The Sanctity Of Life 7 26 09

This was the study sheet given out at Sunday School for July 26th on the Sanctity of Life.

The Sanctity Of Life 7 26 09

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Conclusion To the Attack On Marriage, July 19

This was the study sheet given out at Sunday School on the attack on the institution of marriage.

Conclusion To the Attack On Marriage, July 19

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Back on Uncle Sam's Plantation by Star Parker

Interesting article called Back on Uncle Sam's Plantation by Star Parker, a Syndicated Columnist. Since I'm a historian I enjoy reading articles such as this because it comes from a personal perspective and observation. The article is about how President Lyndon Johnson's Great Society and War On Poverty of the 1960s has actually worsen African American poverty than improved it. Instead of moving the poverty stricken into the American Dream of capitalism and freedom, these programs of the 1960s have actually encouraged many poor to find ways to stay on Uncle Sam's Plantation or socialism or being taken care of. Interesting insight because we are seeing before our eyes a movement away from American capitalism to socialism.

Click on the link below and it will take you to the article.

Back On Uncle Sam's Plantation

Email I received from Senator Reid in response to SB 909

This is a response from Senator Reid on SB 909. I sent him an email last week when I learned that SB 909 had been attached to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (S. 1390) as an amendment or rider. This means, SB 909 will probably pass because SB 1390 is on National Defense (can you believe this bill is 592 pgs. long? Who has time to write and read these bills?) which I can't see the Senate not passing it. So, here is his email.



July 22, 2009

Mr. John Billett
2688 Rice Road
Fallon, Nevada 89406

Dear Mr. Billett:

Thank you for contacting me. I appreciate hearing from you. As you may know, the Senate recently approved the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (S. 1390) by a vote of 63-28. This measure was originally introduced on April 28, 2009 by Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA), Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME), and Senator Susan Collins (R-ME). The Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act expands the groups protected under current hates crimes law (which covers race, color, religion, and national origin) to include disability, gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity. In addition, this bill provides the Department of Justice with the authority to assist state and local jurisdictions in prosecuting violent hate crimes, or to take the lead in such prosecutions where local authorities are unwilling or unable to act. Finally, this bill would expand current law to allow for prosecution of a hate crime even if the crime did not take place when the victim was engaged in a federally protected activity.

It is important to note that hate crimes laws punish only violent physical acts - not beliefs or thoughts. The First Amendment prohibits the punishment of speech, and these laws do not punish or prohibit expressions of criticism or even hatred toward any group. The Act includes language to make these constitutional protections clear, stating that nothing in the Act "shall be construed to prohibit any constitutionally protected speech, expressive conduct or activities (regardless of whether compelled by, or central to, a system of religious belief), including the exercise of religion protected by the First Amendment and peaceful picketing or demonstration." In addition, the Senate adopted a 2nd degree amendment introduced by Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) that would prohibit the provisions of this amendment from being applied in a way that violates the First Amendment rights or burdens any exercise of religion that is not intended to incite violence (S.Amdt. 1610). Enactment of this hate crimes legislation will not in any way ban the lawful expression of deeply held religious beliefs. The National Defense Authorization Act is still under consideration by the Senate, and I will be sure to keep your views in mind as the process moves forward.

Again, thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with me. For more information about my work for Nevada, my role in the United States Senate Leadership, or to subscribe to regular e-mail updates on the issues that interest you, please visit my Web site at http://reid.senate.gov. I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.

My best wishes to you.

Sincerely,
HARRY REID
United States Senator
Nevada

HR:nt


Here is my response to his email!

July 22, 2009

Honorable Senator Harry Reid,

Thank you for your response in regards to SB 909 and your explanation. I have a couple of issues that I would like to share even though your explanation was quite clear. First, will there be First Amendment freedom of speech protection to a street preacher who may be preaching against homosexuality? This is a concern of mine because there are many street preachers throughout our country who will continue to speak out against homosexuality. Also, is a preacher who speaks against homosexuality from the pulpit and someone in the congregation is offended by his words and reports the comments to the authorities as hate speech, will the First Amendment protect this speech? In my personal opinion, the First Amendment does protect this speech. However, my second issue, isn't this the first step towards total acceptance of the homosexual agenda in this country and curtailing religious freedom? This is a concern of many Bible believing Christians. It is not a matter of speaking against the person but against the action of homosexuality and Bible teaching concerning marriage.

Sincerely,

John Billett

Video Clip From President Obama On Accepting Homosexuality

If you recall are Sunday School class from July 5th, we talked about President Obama's speech regarding “worn arguments and old attitudes of those who believe homosexuality is wrong; “so-called” Defense of Marriage Act.

Here is the video clip of that speech.

Senate Bill 909

Senator Harry Reid is trying to put Senate Bill 909 on the floor of the Senate for debate and final voting. We need to call his office and Senator Ensign and tell both to vote NO.

Here is a link to the article: http://www.lc.org/index.cfm?PID=14102&AlertID=1008

Here is a link explaining the bill: http://lc.org/media/9980/attachments/memo_hatecrimes_akers050509.pdf

Another explanation of SB 909 but more in depth: http://www.lc.org/media/9980/attachments/hatecrimes.pdf

July 12th Study Sheet

Here's the study sheet for Sunday's class.

July 12th Study Guide

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Christian In A Secular America 4

Here is the PowerPoint presentation from today's Sunday School class.

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Demanding to Be Served: Gay Activists and Religious Freedom

Here's an article that Rick Beach sent me called, Demanding to Be Served: Gay Activists and Religious Freedom. It is an interesting article and it reveals homosexual agenda. It's a good read.

Demanding to Be Served: Gay Activists and Religious Freedom

Christian In A Secular America 3

This is the PowerPoint Presentation from yesterday's class, July 5, 2009. It has the video clip of Congressman Randy Forbes within the presentation.

Christian In A Secular America 3

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Study Guide for yesterday's class.

Study Guide, July 5th

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Spiritual Heritage Resolution by Rep. James Forbes of Virginia, HR 397

Here is the website to the Spiritual Heritage Resolution legislation that was introduced by Congressman James Forbes of Virginia. Rep. Forbes gave the speech in the House of Representatives reaffirming our belief in Judeo Christian values. This website provides up to date information where this bill is in the legislative process.


Spiritual Heritage Resolution

Cliff Knechtle, Moral Relavatism vs. Holocaust

Here is a video clip that shows Cliff Knechtle (street preacher I was talking about today in class) debating college students at Arizona State Univ. If you want to check out his website, here is the link to his church and his ministry, "Give Me An Answer."

Grace Community Church

Give Me An Answer


Cliff Knechtle, Moral Relavatism vs Holocaust




Another video clip of Cliff Knechtle: This is real good because he is debating an Islamic student vs Christianity and Islam.

NEA Article

Here is the website that links to the article on the NEA's decision to support the homosexual agenda.



NEA to consider full support of homosexual 'marriage'

Today's class

Once again, I felt our class was interactive with quite a bit of discussion. I thank the Lord for the opportunity to teach this class. I'm very concerned about where our nation is going morally and spiritually. As Christians, we are called to action and right now is a crucial moment I believe in our history as a nation. Being a US History teacher for years, I've studied our nation's beginnings and growth throughout the decades. Our belief in God, His moral absolutes and Judeo Christian values have blessed this nation, nevertheless, when our President states the US is NOT a Christian nation, I fear for the future of our nation.

As believers in Christ, let's challenge ourselves to be the "salt and light" to a dying world. Why? Because we have no other alternative.

Gay Marriage vs. Traditional Marriage

Wow, what a heavy duty article. If you want to read an article that is deep and thought provoking, this article will make you think. Being a novice historian, I found this article interesting to the principles of our nation, that are Founding Fathers, understood that marriage between and man and woman, was a stable institution that reared children and passed on the traits of the American Republic. Gay marriage, threatens the basic fundamental principles of this nation.

Gay Marriage vs. American Marriage

The Institution Formerly Known As Marriage

Interesting article on the Iowa Supreme Court's decision to legalize same-sex marriage. Here is a short introduction to the article.

The Iowa court’s recent decision does not simply broaden marriage, it radically changes its nature. While marriage previously served public purposes of attaching mothers and fathers to their children and one another, now marriage merely serves as affirmation of adult feelings.

The Institution Formerly Known as Marriage

South Carolina Governor Admits to Moral Absolutes

Many of you have heard of the recent news that Gov. Mark Sanford of South Carolina admitted to an extra-martial affair. What I found interesting in his apologies to his family was his recognition that there are moral absolutes. Here is part of his apology.

Sanford said this was his first and only extramarital affair during a 19-year marriage.

He invoked Scripture and his faith several times during the 18-minute news conference.

“Believe it or not, I’ve been a person of faith all my life. There are moral absolutes,” intended “to protect you from yourself.”

He called his actions, “selfish,” and said they carry consequences.

“As we work through this, there are going to be some hard decisions,” Sanford said. “I would simply ... ask for forgiveness.”

Here is the rest of the article if you would like to read it.

http://www.thestate.com/sanford/story/839231.html

Video Clip On Our Judeo Christian Ethics

Here is a video clip from the House of Representatives which Congressman Randy Forbes reaffirmed our belief in Judeo Christian Ethics.

President Obama Endorses All Americans to Accept Homosexuality

Here's an article that was sent to me by Lynn. Did you know that the month of June was Gay Pride Month? President Obama held a celebration at the White House to recognize the GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual and Trans gender) organization.

Obama Endorses Americans to Accept Homosexuality