Facing the Giants... For Real.
Let's see...
What is it that the letters A.C.L.U. stands for?
Oh yeah... The American Civil Liberties Union.
Where was the ACLU when Brittany McComb was censored while she was giving her valedictorian speech?
Well, they were cheering on the sidelines. Ecstatic that they had succeeded once again in squelching another Christian voice in America.
If it was a Jewish kid standing up there talking about God, would the same thing have happened?
How about if it was a Muslim talking about his faith?
Do you think that the ACLU would have encouraged and supported the censorship of that student's speech?
How about if it was any kid, other than a white kid, who was up there talking about any other religion, any religion other than Christianity?
Do you think that would have made a difference?
Do you think they would have let that valedictorian complete their speech?
You have to remember, the ACLU is the organization that says they are supportive of free speech.
You do realize that they support every individual's right to burn the American flag don't you.
"The right to voice a dissenting viewpoint - no matter how unpopular - is a bedrock principle of America," said Caroline Fredrickson, Director of the ACLU Washington Legislative Office. "The First Amendment is most important when it protects speech that is controversial and repugnant."
Excuse me?
Would you mind repeating that again?
The ACLU promotes the exercise of free speech.
And even the freedom to not speak...
“The pledge will continue to be recited in schools, but will no longer be forced upon all students,” said attorney James Green, Legal Panel Chair of the ACLU of Florida’s Palm Beach County Chapter. “This case is about protecting the rights of all students -- including those who choose not to stand and recite the pledge.”
Do you think that Brittany McComb feels a little picked on here?
Do you think that maybe her rights were violated?
Maybe her speech just wasn't controversial and repugnant enough. It just didn't have that 'shock' factor that they are always looking for.
Maybe if she had a rebellious and anti-establishment attitude about her, then things would have played more in her favor.
Or do you think that maybe the ACLU expects Christians to turn the other cheek, take our licks, and whimper off like a beaten pup?
We're not Muslims, so we really don't pose any real life or death threat to the general public.
If you know what I mean.
By the way...
There's a new movie coming out this September.
It's called Facing the Giants, and it is a Christian movie that was made by donated funds, time and talent that were freely given by uh...
Christians.
None of the actors were paid as the majority of the cast and crew were volunteers with no prior experience.
Because of their unique availability, retired senior adult men, stay-at-home moms, and home schooled teenagers primarily compiled the working crew to operate the set during the six weeks of shooting. Locations for the movie were donated by local residents, businesses, and schools. All ages were involved as Sunday school classes cooked meals and became the “caterers” to the crew each day. Training the volunteers and facilitating the production was a hired team of five professionals...
With all of that donated stuff, what did those darn Baptists go and do?
They went and made a PG movie with it all.
Can you believe it?
Those Christians made a movie that kids can't see without their parents present.
You do realize you could go to hell for watching a PG movie, right?
So why would a bunch of Christians go and make one?
The movie, Facing the Giants, got a PG rating for thematic elements.
Those folks who keep us safe from hell, the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), are trying hard to take care of us stupid Christian Americans.
They're doing their best to keep the sheep from going astray.
Finally, Hollywood is looking out for my best interests.
Now I can rest in peace, free from the fear of movie-going hell, protected by the MPAA from thematic elements that I might otherwise stumble into unawares.
Do you want to know what the thematic elements were?
Sex?
No.
Violence?
No.
Language?
No.
Christian evangelism?
Yes.
Christians need to start facing these giants, kick some ass, and quit playing the game of political correctness.
later...
13-14When the Passover Feast, celebrated each spring by the Jews, was about to take place, Jesus traveled up to Jerusalem. He found the Temple teeming with people selling cattle and sheep and doves. The loan sharks were also there in full strength.John 2:14-19 (The Message)
15-17Jesus put together a whip out of strips of leather and chased them out of the Temple, stampeding the sheep and cattle, upending the tables of the loan sharks, spilling coins left and right. He told the dove merchants, "Get your things out of here! Stop turning my Father's house into a shopping mall!" That's when his disciples remembered the Scripture, "Zeal for your house consumes me."
posted by It's me, T.J. at Thursday, June 22, 2006
11 Comments:
TJ,
I am going to disagree with you about what the school officials did. They did what they had to do. As a Christian. . . . do I want a person who believes in Satan to be able to stand up and give his praise to Satan at a public event like high school graduation. . . . NO. . . so we walk a fine line. . . the majority wants to be free to speak what they believe. . . it means that the minority should be able to do the very same thing.
It is a free for all or it is curtailed. . . just because we are the majority doesn't mean we should shove our religous thoughts down on a captive audience. It isn't fair.
Ciao
I'm going to disagree with your first commenter, TJ, I hope you don't mind.
I would like to remind everyone that America was founded on Christianity. We have forgotten that in the last 40 years or so.
Our very presence on these shores and everything that we have ever been has proclaimed "In God We Trust!"
Speaking about your faith is not the same thing as "shoving it down" anyone else's throat. And if your faith is also the faith that this nation was founded on, then that's a double plus.
TJ ... that was a fantastic post. Thank you very much for writing it.
Moof,
Our founding father's fled religous persecution. They were careful not to write in a "STATE" religon. Most of them were deists. If you could stand a valedictorian address by a person who worshiped a fish and gave praise to that fish and all the glory to that fish. . . . well then you friend are a bigger person than I. I don't want to attend a public event and hear someone's praises of whatever god they serve. I do believe in free speech, but not in a public school at a public event. . . if Christians can do it than look out for all the fringe groups. . . I don't even want to imagine that can of worms being open.
Ciao
Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Both of you.
I appreciate and believe in open and honest debate as long as some rules are adhered to:
1) No name calling.
2) Commentors must treat each other with respect.
3) No anonymouse* posts.
4) I reserve the right to delete any posts I wish.
I am on my lunch break. My kids have a program tonight.
I want to respond to these current comments, but I want to do so when I have more time.
So I will be back here, but it will be much...
later...
I do not have the time at the moment to give to this post, (hubby is waiting patiently for me to finish on the PC), but I have read with interest the above, and look forward to more lively debate!
That is a can of worms ... i don't agree with the way the picture was rated, if i understand what you were saying properly...
as far as the speech thing goes im a bit torn. I think it is perfectly fine to state your love for your God and gratitude to him, however i might agree that there is a line to tread carefully...
unfortunatly i don't know what that line is and i don't know what she said so i can't really voice an opinion on her situation with out more info...
the link showed opinions but not her speech... some references but not what she said in itself..
I wouldn't want to be the person to make a final decision on that situation...
Okay... So I ended up at work after the kids' awards banquet tonight. It's almost midnight.
I'm tired, and I hope that this makes sense to everyone.
But first, I want tell everyone that I appreciate their views and their comments.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
This country was established and based on Christian beliefs and Christian principles. Part of those principles included that men should be able to worship without fear of government intervention or persecution.
So the Founding Fathers created a constitution that included wording that prevented the government from interfering with the right of religious freedom. They also had provisions that prevented the government from becoming a formidable power, hence the development of the three branches of government as well as independent state governments. The Founding Father's greatest fear was a an overwhelming and powerful national government.
To the dismay of many, the wording in the constitution does not include a statement that says something to the effect of "...separation of church and state". This terminology is plainly just not there.
The constitution was designed so that the government could not rule the church or its practices. The church being Christian. Now, the Founding Fathers were strong believers and they believed that government was best ruled by the morals and guidance that is Biblically provided. That is why we have so many privileges afforded us. These privileges are Biblical principles. Our constitution was also designed with the knowledge, and experience, that man tends to like power, and that power tends to lead to corruption. All of which they had experienced first hand.
Over the course of time, many peoples from around the world have come to the U.S. to enjoy the freedoms that we have. American Christians have welcomed people from all lands and faiths with open arms. Generally, immigrants that came here would eventually settle in and assimilate into the American society. The key here is "assimilation".
Immigrants wanted to be Americans and they embraced American beliefs and traditions. Many immigrants enjoy the benefits from two cultures, the American culture and their own familial/personal culture; however, these people have always understood what it was and meant to be an American. And most immigrants were proud to be one. Many of them proved it by fighting and dying in wars as an American soldier.
Over the last several decades, for some untold reason, there have been people who feel that the "American Way" is to become a segregated and independent group; to become individualized and resist the 'melting pot', resist being an "American". Included in this movement is the feeling that Christianity is bad and that all it represents is wrong and exclusionary.
The lack of assimilation into a society is the basis of a very large problem that is currently occuring in France. The lack of assimilation by the Muslims who have moved to France has caused a lot of violence, destruction, as well as many deaths within that country. The Muslim immigrants in France do not want to become French, therefore they are trying to force the French government into changing to fit their wants and their desires. They want the French to become more Muslim.
American Christians have been far from exclusionary as they have welcomed people from all backgrounds, countries, and faiths for many, many years. And yet, various groups of people want to tear down the very framework and fabric that actually has provided them the security and luxuries that they now enjoy?
There is not another constitution written in this world like the United States Constitution. There isn't another country in the world where people enjoy the benefits and freedoms that they do here. The reason why is because this country was built on Godly principles.
With that said, the Constitution of the United States is a document that was written by Christians, for Christians. Because of the Christian belief that God loves all men equally, all men have been welcomed into this country. Whether they were Christian or not. In return, these non-Christian immigrants became Americans and assimilated into the American Judeo-Christian culture.
It is wrong for the Ten Commandments to be removed from courthouses.
It is wrong for a Christian Cross, that has been a memorial for 50 years in California, to be removed.
It is wrong that prayer is not allowed in public schools.
It is wrong for a Christmas Tree to be called a Holiday Tree.
There is an active movement to remove all traces of Christianity from the face of this country.
This comment is already long, but there are so many more injustices that could be listed.
The point of it all is...
Christianity is what created the United States of America.
Christianity should not be censored, nor should it take a second row seat to any other religion.
Christianity should not be ridiculed, nor should it be degraded.
As I inferred in my post, if the valedictorian had had any other religious reflection in her speech, other than a Christian God, I believe that nothing would have been said or done about it.
The ACLU started out years ago with an honorable and noble cause, but they have lost their vision and likewise have no balance.
We have become a litigious society and it is used as a club that is wielded above our heads. A liberal and agenda driven media uses their power to try to govern this country from the airways and the newspapers.
We are in danger of losing our country due to the lack of balance and loss of unifying principles that once held it together.
This is what has made America great. This is why America has prospered. This is why we have felt so safe. It is because of the moral fabric that was established in this country by Christianity.
Christianity is being persecuted almost daily in this country. And it must stop. I don't know of any other religion that receives the ridicule that Christianity does in this country.
Something must be done about it, because if it is allowed to continue as it is...
It will be America's undoing.
later...
Wow that was alot and I think you should have made it a post all on its on it deserves that attentiion if you will....
I do agree that christians and caucasion folks in general are being singled out as bad,,, if you will.
Because they did things wrong in the past ie.slavery but...however...
causion are being punished for past deeds that can't be changed...
i say all this because christianity is generally worshiped by caucasions
so in turn when the caucasion is being punished their religion is being punished.
Im not sure if im making much sense and even if it is a valid thought but it is just a thought sooo *shrug* there it is
and i really hope i didn't offend anyone with this so if i did im sorry.
I'd like to rephrase a statment made earlier... I wrote it totally wrong and would like to apoligise...
I say all this because christianity is generally worhsiped by caucasions...
should be
Caucasions are, generally speaking, christians.....
Sorrry i got it backwards
Because they did things wrong in the past ie.slavery but...however...
causion are being punished for past deeds that can't be changed...
I understand what you're saying, but why should I be held guilty for something that I never did?
There are plenty of other atrocities that happen all over this world. There are horrible things occuring at this very moment. Why would the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of the perpetrators be held accountable for these things?
Why should I feel guilty? I have done nothing wrong.
What if one of my ancestors was an axe-murderer? Do I have to pay for his crime too?
Should I feel remorse and guilt for something that I never did?
You have two beautiful children Wolfbaby. Are they to be held accountable for your past actions?
And does all of this sound like discrimination to you?
I think it does.
later...
Thats exactly what i mean it is reverse discrimation... and your right we shouldn't be held accountable for things we didn't do... thank you for understanding what i was getting at i didn't write it very well:)
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