thestream--2020-10-30--Joe Biden’s Christian Post Op-Ed: Secular Politics in Religion’s Clothing

“ Good afternoon , Mr. Biden .
We just got an invite from The Christian Post for you to put an op-ed in there .
Great opportunity !
” “ Great !
Who do we have on staff who can take my stump speech and sprinkle some church language on it ?
” It could have happened that way .
More likely , though , it was more like this : “ Good afternoon , Mr. Biden .
The Christian Post called and said they ’ d like you to write them an op-ed .
What should we have you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ ve always believed in the greatness of humankind , and from what I ’ ve read , the Bible does , too.
” “ Great — we can work with that !
” I ’ m no mind reader , and I have no idea if either of those is true .
Either could be , based on the content of the op-ed .
His staff could have sprinkled God-language on his stump speech , and it would have come out just that way .
He could have started with strictly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have produced the same result from it .
Or ( a third option ) if he was speaking real convictions developed by way of a deeply secularized , liberal church , the op-ed could have turned out that way as well .
And that ’ s why it fell so flat for me as an evangelical reader .
It ’ s not so much that I disagree with the politics , though I do .
It ’ s that it looked like an opportunistic use of a religious platform to pump his essentially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are believability problems in it , to be sure .
He says he ’ s built his life work on the Great Commandments , even adding that this is “ the cornerstone upon which our family is built.
” Meanwhile credible allegations keep multiplying , by which it appears that he “ loved ” his family enough to involve them in greedy , illegal investments in China and beyond .
Biden hammers hard on unity , but he ’ s the head of a party whose House Speaker ripped the president ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He said nothing to her about it , as far as anyone knows .
( Either he ’ s not really that committed to unity , or else he ’ s not really the leader of the party . )
Meanwhile , through “ intersectionality , ” the Left he represents slices humanity into the smallest conceivable separate parts , and makes a philosophical commitment to everyone ’ s permanent inability to connect .
He wants racial unity in particular , he says , but his party has stood by and condoned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of burning , looting , killing , and destroying .
He says “ character is on the ballot , ” meaning of course that his character is better than Trump ’ s .
But character means many things .
Of course it includes refraining from saying impulsive , divisive , nasty things about other people .
( You “ chumps ” know exactly who I ’ m talking about . )
Yet it also includes the ability to stand .
To lead .
To be credible as one ’ s own person .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ test , Biden has huge problems with the other .
He didn ’ t call the governors and mayors of those burning cities , he says , because he wasn ’ t “ in elected office.
” That ’ s not exactly sterling leadership character on display .
What bothers me most , though , in the context of The Christian Post , is how his op-ed could fit any of my three imagined scenarios above , ranging from full sincerity to rank hypocrisy .
My guess is that Biden is relatively sincere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sincerity tilts toward a liberalized and mostly humanistic view of God and man .
It ’ s religion with man at the center , not God .
He mentions love for God , but only briefly .
His view of man is centered on the imago dei , the image of God in which we are created , and the dignity and worth that confers upon us .
That ’ s good preaching except for what it leaves out , which is our fallenness , our pride , our desperate need to go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too , is central to the Bible ’ s message of what it means to be human .
Our country ’ s Founders recognized that , and built guardrails around human pride and power-seeking through the Constitution ’ s checks and balances .
The liberal instinct is to knock down those protections ; to say , “ We can solve it for you , just hand us the power .
All we need is the power.
” It shows up in their impulse to say , “ The Creator endowed us with inalienable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do better than that .
We ’ ve got to update and correct that list.
” Sexual freedom , for one obvious example , is increasingly taking legal priority over religious freedom and freedom of speech .
And then there ’ s abortion .
Biden says in his op-ed , “ My faith implores me to embrace a preferential option for the poor.
” If he ’ d read more thoroughly , he ’ d know that God ’ s real preference is for the innocent and oppressed , of which there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the womb .
His party ’ s beloved “ corrections ” have given us a manifestly ungodly “ right to choose.
” Biden tells us he loves God , but gives no assurance that he sees God in charge of his life or his leadership .
He ’ s got serious believability problems , he ’ s putting forward a human-centered faith , yet he wants us to believe it ’ s all built on the Great Commandments .
The result : It all rings of religion in service of politics , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If in fact it ’ s real religion , it ’ s real secularized religion .
It raises the question , is Donald Trump any better ?
There ’ s no sign that he gets his politics from biblical religion , either .
He tries religious language and symbolism and fumbles it .
Frankly , though , I ’ d rather Joe Biden had fumbled too .
Trump looks like someone who ’ s trying to figure out the religion thing , and stumbling over it at times .
Biden looks like someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all figured out ; that he ’ s doing just great at it .
It ’ s human pride again , dressed up in religious clothing .
Religion is the ugliest form of pride .
It doesn ’ t ring real , and it doesn ’ t play well in a venue like The Christian Post .
It doesn ’ t play well anywhere .
Tom Gilson ( @ TomGilsonAuthor ) is a senior editor with The Stream and the author or editor of six books , including the recently released Too Good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Incomparable Character Reveals His Reality .

The phone rings.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Biden. We just got an invite from The Christian Post for you to put an op-ed in there. Great opportunity!”
“Great! Who do we have on staff who can take my stump speech and sprinkle some church language on it?”
It could have happened that way. More likely, though, it was more like this:
“Good afternoon, Mr. Biden. The Christian Post called and said they’d like you to write them an op-ed. What should we have you write about?”
“Well, I’ve always believed in the greatness of humankind, and from what I’ve read, the Bible does, too.”
“Great — we can work with that!”
I’m no mind reader, and I have no idea if either of those is true. Either could be, based on the content of the op-ed. His staff could have sprinkled God-language on his stump speech, and it would have come out just that way. He could have started with strictly atheistic humanism, and his team could have produced the same result from it. Or (a third option) if he was speaking real convictions developed by way of a deeply secularized, liberal church, the op-ed could have turned out that way as well.
And that’s why it fell so flat for me as an evangelical reader. It’s not so much that I disagree with the politics, though I do. It’s that it looked like an opportunistic use of a religious platform to pump his essentially secular, humanistic political beliefs.
Believability Problems
There are believability problems in it, to be sure. He says he’s built his life work on the Great Commandments, even adding that this is “the cornerstone upon which our family is built.” Meanwhile credible allegations keep multiplying, by which it appears that he “loved” his family enough to involve them in greedy, illegal investments in China and beyond.
Biden hammers hard on unity, but he’s the head of a party whose House Speaker ripped the president’s State of the Union speech to shreds. He said nothing to her about it, as far as anyone knows. (Either he’s not really that committed to unity, or else he’s not really the leader of the party.) Meanwhile, through “intersectionality,” the Left he represents slices humanity into the smallest conceivable separate parts, and makes a philosophical commitment to everyone’s permanent inability to connect.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
He wants racial unity in particular, he says, but his party has stood by and condoned race-based anger, carried to horrific extremes of burning, looting, killing, and destroying.
He says “character is on the ballot,” meaning of course that his character is better than Trump’s. But character means many things. Of course it includes refraining from saying impulsive, divisive, nasty things about other people. (You “chumps” know exactly who I’m talking about.) Yet it also includes the ability to stand. To lead. To be credible as one’s own person. If Trump has trouble passing the one test, Biden has huge problems with the other. He didn’t call the governors and mayors of those burning cities, he says, because he wasn’t “in elected office.” That’s not exactly sterling leadership character on display.
A Human-Centered Faith
What bothers me most, though, in the context of The Christian Post, is how his op-ed could fit any of my three imagined scenarios above, ranging from full sincerity to rank hypocrisy. My guess is that Biden is relatively sincere in what he says, but his sincerity tilts toward a liberalized and mostly humanistic view of God and man. It’s religion with man at the center, not God.
He mentions love for God, but only briefly. His view of man is centered on the imago dei, the image of God in which we are created, and the dignity and worth that confers upon us. That’s good preaching except for what it leaves out, which is our fallenness, our pride, our desperate need to go to God for guidance. This, too, is central to the Bible’s message of what it means to be human.
Biden looks like someone who thinks he’s got religion all figured out; that he’s doing just great at it. It’s human pride again, dressed up in religious clothing.
Our country’s Founders recognized that, and built guardrails around human pride and power-seeking through the Constitution’s checks and balances. The liberal instinct is to knock down those protections; to say, “We can solve it for you, just hand us the power. All we need is the power.” It shows up in their impulse to say, “The Creator endowed us with inalienable rights, sure, but we can do better than that. We’ve got to update and correct that list.”
Sexual freedom, for one obvious example, is increasingly taking legal priority over religious freedom and freedom of speech. And then there’s abortion. Biden says in his op-ed, “My faith implores me to embrace a preferential option for the poor.” If he’d read more thoroughly, he’d know that God’s real preference is for the innocent and oppressed, of which there is no greater example than the unwanted baby in the womb. His party’s beloved “corrections” have given us a manifestly ungodly “right to choose.”
Pride of Religion Doesn’t Play Well
Biden tells us he loves God, but gives no assurance that he sees God in charge of his life or his leadership. He’s got serious believability problems, he’s putting forward a human-centered faith, yet he wants us to believe it’s all built on the Great Commandments. The result: It all rings of religion in service of politics, rather than the other way around. If in fact it’s real religion, it’s real secularized religion.
It raises the question, is Donald Trump any better? There’s no sign that he gets his politics from biblical religion, either. He tries religious language and symbolism and fumbles it. Frankly, though, I’d rather Joe Biden had fumbled too. Trump looks like someone who’s trying to figure out the religion thing, and stumbling over it at times. Biden looks like someone who thinks he’s got it all figured out; that he’s doing just great at it.
It’s human pride again, dressed up in religious clothing. Religion is the ugliest form of pride. It doesn’t ring real, and it doesn’t play well in a venue like The Christian Post. It doesn’t play well anywhere.
Tom Gilson (@TomGilsonAuthor) is a senior editor with The Stream and the author or editor of six books, including the recently released Too Good To Be False: How Jesus’ Incomparable Character Reveals His Reality.


thestream--2020-10-30--God Changed His Mind Three Times. Here’s Why.

With Election Day fast approaching , I ’ m not surprised that a question I ’ ve struggled with for years has resurfaced : Does my vote really matter ?
In the big scheme of things , has a national election ever been decided by one solitary vote ?
Don ’ t get me wrong , I ’ m voting and exercising my constitutional right , but perhaps I ’ ve lost some faith in a fair and untampered process as well as a legitimate outcome .
Thinking about this makes me feel small and powerless , tempted to question @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I would rather put my faith in a just and righteous God who , in His sovereignty , is in complete control of the way history is being written .
When I think about God as the Author of history , I question whether my prayer counts .
Does it make a difference ?
Is there ever a time when the sovereignty of God overrides all of it ?
When He ’ s going to do what He ’ s going to do and that ’ s it ?
The votes , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
And if I think that way , where does it leave me ?
I am reminded of the age-old mystery between God ’ s sovereignty and man ’ s actions — and when , where , and how the two intersect when it comes to determining history .
It ’ s at this juncture I am confronted by the question : If God is the Sovereign Lord over all things ( Acts 4:24 ) ( and He is ) , if He has decreed and declared the end from the beginning ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , and if His counsel prevails ( Isaiah 46:10 ) ( and it does ) , can we change God ’ s mind ?
Especially as it relates to impending judgment ?
And if so , how ?
Can a change of heart in us change the heart of God toward us ?
I was ready to confront my “ Que Será , Será ” attitude .
Just as I want to believe my vote counts , I want to believe that my prayer and intercession counts , my crying out to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The reassurance I was searching for was confirmed by three distinct stories in Scripture .
In I Kings 21 , God had mercy on King Ahab of Israel , a wicked leader who , above all others , “ sold himself to do what was evil in the sight of the Lord ” ( 21:25 ) .
Many would write him off as a hopelessly morally bankrupt human .
And he was .
Look no further than the time he thought nothing of turning a blind eye to a conspiracy that killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could plant a vegetable garden ( 21:1-15 ) .
When Elijah came to call him out on it , he addressed God ’ s chosen prophet as his enemy ( 21:20 ) , although that didn ’ t deter Elijah from telling Ahab that the Lord was going to “ utterly burn him up ” and cut off every male from his lineage ( 21:21 ) .
At these words , something in Ahab changed .
He actually took them to heart and tore his clothes , putting sackcloth on instead .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of truth take root in his heart .
And God took notice .
The Lord said to Elijah , “ Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before me ?
” ( 21:29 ) .
Ahab ’ s self-humbling changed God ’ s mind .
God delayed judgment for sin by not bringing disaster in Ahab ’ s days but in his son ’ s days ( 21:29 ) instead .
If God gave this morally-bereft king an opportunity to change His mind about judgment , is He not still giving us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mind as well ?
In Numbers 14 , we find God ’ s mind made up to wipe out the children of Israel , as in the entire population , except Moses .
After having been miraculously brought out of Egypt , they rebelled and cried out to go back to the slavery of Egypt after hearing the report of the twelve spies .
Offended by their unbelief , the Lord had determined to “ strike them with pestilence and disinherit them ” ( 14:12 ) .
Until Moses interceded .
Moses reminded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the greatness of His steadfast love , imploring Him “ to pardon the iniquity of this people ” ( 14:19 ) .
It was a clear-cut intervention by Moses — and God listened .
And changed His mind .
He did not wipe them all out in the desert .
Instead , through Moses ’ mediation between Offended and Offender , God relented and upheld His own reputation of being a merciful promise-keeper .
God altered his original course of total annihilation and allowed that generation of unbelievers to pass away over time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Promised Land .
During the time of Jonah , the “ exceedingly great city ” Nineveh was the capital of the Assyrian Empire and its evil had come up before the Lord ( Jonah 1:2 ) .
After running away to Tarshish and being swallowed by a fish , Jonah finally obeyed God and went to Nineveh proclaiming a message of impending judgment and an overthrow of the city in forty days ( 3:4 ) .
Immediately , the residents of Nineveh believed God .
From the king all the way down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , fasted and humbled himself and turned away from what was evil in God ’ s sight .
Nineveh ’ s king said , “ Who knows ?
God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger , so that we might not perish ” ( 3:9 ) .
He was right .
God saw what they did and “ relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them , and He did not do it ” ( 3:10 ) .
Again , God changed his mind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ king did not assume their actions as a guarantee , but rather as a possibility , subject to a higher authority than his .
No one was exempt from fasting and repentance , and the decree came from a leader who was participating , as well .
What is God Looking For ?
II Chronicles 16:9 says God is looking for “ those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.
” He ’ s looking for hearts .
Hearts full of honesty that don ’ t talk about turning away from sin , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Don ’ t talk about prayer , but actually pray .
From these biblical accounts , it gives God no joy to get our attention through disaster and judgment .
As Jonah said , “ …for I knew You were a gracious God…slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love , relenting from disaster ” ( 4:2 ) .
I will answer my own question : My prayers matter .
So , I will pray and intercede , I will seek , I will repent and humble myself .
Who knows ?
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may not perish.
” Yes , God may and can and does change His mind .
Annemarie McLean is a four-girl mom , freelance writer , and co-founder of Brave & Beautiful , a ministry focused on challenging young women to live purpose-driven lives full of courage and character , while developing Christ-centered inner beauty .
Annemarie holds a journalism degree from Oral Roberts University , with graduate work in organizational leadership at Palm Beach Atlantic University .

With Election Day fast approaching, I’m not surprised that a question I’ve struggled with for years has resurfaced: Does my vote really matter? In the big scheme of things, has a national election ever been decided by one solitary vote?
Don’t get me wrong, I’m voting and exercising my constitutional right, but perhaps I’ve lost some faith in a fair and untampered process as well as a legitimate outcome. Thinking about this makes me feel small and powerless, tempted to question the power of my one vote.
I would rather put my faith in a just and righteous God who, in His sovereignty, is in complete control of the way history is being written. When I think about God as the Author of history, I question whether my prayer counts. Does it make a difference? Is there ever a time when the sovereignty of God overrides all of it? When He’s going to do what He’s going to do and that’s it? The votes, the prayers … does any of it matter? And if I think that way, where does it leave me?
Change of Heart
I am reminded of the age-old mystery between God’s sovereignty and man’s actions — and when, where, and how the two intersect when it comes to determining history. It’s at this juncture I am confronted by the question: If God is the Sovereign Lord over all things (Acts 4:24) (and He is), if He has decreed and declared the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10) (and He has), and if His counsel prevails (Isaiah 46:10) (and it does), can we change God’s mind? Especially as it relates to impending judgment? And if so, how? Can a change of heart in us change the heart of God toward us?
I was ready to confront my “Que Será, Será” attitude. Just as I want to believe my vote counts, I want to believe that my prayer and intercession counts, my crying out to God counts, and my repentance counts. The reassurance I was searching for was confirmed by three distinct stories in Scripture.
Ahab and Personal Humility
In I Kings 21, God had mercy on King Ahab of Israel, a wicked leader who, above all others, “sold himself to do what was evil in the sight of the Lord” (21:25). Many would write him off as a hopelessly morally bankrupt human. And he was. Look no further than the time he thought nothing of turning a blind eye to a conspiracy that killed an innocent man, just so he could plant a vegetable garden (21:1-15). When Elijah came to call him out on it, he addressed God’s chosen prophet as his enemy (21:20), although that didn’t deter Elijah from telling Ahab that the Lord was going to “utterly burn him up” and cut off every male from his lineage (21:21).
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
At these words, something in Ahab changed. He actually took them to heart and tore his clothes, putting sackcloth on instead. He fasted and let Elijah’s message of truth take root in his heart. And God took notice. The Lord said to Elijah, “Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before me?” (21:29). Ahab’s self-humbling changed God’s mind. God delayed judgment for sin by not bringing disaster in Ahab’s days but in his son’s days (21:29) instead. If God gave this morally-bereft king an opportunity to change His mind about judgment, is He not still giving us a window of time to change His mind as well?
Moses and Intercession
In Numbers 14, we find God’s mind made up to wipe out the children of Israel, as in the entire population, except Moses. After having been miraculously brought out of Egypt, they rebelled and cried out to go back to the slavery of Egypt after hearing the report of the twelve spies. Offended by their unbelief, the Lord had determined to “strike them with pestilence and disinherit them” (14:12). Until Moses interceded. Moses reminded God of His relationship to Israel and the greatness of His steadfast love, imploring Him “to pardon the iniquity of this people” (14:19).
Can a change of heart in us change the heart of God toward us?
It was a clear-cut intervention by Moses — and God listened. And changed His mind. He did not wipe them all out in the desert. Instead, through Moses’ mediation between Offended and Offender, God relented and upheld His own reputation of being a merciful promise-keeper. God altered his original course of total annihilation and allowed that generation of unbelievers to pass away over time in the desert while their children inherited The Promised Land.
Nineveh and Corporate Fasting and Repentance
During the time of Jonah, the “exceedingly great city” Nineveh was the capital of the Assyrian Empire and its evil had come up before the Lord (Jonah 1:2). After running away to Tarshish and being swallowed by a fish, Jonah finally obeyed God and went to Nineveh proclaiming a message of impending judgment and an overthrow of the city in forty days (3:4).
Immediately, the residents of Nineveh believed God. From the king all the way down to the cows, everyone without exception, fasted and humbled himself and turned away from what was evil in God’s sight. Nineveh’s king said, “Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we might not perish” (3:9).
He was right. God saw what they did and “relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and He did not do it” (3:10).
Again, God changed his mind. The humility of Nineveh’s king did not assume their actions as a guarantee, but rather as a possibility, subject to a higher authority than his. No one was exempt from fasting and repentance, and the decree came from a leader who was participating, as well.
What is God Looking For?
II Chronicles 16:9 says God is looking for “those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.” He’s looking for hearts. Hearts full of honesty that don’t talk about turning away from sin, but actually turn away from sin. Don’t talk about prayer, but actually pray.
From these biblical accounts, it gives God no joy to get our attention through disaster and judgment. As Jonah said, “…for I knew You were a gracious God…slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, relenting from disaster” (4:2).
I will answer my own question: My prayers matter. So, I will pray and intercede, I will seek, I will repent and humble myself. Who knows? “God may turn and relent that we may not perish.”
Yes, God may and can and does change His mind.
Annemarie McLean is a four-girl mom, freelance writer, and co-founder of Brave & Beautiful, a ministry focused on challenging young women to live purpose-driven lives full of courage and character, while developing Christ-centered inner beauty. Annemarie holds a journalism degree from Oral Roberts University, with graduate work in organizational leadership at Palm Beach Atlantic University.


thestream--2020-10-31--To Trump or Not to Trump? Why I’ve Landed Where I’ve Landed

“ Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
” ( Romans 14:5 ) Four years ago I posted much of what I am about to say again .
This time , I ’ m saying it against a backdrop of national madness and volatility that makes 2016 look calm , and that ’ s an impressive achievement .
I ’ m also saying it with a keener sense of urgency than I had four years ago , along with a desire to explain what some of my friends find unfathomable , and others find inevitable .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Since blogging affords a chance to explain your position on issues that matter , and since this one unquestionably does , let me explain why I ’ ve landed where I ’ ve landed .
There are four points I weigh when I vote in a presidential election : 1 .
The principles and policies the candidate promotes 2 .
The principles and policies of the party the candidate will elevate 3 .
The appointments the candidate will make , particularly in the Supreme Court 4 .
The general trajectory the candidate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on those four considerations , I ’ ve decided that my vote and support will go to Trump .
Let me take each of these four categories and explain why he ’ s my choice .
Principles and Policies of the Candidate A candidate ’ s principles on questions like big versus limited government , American exceptionalism , immigration reform , national defense , taxes and personal liberties , will guide her or his policies .
Those two items — Principles and Policies — carry more weight with me than the temperament , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Temperament and character matter , but to me , the governing policies and principles of the candidate matter even more .
Now , if I were choosing a pastor , then character , like sound doctrine , would be a non-negotiable .
In that case , if both candidates for the pulpit were of questionable character , I ’ d say “ forget it ” and find another church .
Within the Body of Christ there ’ s no excuse for leadership which is not high in both character and competence .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — City Councilman or Police Chief or Governor or President — to be godly , dignified and gentlemanly , I won ’ t demand those qualities in secular leadership .
Nor will I even place them above policy , because ultimately , I believe the policies of the president have more lasting impact than her or his temperament and character .
More plainly put , if someone is steering a ship I am on , I want him to be steering it in the direction I want to go .
I would also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a good man .
More than that , though I want him to be the man who will get the ship to the right destination .
Give Him This Much At Least Which is not to say I view Trump ’ s entire character and temperament as problematic .
There are times his words make me cringe ; other times I say , as Ben Shapiro did recently , “ The Good Trump showed up.
” The night of the 2016 election I saw that Good Trump , humbled but assured , calm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years , he has often been that .
( Case in point , the last debate . )
But he is also , and often , painfully wrong in the words he uses and the tone he resorts to in public .
I won ’ t concede that he is , as some like to insist , a raging narcissist , but I will say plainly that I ’ m against the name calling and sarcasm we too often hear from a man who should both know and do better as a Christian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That said , I ’ m also not about to demonize a man who ’ s demonstrated competence and gotten results in areas I care deeply about ( economy , appointments , national security ) .
Nor will I paint his character with a broad brush , whether positive or negative .
Speaking of which , I ’ ve got to give him this : Trump was doing just fine in life before he took on the presidency .
He was a comfortable and successful billionaire who could have coasted pleasantly into his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unpaid position that ’ s subjected him to daily stabs from a media and cultural elite who ’ ve been positively rabid in their obsessive anti-Trump efforts , foaming at the mouth at the mere mention of his name .
So yes , I admire him for plowing ahead and accomplishing what he has under unprecedented opposition .
At this point , I ’ ll bet some folks just got off the bus .
I understand .
I ’ ve heard from many close friends and associates who say that my voting for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , multi-married hothead is akin to being in communion with the unrighteous .
But my concept of being in communion is more about the believers I interact with inside the Body , my own congregation especially , and less about the secular leaders I vote for in society .
Which raises the oft-quoted “ lesser of two evils ” phrase , a concept I ’ ve always felt a little silly when choosing a president .
When we go to the ballot box we choose what we consider the be the better of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two evils .
I doubt any of us consider our choice to be perfect while the other is irredeemable .
That ’ s why I also laugh when people refer to Trump voters as “ Trumpists ” or as people who see him as our Messiah just because we want him in office .
Come on , now .
Supporting a candidate is hardly an act of worship .
It takes a serious absence of thought and maturity to say otherwise .
Indeed , the most enthusiasm I ever felt at the ballot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yet as a supporter I was also aware of his wife ’ s unrepentant practice of astrology .
I loathed Mrs. Reagan ’ s willingness to engage the occult , much as I loathed Mr. Reagan ’ s quiet acquiescence to it .
But personal shortcomings , however blatant , couldn ’ t diminish my conviction that his governing principles and policies were in the best interest of the country .
To put it more plainly , my question to any candidate is more “ How will you run the country ?
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are you ?
” Both are important ; one is non-negotiable .
Principles and Policies of the Party I am not just voting for an individual , but for a party platform as well .
On that point , while not finding the Republican platform perfect by any means , I strongly prefer it to the alternative .
On the issues raised above — national defense , immigration reform , taxes and personal liberties — I have more confidence in my own party and its goals .
Conversely , this past year has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic Party , almost beyond repair .
In 2020 Democratic leadership has shown itself to be supportive of , or consenting to , the most loathsome elements of organized anarchy .
Some Democratic leaders have openly supported Antifa or Black Lives Matter , some have openly supported unlawful and violent takeovers of American cities .
Some have called for public harassment of Trump ’ s Cabinet Members , some have resorted to personally and publicly intimidating citizens they disagreed with ( even if they were young girls expressing a simple pro-life view ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — have been silent or lukewarm in their response to the domestic terrorism we ’ ve seen on the nightly news .
( Click HERE , HERE , and HERE for example . )
I see no future for America governed by leadership that will green-light , through approval or passivity , a socialist revolution which considers itself morally superior to its opponents , and entitled to steamroll them in any way , at any cost .
The Church is Next As a believer , I also have a growing fear of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Church under a Biden administration .
I don ’ t think that ’ s because of personal animosity on Mr. Biden ’ s part , who identifies as a Catholic taking his faith seriously .
I ’ m not about to judge such a claim .
If he says it , I accept it .
But his party is largely beholden to groups whose commitment to silencing the Christian influence is unyielding .
Antifa , BLM and the LGBTQ movement in particular , along with the more radicalized facets of the feminist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brazenly around the world , and certainly in our own nation , as groups intolerant of opposing views and more than willing to punish individuals and institutions promoting values different than their own .
Especially the Church , a fact which can only be denied by ignoring countless incidents of lawsuits , threats and sanctions and both current and proposed legislation .
Mr. Biden himself has already lumped “ religious condemnation ” of homosexuality along with police brutality and social isolation .
It ’ s sentiment I ’ ve no doubt he will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his unwillingness to state whether or not he will pack the Supreme Court with extra justices and you have two serious reasons for serious concerns .
It Matters to the Church Some Christians shrug this off , suggesting that even if the Church in America should suffer censorship and limitations , it will only make for a purer church .
Hardship refines Christians , no doubt , so that argument has some merit .
But it misses a larger point : If our ability to speak truth is crippled , we may indeed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hearers , now unable to receive a message which has been muted by endless statutes and limitations , will be that much harder to hear .
If we lose our voice , those who would benefit from it lose much more .
Is there any virtue in letting that happen ?
The early Church was birthed in an environment unfriendly to the faith , but the same can not be said of the American church .
It thrived for centuries in a nation celebrating religious freedom , and if modern believers , through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forfeit those freedoms , let ’ s not call it persecution .
Let ’ s call it failure , one which we ’ ll answer for both to future generations and to the God we serve .
A President ’ s legacy is felt largely through his appointments , and nowhere is that legacy more keenly felt , often for decades , than in the Supreme Court .
That ’ s where more and more of America ’ s future is being decided , and on this point , I find it simple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more likely to appoint non-activist justices who view the Constitution as an authority , rather than a friendly , optional guide .
For obvious reasons , then , I ’ m awfully proud of the fact that the man I counted on in 2016 to appoint wisely has done so not once , not twice , but thrice .
That ’ s because domestic issues are less than ever in the hands of the voting public , and more than ever in the hands of unelected judges .
Our liberties , then , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ select group with significant powers .
It matters less to me whether that group ’ s dominated by left or right leaning justices , and more whether it ’ s dominated by people who commit to interpreting laws rather than imposing or composing them .
Trump ’ s choices in this matter have been , to my thinking , far safer .
I ’ m way past believing that any candidate will , if elected , fulfill all promises made .
But while looking at specific “ I Will Do Such and Such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I also look at the general trajectory the candidate or incumbent seems to be going and will , if empowered , take the rest of us .
So I ask myself : • Is the presidential aspirant someone who moves towards expanding government powers or reigning them in ?
• Will he consider the protection of current Americans to take precedence over the benefits available to non-Americans wanting to enter the country ?
• Is our safety important enough to this person that he will take an unmistakably aggressive posture towards any ideology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ domestically or internationally ?
• Does he believe in the fundamental greatness of America and take a generally positive view of our history and accomplishments ?
• Will expression of personal conscience and religious liberty thrive or wither under this person ’ s administration ?
Answering those questions helps me decide .
But what about Christians who have not decided , who wonder if they can in good conscience vote for either candidate ?
They may be tempted to say “ None of the above ” when they review their ballot .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidate yet loathed his personality as well , it would still be difficult for me to see any virtue in withholding my vote — and thus granting one to the candidate whose policies I don ’ t support — just because my party ’ s candidate doesn ’ t pass my character muster .
Because while it ’ s true that I can leave my church if there ’ s no godly leadership available there , I can not just pack and leave my country .
Someone is going to sit in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be one of two people .
If I choose what some call the lesser of two evils ( I don ’ t consider Trump to be that , but some do ) I am also choosing the better of two options .
I see that as both reasonable and responsible , and I feel that throwing my chance to influence the future leadership of my country away out of distaste for the options available would be a poor stewarding of my responsibility to vote .
After this election , some of us will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump critics , should he win , may be angry with those of us who supported him , feeling we reelected an unqualified blowhard into the highest office .
Should he lose , those of us supporting him may be angry with fellow believers who , we may feel , helped plunge us over a cliff .
Either way , grace is certainly going to be called for .
But let ’ s not wait until November to show it .
Disagreeing is fair , and as adults we should be able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s integrity or sanity .
I am persuaded to vote according to my conscience , as are you .
So I promise I will assume you have made your choice carefully and prayerfully .
Please assume the same of me , because I think you and I both deserve that courtesy .
Here we go again , prayerfully , with fears and hopes in equal measure .
God have Your way .
And may God bless , and have mercy on , America .
Joe Dallas is the Program Director of Genesis Biblical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Association of Christian Counselors .
His daily blog is Joe Dallas Online .
He is the author of Desires in Conflict , The Game Plan , and When Homosexuality Hits Home .
His latest book is Five Steps to Breaking Free from Porn .
Follow him on Twitter at @ JoeDallasTGP and follow The Stream @ Streamdotorg .

“Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.”
(Romans 14:5)
Four years ago I posted much of what I am about to say again. This time, I’m saying it against a backdrop of national madness and volatility that makes 2016 look calm, and that’s an impressive achievement.
I’m also saying it with a keener sense of urgency than I had four years ago, along with a desire to explain what some of my friends find unfathomable, and others find inevitable. I will be voting again for Donald Trump.
I will be voting again for Donald Trump.
Since blogging affords a chance to explain your position on issues that matter, and since this one unquestionably does, let me explain why I’ve landed where I’ve landed.
The Rationale
There are four points I weigh when I vote in a presidential election:
1. The principles and policies the candidate promotes
2. The principles and policies of the party the candidate will elevate
3. The appointments the candidate will make, particularly in the Supreme Court
4. The general trajectory the candidate will take the country if elected
Based on those four considerations, I’ve decided that my vote and support will go to Trump. Let me take each of these four categories and explain why he’s my choice.
Principles and Policies of the Candidate
A candidate’s principles on questions like big versus limited government, American exceptionalism, immigration reform, national defense, taxes and personal liberties, will guide her or his policies.
Those two items — Principles and Policies — carry more weight with me than the temperament, character or personality of the candidate. Temperament and character matter, but to me, the governing policies and principles of the candidate matter even more.
Now, if I were choosing a pastor, then character, like sound doctrine, would be a non-negotiable. In that case, if both candidates for the pulpit were of questionable character, I’d say “forget it” and find another church. Within the Body of Christ there’s no excuse for leadership which is not high in both character and competence.
But while I’d prefer any leader — City Councilman or Police Chief or Governor or President — to be godly, dignified and gentlemanly, I won’t demand those qualities in secular leadership. Nor will I even place them above policy, because ultimately, I believe the policies of the president have more lasting impact than her or his temperament and character.
More plainly put, if someone is steering a ship I am on, I want him to be steering it in the direction I want to go. I would also prefer the man at the wheel be a good man. More than that, though I want him to be the man who will get the ship to the right destination.
(Mother Teresa was, after all, a woman of immeasurable character and temperament. I’m not at all sure she would been an effective Commander in Chief. It’s a president we’re electing next week, not a saint.)
Give Him This Much At Least
Which is not to say I view Trump’s entire character and temperament as problematic. There are times his words make me cringe; other times I say, as Ben Shapiro did recently, “The Good Trump showed up.” The night of the 2016 election I saw that Good Trump, humbled but assured, calm, reasonable. Over the last four years, he has often been that. (Case in point, the last debate.)
But he is also, and often, painfully wrong in the words he uses and the tone he resorts to in public. I won’t concede that he is, as some like to insist, a raging narcissist, but I will say plainly that I’m against the name calling and sarcasm we too often hear from a man who should both know and do better as a Christian, an adult and our president.
That said, I’m also not about to demonize a man who’s demonstrated competence and gotten results in areas I care deeply about (economy, appointments, national security). Nor will I paint his character with a broad brush, whether positive or negative.
Speaking of which, I’ve got to give him this: Trump was doing just fine in life before he took on the presidency. He was a comfortable and successful billionaire who could have coasted pleasantly into his later years. Instead he took an unpaid position that’s subjected him to daily stabs from a media and cultural elite who’ve been positively rabid in their obsessive anti-Trump efforts, foaming at the mouth at the mere mention of his name. So yes, I admire him for plowing ahead and accomplishing what he has under unprecedented opposition.
Fellowshipping with the Carnal?
At this point, I’ll bet some folks just got off the bus. I understand. I’ve heard from many close friends and associates who say that my voting for what they consider a blustering, quick-tempered, multi-married hothead is akin to being in communion with the unrighteous.
But my concept of being in communion is more about the believers I interact with inside the Body, my own congregation especially, and less about the secular leaders I vote for in society.
Which raises the oft-quoted “lesser of two evils” phrase, a concept I’ve always felt a little silly when choosing a president.
When we go to the ballot box we choose what we consider the be the better of two choices, not the lesser of two evils. I doubt any of us consider our choice to be perfect while the other is irredeemable. That’s why I also laugh when people refer to Trump voters as “Trumpists” or as people who see him as our Messiah just because we want him in office.
Come on, now. Supporting a candidate is hardly an act of worship. It takes a serious absence of thought and maturity to say otherwise.
Indeed, the most enthusiasm I ever felt at the ballot box was generated by Ronald Reagan. Yet as a supporter I was also aware of his wife’s unrepentant practice of astrology. I loathed Mrs. Reagan’s willingness to engage the occult, much as I loathed Mr. Reagan’s quiet acquiescence to it. But personal shortcomings, however blatant, couldn’t diminish my conviction that his governing principles and policies were in the best interest of the country.
To put it more plainly, my question to any candidate is more “How will you run the country?” and less “What sort of person are you?” Both are important; one is non-negotiable.
Principles and Policies of the Party
I am not just voting for an individual, but for a party platform as well. On that point, while not finding the Republican platform perfect by any means, I strongly prefer it to the alternative.
On the issues raised above — national defense, immigration reform, taxes and personal liberties — I have more confidence in my own party and its goals. Conversely, this past year has underscored my lack of confidence in the Democratic Party, almost beyond repair.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
In 2020 Democratic leadership has shown itself to be supportive of, or consenting to, the most loathsome elements of organized anarchy. Some Democratic leaders have openly supported Antifa or Black Lives Matter, some have openly supported unlawful and violent takeovers of American cities. Some have called for public harassment of Trump’s Cabinet Members, some have resorted to personally and publicly intimidating citizens they disagreed with (even if they were young girls expressing a simple pro-life view). And many — way too many — have been silent or lukewarm in their response to the domestic terrorism we’ve seen on the nightly news. (Click HERE, HERE, and HERE for example.)
I see no future for America governed by leadership that will green-light, through approval or passivity, a socialist revolution which considers itself morally superior to its opponents, and entitled to steamroll them in any way, at any cost.
The Church is Next
As a believer, I also have a growing fear of the open hostility which will be leveled towards the Church under a Biden administration.
I don’t think that’s because of personal animosity on Mr. Biden’s part, who identifies as a Catholic taking his faith seriously. I’m not about to judge such a claim. If he says it, I accept it.
But his party is largely beholden to groups whose commitment to silencing the Christian influence is unyielding. Antifa, BLM and the LGBTQ movement in particular, along with the more radicalized facets of the feminist movement, have already shown their hand brazenly around the world, and certainly in our own nation, as groups intolerant of opposing views and more than willing to punish individuals and institutions promoting values different than their own.
Especially the Church, a fact which can only be denied by ignoring countless incidents of lawsuits, threats and sanctions and both current and proposed legislation.
Mr. Biden himself has already lumped “religious condemnation” of homosexuality along with police brutality and social isolation. It’s sentiment I’ve no doubt he will translate into legislation. Combine this with his unwillingness to state whether or not he will pack the Supreme Court with extra justices and you have two serious reasons for serious concerns.
It Matters to the Church
Some Christians shrug this off, suggesting that even if the Church in America should suffer censorship and limitations, it will only make for a purer church. Hardship refines Christians, no doubt, so that argument has some merit.
But it misses a larger point: If our ability to speak truth is crippled, we may indeed become better believers. But our potential hearers, now unable to receive a message which has been muted by endless statutes and limitations, will be that much harder to hear. If we lose our voice, those who would benefit from it lose much more. Is there any virtue in letting that happen?
The early Church was birthed in an environment unfriendly to the faith, but the same cannot be said of the American church. It thrived for centuries in a nation celebrating religious freedom, and if modern believers, through poor decisions, timidity or laziness, forfeit those freedoms, let’s not call it persecution. Let’s call it failure, one which we’ll answer for both to future generations and to the God we serve.
Appointments
A President’s legacy is felt largely through his appointments, and nowhere is that legacy more keenly felt, often for decades, than in the Supreme Court. That’s where more and more of America’s future is being decided, and on this point, I find it simple to support the candidate who I consider more likely to appoint non-activist justices who view the Constitution as an authority, rather than a friendly, optional guide.
For obvious reasons, then, I’m awfully proud of the fact that the man I counted on in 2016 to appoint wisely has done so not once, not twice, but thrice.
That’s because domestic issues are less than ever in the hands of the voting public, and more than ever in the hands of unelected judges. Our liberties, then, can be secured or decimated by a select group with significant powers.
It matters less to me whether that group’s dominated by left or right leaning justices, and more whether it’s dominated by people who commit to interpreting laws rather than imposing or composing them. Trump’s choices in this matter have been, to my thinking, far safer.
Trajectory
I’m way past believing that any candidate will, if elected, fulfill all promises made. But while looking at specific “I Will Do Such and Such” commitments stated during a campaign, I also look at the general trajectory the candidate or incumbent seems to be going and will, if empowered, take the rest of us.
So I ask myself:
Is the presidential aspirant someone who moves towards expanding government powers or reigning them in?
Will he consider the protection of current Americans to take precedence over the benefits available to non-Americans wanting to enter the country?
Is our safety important enough to this person that he will take an unmistakably aggressive posture towards any ideology, group or nation threatening us, domestically or internationally?
Does he believe in the fundamental greatness of America and take a generally positive view of our history and accomplishments?
Will expression of personal conscience and religious liberty thrive or wither under this person’s administration?
Don’t Throw It Away
Answering those questions helps me decide. But what about Christians who have not decided, who wonder if they can in good conscience vote for either candidate?
They may be tempted to say “None of the above” when they review their ballot. But if I preferred the policies of one candidate yet loathed his personality as well, it would still be difficult for me to see any virtue in withholding my vote — and thus granting one to the candidate whose policies I don’t support — just because my party’s candidate doesn’t pass my character muster.
Because while it’s true that I can leave my church if there’s no godly leadership available there, I cannot just pack and leave my country.
Someone is going to sit in the Oval Office, and it will only be one of two people. If I choose what some call the lesser of two evils (I don’t consider Trump to be that, but some do) I am also choosing the better of two options. I see that as both reasonable and responsible, and I feel that throwing my chance to influence the future leadership of my country away out of distaste for the options available would be a poor stewarding of my responsibility to vote.
Let’s Say Grace Afterwards
After this election, some of us will have to forgive some of us.
Trump critics, should he win, may be angry with those of us who supported him, feeling we reelected an unqualified blowhard into the highest office. Should he lose, those of us supporting him may be angry with fellow believers who, we may feel, helped plunge us over a cliff.
Either way, grace is certainly going to be called for.
But let’s not wait until November to show it. Disagreeing is fair, and as adults we should be able to do so without questioning each other’s integrity or sanity. I am persuaded to vote according to my conscience, as are you. So I promise I will assume you have made your choice carefully and prayerfully. Please assume the same of me, because I think you and I both deserve that courtesy.
Here we go again, prayerfully, with fears and hopes in equal measure. God have Your way. And may God bless, and have mercy on, America.
Joe Dallas is the Program Director of Genesis Biblical Counseling and a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors. His daily blog is Joe Dallas Online. He is the author of Desires in Conflict, The Game Plan, and When Homosexuality Hits Home. His latest book is Five Steps to Breaking Free from Porn. Follow him on Twitter at @JoeDallasTGP and follow The Stream @Streamdotorg.
Originally published at JoeDallas.com. Reprinted with permission.


thestream--2020-10-31--Global Elites Would Crush Us in the Great Reset

On Friday I helped set up the dire warning from Catholic Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano , which ran at The Stream .
Parts of it sent a cold , unearthly chill running through my bones .
If you haven ’ t read it you must .
As you do , remember that it ’ s not some prophecy by a solitary mystic prone to visions .
Its author is a professional diplomat , who represented the Catholic Church in Washington , D.C. , for years .
A man of measured words .
If you knew me , you ’ d @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least apocalyptic believer on earth .
I ’ m constitutionally skeptical of miracles , voices and signs .
I fully expect that the world will go on sliding inexorably into mediocrity for millennia still to come .
( That might come from growing up in New York City during the 70s . )
A few years back I wrote a funny essay skewering people who hunger for wonders and seem to crave “ the End , ” accusing them of “ milking ” the “ apocalypse cow.
” I hinted that it spoke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proofs .
With that in mind , I ’ m frankly worried .
I fear that the most powerful people , groups , and institutions in the West have passed a tipping point .
I think they have sold their souls , and frankly lost their minds .
The virus panic proved for some enough to snap their last attachment to reality .
Others see it cynically , as a pretext for finally acting on cold , inhuman ideas they have toyed with for decades .
I won ’ t rely on coded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I ’ m not trusting rumors , hints , or dubious secrets .
The Great Reset that Archbishop Vigano warns of in his letter is a real plan .
One backed by thousands of power-hungry millionaires and billionaires .
International power centers like the World Economic Forum have thrown their weight behind it .
Its backers are running ads preparing people to accept it .
Like this one .
Propaganda posters like that one , which promise to strip us of the most basic human right — that is , property — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they don ’ t , you might already be dead .
At least dead inside , hollowed out , beaten down , so scared of a seasonal virus and attached to this earthly life that you ’ re already trained as a slave .
It has happened to entire once-free Western countries , like New Zealand .
That country just re-elected in a landslide the rabid leftist leader who turned the whole place into a medical prison camp , and now promises to enact euthanasia laws .
The mainstream center-right magazine , National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this Great Reset entails .
There ’ s no need to exaggerate anything at this point .
The World Economic Forum , and the governments and billion-dollar corporations that follow its lead , have nothing modest in mind .
Using the Chinese virus as a pretext — climate change didn ’ t quite do it — they propose nothing less than a wholesale revamping of human life on earth : As Andrew Stuttaford , observes , the WEF openly admits that it has been inspired to more ambitious power grabs by our timid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus lockdown .
In the WEF ’ s own words : Have you got that ?
The billionaires and social engineers linked to the World Economic Forum look at the millions of lost jobs , wrecked lives , postponed cancer screenings , shuttered stores , and lost opportunities resulting from the futile virus lockdowns .
And they see an opportunity .
They see us as whipped dogs , cowering , ready to be put through a whole new round of aversion training .
What other “ radical changes to our lifestyles ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Will our churches , hastily shuttered , ever reopen ?
Will state governors continue to wield god-like power over the movement and livelihoods of their citizens — even as they rain death down on patients in nursing homes ?
Archbishop Vigano warns of specific measures he sees coming : New Zealand , an English-speaking democracy , is already building such camps .
In New York City , the government tolerates violent anarchist riots .
But it sends policeman to harass and target Orthodox Jewish believers .
Governments in blue states have suspended our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assembly , selectively permitting street riots by organized thugs that share their ideology .
Laura Ingraham of Fox News noticed that : Just so , local governments once let Nazi brown shirts terrorize their opponents , only sending the cops to arrest their victims if they resisted .
The “ antifascists ” learned the lessons of history , all right .
They studied the Nazi playbook , and adopted it .
And if you speak out ?
If resistance to unconstitutional measures starts to catch on ?
The experts will report on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and count on public panic to silence the hecklers .
A new and ugly ideology and method of government faces us .
Its name is Anarcho-Tyranny .
To punish its enemies , placate its friends , and pillage vast piles of wealth , this system lets rioters torch and loot entire cities .
Police stand down , as if they didn ’ t even exist , as if the city had no organized government .
But if private citizens like Kyle Rittenhouse use force to defend themselves or their neighbors ?
Then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on them like a jackboot .
They ’ ll face murder charges for self-defense .
Or get badgered and persecuted into suicide , like Jake Gardner .
The police exist not to maintain order and protect individual rights , but to perpetuate disorder and keep the people helpless .
To keep the gangs of looters and thugs in the driver ’ s seat .
As you read this , the stores of our nation ’ s capital are all getting boarded up , in expectation of riots unleashed on it if the election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the people who favor the Global Reset .
If we vote wrong , we will be punished , and they ’ ll use our own police to hold us down while the rioters rape our cities .
Those are the stakes on Tuesday , my friends , and for the foreseeable future .
May the Good Lord help us all .
John Zmirak is a senior editor at The Stream , and author or co-author of ten books , including The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration and The Politically Incorrect Guide to Catholicism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of “ God , Guns , & the Government .
”

On Friday I helped set up the dire warning from Catholic Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, which ran at The Stream. Parts of it sent a cold, unearthly chill running through my bones. If you haven’t read it you must. As you do, remember that it’s not some prophecy by a solitary mystic prone to visions. Its author is a professional diplomat, who represented the Catholic Church in Washington, D.C., for years. A man of measured words.
If you knew me, you’d already realize that I’m the least apocalyptic believer on earth. I’m constitutionally skeptical of miracles, voices and signs. I fully expect that the world will go on sliding inexorably into mediocrity for millennia still to come. (That might come from growing up in New York City during the 70s.)
A few years back I wrote a funny essay skewering people who hunger for wonders and seem to crave “the End,” accusing them of “milking” the “apocalypse cow.” I hinted that it spoke of a shaky faith, desperate for proofs.
Virus Panic, and Cynical Elites
With that in mind, I’m frankly worried. I fear that the most powerful people, groups, and institutions in the West have passed a tipping point. I think they have sold their souls, and frankly lost their minds. The virus panic proved for some enough to snap their last attachment to reality. Others see it cynically, as a pretext for finally acting on cold, inhuman ideas they have toyed with for decades.
I won’t rely on coded messages from putative “insider” sources. I’m not trusting rumors, hints, or dubious secrets. The Great Reset that Archbishop Vigano warns of in his letter is a real plan. One backed by thousands of power-hungry millionaires and billionaires. International power centers like the World Economic Forum have thrown their weight behind it. Its backers are running ads preparing people to accept it. Like this one.
Propaganda posters like that one, which promise to strip us of the most basic human right — that is, property — should get your blood boiling. If they don’t, you might already be dead. At least dead inside, hollowed out, beaten down, so scared of a seasonal virus and attached to this earthly life that you’re already trained as a slave. It has happened to entire once-free Western countries, like New Zealand. That country just re-elected in a landslide the rabid leftist leader who turned the whole place into a medical prison camp, and now promises to enact euthanasia laws.
Don’t Waste a Crisis
The mainstream center-right magazine, National Review, has soberly reported on what this Great Reset entails. There’s no need to exaggerate anything at this point. The World Economic Forum, and the governments and billion-dollar corporations that follow its lead, have nothing modest in mind. Using the Chinese virus as a pretext — climate change didn’t quite do it — they propose nothing less than a wholesale revamping of human life on earth:
The world must act jointly and swiftly to revamp all aspects of our societies and economies, from education to social contracts and working conditions. Every country, from the United States to China, must participate, and every industry, from oil and gas to tech, must be transformed. In short, we need a “Great Reset” of capitalism.
As Andrew Stuttaford observes, the WEF openly admits that it has been inspired to more ambitious power grabs by our timid, dutiful obedience in the face of the virus lockdown. In the WEF’s own words:
One silver lining of the pandemic is that it has shown how quickly we can make radical changes to our lifestyles. Almost instantly, the crisis forced businesses and individuals to abandon practices long claimed to be essential, from frequent air travel to working in an office.
Have you got that? The billionaires and social engineers linked to the World Economic Forum look at the millions of lost jobs, wrecked lives, postponed cancer screenings, shuttered stores, and lost opportunities resulting from the futile virus lockdowns. And they see an opportunity. They see us as whipped dogs, cowering, ready to be put through a whole new round of aversion training. What other “radical changes to our lifestyles” do these people have in mind?
Virus Pretexts for Fascist Measures
Will our churches, hastily shuttered, ever reopen? Will state governors continue to wield god-like power over the movement and livelihoods of their citizens — even as they rain death down on patients in nursing homes? Archbishop Vigano warns of specific measures he sees coming:
[T]he renunciation of private property and adherence to a program of vaccination against Covid-19 and Covid-21 promoted by Bill Gates with the collaboration of the main pharmaceutical groups. Beyond the enormous economic interests that motivate the promoters of the Great Reset, the imposition of the vaccination will be accompanied by the requirement of a health passport and a digital ID, with the consequent contact tracing of the population of the entire world. Those who do not accept these measures will be confined in detention camps or placed under house arrest, and all their assets will be confiscated.
New Zealand, an English-speaking democracy, is already building such camps. In New York City, the government tolerates violent anarchist riots. But it sends policeman to harass and target Orthodox Jewish believers. Governments in blue states have suspended our First Amendment rights of free worship and assembly, selectively permitting street riots by organized thugs that share their ideology. Laura Ingraham of Fox News noticed that:
Never forget @GovTimWalz allowed Minneapolis’s 3rd Precinct to be torched by rioters. But months later he made sure to prevent this man from attending a Trump rally. pic.twitter.com/aaFBuLKYXB — Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) October 31, 2020
Just so, local governments once let Nazi brown shirts terrorize their opponents, only sending the cops to arrest their victims if they resisted. The “antifascists” learned the lessons of history, all right. They studied the Nazi playbook, and adopted it.
And if you speak out? If resistance to unconstitutional measures starts to catch on? The experts will report on a dangerous “spike in COVID cases,” and count on public panic to silence the hecklers.
Our New Governing System: Anarcho-Tyranny
A new and ugly ideology and method of government faces us. Its name is Anarcho-Tyranny. To punish its enemies, placate its friends, and pillage vast piles of wealth, this system lets rioters torch and loot entire cities. Police stand down, as if they didn’t even exist, as if the city had no organized government.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
But if private citizens like Kyle Rittenhouse use force to defend themselves or their neighbors? Then the whole force of government slams down on them like a jackboot. They’ll face murder charges for self-defense. Or get badgered and persecuted into suicide, like Jake Gardner. The police exist not to maintain order and protect individual rights, but to perpetuate disorder and keep the people helpless. To keep the gangs of looters and thugs in the driver’s seat.
As you read this, the stores of our nation’s capital are all getting boarded up, in expectation of riots unleashed on it if the election’s results don’t please the people who favor the Global Reset. If we vote wrong, we will be punished, and they’ll use our own police to hold us down while the rioters rape our cities.
Those are the stakes on Tuesday, my friends, and for the foreseeable future. May the Good Lord help us all.
John Zmirak is a senior editor at The Stream, and author or co-author of ten books, including The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration and The Politically Incorrect Guide to Catholicism. He is co-author with Jason Jones of “God, Guns, & the Government.”


thestream--2020-10-31--Lifelong Democrat, Flint City Council Member Maurice Davis Announces He’s Supporting Trump

“ The narrative has been spent , ” Flint City Council member Maurice Davis said to a crowd of Trump supporters in Michigan Wednesday .
“ This is not a game , folks .
… God will use whoever He wants to to bring His people out of whatever the problem happens to be.
” Davis was asked to speak to the crowd at Flint Bishop Airport just before Vice President Mike Pence , according to Mid-Michigan Now .
“ The narrative has been spent , ” he repeated .
“ ‘ President Trump is full of hate.
’ Let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ are ] full of hate .
I ’ m tired .
I ’ ve been a Democrat — I am a Democrat — all my life , 64 years .
The last four years I voted for Hillary Clinton .
This year I decided to go with President Trump.
” The announcement is all the more breathtaking for its location .
Democrats have dominated Flint for generations .
The city ’ s blue-collar labor history has been intense since at least the historic United Auto Workers sit-down strikes in the 1930s .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s going with Trump is that he ’ s in an impoverished community .
“ People are in foreclosure right here in Flint .
People are losing everything and when Mr. Trump said , ‘ What the h*** you got to lose , ’ he was talking to me .
… I don ’ t want to hear fault .
He without sin cast the first stone .
We ’ re saved under grace .
God ’ ll use whoever He wants to [ in ] times like these.
” “ We ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a d*** about poor folks , ” Davis continued .
“ President Trump reached out with nothing but love from ya ’ ll all over this nation .
I don ’ t want to hear another time I ’ m a ‘ Trump supporter.
’ I ’ m an ‘ American supporter.
’ … This nation is one nation under God .
One nation under God.
” Nancy Flory is an associate editor at The Stream .
You can follow her @ NancyFlory3 , and follow The Stream @ Streamdotorg .

“The narrative has been spent,” Flint City Council member Maurice Davis said to a crowd of Trump supporters in Michigan Wednesday. “This is not a game, folks. … God will use whoever He wants to to bring His people out of whatever the problem happens to be.” Davis was asked to speak to the crowd at Flint Bishop Airport just before Vice President Mike Pence, according to Mid-Michigan Now.
“The narrative has been spent,” he repeated. “‘President Trump is full of hate.’ Let me tell you something. The Democrats [are] full of hate. I’m tired. I’ve been a Democrat — I am a Democrat — all my life, 64 years. The last four years I voted for Hillary Clinton. This year I decided to go with President Trump.”
The announcement is all the more breathtaking for its location. Democrats have dominated Flint for generations. The city’s blue-collar labor history has been intense since at least the historic United Auto Workers sit-down strikes in the 1930s.
Davis explained that the reason he’s going with Trump is that he’s in an impoverished community. “People are in foreclosure right here in Flint. People are losing everything and when Mr. Trump said, ‘What the h*** you got to lose,’ he was talking to me. … I don’t want to hear fault. He without sin cast the first stone. We’re saved under grace. God’ll use whoever He wants to [in] times like these.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
“We’re tired of suffering and nobody give a d*** about poor folks,” Davis continued. “President Trump reached out with nothing but love from ya’ll all over this nation. I don’t want to hear another time I’m a ‘Trump supporter.’ I’m an ‘American supporter.’ … This nation is one nation under God. One nation under God.”
Flint City Council member and life long Democrat Maurice Davis says he is backing @realDonaldTrump . Read More: https://t.co/ehAFeCtNGv pic.twitter.com/r401LTrtK1 — Mid-Michigan NOW (@midmichigannow) October 28, 2020
Nancy Flory is an associate editor at The Stream. You can follow her @NancyFlory3, and follow The Stream @Streamdotorg.


thestream--2020-10-31--Atomic Miracles: Reviewing Michael Denton’s The Miracle of the Cell

Michael Denton has been a perennial thorn in evolution ’ s side .
And he ’ s at it again .
The Miracle of the Cell is Denton ’ s latest book in his successful Privileged Species series .
It ’ s just hit the bookshelves , dealing another decisive blow to the fashionable idea that you are an accident .
Paleontologist George Gaylord Simpson once declared that “ man is the result of a purposeless and natural process that did not have him in mind.
” That ’ s the received wisdom of evolutionary theory .
Almost all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a microbiologist from Australia , does not wade directly into the current debate over evolution .
He doesn ’ t specifically address Simpson ’ s claim either .
He doesn ’ t need to .
Instead , in The Miracle of the Cell he concentrates on one example of fine-tuning after another .
Thus he shows persuasively that Simpson ’ s pronouncement was quite premature .
In fact , it ’ s at odds with the best scientific evidence .
Biologists may have once held simplistic notions about the origin of life , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ iconic Miller-Urey experiment .
They may have thought they were on the right track toward explaining life when the double helix was discovered in the 1950s .
It might have seemed that the cell was simple enough to explain by a few accidents here and a handful of lucky chemical reactions there .
Research since then has put that false hope to rest .
Denton ’ s most famous work was his 1985 book Evolution : A Theory in Crisis .
It was both a thunderous wake-up call and an effective rallying cry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the courage and the tools to question naturalistic evolution .
The late Philip Johnson , credited by many as the founding leader of the Intelligent Design movement , was one of them .
So was biochemist Michael Behe .
Denton followed that in 1998 with Nature ’ s Destiny : How the Laws of Biology Reveal Purpose in the Universe .
In it he explored the fine-tuning in physics and chemistry , and challenged the standard ideas of unguided natural selection .
The Miracle of the Cell is the fourth book in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make life possible .
Denton has previously looked at surprises in humans ’ ability to harness fire .
He ’ s explored the astonishing characteristics of water .
He ’ s shown how sunlight has properties that work amazingly with our atmosphere to enable life as we know it .
The Miracle of the Cell now brings the fitness argument closer to home : the very cells making up the organisms on our fair planet , including you and me .
Many have written about the universe and the fine-tuning of the laws @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Many have also written about molecular machines and cellular systems .
Biology displays a wondrous , irreducible complexity — and it points inexorably toward design .
Fewer , though , have written of the fantastic world of atoms and elements , and the unexpected ways their properties enable life .
These basic building blocks of chemistry are uniquely suited to the cell ’ s needs .
Denton invites us down into the fundamental depths of the cell , into the tiniest parts of the molecular machines that make cells what they uniquely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needed to allow life ’ s chemistry to work .
Water is amazingly designed as the matrix in which life can happen .
Even the way atoms bond is fine-tuned for life .
With examples like these , Denton takes us on a journey of discovery at the most basic level .
Although I am not new to the field , as I read I kept exclaiming “ What ?
!
” and “ Are you kidding me ?
!
” Allow me to detail just one remarkable example from the book .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( adenosine triphosphate ) .
It serves as the energy currency of the cell , so its function is critical to large organisms such as you and me .
ATP is produced by a sophisticated molecular machine , ATP synthase .
This remarkable machine is embedded in the membrane of the cell ’ s mitochondria , its power generating center .
It functions as a miniaturized turbine , powered by the flow of protons from high to low concentration across the membrane .
We rarely give a second thought to our body ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ battery pack and long lengths of wiring to transfer electricity .
It ’ s terribly primitive compared to our cells .
There are quadrillions of nanoscale proton-powered turbines scattered throughout the human body .
You read that right !
Quadrillions of miniaturized turbines .
They whir away second after second , day after day , keeping you and me alive and upright and ready to tackle our next daily tasks .
The most unhinged science fiction writer could scarcely dream up what we find in the cell !
Yet what enables ATP synthase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s merely the smaller part of a larger suite of machinery that keeps the proper concentration of protons on each side of the inner mitochondrial membrane .
If it were functioning solely by itself , the concentration of protons on both sides of the membrane would quickly equalize .
That would end the natural forced flow across the turbine .
And it would bring ATP synthase ( and you ! )
to a grinding halt .
So it has to work as part of a highly coordinated team .
No less than four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protons back through the membrane in a never-ending race to keep up with ATP synthase .
This molecular system holds a series of atoms in exactly the right order and in just the right place as measured on an atomic scale .
It allows electrons to jump from atom to atom , which in turn allows protons to pump back to where they need to be .
Picture an atomic-scale version of a child ’ s toy Slinky walking down a staircase , with tiny packets of energy captured and put to work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s a hugely complex and functional system of systems .
It cries for an explanation beyond simplistic evolutionary just-so stories .
Clearly it points toward purposeful design .
Yet it is not just the existence of such remarkable molecular machines .
Denton encourages us to peer even deeper to the actual atoms at work in this engineering marvel .
It takes exactly the right atomic-level properties to allow these electronic circuits to work .
Yes , building a molecular machine is amazing .
But we need to have the right parts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t get far .
Denton argues that the very atoms of life appear suspiciously ordained for their particular purpose .
Fitness All the Way Down Denton is open to the possibility of life flowing out of the fabric of the universe and its elements .
By no means , though , does he believe the Darwinian story of a purposeless and unguided process .
He ’ s convinced that life is only possible due to an astonishing “ ensemble of fitness in nature.
” This “ primal blueprint , ” Denton argues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of nature from the beginning , ” long before the cosmos came into material existence .
Is there design to the universe ?
The Miracle of the Cell adds a crucial piece to the overall puzzle .
Denton shows the reality of purposeful planning and design at work , down to the most minute particles in the cell .
We are not dealing with a small handful of interesting “ coincidences.
” Rather , this fitness for life — objective , identifiable , evidence-based fitness — is manifest nearly everywhere we look .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not here as a result of some cosmic accident .
We came about through purposeful planning .
This design was deeply embedded in the fabric of the elements long before life , or even the Earth , was first formed .
Physicist and mathematician Freeman Dyson once famously remarked that “ the universe must have known in some sense we were coming.
” Not just the universe , but the very atoms of which we are made .
Eric Anderson is an attorney , software company executive , and co-author of the recently-published @ @ @

Michael Denton has been a perennial thorn in evolution’s side. And he’s at it again.
The Miracle of the Cell is Denton’s latest book in his successful Privileged Species series. It’s just hit the bookshelves, dealing another decisive blow to the fashionable idea that you are an accident.
Paleontologist George Gaylord Simpson once declared that “man is the result of a purposeless and natural process that did not have him in mind.” That’s the received wisdom of evolutionary theory. Almost all of academia agrees.
Denton, who is a microbiologist from Australia, does not wade directly into the current debate over evolution. He doesn’t specifically address Simpson’s claim either. He doesn’t need to. Instead, in The Miracle of the Cell he concentrates on one example of fine-tuning after another. Thus he shows persuasively that Simpson’s pronouncement was quite premature. In fact, it’s at odds with the best scientific evidence.
Biologists may have once held simplistic notions about the origin of life, back in the heady days following the iconic Miller-Urey experiment. They may have thought they were on the right track toward explaining life when the double helix was discovered in the 1950s. It might have seemed that the cell was simple enough to explain by a few accidents here and a handful of lucky chemical reactions there. Research since then has put that false hope to rest.
The Continuing Crisis
Denton’s most famous work was his 1985 book Evolution: A Theory in Crisis. It was both a thunderous wake-up call and an effective rallying cry. Denton inspired countless persons with both the courage and the tools to question naturalistic evolution. The late Philip Johnson, credited by many as the founding leader of the Intelligent Design movement, was one of them. So was biochemist Michael Behe.
Denton followed that in 1998 with Nature’s Destiny: How the Laws of Biology Reveal Purpose in the Universe. In it he explored the fine-tuning in physics and chemistry, and challenged the standard ideas of unguided natural selection.
It might have once seemed that the cell was simple enough to explain by a few accidents and a handful of lucky chemical reactions. Research has since put that false hope to rest.
The Miracle of the Cell is the fourth book in a new series addressing the uncanny coincidences that make life possible. Denton has previously looked at surprises in humans’ ability to harness fire. He’s explored the astonishing characteristics of water. He’s shown how sunlight has properties that work amazingly with our atmosphere to enable life as we know it.
The Miracle of the Cell now brings the fitness argument closer to home: the very cells making up the organisms on our fair planet, including you and me.
The Atomic World
Many have written about the universe and the fine-tuning of the laws of physics and chemistry, including Denton. Many have also written about molecular machines and cellular systems. Biology displays a wondrous, irreducible complexity — and it points inexorably toward design.
Fewer, though, have written of the fantastic world of atoms and elements, and the unexpected ways their properties enable life. These basic building blocks of chemistry are uniquely suited to the cell’s needs. Denton invites us down into the fundamental depths of the cell, into the tiniest parts of the molecular machines that make cells what they uniquely are.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Carbon has exactly the properties needed to allow life’s chemistry to work. Water is amazingly designed as the matrix in which life can happen. Even the way atoms bond is fine-tuned for life. With examples like these, Denton takes us on a journey of discovery at the most basic level. Although I am not new to the field, as I read I kept exclaiming “What?!” and “Are you kidding me?!”
Allow me to detail just one remarkable example from the book.
Of Turbines and Pumps
Many readers will be familiar with ATP (adenosine triphosphate). It serves as the energy currency of the cell, so its function is critical to large organisms such as you and me. ATP is produced by a sophisticated molecular machine, ATP synthase. This remarkable machine is embedded in the membrane of the cell’s mitochondria, its power generating center. It functions as a miniaturized turbine, powered by the flow of protons from high to low concentration across the membrane.
We rarely give a second thought to our body’s energy production. Robots use a battery pack and long lengths of wiring to transfer electricity. It’s terribly primitive compared to our cells. There are quadrillions of nanoscale proton-powered turbines scattered throughout the human body. You read that right! Quadrillions of miniaturized turbines. They whir away second after second, day after day, keeping you and me alive and upright and ready to tackle our next daily tasks. The most unhinged science fiction writer could scarcely dream up what we find in the cell!
Denton shows the reality of purposeful planning and design at work, down to the most minute particles in the cell.
Yet what enables ATP synthase to function? Astonishingly, it’s merely the smaller part of a larger suite of machinery that keeps the proper concentration of protons on each side of the inner mitochondrial membrane. If it were functioning solely by itself, the concentration of protons on both sides of the membrane would quickly equalize. That would end the natural forced flow across the turbine. And it would bring ATP synthase (and you!) to a grinding halt.
So it has to work as part of a highly coordinated team. No less than four additional molecular complexes work to keep pumping protons back through the membrane in a never-ending race to keep up with ATP synthase.
Clearly Points Toward Purposeful Design
This molecular system holds a series of atoms in exactly the right order and in just the right place as measured on an atomic scale. It allows electrons to jump from atom to atom, which in turn allows protons to pump back to where they need to be. Picture an atomic-scale version of a child’s toy Slinky walking down a staircase, with tiny packets of energy captured and put to work with each bounce along the journey.
It’s a hugely complex and functional system of systems. It cries for an explanation beyond simplistic evolutionary just-so stories. Clearly it points toward purposeful design.
Yet it is not just the existence of such remarkable molecular machines. Denton encourages us to peer even deeper to the actual atoms at work in this engineering marvel. It takes exactly the right atomic-level properties to allow these electronic circuits to work. Yes, building a molecular machine is amazing. But we need to have the right parts in the first place or we won’t get far. Denton argues that the very atoms of life appear suspiciously ordained for their particular purpose.
Fitness All the Way Down
Denton is open to the possibility of life flowing out of the fabric of the universe and its elements. By no means, though, does he believe the Darwinian story of a purposeless and unguided process. He’s convinced that life is only possible due to an astonishing “ensemble of fitness in nature.” This “primal blueprint,” Denton argues, “is written into the laws of nature from the beginning,” long before the cosmos came into material existence.
Is there design to the universe? The Miracle of the Cell adds a crucial piece to the overall puzzle. Denton shows the reality of purposeful planning and design at work, down to the most minute particles in the cell. We are not dealing with a small handful of interesting “coincidences.” Rather, this fitness for life — objective, identifiable, evidence-based fitness — is manifest nearly everywhere we look.
It all adds up: We are not here as a result of some cosmic accident. We came about through purposeful planning. This design was deeply embedded in the fabric of the elements long before life, or even the Earth, was first formed. Physicist and mathematician Freeman Dyson once famously remarked that “the universe must have known in some sense we were coming.”
Not just the universe, but the very atoms of which we are made.
Eric Anderson is an attorney, software company executive, and co-author of the recently-published book, Evolution and Intelligent Design in a Nutshell .