Veritas Rex

Conservative on a Hot Tin Roof

On the heels of President Obama voicing his support for same-sex marriage and a lawsuit here in Indiana seeking to overturn our marriage laws, I was asked to debate marriage and family policies with an IU Sociology Professor and a representative of the Center for Inquiry at the Bloomington NPR affiliate on the IU campus.  Needless to say, I was the only traditional marriage supporter in the room and the callers were generally against me. 

However, I believe conservatives must take our message into hostile territory.  We have the truth on our side.  Increasingly Americans are separating themselves based on worldview. Where we live, work, what we watch and listen to.  God's design for marriage and family is important.  If Christians who hold to Biblical truth are not willing to take the message of truth and hope into these areas, who will? 

Take a listen and let me know what you think:

www.indianapublicmedia.org/noonedition/indianas-marriage-law/

 

 

 

 

The Left's War on Marriage

What an interesting week for the Left's ongoing attack on civil marriage.  Let's recap:

1.  North Carolina passed their marriage amendment and became the 31st state to protect marriage and religious liberty.  They did so by a 61%-39% margin.  That's a blow out.  They accomplished this while everyone from Bill Clinton to Joe Biden came out against them and Leftist groups consistently lied, as they have done in state after state, about what the marriage amendment would actually do.  In state after state they throw out anything they can think of that might scare someone, and in state after state their horrible terribles are all false. 

2.  President Obama flip-flops and publicly supports same-sex marriage.

3.  The media fall all over themselves trying to manipulate polling to show that Americans are actually MORE supportive of same-sex marriage. 

4.  Atheists file suit attempting to overturn Indiana's marriage laws.

The talking heads and Leftist elites are trying to sell American's a lie.  Thankfully Americans are not buying it.

Here is the lie:  "The American people are becoming more supportive of same-sex marriage."

No...the Left wants Americans to be more supportive of same-sex marriage.  When given the chance to support marriage, Americans have supported marriage in every state.

However, this is not really about who can get married or how they can get married.  The real issue is the Left's attack on marriage laws and religious liberty.  In the few places where same-sex couples around the world have been given the opportunity to marry, very few of them have taken advantage of that opportunity. 

If they are not really wanting marriage, what do they want?

The answer is power and the ability to silence opponents.  In state after state that has enacted even a portion of the Left's agenda against marriage, the real change that has occurred is that opponents of homosexuality and a secularizing of America have come under legal attack. 

The Alliance Defense Fund has had to represent businesses, individuals, churches and others who have had their freedoms violated due to the attacks of the Left.  From a bed and breakfast owner in Illinois being sued for refusing to allow a homosexual couple to shack up in his house, to a church who stood by Biblical teachings and wouldn't allow a same-sex marriage ceremony on church grounds, real civil liberties are under attack by the Left. 

Americans are realizing that the "same-sex marriage" debate is not about marriage at all...it's about silencing them and robbing them of their liberties.  They are showing up in mass to protect the liberties and values that have made this nation great and I predict they will continue to do so.

Life, Marriage and Religious Freedom

I'm not Catholic, but this a great video that explains some key issues that all Christians should be keeping in mind this election year.

Marriage: Indiana's #1 Weapon Against Childhood Poverty

These aren't new facts...but they're new to most of us.  Thankfully the Heritage Foundation has done state by state research on childhood poverty and how to eliminate it.  Based on the common arguments from academia and the media you would think that if government just threw more money at the problem it would go away.  Not so.  The Woodrow Wilson led "War on Poverty" has been a monstrous disaster...no matter which liberal politician has picked up this batton and ran it forward in the years since.

What does work?  Marriage. It turns out that God guy knew a thing or two about the human condition when he mandated sex within marriage only.  A growing segment of society is deciding that marriage is not for them.  They are involved in relationships and producing children...and also failing to marry.  Their children are much more likely to experience poverty. 

According to the research, what's particularly interesting about this growing group is that many value marriage, they just believe they have to live a near perfect life to deserve a healthy marriage.  So, their urge for children is fulfilled first and then they attempt to clean their lives up enough to deserve marriage.  Sadly, this makes the likelihood of achieving a healthy marriage much less likely.

The good news is that healthy marriage is possible.  It is most achievable the old fashion way:  marriage first and then child bearing.

For the full report on Marriage:  Indiana's #1 Weapon Against Childhood Poverty you can download it here:

Download Marriage-poverty-Indiana

Fact: Traditional Marriage led Family is Ideal

The Institute for American Values is composed of scholars from around the country. It boasts collaboration on research from many prominent professors from our nation's finest colleges and universities. Many of which are no friend to conservatives. Yet, they all agree on one thing. Marriage is important. They back it up with some pretty impressive research.

Check out discussions from some of the nation's experts on marriage:

More video from the Q & A is available here: http://www.centerforpublicconversation.org/events/v/wmm-20110816.php

IFI President a Big Hit in Terre Haute

IFI President Curt Smith received a warm welcome in Terre Haute, Indiana last week.  Curt addressed business leaders in Terre Haute, emphasizing that at the heart of a strong economy are strong families.

Speaker stresses family during luncheon: wthitv.com

Stand up for Religious Freedom at Statehouse THIS Friday at noon!

Please join the Indianapolis Right to Life, IFI and many others as we stand up for religious freedom this Friday at noon at the Statehouse.  My previous post of Father Maletta's wonderful homily further explains this issue.  Religious liberty is under attack in America like to time in our lifetime.  It's time to stand up and fight back.

Eric Metaxas interview with Dr. Dobson on Bonhoeffer

If you haven't read Eric Metaxas' work on Dietrich Bonhoeffer or William Wilberforce, check it out.  I'm reading the biography of Bonhoeffer now.  It's fascinating.  Dietrich Bonhoeffer was one of the few pastors who had the courage to stand up to Adolph Hitler in Nazi Germany. 

Check out the 2 part interview between Dr. Dobson and Eric Metaxas from March 19, 2012 as they discuss the amazing history of "Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy" Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

 

 

Bonhoeffer; A Hero Then and Now - Part 1

 

Bonhoeffer; A Hero Then and Now - Part 2

 

For more information check out the Dr. Dobson Family Talk website.

 

 

Pastors and the IRS Bogeyman

Interesting story by Dr. Jerry Newcombe through OneNewsNow below.  I'm interested in your take. 

I think this article is spot on.  Leftist groups like American's United for the Separation of Church and State have been feeding churches lies for decades. 

Hundred's of pastors have spoken up on key issues and key candidates during election time for several election cycles now through the Alliance Defense Fund's Pulpit Initiative and the IRS has done nothing because they know they don't have a legal leg to stand on.  Free speech is still a foundational liberty in this country whether Barry Lynn wants to admit it or not.

 

Pastors and the IRS Bogeyman

author:  Dr. Jerry Newcombe, Truth in Action Ministries

This is a critical election year. Some have said it may be the most important election in our lifetime. With so much at stake, how great it would be to hear from more pastors and priests, during these times when the government encroaches on more of our freedoms.

 Some fear that to preach on the moral issues of the day, like abortion or marriage, might be construed as "preaching on politics." But they are moral issues addressed in the Bible. But I recognize that elements of our culture may have turned them into political ones.

I think part of the reason many pastors and priests are unwilling to speak out on "politics" (so-called) is because they fear the loss of their tax-exempt status.

I believe that the perceived threat is far more insidious than the actual threat. The dog's bark is much more prominent than the dog's bite.

I also believe there are some who stoke this fear. For example, Rev. Barry Lynn (a liberal minister) of Americans United for Separation of Church and State sends out letters like clockwork during election years, warning pastors to not say anything too political or he'll be sure to tell the IRS on them.

For example, during the last president election, Barry Lynn sent out a letter with the headline: "Election Season 2008." He stated, "Dear Religious Leader....The First Amendment protects the right of all Americans, religious leaders included, to speak out on religious, moral and political issues." So far so good.

He goes on more ominously: "However, houses of worship…are barred from endorsing or opposing candidates for public office and may not intervene directly or indirectly in partisan campaigns. Any activity designed to influence the outcome of a partisan election can be construed as intervention. If the IRS determines that your house of worship has engaged in unlawful intervention, it can revoke the institution's tax-exempt status or levy significant fines on the hour of worship or its leaders."

I asked Mat Staver about this letter. He heads Jerry Falwell's law school and also Liberty Counsel, his own organization fighting for religious liberty. He responded: "I think Barry Lynn's letter is bogus. It's basically full of sound and fury, signifying nothing."

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Have You Heard Father Maletta's Homily??...You need to.

Father Sammie Maletta gives a very powerful defense of religious liberty in the face of attacks by the federal government below. A "must view" for anyone serious about their Christian faith (or any faith for that matter). Religious liberty and rights of conscience have been and continue to be under attack by the Obama administration and must be opposed by those who value the civil liberties spelled out within the U.S. Constitution.