Expanding Mission Fields
In 2017 the Nashville Statement presented a biblical view on gender and sexuality. Nashville's mayor complained both about the statement and the use of their name (it was written there ... get over it). Now it could be illegal to agree with it, at least in the Netherlands. After some 200+ signed it there, the Dutch public prosecutor has begun investigating if it violates the Dutch anti-discrimination laws. A Dutch lawmaker has faced criticism for his signature. A Christian university censured a professor who signed it. A Christian newspaper lampooned it. All this does not speak well for the Netherlands (where only 15% of the population believes in God) or the "Christians" there. I think I see 1) a new mission field opening up and 2) additional persecution coming.
Making Defending the Most Vulnerable Illegal
A federal judge blocked new government rules that allow businesses to opt out of providing free birth control. California Attorney General Xavier Becerra who filed the injunction said, "Today's court ruling stops another attempt by the Trump administration to trample on women's access to basic reproductive care."
Now, mind you, I wasn't aware of any constitutional right to women's free access to basic reproductive care. I missed that one. ACLU Deputy Legal Director Louise Melling said, "It is a good day when a court stops this administration from sanctioning discrimination under the guise of religion or morality." I did think that there was a constitutional protection for the free exercise of religion. In fact, didn't the Supreme Court hold that privately held companies with religious exemptions could refuse to offer contraceptive coverage? That right I'm aware of. The right to kill babies at the expense of businesses or even the government I was not aware of. The right of employees or the government to dictate what religious beliefs one may hold was another I didn't know about. Strange set of rights in this country that was predicated on rights from the Creator.
No Winners Nere
Out of their demonstrable respect for Christian icons, the Haifa Museum of Art in Israel had an art exhibit featuring such delightful works as "McJesus," a parody of Jesus on the cross but replacing Jesus with Ronald McDonald. Other items included a Barbie doll version of a bloodied Jesus and the Virgin Mary. When I say "demonstrable respect," I clearly mean "complete lack thereof." In their visible wise and Christian response, local church leaders went to court to have it removed and rioters tossed rocks and a firebomb at the museum, injuring three police officers. By "visible wise and Christian response," I clearly mean "neither wise nor Christian."
The exhibit was intended to denounce the worship of Capitalism, and if you look at it that way, I think you can see it. It's sad that people decide to display such disregard for others when they put up what they know will be inflammatory. I'm disappointed that people who call themselves Christians can get so animated over possibly irreverent but ultimately meaningless images. I think it is ominous that the artist behind it has asked that it be taken down. He is in favor of the BDS movement which works to end support for Israel. No win.
Thoughtcrime
Pastor Justin Hoke put up a sign at his church in Weed, California. "Bruce Jenner is still a man. Homosexuality is still a sin. The culture may change. The Bible does not." Bad choice, pastor. In response his congregation asked him to leave. He was told that only one family would remain at the church if he didn't step down. He stepped down.
There is no safe place to publicly call sin sin. One commenter quipped, "If there are any Bibles at his church, he should probably take them with him. They won't be needing them." Too true. The ultimate irony? The church is called "Trinity Bible Presbyterian Church." I'm thinking "false advertising" here.
Let Someone Else Check for Intruders
The American Psychological Association has issued a new "Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Boys and Men." Fine. As it turns out, masculinity is a harmful ideology and it has got to go. Included in the list of character traits we need to lose are competitiveness, achievement, eschewal of the appearance of weakness, adventure, and risk. It's all "psychologically harmful."
So, ladies, if you would like a man to check for whatever it was that went bump in the night, we apologize. Turns out our masculinity is harmful, our sense of adventure a problem, and our willingness to take a risk to confront a home invader is best left to someone else. But it shouldn't be a problem. After all, gender is just a social construct, so it doesn't actually mean anything at all ... right?
Breaking News: Christian School has Christian Values! Film at Eleven
Karen Pence, the vice president's wife, is going back to teaching art at a private elementary school she used to teach at -- Immanuel Christian School -- that asks its employees to "live a personal life of moral purity" and bars them from engaging in or condoning "homosexual or lesbian sexual activity" and "transgender identity" ... kind of like what you find in the Bible. The horror of it all ... a Christian school that maintains Christian standards! Next you'll be telling me that churches are refusing to hire atheists as their pastors! What nonsense!
Other People's Money
The Democrats introduced legislation to increase the federal minimum wage to $15/hr by 2024. What's that you say? You're a small business owner and can't afford to pay that rate? Too bad. What's that you say? You're a customer and can already see prices going up and passed on to you? Too bad. Where is that additional pay going to come from? Businesses and customers? Too bad. They have no problem making sure other people get your money. (Hey, a thought just occurred to me. I work for a salary, not an hourly wage. If you pay people a salary, do you have to meet some "$15/hr" target? Just wondering.)
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