I'm not responsible for ads!!

Well, we seem to live in a "Teflon-shouldered" society where people would rather assign blame than take responsibility, but although I don't like it I am going to have to join it!

This blog gets ads posted in it. Fair enough; I don't pay to use this facility but it does cost somebody money to provide it. If advertising pays for that, all well and good. It's like watching non-BBC TV. However, some of the ads are those I personally would prefer not to be shown on MY page. Until I find out out if I can take control of these ads (typically the big ones between posts), I have to distance myself from them.

So please don't complain to me about inappropriate ads for this type of blog; it embarrasses me also!

In America, too

Further to my last post about intolerance of Christianity in the UK, I got an email this week that shows it's not only the UK where Christians are being attacked. Here is the content of that mail:

This is a statement that was read over the PA system at the football game at Roane County High School , Kingston , Tennessee by school Principal, Jody McLeod.

'It has always been the custom at Roane County High School football games, to say a prayer and play the National Anthem, to honor God and Country.' Due to a recent ruling by the Supreme Court, I am told that saying a Prayer is a violation of Federal Case Law.

As I understand the law at this time, I can use this public facility to approve of sexual perversion and call it 'an alternate lifestyle,' and if someone is offended, that's OK.

I can use it to condone sexual promiscuity, by dispensing condoms and calling it, 'safe sex.' If someone is offended, that's OK.

I can even use this public facility to present the merits of killing an unborn baby as a 'viable! means of birth control.' If someone is offended, no problem...

I can designate a school day as 'Earth Day' and involve students in activities to worship religiously and praise the goddess 'Mother Earth' and call it 'ecology.'

I can use literature, videos and presentations in the classroom that depicts people with strong, traditional Christian convictions as 'simple minded' and 'ignorant' and call it 'enlightenment.'

However, if anyone uses this facility to honor GOD and to ask HIM to Bless this event with safety and good sportsmanship, then Federal Case Law is violated. This appears to be inconsistent at best, and at worst, diabolical.

Apparently, we are to be tolerant of everything and anyone, except GOD and HIS Commandments.

Nevertheless, as a school principal, I frequently ask staff and students to abide by rules with which they do not necessarily agree. For me to do otherwise would be inconsistent at best, and at worst, hypocritical... I suffer from that affliction enough unintentionally. I certainly do not need to add an intentional transgression. For this reason, I shall 'Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's,' and refrain from praying at this time. 'However, if you feel inspired to honor, praise and thank GOD and ask HIM,in the name of JESUS, to Bless this event, please feel free to do so As far as I know, that's not against the law----yet.'

One by one, the people in the stands bowed their heads, held hands with one another and began to pray. They prayed in the stands. They prayed in the team huddles. They prayed at the concession stand and they prayed in the Announcer's Box!

The only place they didn't pray was in the Supreme Court of the United States of America- the Seat of 'Justice' in the 'one nation, under GOD.'

Somehow, Kingston, Tennessee remembered what so many have forgotten. We are given the Freedom OF Religion, not the Freedom FROM Religion. Praise GOD that HIS remnant remains!

Any faith's OK so long as it is not Christian!

I wish I could be more placid! There are some things that make my blood boil and overt discrimination against Christians current being shown in the UK is one of them. I support the idea of mutual respect, even if you think the other person is mistaken. I might even right about respect and responsibility one day. But respect goes two ways.

It seems if you work in public service, the mere mention of God risks you getting sacked. Do employment protection rules apply? It's open season on Christians: anything that offends the Christian faith seems to be OK.

But if you do anything that just might be construed as offending (by which please read 'might not be in line with the faith of") Muslims is outlawed and that's OK. You can't wear a cross to work, but a hajib is fine. A major British charity does not decorate its shops for Christmas or allow any mention of "Happy Christmas" in case it offends non-Christians. There are many such examples. However, when people of other faiths are asked if celebrating Christmas offends them, the answer is an overwhelming 'No'.

This week, a Dutch politician was refused entry to the UK because he was going to show a film that was designed to offend Islam. I can't help wondering that is the film was designed to offend Christianity if he would have been welcomed under the banner of equality and diversity!

Enough is enough! Christians have as much right to their beliefs as anyone else. Free speech applies to everyone, not just anti-Christians.

It's not as if Christians are bringing society down. Quite the opposite, in fact. Some awful atrocities have been undertaken in the name of Islam and people now are frightened to do anything that "might" offend them. The terrorism has worked! Despite saying we do not give in terrorism, we already have by kow-towing to imaginary possibilities of offence and attacking this country's main faith of Christianity.

Christians have found something good. We have found a saviour. That's what differentiates Christianity from other religions: it's not about a set of political ideals; it's about a person, a saviour. It's about finding the source of having one's life changed for the better. I've heard it described as one beggar telling another where to find food. What's threatening about that? Why are people so angry about being good news and an absolute genuine free offer. OK you don't have to take it, that's exercising the free will God gave you, but how bigoted is it to attack those who bring the good news? People who have never felt hunger or cold don't go on a mission to say hunger and cold don't exist. Why do people who have never felt the love of Jesus (usually because they have not looked for it) feel it is right to attack those who have. It's not exclusive. There's enough for everyone.

But to rise above this, Christians know that God will not be defeated. His opponents will face eternal suffering. In the words of the hymn by Samuel Barnard:

In vain the mightiest powers oppose,
For God is stronger than his foes.

Christians don't have resort to terrorism. The answer is is Romans 12:19:

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.