NC Marriage Amendment On Ballot In May

Dems Worried It Will Pass

A Commentary by J. D. Longstreet

North Carolina has a republican controlled legislature, the first since the War Between the States.  And it is driving the democrats wild.

NC’s current governor, a democrat, is not seeking reelection after having observed the “handwriting on the wall,” and it now seems certain the GOP will take the Governor’s office, as well, in November.

One of the items driving the NC dems mad is the proposed “Marriage Amendment” to the NC state constitution.  Basically, it says marriage between one man and one woman is the ONLY kind of marriage to be recognized in North Carolina.

Understand that same-sex marriage is already banned in North Carolina by law or statute.  Problem is, an activist judge can overturn a statute (or law).  But a judge cannot overturn a constitutional amendment. 

It will appear on the NC ballot on May 8^th.  The text of the measure reads as follows:

“Constitutional amendment to provide that marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this State.”

Now. If the measure passes it will add an additional section to Article 14 of the North Carolina State Constitution:  Section 6 will read thusly:

“Marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this State. This section does not prohibit a private party from entering into contracts with another private party; nor does this section prohibit courts from adjudicating the rights of private parties pursuant to such contracts.”

“Supporters of gay rights and same-sex marriage argue that the amendment should not be added to the state constitution. They also argue that the subject - "rights of a minority" - should not be up for a vote. Others argue that the proposed amendment may lead to more bullying of gay youth and invalidate domestic violence protections for unmarried couples.

Some lawmakers argue that the proposed amendment will hurt employment in the state. Rep. Larry Hall said, "Instead of creating an environment where we can create employment, attract entrepreneurs (and) attract talent, we're going to try to put a sign up to say, 'You are not welcome if you want to contribute to our society.”   (SOURCE).
A handful of the mainline Christian denominations in North Carolina are opposing the amendment.  And President Obama has voiced his dislike of the bill.  No surprise there.


Now, here’s the problem for democrats in North Carolina May 8^th.   The problem, at first glance, may not register with you, but stay with me.


North Carolina’s black voters are expected to turn out, in droves, to vote for Obama in November.  But -- the Democratic Party desperately needs them to turn out for the May primary, as well.  If the “get out the vote” drive in the black community is successful, then it could very well result in passage of the Marriage Amendment. 
   
Now, here’s where it gets interesting:  Black voters in North Carolina, by and large, do not support same-sex marriage.  Blacks attend church in North Carolina, and like many of their white brothers and sisters who also attend church; they believe the teachings of the scriptures from which their pastors preach on Sundays.

As uncomfortable as it may be for some, the scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, speak out loud and long -- and as clear as crystal -- that homosexuality is a sin.  Conservative Christians, both black and white, in North Carolina believe that.  It is an integral part of their faith, their religion.


Public Policy Polling, which is based in Raleigh, North Carolina, released the results of a survey on Thursday March 29^th in which they found there is, indeed, strong support for the proposed amendment to the North Carolina constitution.


P.P.P. surveyed 1,191 North Carolinians who stated they were likely to vote in the May 8^th Primary.  The Marriage Amendment proposal will be on the primary ballot as a statewide referendum.

P.P.P. found that 58% of those polled said they would vote in favor of the amendment.  Only 38% told them they opposed the amendment.
 
Breaking the survey down a bit wore we find that roughly 76% of Republicans surveyed said they support the amendment while 48% of Democrats (who were surveyed) also support the amendment -- and -- 47% of Democrats, in the same survey, oppose the amendment.
 
But here is the part of the survey that has NC Democrats concerned:  The survey found that among black voters 61% are in favor of the amendment while only 30% oppose it.

You can now see how the heavy black voter turnout in May is more than a little worrisome for those who oppose the Marriage Amendment in North Carolina.  It is a something of a conundrum for the folks on the political left. 
   
The supporters of same-sex marriage, in order to convince blacks to vote against the measure, have mounted a campaign to convince NC voters that denying same-sex marriages is “discrimination.”   They’re claiming it is a civil rights issue. A portion of NC black folk will have none of it. In fact, they resent it.  Frankly, it also riles the white folk in Tar Heel country, too.   Also, it deeply irritates white Tar Heel voters when those opposing the Marriage Amendment accuse them of hate. 
       
In my opinion, the measure will be passed and the NC Constitution will be amended – because the people of North Carolina believe it is the right thing to do.

J.D. Longstreet

Democrat Code Words for Socialism

Democrat Code Words for Socialism

Fairness, Fair Share, income inequality, etc

A Commentary by J. D. Longstreet

Wouldn’t it be nice if the Democrats would simply drop their façade and admit they have morphed into some sort of American breed of a socialist political party?

In the past few months, even years, my teeth have been set on edge when I have listened to their rhetoric about “fairness,” in this or that, and their use of the words “fair share” to drive a wedge between the American classes, and especially the words, or phrase, “income inequality” which seals the deal.  

When a nation seeks income equality it is assuming socialism as its core philosophy.  Income inequality is the clarion call for redistribution of a nation’s wealth. It is as simple and as basic as that.

In the past two decades I have slowly come to the realization that the dumbing down of Americans is near completion.  It has taken approximately 50 years to realize, but the leftist movement in America successfully infiltrated and gained control of America’s public education system.  Now we have a full generation and most of a second generation who have no clue what America is about.  They don’t have a clue what their freedom cost.  They don’t have a clue that the federal government was created by the states to serve the states as an agent.  They have been taught -- and they believe -- that the people of the states are subservient to the federal government.  They do not understand that the Bill of Rights is a protection for the American people from their federal government.  Those ten amendments restrain the federal government in the interest of the people. 

Most of our young Americans today don’t know the difference between the Declaration of Independence, the US Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.  Don’t believe me?  Ask ‘em!

I have mentioned in previous articles that as a solider in the US military I was trained to meet and combat socialism on the battlefield.  It was rightly recognized as an enemy of freedom.  It was recognized as a form of government that was destined to fail, but before its demise, it would enslave the people of any nation that was so utterly stupid as to even try it.  No nation has yet survived socialism.

Europe is teetering on the edge of complete disaster simply because they have run out of other people’s money with which to pacify their populace after decades of coddling and teaching them to depend on their government for their very existence.

The USSR is now a footnote in history.

Yet, despite the fact that America was nearly crushed under the weight of a mere sampling of socialism, the left persists in their socialist agenda for America.

In 2008, they managed to elect a socialist as President of the United States.  In 2010 the people of the political right in America successfully blunted the socialist left’s endeavor to shove America deeper into socialism.  Conservatives were successful in retaking a majority of the Congress.

Now we have a chance to solidify conservative control of the American government by refusing to reelect the socialist in the White House this November. 

It was clear after the President’s State of the Union address that their next step is to incite a class war in America.  The great-unwashed masses in America must be taught to hate the “patricians” and the “plutocrats” – the very people who financed -- and continue to finance -- America’s success as the greatest nation in the history of mankind. 

The wealthy Americans must be brought low and their wealth confiscated and redistributed to the – ahem – less fortunate among us.  That is what I like to refer to as: BOVINE SCATOLOGY!

Nevertheless, their efforts to incite class warfare has been more successful than most think. It ought to be.  It has been an underground movement for at least nine decades now.  With the left’s capture of the Oval Office the socialist were emboldened to rise to the surface and ram their agenda through the national legislature. 

But the right stopped them in 2010.  That, dear reader, is why we now see the President’s abuse of the power of the Executive Order.  Obama is intent on diluting democratic freedom in America by infusing socialism into every agency and administration under the control of the executive branch of the government.

Americans must retake control of their government in November and free it from the clutches of the socialist elite who have dipped their fangs into America’s bloodstream and are sucking her dry.

America needs a champion who will lead from the front.  A leader who take a stand on the deck of our sinking ship of state, much as the Father of the US Navy, Captain John Paul Jones, when his ship was blown to bits and sinking from enemy fire.  When asked if he was prepared to surrender Jones famously replied:  “I have not yet BEGUN to fight!” Against all odds, Jones won the battle and took the enemy ship.

THAT is the spirit we need, indeed, the spirit it will take to lead America out of the muck and mire of socialism, put her back on course, trim her sails, and stir for the safe harbor of capitalism and freedom.

It is a life or death decision we Americans will make in November -- the life or death of America.

J. D. Longstreet

How to Submit Member Articles

1. Post the picture at top right side bar to your blog. Link it to Christians Against Leftist Heresy

http://christiansagainstleftistheresy.blogspot.com/

2. Join either of our two CALH groups.

2. Notify faultlineusa@yahoo.com that you are a new member.

3. Put the following notice at the end of any article you wish to submit:

Join Christians Against Leftist Heresy

&

4. Submit the article to faultlineusa@yahoo.com for approval.

Note: Frequent contributors will be invited to be regular contributors.

Christian left
leftist

Tags: religion, christianity, bible,jesus, church, god, faith, spirituality, theology, christ, politics, liberal, media, news, left wing,

It Is A Fearful Thing To Fall Into The Hands Of The Living God

It Is A Fearful Thing To Fall Into The Hands Of The Living God.
A Commentary by J. D. Longstreet

Allow me to say, right up front, that Mr. Glenn Beck does not need me to defend him.

I don’t know, for sure, what motivates Mr. Beck. I’d like to think it is love of God and country. But I don’t KNOW that.

Those of you who regularly read my blog, “INSIGHT on Freedom,” already know that I am about as “southern” as it is possible to be. My ancestors sailed into Charles Town Harbor, at what is known today as Charleston, South Carolina, in 1789 and were settled in the 98th Precinct of South Carolina. I grew up in the red clay and sand of the northern part of the state, in the piedmont, the foothills of that beautiful state.

I grew up at a time when a southern gentleman had a bible in one hand and a firearm in the other. We could pray or fight, at the drop of a hat, whatever the preference of our advisory might be.

I spent my youth reading, hunting, and getting an education. It was important that a southern man be well read, able to defend himself and his family, and have as much education as he was able to handle. (Yes, I DO believe there are those among us who are educated beyond their ability!) Not satisfied with the education I was receiving in school, I read an entire set of encyclopedias, front to back, just to broaden my knowledge, and insure that I knew a little bit about a lot of things. I cannot tell you how important that became in the field of endeavor I chose later in life.

I was taken to many “tent meetings” as a child. I observed and studied those “traveling preachers.” I listened to their delivery, their gestures, their play on emotions, and, on occasion, their sincerity. A wise person once said that when you can fake sincerity you’ve got it made – or words to that effect. I am satisfied that in those tent meetings, I saw both, real and unreal sincerity. BOTH made and impact on me.

I have seen the effect an old fashioned revival can have on a community. I have seen lives changed, for the better, in a moment of introspection keyed by something that raspy-voiced old bible thumping preacher said, or a single line of scripture that burned with the intensity of a laser deep into the heart and soul of a person weighed down by the cares and woes of a life squandered.

I have seen, first-hand, those “redeemed” people pick up the pieces of their shattered lives and begin to rebuild it, restore it, and honor it. I have seen this – and it left a life long impression on this scribe.

So – what did I learn? I learned an extremely important truth. It does not matter who the messenger is, what matters is – the message. The power is not in the messenger. The power is in the message. And if that message is truth, then, them believe me when I tell you, freedom is close behind.

Our nation is in dire straits. In my seventy years of life, I have seen America go from a God-fearing nation to a “fearing” nation. Of all those hell fire and brimstone preachers I was exposed to as a child, not a single one of them wore a bulletproof vest, as I believe Mr. Beck did last Saturday. (A faint outline of the vest was visible through Mr. Beck’s shirt. At least, that is what I took it to be.) That, alone, speaks volumes about the state of our country.

Another thing I learned as a youth was this truth: God uses people who are broken, who have failed, who have buckled under the stress of their lives, who are physically imperfect, and who are reluctant to stand out from the crowd, even for a moment, even to work great wonders.

Yes, Moses had a speech impediment. He was reluctant to go back to Egypt where he was a wanted man – wanted for murder. He asked that his brother Aaron be sent instead of him. In the end, he went -- and the rest, as they say, is history (at least bible history, anyway.) In the New Testament book of Hebrews chapter 13, verse 31, the writer says the following: “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Consider that Mr. Beck may have fallen into the hands of the living God. Look at the life history of the Apostle Paul. Early in his life he took on the task of destroying the early Christian church. After his experience on the Damascus Road, he became the messenger of the gospel to all the Gentiles of the world including those of us who live today, 2000 years later.

I watched the entire telecast of the Restoring Honor Rally, last Saturday, and within ten minutes I exclaimed to my wife that I recognized it as an old-fashioned outdoor revival meeting. Because that is exactly what it was. And, I hasten to add – I don’t see that as a problem.

In the Old South, dishonoring a man could cost you your life. The man whose honor was questioned could demand satisfaction and, more often than not, the debate was settled by a duel to the death on the Field of Honor.

Honor was, and ought to be, a precious thing. The honor of a nation is a mirror image of the honor of that nation’s people. Our very own leaders have called our honor, as Americans, into question. The people are now demanding satisfaction. As was said at the Restoring Honor Rally, Now is not the time to fundamentally change America, now is the time to RESTORE America.

Look, I do not walk in lock step with Mr. Beck, or with any man or woman. Anyone who knows me personally will tell you that of all the birds perched on the power line facing north; I am the lone bird facing south. It is my nature.

I would ask only this: Consider the message from Saturday’s rally. Restoring America’s honor is restoring America. The restoration of America is vital, not just to Americans but to the nations of the world. Consider which nation will slip into the leadership position that America gives up. THAT is truly frightening.

The restoring Honor Rally, last weekend, sent chills of fear through the ranks of the leftists, progressives, liberals, and the very few real democrats left in our government. They have now seen the evidence of just how far they have distanced themselves from the American people. When half a million people journey to the nation’s seat of government to PERSONALLY register a protest, any reasonable person would have to take notice and reconsider the course they have plotted for America. But they won’t.

I submit that half a million gathered on the national mall Saturday was just the vanguard of a nationwide movement retake America from those who are determined to “fundamentally change” her from the constitutional republic The Founders meant her to be into a socialist sewer.

They must be stopped. The Mid-Term Election, on November 2nd. That is our new “D” day.

You may not care for the messenger – but, for the sake of America, for your sake, heed of the message.

J. D. Longstreet

More Presbyterian Sins and The Fall of the Presbyterian Church USA

Now Presbyterians Call on the U.S. government to end aid to Israel. What will they do next?

The fall of the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) into apostasy can be directly attributed to the long-time infiltration of far left components into the bureaucracy and leadership of all of the mainline Christian denominations. This has been a growing theological cancer for much of the 20^th century. We are finally at a point in time where these once venerable denominations have become merely Christians in name only. They are, for all intents and purposes, nothing more than the religious arm of leftist politics (see Liberation Theology and Marxist Christianity). The Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) is now captive to and a willing dupe of the far left politically powerful zealots within this denomination.

The following is an excerpt from a report by Mark Braverman on the outcome of the 219th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church USA with regard to Israel-Palestine conflict.

Presbyterians Insist On 'Breaking Down The Walls' In Israel/Palestine Despite Pressure From Jewish Community

The PC(USA) is at the epicenter of the struggle of the Christian community in the U.S. to come to terms with the challenge of the Israel-Palestine conflict. . .

While strongly asserting the church’s commitment to Israel’s security and wellbeing, the Study Committee’s report as presented to the General Assembly clearly presents the narrative of Palestinian dispossession and suffering.  It asserts that Israel’s actions, illegal and in violation of international law, are an “enduring threat to peace in the region.” It receives the Palestinian Kairos document, a courageous and heartfelt call of Palestinian Christians “from the heart of Palestinian suffering” to the churches of the world, and recommends it for study by Presbyterians. It calls on the U.S. government to end aid to Israel unless the country stops settlement expansion in Palestinian territories. . .

Bernice Lipkin, editor of Think-Israel.org, sent me the following links to two articles concerning the anti-Israel agenda of the PCUSA.

THE U.S. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH'S RENEWED ATTACK ON ISRAEL
by Dexter Van Zile

  In this well-documented yet readable article, Dexter Van Zile reviews the sorry history of the Presbyterian Church's efforts to divest itself and others from investments in Israel, using attacks on Israel, partial withdrawal, and then renewed attacks. The point of view of the activists who control official reports is solidly in sympathy with the Palestinians, who are visualized as the suffering victims of a harsh and illegal occupation by Israel. As VanZile writes, "Leveling chimerical accusations at Israel in the name of peace, these activists seek to enlist their fellow Presbyterians - and the church's bureaucracy - into their efforts to banish the modern state of Israel from the community of civilized nations and portray it as uniquely worthy of criticism and condemnation." With each swing of the pendulum, the Church -- by backing these activists -- makes more obvious a more basic agenda: the delegimization of the State of Israel. How long will it be before crude anti-Jewish statements -- not clothed in pseudo theology or in a view of Middle East history that ignores most of the facts -- will be acceptable?

Continued here

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HAS ATTITUDE TOWARDS ISRAEL
A Q and Q with Will Spotts by Bernice Lipkin

  Anticipatory stories of the 2010 General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church were filled with reports that there were to be motions for divestiture/boycott of Israel that would position the Presbyterian Church more strongly and intemperately in the ranks of the Palestinian sympathizers. I had some specific questions. I asked Will Spotts for clarification. We also include an addendum: Spotts's analysis after the ball was over, the General Assembly ended.

Continued here

This week Faultline USA contributors have posted four additional articles, due to their timely nature, concerning the sins of mainline Christianity and in particularly, those of the Presbyterian Church USA:

Liberation Theology Moves to the Border

The far left Presbyterian (PCUSA) has joined the Arizona Boycott and refuses "to hold national meetings in Arizona and any states that adopt strict immigration laws such as Arizona's new Senate Bill 1070." . . .

Continued here

The Demise of Mainline Religious Denominations in America

. . .Look, churches cannot claim to be representatives of God on this earth, a Christian church, and then teach a congregation a lifestyle that is not Christian and certainly not in keeping with what the scriptures tell us God/Christ taught us -- and demands of us. It is as simple as that.

Continued here

The Evils of Collective Salvation

. . .You may have first heard about “collective salvation” from the infamous “Rev.” Sun Myung Moon in his 1997 address Personal Salvation and Collective Salvation. With the growth of religious pluralism over the last decade, much of Mainline Christianity seems to have blindly joined this chorus rooting for “collective salvation” while blissfully unaware that this is all part of the revolutionary move toward a new global church based upon the old Marxist notion of . . .

Continued here

The Paganism of the PCUSA?

. . .An Orthodox Church theologian who was invited to greet the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has criticized its approval of non-celibate homosexual clergy.

The Reverend Siarhei Hardun of Belarus said that vote and efforts to approve same-gender "marriage" looked to him like an attempt to "invent a new religion -- a sort of modern paganism." . . .

Continued here

Technorati Tags: Key: Bernice Lipkin,Think-Israel.org,Israel,Palestinians,Presbyterian,church,Christian,Christians,Bible,Jewish,Jews,PCUSA,2010 General Assembly,Dexter Van Zile,Will Spotts,Mark Braverman,Reverend Siarhei Hardun,Belarus,left,leftist,heresy,apostasy,aid,Liberation Theology,Marxist,Arizona,Border,immigration laws,illegal,mainline,religion,collective salvation,scriptures,homosexual,gay,Lesbian,clergy

Liberation Theology Moves to the Border

The far left Presbyterian (PCUSA) has joined the Arizona Boycott and refuses "to hold national meetings in Arizona and any states that adopt strict immigration laws such as Arizona's new Senate Bill 1070."

Dozens of municipalities and private organizations have announced various types of boycotts or protests over the policy. But no religious groups were included as of Friday on lists assembled by the Arizona Republic newspaper and a private, pro-boycott organization called Arizona Boycott Clearinghouse. . .

"Our work will always be to stand with those who are the most marginalized," said Rick Ufford-Chase of New York, a former moderator of the denomination who for years worked with immigrants in Tucson, Ariz.

The PCUSA, which is on it's last legs as a viable mainline denomination, has given itself over to the open pandering of all so-called "marginalized" groups, and to heretical leftist theology in an attempt to bolster it's sagging membership rolls.

Read  The Demise of Mainline Religious Denominations in America

It would appear that the truly marginalized are the long-suffering legal residents of Arizona and of all the border states, who have had to put up with the continued onslaught of violent and deadly crime brought about by the massive illegal invasion from across the deliberately unsecured border!!!

These panderers, who call themselves Christians, have a completely different "progressive" agenda and they are hardly champions of the marginalized, who are ultimately their pawns.

Read The Evils of Collective Salvation

The best way in the world to deceive believers is to cloak a message in religious language and declare that it conveys some new insight from God. (Charles Stanley, How to Listen to God, p.50)

 But there is hope!!!

Houston Religious Leaders Support Arizona with the God Bless Arizona tour.

1. Secure the borders 1st

2. Reform the immigration system

3. Deal humanely with those who are here illegally

. . . Activists across the country have organized boycotts against the state and some Houstonians have jumped on board. "We wanted to counter the boycotts with our very own boycott," said Craig Winfree, who is part of a Houston group that organized the God Bless Arizona Tour.

For three days, the group toured the sunshine state showing their support for Governor Brewer's law. "(She) has been the first to stand up and pass the legislation to secure the border to keep the people of Arizona safe." said Winfree. With so much controversy on both sides, Houston religious leaders said the immigration debate has become a crisis. "We feel like there is a need for a moderating voice," said Steve Riggle, a pastor at Grace Community Church.

On Wednesday, the group of pastors announced a declaration calling all political leaders to set aside their differences. "Secure the border first, second reform the immigration system and third deal humanely with those who are here illegally," said Pastor Riggle. So while the state of Arizona and the government prepare to duke it out in court. "I would rather see the feds and the state of Arizona not fighting and go fix this problem, said Riggle. Religious leaders hope their declaration will help bring a peaceful solution.

Source: http://www.39online.com/news/local/kiah-religious-leaders-immigration-debate-story,0,3400320.story

Glenn Beck Monday on Black Liberation Theology

This is the ideology of Barack Obama's church for 20 years, and the theology of the Reverend Jeremiah Wright. The Black Panthers believe in Black Liberation Theology. Glenn plays some of the audio from the man who started the Black Liberation Theology movement and explains how it pertains to today. Check it out from radio.( Transcript, Insider Audio)

Be sure to watch and record Glenn Beck today, July 13th. The entire program will be devoted to the issue of Collective Salvation.

Search Faultline USA (left side bar) for several articles on Liberation Theology.

Technorati Tags: Presbyterian,PCUSA,Christian,Christianity,Jesus,emergent,Social Justice,Arizona,marginalized,borders,immigration,illegal,Houston,Craig Winfree,Grace Community Church,Salvation,individual,collective,communal,community,pluralism,socialistic,leftist,Marxist,Liberation Theology,progressive,Glenn Beck,Barack Obama,Jeremiah Wright,Black Panthers

The Demise of Mainline Religious Denominations in America

The Demise of Mainline Religious Denominations in America
A Commentary by J. D. Longstreet

*******************

America is in trouble. BIG TROUBLE! I write not of the financial mess in which we find ourselves embroiled. No. The crisis of which I speak is a crisis of the soul of every individual American. And the blame for this endangerment of the souls of Americans can be laid at the feet of the hierarchy of the mainline religious denominations in America.

This nation, whether you choose to believe it -- or not, was founded as much on biblical scripture as it was on common law. America used to be a “God-fearing” nation filled with people who KNEW they relied upon the kindness and the grace of an omnipotent God to guide them through any troubles they/we as individuals, and as a nation, faced. That is no longer the case. The result of of switching America’s fealty from God to man is plain for all to see. We are today – a pitiful nation in decline.

America resembles nothing less today than a once powerful, muscular, man whose body is riddled by cancer and has shrunken to a shell of its former being.

When America was young and vital the ministers of the mainline denominations took to their pulpits to preach from the Scriptures. They told their parishioners of the story of God’s benevolence, his faithfulness, and they told us of his jealousy. They reminded Americans that God himself said: “I am a jealous God!”

Those of us perched in the pews knew there was a price to be paid for willfully disconnecting oneself from the power source that is God. Equally as important, I think, we Americans knew, in those days, that America was no accident. We KNEW that America was to us as the Promised Land had been, and remains, to the Jewish people.

The extreme importance the ministers, priests, and rabbis of the churches and synagogues cannot be overestimated. It was they who shepherded the huge flock known as America in the way they should go. And America was so much better for it.

The bitter truth is, in my opinion, the church has turned its collective back on the One they purportedly serve and now serve, instead, their own interests, their own, politics, their own politically correct philosophy of what God ought to be, and, in so doing, they have created God in their own image. And what a pitiful god they have created!

Moral equivalence has no place in the pulpit. When God, Himself, refers to some action, or inaction of man as a sin, then it is not left to the ministers to equivocate. They are bound to pass God’s pronouncement on to the sheep of their flock. For a pastor to do less cannot be defined as being honest with either man or God.

There was a time, not so long ago, when ministers were the pillars of their community, both the religious community and the secular community. They were solid citizens. They could be looked up to, relied upon, and trusted. In many cases they were role models for youngsters who would later join their ranks as pastors, priests, and rabbis. That was then. This is now.

Those members left in the congregations of today’s mainline churches are growing older as the rolls continue to shrink. Attendance at services is very low. In some of the denominations there seems to be an on going struggle of wills between the membership and the hierarchy of the churches. Such an atmosphere is not conducive to worship. Sniping? Maybe. Worship? No.

So what has happened? It has been my personal observation that the hierarchy of the mainline churches went left and adopted so much of the philosophy of the left that many of their members left. I don’t mean the membership went left, also. I mean they LEFT as in: They went away. In fact, many of them went right. That is just another way of saying they began to associate themselves with churches that still believe, preach, and practice the scriptures. That explains why the evangelical churches in America are growing by leaps and bounds.

Look, churches cannot claim to be representatives of God on this earth, a Christian church, and then teach a congregation a lifestyle that is not Christian and certainly not in keeping with what the scriptures tell us God/Christ taught us -- and demands of us. It is as simple as that.

Somehow, the mainline denominations have made a turn away from God, away from those age-old lessons He has taught us through the authority of the scriptures, and now they find themselves blindly stumbling down the road to complete oblivion. And the really sad thing -- they don’t understand why.

I know this is not the popular explanation for what has befallen those shrinking denominations – I do. But when you clear all the smoke away, get past all the excuses, and really, REALLY, look at how the churches got into this fix, there is only one answer.

Look, I am a refugee from one of those churches. I saw this coming. I fought it for about five years, or so. I argued my way up the hierarchical ladder to the top – only to have my national bishop tell me I didn’t know what the dickens I was talking about (in a kindly and gentle fashion, of course). It was then that I decided to cut my losses and hit the door. I did so amidst numerous accusations that I would not stay and fight from within the church. My answer was that I was following the teachings of the scriptures in getting myself “OUT from among them.”

I hold that the collapse of the mainline denominations not only will have, but already HAS had, an extremely negative effect on America. All one has to do is consider our society today, our government, our education system, practically every facet of American life which was so carefully influenced by the church in the early days of America. Observe how it has all become so crass, so unkind, and so angry. It is obvious that something is missing. The churches in America once provided that missing thing.

There was a time when the church not only set the standards for American society, often times it WAS the standard for our society. They spoke with the authority of the scriptures. When the mainline denominations turned their backs on the scriptures they began losing their authority… and their followers who, naturally, sought green pastures and still waters in the flocks of the evangelicals who still believe that being biblically correct rather than politically correct is the path to righteousness and the guarantee of eternal rest.

Why is this so difficult for our mainline denominations to understand?

J. D. Longstreet