Thursday, March 21, 2013

Pediatrics Group Backs Gay Marriage, Saying It Helps Children



Michael Nagle for The New York Times
Kevin Ryan-Young and Timm Ryan-Young, far right, with their daughter, Zelia, in New York.


By CATHERINE SAINT LOUIS
Published: March 21, 2013



The American Academy of Pediatrics declared its support for same-sex marriage for the first time on Thursday, saying that allowing gay and lesbian parents to marry if they so choose is in the best interests of their children.




Stephanie Diani for The New York Times
Dr. Travis Kidner, who is in a same-sex marriage, with his children Zoe (being carried) and Nicholas in Los Angeles on Wednesday


The academy’s new policy statement says same-sex marriage helps guarantee rights, benefits and long-term security for children, while acknowledging that it does not now ensure access to federal benefits. When marriage is not an option, the academy said, children should not be deprived of foster care or adoption by single parents or couples, whatever their sexual orientation.

The academy’s review of scientific literature began more than four years ago, and the result is a 10-page report with 60 citations.

“If the studies are different in their design and sample but the results continue to be similar, that gives scientists and consumers more faith in the result,” said Dr. Ellen Perrin, a co-author of the new policy and a professor of pediatrics at Tufts University School of Medicine.

Other scientists called the evidence lackluster and said the academy’s endorsement was premature. Loren Marks, an associate professor of child and family studies at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, said there was not enough national data to support the pediatric association’s position on same-sex marriage. “National policy should be informed by nationally representative data,” he said. “We are moving in the direction of higher-quality national data, but it’s slow.”

The academy cited research finding that a child’s well-being is much more affected by the strength of relationships among family members and a family’s social and economic resources than by the sexual orientation of the parents. “There is an emerging consensus, based on extensive review of the scientific literature, that children growing up in households headed by gay men or lesbians are not disadvantaged in any significant respect relative to children of heterosexual parents,” the academy said.

A large body of evidence demonstrates that children raised by gay or lesbian parents fare as well in emotional, cognitive and social functioning as peers raised by heterosexuals, the academy said.

One study in England compared 39 families with lesbian mothers to 74 heterosexual parents and 60 families headed by single heterosexual women. No difference was found between the groups in emotional involvement, abnormal behaviors in children as reported by parents or teachers, or psychiatric disorders in them. Both mothers and teachers reported more behavioral problems among children in single-parent families than two-parent ones, whatever their sexual orientation.

A 2010 study of children born to 154 lesbian parents in the United States compared mothers’ reports of their 17-year-olds to a national sample of age-matched peers. The mothers’ reports indicated that their sons and daughters had high levels of competence and fewer social problems, compared with their peers.

“Marriage strengthens families and benefits child development, and it also increases a parent’s sense of competence and security when they are able to raise children without stigma,” said Dr. Nanette Gartrell, the lead author of the study and a visiting scholar at the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Law.

The research on same-sex marriage has limitations, experts note, including the relatively small sample sizes of gay or lesbian parents even in long-term studies. Many studies have relied on parental assessments of their children’s well-being, and there is relatively little data about the well-being of children raised by gay men compared with lesbians.

“Many studies compare wealthy, well-educated lesbian mothers to single heterosexual mothers instead of married couples,” Dr. Marks said. “This matters, because children from married families do better on numerous outcomes including psychological and physical health and avoidance of high-risk behaviors than children of single-parent families.”

Timm Ryan-Young, a 48-year-old married Brooklynite and father of Zelia, 6, found the academy’s support of same-sex marriage reaffirming.

“Whenever a formal institution validates or confirms that a same-sex family is valid,” he said, “and there are no measurable negatives to it, or deterrents to it, it means a great deal, frankly.”

Dr. Travis Kidner, 36, a surgeon in Los Angeles, and Hernan Lopez, 42, a media executive, married in 2008 and adopted Nicholas, 2 1/2 years old, and Zoe, 21 months. “It’s important for kids to know they are from a stable home and that their parents are married,” he said.

The pediatrics academy’s support for same-sex marriage heartened him. “The arc is in our favor now,” he said.

Another reason same-sex couples should be allowed to marry, the academy said, is that divorce law provides for a legally structured arrangement for visits and custody.

“If people can’t get married, then they can’t get divorced,” Dr. Perrin said. “That legal system that exists to protect our most vulnerable, namely children, isn’t in play.”


A version of this article appeared in print on March 21, 2013, on page A18 of the New York edition with the headline: Pediatrics Group Backs Gay Marriage, Saying It Helps Children.



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Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Asteroid headed toward Earth? 'Pray,' NASA advises


By Clara Moskowitz

Published March 20, 2013

Space.com



Meteor Trail Over Russia: Feb. 15 (Russian Emergency Ministry)

In the wake of last month's meteor strike in Russia and a close asteroid flyby on the same day, members of Congress asked NASA, White House and Air Force officials what they're doing to combat the threat of near-Earth asteroids during a hearing Tuesday on Capitol Hill.

"The answer to you is, 'if it's coming in three weeks, pray,'" space agency chief Charles Bolden said, in response to Rep. Bill Posey (R-Fla.), who asked what NASA would do if a large asteroid headed on a collision course with Earth was discovered today with only three weeks before impact.

"The reason I can't do anything in the next three weeks is because for decades we have put it off."


'If it's coming in three weeks, pray. I can't do anything in the next three weeks because for decades we've put it off.'
- NASA chief Charles Bolden, when asked what to do if a large asteroid headed on a collision course with Earth were discovered today

By and large, the experts stressed that the two space rock events were a coincidence and that the chance of a catastrophic asteroid impact to Earth any time soon is remote. On Feb. 15, a surprise meteor exploded in the sky over Russia's Ural Mountains, just hours before the 150-foot-wide asteroid 2012 DA14 flew close by Earth in a pass that had been predicted beforehand by scientists.

"The odds of a near-Earth object strike causing massive causalities and destruction of infrastructure are very small, but the potential consequences of such an event are so large that it makes sense to take the risk seriously," John Holdren, science advisor to President Barack Obama, told the Science, Space and Technology Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Still, Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas), chairman of the Science, Space and Technology Committee, said it was "not reassuring" to learn that NASA has so far detected only about 10 percent of the near-Earth objects that are wider than 87 miles across. Holdren estimated that there may be hundreds of thousands of such objects within one-third the distance from Earth to the sun that remain unknown. [Meteor Streaks Over Russia, Explodes (Photos)]

In 2005, Congress directed NASA to detect, track and characterize 90 percent of these space rocks —those near-Earth asteroids larger than 87 miles. Bolden said today that NASA was unlikely to meet that deadline given its current budget.

"Our estimate right now is at the present budget levels it will be 2030 before we're able to reach the 90 percent level as prescribed by Congress," Bolden said.

Bolden criticized the lawmakers for slowing NASA down through budget cuts. "You all told us to do something, and between the administration and the Congress, the bottom line is the funding did not come," Bolden said.

Furthermore, he said the goal of finding a way to respond to asteroid threats has been repeatedly put off by lawmakers who cite a lack of money.

Budget concerns also hamper the military's ability to monitor near-Earth objects and other space threats, such as orbital debris (defunct satellites and spent rocket stages that litter Earth orbit).

"We are clearly less capable under sequestration," Gen. William Shelton, the current commander of the U.S. Air Force Space Command, told the committee. He said that any further budget cuts could have dire consequences.

"Our dependence on space, not only for our way of life but also for military operations, is very high, so we would sacrifice that," Shelton said.



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Jesuits in the Vatican and on Capitol Hill

Kitty Felde | March 19th, 2013, 8:53am



Courtesy KPBS

Congressman Juan Vargas, (D-Chula Vista)

Pope Francis, who celebrated his first mass Tuesday morning in Rome, is the first Jesuit to head the Catholic Church. A congressman from San Diego might have found his way to Rome too, but instead is now serving in the nation’s capitol.

Democratic freshman Congressman Juan Vargas spent five years as a Jesuit. Had he continued with the religious order, perhaps that could have been him waving to the crowd in St. Peter’s Square.

"Well, that would have been a cool job!” Vargas said.

The congressman said the Jesuits taught him that you have to make changes for social justice. He worked with Central American refugees and became a lawyer working on political asylum cases.

Juan Vargas is not the only former Jesuit in California politics these days: Governor Jerry Brown is also a former novitiate from the order.

"The Jesuits are interesting people," Vargas said. "They’re very aggressive in the sense of trying to do great things for God. That’s sort of the mission of the Jesuits."

But Vargas said Jesuits aren't supposed to seek powerful positions.

"The only position actually you can seek is to be Novice Master because it's such a crummy job, to train these novices," said Vargas.

But he says Jesuits are "supposed to try to change the world and that’s why I think you see a lot of Jesuits involved in great things."

In Congress, Vargas wants to work on immigration reform. He thinks the new pope could play a role in the debate and he cites Matthew 25 – the same passage Pope Francis quoted in his first sermon, saying a pope is supposed to protect the hungry, the sick, and the stranger.

Vargas said churches are: "doing a very good job" of saying that's 'how you’re going to be judged, how you treat these strangers, how you treat the poor.'"

He says the Pope could "give great help right about now" as Congress debates immigration reform.

The Pope’s inaugural mass in Rome was attended by 132 official delegations, including more than a half-dozen heads of state from Latin America – home to 40 percent of the world’s Catholics.

With contributions by AP


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"The Struggle for World Dominion"



Rome to Regain Control of the World



A rather thick book was published in 1990 by Vatican insider Malachi Martin. Martin has a lengthy list of qualifications. On the back of another of his books, we read the following accolade:

"Malachi Martin served three popes as diplomat and spy, speaks seventeen languages, is a renowned Biblical scholar and a professor at Rome's Pontifical Biblical Institute. He helped translate the Dead Sea Scrolls.—Decline and Fall of the Roman Church.

Know any other churches engaged in espionage? Would it not be better for Roman Catholic politicians if the Vatican never engaged in espionage?

The lengthy book we want to draw attention to by Martin is entitled The Keys of This Blood: The Struggle for World Dominion Between Pope John Paul, Mikhail Gorbachev & the Captialist West (bold added). Incredible, isn't it? The title on the cover boldly proclaimed that Pope John Paul wanted to take over the world, and the massive contents purportedly laid out his plans for accomplishing this.

The cover of Martin's book calls John Paul's endeavors "the struggle for world dominion." Ellen White called the papacy's endeavors "a fierce and determined conflict to regain control of the world." Kind of similar, isn't it?

But Ellen White's prediction is not just that the papacy would regain its power, but that it would commence again to persecute. Consider the following extract from The Keys of This Blood:

In [the] eyes [of groups like "Adventists, Baptists and Evangelical sects"], their regard and respect for democratic principles impose upon them the obligation—the religious, as well as the civil and political obligation—to defend every person's right to be wrong. Every person must have the right not only to believe in Hell of the Damned and Heaven of the Saved. Every person must literally be assured the right to choose Hell over Heaven. That obligation carried to that extreme not only sets the Minimalists apart from John Paul; it sets them against him, as well.
It sets them apart from the Holy Father, because democratic principles can never take precedence over divine revelation. No one can be forced to believe in Heaven or Hell, or to choose the one over the other. Nevertheless, it is axiomatic for John Paul that no one has the right—democratic or otherwise—to a moral wrong; . . . .—p. 287.

Martin thus calls freedom of conscience an extreme, and says that groups that advocate such a freedom are "against" the pope. In other words, Martin claims that, similar to the popes of yesteryear, today's papacy still does not believe in freedom of conscience, and would not allow such a freedom to be a part of the new world order it seeks to create.

Who defines a "moral wrong"? Rome answers, "The papacy." Now if no man has a right to commit a moral wrong, and if the papacy is the one that defines what is and isn't a moral wrong, then is there anything at all that might prevent a return of persecution if the papacy regains its lost supremacy?


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"If these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out."



37 And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;

38 Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.

39 And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.

40 And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.



Luke 19: 37-40.
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As I observe the latest global geopolitical movements, the turmoil, the deception; I wonder if the Lord's Coming is near?  

This week a new Pontiff was inaugurated at the Vatican, the whole world was captivated by the Catholic - universal religion, and became the same (habemus papam)just like many Americans become Irish for a day on St. Patrick's Day... On the same day, VP Joe Biden attended the festivities in Rome, President Obama began a Holy Land Tour. What a dichotomy? With all the commotion and the going to and fro... Yesterday, I read a meticulous article Who Are the Jesuits? Why the First Jesuit Pope Could Signify the ‘New Evangelization’ of Christians, and was reminded of Jesus's words:  I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.  Thank God there is still a faithful few! 

Today there are self proclaimed groups that believe they are God's chosen people just like there was such a people in the days of Jesus. Yet, today's self-righteous professors do not recognize nor represent Jesus the Saviour, for they would rather remain silent at a time like this, and yet, the stones are crying out

Coming to think of it there are some folks that have taken a majestic book titled "The Great Controversy", and have mass produced for worldwide distribution an abridged pamphlet that should be called "The Great Compromise".   Where is the rest of the book? Who ate the book and what happened to the rest of it?  It's the new Reader's Digest

The Heavenly Father once reminded the Prophet Elijah that He had reserved to Himself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal; So, likewise today He has faithful servants who will stand up for Almighty God and give a true testimony while most of the world renders homage; still others remain silent..

It is not without reason that the claim has been put forth that Catholicism is now almost like Protestantism. There has been a change; but the change is in Protestants, not in Romanists. Catholicism indeed resembles the Protestantism that now exists; but it is far removed from Protestantism as it was in the days of Cranmer, Ridley, Knox, and other reformers.
-The Spirit Of Prophecy Volume 4, P. 388

While the Catholic Agenda is in full effect, a Jesuit is the Pope, and the Black Pope looms in the shadows... Yes, the stones are crying out, and the Lord would have it this way; for no one has a corner on the Gospel, or will prepare a way for the return of the Son of God unless they are doing everything He instructed them, especially identifying apostasy and idolatry.  The Lord has reserved a faithful remnant that will always put aside fear of what men may do to them for speaking the truth, so that they will say the things that have to be said.   The Stones Are Crying Out.  What a shame that these same stones will also take the place of those that think they are the children of God? These Stones are the Eleventh Hour Workers. Hallelujah!  The Lord will always have a people.


Arsenio
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Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Obama, Biden: Out of the country at the same time?


THE OVAL  David Jackson, USA TODAY
12p.m. EDT March 19, 2013



(Photo: Getty Images)


Tuesday night could bring an unusual situation: President Obama and Vice President Biden both out of the country at the same time.

According to the White House schedule, Obama departs for Israel at 8 p.m. ET.

Biden, in Rome for the installation of Pope Francis, is not scheduled to land back in the Washington area until 9:20 p.m. -- though schedulers say he could arrive as much as an hour earlier.

So if the schedules hold, both the president and vice president will be out of the U.S. for a little more than an hour, but fear not: It's not a constitutional crisis.

Obama remains chief executive and commander in chief regardless of where he is, in the air or on the ground.


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Related:


Obama's Israel itinerary skirts settlements but not symbolism



By Dan Williams

JERUSALEM | Tue Mar 19, 2013 8:18am EDT

(Reuters) - President Barack Obama will embrace Jewish history while skirting the morass of West Bank settlements when he visits Israel this week - a selective itinerary laden with diplomatic signals.

The tour, running from Wednesday to Friday, is meant to warm Israelis to the cool-tempered, second-term Democratic leader who is prodding their rightist prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to hold fire on Iran and make way for a Palestinian state.

Some in Israel smart at the fact Obama took this long to visit and that in a speech in Cairo in 2009, he appeared to argue that the legitimacy of the Jewish state stemmed from the Holocaust rather than an attachment dating back to the Bible.

Obama will pay his respects at the grave in Jerusalem of Theodor Herzl, the Zionist visionary who died more than four decades before the 1948 founding of Israel. Reaching back further, he will view ancient Jewish parchments at Israel's main museum.

Known as the Dead Sea Scrolls, they were discovered in the West Bank - today occupied by the Israelis, who see the land as their biblical birthright. The United States says the land should be part of an independent Palestine.

Michael Oren, Israel's ambassador to the United States, said that the scrolls were "written 2,000 years ago by Jews, in Hebrew, in their homeland, the Land of Israel".

Obama's viewing of them will convey a message to the world about the Jewish state's deep roots in the Middle East.

"This is not a country that fell out of the sky after the Holocaust. This is a country that is truly rooted in the region, and it is permanent and it is legitimate," Oren told Israel's Channel Two television.

In an interview with the same station last week, Obama recognized "the fundamental right of Israel to be secure as a homeland of the Jewish people, and its connection to the land".

The United States, like most other world powers, has spoken out against Jewish settlements in the West Bank, which Obama suggested were hardening Palestinian hostility to Israel.

STUDENTS AND STREET PROTESTS

Obama's visit includes a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and a separate West Bank excursion to Bethlehem - both by helicopter, skipping over Israeli bulldozers, security barriers and military deployment in the territory.

Abbas told the Russia Today television station on Friday: "President Obama said several times he was against (Israeli) settlement...Israel has been making mistakes every day and no one has pointed the finger of blame at them."

The helicopter hops will limit Obama's exposure to ordinary Palestinians. Outraged at their stalled statehood drive, Palestinian protesters defaced scores of pictures of the U.S. president during scattered street protests on Monday.

Wariness of heckling by pro-settler hawks also appears to have been behind Obama's decision not to address the Knesset, Israel's parliament.

Instead, he will speak to Israeli students on Thursday invited by the U.S. Embassy - which excluded a university recently founded in the West Bank settlement Ariel.

Unlike when he last visited, as a U.S. senator in 2008, Obama will not go to the Western Wall, Judaism's most important prayer plaza. It is located at the heart of East Jerusalem, among lands Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East war and which it annexed as its capital in a move never accepted abroad.

By tradition, worshippers and tourists alike leave notes in the cracks of the wall, a gesture Obama may want to avoid as Israelis and Palestinians try to divine U.S. strategy. His handwritten goodwill meditation of 2008 was quickly prised out by onlookers and published in the media.

In tackling Iran's disputed nuclear program, Washington wants more time for sanctions against Tehran to work and to avoid a unilateral Israeli military strike. But the United States' extensive funding of Israeli missile defense systems like Arrow and Iron Dome show a strong commitment to the Jewish state's security.

Obama's first port of call after landing in Tel Aviv will be a nearby Iron Dome battery.

(Writing by Dan Williams; Editing by Angus MacSwan)


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Who Are the Jesuits? Why the First Jesuit Pope Could Signify the ‘New Evangelization’ of Christians

(Eye opening article follows:)

March 14, 2013


As the conclave in Rome elected the first Jesuit pope to power yesterday, the move has turned the spotlight on the order of the Jesuits, and how the new pope may usher in the “new evangelization” of Christians and the world at large.

The History of the Jesuits

The Society of Jesus, which later became known simply as the Jesuits, was founded in 1534 by Ignatius Loyola, a Spaniard like Pope Francis. The mission of the organization was to spread Roman Catholicism throughout the world, and to protect the power of the pope and the practices of Roman Catholicism from the Protestant Reformation, so that the pope may remain God’s authority on the earth.

“That we may be altogether of the same mind and in conformity, …. if [the Church] shall have defined anything to be black which to our eyes appears to be white, we ought in like manner to pronounce it to be black,” Loyola wrote in Rules for Thinking with the Church.




Ignacious Loyola, the co-founder of the order of the Jesuits

The Protestant Reformation, which resulted in the counter-Reformation by the Jesuits, was sparked by a monk and scholar named Martin Luther, who served the Roman Catholic Church in Wittenburg, Germany. As Luther began studying the Scriptures after he was appointed to a Chair of Biblical Theology, he became consumed with a passion to discover what it meant to be a Christian. In the Catholic Church, he had seen men trying to earn their way to Heaven, but as he read the Bible, he realized that salvation was through faith in Christ alone.
“I think I’ve found the truth at last,” the classic film Martin Luther depicts Luther as stating to a Church official. “By faith man lives and is righteous, not by what he does for himself, be it adoration of relics, singing of masses, pilgrimages to Rome, purchase of pardon for his sins, but by faith in what God has done for him already through His Son.”

Following the revelation, Luther began to challenge the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church, compiling a list of 95 thesis where he asserted that Catholic doctrine contradicted the Scriptures. He was later summoned to appear before a meeting of the Church, and was declared a heretic and excommunicated.
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As Luther began to spread the Gospel throughout Germany, and others joined in to take the Scriptures to the uttermost parts of the earth, decrying Catholic doctrine, the order of the Jesuits was also formed to spread Roman Catholicism. It soon became an effort to stop Protestantism and to take the world by storm for the Catholic Church.

“As the object of the society was the propagation and strengthening of the Catholic faith everywhere, the Jesuits naturally endeavored to counteract the spread of Protestantism,” the Catholic Encyclopedia outlines. “They became the main instruments of the Counter-Reformation; the re-conquest of southern and western Germany and Austria for the Church, and the preservation of the Catholic faith in France and other countries were due chiefly to their exertions.”

Loyola later composed the Jesuit constitution, outlining the laws, mindsets and behaviors that Jesuits are to follow, namely putting the pope first in all things. The nations that Jesuits converted were required to likewise submit to the authority of the Roman Catholic Church.




Georgetown University’s Jesuit Residence


Jesuits in Modern Times and National Reaction to the Election of a Jesuit

While the Jesuits are no longer seen as the army that they once were, their influence remains throughout the world, including through the educational system, which trains devout Catholics to infiltrate all of society by giving them the skills to work in a variety of fields.

“The Jesuit schools [of the 16th century] played an important part in winning back to Catholicism a number of European countries which had for a time been predominantly Protestant, notably Poland and Lithuania,” reports state. “Today, Jesuit colleges and universities are located in over one hundred nations around the world.”

Seattle University notes that it “is one of 28 Jesuit universities in the United States.” Other colleges and universities include Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio; Loyola University in New Orleans, Louisiana; the University of San Francisco in California; LeMoyne College in Syracuse, New York and Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.

The Jesuits also continue to be a highly evangelistic and missional sect that some believe are secretly pervasive in their spread of Catholicism. Many Catholic missionaries are sent throughout the world to convert the masses to the religion, and there remains contention with Protestantism as the Roman Catholic Church is referred to by some as the “only true Church.”

With the election of Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio as the first Jesuit pope in history, a number of Jesuit organizations have enthusiastically applauded the move.

“It has been a truly historic day for the Society of Jesus as we learned that our brother, Cardinal Jorge Maria Bergoglio, was selected to lead the Catholic Church as Pope Francis I,” Gregory F. Lucey of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities said in a statement following the announcement of the new pope. “As Jesuits, we emphasize social justice in our ministry, and we are gratified to have a leader who will continue to live out this mission on a global stage. We pray that the Pope’s grounding in Ignatian spirituality will guide him as he carries out this extraordinary calling to lead the Church of the 21st century.”

“The Jesuits of the New Orleans Province rejoice with the whole Church at the election of Pope Francis I,” stated Mark A. Lewis of the New Orleans Jesuit branch. “While none of us know him personally, we are pleased at his solidarity with the poor.”

Barack Obama also issued a statement yesterday regarding Bergoglio’s appointment.

“On behalf of the American people, Michelle and I offer our warm wishes to His Holiness Pope Francis as he ascends to the Chair of Saint Peter and begins his papacy,” he wrote. “Just as I appreciated our work with Pope Benedict XVI, I look forward to working with His Holiness to advance peace, security and dignity for our fellow human beings, regardless of their faith. We join with people around the world in offering our prayers for the Holy Father as he begins the sacred work of leading the Catholic Church in our modern world.”




Bergoglio serving in his capacity as cardinal.


Bergoglio’s Life as a Jesuit and His Possible Influence as Pope

As Jesuits take a vow of poverty, Bergoglio, who became a Jesuit in 1958 and was promoted in 1973, was stated to have lived very simply in Argentina, riding the bus to work and living in an apartment where he cooked his own meals. While he reportedly opposes homosexuality and abortion, he also has chastised the Church for being too strict in some areas.

“In our ecclesiastical region, there are priests who don’t baptize the children of single mothers because they weren’t conceived in the sanctity of marriage,” he once stated, chastising his priests. “These are today’s hypocrites. Those who clericalize the Church. Those who separate the people of God from salvation. And this poor girl who, rather than returning the child to sender, had the courage to carry it into the world, must wander from parish to parish so that it’s baptized!”

Bergoglio was also sued in 2005 after being accused of conspiring with the junta in 1976 to kidnap two Jesuit priests. He denies the allegations.

While it is unknown as to exactly how Bergoglio’s identification as a Jesuit will play out in his role as pope, his first speech to the people subtly referenced his Jesuit leanings.

“First and foremost, I would like to pray for our emeritus Pope Benedict XVI that Christ and the Madonna watch over him,” he stated, and again remarking, “Tomorrow, I want to go pray to the Madonna that she may protect Rome.”

According to reports, Jesuits refer to the virgin Mary as Madonna Della Strada.

Because of Bergoglio’s emphasis on Mary in his first speech, and making prayer to the Madonna one of his first acts as pope, some state that it is possible that he may seek to make Mary co-redemptrix as Pope John Paul II once did. The move would thus recognize Mary as a part of the redemption of mankind.

“The revered Mother of God, … joined … with Jesus Christ in one and the same decree of predestination … as the noble associate of the divine Redeemer,” Pope Pius XII once stated.

“He may resurface that attempt,” Mike Gendron of Proclaiming the Gospel Ministries told Christian News Network. “If he goes this route and makes her co-redemptrix, it would be unprecedented.”

Dr. Terrence Tilley of Fordham University’s Department of Theology states that Bergoglio’s selection of the name “Pope Francis” might be telling.

“We don’t know what it means, but it certainly is the name of St. Francis of Assisi and Francis Xavier (the co-founder of the order of the Jesuits), both of whom were missionaries,” he said. “I think that makes a big difference and suggests that he is going to be strong for the new evangelization.”

Gendron agreed.

“The goal of every pope has been to make the entire world Catholic,” he stated. “They’re into world dominion. … Their eschatology is that Jesus won’t return until the world is Roman Catholic.”

Already, some Protestants are embracing the Roman Catholic Church and the appointment of the new pope. As previously reported, Rick Warren, author of the best-selling book The Purpose-Driven Life and globally influential megachurch leader, was enthusiastic about the election of the new pope. Warren called for fasting and prayer this week for the cardinals that would be voting on the matter. After Bergoglio was appointed as successor, Warren Tweeted to his over 900,000 followers, “Welcome Pope Francis, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio. You have our prayers.” He included the hashtag “habemus papum,” meaning “We have a pope!”

“No, Mr. Warren. Christians don’t have a pope,” remarked one reader. “YOU might have a pope, Mr. Warren, but followers of Jesus Christ do not!”

Many evangelicals have also been joining together with Roman Catholics in efforts such as 40 Days for Life, The Manhattan Declaration and the March for Life. Vatican-instituted holidays such as Lent are also increasingly being observed by Protestant churches nationwide, as well as other days marked on the liturgical calendar.


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The Pope Was Inaugurated, and Joe Biden Was There (Photos)


1 of 15 Alessandro Di Meo/EPA, via Landov


Daily Beast ‎- 4 hours ago


It’s official: we have a pope! Pope Francis held his inaugural mass on Tuesday with up to one million pilgrims—including Joe Biden and Robert Mugabe—in the Vatican. Francis, the first Jesuit pope, received spontaneous applause as he gave a homily about how “hatred, envy and pride defile our lives”—and ended the homily by asking people to pray for him. Francis received his papal palladium made of lamb’s wool and the “fisherman’s ring” bearing the image of St.Peter—officially making him the 266th pope. Francis then received the obedience of the cardinals and the mass officially began. He proved his dedication to the mass was no joke as he exited the Popemobile and kissed a disabled man as part of his trip around through the crowd.




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 Related:


Joe Biden to meet U.S. cardinals, says doesn't want to 'lose my soul'



By Dave Boyer - The Washington Times

March 18, 2013, 01:21PM




U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, right, and Italian Premier Mario Monti review ... more >



In Rome for the formal installation of Pope Francis, Vice President Joseph R. Biden wisecracked Monday that he would “lose my soul” if he skipped a reception with U.S. Catholic cardinals.

“We invited the American cardinals to a reception,” Mr. Biden told Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic in a meeting. “So unless I’m prepared to join the Eastern Orthodox Church, as a Roman Catholic, I’d better show up or I’ll lose my soul.”

Mr. Biden, a practicing Catholic, is leading a U.S. delegation that will attend the installation of the new pope on Tuesday. The reception Monday night in Rome will include U.S. lawmakers and officials from the U.S. Embassy.

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Green Street United Methodist Church: Public Statement on Marriage




Public Statement on Marriage


Public Statement on Marriage, Standing in Solidarity with LGBTQ members.

Winston-Salem, NC – Members of the Leadership Council of Green Street United Methodist Church published a Public Statement on Marriage at a Press Conference on March 17, 2013 at 2 p.m. in the Sanctuary of Green Street UMC, 639 S. Green Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101.

On the matter of same-sex marriage, Green Street UMC sees injustice in the legal position of state government and the theological position of our denomination. North Carolina prohibits same-sex marriage and all the rights and privileges marriage brings. The Leadership Council has asked that their ministers join others who refuse to sign any State marriage licenses until this right is granted to same- sex couples.

Because the United Methodist Church prohibits its pastors from conducting same- sex weddings, excluding gay and lesbian couples from the holy sacrament of marriage, the Leadership Council has asked the pastor to refrain from conducting wedding ceremonies in our sanctuary for straight couples, until the denomination lifts its ban for same-sex couples.

Green Street UMC is presently the only Reconciling Congregation in the Western North Carolina Conference. With a growing number of LGBTQ members, Green Street seeks to be a public witness to its community, Conference and denomination.

The following documents are available regarding the statement on marriage:

A Public Statement on Weddings at Green Street Church | [Download the PDF Document]


A Pastoral Letter to GSUMC Concerning Marriage in the Church | [Download the PDF Document]


Frequently Asked Questions Re: the Public Statement on Marriage | [Download the PDF Document]


What is the United Methodist Church’s position on homosexuality? | [Download the PDF Document]



READ MORE: Public Statement on Marriage


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Why The Social Gospel Isn’t The Gospel



The Son of God didn’t need to come in order that people who are hungry could have food. There’s already plenty of food on earth, and people could be fed without Him having to leave His heavenly throne. He did, however, instruct us to feed the hungry.

The Son of God didn’t need to come in order to give people money who were in poverty. If so, He did a poor job fulfilling His mission. The poor Guy (pardon the pun) had no money of His own. He did, however, instruct us to take care of the poor and give them money.

But if the Son of God had never come to save humanity from our sins, we would all still be lost and eternally separated from God. That was the reason why He needed to come.

Jesus did, in fact, perform “social” acts of justice. But these “social” acts of Jesus were done in the context of declaring that the Savior of the World had come. Not just as acts of social justice. For example, when Jesus would heal people, He often told them their sins were forgiven, and they would be healed. In one instance, Jesus tells a paralyzed man that his sins are forgiven. The leaders get upset at Him for claiming to have such authority. So Jesus proves it to them by telling the guy to rise up and walk.

It’s no different today. Today, we declare a Gospel that itself declares that Jesus is the only Son of God, and that only He is worthy of worship. That all other gods and religions are just man-made. And just like back then, today’s leaders (even within supposed “Christianity”) object. These proponents of a social gospel get upset: “How dare you claim that He has such authority! What narrow-mindedness! Jesus was about loving the poor and feeding the hungry–THAT is the gospel.

Case in point: Audra and I met a lady several months back in Alabama who left her denomination, and the last straw for her was the that denomination’s response in the relief effort in Haiti. According to her, churches were encouraged to provide much-needed packages for the survivors of the earthquake. However, they weren’t allowed to provide Bibles or any Christian literature in their packages.

Maybe the Haitian government wouldn’t allow religious literature, but apparently her experiences within that denomination up that point had convinced her that social issues were more important than sharing Christ as the one true Savior and Lord. If so, it is a sad commentary. Although Jesus definitely had compassion and met the needs of the hurting, it was in the context of letting them know that salvation was here–not just from our earthly plights.

I saw this quote from a proponent of the social gospel on someone’s Facebook profile the other day. The quote’s author objects to the term “social gospel” as an accurate description of his faith:

I don’t preach a social gospel; I preach the gospel, period. The gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ is concerned with the whole person. When people were hungry, Jesus didn’t say, “Now is that political or social?” He said, “I feed you” because the good news to a hungry person is bread. –Desmond Tutu

I strongly disagree with part of what this author is implying. Yes, at the moment, bread is very good news to a hungry person. And we should provide the hungry with bread. But bread does not satisfy as much as we’d like to think it can. For example, I just ended my fast. During the fast, food seemed like the greatest thing ever. “If only I could have food, I would need nothing more!” That wasn’t true. I have food now. But it doesn’t satisfy as much as I had hoped. I need it, for sure. But I need something else even more. Nothing in this world satisfies as we think it ought to, except when one comes to know Christ. I become more satisfied with Him every day. I still haven’t experienced all the satisfaction that comes from knowing Him.

Please don’t misunderstand: It was hard, if not nearly impossible for me to worship Christ when I was without food. I’m NOT saying we shouldn’t give the hungry food. That is ludicrous. We must alleviate the real, earthly needs of suffering people. But merely having food (or shelter/money/whatever) once again isn’t enough to cause people to worship Jesus and come to know Him as Savior and Lord.

It didn’t surprise me to learn that Tutu believes that only parts of the Bible can be trusted, but other parts are not from God. I too have encountered this belief, and with it comes a devaluing of the truth of the Gospel.

This all indicates that there may be many people within “Christianity” who have yet to experience the Gospel or Christ himself. When they do, I am confident their understanding of Him will be enlarged and they will see Him for who He truly is. That’s why we must do more than just uncover the social gospel for what it is, we should pray. Pray that the light of the Gospel would reach everyone.

And those of us who have come to know and experience the Gospel in our lives should not shirk our responsibility to feed the hungry, help the poor, shelter those without homes, etc. While this can’t fix anyone’s eternal predicament, they do serve as band-aids–they help alleviate the earthly predicaments people find themselves in.

We need band-aids. They have their place. But the Gospel is more than a band-aid–it is the promise of complete healing. Can we save anyone? No, only Christ can. But we can help save them from whatever earthly predicaments they are stuck in, and then share about Jesus who can save them from much more!

Next, we can smile with the love of Christ and ask, “Now, are you satisfied with just a band-aid, or do you want to be totally healed?” Jesus has come so that every soul who breathes might come to know Him as Lord and Savior, and may worship Him as such!

While most people we help may not believe that total healing is possible for them, that’s indeed the Gospel–and no exaggeration of it!


Source: http://www.timfalk.com/blog/archives/928
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Monday, March 18, 2013

Psalm 4



1 Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.

2 O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah.

3 But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear when I call unto him.

4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.

5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord.

6 There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.

7 Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.

8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.


Psalm 4
King James Version (KJV)
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Cyprus delays vote on tax raid on savings





By Associated Press

Monday, March 18, 2013



PhotoCypriot President Nicos Anastasiades, left, and President of the Parliament Yiannakis Omirou ... more 

VIDEO:

Runtime: 01:01 Raw: Cyprus Delays Key Vote, As Protests Ensue


NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — A vote on a bailout package for Cyprus that includes an immediate tax on all savings accounts has been postponed until Tuesday evening.

Yiannakis Omirou, the speaker of Parliament, said the delay was needed to give the government time to amend the deal reached over the weekend that prompted an outcry from those who thought their money was safe.

In order to get €10 billion ($13 billion) in bailout loans from international creditors, Cyprus agreed to take a percentage of all deposits — including ordinary citizens’ savings — an unprecedented step in Europe’s 3 ½-year debt crisis.

The news was a big surprise and stoked fears that deposits in other countries could be targeted. Shares around the world and the euro took a pounding Monday even though the Cypriot economy accounts for only 0.2 percent of the combined output of the 17 European Union countries that use the euro.

“The damage is done,” said Louise Cooper of CooperCity. “Europeans now know that their savings could be used to bailout banks.”

The Cypriot government is now trying to modify the terms of the original deal and in particular to get a better deal for small savers with less than €100,000. The weekend deal foresaw a one-off levy of 6.75 percent on those savings, rising to 9.9 percent for those above the €100,000 mark.

Lawmakers in Nicosia are considering how to amend the deal without reducing the total €5.8 billion earmarked to be raised through the measure. One solution doing the rounds is to make the tax more graduated: placing a one-time 3 percent levy on deposits below €100,000, rising to 15 percent for those above €500,000.

Still, the government has a battle to get a majority in the 56-member Parliament — a scenario that could cripple the Cypriot economy.

Some 25 lawmakers from communist AKEL, socialist EDEK and theGreen party have said they would vote down the levy that they had criticized as disastrous.

Any modification must be approved by the other eurozone finance ministers before the Cypriot parliament can vote on it.

“I believe (the levy) was a bad idea but they imposed it on us,” Cypriot Finance Minister Michalis Sarris told reporters in Parliament Monday. Sarris said the levy was the least worst option since the country’s euro area partners had insisted on a much larger savings cut.

Cyprusbanks were closed Monday for a scheduled public holiday.


Source: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/mar/18/cyprus-delays-vote-tax-raid-savings/#ixzz2NuQNWPxd
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China warns US over missile defence programme against North Korea


Beijing says American interference could only make matters worse in sabre-rattling between Seoul and Pyongyang


Agencies
guardian.co.uk, Monday 18 March 2013 04.07 EDT


South Korean and US navy ships take part in a military drill - which angered North Korea. Photograph: Reuters


China has said that US plans to bolster missile defences in response to provocations by North Korea would only intensify antagonism, and urged Washington to act prudently.

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, Hong Lei, made the comments at a daily news briefing.

He said: "Actions such as strengthening anti-missile [defences] will intensify antagonism and will not be beneficial to finding a solution for the problem.

"China hopes the relevant country will proceed on the basis of peace and stability, adopt a responsible attitude and act prudently."

The Pentagon said the US had informed China, North Korea's neighbour and closest ally, of its decision to add more interceptors but declined to characterise Beijing's reaction.

The US defence secretary, Chuck Hagel, announced plans on Friday to bolster American missile defences in response to "irresponsible and reckless provocations" by North Korea, which has threatened a pre-emptive nuclear strike against the US.

A senior US military official visiting Seoul sent a message to both Koreas: warning Pyongyang over recent threats and reassuring South Korea that military backing won't be hurt by a congressional budget debate.

The deputy secretary of defence, Ashton Carter, said on Monday that Pyongyang's threats would only deepen Washington's defence commitment to Seoul. He said that includes a "nuclear umbrella" security guarantee for Seoul, which doesn't have atomic weapons.

Ashton said deep US budget cuts won't alter Pentagon efforts to make South Korean security a priority.

Pyongyang is angry over USs-South Korean war games and UN sanctions meant to punish it for carrying out a third nuclear test. It has threatened nuclear attacks on Washington, though it isn't believed to have the weapons needed to do so.

Meanwhile, Taiwan's defence ministry has said it regretted the "not entirely objective" characterisation by the former top American diplomat on the island that declining military budgets have left it vulnerable to Chinese attack and made it easier for mainland spies to penetrate its armed forces.

The remarks from William Stanton constituted an unusually hard-hitting critique of Taiwan's national security posture, and stood in sharp contrast to repeated assertions of American support for President Ma Ying-jeou's five-year programme of seeking to lower tensions with the mainland, from which Taiwan split amid civil war in 1949.

A career diplomat, Stanton served as the head of the de facto US embassy in Taiwan from August 2009 to August 2012. His remarks came in a speech before a pro-independence organisation in Taipei on Friday.

His charge constitutes what is believed to be the first public acknowledgement from a US government official serving or recently retired that Chinese espionage against Taiwanese targets may be affecting America's willingness to provide security assistance to Taipei.

Responding to Stanton's charge, Taipei's defence ministry said it had been zealous in pursuing cases of Chinese espionage against the Taiwanese military, which proved its "credibility" in combating the Chinese spying threat.

"We will continue working on measures to safeguard our security," it said.


Source
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CPAC 2013: events (Dr. Ben Carson speech)


CPAC 2013: Dr. Ben Carson Speaks At CPAC, AMSA On Same Day
Derek Dye

9 hours ago



CPAC 2013 Dr Ben Carson Speaks At CPAC AMSA On Same Day


Dr. Ben Carson’s much anticipated Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) speech Saturday wasn’t the only speech he'd delivered in Washington over the weekend. A few hours after his speech at the Gaylord National at National Harbor, Carson spoke to several hundred medical students, pre-meds, and residents at the American Medical Student Association’s Annual Conference at the Washington Convention Center.

Dr. Ben Carson is best known in the medical community for being the first surgeon to successfully separate conjoined twins who had been joined at the back of the head, but he made political headlines and scored an invite to CPAC this year after making sharp criticisms of Washington and the Obama administration at this year’s National Prayer breakfast.

AMSA, known for its very progressive political agenda is the oldest and largest medical student association in the United States and outright supports single-payer, government-run health care. The group once was affiliated with the American Medical Association but established its independence from the AMA in an effort to raise its own voice on a variety of social justice issues including civil rights, abortion, universal health care and the United States involvement in Vietnam, a stark contrast to the CPAC crowd Dr. Carson addressed just hours earlier.

While the organization does not accept funding from pharmaceutical companies, AMSA offers discounted study guide materials to medical students, boosting the organization’s membership numbers, funding and political clout, as the discounts on study guides are well worth the membership expense to apolitical medical students who may or may not agree with the organization’s strong-leftist political agenda.

Dr. Carson, a trailblazing neurosurgeon, Obamacare critic and founder of the Carson Scholars Fund was well received at the event and received a standing ovation following his speech alongside another celebrity status, rags to riches, American story, Johns Hopkins colleague Dr. Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa. However, Dr. Carson who ventured into some wonky policy areas during his speech left many future doctors who had never heard of a Health Savings Account scratching their heads.

Many were unaware of Dr. Carson’s speech from the National Prayer breakfast that went viral in hours, or that Dr. Carson had just announced his retirement from medicine a few hours earlier at CPAC continuing a firestorm of rumors that he may seek political office in the future.

In a departure from his fiery, traditional talking points on political correctness, personal responsibility and hard work, Dr. Carson challenged physicians, and physicians-in-training to re-engage the medical profession that was once more active in civic and political life. Dr. Carson explained that 5 physicians signed the Declaration of Independence and that “we [doctors] need to put forth things that work for patients.” He acknowledged this “would require courage” but told students “not to be afraid to take risks by speaking out” and said that it was their “duty to protect good health care by entering the political sphere.”

Dr. Carson cited the rise of physicians entering  “concierge medicine” as disappointing, but said he understood the reasoning behind their decisions given the power welded over the profession by government, big hospitals/ACOs that are buying physician practices, and third-party insurance payers. Perhaps the most direct challenge to the audience was Carson’s charge that it was physician’s duty not to spend the entirety of their medical training and career that is “subsidized by everyone” (most all medical schools are supported through tax dollars) solely “in a lab or practicing medicine 24/7.”

He warned the young audience “if you leave your medical career up to politicians, you will be in trouble.”

Dr. Carson’s most recent, best-selling book, America the Beautiful serves as his manifesto, calling all Americans to use our God-given talents to improve our lives, our communities, our nation, and our world. Time will tell if his message will be enough to resonate with voters, should he chose a political future, but his ability to stand in front of two polar opposite political groups on one Saturday goes to show that he epitomizes the courage he seeks to instill in everyone around him.

To watch Dr. Carson’s speech at CPAC in its entirety click here.

Picture Credit: United Liberty


Source
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SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2013

8:00 Exhibit Hall Opens Exhibit Hall D-E

8:50 Emcee: Charlie Kirk, Founder, Turning Point USA  Potomac Ballroom

8:51 Pledge Jenny Shields  Potomac Ballroom

8:53 Invocation Kyle Gerron, Intern, American Conservative Union 

8:55 Jenny Beth Martin, Co-Founder, Tea Party Patriots  Potomac Ballroom


9:00 Movie Screening: Nine Days That Changed The World, Pope John Paul II’s
historic 1979 pilgrimage to Poland, starring The Honorable Newt Gingrich & Callista Gingrich, 90 minutes
Chesapeake 4-6*
Sponsored by Citizens United. Open to all registered CPAC 2013 attendees.


9:05 The Honorable Steve King, U.S. Representative (IA-4) Potomac Ballroom

9:15 The Honorable Scott Walker, Governor of Wisconsin Potomac Ballroom

9:30 The Honorable Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives
Introduction: Callista Gingrich Potomac Ballroom

9:30 Book Signing: Tea Party Patriots  by Jenny Beth Martin Exhibit Hall D-E

9:45 The Honorable Michele Bachmann, U.S. Representative (MN-6) Potomac Ballroom

10:00 “President Obama’s (Prayer) Breakfast Club” Potomac Ballroom
Dr. Ben Carson, Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital
Eric Metaxas, Author Introduction: Millie Hallow, Board Member, American Conservative Union


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Presented by the American Conservative Union Official CPAC 2013 events appear in BOLD




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Related:

Dr. Benjamin Carson's Stirring Speech at CPAC 2013 - Complete Video 3/16/13
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FreedomsLighthouse

Published on Mar 16, 2013


3/16/13 - More Videos at http://freedomslighthouse.net

Watch Dr. Carson's Amazing National Prayer Breakfast Speech 2/7/13 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFb6N...

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How the Catholic Church Got Roped into Liberalism


March 16, 2012




Windows Media

BEGIN TRANSCRIPT

RUSH: To the phones we go on Open Line Friday, starting in Santa Barbara, California. Hi Diane, you're up first. Hello.

CALLER: Hi, Rush! I was wondering if you noticed a pattern starting with Georgetown University, who's heavily funded by federal money, and how they abandon their principles? I noticed that the Law School Reproductive Health -- or Reproductive Justice -- was started like in '09. So it's just kind of crazy how just a lot of pressure to abandon their principles.


RUSH: You know, I was talking to somebody about this the other night, Diane. This is actually a very brilliant point that you've come up with. Somebody was asking me, "What are they mad at you for? You're not the one denying them contraceptives. Georgetown is." Except, Diane, you should know that we looked into this. Georgetown University does provide contraception when it is prescribed for medical conditions that have nothing to do with birth control. Contraceptives sometimes have other medicinal benefits, and Georgetown will allow the coverage for the prescription of contraception in those circumstances but not to be used for birth control. So I'm not the one denying anybody birth control and Georgetown is.

But that's why these activists enroll there. One of the questions that came up was, "Well, why would you enroll? If you're a big birth control activist, and if for some reason you think that your country is denying you all the birth control that you want, why would you enroll at a place that doesn't offer it?" Well, duh. If you're an activist, by definition, you are enrolling to stir it up there. You are enrolling to tear down the moral and conscience policies of that institution. That's the express purpose. The Catholic Church is under siege. The Catholic Church is under attack. It's a huge target. And the Catholic Church finally knows it.

The Catholic Church is finally standing up in defense of some of this stuff. Diane, you should know -- and the rest of you, too -- that I learned a lot during this whole fiasco. One of the things that I learned was the reason the Catholic Church (all the way back to the days of FDR) got roped into the liberal socialist agenda is that they became convinced that welfare was charity, and churches are big on charity. And they thought that it would sound good for them to support massive government wealth-transfer programs, welfare programs, under the guise that it was charity. So the Catholic Church and its hierarchy in this country slowly but surely migrated to socialism, in terms of its political preferences.

Now, not so much the way it dealt with its flock, but outwardly -- with its political associations and attachments (i.e. people that they voted for, supported) -- under the notion that liberalism is charity, under the notion that welfare is charity. Well, it isn't. Welfare is the willful absconding of money owned by others and giving it to other people for your benefit, not theirs. Liberals give money to people wanting a payback. The payback is the vote. Liberals are not giving people money to increase their lifestyles or improve their lifestyles. It doesn't happen, does it? The poor are still poor. The homeless are still homeless. Despite all these great liberal programs, the numbers, the percentages never change.

Liberalism doesn't solve problems. It doesn't fix anything. It just exacerbates them. So it isn't charity. Real charity is targeted to people in genuine need who cannot help themselves. The purpose of welfare is not to help people who can't help themselves. If I may be blunt, the purpose of welfare is to create as many people as possible who refuse to help themselves because they don't have to anymore. They've got welfare plans. Welfare is robbing Peter to buy Paul's vote. It's insidious. It destroys people's humanity and their dignity. It takes away their ambition, their desires and gives them a life of squalor, under the guise of big-heartedness and charity and so forth.

And what it comes down to, Diane, is the left -- the Democrat Party, however you want to describe them -- never want to be judged on the results of their so-called good works. They want credit for their good intentions. (sobbing) "Well, we want to end homelessness and we want to end poverty, and that makes us good people." They never do end homelessness. They never do end poverty. You're never supposed to point that out. You're just supposed to talk about how big their hearts are. But the Catholic Church got roped into this whole notion that all of that is "charity," so they became big supporters of it. This is now causing some lights to go on at the upper levels of the Church and they're starting to see things the way you do, Diane.

END TRANSCRIPT


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Sunday, March 17, 2013

The Conference - Papacy Connection




HistoricAdventTruth


Published on Aug 25, 2012


The conference calls the pope "your holiness" live on television. The conference no longer gives the three angels' messages to the world. They have reached across the gulf to join hands with the papacy.

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Saturday, March 16, 2013

Record InFocus – 15.03.13


Record InFocus – 15.03.13 from InFocus on Vimeo.
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Record InFocus – 15.03.13
from InFocus PLUS 2 days ago NOT YET RATED

Julia Gillard says her government will not do business with firms that involve human trafficking or slavery in their supply chain. James Standish offers an overview on the religious freedom implications of Syria's civil war. Nutritionist Sue Radd has some tips on using one of nature's superfoods, the humble legume. And an interview with a youth leader who has 8 million members in his youth group.


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Surprises and Questions: What Will the New Pope Mean for Adventists?



Submitted: Mar 13, 2013
By Adventist Today News Team


Cardinal Jorge M. Bergoglio’s election as Pope Francis I did not surprise some Adventists. The noted Seventh-day Adventist theologian Samuele Bacchiocchi, who died in 2008, had mentioned the Jesuit university administrator from Argentina as a possible Pope in 2005.

Bergoglio “is a soft-spoken intellectual, and a respected theological and philosophical thinker,” Bacchiocchi wrote at the time. Both were of Italian ancestry and products of Catholic academic institutions, although Adventist Today has not found any evidence that they ever met. “If Bergoglio were to be elected Pope, his simplicity and humility would impress the world. For example, in Argentina people admire the fact that he takes public transportation rather than a chauffer-driven limousine.”

Francis I is the first pope from Latin America and the southern hemisphere, and the first Jesuit to become pope. “The idea of a Jesuit Pope is not readily acceptable,” Bacchiocchi wrote in 2005 “because Jesuits are not supposed to receive ecclesiastical honors [and] have a troublesome history of insubordination to papal authority.” Surprisingly, Bacchiocchi made no reference to the many negative things that Adventist writers and preachers have had to say about Jesuits over the years.

A number of journalists in the secular news media referred to Bergoglio as unexpected today, pointing out that he is 76 and was not mentioned in published lists of possible popes in recent weeks. But Bacchocchi saw him as a possibility in 2005 and Radio Christiandad reported in June 2006 that he was “according to many reports, runner-up in the last conclave.”

Bergoglio is aligned with the very conservative wing of the Catholic faith and has been accused of silence about, if not complicity with disappearances, torture and atrocities during Argentina’s anti-communist “dirty war.” In some ways he embodies the worst fears of some Adventists about the Catholic hierarchy. It is predictable that Email bulletins will soon be circulating that identify this papal election as a sign that end-time prophecy is being fulfilled.

Equally important in this event is the emergence of Latino leadership in a worldwide religion. That is also a “sign of the times” for the Adventist Church. “It may hint at surprises to come at major occasions in the Adventist Church over the next three years,” a retired church administrator told Adventist Today.

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Bill Hughes - Catholic Infiltration in SDA Church



Bill Hughes - Catholic Infiltration in SDA Church from Joe Bates on Vimeo.



from Joe Bates 3 years ago NOT YET RATED

Pastor Bill Hughes outlines Jesuit connections in Adventist Conference structure, while at the same time our religion has changed to where the three angels' messages are not preached to the public.

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Global Youth Day


Global Youth Day // gcyouthministries.org from The Adventist Church (Official) on Vimeo.




Global Youth Day // gcyouthministries.org
from The Adventist Church (Official) PLUS 1 month ago NOT YET RATED


Join 8 million youth around the world in a Global Youth Day March 16, 2013.

Visit gcYouthMinistris.org

Conference Has Formed an Image to the Beast -- John Grosboll






HistoricAdventTruth

Published on Aug 7, 2012


The SDA conference has placed men in jail for using the name Seventh-day Adventist. By joining with the state they are forming an image to the beast. The Bible speaks of taking others to court as a sin. The conference is also promoting Spiritual Formation or hypnosis. They have gutted the Great Controversy with the book The Great Hope that does not mention the papacy as the beast. They also signed an agreement with the world churches to NOT promote the Sabbath publicly. See www.seventh-day.org and click on SDA info. See more John Grosboll videos athttp://www.youtube.com/user/mkencrl


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