Category Archives: politics
Expelled
Monday night while my wife was out of the house, I sat down with Netflix and watched: Expelled, No Intelligence Allowed. This is the “Documentary of the Year” for 2008. Ben Stein does a fine job of hosting the show. I HIGHLY recommend everyone see this documentary.
It puts Intelligent Design, Science, Darwin’s Theory, and Faith into clear perspective. Especially if you have middle or high school students, you need to have the whole family watch together and then discuss. It is very entertaining and informative. Plus, it puts Intelligent Design into this cool, rebellious type of position. Check out their website for more info: http://www.expelledthemovie.com/
Also, you can sign a petition that supports freedom of education! Assuring teachers and other educators protection from being punished or fired if they teach Intelligent Design. click http://www.academicfreedompetition.com/
-robin
Have you seen it already? what did you think?
News on the Election Front
Several key ammendments were passed or voted down according to Biblical standards on November 4th.
- Arizona banned Gay marriage 56% to 44%
- Arkansas banned Gay Couples from adopting children 57% to 43%.
- California banned Gay marriage 52% to 48%
- Florida banned Gay marriage 62% to 38%
It was interesting to me that all the Gay marriage amendments were banned, however several states had laws concerning abortion limitations and they were not passed. A Washington state initiative allows doctor assisted suicide, and Michigan is allowing stem cell research. These show us there is WORK to be done. We can’t sit back and expect our vote to do everything.
Remember, our Government represents not our American people but our voters. It is important that the church of God, sets the agenda for our future. Legislation is the slim piece of the puzzle. We must live daily to influence our kids, parents, friends, neighbors and co-workers by living like Jesus Christ. Our Christ-like example and love for others will influence them away from sinful activities such as addictions, death, abortion, divorce, teen-age pregnancies, etc. This works much better than a policy. The more that God is revealed in a society, the more holy it becomes. The less need there is for laws or regulation. We self-govern and we provide for ourselves.
-robin
Narvaiz’ religious strategy for re-election
Our Mayor hosts prayer breakfasts for local Christian and nonChristian clergy. These are meetings to discuss the current events of the city and get feedback from the community. An article was written critical of her motives and said she is using taxpayer money to support religion in government. I responded to the article (read below)
you can click the link for his article.
-robin
As a pastor in San Marcos, I have attended many of the breakfasts described in the article. In 2004, I was apprehensive about the mayor’s motive. Was the mayor trying to get more votes? Or maybe promoting a religious agenda in our ’secular’ government? I have found neither to be the case. The mayor is connecting with leaders that are more connected with the social and economic situation of San Marcos than probably any other ‘profession or group’.
From my experience the agenda is clear: communicate the city’s agenda to community leaders so that they will disseminate the information to their congregants. EXAMPLE: 2005 Hurricane Rita was bearing down on Central Texas. The city Government needed to communicate with the public asap. Pastors played a vital role in that process. Ken Bell and other leaders gave instructions on how to assist locals and evacuees. I am SURE the taxpayers were pleased that approx. 30 churches were standing by to offer assistance in food, clothing, shelter, and counseling. (from their own expense acct NOT taxpayers)
There is a short time available for leaders to express concerns. These are not concerns about how evil the government is or how to get more prayer in the schools. The concerns deal with cleaning up neighborhoods, the homeless problem, drugs in parks, low-income housing, relations with TX State, etc.
Your quote: “…the events have the flavor and appearance of religious activities” is comical. If these events are ‘religious activities’ I might want to quit my post. Your reasoning is that prayer is offered at the beginning. Yes, we pray before the mtg and to close the mtg. Do you realize that prayer has been offered at the beginning of every gathering of the US Congress since the beginning of our government? The President sponsors a Prayer Breakfast every year. You support the Constitution, but the Constitution does not include the separation of church and state. That was mentioned in a letter written after the fact. Its intent was to keep government from controlling religious expression. Go back and read all the historical references of Presidents and other government leaders praying IN office (not just as private citizens).
Of course these comments are my own and may not represent the Mayor.
-Robin Steele
via Guest commentary: Narvaiz’ religious strategy for re-election | San Marcos Mercury
Quandary
Struggling am I. That is ‘yoda speak’ for I can’t figure out why the politicians act the way they do. I think that Barak Obama is a brilliant speaker and progressive thinker. John Mc Cain has immense experience and heart for the people. That being said, when they get in front of people, they sound like robots spitting our political jargon. I am not sure if it is just my generation, but neither candidate seems real. When asked a simple question, they don’t answer the question. Instead, they Read the rest of this entry
Robin Steele 