thestream--2020-06-09--We Stand on the Precipice of a Very Dangerous Cultural Shift

In recent days , a number of commentators have compared the year 2020 with 1968 ( for my article , see here ) .
But we have not discussed the larger cultural shift that took place as a result of the counterculture revolution of the 60s .
In short , what was extreme and fringe in that generation became mainstream in the next generation .
Put another way , radicals like Bill Ayers of the Weathermen ( who bombed buildings in their anti-war protests ) became university professors and even mentors of a president ( meaning , Barack Obama ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you think that radical , anti-family feminists in groups like W.I.T.C.H .
imagined a world where legalized abortion would snuff out 60 million lives in the womb ?
( W.I.T.C.H .
stood for the Women ’ s International Terrorist Conspiracy from Hell — I kid you not — and was founded in 1969 . )
Do you think that the 1969 Stonewall Inn rioters , hurling bricks at police and their cars and chanting “ Gay Power ” and “ We Want Freedom Now ” envisioned the day when the Supreme Court would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Remember that these gay rioters tended to despise marriage as an antiquated , patriarchal institution . )
Do you think that the transvestite prostitute protesters envisioned the day when university campuses and big businesses would marginalize you if you didn ’ t affirm transgender activism ?
In 2000 , I wrote a mini-book called The Jesus Manifesto .
Looking back at some of the opening lines , it sounds almost quaint today .
“ The last generation ’ s counterculture of rebellion has become this generation ’ s establishment of revulsion , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – daytime talk shows celebrating adultery and incest ; homosexual love scenes on major network TV ; eleven year-old multiple murderers ; massacres in our schools and houses of worship – is a matter of course today .
We need a revolution !
” Of course , the “ revolution ” of which I spoke was a gospel-based , moral and cultural revolution , changing hearts and lives and thereby changing the society .
But if that was true in the year 2000 , it is much truer in the year 2020 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an even more dangerous cultural shift .
I ’ m talking about the rise of mobocracy where the most radical elements of society forcefully impose their will on everyone else .
I ’ m talking about the “ safe space ” culture of the college campuses ( with enforced speech codes — even thought codes — and severe penalties for every violation ) becoming the national norm .
I ’ m talking about an even more extreme shift to the left , but this time , under mob patrol .
I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York Times , where the publishing of a contrary opinion piece leads to outrage and overhaul in the editorial department , becoming the national norm .
( So much for differing opinions ! )
As expressed by Alexandra Desanctis on the National Review , “ The result is ideological servitude , a society in which a culturally powerful , tyrannical minority owns the voice of every person willing to go along.
” And woe be to you if do you not agree to go along .
The Truth About Black Lives Matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us have been warning about this for years .
But now , with the tragic death of George Floyd , the radical activists have seized their moment .
You must kneel , or else !
You must embrace our agenda , or you will be trampled underfoot !
You must bow down , or we will force you to bow !
If you don ’ t shout “ Black Lives Matter ” loudly enough or demonstrate sufficient guilt ( in particular , for having white skin ) , you will lose your job @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peace .
One pastor sent me screen shots of the death threats he has received for taking issue with “ queer ” aspects of the BLM platform .
Not today !
The mob is coming your way .
( This pastor ’ s home address was revealed as well . )
Synagogues vandalized during the riots in Los Angeles have discovered that some of the rioters are also antisemites ( why no public outcry ? )
.
As a Times of Israel headline announced on June 2 , “ LA Jews reeling after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests .
Synagogues , schools and Jewish memorials vandalized with anti-Semitic , anti-Israel slogans , Jewish-owned businesses battered , particularly in Fairfax district.
” But this is no surprise given that BLM also supports BDS .
And what of BLM goals like this ?
“ We disrupt the Western-prescribed nuclear family structure requirement by supporting each other as extended families and “ villages ” that collectively care for one another , especially our children , to the degree that mothers , parents , and children are comfortable .
“ We foster a queer‐affirming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do so with the intention of freeing ourselves from the tight grip of heteronormative thinking , or rather , the belief that all in the world are heterosexual ( unless s/he or they disclose otherwise ) .
” Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
As for BLM ’ s antisemitic roots , Caroline Glick noted on Israel Hayom that , “ BLM was formed in 2014 as a merger of activists from the anti-Semitic Nation of Islam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Catchers .
In 2016 , BLM published a platform that has since been removed from its website .
The platform accused Israel of committing ‘ genocide ’ and referred to the Jewish state as an ‘ apartheid ’ state .
The platform accused Israel and its supporters of pushing the US into wars in the Middle East .
The platform also officially joined BLM with the anti-Semitic BDS campaign to boycott , divest and sanction Israel .
BDS campaign leader Omar Barghouti acknowledged this week that the goal of the BDS campaign is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US campuses are characterized by bigotry and discrimination directed against Jewish students.
” As for America as a whole , just a few days ago , the thought of defunding the police would have been viewed as a silly joke .
One week later , and presidential candidate Joe Biden is being tested for his allegiance to this bizarre proposal .
( Police reform , where needed , is one thing .
Defunding the police is not even a bad joke . )
But shouting “ Make America Great Again ” and rallying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Instead , everyone of us must stand up to the mob and refuse to move an inch from our core convictions and values .
I mean in our homes .
Our schools .
Our neighborhoods .
Our places of business .
On social media .
Wherever we have a voice , we must stand and speak .
Of course , we do abhor police brutality when it occurs .
We do stand in solidarity with victims of injustice .
We do oppose racism .
But we do it our way , not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we do it based on our values , not those of the radical left .
I tweeted this last night ( June 8 ) : “ Rather than bowing the knee to the mobocracy of the far left or the hyper-nationalism of the far right , I say we bow the knee to Jesus , then get His marching orders and obey Him at any cost.
” I appeal to you strongly , no I warn you : this is a critical hour in our history .
If we do not push back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regrets tomorrow .
And what will we say to our children and grandchildren ?
In the famous dictum of Dietrich Bonhoeffer , “ The ultimate test of a moral society is the kind of world that it leaves to its children.
” What will it be ?
Dr. Michael Brown ( www.askdrbrown.org ) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program .
His latest book is When the World Stops : Words of Faith , Hope , and Wisdom in the Midst of Crisis .
Connect with him on @ @ @ @ @ @

In recent days, a number of commentators have compared the year 2020 with 1968 (for my article, see here). But we have not discussed the larger cultural shift that took place as a result of the counterculture revolution of the 60s. In short, what was extreme and fringe in that generation became mainstream in the next generation. Put another way, radicals like Bill Ayers of the Weathermen (who bombed buildings in their anti-war protests) became university professors and even mentors of a president (meaning, Barack Obama). Who saw this coming?
Do you think that radical, anti-family feminists in groups like W.I.T.C.H. imagined a world where legalized abortion would snuff out 60 million lives in the womb? (W.I.T.C.H. stood for the Women’s International Terrorist Conspiracy from Hell — I kid you not — and was founded in 1969.)
Do you think that the 1969 Stonewall Inn rioters, hurling bricks at police and their cars and chanting “Gay Power” and “We Want Freedom Now” envisioned the day when the Supreme Court would change the very meaning of marriage? (Remember that these gay rioters tended to despise marriage as an antiquated, patriarchal institution.) Do you think that the transvestite prostitute protesters envisioned the day when university campuses and big businesses would marginalize you if you didn’t affirm transgender activism?
Standing on the Brink
In 2000, I wrote a mini-book called The Jesus Manifesto. Looking back at some of the opening lines, it sounds almost quaint today. “The last generation’s counterculture of rebellion has become this generation’s establishment of revulsion, and what was unthinkable thirty years ago – daytime talk shows celebrating adultery and incest; homosexual love scenes on major network TV; eleven year-old multiple murderers; massacres in our schools and houses of worship – is a matter of course today. We need a revolution!”
Of course, the “revolution” of which I spoke was a gospel-based, moral and cultural revolution, changing hearts and lives and thereby changing the society. But if that was true in the year 2000, it is much truer in the year 2020, when we stand on the precipice of an even more dangerous cultural shift.
I’m talking about the rise of mobocracy where the most radical elements of society forcefully impose their will on everyone else.
I’m talking about the “safe space” culture of the college campuses (with enforced speech codes — even thought codes — and severe penalties for every violation) becoming the national norm.
I’m talking about an even more extreme shift to the left, but this time, under mob patrol.
I’m talking about the current culture of the New York Times, where the publishing of a contrary opinion piece leads to outrage and overhaul in the editorial department, becoming the national norm. (So much for differing opinions!)
As expressed by Alexandra Desanctis on the National Review, “The result is ideological servitude, a society in which a culturally powerful, tyrannical minority owns the voice of every person willing to go along.” And woe be to you if do you not agree to go along.
The Truth About Black Lives Matter, Inc.
Of course, many of us have been warning about this for years.
But now, with the tragic death of George Floyd, the radical activists have seized their moment. You must kneel, or else! You must embrace our agenda, or you will be trampled underfoot! You must bow down, or we will force you to bow!
If you don’t shout “Black Lives Matter” loudly enough or demonstrate sufficient guilt (in particular, for having white skin), you will lose your job. Or your credibility. Or your peace.
We do stand in solidarity with victims of injustice. We do oppose racism. But we do it our way, not the mob’s way. And we do it based on our values, not those of the radical left.
One pastor sent me screen shots of the death threats he has received for taking issue with “queer” aspects of the BLM platform. Not today! The mob is coming your way. (This pastor’s home address was revealed as well.)
Synagogues vandalized during the riots in Los Angeles have discovered that some of the rioters are also antisemites (why no public outcry?). As a Times of Israel headline announced on June 2, “LA Jews reeling after local institutions looted and burned in Floyd protests. Synagogues, schools and Jewish memorials vandalized with anti-Semitic, anti-Israel slogans, Jewish-owned businesses battered, particularly in Fairfax district.” But this is no surprise given that BLM also supports BDS.
And what of BLM goals like this? “We disrupt the Western-prescribed nuclear family structure requirement by supporting each other as extended families and “villages” that collectively care for one another, especially our children, to the degree that mothers, parents, and children are comfortable.
“We foster a queer‐affirming network. When we gather, we do so with the intention of freeing ourselves from the tight grip of heteronormative thinking, or rather, the belief that all in the world are heterosexual (unless s/he or they disclose otherwise).”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
As for BLM’s antisemitic roots, Caroline Glick noted on Israel Hayom that, “BLM was formed in 2014 as a merger of activists from the anti-Semitic Nation of Islam, the anti-Semitic Black Panthers and Dream Catchers. In 2016, BLM published a platform that has since been removed from its website. The platform accused Israel of committing ‘genocide’ and referred to the Jewish state as an ‘apartheid’ state. The platform accused Israel and its supporters of pushing the US into wars in the Middle East.
The platform also officially joined BLM with the anti-Semitic BDS campaign to boycott, divest and sanction Israel. BDS campaign leader Omar Barghouti acknowledged this week that the goal of the BDS campaign is to destroy Israel. BDS campaigns on US campuses are characterized by bigotry and discrimination directed against Jewish students.”
Only Bow Before God
As for America as a whole, just a few days ago, the thought of defunding the police would have been viewed as a silly joke. One week later, and presidential candidate Joe Biden is being tested for his allegiance to this bizarre proposal. (Police reform, where needed, is one thing. Defunding the police is not even a bad joke.)
But shouting “Make America Great Again” and rallying around the flag is not the solution.
Instead, everyone of us must stand up to the mob and refuse to move an inch from our core convictions and values. I mean in our homes. Our schools. Our neighborhoods. Our places of business. On social media. Wherever we have a voice, we must stand and speak.
Of course, we do abhor police brutality when it occurs. We do stand in solidarity with victims of injustice. We do oppose racism. But we do it our way, not the mob’s way. And we do it based on our values, not those of the radical left.
I tweeted this last night (June 8): “Rather than bowing the knee to the mobocracy of the far left or the hyper-nationalism of the far right, I say we bow the knee to Jesus, then get His marching orders and obey Him at any cost.”
I appeal to you strongly, no I warn you: this is a critical hour in our history. If we do not push back righteously today, we will have deep regrets tomorrow. And what will we say to our children and grandchildren?
In the famous dictum of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, “The ultimate test of a moral society is the kind of world that it leaves to its children.”
What will it be?
Dr. Michael Brown (www.askdrbrown.org) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program. His latest book is When the World Stops: Words of Faith, Hope, and Wisdom in the Midst of Crisis. Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.


thestream--2020-06-09--When TMZ Reported on Prayer at Racial Justice Protest

“ Our community , state , and nation are hurting , ” stated Harold Weinbrecht , mayor of Cary , N.C. “ Tragically , the mindset that skin color makes someone different from others remains.
” This past Saturday , an open and honest approach to addressing racial injustice led Mayor Weinbrecht and three area police chiefs to participate in a faith-based public event — the Peaceful Unity Prayer Walk .
Hundreds of thousands of Americans marched in protests over the weekend .
Though many were peaceful , some resulted in rioting and violence .
Surprisingly , Cary ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people gathered by three area churches made national headlines .
Led by Legacy Center Church in Cary pastored by Soboma and Faith Wokoma , the unity walk was co-sponsored by Catch the Fire Church and King ’ s Park International Church ( both in nearby Durham ) .
Media coverage by TMZ and Yahoo News focused on a few minutes of the hours-long Peaceful Unity Prayer Walk .
It concluded with the religious act of two white pastors washing the feet of two black ministers .
The clergy called on all present to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ God , and public officials joined in .
Pastor Murray Smith of Catch the Fire Church led this portion of the unity walk .
“ Lord , we confess and repent [ of ] our aggression , our pride—for thinking that we are better , that we are above , ” he prayed .
“ We repent for our greed… for prejudice , to this very day , in our legal system .
God , I ask for your forgiveness.
” Following his feet being washed by those present , Pastor Wokoma shared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We ’ re not seeking revenge , ” he said .
“ We ’ re not seeking for anything that has happened to us to be avenged .
“ We ’ re asking for the justice of God [ and ] equality before God — that ’ s all we ask for.
” Cary police chief Toni Dezomits participated in the ceremony .
“ I was honored to be asked if I would like to participate in this very special and spiritual moment [ of ] ceremonial foot washing , ” she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the biblical sense , the act of foot washing is a symbolic act of love and humility , ” added Chief Dezomits .
“ It is not an act of humiliation and power .
There was a great feeling of love , connectedness , and mutual understanding created through this experience.
” Among participants , perspectives varied on their stated purpose for the unity walk .
“ Today , our African-American brothers and sisters are hurting , ” said Shara Chalmers , a lay leader at Catch the Fire Church .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one member suffers , we all suffer.
’ Churches across the region came together to say : ‘ We are standing for you.
’ When people try to make it all political , it ’ s missing the point.
” Chalmers instigated the march alongside her friend Dr .
Faith Wokoma .
They joined forces , realizing each had been planning marches in the wake of recent events .
In addition to the killing of George Floyd , two other black lives had been lost closer to home due to unjust actions : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ahmad Arbery in Brunswick , Ga. Chalmers , a mother of two and itinerant minister alongside her husband Daniel , saw a higher purpose at work .
“ This was about speaking to people of color in our area , ” she said .
“ In humility , we said : ‘ We love you .
We see you .
We ’ re listening and learning .
And we will model a different agenda.
’ ” In his statement , Mayor Weinbrecht viewed the walk as embracing principles espoused at the American founding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a nation.
” He cited lines from the Declaration of Independence : “ We hold these truths to be self-evident , that all men are created equal [ and ] endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights… ” Having become naturalized in the U.S. from Nigeria , Pastor Wokoma brings a global view to addressing racial discrimination .
“ What we [ are ] speaking up against is not just an American problem , ” said Wokoma .
“ It ’ s institutionalized in America .
But it ’ s a global @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , how man is depraved in seeing his fellow man of a different color as less than.
” Leaders said moments of confession were part of the church “ standing in the gap ” to “ repent on behalf of the sins of our nation.
” They cited the doctrine of identificational repentance .
However , some observers claimed this spiritual focus engenders false guilt and victimhood .
Chalmers noted how three police chiefs participated in the Unity Walk .
“ One of those police chiefs is the daughter of a civil rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So these weren ’ t ones that had perpetrated egregious unjust violence .
“ Yet , on behalf of the police , where there has been a history of brutality , they were asking forgiveness.
” She believes this reflected truths of the Christian faith .
“ These officers and leaders committed to lead and exercise authority by serving , ” she said .
“ What Jesus modeled is that the greatest among you will be the servant of all.
” “ This comes at a much-needed time in communities across our country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The Unity Prayer Walk in Cary honored both those who have lost their lives through racial injustice as well as those in law enforcement who have lost their lives serving and protecting their communities.
” For participating churches , they view the much-publicized Unity Walk as only a beginning .
At press time , action points for further joint advocacy were being drafted by leaders .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
“ This was one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chalmers .
“ But it ’ s just the beginning of multiple events to help heal the racial divide.
” The Wokomas were particularly excited that , four years since its launch , Legacy Center Church was moving towards the groundbreaking of their own building .
They believe it will be a hub for further prayer and action across dividing lines .
“ We as Christians , as sons of God , as believers need to lead the way in understanding what the heart of God is [ for ] justice , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the University of Colorado , Josh M. Shepherd covers culture , faith , and public policy issues for media outlets including The Stream and The Federalist .
Find him on Twitter and follow The Stream @ Streamdotorg .

“Our community, state, and nation are hurting,” stated Harold Weinbrecht, mayor of Cary, N.C. “Tragically, the mindset that skin color makes someone different from others remains.”
This past Saturday, an open and honest approach to addressing racial injustice led Mayor Weinbrecht and three area police chiefs to participate in a faith-based public event — the Peaceful Unity Prayer Walk.
Hundreds of thousands of Americans marched in protests over the weekend. Though many were peaceful, some resulted in rioting and violence.
Surprisingly, Cary’s comparatively small event of approx. 350 people gathered by three area churches made national headlines.
Speaking Love, Rejecting ‘Revenge’
Led by Legacy Center Church in Cary pastored by Soboma and Faith Wokoma, the unity walk was co-sponsored by Catch the Fire Church and King’s Park International Church (both in nearby Durham).
Media coverage by TMZ and Yahoo News focused on a few minutes of the hours-long Peaceful Unity Prayer Walk. It concluded with the religious act of two white pastors washing the feet of two black ministers.
The clergy called on all present to take a knee to humble themselves before God, and public officials joined in. Pastor Murray Smith of Catch the Fire Church led this portion of the unity walk.
“Lord, we confess and repent [of] our aggression, our pride—for thinking that we are better, that we are above,” he prayed. “We repent for our greed… for prejudice, to this very day, in our legal system. God, I ask for your forgiveness.”
Following his feet being washed by those present, Pastor Wokoma shared about their purpose for coming together. “We’re not seeking revenge,” he said. “We’re not seeking for anything that has happened to us to be avenged.
“We’re asking for the justice of God [and] equality before God — that’s all we ask for.”
Cary police chief Toni Dezomits participated in the ceremony. “I was honored to be asked if I would like to participate in this very special and spiritual moment [of] ceremonial foot washing,” she stated in a Facebook post.
“In the biblical sense, the act of foot washing is a symbolic act of love and humility,” added Chief Dezomits. “It is not an act of humiliation and power. There was a great feeling of love, connectedness, and mutual understanding created through this experience.”
Cary faith leaders effort to tackle race relations with Unity Walk https://t.co/aRSHPQfKQN — ABC11 EyewitnessNews (@ABC11_WTVD) June 7, 2020
Standing in Solidarity for Black Lives
Among participants, perspectives varied on their stated purpose for the unity walk.
“Today, our African-American brothers and sisters are hurting,” said Shara Chalmers, a lay leader at Catch the Fire Church.
“First Corinthians 12 says: ‘When one member suffers, we all suffer.’ Churches across the region came together to say: ‘We are standing for you.’ When people try to make it all political, it’s missing the point.”
Chalmers instigated the march alongside her friend Dr. Faith Wokoma. They joined forces, realizing each had been planning marches in the wake of recent events.
In addition to the killing of George Floyd, two other black lives had been lost closer to home due to unjust actions: Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Ky. and Ahmad Arbery in Brunswick, Ga.
Chalmers, a mother of two and itinerant minister alongside her husband Daniel, saw a higher purpose at work. “This was about speaking to people of color in our area,” she said. “In humility, we said: ‘We love you. We see you. We’re listening and learning. And we will model a different agenda.’”
In his statement, Mayor Weinbrecht viewed the walk as embracing principles espoused at the American founding “to reach our true potential as a nation.”
He cited lines from the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal [and] endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights…”
Public Confession of Racism
Having become naturalized in the U.S. from Nigeria, Pastor Wokoma brings a global view to addressing racial discrimination.
“What we [are] speaking up against is not just an American problem,” said Wokoma. “It’s institutionalized in America. But it’s a global problem of how we view one another, how man is depraved in seeing his fellow man of a different color as less than.”
Pastor Soboma Wokoma spoke on the purpose of the Unity Prayer Walk in Cary, N.C. “We’re not seeking revenge,” he said. “We’re not seeking for anything that has happened to us to be avenged. “We’re asking for the justice of God [and] equality before God — that’s all we ask for.” pic.twitter.com/JQ9SzUd6WM — Josh M Shepherd (@JoshMShep) June 8, 2020
Leaders said moments of confession were part of the church “standing in the gap” to “repent on behalf of the sins of our nation.” They cited the doctrine of identificational repentance. However, some observers claimed this spiritual focus engenders false guilt and victimhood.
Chalmers noted how three police chiefs participated in the Unity Walk. “One of those police chiefs is the daughter of a civil rights activist,” said Chalmers. “So these weren’t ones that had perpetrated egregious unjust violence.
“Yet, on behalf of the police, where there has been a history of brutality, they were asking forgiveness.”
She believes this reflected truths of the Christian faith. “These officers and leaders committed to lead and exercise authority by serving,” she said. “What Jesus modeled is that the greatest among you will be the servant of all.”
Honoring Lives Lost
“This comes at a much-needed time in communities across our country,” stated police chief Dezomits. “The Unity Prayer Walk in Cary honored both those who have lost their lives through racial injustice as well as those in law enforcement who have lost their lives serving and protecting their communities.”
For participating churches, they view the much-publicized Unity Walk as only a beginning. At press time, action points for further joint advocacy were being drafted by leaders.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
“This was one drop in the bucket,” said Chalmers. “But it’s just the beginning of multiple events to help heal the racial divide.”
The Wokomas were particularly excited that, four years since its launch, Legacy Center Church was moving towards the groundbreaking of their own building. They believe it will be a hub for further prayer and action across dividing lines.
“We as Christians, as sons of God, as believers need to lead the way in understanding what the heart of God is [for] justice,” said Pastor Wokoma.
A graduate of the University of Colorado, Josh M. Shepherd covers culture, faith, and public policy issues for media outlets including The Stream and The Federalist. Find him on Twitter and follow The Stream @Streamdotorg.


thestream--2020-06-09--Remembrance: ‘Bury Me In a Free Land’

Remembrance: ‘Bury Me In a Free Land’

This poem gripped me to the core , and it ’ s been haunting me since .
I ran across it for the first time last fall , and immediately I knew I needed to share it here .
It never seemed like the right time , though — which I realize now is because it was meant for this week .
The poet is Frances Ellen Watkins Harper , a black woman born free in Baltimore in 1825 .
At age 20 she published her first volume of poetry .
An activist for abolition , she helped runaway slaves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she wrote this poem , “ Bury Me In a Free Land , ” just two or three years before the start of the Civil War .
America ’ s racial pains today come out of horrific beginnings .
Everyone knows that , but it ’ s one thing to know it , another thing to feel it , and quite a different feeling that must be for black Americans than for others .
I know little about how to ease the pain , but one thing I think I do know is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a whole lot further than marching and shouting .
I urge you — white readers in particular now — to take a moment to read the poem , to listen , to understand perhaps better than before .
It ’ s history , to be sure , and a long time ago , but not so long , really , when you realize how slowly history fades when the present keeps offering up painful reminders .
I wept when I read this remembrance of slavery .
I hate that it ever happened .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , every injustice continuing since that day .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
I know there ’ s massive controversy over what those injustices are and how best to solve them .
I have my thoughts on it , to be sure .
Above all I would urge us to move toward gospel answers such as repentance , restitution ( not reparations , which are completely different ) , and ultimately forgiveness and reconciliation .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many advocate these days , which will only divide us further .
But that ’ s not what I ’ m sharing this for .
This isn ’ t about policy , not this time .
This is strictly for listening , so that some of us may be able to understand better than we have before .
“ Bury Me In a Free Land , ” by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Make me a grave where ’ er you will , In a lowly plain , or a lofty hill ; Make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , But not in a land where men are slaves .
I could not rest if around my grave I heard the steps of a trembling slave ; His shadow above my silent tomb Would make it a place of fearful gloom .
Coffle gang : group of men shackled and chained together .
Shambles : a place of mass slaughter or bloodshed , either of humans or livestock I could not rest if I heard the tread Of a coffle gang to the shambles led , And the mother ’ s shriek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the trembling air .
I could not sleep if I saw the lash Drinking her blood at each fearful gash , And I saw her babes torn from her breast , Like trembling doves from their parent nest .
I ’ d shudder and start if I heard the bay Of bloodhounds seizing their human prey , And I heard the captive plead in vain As they bound afresh his galling chain .
If I saw young girls from their mother ’ s arms Bartered and sold for their youthful charms , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flame , My death-paled cheek grow red with shame .
I would sleep , dear friends , where bloated might Can rob no man of his dearest right ; My rest shall be calm in any grave Where none can call his brother a slave .
I ask no monument , proud and high , To arrest the gaze of the passers-by ; All that my yearning spirit craves , Is bury me not in a land of slaves .
Not Yet Free Enough Harper lived to be buried in a free land @ @ @ @ @ @ @ free enough .
Her poem still speaks .
May we all listen well , and weep that it ever happened .
And seek the healing power of reconciliation today .
Tom Gilson ( @ TomGilsonAuthor ) is a senior editor with The Stream and the author or editor of six books , including the forthcoming Too Good To Be False : How Jesus ’ Incomparable Character Reveals His Reality .

This poem gripped me to the core, and it’s been haunting me since. I ran across it for the first time last fall, and immediately I knew I needed to share it here. It never seemed like the right time, though — which I realize now is because it was meant for this week.
The poet is Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, a black woman born free in Baltimore in 1825. At age 20 she published her first volume of poetry. An activist for abolition, she helped runaway slaves along their way to Canada. And she wrote this poem, “Bury Me In a Free Land,” just two or three years before the start of the Civil War.
For Understanding
America’s racial pains today come out of horrific beginnings. Everyone knows that, but it’s one thing to know it, another thing to feel it, and quite a different feeling that must be for black Americans than for others. I know little about how to ease the pain, but one thing I think I do know is that listening and understanding will take us a whole lot further than marching and shouting. I urge you — white readers in particular now — to take a moment to read the poem, to listen, to understand perhaps better than before.
It’s history, to be sure, and a long time ago, but not so long, really, when you realize how slowly history fades when the present keeps offering up painful reminders. I wept when I read this remembrance of slavery. I hate that it ever happened. I pray we can correct every error, every injustice continuing since that day.
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I know there’s massive controversy over what those injustices are and how best to solve them. I have my thoughts on it, to be sure. Above all I would urge us to move toward gospel answers such as repentance, restitution (not reparations, which are completely different), and ultimately forgiveness and reconciliation. I’m alarmed by the shaming-based answers many advocate these days, which will only divide us further.
But that’s not what I’m sharing this for. This isn’t about policy, not this time. This is strictly for listening, so that some of us may be able to understand better than we have before.
“Bury Me In a Free Land,” by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper
Make me a grave where’er you will,
In a lowly plain, or a lofty hill;
Make it among earth’s humblest graves,
But not in a land where men are slaves. I could not rest if around my grave
I heard the steps of a trembling slave;
His shadow above my silent tomb
Would make it a place of fearful gloom. Coffle gang : group of men shackled and chained together. Shambles : a place of mass slaughter or bloodshed, either of humans or livestock I could not rest if I heard the tread
Of a coffle gang to the shambles led,
And the mother’s shriek of wild despair
Rise like a curse on the trembling air. I could not sleep if I saw the lash
Drinking her blood at each fearful gash,
And I saw her babes torn from her breast,
Like trembling doves from their parent nest. I’d shudder and start if I heard the bay
Of bloodhounds seizing their human prey,
And I heard the captive plead in vain
As they bound afresh his galling chain. If I saw young girls from their mother’s arms
Bartered and sold for their youthful charms,
My eye would flash with a mournful flame,
My death-paled cheek grow red with shame. I would sleep, dear friends, where bloated might
Can rob no man of his dearest right;
My rest shall be calm in any grave
Where none can call his brother a slave. I ask no monument, proud and high,
To arrest the gaze of the passers-by;
All that my yearning spirit craves,
Is bury me not in a land of slaves.
Not Yet Free Enough
Harper lived to be buried in a free land, in 1911 — but not yet free enough. Her poem still speaks.
May we all listen well, and weep that it ever happened. And seek the healing power of reconciliation today.
Tom Gilson (@TomGilsonAuthor) is a senior editor with The Stream and the author or editor of six books, including the forthcoming Too Good To Be False: How Jesus’ Incomparable Character Reveals His Reality.


thestream--2020-06-09--Defund the Police? Or Destroy America?

Defund the Police? Or Destroy America?

What a triumph this week must be for Barack and Michelle ’ s BFF ’ s Bill Ayers and Bernadine Dorn .
The aging terrorists are seeing their Weather Underground dreams come alive before their eyes .
Take the sudden insane calls to “ Defund the Police.
” But it ’ s not coming out of the mouths of bomb-planting hippies , it ’ s coming out of the mouths of elected officials .
The bloody irony ?
They are single-mindedly condemning minority neighborhoods to increased death and misery .
This cry of “ Defund the Police ” comes as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 72 % of voters — including most black voters — have a favorable view of their local police department .
Perhaps that ’ s why on Monday , Joe Biden ’ s campaign announced it wasn ’ t backing “ Defund the Police ” efforts .
( Unfortunately for Joe , the progressives like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez propping him up do want police departments extinguished . )
On Sunday , the Minneapolis City Council announced a veto-proof majority to disband the Minneapolis Police Department .
So what ’ s going to provide security in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scouts ?
They don ’ t know .
The City Council statement says , “ We don ’ t have all the answers about what a police-free future looks like , but our community does.
” Keep the line “ police-free future ” in mind every time some politician or pundit says “ Defund the Police ” really means “ reform the police.
” ( As if the “ Abolish the Police ” signs weren ’ t enough . )
And don ’ t think a “ police-free future ” means some newfangled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ask Minneapolis City Council President Lisa Bender .
CNN ’ s Alisyn Camerota asked her what a citizen should do if someone breaks into their home in the middle of the night .
Yes , calling 911 when someone breaks into your home “ comes from a place of privilege.
” Let ’ s take away all the police , subject those who enjoy “ white privilege ” to rape , pillage and murder , so they can know what if feels like to live in a dangerous neighborhood .
Remember , Bender @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or a 20-something high on weed and radical writings .
That ’ s the president of the Minneapolis City Council .
Minneapolis may have led the way , but New York City won ’ t let itself be far behind .
Mayor Bill DeBlasio is doing more to destroy New York City than King Kong ever could have imagined .
After 10 days of rioting and looting injured 300 cops and destroyed countless businesses , his bright idea is to slash funding to the NYPD .
Several City Council members wanted funding cut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shift money from New York ’ s finest to “ youth initiatives and social services ” Said DeBlasio , “ Our young people don ’ t need to be policed .
They need to be reached.
” Sorry , Mayor .
I can ’ t hear you over the sound of all those storefront windows being smashed .
Funny thing is , on Friday , DeBlasio had said “ I do not believe it ’ s a good idea to reduce the budget of the agency that ’ s here to keep us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caved to the organized mob .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
New York Gov .
Mario Cuomo , the New York Post reports , “ warned against forcing police departments to tighten their purse strings , citing looting that has spun off from Floyd protests.
” Last week , Cuomo blasted DeBlasio ’ s handling of the riots and deployment of the NYPD .
“ It was frightening , ” he said , With no police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s what you get .
Nobody wants that.
” Well , apparently some people do .
Perhaps , Governor , you might want to ask why ?
Joe Friday ’ s Rolling Over in His Grave On the other coast , Los Angeles ’ s progressive Mayor Eric Garcetti announced he ’ ll be defunding the LAPD to the tune of $ 150 million , with the money shifted to communities .
This will lift up neighborhoods ?
The city can ’ t even pick up its garbage .
In making the announcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ implied the LAPD were “ killers.
” On Thursday , he said , “ It starts someplace , and we say we are going to be who we want to be , or we ’ re going to continue being the killers that we are.
” The LAPD police union called him “ unstable.
” On Friday , he denied calling cops “ killers , ” KTLA reported .
“ He said his comment on ‘ killers ’ was misunderstood — he said he was referring to the collective burden of society for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” ( Oh .
So a county that voted 72 % for Democrat Hillary Clinton in 2016 is collectively killing off its black folks ? )
Los Angeles already has a shockingly low cop per capita , protecting a city that stretches over 468 square miles , 21 communities and 4 million residents .
It has only 25.7 officers per 10,000 people .
New York City has 41.8 , Chicago 44.2 and Baltimore 46.3 .
L.A. instituted massive reforms in the wake of the Rodney King incident , moving toward community-based policing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ controlled the city for decades blew the reforms ?
Or is he just acting woke ?
Or is it political calculation : As long as his liberal Westside donors and the stars dispersed in the Hollywood Hills are protected by private security , he can afford to smack around the LAPD for the cameras .
A perfect symbol : L.A. County Council Member Nuna Martinez is demanding the $ 150 million LAPD cut … while enjoying round-the-clock private security provided by the LAPD and local taxpayers .
Other Cities Thumbing Nose at Their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanchez and local activists are leading the cry to “ Defund the Police.
” Meanwhile , Sunday , May 31 was the most violent day Chicago has endured in six decades .
In one 24-hour period 18 people were murdered .
All told over that weekend 25 people were killed , another 85 wounded by gunfire .
Where was Black Lives Matter , Inc. ?
Smaller cities want in on the action .
Portland ’ s mayor Ted Wheeler announced schools will no longer have an armed officer protecting students .
School districts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same .
( Why not paint a “ hit me ” sign out out front for the Nicolas Cruz ’ s lurking about ? )
Perhaps they should consider the 2018 massacre at Great Mills High School in Southern Maryland .
Never heard of it ?
That ’ s because resource officer Blaine Gaskill stopped the gunman before he could get into the school .
Fortunately , not every mayor has bought the idea .
In the Nation ’ s Capital , Mayor Muriel Bowser brushed aside protesters demanding “ Defund the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presser that DC Metropolitan Police has been working on reform for 18 years , after the DOJ found a pattern of excessive force in 2002 .
Police Chief Peter Newsham agreed .
He warned against funding cuts .
“ I think if you look at agencies that have run into similar problems , underfunding or inappropriate funding would be one of the reasons why they got themselves into that position , ” he said .
“ Funding is required for training .
it ’ s required for recruitment and hiring of the best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look at this job in that regard.
” So What is Behind the “ Defund the Police ” Movement ?
So if defunding the police makes crime rise and police more likely to use excessive force , why be for it ?
It ’ s certainly not about valuing black lives .
“ Defund the Police ” is history repeating itself .
( Just like Antifa is a repeat of Hitler ’ s Brown Shirts . )
The Marxist revolutionaries behind the Weather Underground similarly called for and end to police .
Except @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unscripted moments , we ’ re not hearing the police called “ pigs , ” but the idea is the same .
Former FBI deputy counterterror director Terry Turchie told Laura Ingraham Friday night that Antifa and the “ Defund the Police ” crowd are running the old radical playbook , the Weather Underground ’ s Prairie Fire .
Prairie Fire listed six main points to bring down the U.S. government .
One point was to push “ police racism.
” Said Turchie , “ It is the issue that communist societies use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be divisive.
” Counter-terrorism expert John Guandolo echoed this on The Kyle Olson Show.He exposed the “ coordinated effort ” behind the riots and the “ Marxist-communist ” origins of Black Lives Matter , Inc .
But don ’ t believe them .
Project Veritas has just released another Antifa undercover video .
Straight from a soldier ’ s mouth : “ We believe in the complete abolition of the system itself , including police.
” Defund the Police isn ’ t about police .
It ’ s not about protecting and enriching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Destabilizing America .
Demands like defunding have always been about Destabilizing America , with the help of the young and gullible .
In 1968 , the assassination of Martin Luther King was used as an excuse by Marxist revolutionaries to incite riots across the nation .
( See Mark Judge ’ s excellent article about it here . )
Today , the death of George Floyd is being used again to incite riots that are now spreading around the world .
In the end , the truth is laid out in Prairie Fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Dethrone God.
” ( # AttackAndDethroneGod has been trending . )
The torching of St. John ’ s in Washington and defacing of St. Patrick ’ s in New York prove symbolic .
We are not in a battle of races .
Or a battle between citizens and officers .
Or even a battle of political ideology .
We are in a spiritual war .
And brothers and sisters , of all races and creeds , we know how to win .
Stream contributor John Burton has more on the spiritual battle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
https : //stream.org/defunding-the-po…ertaking-america/ Al Perrotta is the Managing Editor of The Stream and co-author , with @ JZmirak , of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration .
You can follow him at @ StreamingAl .
And if you aren ’ t already , please follow The Stream at @ Streamdotorg .

What a triumph this week must be for Barack and Michelle’s BFF’s Bill Ayers and Bernadine Dorn. The aging terrorists are seeing their Weather Underground dreams come alive before their eyes.
Take the sudden insane calls to “Defund the Police.” But it’s not coming out of the mouths of bomb-planting hippies, it’s coming out of the mouths of elected officials. The bloody irony? They are single-mindedly condemning minority neighborhoods to increased death and misery.
This cry of “Defund the Police” comes as a Just The News Poll shows fully 72% of voters — including most black voters — have a favorable view of their local police department. Perhaps that’s why on Monday, Joe Biden’s campaign announced it wasn’t backing “Defund the Police” efforts. (Unfortunately for Joe, the progressives like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez propping him up do want police departments extinguished.)
Cities Acting Against Police, Starting with Minneapolis
On Sunday, the Minneapolis City Council announced a veto-proof majority to disband the Minneapolis Police Department. So what’s going to provide security in the streets? Sharia? The Girl Scouts? They don’t know. The City Council statement says, “We don’t have all the answers about what a police-free future looks like, but our community does.”
Keep the line “police-free future” in mind every time some politician or pundit says “Defund the Police” really means “reform the police.” (As if the “Abolish the Police” signs weren’t enough.)
And don’t think a “police-free future” means some newfangled way of keeping a community safe. Ask Minneapolis City Council President Lisa Bender. CNN’s Alisyn Camerota asked her what a citizen should do if someone breaks into their home in the middle of the night.
Yes, I mean I hear that loud and clear from a lot of my neighbors. And I know — and myself too — and I know that that comes from a place of privilege. Because for those of us for whom the system is working, I think we need to step back and imagine what it would feel like to already live in that reality where calling the police may mean more harm is done.
Yes, calling 911 when someone breaks into your home “comes from a place of privilege.” Let’s take away all the police, subject those who enjoy “white privilege” to rape, pillage and murder, so they can know what if feels like to live in a dangerous neighborhood. Remember, Bender is not some obscure sociology professor, or a 20-something high on weed and radical writings. That’s the president of the Minneapolis City Council.
New York City
Minneapolis may have led the way, but New York City won’t let itself be far behind. Mayor Bill DeBlasio is doing more to destroy New York City than King Kong ever could have imagined. After 10 days of rioting and looting injured 300 cops and destroyed countless businesses, his bright idea is to slash funding to the NYPD. Several City Council members wanted funding cut completely.
DeBlasio announced plans Sunday to shift money from New York’s finest to “youth initiatives and social services” Said DeBlasio, “Our young people don’t need to be policed. They need to be reached.”
Sorry, Mayor. I can’t hear you over the sound of all those storefront windows being smashed.
Funny thing is, on Friday, DeBlasio had said “I do not believe it’s a good idea to reduce the budget of the agency that’s here to keep us safe.” 48 hours later, he caved to the organized mob.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
New York Gov. Mario Cuomo, the New York Post reports, “warned against forcing police departments to tighten their purse strings, citing looting that has spun off from Floyd protests.” Last week, Cuomo blasted DeBlasio’s handling of the riots and deployment of the NYPD. “It was frightening,” he said, With no police “you get looting. That’s what you get. Nobody wants that.”
Well, apparently some people do. Perhaps, Governor, you might want to ask why?
Joe Friday’s Rolling Over in His Grave
On the other coast, Los Angeles’s progressive Mayor Eric Garcetti announced he’ll be defunding the LAPD to the tune of $150 million, with the money shifted to communities. This will lift up neighborhoods? The city can’t even pick up its garbage.
In making the announcement, Garcetti outraged the rank-and-file when he implied the LAPD were “killers.” On Thursday, he said, “It starts someplace, and we say we are going to be who we want to be, or we’re going to continue being the killers that we are.” The LAPD police union called him “unstable.”
On Friday, he denied calling cops “killers,” KTLA reported. “He said his comment on ‘killers’ was misunderstood — he said he was referring to the collective burden of society for injustices that remain in the black community.” (Oh. So a county that voted 72% for Democrat Hillary Clinton in 2016 is collectively killing off its black folks?)
Los Angeles already has a shockingly low cop per capita, protecting a city that stretches over 468 square miles, 21 communities and 4 million residents. It has only 25.7 officers per 10,000 people. New York City has 41.8, Chicago 44.2 and Baltimore 46.3.
L.A. instituted massive reforms in the wake of the Rodney King incident, moving toward community-based policing. Is Garcetti admitting the Democrats who have controlled the city for decades blew the reforms? Or is he just acting woke? Or is it political calculation: As long as his liberal Westside donors and the stars dispersed in the Hollywood Hills are protected by private security, he can afford to smack around the LAPD for the cameras.
A perfect symbol: L.A. County Council Member Nuna Martinez is demanding the $150 million LAPD cut … while enjoying round-the-clock private security provided by the LAPD and local taxpayers.
While one LA Councilmember was introducing a motion to cut $150 million in #LAPD funding, that official also had round-the-clock private security provided by the department at their home. @LAPPL calls it hypocrisy, adding it may have cost taxpayers around $100k. @SpecNews1SoCal pic.twitter.com/lrrRC65oj1 — Natalie Brunell (@natbrunell) June 8, 2020
Other Cities Thumbing Nose at Their Officers
In Chicago, Alderman Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez and local activists are leading the cry to “Defund the Police.” Meanwhile, Sunday, May 31 was the most violent day Chicago has endured in six decades. In one 24-hour period 18 people were murdered. All told over that weekend 25 people were killed, another 85 wounded by gunfire.
Where was Black Lives Matter, Inc.?
Smaller cities want in on the action. Portland’s mayor Ted Wheeler announced schools will no longer have an armed officer protecting students. School districts in St. Paul and Denver are considering the same. (Why not paint a “hit me” sign out out front for the Nicolas Cruz’s lurking about? )
Perhaps they should consider the 2018 massacre at Great Mills High School in Southern Maryland. Never heard of it? That’s because resource officer Blaine Gaskill stopped the gunman before he could get into the school.
Fortunately, not every mayor has bought the idea. In the Nation’s Capital, Mayor Muriel Bowser brushed aside protesters demanding “Defund the Police.” She said in a Monday presser that DC Metropolitan Police has been working on reform for 18 years, after the DOJ found a pattern of excessive force in 2002. Police Chief Peter Newsham agreed. He warned against funding cuts.
“I think if you look at agencies that have run into similar problems, underfunding or inappropriate funding would be one of the reasons why they got themselves into that position,” he said. “Funding is required for training. it’s required for recruitment and hiring of the best people, people who are service-minded and look at this job in that regard.”
So What is Behind the “Defund the Police” Movement?
So if defunding the police makes crime rise and police more likely to use excessive force, why be for it? It’s certainly not about valuing black lives. “Defund the Police” is history repeating itself. (Just like Antifa is a repeat of Hitler’s Brown Shirts.) The Marxist revolutionaries behind the Weather Underground similarly called for and end to police. Except for certain Black Lives Matter members in unscripted moments, we’re not hearing the police called “pigs,” but the idea is the same.
Former FBI deputy counterterror director Terry Turchie told Laura Ingraham Friday night that Antifa and the “Defund the Police” crowd are running the old radical playbook, the Weather Underground’s Prairie Fire. Prairie Fire listed six main points to bring down the U.S. government. One point was to push “police racism.” Said Turchie, “It is the issue that communist societies use to literally tear apart Americans and to be divisive.”
Counter-terrorism expert John Guandolo echoed this on The Kyle Olson Show.He exposed the “coordinated effort” behind the riots and the “Marxist-communist” origins of Black Lives Matter, Inc.
But don’t believe them. Project Veritas has just released another Antifa undercover video. Straight from a soldier’s mouth: “We believe in the complete abolition of the system itself, including police.”
BREAKING: #EXPOSEANTIFA Part III: Deadly Weapons Training “We believe in a complete abolition of the system itself, including police.”#EXPOSEANTIFA pic.twitter.com/r69lwn1imU — James O'Keefe (@JamesOKeefeIII) June 9, 2020
Defund the Police isn’t about police. It’s not about protecting and enriching black lives. It’s about Destabilizing America. Demands like defunding have always been about Destabilizing America, with the help of the young and gullible.
In 1968, the assassination of Martin Luther King was used as an excuse by Marxist revolutionaries to incite riots across the nation. (See Mark Judge’s excellent article about it here.) Today, the death of George Floyd is being used again to incite riots that are now spreading around the world.
The Real War
In the end, the truth is laid out in Prairie Fire‘s final strategy: “Attack and Dethrone God.” (#AttackAndDethroneGod has been trending.) The torching of St. John’s in Washington and defacing of St. Patrick’s in New York prove symbolic.
We are not in a battle of races. Or a battle between citizens and officers. Or even a battle of political ideology. We are in a spiritual war.
And brothers and sisters, of all races and creeds, we know how to win.
Stream contributor John Burton has more on the spiritual battle behind the effort to defund the police. https://stream.org/defunding-the-po…ertaking-america/
Al Perrotta is the Managing Editor of The Stream and co-author, with @JZmirak, of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration. You can follow him at @StreamingAl. And if you aren’t already, please follow The Stream at @Streamdotorg.


thestream--2020-06-09--The Four Horsemen of America’s Apocalypse

It takes a lot to build a civilization , and though it is much easier to destroy a civilization , it takes a lot to do that , too .
But now we have four roots of evil that are guaranteed to do so .
The first is victimhood .
The more people who regard themselves as victims — as individuals or as a group — the more likely they are to commit evil .
People who think of themselves as victims feel that , having been victimized , they are no longer bound by normal moral conventions — especially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ real oppressors .
Everyone knows this is true .
But few confront this truth .
Every parent , for example , knows that the child who thinks of him or herself as a perpetual victim is the child most likely to cause and get into trouble .
And criminologists report that nearly every murderer in prison thinks of himself as a victim .
On a societal scale , the same holds true — and being on such a larger scale , the chances of real evil ensuing are exponentially increased .
One of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ World War I .
Most Germans regarded themselves as victims — of the Treaty of Versailles ; of a “ stab in the back ” German government ; of the British , Americans and French ; and , of course , of the Jews .
This sense of victimhood was one of the most important factors in the popularity of the Nazis , who promised to restore German dignity .
That millions of black Americans regard themselves as victims — probably more so today than at any time in the past 50 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America generally and for blacks specifically .
While victims generally feel free to lash out at others , they also go through life angry and unhappy .
The second of the four ingredients of this civilization-destroying witches ’ brew is demonization — demonizing a group as inherently evil .
That is being done now with regard to the white people of America .
All — again , all — whites are declared racist .
The only difference among them is that some admit it and some deny it .
The notion that whites @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Louis Farrakhan .
But it has apparently migrated out from his relatively small following to many blacks , even those who might consider Farrakhan a kook .
Former President Barack Obama , hardly a Farrakhan follower , described America as having racism in its DNA .
That is as close to inherently and irredeemably evil as it gets ; you can not change your DNA .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
In that sense , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America is , too .
Unlike traditional liberals , the left regards America as a moral cesspool — not only racist but , according to The New York Times , founded to be so .
The New York Times has created a history of America that declares its founding not in 1776 but in 1619 , when the first black slaves arrived .
The American Revolution was fought , according to this malign narrative , not merely for American independence but in order to preserve slavery , a practice the British would have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will now be taught in thousands of American schools .
The combination of victimhood and demonization alone is dangerous enough .
But there are still two more horsemen galloping toward the looming apocalypse .
No .
3 : A Cause To Believe In .
Most Americans throughout American history found great meaning in being American and in being religious — usually Christian .
Since World War II , we have lived in a post-Christian , post-nationalist age .
Until very recently , Americans would have found the expression “ for God and country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , on the left , is risible and execrable .
But people need something to believe in .
The need for meaning is the greatest human need after the need for food .
Leftism , with all its offshoots — feminism , environmentalism , Black Lives Matter , Antifa — has filled that vacuum .
In Europe , communism , fascism and Nazism filled the hole left by the demise of nationalism and Christianity .
Here it is leftism and its offshoots .
The fourth and most important ingredient necessary for evil is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evil .
Ironically , slavery itself was made possible only because of the lie that the black was inferior to the white .
Nazism was made possible thanks to the lie that Jews were not fully human .
And communism was built on lies .
Lenin , the father of Soviet Communism , named the Soviet communist newspaper “ Truth ” ( “ Pravda ” ) because truth was what the Communist Party said it was .
The New York Times , CNN and the rest of the mainstream “ news ” media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Objective truth doesn ’ t exist on the left .
The universities have already declared “ objective truth ” as essentially an expression of “ white privilege.
” See what happens to a student who says in class , for example , that “ men can not give birth.
” The public self-debasement demanded of anyone who differs with the left — like New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees just did when he said not standing for the national anthem desecrated the flag and those who have died for it — happens almost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and what dissidents underwent during Mao ’ s Cultural Revolution is that the self-debasement here is voluntary — thus far .
Last week , when this Jew saw a store in Santa Monica with a sign reading “ black-owned business ” so as to avoid being destroyed , it evoked chilling memories .
That ’ s how bad it is in America today .
Dennis Prager is a nationally syndicated radio talk-show host and columnist .
His latest book , published by Regnery in May 2019 , is The Rational Bible , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His film , “ No Safe Spaces , ” came to theaters fall 2019 .
He is the founder of Prager University and may be contacted at dennisprager.com .

It takes a lot to build a civilization, and though it is much easier to destroy a civilization, it takes a lot to do that, too.
But now we have four roots of evil that are guaranteed to do so.
No. 1: Victimhood.
The first is victimhood. The more people who regard themselves as victims — as individuals or as a group — the more likely they are to commit evil. People who think of themselves as victims feel that, having been victimized, they are no longer bound by normal moral conventions — especially the moral conventions of their alleged or real oppressors.
Everyone knows this is true. But few confront this truth. Every parent, for example, knows that the child who thinks of him or herself as a perpetual victim is the child most likely to cause and get into trouble. And criminologists report that nearly every murderer in prison thinks of himself as a victim.
On a societal scale, the same holds true — and being on such a larger scale, the chances of real evil ensuing are exponentially increased. One of the most obvious examples is Germany after World War I. Most Germans regarded themselves as victims — of the Treaty of Versailles; of a “stab in the back” German government; of the British, Americans and French; and, of course, of the Jews. This sense of victimhood was one of the most important factors in the popularity of the Nazis, who promised to restore German dignity.
That millions of black Americans regard themselves as victims — probably more so today than at any time in the past 50 years — can only lead to disaster for America generally and for blacks specifically. While victims generally feel free to lash out at others, they also go through life angry and unhappy.
No. 2: Demonization.
The second of the four ingredients of this civilization-destroying witches’ brew is demonization — demonizing a group as inherently evil.
That is being done now with regard to the white people of America. All — again, all — whites are declared racist. The only difference among them is that some admit it and some deny it.
The notion that whites are inherently evil has long been associated with Louis Farrakhan. But it has apparently migrated out from his relatively small following to many blacks, even those who might consider Farrakhan a kook. Former President Barack Obama, hardly a Farrakhan follower, described America as having racism in its DNA. That is as close to inherently and irredeemably evil as it gets; you cannot change your DNA.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
In that sense, not only are whites demonized, but America is, too. Unlike traditional liberals, the left regards America as a moral cesspool — not only racist but, according to The New York Times, founded to be so. The New York Times has created a history of America that declares its founding not in 1776 but in 1619, when the first black slaves arrived. The American Revolution was fought, according to this malign narrative, not merely for American independence but in order to preserve slavery, a practice the British would have interfered with. This “history” will now be taught in thousands of American schools.
The combination of victimhood and demonization alone is dangerous enough. But there are still two more horsemen galloping toward the looming apocalypse.
No. 3: A Cause To Believe In.
Most Americans throughout American history found great meaning in being American and in being religious — usually Christian. Since World War II, we have lived in a post-Christian, post-nationalist age. Until very recently, Americans would have found the expression “for God and country” deeply meaningful; that term today, on the left, is risible and execrable.
But people need something to believe in. The need for meaning is the greatest human need after the need for food. Leftism, with all its offshoots — feminism, environmentalism, Black Lives Matter, Antifa — has filled that vacuum. In Europe, communism, fascism and Nazism filled the hole left by the demise of nationalism and Christianity. Here it is leftism and its offshoots.
No. 4: Lies.
The fourth and most important ingredient necessary for evil is lies. Lies are the root of evil. Ironically, slavery itself was made possible only because of the lie that the black was inferior to the white. Nazism was made possible thanks to the lie that Jews were not fully human. And communism was built on lies. Lenin, the father of Soviet Communism, named the Soviet communist newspaper “Truth” (“Pravda”) because truth was what the Communist Party said it was.
The New York Times, CNN and the rest of the mainstream “news” media are becoming our version of Pravda.
Objective truth doesn’t exist on the left. The universities have already declared “objective truth” as essentially an expression of “white privilege.” See what happens to a student who says in class, for example, that “men cannot give birth.”
The public self-debasement demanded of anyone who differs with the left — like New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees just did when he said not standing for the national anthem desecrated the flag and those who have died for it — happens almost daily. The only difference between this and what dissidents underwent during Mao’s Cultural Revolution is that the self-debasement here is voluntary — thus far.
Last week, when this Jew saw a store in Santa Monica with a sign reading “black-owned business” so as to avoid being destroyed, it evoked chilling memories.
That’s how bad it is in America today.
Dennis Prager is a nationally syndicated radio talk-show host and columnist. His latest book, published by Regnery in May 2019, is The Rational Bible, a commentary on the book of Genesis. His film, “No Safe Spaces,” came to theaters fall 2019. He is the founder of Prager University and may be contacted at dennisprager.com.
COPYRIGHT 2020 CREATORS.COM


thestream--2020-06-09--Defunding the Police: Evidence of Lawlessness Overtaking America

Make no mistake , anyone with the slightest hint of discernment can agree a vile spirit of lawlessness is overtaking this nation .
This buildup has been at work for years .
It ’ s clear we are blazing quickly toward the end zone of the end-times .
Lawless people are ravaging our cities , businesses and lives , most often , black lives .
The core of my emotions as a human have been rocked by what I ’ ve witnessed .
A lawless act of murder by a police officer has resulted not in love or forgiveness , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Don ’ t misconstrue my words or my motive .
Racism is pure evil .
We should all be deeply hurt by what has ravaged our black brothers and sisters .
If we don ’ t , we have no soul .
My motive is to shine the light on the invisible realm , on the spiritual reality of our natural situation .
Truth must prevail in the midst of a volatile emotional situation .
It doesn ’ t take a theologian to appreciate the connection between the call to disband and defund @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The extremely high majority of police officers in America are amazing individuals , driven by passion for people and operating in extreme integrity .
Demonizing the world ’ s greatest peace force is shameful .
Our nation ’ s police , though imperfect as any and every human institution is , represents law and order .
A push to disband and defund exposes the motives and spirit of those seeking to uproot and tear down .
Lawlessness .
Racism is evil .
Most everyone agrees .
Police brutality/murder is evil .
Most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ horrified by the murder of George Floyd .
Most everyone agrees .
We don ’ t have to be convinced .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Now , don ’ t get mad at me , I ’ d like to ask you something , something that is on the minds of people all across the nation .
Here ’ s the question : What evidence is there that George Floyd ’ s horrific murder was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critical question , are people just presuming it was because the cop had run-ins with minorities in the past ?
Or simply because a white cop killed a black man ?
Is it because other cops have targeted blacks in the past ?
How does that relate to this specific cop ?
Further , does that mean all cops , or most cops are racist ?
Are they the enemy ?
This is a very important question as the supposition that it was racially motivated has resulted in serious reactions like riots , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of businesses and assaulted lives ( including black lives ) .
This is a very important question as it attempts to confirm that there ’ s racism in our nation ( which there is ) and systemic racism in the police department and other American institutions ( which is debatable at best ) .
This is a very important question as it draws a line in the sand and forces people to reject deeply held personal beliefs and values that are contrary to the narrative .
Beliefs like Drew Brees holds ( held @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the National Anthem .
The assault against his patriotism was disturbing .
This is a very important question because even if it was racially motivated , the violence and the general spirit of many ( not most ) of the reactions have not only been inappropriate but destructive to our nation .
And , most recently , this has become a very important question as the belief that racism motivated the killing is resulting in defunding and disbanding police departments , launching cities into a state of dangerous lawlessness .
Friends , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and to love blacks , whites and everybody else in our nation without buying into narratives that are contrary to our personal values .
We can love while agreeing or disagreeing .
Depending on what the proposed beliefs and solutions others may adhere to are , we can voice concern while still honoring each other .
We can agree to disagree while still authentically loving and valuing each other .
We can still hurt when they hurt , even if our analysis of and solutions to the matter differ .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moment in the natural and lock in to the rapidly evolving spiritual climate .
The spirit of lawlessness is not to be taken lightly .
Satan is possibly more active on the earth today than he has ever been as his end is drawing nearer every day .
The lawless one is gathering an evil army , anointing all who are interested to assist him in fulfilling his diabolical purposes .
Don ’ t be surprised as the demonization continues to spike and ramp up .
Confusion and delusion are overtaking many .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ sets into motion people ’ s eternities .
Lawlessness produces a confused , enraged , demonized and delusional people who will do all they can to destroy .
Defunding and disbanding of the police is merely a natural result of an invisible reality .
So are the riots , violence and hatred .
So is police brutality .
So is every sort of wickedness that is suffocating America .
It takes a confused and delusional people to do such a thing .
It ’ s contrary to common sense .
Natural solutions can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring resolution .
The only thing that can , quite simply , is wholehearted surrender to Jesus Christ .
That ’ s it .
Nothing else will work .
When a nation repents , and when sinners surrender to Jesus , healing can begin .
It ’ s time for preachers to preach this truth boldly .
It ’ s this message and only this message that can stand against the lawlessness .
Pastors ’ refusal to regularly engage the topics of culture and politics from behind the pulpit has , in large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our nation today .
No , you can ’ t “ just preach the Gospel.
” Applying the truth of the Word to today ’ s national situation is mandatory .
Non-negotiable .
If you aren ’ t equipping the saints to be a spiritual force in our nation , exactly what are you training them to be ?
Ushers ?
Greeters ?
Your personal armor bearers ?
No .
They are today ’ s mighty warriors who will assault the kingdom of darkness and expose wickedness .
They are a lawful people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s time for the people of God to preach , equip and confront with a mighty anointing of God .
If we don ’ t , our nation is lost .
Cities devoid of police protection would be but the beginning of sorrows .
John is a sought out teacher , prophetic messenger and revivalist .
He has authored ten books , is a regular contributor to Charisma Magazine , and directed one of the primary internships at the International House of Prayer ( IHOP ) in Kansas City .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two city prayer movements and a school of ministry .

[U]nderstanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers. (1 Timothy 1:9, ESV)
Make no mistake, anyone with the slightest hint of discernment can agree a vile spirit of lawlessness is overtaking this nation.
This buildup has been at work for years. It’s clear we are blazing quickly toward the end zone of the end-times.
Don’t be fooled by what they say. For that day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed — the one who brings destruction. (2 Thessalonians 2:3, NLT2)
Lawless people are ravaging our cities, businesses and lives — most often, black lives. The core of my emotions as a human have been rocked by what I’ve witnessed. A lawless act of murder by a police officer has resulted not in love or forgiveness, but predictably in revenge. Lawlessness.
Don’t misconstrue my words or my motive. Racism is pure evil. We should all be deeply hurt by what has ravaged our black brothers and sisters. If we don’t, we have no soul.
My motive is to shine the light on the invisible realm, on the spiritual reality of our natural situation. Truth must prevail in the midst of a volatile emotional situation.
Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. (1 John 3:4, ESV)
Defunding the Defenders
It doesn’t take a theologian to appreciate the connection between the call to disband and defund the police and the spirit of lawlessness. The extremely high majority of police officers in America are amazing individuals, driven by passion for people and operating in extreme integrity. Demonizing the world’s greatest peace force is shameful.
Our nation’s police, though imperfect as any and every human institution is, represents law and order. A push to disband and defund exposes the motives and spirit of those seeking to uproot and tear down. Lawlessness.
Racism is evil. Most everyone agrees.
Police brutality/murder is evil. Most everyone agrees.
We should all be horrified by the murder of George Floyd. Most everyone agrees.
We don’t have to be convinced.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Now, don’t get mad at me, I’d like to ask you something, something that is on the minds of people all across the nation. Here’s the question: What evidence is there that George Floyd’s horrific murder was racially motivated?
To expand on that critical question, are people just presuming it was because the cop had run-ins with minorities in the past? Or simply because a white cop killed a black man? Is it because other cops have targeted blacks in the past? How does that relate to this specific cop? Further, does that mean all cops, or most cops are racist? Are they the enemy?
This is a very important question as the supposition that it was racially motivated has resulted in serious reactions like riots, violence, attacks, murders, destruction of businesses and assaulted lives (including black lives).
This is a very important question as it attempts to confirm that there’s racism in our nation (which there is) and systemic racism in the police department and other American institutions (which is debatable at best).
This is a very important question as it draws a line in the sand and forces people to reject deeply held personal beliefs and values that are contrary to the narrative. Beliefs like Drew Brees holds (held?), a refusal to kneel during the National Anthem. The assault against his patriotism was disturbing.
This is a very important question because even if it was racially motivated, the violence and the general spirit of many (not most) of the reactions have not only been inappropriate but destructive to our nation.
And, most recently, this has become a very important question as the belief that racism motivated the killing is resulting in defunding and disbanding police departments, launching cities into a state of dangerous lawlessness.
Friends, it’s possible to hate racism and to love blacks, whites and everybody else in our nation without buying into narratives that are contrary to our personal values. We can love while agreeing or disagreeing. Depending on what the proposed beliefs and solutions others may adhere to are, we can voice concern while still honoring each other. We can agree to disagree while still authentically loving and valuing each other. We can still hurt when they hurt, even if our analysis of and solutions to the matter differ.
Delusion and Confusion
The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan. … Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Thessalonians 2:9, 11-12, ESV)
It’s imperative that we take pause for a moment in the natural and lock in to the rapidly evolving spiritual climate. The spirit of lawlessness is not to be taken lightly.
Satan is possibly more active on the earth today than he has ever been as his end is drawing nearer every day. The lawless one is gathering an evil army, anointing all who are interested to assist him in fulfilling his diabolical purposes.
Don’t be surprised as the demonization continues to spike and ramp up. Confusion and delusion are overtaking many. This is a terrifying reality as it sets into motion people’s eternities. Lawlessness produces a confused, enraged, demonized and delusional people who will do all they can to destroy.
Defunding and disbanding of the police is merely a natural result of an invisible reality. So are the riots, violence and hatred. So is police brutality. So is every sort of wickedness that is suffocating America. It takes a confused and delusional people to do such a thing. It’s contrary to common sense.
The Answer: The Gospel
Natural solutions can be helpful, but they will never bring resolution. The only thing that can, quite simply, is wholehearted surrender to Jesus Christ. That’s it. Nothing else will work.
When a nation repents, and when sinners surrender to Jesus, healing can begin.
[J]ust as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered;blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.” (Romans 4:6-8, ESV)
It’s time for preachers to preach this truth boldly. It’s this message and only this message that can stand against the lawlessness.
Pastors’ refusal to regularly engage the topics of culture and politics from behind the pulpit has, in large part, resulted in the chaos in our nation today.
No, you can’t “just preach the Gospel.” Applying the truth of the Word to today’s national situation is mandatory. Non-negotiable. If you aren’t equipping the saints to be a spiritual force in our nation, exactly what are you training them to be? Ushers? Greeters? Your personal armor bearers?
No. They are today’s mighty warriors who will assault the kingdom of darkness and expose wickedness. They are a lawful people who will stand opposed to lawlessness. It’s time for the people of God to preach, equip and confront with a mighty anointing of God. If we don’t, our nation is lost. Cities devoid of police protection would be but the beginning of sorrows.
John is a sought out teacher, prophetic messenger and revivalist. He has authored ten books, is a regular contributor to Charisma Magazine, and directed one of the primary internships at the International House of Prayer (IHOP) in Kansas City. He has planted two churches and has initiated two city prayer movements and a school of ministry.