Is it just me, or are more Christians and conservatives defending themselves publicly and standing firm against the suppression of their views? Or are the mainstream media simply giving us more coverage?
Congressman Walter Jones of North Carolina spoke to the College Republicans at Duke University about real civil rights, as opposed to special rights. From the Herald Sun:
“If you cannot have the freedom to express yourself, and agree or disagree with a professor about an issue, then I’m afraid that academic freedom is in deep trouble,” Jones, R-3rd, told an audience of about 15 in a classroom of the university’s Biological Sciences Building.Jones, who’s from Farmville, spoke after accepting an award created in his name by the Duke College Republicans.
Second-year Duke law student John Plecnik, the College Republicans’ policy adviser, introduced the Walter B. Jones award, which will be awarded annually to “a politician, professor or protestor who best reflects his legacy” as the “chief defender of campus conservatives across Carolina.”
That a speech given to 15 people received coverage is surprising. That a speech given to 15 Republicans by a conservative Christian received objective coverage is amazing.
In addition to other incidents, Jones is making reference to liberal professor Elyse Crystall and her attempt to suppress the speech of a Christian student. Jones turned her in to the Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education. Well-done. See this link for background.
Jones also discussed the tax-exemption issue involving non-profit organizations:
A 1954 legislative provision that then-senator and future President Lyndon B. Johnson inserted into a pending tax bill has since made it illegal for nonprofit organizations to engage in political activity, he said. This addition has been used in recent years to limit the speech of religious leaders in their places of worship, he said.“If [a religious leader] wanted to stand in front of the church and talk about the fact that the Bible said that marriage should be between one man and one woman…and that George Bush will be the man to protect that…he or she could have said that prior to 1954, he could have used the name of that candidate, but that was taken away from him,” Jones said.
While I don’t object to a politician discussing biblical matters in church, a problem arises when he uses the pulpit as a stump for political office the way white Democrats love to do in black churches. We’ve had several conversations about tax exemptions for churches on this blog. The latest is John Kerry and Jeremiah.
I think that’s enough fodder for today. Be well, everybody.
Unrelated Addendum: Rush is rolling tape on John Kerry’s statements on Saddam and WMDs from 2002 and 1998. Stark contrast. As if his supporters care anyway. I’ll try to track down the transcripts.
{ 12 comments }
You asked:
“Is it just me, or are more Christians and conservatives defending themselves publicly and standing firm against the suppression of their views? Or are the mainstream media simply giving us more coverage?”
I wish it were both. I tend to doubt the latter, but I am pretty sure, from where I sit, that the first statement is accurate. I really think that more Christians and conservatives are realizing that all it takes for evil to flourish is for good men to do nothing. And evil is very much flourishing, but as we speak our minds and hearts, I believe we can be an awesome force in turning the tide.
So glad to see you back on the frontlines!
Peggy
Thanks for reading, Peggy. I have a forum and I must use it. At the risk of irritating the haters out there, I think I’m enjoying this too much…
I agree with Peggy… I think that more and more CCs are getting fed up, and have seen that being quiet and taking it doesn’t make it go away.
I think that more Christians are willing to speak and defend for themselves the same rights liberals and others give to anyone else. Thats only fair, and right.
I think also we are beginning to see that by remaining quiet we are giving up our own rights to be in the majority and have any say.
However, we should all be careful to not be belligerent or pushy, but to speak firmly with conviction without becoming preachy or self-righteous. That is the danger we all must work hard to avoid.
As far as tolerance goes, I can tolerate people different from myself and my beliefs without condoning their behavior or beliefs. And I can speak out and say as much, based on my faith and interpretation of scripture, without infringing on their rights. Those who believe in tolerance at any cost need to hear the adage that tolerance is the virtue of a man without convictions.
I encourage all Chrsitians to speak out in defense of their beliefs, and to do so with conviction, frimness and kindness.
One other comment. I note that the news coverage was provided by an outlet that is not part of the large media conglomerate. Many smaller-town newspapers tend to do a better job of simply reporting without editorializing within the story than do the large old-Media. You would never see this story in the NYT or WaPo etc without some snide remark or comment being inserted about Rep Jones, North Carolina, College Repubs or other fair-game targets like Christians, conservatives, southerners, or white folks. Boy, what does that mean if you are a white, southern Christian conservative! It means, to the liberal MSM, you don’t count as human!!!! You are on a par with John Kerry’s view of Vietnam Vets.
La Shawn, welcome back, it is good to have you back.
I think that christians are speaking up more and also, the main stream media know that it is a new dawn and with the “new media” out there and we (Christians) no longer rely on them to get our message out.
Since they always want to be the first to “break” a news story, they seem to have no choice but to cover some Christian events.
I also agree with michael when he says
“However, we should all be careful to not be belligerent or pushy, but to speak firmly with conviction without becoming preachy or self-righteous. That is the danger we all must work hard to avoid.”
But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. (1 Peter 3:14-16 NKJV)
Stand firm, and pray hard
La Shawn,
It is wonderful to see you back. Someone once told me, “Great battles can make great heroes and heroines. Some of the greatest battles we will face will be fought when we feel we have been offended.” Thank you for your commitment, diligence and service.
I think the perception that Christian/conservatives are standing up to be heard is encouraging. As Christians, we know that Satan loves dissension in any form. He encourages harsh feelings, angery words, ruthless judgments, scorn, pride, and the cruelest of actions. I think our Nation has come to a crossroads and we know it, more so than any other time in recent history.
Welcome back, SCSIwuzzy!
Michael – You’re right about smaller newspapers. I guess my mind is saturated with Democratic Party rags like the NYT. By the way, is there a scandal brewing at the NYT?
Elizabeth – I do believe you’re a first-time commenter. Welcome to the blog! I will check out yours, too.
Ernest – Keep me in your prayers. The wolves are gathering…
Stephen – I’m glad to see you back here, Stephen. Thanks for your encouragement.
LaShawn–
Am very glad to see you continuing, and I can understand how you were self-evaluating, and checking your own personal motives. He is always, through His Holy Spirit, guiding us; however, we don’t always listen. I know; I’m an expert on the not listening part (my resume is volumes long in the studying of how humans (namely me) don’t listen to His promptings).
I am confident that it is right and proper that we are becoming bolder in our defense of our moral positions re: the various “social” issues. We are called, after all, to be so informed of the issues (and, by the way, the Word) to be able to give a “reasoned” defense. This you know, and you practice (for which I am most thankful) in your blog.
God bless, and keep it up
Jim
Michael
“As far as tolerance goes, I can tolerate people different from myself and my beliefs without condoning their behavior or beliefs. And I can speak out and say as much, based on my faith and interpretation of scripture, without infringing on their rights. Those who believe in tolerance at any cost need to hear the adage that tolerance is the virtue of a man without convictions.”
Better get it said before “hate crimes” legislation is in place and you get prosecuted for such speach.
Why dont the liberal socialists want the conservatives to vote this is a republic not a monarcy we dont have a dictator(except for clinton)and we should tell the liberal socialists they cant ever stop us from voting and if the try then say it to my lawyer
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