National Prayer Breakfast, Mother Teresa's favorite event
in Washington, D.C. still holds her memory
dear. R.J. Neuhaus (Catholic), editor of First Things
magazine, was invited for the first time in 46 years. "..Four
thousand people from over 160 countries under mainly
evangelical auspices to invoke God's blessings on
the nation, which no doubt is a good thing to do.. President Clinton came
in the midst of the latest scandal of sex and lies, looking nervous and
almost penitent. He read from 1 Kings 3: "And now, O Lord my
God, thou hast made thy servant king in place of David my father, although
I am but a little child; I do not know
how to go out or come in.." The Vice President led a prayer
in which he alluded to the pluralism of our society and cited
John 17, "..that they may all be one," which is an interesting
ecclesiological twist." A strange comment coming from a former Lutheran,
now Catholic?? Father Neuhaus indicated that he didn't applause the Presidency.
The applause greeting Billy Graham was loud and long. "Most
of the prayers were offered "in your name," leaving unspecified
just whose name was being invoked. Presumably it is a matter of
sensitivity to the Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, and nonbelievers in
attendance.. The National Prayer Breakfast is a grand, some might call it
gross, exercise in civic religion. I {Neuhaus} am not entirely disdainful
of civic religion, but I could not help but notice that in attendance
were some prominent evangelical critics of "Evangelicals and Catholics
Together" who relentlessly castigate us for not dotting every
"i" and crossing every "t" of theological exactitude.
But here were together, brothers and sisters with all and sundry,
praying to a mainly unknown, or at least unnamed, god. It gives pause for
thought."
"I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, [even] where Satan's
seat [is]: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith,
even in those days wherein Antipas [was] my
faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. But I have
a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine
of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children
of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and
to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold
the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing
I hate." (Revelation 2:13-15)
Vice President Al Gore gave a talk on race relations, laced with biblical
references claiming those who oppose racial quotas are hypocrites
who refuse to recognize the sin of racism is still among
us.
Senator Lott recently got everyone's attention by
stating that homosexuality is a sin and needs to be addressed as such. The
occupant of the oval office was in shock and quickly responded
that we shouldn't talk like that in the White House. Many republicans
are distancing themselves from Senator Lott who is testing the waters for
his aspirations for the top job.
The first Republican Conference to present possible nominees was a
sight to behold. Alan Keyes, black, Catholic, former U.S. Ambassador to
the U.N., member of other Christian right movements such as the Council
for National Policy, talk show host of "National Empowerment
Net" aired daily for several hours internationally,
tore into the present administration, to the embarrassment of
most republicans there.
They apologized to the audience and said we will not of that kind of behavior
here. Dan Quail was not present but represented by his wife
who gave an uiii, guiiii, eloquent talk carefully, so
perfect that it was not believable. Senator Ashcroft and others
basically came right out with their "Christian"
platform and promised to clean up the United States from its
present dilemma.
Sentor Ashcroft and Alan Keyes are featured in a Christian conference
"Revival Fires Presents" Americans Ablaze for God! Summer
Campmeeting featuring America's next president? Sen. John Ashcroft,
Alan Keyes. The Bourbon Street Chaplain, Bob Harrington is among those featured.
Like Pat Robertson's recent struggle with the IRS and violations of
his 501 (c) (3) status, which he settled by paying a large
penalty, they continue to abuse their contracts with the government. They
expect us to believe that they have the righteousness of God and have
the ability to fix this society but ignore God's advice. When will
they ever learn to be truly Christian examples first. Jesus did
not hook up with a group of politicians who use their church affiliations
to get into office. Jesus walked as far from worldly politics as He
could get. "..but [are] now the people of God: which had not obtained
mercy, but now have obtained mercy. Dearly beloved, I beseech [you]
as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts,
which war against the soul; Having your conversation
honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against
you as evildoers, they may by [your] good works, which they shall behold,
glorify God in the day of visitation. Submit yourselves to every ordinance
of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by "Him" for
the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise
of them that do well." (1 Peter 2:10-14)
"Now I say, [That] the heir {believers}, as long
as he is a child, differeth nothing from a
servant, though he be lord of all; But is under tutors
and governors until the time appointed
of the father. (Galatians 4:1,2) As much as we abhore
the developments politically, we need to follow Paul's admonitions
which protect us in the long run by being in God's favor. The Apostle
Paul represents the Holy Spirit's teachings.
Other strange political events are under discussion.
Former President George Bush and his wife along with Gerald
Ford, Mikhail Gorbachev, pop star Jon Secada, Louis Farrakhan,
Maureen Reagan (daughter of Ronald Reagan), as well as other wellknowns
have addressed or performed at Sun Myung Moon's Family Federation for World
Peace and Unification founded in 1996. Moon's concept of marriage
and the family would alarm most people. In their theology,
Rev. Moon believes his own family is the first family and the
foundation of the earthly kingdom. Lucifer physically
seduced Eve and destroyed the relationship between God, Adam, and Eve. In
this way, Lucifer ruined God's perfect family. Because Jesus
failed to restore the heavenly triangle between God, man
and woman, God must call another holy man (Rev.Moon) to fulfill
the primary mission of the Messiah. It was amazing how close the vote
came to put prayer back into schools. They needed a 2/3 majority because
it was an amendment to the Constitution. Neck on neck they were 60
votes short. If it had been 50% of the vote, the Republicans would
have had it. We were not for this Amendment because it would
have opened Pandora's box to all religions fighting over whose prayer
it would be today. The problem is, the First Amendment is not practiced
today. Fundamental Christians do not get equal opportunity. How would
an Amendment to that which is not practiced, improve it. It's
like putting a red ribbon on a dead horse and tell it to run.
We agree that President Clinton's trip to China was to convince
us that we are really all brothers and sisters and should just
accept each other and get along. It reminds me of Ken Copeland's sermons.
The leader of the Chinese government, Jiang Zemin, smiled right
at us and said that we don't have to change. Democracy allows
everything to run, its unity in diversity. It was true. Clinton
stated: "I Believe that Chinese and Americans are brothers
and sisters as children of God. We come here in that spirit today.
I believe our faith calls upon us to seek unity with people across
the world of different races and backgrounds and creeds."
He quoted from the Bible, Acts 17:26. (Tampa Tribune
6.28.98)
On 6.21.98 days before the fires broke out in Florida
which burned supposedly a half a million acres and hundreds
of homes, "televangelist and former Republican presidential candidate
Pat Robertson recently said that by allowing gay groups to come
to Disney World, Disney and the city of Orlando are risking divine
retribution. "I would warn Orlando that you're right in the way
of some serious hurricanes, and I don't think I'd be waving those flags
in God's face if I were you," Robertson said on "The
700 Club" television show. The flags he mentioned were rainbow-
motif banners brought out for the Gay Days gathering in Orlando. Robertson
warned that toleration of homosexuality "will bring about terrorist
bombs. It will bring earthquakes, tornadoes and possibly a meteor."
The editorial by Mark Lane further states "He (Robertson]
says not only once but twice he made hurricanes
change course to avoid Virginia Beach and his broadcasting equipment. The
last time in 1986, the hurricane spared the broadcasting antennae
but instead killed 16 people where it finally did touch down." (Tampa Tribune 6.21.98)
What flags? 750 gay flags were flown for a month in Orlando
by city ordinance. Even though they did not meet official criteria
of what is considered to be a flag, they got permission.
This
ordinance prohibited other flags during that month which happened to include
the 4th of July. No American flags were allowed and people were
upset. According to a caller from Orlando, which was confirmed by another
caller, a 19 year old freaked out when Pat Robinson pronounced this
sentence on Orlando, he pulled one of the flags down. Even though
the flags were worth only $30 he was arrested and faces a $5,000 fine
and jail sentence. He was held on $15,000 bond on grand theft.
We wonder if Pat Robertson will pay the fines and use
their lawyers to help this young man? Pat did make an announcement
that his ministry is donating $25,000 to the victims of
the fires and a truckload of food.
Is Pat Robertson identifying with Jesus Christ who stilled the
sea? Or Moses who opened the sea? Is he commanding
Satan to change the course of weather? We were under the impression
that Satan is the prince of the air, in example: "Wherein
in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according
to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the
children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation
in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires
of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children
of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for
his great love wherewith he loved us." (Ephesians 2:2-4)
"For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will
recompense, saith the Lord, And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." (Hebrew 10:30,31)
President Clinton by executive order has amended and signed Affirmative Action on sexual orientation to include gay quotas in employment. Where same sex orientation marriages became an issue for benefits, Catholic charities negotiated because they didn't want to loose federal funding (they only receive over a billion dollars overall nationally). The Salvation Army did stand up to government and refused to accept the domestic partners issue of same sex marriages. This action reaped benefits. An Amendment was passed which prohibits attaching homosexual issues to the federal funding to charities. The federal government cannot afford to loose their contribution to society. The representative who brought this amendment to the floor drew despicable fire from the opposition. The vote was extremely close and proved a house split down the middle.