all diseases .
Our kids would do better than we did .
That ’ s not looking so true anymore ; we can ’ t be as confident .
So with a new generation coming along in our family , I ’ m thinking more and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confidence lie ; and not just mine , but my offsprings ’ , and their offsprings ’ , too , along with our whole country .
The year has reminded me of my reaction following two major earthquakes , and lots of aftershocks , that hit my home town of Big Bear Lake , California , in 1992 .
I had to ask myself , “ If you can ’ t trust the ground you walk on , what can you trust ?
” The answer is the same as it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Lord , Maker of heaven and earth , the One who protects and redeems all who call on His name .
“ In this world you will have tribulation , ” He said in John 16:33 , “ but take heart , I have overcome the world.
” There ’ s something healthy about being reminded that He alone is our hope : not our nation , not our politicians , not our economy , not science , but the God who loves us .
It ’ s not just comforting , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years can help us see that more clearly than usual ; that ’ s what it ’ s done for me , anyway .
And I have high hopes that my grandson will live a great life in the Lord !

We’ve been reflecting here at The Stream on what this hard year has taught us. Here are some of our thoughts and learnings. Interestingly, though we didn’t plan it this way, it’s all about family — including a beloved dog.
Would it be cliché to say 2020 taught me long-suffering?
Seriously, one positive lesson 2020 taught me is that even in a tragic, troubled, topsy-turvy year, God shows up, steps up, lifts up.
Take Black Friday. Black Friday had no business being a good day for us. Just three days before, our precious dog Dapper had suddenly died, blowing up our Thanksgiving and tearing a huge hole in our hearts. Friday we’d be bringing Dapper to be cremated in Leonardtown, Maryland. Leonardtown to me was “The place halfway between my sisters with the great Mexican restaurant and Patuxent Naval Air Station nearby.”
My best hope for the day was that it wouldn’t be terrible. The nightmare phase would be over and the days of steady sorrow would begin.
We dropped off Dapper’s tiny body in the morning, then decided to find a coffee shop just to decompress. Siri led us a mile or so away and into historic Leonardtown. I’d never been there. After catching our breath with chai latte, we decided, “Well, we’re here. Might as well walk around.”
Leonardtown dates back to the 17th century and was a bustling place in the 19th century. We found ourselves captivated by the historic houses, intrigued by the local lore, and stunned by the town’s connection to musical theater history (“Showboat”). From there, the Shepherd drew us downhill to the waterfront park on Breton Bay, just off the Potomac. There, we laid on the “green pastures” and soaked in the “still waters.
There, “He restoreth my soul.”
We felt such peace and belonging, we found ourselves staying until sunset. It was — when by all rights it should not have been — a great day. As we walked back up the hill with our other tea cup poodle Tassel, with the sun settling over the waters behind us, I felt the Lord say, “This is a glimpse of your next season of life.” Life was going to move on, with peace and beauty and discovery.
Music played throughout the town square. And church bells rang.
What did I learn from 2020? Life will move on in 2021, with peace and beauty and discovery.
At this time last year, my expectant wife and I were terrified after our baby received a prenatal diagnosis of Trisomy 21, or Down syndrome. Natalie Josie Sileo was born on Feb. 4, 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic began to dominate so much of American life.
While there are unique challenges of raising a child with special needs, the tragic events of 2020 taught us to be even more grateful that our little girl is healthy. We’ve also learned that people with Down syndrome are some of the happiest people on the planet.
As Natalie’s bright smile reminds us every day, people with Down syndrome are not a burden on society. They are a blessing from God.
2020 has been a hard year by all accounts.
My beautiful cousin Dawna went to be with Jesus after a short bout with cancer. Another cousin passed away earlier this year. He was in his 30s. One cousin had a massive heart attack in his 30s. Thankfully, he’s on the mend. Then Dawna’s sister had a stroke. She was unable to attend her sister’s funeral. Finally, my aunt and uncle have been in the hospital with COVID-19. My uncle is still sedated and is unresponsive at this time.
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Death and illness has ravaged my family. And yet, we know that God is in control of life and death (Psalm 139:16).
2020 has taught me to appreciate each day that I have been given. To love without limits. To tell those around me how much they mean to me.
Until God calls me home, I plan to cherish each moment with those God placed in my life. 2020 has taught me that.
My daughter is in the labor and delivery ward as I write this, and my first grandchild is due to arrive right around the time this article will be published. What a hopeful, happy way to end such a hard year!
The world he’ll be born into, though, looks a lot more more risky than it did last year at this time. Less predictable, less orderly, not nearly so much the kind of thing we have control over.
We’ve had an illusion, here in America, that we could do it all. Our nation would stay strong forever. We had our flaws, but we were on the way; we figured we’d keep getting better and better. Science would lead us to conquer nature, and especially to defeat all diseases. Our kids would do better than we did.
That’s not looking so true anymore; we can’t be as confident. So with a new generation coming along in our family, I’m thinking more and more about where my hope and my confidence lie; and not just mine, but my offsprings’, and their offsprings’, too, along with our whole country.
The year has reminded me of my reaction following two major earthquakes, and lots of aftershocks, that hit my home town of Big Bear Lake, California, in 1992. I had to ask myself, “If you can’t trust the ground you walk on, what can you trust?”
The answer is the same as it’s always been: We can trust in the Lord, Maker of heaven and earth, the One who protects and redeems all who call on His name. “In this world you will have tribulation,” He said in John 16:33, “but take heart, I have overcome the world.” There’s something healthy about being reminded that He alone is our hope: not our nation, not our politicians, not our economy, not science, but the God who loves us.
It’s not just comforting, it’s also true. Hard years can help us see that more clearly than usual; that’s what it’s done for me, anyway. And I have high hopes that my grandson will live a great life in the Lord!


thestream--2020-12-31--These Companies are Linked to Forced Uighur Slave Labor

A number of companies and brands have been linked to labor forced on Uighur Muslims by the Chinese government , according to multiple reports .
The Washington Post reported Tuesday that Apple supplier Lens Technology uses Uighur workers in its factories , according to documents obtained by the Tech Transparency Project .
These workers were transferred from labor camps in the Xinjiang region of western China , WaPo reported .
Apple , which has said that it is committed to donating to organizations that “ challenge racial injustice and mass incarceration , ” is not the only company to come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ labor .
In a spring 2020 report report titled “ Uyghurs For Sale , ” the Australian Strategic Policy Institute found that at least 83 popular , household-name brands are “ potentially directly or indirectly benefiting from the use of Uyghur workers outside Xinjiang through abusive labour transfer programs as recently as 2019.
” The report listed popular clothing companies Abercrombie & Fitch , Adidas , Gap , Calvin Klein , H & M , L.L.Bean , Lacoste , Nike , The North Face , Polo Ralph Lauren , Puma , Skechers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Secret , as well as General Motors , Goertek , Land Rover , Mercedes-Benz , Volkswagon , and more .
Many of these companies prolifically spoke out against racial injustice following the death of George Floyd in May .
“ This report estimates that more than 80,000 Uyghurs were transferred out of Xinjiang to work in factories across China between 2017 and 2019 , and some of them were sent directly from detention camps , ” a summary of the report said .
“ The estimated figure is conservative and the actual figure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ In factories far away from home , they typically live in segregated dormitories , undergo organised Mandarin and ideological training outside working hours , are subject to constant surveillance , and are forbidden from participating in religious observances , ” the report summary continued .
“ Numerous sources , including government documents , show that transferred workers are assigned minders and have limited freedom of movement.
” Several major companies have reportedly fought efforts to end the practice of forced labor — specifically the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act , which passed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in September .
Coca-Cola , Nike , Apple , and other corporations fought to weaken the bill ’ s language , the New York Times reported in late November , arguing that the bill would harm the supply chains they rely on in China .
Coca-Cola and Nike both pushed back on the NYT report in statements to the Daily Caller , arguing that they did not lobby against the Uyghur Forced Labor Protection Act or source products from Xinjiang .
Apple , which has said that it is is committed to donating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and mass incarceration , ” has protested that it rigorously audits companies in its supply chain to make sure that Apple ’ s products aren ’ t derived from forced labor , saying in a statement to WaPo that “ Apple has zero tolerance for forced labor.
” “ Looking for the presence of forced labor is part of every supplier assessment we conduct , including surprise audits , ” spokesman Josh Rosenstock told Apple .
“ Any violation of our policies has immediate consequences , including possible business termination .
As always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everyone is treated with dignity and respect , and we will continue doing all we can to protect workers in our supply chain , ” Rosenstock added .
Coca-Cola has frequently advocated against racism and discrimination in the U.S .
In June remarks , Coca-Cola CEO James Quincy said he was “ outraged , sad , frustrated , angry ” over the death of George Floyd and promised that the company stands “ with those seeking justice and equality.
” Nike has also spoken out against racism in the U.S. , particularly in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ For once , don ’ t do it .
Don ’ t pretend there ’ s not a problem in America .
Don ’ t turn your back on racism .
Don ’ t accept innocent lives being taken from us.
” “ Nike has a long history of standing against bigotry , hatred and inequality in all forms , ” a Nike spokeswoman said in a May statement .
“ We hope that by sharing this film we can serve as a catalyst to inspire action against a deep issue in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shape a better future.
” An investigation by the Associated Press published in June found that the Chinese government is committing “ demographic genocide ” against Uighur Muslims through forced abortions , birth control , mass detentions , and imprisonment .
The AP investigation , based on interviews with 30 former detainees , family members , a former detention camp instructor , government statistics and state documents , found that the Chinese government seeks to dramatically lower the birthrates of Uighurs and other minorities while encouraging other populations to produce more children .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ few children are often sent to detention camps or subjected to huge fines , the publication found , and police instill terror into families by raiding homes searching for hidden children .
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 .

A number of companies and brands have been linked to labor forced on Uighur Muslims by the Chinese government, according to multiple reports.
The Washington Post reported Tuesday that Apple supplier Lens Technology uses Uighur workers in its factories, according to documents obtained by the Tech Transparency Project. These workers were transferred from labor camps in the Xinjiang region of western China, WaPo reported.
Apple, which has said that it is committed to donating to organizations that “challenge racial injustice and mass incarceration,” is not the only company to come under scrutiny for its links to slave labor. In a spring 2020 report report titled “Uyghurs For Sale,” the Australian Strategic Policy Institute found that at least 83 popular, household-name brands are “potentially directly or indirectly benefiting from the use of Uyghur workers outside Xinjiang through abusive labour transfer programs as recently as 2019.”
The report listed popular clothing companies Abercrombie & Fitch, Adidas, Gap, Calvin Klein, H&M, L.L.Bean, Lacoste, Nike, The North Face, Polo Ralph Lauren, Puma, Skechers, Tommy Hilfiger, Zara, and Victorias Secret, as well as General Motors, Goertek, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagon, and more. Many of these companies prolifically spoke out against racial injustice following the death of George Floyd in May.
“This report estimates that more than 80,000 Uyghurs were transferred out of Xinjiang to work in factories across China between 2017 and 2019, and some of them were sent directly from detention camps,” a summary of the report said. “The estimated figure is conservative and the actual figure is likely to be far higher.”
“In factories far away from home, they typically live in segregated dormitories, undergo organised Mandarin and ideological training outside working hours, are subject to constant surveillance, and are forbidden from participating in religious observances,” the report summary continued. “Numerous sources, including government documents, show that transferred workers are assigned minders and have limited freedom of movement.”
Several major companies have reportedly fought efforts to end the practice of forced labor — specifically the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, which passed the House by a vote of 403-6 in September.
Coca-Cola, Nike, Apple, and other corporations fought to weaken the bill’s language, the New York Times reported in late November, arguing that the bill would harm the supply chains they rely on in China.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Coca-Cola and Nike both pushed back on the NYT report in statements to the Daily Caller, arguing that they did not lobby against the Uyghur Forced Labor Protection Act or source products from Xinjiang.
Apple, which has said that it is is committed to donating to organizations that “challenge racial injustice and mass incarceration,” has protested that it rigorously audits companies in its supply chain to make sure that Apple’s products aren’t derived from forced labor, saying in a statement to WaPo that “Apple has zero tolerance for forced labor.”
“Looking for the presence of forced labor is part of every supplier assessment we conduct, including surprise audits,” spokesman Josh Rosenstock told Apple.
“Any violation of our policies has immediate consequences, including possible business termination. As always, our focus is on making sure everyone is treated with dignity and respect, and we will continue doing all we can to protect workers in our supply chain,” Rosenstock added.
Coca-Cola has frequently advocated against racism and discrimination in the U.S. In June remarks, Coca-Cola CEO James Quincy said he was “outraged, sad, frustrated, angry” over the death of George Floyd and promised that the company stands “with those seeking justice and equality.”
Nike has also spoken out against racism in the U.S., particularly in a May 2020 ad that urged viewers “For once, don’t do it. Don’t pretend there’s not a problem in America. Don’t turn your back on racism. Don’t accept innocent lives being taken from us.”
“Nike has a long history of standing against bigotry, hatred and inequality in all forms,” a Nike spokeswoman said in a May statement. “We hope that by sharing this film we can serve as a catalyst to inspire action against a deep issue in our society and encourage people to help shape a better future.”
An investigation by the Associated Press published in June found that the Chinese government is committing “demographic genocide” against Uighur Muslims through forced abortions, birth control, mass detentions, and imprisonment.
The AP investigation, based on interviews with 30 former detainees, family members, a former detention camp instructor, government statistics and state documents, found that the Chinese government seeks to dramatically lower the birthrates of Uighurs and other minorities while encouraging other populations to produce more children.
Chinese parents who have more than a few children are often sent to detention camps or subjected to huge fines, the publication found, and police instill terror into families by raiding homes searching for hidden children.
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--2020-03-30--Churches Can Take the Government’s Money

The $ 2 trillion Coronavirus Aid , Relief , and Economic Security ( CARES ) Act offers churches and other religious nonprofits money .
Should they take it ?
Some will not need it .
Some will be adamantly opposed to any form of government aid .
But with church giving reportedly down between 30-70 percent , some churches and charities may be forced to shut down their operations entirely without outside funding .
Should they take the government ’ s aid ?
I would argue there is no moral or ethical issue with churches seeking this help at this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s history .
Here are ten reasons why .
The Bible , the Welfare State , and Government Money 1 ) The Bible does not expressly prohibit it .
Scripture does not prohibit accepting funds that are , in essence , forgivable loans .
While the Bible warns against debt , these loans offered to churches are not real debt .
They are designed to be forgiven , as they will become grants .
The fact that there are no examples of churches being helped by the government in Scripture is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the opposite .
It is the absence of law that creates liberty .
The absence of a prohibition in Scripture creates the liberty to consider this option .
2 ) If churches are damaged or fail because of this crisis , the welfare state will expand further .
Churches and nonprofits contribute enormous value to society by providing a network of social services and human support .
The economic value is of inestimable worth to our nation .
If these organizations fail , or even are permanently diminished , the welfare state will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Economic conservatives opposed to socialism and wealth redistribution should want to ensure that churches and nonprofits survive and remain stable once the crisis is over .
This is precisely what money from the CARES Act can provide .
3 ) There is no such thing as government money , only taxpayer money .
The only money the government has come from taxpayers and the government serves as the steward of that public funding .
4 ) Churches regularly use public services like roads , police , and firefighters provided by the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ These are all provided by the government for the common good and paid for 100 percent with taxpayer dollars .
The CARES Act is a form of public accommodation or service made available by the government for the common good because of the damage and loss caused by this unprecedented worldwide crisis .
5 ) As in eminent domain , when the government takes away something of value , it must provide just compensation .
Governments have ordered businesses , churches , and nonprofit organizations to stop operating and “ shelter in place.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ The U.S. Constitution requires just compensation for “ takings ” of private property .
While there is no constitutional requirement , similarly , this relief package compensates for the harm and loss these shutdown orders have created .
6 ) The Constitution requires Congress provide the same aid to every nonprofit organization , including religious nonprofits and churches .
Congress can not discriminate against faith-based organizations because of their beliefs and convictions .
Whether a church should take the aid is a separate question each church must decide for themselves .
7 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funding , causing the Church to continue relying on the state .
This is not an ongoing or permanent financial dependency .
In a time of unprecedented crisis , the government is responding in an unprecedented way with unique help and assistance for most Americans and every church and smaller nonprofits .
8 ) This money is intended to be a loan that will be forgiven , but the loan can also be paid back .
Congress intended these loans will be forgiven if churches use the loan for general operating purposes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ rent , and approved overhead expenses .
A church could also use the loan in the short-term and pay it back with an interest rate of 4 percent .
9 ) There are no strings attached to these loans and no control being exercised by the government over a church ’ s beliefs or function .
One of the greatest fears of Christian charities is that taking public funding will come with strings attached , which the government could use to exercise control over their beliefs or operations .
There are no such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) The CARES act falls within the biblical role of government to restrain evil and promote the common good .
The proper role of government is not primarily to “ increase human liberty , ” as some argue .
From St. Augustine to Chuck Colson , church fathers have recognized the Biblical role of government as twofold : to restrain evil and to promote good , virtue , and justice .
The CARES act does this .
We all have a common enemy in the natural evil of this virus , which could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our most vulnerable citizens if governments around the world did nothing .
They have chosen to lead and protect their citizens and provide orders for safety and security during this pandemic .
One of those actions is to offer churches funding .
Churches should take the money .
John Stemberger is president and general council of the Florida Family Policy Council .
He created the site www.COVIDChurchAid.org .
One of founders of the Christian Scouting movement Trail Life USA , he ’ s now chairman of the board .
An attorney in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long-time pro-family and pro-life leader .

The $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act offers churches and other religious nonprofits money. Should they take it?
Some will not need it. Some will be adamantly opposed to any form of government aid. But with church giving reportedly down between 30-70 percent, some churches and charities may be forced to shut down their operations entirely without outside funding.
Should they take the government’s aid? I would argue there is no moral or ethical issue with churches seeking this help at this unique and unprecedented time in our nation’s history. Here are ten reasons why.
The Bible, the Welfare State, and Government Money
1) The Bible does not expressly prohibit it. Scripture does not prohibit accepting funds that are, in essence, forgivable loans. While the Bible warns against debt, these loans offered to churches are not real debt. They are designed to be forgiven, as they will become grants.
The fact that there are no examples of churches being helped by the government in Scripture is not a valid argument against it. Just the opposite. It is the absence of law that creates liberty. The absence of a prohibition in Scripture creates the liberty to consider this option.
2) If churches are damaged or fail because of this crisis, the welfare state will expand further. Churches and nonprofits contribute enormous value to society by providing a network of social services and human support. The economic value is of inestimable worth to our nation. If these organizations fail, or even are permanently diminished, the welfare state will further expand to compensate for the loss.
Economic conservatives opposed to socialism and wealth redistribution should want to ensure that churches and nonprofits survive and remain stable once the crisis is over. This is precisely what money from the CARES Act can provide.
3) There is no such thing as government money, only taxpayer money. The only money the government has come from taxpayers and the government serves as the steward of that public funding.
Public Services and Compensation
4) Churches regularly use public services like roads, police, and firefighters provided by the government and paid for with taxpayer dollars. These are all provided by the government for the common good and paid for 100 percent with taxpayer dollars. The CARES Act is a form of public accommodation or service made available by the government for the common good because of the damage and loss caused by this unprecedented worldwide crisis.
5) As in eminent domain, when the government takes away something of value, it must provide just compensation. Governments have ordered businesses, churches, and nonprofit organizations to stop operating and “shelter in place.” These orders create economic harm. The U.S. Constitution requires just compensation for “takings” of private property. While there is no constitutional requirement, similarly, this relief package compensates for the harm and loss these shutdown orders have created.
6) The Constitution requires Congress provide the same aid to every nonprofit organization, including religious nonprofits and churches. Congress cannot discriminate against faith-based organizations because of their beliefs and convictions. Whether a church should take the aid is a separate question each church must decide for themselves.
7) This is not a permanent flow of funding, causing the Church to continue relying on the state. This is not an ongoing or permanent financial dependency. In a time of unprecedented crisis, the government is responding in an unprecedented way with unique help and assistance for most Americans and every church and smaller nonprofits.
No Strings Attached
8) This money is intended to be a loan that will be forgiven, but the loan can also be paid back. Congress intended these loans will be forgiven if churches use the loan for general operating purposes. These include salaries, health insurance, rent, and approved overhead expenses. A church could also use the loan in the short-term and pay it back with an interest rate of 4 percent.
9) There are no strings attached to these loans and no control being exercised by the government over a church’s beliefs or function. One of the greatest fears of Christian charities is that taking public funding will come with strings attached, which the government could use to exercise control over their beliefs or operations. There are no such strings with the CARES Act.
10) The CARES act falls within the biblical role of government to restrain evil and promote the common good. The proper role of government is not primarily to “increase human liberty,” as some argue. From St. Augustine to Chuck Colson, church fathers have recognized the Biblical role of government as twofold: to restrain evil and to promote good, virtue, and justice. The CARES act does this.
Our Common Enemy
We all have a common enemy in the natural evil of this virus, which could severely cripple our society and kill millions of our most vulnerable citizens if governments around the world did nothing. They have chosen to lead and protect their citizens and provide orders for safety and security during this pandemic.
One of those actions is to offer churches funding. Churches should take the money.
John Stemberger is president and general council of the Florida Family Policy Council. He created the site www.COVIDChurchAid.org. One of founders of the Christian Scouting movement Trail Life USA, he’s now chairman of the board. An attorney in private practice, he’s a long-time pro-family and pro-life leader.