Posts Tagged ‘Bible’

Christianity, Church ‘Essential’ to the Preservation of America

Posted: July 22, 2021 by David Fiorazo in David's Blog
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How did we get to the point in America where a generation has grown up believing lies that this country is evil, was founded by evil men, and it must therefore be dismantled – from the Constitution to capitalism? It’s crucial to the survival of our Republic that we remind those who will listen about our true, unedited history – including the founding of our nation on the living God and the biblical worldview.

The question, however, is are we too late?

We are in a worldview war and the left is winning. Do enough of us have the will to fight back?

First, we need to recognize the reality of spiritual warfare. There are battles in heavenly realms over nations because of what they stand for as well as over the people in those nations. The enemy hates America because of the God we were once united under and the believers who still represent Him.

Part of this epic war has manifested as hatred directed at Christians and the church. Why is this?

A person’s foundational assumptions about God and man directly influence their philosophy of law and government. This is why we see the intense, moral battle for America’s soul, and whether or not to uphold the US Constitution as the law of the land. Though not perfect, America made it this far in history because we once sought to glorify the Lord, obey His commands, and had little resistance to advancing the Christian faith.

George Barna released a disturbing study finding that less and less people in America today believe in or support Christianity. The alarming title was: “U.S. Moving Toward Elimination of Biblical Worldview as Cornerstone of Society” Stop for a few seconds and consider the word, “elimination.”

It took time to reach this point. While we were sleeping, the enemy of our souls and enemies of America have been working overtime.

In my new book, Canceling Christianity, I write in chapter 3 about “The Historic Impact of Christianity” because generations have been deceived, and our culture now sees the church as nonessential. Young people see Christians as inconsequential and the church as unnecessary. Why?

The overwhelming evidence for the tremendous, positive influence of Christianity worldwide is undeniable. And yet, some not only minimize Christianity’s impact, but they also claim we would be better off without the church. The truth is that no one has impacted and improved the world like Jesus Christ!

Hundreds of millions of people have been transformed by the Word of God because the United States was built on, strengthened, and blessed by Christianity. Some of these life-changing biblical principles include:

the value and sanctity of every human life, the abolition of slavery, dignity and respect given to women, the stability of the family, advances in science, hospitals and health care; labor practices, economic freedom, educating the poor, feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, reforming laws to protect the weak, art, literature, architecture, education, philosophy, compassion, charity, justice, and equality.

You would have to be uninformed, in denial, or indignant to argue that the Christian church has not been a tremendous instrument for good or that Christians have not turned the world into a better place over the past 2,000 years. The church has its shortcomings, yes, but they are heavily outweighed by its vast benefits to mankind through history.

But anti-Christian and anti-American programming has led to a change in public opinion to where people have a negative impression of God and the church today. For more than fifty years now, studies have concluded that fewer young people see the Christian faith in a positive light.

Why would people not appreciate teachings about faith, loving God and their neighbor, compassion, forgiveness, family, generosity, respect for life, true justice, hard work, sexual purity, thanksgiving, ad hope? Because they replaced God with one in their own image. It is vital we reeducate and inform others about the historical contributions of Christianity and show them the church is essential to a society like ours.

So many churches, charities, nonprofits, and charitable organizations could be noted here including the Salvation Army, YMCA, Red Cross, Samaritan’s Purse, World Vision, Food for the Hungry, Lutheran World Relief, Mercy Ships, and Compassion International.

Dozens of Christian relief organizations do so much good for America and the world employing more than 30,000 humanitarian workers, shipping more than 225 metric tons of food, and handling disaster relief for millions of people annually. They serve the needy with food, clothing, medical care and supplies, small loans, drinkable water, and shelter.

You’ve probably heard the following quote most often attributed to historian Alexis de Tocqueville (1805-1859) as he visited the US to find the reason for our strength and national success. He looked at our society for answers, but:

“Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits aflame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great.”

True Christianity breeds strong families, and the Word of God boldly proclaimed in righteousness leads to a moral, stable, prosperous culture.

The fruit of biblical teachings have produced revolutionary changes in every way imaginable. Contrary to popular opinion, Christianity has made the world a better place, and so has America. We dropped the ball big-time last year in the face of a virus and closed our life-preserving churches leading to the label of “nonessential.” What a lie.

We must reverse that narrative by being the true church, preaching the Gospel, working to demonstrate God’s love, and showing the church is alive, well, and vital.

Jesus Christ was not a political figure and had no affiliation with kings, governors, or religious leaders of His day. He made no demands, lived in poverty, taught with authority, and His followers were mostly uneducated. And yet, they as well as those influenced by them impacted millions more than Alexander the Great, Muhammad, and Napoleon put together. Jesus changed history and turned the world right side up.

Imagine the worldwide darkness without the light of Christ and His church! If more believers do not join the battle, we won’t have to imagine much longer.

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Canceling Christianity: How the Left Silences Churches, Dismantles the Constitution, and Divides our Culture

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Much More LGBTQ TV On the Way

Posted: November 22, 2019 by David Fiorazo in Christianity, David's Blog, entertainment, Homosexuality, LGBT agenda, religious freedom, the gospel
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Like it or not, if you watch TV, get ready for more gay! A study ‘came out’ – pun intended – a year ago showing a rapidly increasing trend: record numbers of LGBT characters on television, particularly on prime-time, and more LGBT characters in leading roles.

They’ve been working on this for decades, but the agenda to normalize homosexuality goes back to the 1970s. And they won’t stop until the American public not only accepts and approves of their lifestyles, but celebrates them.

This week, GLAAD published its annual report on the status of LGBT infiltration of television and their plans to dominate the industry within five years. Gay rights activists, corporations, government schools, Hollywood, and media elites deny this is an agenda, but the facts tell a very – different – story.

GLAAD’s report is called, “Where We Are on TV,” and analyzes the number of LGBT and non-white characters on television. They are demanding one in five characters on primetime shows be LGBT by 2025.

GLAAD is calling on the industry to ensure the success of their agenda. Right now, 10.2 percent of broadcast series regular characters are LGBT. But according to a Gallup survey of adults in the U.S., an extremely liberal estimate of 4.5% of the population identifies as LGBT.

This means they are already over-represented on television by 227%. If their demands are met, five years from now there would be an over-representation of roughly four-and-a-half times the actual LGBT population.

…The laws and morality of the one true God are in the way of this immoral agenda. And so is anyone who follows the living God. Something has to give.

Over in Britain, you may not be surprised a judge in the UK recently ruled that belief in the Bible is “incompatible with human dignity.” Think about that. Human dignity exists because God made man in His image.

Remember, the more dark the culture, the more light Christians can shine on it. We’ve all sinned, but forgiveness is available to anyone who admits it, repents, and turns to God.

READ FULL POST:

Video courtesy of Freedom Project Media

Jim Carrey, Alyssa Milano Unwittingly Help Pro-Life Cause

Posted: May 31, 2019 by David Fiorazo in Abortion, Christianity in America, David's Blog, democrats, Hollywood, planned parenthood, pro-life
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Actors Jim Carrey, Alyssa Milano, and a cast of other liberals are fighting for abortion, but their tactics seem to be backfiring because they’re unintentionally making a case for the pro-life movement. It’s “Hollywood vs. Alabama and Georgia” – “Liberalism vs Life” in the ongoing war against truth.

On Saturday, Jim Carrey posted a graphic piece of artwork he created intending to defend abortion, but it actually depicts the violence of the life-ending procedure. Carrey is attacking Alabama Governor, Kay Ivey because she signed a bill into law last week restricting abortions in the state.

The idea behind Carrey’s art is Kay Ivey should have been aborted – and shows her brains being sucked into a tube. He tweeted:

“I think If you’re going to terminate a pregnancy, it should be done sometime before the fetus becomes Governor of Alabama,”

Carrey apparently knows what the majority in Alabama want. While signing the legislation, Governor Ivey said the bill had many supporters, and is a result of citizens having the “deeply held belief that every life is precious and that every life is a sacred gift from God,”

Is Carrey publicly wishing death on an elected official and promoting violence? It’s debatable, but as usual, liberals are held to very different standards. Remember Kathy Griffin holding a bloody head of President Trump? Imagine a Republican tweeting this kind of image depicting Nancy Pelosi, for example.

Author and blogger, Matt Walsh responded to Carrey’s artwork and made some sobering statements on Twitter last weekend:

The left claims they are “pro-choice.” What about choosing abstinence, adoption, birth control (not post-pregnancy!), marriage, or making the difficult decision to have the baby? They act as if killing a living, developing fetus is the only option.

Just a few weeks ago, Hollywood activist, Alyssa Milano unwittingly promoted conservative values when she called for a sex strike in response to the heartbeat bill in Georgia signed by Governor Brian Kemp. In case you missed it, note the drama in her demands:

“Our reproductive rights are being erased. Until women have legal control over our own bodies we just cannot risk pregnancy,” Milano tweeted. “JOIN ME by not having sex until we get bodily autonomy back. I’m calling for a #SexStrike. Pass it on.”

Don’t look now, Alyssa, but you’re unintentionally promoting conservative values. An actress calling for abstinence? Well, the public schools won’t do it. Not only will there be less adultery and fewer pregnancies, but we could also see a reduction in STD’s. Sounds like a win win to me.

Read the full post and see video:

Photo credit, original post by Freedom Project Media

The Trinitarian Controversy: Is Jesus God and Creator – or was He created?

Posted: November 29, 2018 by David Fiorazo in Biblical Christianity, Church, David's Blog, Faith and Life, False Teachings, Prophecy, Teaching, the gospel
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Was Jesus created or is He the Creator? On this doctrine, eternity depends. Is He the Messiah and is the Bible true?

If Jesus Christ is God and if the Bible is inspired – literally “God-breathed” by the Holy Spirit – then everything Jesus said and taught is true. If everything He said is true, then Christians had better understand what the Scriptures say about Him and obey his teachings. Jesus stated:

Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.(Luke 21:22)

For this study, we are well beyond the ridiculous claim some people make that Jesus was a myth and never existed. One young woman said He was “made up by religious people in order to control society.” This is complete ignorance of the evidence, history, archaeology, prophecy, and of course, hundreds of eye-witnesses who saw the risen Christ.

Then there are those who say, “That’s your truth, not mine. I evolved, I wasn’t created.” Are there many ways to the only living God or is there a narrow path we must take by faith?

Breakpoint’s John Stonestreet recently said, “These four things are true for all people: Christ is risen, Christ is Lord, Christ will restore all things, and we are called to this time and place in history.”

Sermon video:

We know and believe Jesus Christ is both Savior and Lord, and our faith is based upon not only His finished work on the cross, but on His divinity and humanity. Let’s dig-in to the doctrine of the God-Man.

For example, in Colossians 2:9, Paul writes about Christ:

“For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form,”

“Fullness” is from the Greek word, “plērōma,” a recognized term in theology denoting the totality of divine powers and attributes found in Christ. The verse further adds “all fullness.” Jesus was and is 100% God — not 99.44%. 

But why did Paul add, in bodily form? In Greek philosophical thought, matter was evil; spirit was good. It was unthinkable that God would ever lower Himself to take on a human body. BUT He did! 

Still today, mockers insist Jesus was just a man; a good man perhaps, but certainly not God.

The third and fourth century Trinitarian Controversy focused on the mystery of the incarnation and the relationship between the Father and the Son (both of Whom were called ‘God’ by Christian monotheists). What does it mean regarding the divine nature that the Son had taken on flesh, died, and was raised for the sake of humanity?

For the growth of Christianity, this was a historical moment of intense struggle in church history to establish a common language by which to state the doctrine of faith without distortion, and in a manner that would do justice to the God Christians worship.

CLICK TO SEE FULL POST FOR STUDY NOTES, COMMENTARY, AND REFERENCES!

You’ll also notice Christ’s two states, humiliation and exaltation. Christ not only took upon him the likeness and fashion, or form of a man, but one in a low state; His whole life was a life of poverty and suffering. But the lowest step was his dying the death of the cross, exposed to public hatred and scorn.”

The exaltation was of Christ’s human nature, in union with the Divine. At the name of Jesus, not the mere sound of the word, but the authority of Jesus, all should pay homage. It is to the glory of the Father, to confess Jesus Christ is Lord; it’s his will, that all men should honor the Son as they honor the Father, (John 5:23).

Now the hymn

Philippians 2:5-11 –

Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 For this reason also, God highly exaltedHim, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

Transanity: Three Terrible Trans-Actions

Posted: October 11, 2018 by David Fiorazo in Church, creation, David's Blog, Education, gender identity, LGBT agenda, moral relativism, transgender
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Culture is shifting left, change is happening, and morality is declining at such a rapid pace in American culture, a culture in which moral relativism trumps truth and rebellion against God is at fever-pitch, it’s difficult to just report on one story in a particular category. So this week, let’s look briefly at three headlines and why they matter:

  1. California Passes Law Allowing 12-Year-Olds To Get Tax-Paid Transgender Treatments
  2. Male Rapist Identifying as “Female” Transfers to Women’s Jail – (What could go wrong?)
  3. Colorado Children’s Hospital Dumps Gender Designations to Satisfy Liberal Activists

How did we get here?

America has rejected God and absolute truth. People are simply doing what is right in their individual minds. But remember, just because a person sincerely believes something does not make it true, just, or right.

Let’s start with the children’s hospital. It’s bad enough some clueless and uninformed parents are now allowing their five-year old children to decide what gender they want to be, Children’s Hospital in Aurora, is removing gender markings off patient wristbands to satisfy the politically correct LGBTQ lobby.

Spokesperson, Dr. Natalie Nokoff has treated transgender patients for years and stated:

“We are seeing more and more patients who have diverse gender identities,”

I get it. More children are being encouraged to think they’re the opposite sex. But you don’t have to accommodate delusions and put kids’ health at risk just to satisfy the extremists. This is irresponsible.

Speaking of irresponsible and reckless, the next story is from England, where Stephen Wood, a man who identifies as a woman and goes by Karen White, is a convicted rapist and pedophile, most recently arrested for stabbing his neighbor.

Since he is transgender, they placed him in a jail for women even though he is a biological male and has had no chemical or surgical modifications. Wood used the opportunity to sexually assault four women in New Hall Prison. Apologizing for the mistake, a Prison spokesman reiterated that safety of all prisoners is a priority and they work to manage transgender prisoners with sensitivity.

Even after the incident, reporters and prison officials still used feminine pronouns – referring to Stephen as she or her. This is not only ideologically-driven and ignorant, it is a denial of science and truth, so unfortunately, we’re seeing tragic consequences of a society drifting further from a worldview based on the authority of God’s Word.

Ken Ham of Answers in Genesis explains:

“The Bible is clear that there are only two genders—male and female (Genesis 1:27). When you deny Scripture and blur the lines between the sexes, you create confusion and open the door (as in this case) for sexual predators.”

And the third story: you only need to be 12 years old in California to privately seek and consent to treatment for so-called ‘gender transitioning.’ Let’s put this in perspective.

You have to be 18 to vote in California, 16 obtain a driver’s license, 18 to buy a rifle, engage in consensual sex, or get married without parental consent, and 21 to buy a handgun, alcohol, or marijuana. But in the nation’s most progressive state, you only need to be 12 to get taxpayer-funded life-changing transgender treatments.

The new law describes it as “gender affirming health care, with consideration of their gender identity,” and includes Medi-Cal coverage for foster care youth up to 26 years of age. How do they prove these services are medically necessary?

According to Denise Shick at the Federalist, the law’s authors seem to mean well, wanting a safe and healthy home, free of abuse for those in foster care and for them to be treated with respect. Who would argue with that?

But are adolescents mature enough to make such drastic, adult decisions?

We know kids often emulate what Hollywood promotes as good, and according to the CDC, children in the age range of 12-14 are heavily influenced by their peer group and are more concerned about superficial things such as body image, looks, and clothes.

Teens and adolescants also experience more moodiness, develop eating problems, feel more sadness or depression, which can lead to poor grades at school, alcohol or drug use, unsafe sex, and other problems.

The article states:

Many studies have found that human brains take a long time to develop fully—as long as 25 years or more. That means that adolescents are at a distinct disadvantage in decision making. That’s why you see the immaturity issues…

Chronologically, adolescents are only about halfway to full brain development. Yet the new California allows—and almost compels—adolescents to make irreversible, potentially life-altering decisions!

One final point. According to the American College of Pediatricians,

“The vast majority of gender dysphoric children affirmed as the opposite sex go on puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones are permanently sterilized as a result,”

That means a wrong decision could render today’s kids incapable of having children of their own someday. How many pastors, Christian leaders and parents are speaking up about this destructive movement?

Will the adults in the room and across the country who are capable of making wise choices stand up for truth, common sense, and sanity against those who might mean well and against those who are driving this destructive agenda?

The Bible teaches that when mankind becomes futile in their thinking, their foolish hearts are darkened.

For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. (Romans 1:25); Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. (1 Corinthians 1:25) and, “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God.” (1 Corinthians 3:19)

Godless liberalism is driving the nation. America is reaping the lies and deception that have been sown throughout our culture over the last seventy-five years. Now on steroids, the LGBTQ agenda is taking the ship down with it.

The God of Truth is our only hope to reconcile sinful man to Himself, and for true believers in America to reclaim spiritual influence and salvage a drowning society. We must get back to the basics of biblical living, speak the truth (about creation, gender, marriage, etc.), and expose the darkness in part by pointing others to the truth of Christ.

Signs of Life on Mars but not in a Mother’s Womb?

Posted: August 8, 2018 by David Fiorazo in Abortion, Christianity, creation, David's Blog, Faith and Life, moral relativism, planned parenthood, pro-life
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This just in! Once again, researchers are thrilled about the possibility of life on Mars! Maybe. A recent report of water a mile underneath a slab of ice seemed to boost the odds of life on the red planet. One scientist from the University of Arizona stated if they did find life, it would be microbial, somewhere in the Martian crust.

My question is this: why don’t we use this same determined, scientific, optimistic approach to find human life on earth? We’re often told a heartbeat in a human mother’s womb is not a sign of life. Come on.

NASA’s John Grunsfeld commented on the report at a news conference:

“It suggests it would be possible for there to be life today on Mars,”

Researchers said in the journal, Nature Geoscience, that further exploration is warranted to determine whether microscopic life exists there. One of the lead scientists says the only way to know is to keep collecting rocks from Mars and doing soil analysis on the specimens. It is astounding and bewildering to me that scientists, university departments, NASA, and independent researchers have been studying for decades hoping to find evidence indicating any sign of a living organism on Mars.

What about human beings, and why all the confusion about a living, developing fetus in a mother’s womb? We know it’s certainly not just a clump of cells because dead things don’t grow!

Twenty-three chromosomes from the mother and twenty-three from the father are joined together at the time of fertilization. At this early point, the unique, genetic makeup of the individual is determined, and the terms “conception” and “fertilization” are interchangeable.

Please consider sharing some eye-opening information about a newly conceived baby:

  • Its DNA, everything she will grow into, was fully present at the moment of conception.
  • Her heart began to beat eighteen days after conception.
  • Her brainwaves were detectable forty days (six weeks) after conception.
  • Your baby could move and she could suck her thumb (and hiccup!) between six and seven weeks.
  • Eight weeks after conception, all of her major organs are developed.
  • A baby’s respiratory system begins to function, and she begins to breathe amniotic fluid at nine weeks
  • She can smile, suck her thumb, and clap at eighteen weeks.
  • A baby can feel pain at approximately twenty weeks gestation.

This last medical finding has led to what is called the “Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, a U.S. Congress bill to ban abortions after twenty weeks, and especially late-term abortions.

A baby can feel pain, and a baby can feel joy. You may recall from the Gospel of Luke (1:43-44) when Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist said “the baby in my womb leaped for joy” when Mary visited her and was pregnant with Jesus. Since a fetus is in fact human, then destroying it is murder.

You may have heard the heartbreaking story earlier this year of 23 year-old Shelby Taylor who was recently sentenced to 25 years in prison for throwing her newborn baby girl into a dumpster – umbilical chord still attached. Someone heard the baby crying and called police, and fortunately the baby is alive today.

But wait a minute! Millions of young women simply pay Planned Parenthood to remove their babies and it’s completely legal. Please understand that when God’s law makes something immoral, man cannot make it moral.

I appreciate what author and teacher, Peter Heck said about this:

“But it is also impossible to read this story and not acknowledge a mind-bending and confounding reality: had Shelby Taylor entered a Planned Parenthood facility that very day and had her baby girl decapitated and dismembered for a price, our society would justify that as a moral right of empowerment and liberty. But since she waited a couple hours and, with as horrible as her act of callous abandonment was, still gave her child a fighting chance at survival, she is going to prison for 25 years. This is not just morally incongruent, it is the height of absurdity…”

You do know what they do with all the baby body parts after ripping them out of a mother’s womb, don’t you? If they’re not sold for research they end up in dumpsters outside abortion clinics. Or perhaps you’re in denial like so many people whose consciences have been seared by a hot iron.

What does Scripture teach? See Jeremiah 1:4-5, Exodus 21:22-24, Psalm 51:5, Psalm 139:13-16, Luke 1:39-44.

The Bible treats babies in the womb as real persons. Verse after verse relating to pregnancy always refers to a living human being already in existence. It is crystal clear that God considers the unborn to be human beings who have value and should be protected.

As far as life on Mars goes – no confirmation yet. It’s pretty foggy and we may be waiting for a while.

Supreme Ruling: You Don’t Have to Bake the Cake, Jack!

Posted: June 5, 2018 by David Fiorazo in Christianity in America, David's Blog, Faith and Life, Homosexuality, LGBT agenda, religious freedom, tolerance
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You’ve probably heard the U.S. Supreme Court decided in favor of Colorado baker, Jack Phillips; that the State violated his religious freedom when they punished him for operating his business according to his Christian faith.

Even though the Court ruled 7-2 Monday in favor of Phillips who refused to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple, we must not relax. This is good, yes, but it is an incremental victory in the religious freedom battle. Expect LGBTQ activists to regroup and react with force.

Unbelievably, Colorado Civil Rights Commissioner, Diann Rice once compared Phillips to a Nazi because he believes in natural marriage. Ironically, Phillip’s father was a WWII veteran who helped storm the beaches of Normandy and liberate Buchenwald concentration camp in Germany.

Regarding the decision, Justice Kennedy wrote:

“The Commission’s hostility was inconsistent with the First Amendment’s guarantee that our laws be applied in a manner that is neutral toward religion,”

Unfortunately, the court said the broader issue of whether a business can deny service of gays and lesbians “must await further elaboration.”

But for now, as Justice Clarence Thomas added:

“Because the Court’s decision vindicates Phillips’ right to free exercise, it seems that religious liberty has lived to fight another day.”

Good for Jack Phillips, but it seems the Court lacked courage to tackle the First Amendment question which is why some are calling the 7-2 ruling “narrow.”

This battle is spiritual and Satan is a defeated foe, but at the same time, expect the bullying of Christian business owners to increase. Preachers of tolerance have no problem forcing others to live in a way that goes against deeply held beliefs.

For example, an Oregon business filed a lawsuit last week against a church that turned down hosting an LGBT event in a building owned by the church due to its “morals clause.”

This just months after a Christian couple, also in Oregon, lost their bakery over their refusal to bake a cake for a gay wedding and were forced to pay activists $135,000 by court ruling. Former owners of Sweet Cakes by Melissa, Aaron and Melissa Klein, had their freedoms trampled when they lost their appeal last December. 

In this new case, Holy Rosary Church of Portland, is being sued by Ambridge Event Center, who claims their business was damaged by the decision. Ambridge once rented out a space for various events but the church rejected a request from an African-American LGBT support group.

But churches in America can no longer freely abide by the moral teachings of the Bible. And if you fail to comply, look out! They are seeking – get this – $2.3 million in damages!

Christians seem to have two options: go along with and celebrate sinful behavior that is against biblical teachings, or pay the penalty – whatever price they see fit to enforce. So what now?

The late theologian, John Stott summed it up well when he said:

“We should not ask, ‘What is wrong with the world?’ for that diagnosis has already been given. Rather we should ask, “What has happened to the salt and light?”

How did we reach this present darkness where the foundations of not only culture but the church in America are crumbling? I’ve written a few books on the topic, but these things are certain: leftists will not relent on their agendas, and though God is still on His throne, Christians clearly do not have the influence we used to have on the nation. If we did, things such as the definition and meaning of marriage would not be debated.

We sure could use more watchmen on the wall willing to speak the truth in love and stand against evil at the same time. It is possible and necessary to do both.

Christianity Expelled, Islam Explored in Public Schools

Posted: May 23, 2018 by David Fiorazo in Christianity in America, David's Blog, Education, Government Schools, Islam, religious freedom
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Don’t think this is just another isolated incident where Islam is being favored in public schools. The point here is simple: either teach on all religions equally or don’t teach on any of them.

Since God, the Bible, the name of Jesus, and the Ten Commandments have been expelled from government-run schools in America, mounting evidence proves – decade after decade – every other belief system including atheism, humanism, secular progressivism, and Islam have been allowed.

A new report out of West Virginia says Mountain Ridge middle school students in Gerrardstown were asked to practice writing the Islamic declaration of faith known as the “shahada” in Arabic calligraphy. Translated into English, the statement claims, “There is no god but Allah. Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.”

As part of the world religions unit of the class, the lesson plan leads students to profess the socio-political religion of Islam as true and to lead them to think Allah is God, the Creator.

Apparently, the 30-page section “Islam in the World Today” contains anti-Christian sentiment and required seventh graders to read segments of the Qur’an, learn Muslim prayer poses, and understand the Five Pillars of Islam.

The Muslim faith is both controversial and in direct contradiction to Christianity, so parents were outraged, especially after hearing students would be given a detention slip if they didn’t do the assignment, according to reports. The teacher now claims the assignment was optional.

Both Christianity and Islam promote a standard of morality and doing good deeds, but the god of Islam is not the same as the living God of the Holy Bible. The Muslim holy book, the Qur’an, considers Jesus a prophet, but not Lord or the Savior. There is also no Trinity in Islam so the Holy Spirit is irrelevant to them.

Allah had no son, but the Bible teaches Jesus is God’s Son. He was “with God in the beginning (John 1:1),” the Word who became flesh (John 1:14). Muslims deny that Jesus died on the cross to sacrifice Himself for our sins – a foundation of the Christian faith – as is His resurrection from the dead after three days in a tomb.

Packets were previously handed out to students on Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, and Judaism, but one parent pointed out that the Islam packet contained passages from the Qur’an. Not surprisingly, no Bible verses were included in the packet on Christianity.

More parents across the country have also objected to a Department of Education program called “Access Islam.” According to the Clarion Project, the federally-funded program is directed at children from grades 5-12 and is also featured on various websites, including PBS Learning Media. The Smithsonian also promotes the course as does the United Nations.

A video from the course prominently features a Christian convert to Islam, who declares emotionally how he found the true religion without any “intermediaries.” Concerned parents have noted the U.S. Department of Education provides no comparable study or promotion of any other religion.

One high school homework assignment obtained by a news outlet revealed the question: “How did Muslim conquerors treat those they conquered?” The correct answer was, “With tolerance, kindness and respect.” So, invading armies annihilated their enemies with tolerance, kindness, and respect? Wow.

The prophet Muhammad was a violent warrior who led the slaughter of many people. Islam means “submission” and many were executed because they did not submit to Allah. For those open to truth, just do a little research.

In a breaking story out of New York City, parents are outraged after a public school held a moment of silence last Tuesday for the people killed in Gaza. A Beacon High School public address announcement urged students to pause and honor those who died in the clash at the Israeli border during protest of the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem. The terrorist organization, Hamas publicly confirmed 50 of the 62 people who dies were members of their militant Islamic group.

What about statements about peace in the Qur’an? “Abrogation” is a recurring theme whenever conflicting verses of the Quran are discussed. It means to cancel, repeal, or officially revoke something. In this context, the later or more recent verses calling for jihad and Holy War override earlier verses counseling tolerance or peace.

A few years ago in Olmstead Falls, Ohio, parents tried for years to raise awareness and get the school board to change some lessons and history textbooks that stated Muslims historically “practiced religious tolerance” by requiring Christians and Jews to pay extra taxes. There was no mention that the alternative was often death. They conveniently left those facts out.

Jenny McKeigue was notified by her oldest son that during class his teacher played a reality TV episode of “30 Days: Muslims and America” about converting to Islam.

Author and executive editor of The Federalist, Joy Pullman reported in 2016:

In “30 Days: Muslims and America,” an imam tells a Christian man attempting to live as a Muslim for 30 days that Muslims and Christians worship the same god. The Christian struggles with that idea but ultimately accepts it.

And in Maryland, La Plata High School was also accused of favoring Islam by forcing children to profess the Muslim statement of faith and requiring them to memorize the Five Pillars of Islam, according to a 2015 federal lawsuit filed by the Thomas Moore Law Center. In this case, John and Melissa Wood accused the school of Islamic indoctrination and propaganda, and when Mr. Wood complained, the school banned him from campus! 

There have also been similar stories in California, New York, Texas, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Virginia, and others – all receiving extremely little attention in the politically-correct, progressive media.

Discriminating against those holding to the Christian worldview while promoting other religious views is unconstitutional. So where is the Freedom from Religion foundation when it comes to Islam being taught in government schools?

There should be no confusion over the stark contrasts between the worldviews of Christianity and Islam. It is misguided to focus on a few common teachings without acknowledging major doctrines that are diametrically opposed to one another.

Open Doors reports on persecution worldwide  and the following are monthly averages: 255 Christians are killed, 104 Christians are abducted, and 180 Christian women are raped, sexually harassed or forced into marriage. 

I am not suggesting the Christian faith should be the only one allowed in public schools – although that is what took place for over a hundred years in America when our country was very different morally and spiritually. I am asking for fairness and justice.

If schools discuss one religion, then others should be allowed as well.

But the left won’t go for that because they believe in the total separation of Christianity and state. Keep Jesus out, and anything else goes. Maybe they know if the Bible is allowed back in schools, more children will end up believing it. Why? Because it’s true.

*Originally published at Freedom Project Media

Christians Now Targets of Choice

Posted: April 26, 2018 by David Fiorazo in Christianity in America, David's Blog, democrats, LGBT agenda, religious freedom, tolerance
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Five recent news stories indicate a concerning trend in America; a shift from disagreeing with Christians to discriminating against them. Sadly, these attacks are slowly becoming accepted.

With a campaign of redefined words such as ‘intolerance,’ it often starts with mild persecution.

New Yorker magazine recently suggested Chick-fil-A, the third largest restaurant franchise in America, doesn’t belong in their blue state because of the alleged “infiltration” of what one writer called “pervasive Christian traditionalism.”

That’s right, a corporation built on family values, hard work, and integrity, and whose stated mission is to “glorify God,” who also donates thousands of pounds of food to the homeless is somehow a threat to the liberal stronghold of New York.

Down south, a Miami Dolphins cheerleader went public because she was discriminated against for not only being a Christian, but apparently a virgin as well. As a cheerleader, Kristin Ann Ware was also criticized for posting a Bible verse on social media with a photo of her baptism.

Over in Minnesota, a school bus driver and pastor was recently removed from his route for praying with students on the way to school, even though students would volunteer to lead prayer. 

Next, you probably heard liberal Democrat and anti-Christian Senator, Corey Booker, actually believes that those who have a biblical worldview are unfit to serve our country.

At a confirmation hearing for Secretary of State, Booker grilled Mike Pompeo, but it wasn’t about foreign policy or any of the most pressing national concerns. He demanded to know Pompeo’s stance on homosexual sex and asked, “Do you believe gay sex is a perversion?” Can you imagine a Muslim, Jew, or anyone else being asked this kind of question?

Ben Shapiro of the Daily Wire writes:

Here’s the real issue: when your religion is government, and government is god, you cannot tolerate any other God before it — and you assume that all those who believe in God wish to mobilize government in order to impose God’s will.

Booker’s line of questioning was flat-out unconstitutional, but did you hear the media mention it – if they reported on it at all? The Constitution clearly forbids religious tests for public office. Period.

But here’s the most disturbing story: a bill was passed in California that could ban counseling services and the sale of books expressing orthodox Christian views about sexual immorality. This pro-homosexual bill would ban the Bible! (Images of Nazi’s burning books in the 1930s may come to mind.)

Assembly Bill 2943 would make it unlawful to engage in transactions offering to pursue “sexual orientation change efforts with an individual.”

National Review’s David French says California state law would lock in a sexual-revolution orthodoxy that hurts the very people they seek to protect. The bill defines “change efforts” as “any practices that seek to change an individual’s sexual orientation. This includes efforts to change behaviors or gender expressions…”

French adds, “…no state legislature should be permitted to ban a “good” (such as a book) or a “service” (like counseling) that makes these arguments and provides them to willing, consenting consumers.”

This would not only outlaw certain speech, but California seems willing to ignore the constitutional guarantee of the free exercise of and enjoyment of religion without discrimination.

The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration, and if they pass it, radical CA Governor Jerry Brown is expected to sign it. And if the bill becomes law, we know from past history what happens in California doesn’t stay in California.

In recent years, Christians believing in the Bible and natural marriage have been suspended or fired from their jobs, sued and taken to court, slandered, some have lost businesses, savings, and have been viciously attacked in the press and on social media.

How can we respond? Stay the course. Don’t fret and don’t be surprised by any of this. Jesus told His followers they would be hated because of Him, and we cannot compare what’s happening in America with what our brothers and sisters in Christ endure in hostile nations. Press on, my friend; God is faithful.

*Originally published at Freedom Project Media.

Can the Bible and Transgender both be True?

Posted: February 28, 2018 by David Fiorazo in Christianity in America, David's Blog, gender identity, LGBT agenda, moral relativism, Redefining Truth, transgender
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In the book of Deuteronomy, it says, “A woman shall not wear man’s clothing, nor shall a man put on a woman’s clothing; for whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD your God.” (Deut. 22:5) But we’re being told some people are born the wrong sex. Does God make mistakes? What’s the truth? 

Truth is under attack. In this fast-paced information age of mass communication, technological advancements, scientific discoveries, and breaking news, people seem less informed, less secure, more distracted, and more confused than ever before. Why? They have rejected the one true God.

Jesus prayed for His followers:

 “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.” John 17:17

Revelation 1:8 states,

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

This covers present, past, and future. It’s interesting that according to Webster’s 1828 dictionary, the historical meaning of truth is:

“Conformity to fact or reality; exact accordance with that which is, or has been, or shall be. …We rely on the truth of the scriptural prophecies; Veracity; purity from falsehood” (emphasis added).

Truth is the self-expression of God. Either His Word is right, or the world is right. Which is it?

Enemies of God have caused people to doubt the truth about creation, our origins and gender, life’s meaning, marriage, sin, eternity, judgment, and the deity of Jesus Christ.

But new research shows that even 40% of Christians are confused about truth and moral absolutes. It’s not surprising then, that Oxford Dictionary’s word of the year for 2016 was “post-truth.”

Many in this generation have grown up putting stock in feelings over fact; emotion, experience, and style over substance. This has led to the acceptance of moral relativism, a philosophy that asserts there is no established, absolute moral law that applies to all people, for all time, and in all places.

Remember, it doesn’t matter what happens to be popular today; it matters whether Truth exists and, if that truth changes. Jesus said He is the truth, and He is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

One of the buzzwords today is “identity.” As Christians, do we identify with Christ or with the world’s influences?

Let’s talk about children and education for a moment. What are most children taught regarding their true identity?

Think about the theory of evolution and the belief systems of atheism and humanism which are all generally endorsed in public schools. Creation and intelligent design are rarely offered as a viable alternative.

Why not present the views including God as well as the views denying God and let students decide? It is intolerant and irresponsible of educators to refuse to teach the truth; a worldview believed by millions.

Imagine if children were taught they are made in the image of a loving God who created them unique and special, with purpose for their lives rather than being taught evolution; that they are random, cosmic accidents that evolved from nothing or from animals; that there is no future hope beyond this short life.

This is why kids fall for one of the biggest lies and delusions today that says gender is not binary; it is “fluid,” and people are not necessarily born male.

Genesis 1:27 states:

 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

WHY do you think there is confusion today about what bathroom people are supposed to use in public? Why wasn’t this an issue 100 years ago? 1,000 years ago?

Has God changed or has America changed?

Here’s a letter I received from a concerned mother:

I’ve been struggling. After the very first day of school, my daughter comes home from her first-grade class and says, ‘There is a girl in my class who is going to be a boy! She is going to take medicine and have [surgery]!’ The kids are forced to call the girl by her ‘boy’ name and she uses the teacher’s bathroom.

Check out her response:

“Shocked, I needed to take a breath. I told her, ‘No matter how much medicine that little girl takes or if she has surgery, she will still be a girl. God does not make mistakes and we are exactly who we are supposed to be.’ I’m upset that my child has to be subjected to this. We are moving both our girls to private school next year; I never thought this could have happened in a small Wisconsin town. What six-year-old wants to be the opposite sex?”

Good question. It is dangerous for parents and teachers to let young children make such culture-conforming, body-altering, life-changing decisions. The suicide rate for transgender individuals is over 40 percent!

Truth has never been so assaulted, denied, hated, and redefined to the point it is today. But truth doesn’t care about trends, and Christians are called to love others and be compassionate as we discuss these issues and share the gospel that can set people free.

Malcolm Muggeridge stated:

“One of the peculiar sins of the twentieth century which we’ve developed to a very high level is the sin of credulity. It has been said that when human beings stop believing in God they believe in nothing. The truth is much worse: they believe in anything.”

We can be seduced by the world or sanctified by the truth of Christ. So let’s not conform to this world, let’s be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2a). How do we renew our minds? Meditate on God’s word.

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