tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post5112166791869533959..comments2023-10-24T07:03:42.942-05:00Comments on vtmbottomline: IS AMERICA A CHRISTIAN NATION?---- PART ONEPaul Burlesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17021178307705707423noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-73883678288288774892011-03-03T01:51:41.108-06:002011-03-03T01:51:41.108-06:00Paul: I just read this post. And man did my face h...Paul: I just read this post. And man did my face have the biggest smile! You are such a great writer and truly have a great desire to tell the truth even if it goes against your "group." I love it! There have even been some comments that you have posted to other fellow readers that I wish I had the "like" button from Facebook. Although I think you can be too nice to some people. ;) <br /><br />Rex Ray: I have read your comments and decided that I should respond. <br /><br />Let us not forget the Inquisition, Salem Witch Trials, and the Dark Ages. All Christian atrocities. <br /><br />Christians should not be concerned about Muslims. They should focus their attention to atheists. With more and more advances in science it is getting harder and harder for people to believe in something with no evidence. <br /><br />I mean at least Muslims believe in a god. Us atheists sin and enjoy it. ;) <br /><br />Science bless!Mrs. Austinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-588853389237925092011-02-21T02:42:46.191-06:002011-02-21T02:42:46.191-06:00Aussie John, while I understand Rex's concerns...Aussie John, while I understand Rex's concerns I tend toward your view of the world. Thanks for expressing that better than I could have done.travellernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-20201267996583351602011-02-20T15:21:07.657-06:002011-02-20T15:21:07.657-06:00Paul,
I read Rex's words with real interest b...Paul,<br /><br />I read Rex's words with real interest because the very same thing is being said and written about what is happening in this country.<br /><br />Whether America or Australia, to put it simplistically,there is nothing which escapes the attention of the Sovereign Ruler of the universe which He created. <br /><br />We Christians, across the board, believe the Scriptures declare the omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient nature of our great God.<br /><br />Without sticking my head in the sand and hoping the bad things will not happen to me, mine and my nation (they do, and have), I trust Him.<br /><br />He has protected me from some evil Australians, and possibly evil nationals from elsewhere as well. I really don't know about the latter, but I do know the times of my family, my times, and the times of my nation, and this world are in His hands.<br /><br />I know one thing: He knows, more than anyone else, what CAIR, the KGB,the CIA, and the AFP are up to, and he can shut them down at any time.<br /><br />Am I naive? Simplistic? or some other epithet? I don't know!<br /><br />Do I let my guard down sometimes, taking my eyes off my King? Oh,yes! <br /><br />I do know that nothing happens in His universe without Him knowing and allowing (not causing) it to happen!<br /><br />I do know Paul knew what he was talking about when he counselled the Philippians:<br />"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and petition, along with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus."Aussie Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16199918171163666399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-18879699769324444062011-02-20T11:12:02.747-06:002011-02-20T11:12:02.747-06:00Rex said....con't
Today I read an email tha...Rex said....con't<br /><br /> <br />Today I read an email that led to:<br /> <br />This link:<br /> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Council_on_American-Islamic_Relations<br /> <br />Tells what this Muslim organization (Council American Islamic Relations [CAIR] is supposed to do.)<br /> <br />But this link: http://www.google.com/hws/search?hl=en&client=dell&channel=us-psp&ibd=&q=Muslim+Mafia&Submit=Google+Search<br /> <br />tells about the book “Muslim Mafia” exposing:<br /> Which politicians are given money by CAIR.<br /> How Capitol Hill staffers are strategically placed by CAIR.<br /> Why FBI bonuses are paid to agents who are nice to CAIR.<br /> Why our government is afraid to reveal what they really know about CAIR.<br /> How CAIR has compromised our intelligence systems.<br /> How CAIR is secretly working with government officials to ban the Patriot Act to make future attacks against our country even easier.<br /> <br />New evidence that CAIR was launched to support the Hamas terrorist group and has transferred tens of thousands of dollars to a group recently convicted as Hamas' top fundraising arm in the U.S. – money that ended up aiding terrorist attacks on Israelis and Americans;<br /><br />Internal documents showing CAIR, despite claims of cooperating with law enforcement, actively works behind the scenes to mislead and deceive the FBI on behalf of terrorism suspects – and has even cultivated Muslim moles inside law enforcement who have tipped off FBI terror targets;<br /><br />CAIR is more closely tied to al-Qaida than previously reported;<br /><br />CAIR and its sister fronts are funded by foreign Muslim Brotherhood sources;<br /><br />CAIR leaders share the Muslim Brotherhood's ultimate goal to replace the U.S. Constitution with Islamic law;<br /><br />The Muslim Brotherhood investment in corporate America will be used to pressure U.S. companies into compliance with Islamic principles.<br /> <br />To sum up what I’m saying – it’s not good Muslim people we need to worry about, but their leaders and when push comes to shove people follow their leaders.Paul Burlesonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17021178307705707423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-40541260879433678272011-02-20T11:10:20.059-06:002011-02-20T11:10:20.059-06:00All,
I've chosen to do for Rex what I chose ...All, <br /><br />I've chosen to do for Rex what I chose to do for Traveller. I want all of you to know neither expected that it was going to be done and left that to me. I appreciate that and I've, as I said, chosen to to do it.<br /><br />I am choosing to not do this in the future so as to not start a trend. I hope all of you will understand.<br /><br />Rex said.....<br /><br />Paul,<br /><br />Our computer says the my browser's cookie function ability is disabled, and I can't make a comment or ever read them. So could you do for me what you did for Traveller? Thanks. (BTW - I don't even eat cookies.)<br />Rex<br /> <br /> <br />Did I not say Red Skeleton was going to get a whippin? That proves I’m a prophet does it not? :) I’ve enjoyed the comments and the attitude they were given – especially Traveller’s.<br /> <br />But do you think I don’t know these good things I’ve been told?<br /> <br />I’ll explain by saying I’ve lived in Germany two years, Japan 13 months - 13 trips, Kirkastan one week, about a year of mission trips to Mexico, two years in Alaska -7 trips, and Israel four months - 4 trips. (Through stupidity - swam four miles alone across the Sea of Galilee at 65…In my ‘barking age’ that’s no brag.) <br /> <br />I said that to say I don’t remember disliking anyone including Muslims. (One tried to talk my son and me into getting a second wife.)<br /> <br />What I’m getting at is most people get along with other people.<br /> <br />Germans did not vote for the holocaust but leaders led them there. Neither will Muslims vote to “kill the infidel” but leader’s goals will lead them there. It’s not a matter of ‘if’, but a matter of ‘when’Paul Burlesonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17021178307705707423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-65865824547879206972011-02-20T06:42:54.177-06:002011-02-20T06:42:54.177-06:00Rodney,
You said......"Then, we have a respo...Rodney,<br /><br />You said......"Then, we have a responsibility as Americans to support their right to religious freedom. As believers, we also have a responsibility to build relational bridges for the purposes of living out the implication/application of the Gospel with those who are our neighbors and/or enemies."<br /><br />You have captured in this comment the twin responsibilities I've been trying to put out there for the past couple of posts. We are Americans and are to be responsible as such. We are Christians and are to be responsible as such. The two are not the same and play out differently at times. But both are where we are and are not always understood by those around us.<br /><br />What's worse is that sometimes WE confuse the two. I repeat, as you've illustrated, Christian and American are NOT synonyms.<br /><br />Well said.Paul Burlesonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17021178307705707423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-79570853404157990132011-02-19T21:10:29.496-06:002011-02-19T21:10:29.496-06:00Someone once said that that one person’s freedom e...Someone once said that that one person’s freedom ends where another person’s rights begin. I think Paul’s thoughts concerning restraint and protection for all is important to remember.<br /><br />Using your example…<br /><br />A church is a legal entity and thus is entitled according to national, state, and local laws, to certain rights such as right to personal property (not to mention freedom of assembly, freedom of speech, and freedom of worship) <br /><br />Setting aside imminent domain and regulatory issues, the right to own personal property means that we have the freedom to do with the property what we wish. Also, no one can use the property in any way they want without our consent. <br /><br />But, let’s say a neighbor decides to sale his property to a group who wants to build a mosque. Or, he consents to allowing that group to build a mosque on his property. Either way, he (or the group) has a right to do with the property what they wish.<br /><br />Now, as a church we may protest such a move because that would be within our rights to do so. However let’s say for the sake of discussion, the mosque is built and a group of Muslims begins to lawfully assemble to practice their religion. <br /><br />Then, we have a responsibility as Americans to support their right to religious freedom. As believers, we also have a responsibility to build relational bridges for the purposes of living out the implication/application of the Gospel with those who are our neighbors and/or enemies.<br /><br />Do not forget Rex, the Puritans left England because they wanted to practice their religion free from persecution. Then they turned around, in a new world, and for the most part prohibited others from doing the same. <br /><br />The Constitution and Bill of Rights was created by imperfect men of foresight and genius, to protect against such things.<br /><br />Here is a historical tidbit to think about…<br /><br />Did you know that George Burroughs was one of the few men (and member of the clergy) to actually be executed during the Salem witch trials? He was accused of being the ring leader of a group of local witches by powerful preachers like Cotton Mather. He was accused, among other things, of having unconventional religious beliefs and he was well known as a religious dissident. According to, historians, he was the only person in the trials to actually die for his religious convictions. Oh, did I mention…the evidence is pretty clear that he was a Baptist.Rodney Sprayberryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00354264158831825334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-39142362223020726002011-02-19T17:10:44.300-06:002011-02-19T17:10:44.300-06:00Hi REX RAY,
I can hear you barking, and I am laug...Hi REX RAY,<br /><br />I can hear you barking, and I am laughing because, in my family, we don't bark, we 'meow'. :)<br /><br />My dear Father, of blessed memory, had congestion for years in his eighties, and on occasion, when breathing out, would make a sound like 'meow'. <br />I would say, 'Pop, you're meowing. You need to do your inhaler breathing exercises more'. <br />God Bless him, he tried.<br /><br />Well, I inherited the gene.<br />I have asthma and when work was done here at the house today, a lot of dust was kicked up by the electricians. Of course, I reacted, full-scale, and had to use the inhaler. But not before it happened that my dear husband, who is always very honest (darn it), looked over at me and said, 'You're meowing.' <br /><br />Love,<br />L'sAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-14211728578946720892011-02-19T16:00:10.711-06:002011-02-19T16:00:10.711-06:00Aussie J,
I was thinking the same thing about the...Aussie J,<br /><br />I was thinking the same thing about the comment someone posted at 2:46 PM.Paul Burlesonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17021178307705707423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-51935665242551307042011-02-19T15:54:31.126-06:002011-02-19T15:54:31.126-06:00Paul,
I'm so glad you published traveller'...Paul,<br /><br />I'm so glad you published traveller's words. Excellent!Aussie Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16199918171163666399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-90993195753440121602011-02-19T15:52:31.379-06:002011-02-19T15:52:31.379-06:00Remember..the previous three comments make up the ...Remember..the previous three comments make up the one Traveller sent me. My picture appears only because I posted them from his e-mail. Disregard the picture. He's MUCH better looking than am I.<br /><br />Christiane and Aussie J.<br /><br />Thanks for continuing the conversation. <br /><br />Rex,<br /><br /> You, my friend are funny. I'm into my "barking years" that's for sure.Paul Burlesonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17021178307705707423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-31472509921976908212011-02-19T15:46:10.392-06:002011-02-19T15:46:10.392-06:00Con't....
One specific story may interest you...Con't....<br /><br />One specific story may interest you. About 18 months ago a young lady in my university Sunday School class brought an Iraqi Shi'ite woman who was working on her graduate degree in our local university to our class because this young lady wanted to go to a church while she was in the US. On that first day, with only the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we had a most wonderful conversation that not only highlighted our differences but also similarities of belief. It was only one small step but it was a step toward bridging a gap between us as individuals. As the hour of our time together passed the presence of the Holy Spirit was palpable in our conversation in ways I have seldom experienced. I cannot yet report to you this young lady has chosen to follow Jesus but I do know she has a very different view of Jesus followers than when she walked into the room that Sunday morning. It remains my prayer and that of others that one day she will choose Jesus.<br /><br />In my opinion instead of lumping all Muslims into one category, which they do not appreciate any more than we like to be treated in the same way, it is much better to enter into conversations with them and live with them in a way that they see the love of God. For among Muslims there is a great hunger for acceptance from God as Islam has a strong sense of it is the balance of how one lives their life as to whether they will live in eternity with God. In other words did their good deeds outweigh their evil deeds. This leads to great uncertainty as to whether God will accept them.<br /><br />It would be my recommendation that you follow the advice of Christiane and seek out a Muslim as a friend, not with an agenda to convert them but to learn who they are and enjoy being with them as a friend. God will provide all the opportunity for them to see and hear Jesus in your life. This is all Father asks of us.Paul Burlesonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17021178307705707423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-83945265391810306052011-02-19T15:44:36.710-06:002011-02-19T15:44:36.710-06:00Con't...
Most of them struggle to make fina...Con't...<br /><br /><br /> Most of them struggle to make financial ends meet and to support not only their immediate family but their responsibilities to their extended family, which are significant. There is also a sincere concern that the secular West is so corrupting of their culture that it will be lost. They feel greatly pressured by our cultural dominance in the world. This not only includes a loss of morality but the pressures of consumerism and materialism. One of the reasons some react so strongly against the West is this feeling of a lost culture. (Remember to a Muslim there is no distinction between culture and religion. They are united in similar ways to what it was in the West prior to the Enlightenment.)<br /><br />There is a broad spectrum of commitment to their faith. Many are cultural Muslims (similar to the cultural Christians we have). Some are devoted but not fanatic. Far more than you might expect are caring and concerned about others and the condition of others lives. But, yes, there are those who believe that Islam should dominate the world. Further, they live out the idea of hospitality to the stranger far more than most Christians in the US do. I have started a number of friendships because the Muslim reached out to me though I was a stranger in their country. Most Muslims have high regard for Americans as individuals and do a better job than we do of distinguishing between governments and people.<br /><br />In my experience I do not find these proportions to be significantly different than the spectrum of belief among Christians who often are as militant in desiring to wipe out Islam in the name of modern day Crusades. <br /><br />Likewise, in my experience God is chasing after Muslims as much as he is any other people of the world. I could relate a substantial number of stories to you of Muslims who have never heard the story of Jesus but Jesus has appeared to them in a dream that started them on a journey to find a Bible and Jesus followers so that they could learn more of Jesus so that they might follow him as well.Paul Burlesonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17021178307705707423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-62606953046715658162011-02-19T15:43:52.331-06:002011-02-19T15:43:52.331-06:00All,
Traveller sent to me via e-mail assuming it ...All,<br /><br />Traveller sent to me via e-mail assuming it was too lengthy for a comment. I appreciate his thoughtfulness but like others in this comment thread, it’s too good to not make it available. But thank you Traveller for respecting this blog enough to allow me to make that decision. I’ve had to break it into three comments. Read them all, I assure you they are worth it as all in this thread have been.<br /><br />Traveller said.....<br /><br />It seems I was a bit hasty about not having anything to say to this most recent post of yours. Indeed, it was far too long to be accepted. I am provided it in this email and give you the liberty to post, or not, and to edit should you so desire. Thanks for some good, challenging conversation these past few days.<br /><br />Here is my proposed post:<br /><br />"Rex, I hope you will allow me to offer my perspective on Muslims. As background let me provide my experience. I have been traveling extensively internationally for more than 30 years. In that time I have spent a significant amount of time in nearly all the countries of the Middle East, including living a combined six years in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. In addition I have extensive experience in countries in Africa and Asia that are Muslim or large numbers of Muslims. During this time I have had extensive conversations and exposure to the way they live and their outlook on life. In addition, I have read extensively on Islam and the culture of the Middle East.<br /><br />With that background may I suggest that while there are Muslims who fit the description you provide I do not believe they represent the majority of Muslims. You might be surprised to learn that most Muslims are concerned about many of the same things you and I are concerned about. They are concerned about the disintegration of their family life, the influence of secular media on the integrity and morals of their children and society in general.Paul Burlesonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17021178307705707423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-70170984936111341402011-02-19T15:30:40.058-06:002011-02-19T15:30:40.058-06:00Paul,
Hey! I guess you heard when God gave the cow...Paul,<br />Hey! I guess you heard when God gave the cow 50 years to live, she complained that was too long to work giving milk and gave 40 years back. And the monkey said it was too much to swing in trees 20 years, so he gave 10 back. Also the dog said 20 years was too long to bark and gave 10 back.<br /><br />Man complained his allotted time of 20 years was too short and asked if he could have the years the animals gave back. The Lord said yes.<br /><br />That’s why man enjoys his first 20 years, works the next 40 years, acts like a monkey entertaining grandchildren 10 years, then sits on the porch 10 years barking at everyone that goes by.<br /><br />BARK – BARK – BARK<br /><br /><br />Christiane,<br />I knew a Muslim in Tokyo. He said he had been taught to hate Americans his whole life. He was trained to be a warrior. At 15 they held a pistol to his head saying they would kill him if he didn’t shoot a man holding a picture of his family saying, “See I have a son your age.”<br /><br />At 32, he still cried telling the story. He fought in many battles and became ‘important’. He had been in Japan 8 years without proper papers. He saved a lot of money that he put in a bank back home. He accepted Jesus the first time he visited Tokyo Baptist Church where a former member of our church was the missionary pastor. (After 20 years he was fired as a missionary, but remains the pastor.)<br /><br />The Muslim was told by the local Muslim priest that his money had been taken and unless he renounced Jesus, he would be deported and shot. He invited the priest to church. He got to tell his story many places in fighting deportation. Three years later, I heard his goodbye to the church as he was going to a seminary in Japan to study being a preacher.Rex Rayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06976501582240117188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-81054672790585997622011-02-19T14:46:36.722-06:002011-02-19T14:46:36.722-06:00Paul,
"I believe as Kids of the Kingdom we&#...Paul,<br /><br />"I believe as Kids of the Kingdom we're to present the gospel with delight TRUSTING OUR KING IS IN CONTROL OF OUR HISTORY." <br /><br />That's what I call using your Bible AND your brain!<br /><br />Now Christiane has stolen my thunder! I have known lovely Muslims who were mystified by the hate filled fundamentalist interpretations of their religion.<br /><br />Imagine! God has brought the foreign mission field to us!<br /><br />My heart goes out to them because they don't know the peace and certainty for eternity that I do.<br /><br />Self-righteousness was the hallmark of the hypocritical leaders of the Jews,who perverted the Scriptures to suit their own prejudices and interpretation of the law. They taught that it was right to hate your enemies, which was not what was written in the law. <br /><br />On the other hand, Jesus came proclaiming the SPIRIT of the law, teaching that outward compliance with the Pharisees fundamentalism was not enough, but that God required an inward submission to his holy character which He revealed in Himself. <br /><br />What Jesus preached was something antithetic,and utterly alien to the humanistic interpretations of the Pharisees. <br /><br />The shock to their narrow minds must have been explosive when Jesus taught that His people must love their enemies, bless them that curse you,do good to them that hate you and to pray for those that use you. <br /><br />A world which denies Jesus teaches an antagonistic, angry response to enemies, to answer their cursing with like cursing, to respond to their hate with hate, and to wish ill on those that use us for selfish ends.<br /><br />Jesus’ teaching is so diametrically, radically different from what this world teaches that when we as Christians submit to it, and practice it, we stand out as men and women who do not hide our lamp under a basket. <br /><br />Evidence will be clearly seen that our New Covenant, new nature is as foreign to this world as is a relationship with our enemies. <br /><br />In this God will be glorified and opportunities to share the precious treasure we hold in these weak earthen vessels. Enemies are mystified by Christ-like responses to them, and want to know why we are so different. The rest is up to the work of God through His Holy Spirit, and to our genuinness in being ambassadors for Christ.Aussie Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16199918171163666399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-71360298238465985422011-02-19T11:25:24.896-06:002011-02-19T11:25:24.896-06:00Hi REX RAY,
I'm thinking you need to make a f...Hi REX RAY,<br /><br />I'm thinking you need to make a friend who is a Muslim, someone you can get to know as a person. <br /><br />There has been this huge campaign out there against people of the Islamic faith, and the Islamic extremists have been held up as 'the stereotypical Muslim'. <br /> But I have found that this is not the case. Far from it.<br /><br />ChristianeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-64304234355767713722011-02-19T09:29:43.787-06:002011-02-19T09:29:43.787-06:00Rex,
You're welcome. We do think differently,...Rex,<br /><br />You're welcome. We do think differently, but, at our age, we can celebrate the fact that we can think at all.!! <br /><br />Right? ;-)Paul Burlesonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17021178307705707423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-90539818700685362832011-02-19T09:16:14.121-06:002011-02-19T09:16:14.121-06:00Paul,
Will we live in a free society if Muslims ou...Paul,<br />Will we live in a free society if Muslims out-vote us? We only have to look at countries that have Muslim control for that answer.<br /><br />In Israel, I scolded my son for not giving a ride to two Muslim women hitch-hiking. He said, “If they got in the car and realized who we were, they’d jump out regardless how fast I was driving.”<br /><br />A few years before he moved to a small town 15 miles from Beersheba, a father had killed his high-school daughter by locking her in a shed and burning it. She had been seen talking to a Muslim boy NOT in her tribe on the street after school.<br /><br />You’re right about not selling church property. We have 120 acres next to the church and I’d sell any of it to those you mentioned, but I’d not sell one foot for a Mosque at any price.<br /><br />As far as trusting God for what we believe is good, I believe the Jews had the same idea in Germany. I believe God gave us brains and wants us to use them.<br /><br />Thanks for the reply.Rex Rayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06976501582240117188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-89303359619911961092011-02-19T06:38:53.003-06:002011-02-19T06:38:53.003-06:00Rex,
I know you addressed Rodney but I had a thou...Rex,<br /><br />I know you addressed Rodney but I had a thought and decided to post it. I hope you don't mind.<br /><br />The idea of ANY religion taking over things in a free society as ours is abhorrent to me personally. This is why in a free society you would want to be sure to live by the Constitution and proper established laws. But those functioning laws must apply as RESTRAINTS for all and PROTECTION for all.<br /><br />I'm NOT speaking for anyone but myself here, but as to not wanting to sell church land for a Mosque, I wouldn't want to sell that land for a theatre, or high rise, or a golf course either.<br /><br />But WHATEVER happens to America socially or politically, I believe as Kids of the Kingdom we're to present the gospel with delight trusting our King is in control of the outcome of history.Paul Burlesonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17021178307705707423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-25907915290370528272011-02-19T06:20:29.656-06:002011-02-19T06:20:29.656-06:00Rodney,
As Red Skeleton would say, “If I do it, I ...Rodney,<br />As Red Skeleton would say, “If I do it, I get a whippin I dood it.”<br /><br />I’ve been thinking about you saying: “If we do not protect the right of the Hindu, the Muslim, the Wiccan, or the Atheist...it always comes back to bite us in the end!”<br /><br />As noted by countries such as Denmark, the open arm policy of accepting Muslims has come back to bite them. On one note only, Muslims are only 4 percent but make up a majority of the country’s convicted rapist. (The victims are non-Muslim.) <br /><br />We talk about our great grand children having to pay for our foolish spending, but I believe they’ll be more worried about staying out of certain neighborhoods.<br /><br />Muslims don’t come to be Americans, they come to take over. Their leaders openly declare their goal is Islamic law once they are in majority. Islamic ideology is a cancer in our society. <br /><br />President Obama said America will never be at war with Islam, but I believe the ultimate war will be between Islam and what’s left of the free world.<br /><br />Rodney, our church has enough land for a Mosque; would you sell it for that purpose? I rest my case. :)Rex Rayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06976501582240117188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-49318647799091658132011-02-18T17:08:54.907-06:002011-02-18T17:08:54.907-06:00Aussie J,
I think I can speak for all the commen...Aussie J, <br /><br />I think I can speak for all the commenters on this blog, You wave your walking stick this way any time. We're all the better for it.Paul Burlesonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17021178307705707423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-20081133225651534372011-02-18T14:13:13.429-06:002011-02-18T14:13:13.429-06:00Paul,
"you have stolen my thunder"! Tha...Paul,<br /><br />"you have stolen my thunder"! That saying is old hat Down Under amongst we ancient ones:)<br /><br />"Great minds"? Yours, I'm sure! Not mine. That's why I read your blog.<br /><br />When people are 'on the same page' (I'm not that ancient)they are bound to have some similar thoughts, which are worth repeating.<br /><br />Most of my life of ministry I have been plagued by church people who are looking for an earthly kingdom, and wanting to legislate Christianity for society. Your article pressed the right buttons.<br /><br />Maybe I'm less patient these days, but if anything will get me waving my walking stick, it is that.Aussie Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16199918171163666399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-59866790983293307692011-02-18T10:00:59.730-06:002011-02-18T10:00:59.730-06:00Rodney,
Three of the better statements I've r...Rodney,<br /><br />Three of the better statements I've read....I<br /><br />In a fallen world religious freedom is the best option on the market. It is also the most self-serving option for the Christian.<br /><br />If we do not protect the right of the Hindu, the Muslim, the Wiccan, or the Atheist..it always come back to bite us in the end!<br /><br />There are some areas in which I firmly believe American excels. The fight for religious freedom(historically championed by Baptists) is one.<br /><br />I've already written my post for next time and I'm going to have to remind you and Aussie J about that as you guys are going to believe I stole your comments and just made a post using them ;-)Paul Burlesonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17021178307705707423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-46337650683904990562011-02-18T09:52:35.703-06:002011-02-18T09:52:35.703-06:00Cultures/Governments deal with religion on that sp...Cultures/Governments deal with religion on that spectrum that runs from ambivalence to antagonism.<br /><br />Historically three approaches are most common<br /><br />Religious persecution<br />Religious tolerance<br />Religious freedom<br /><br />Until America there had never been a country or time in history (that we are aware of) where religious freedom was promoted on a large/cultural scale<br /><br />Granted it is a struggle. There are times when the government believes it has the right/responsibility to step in and curtail certain religious practices. <br /><br />Sometimes there is overreach. Sometimes there is misapplication. But that is a small price considering the historical stands that governments have taken in response to religion.<br /><br />In a fallen world religious freedom is the best option on the market. It is also the most self-serving option for the Christian.<br /><br />If we do not protect the right of the Hindu, the Muslim, the Wiccan, or the Atheist..it always come back to bite us in the end!<br /><br />There are some areas in which I firmly believe American excels. The fight for religious freedom(historically championed by Baptists) is one<br /> <br />I would rather live in America, with a Muslim president, a Mormon vice president, a Congress full of Atheists and Supreme court full of agnostics...who all understand the importance of religious freedom that A Government full of cultural Christians who take such things lightly and make decisions on majority rule. :)<br /><br />Especially if the believers this country understand and embrace the power of th Gospel.Rodney Sprayberryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00354264158831825334noreply@blogger.com