Photo by Kevin Timothy
My comment:
Ever since I watched a movie about the life story of Dr. Carson, I have been impressed. Here, he makes a plea for unity. There are many cries for unity these days, so wisdom is needed when discerning how the word is used. I think Dr. Carson has no intention of giving up his Christian principles. I think he is only trying to right a ship that is sinking fast. As Christians, I believe that we always have hope. Our hope is not in this life, but that doesn’t mean we shirk our responsibilities in asking God to give us wisdom as to how to make a difference for His kingdom. I appreciate Dr. Carson’s candor and pray that God will use the platform that Dr. Carson’s been given to share his thoughts and possibly solve some of our problems.
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Wings of the Wind 
Chris, we are such a politically divided nation, it is unreal. I remember the time before Obama’s election, when I had some very emotional exchanges with friends who supported him. It was argued to me that his Presidency was supposed to bring about all this UNITY, healing and restoration to this nation. I think this is what Dr Carson is relating to us, that this hasn’t turned out well for among other things, making a mockery of the God of our fathers, His precepts, and favoring violations of religious freedom, promoting same sex ‘marriage’ and promoting abortion as ‘God’s work’.
“Blessed are they that mourn.”
blessings.
So true, Kassey. Things certainly haven’t turned out well in the past several years and the slide seems to be continuing. I didn’t get to read the legislation that was presented in Arizona regarding a recent “discrimination law.” However, it must have been a good thing; when the governor vetoed it the gay rights activists applauded. Supporters including several influential American businesses. It will be interesting to see how many small businesses end up facing lawsuits because of their Christian convictions. Again, I don’t know what the law contained but I saw a liberal interviewer getting three opinions on the law from ungodly viewpoints. They were all against the legislation and for gay rights. Not one was there to represent the other side. Then again, I only saw the interview because I went to MSNBC trying to find a special they were having on the new recreational marijuana laws in Colorado.
Just last night, A teen asked me what part of the Bible He should read to be a better Christian. I told him to read the Sermon on the Mount in Matt. 5-7. I then said the entire book would also be good reading. It, of course, includes the verse you have used here. My heart groans at times when I see what is happening to this once great nation.
I always appreciate your comments my friend.
God’s blessings…
Chris, I don’t know what the law specifically said, but I got the impression that Arizona attempted to pass a law giving businesses the right to refuse services or products to people based on their sexual orientation.
the problem as I understood it, was the law was too broad and would have caused more problems for business owners. Gov Brewer said she did not have knowledge of past religious liberty violations to justify passing it.
To illustrate why I agreed with her:
1. Dan Cathy said he does not approve of same sex marriage but he does not consider it a violation of his religious liberty to serve gay people chicken sandwiches. In the course of a day, he is not preoccupied with the sexual orientation of his customers- all of whom need to eat when hungry.
However!
2. If I owned a bakery, I would not sell a wedding cake to a same sex couple. Nor if I was a pharmacist, would I fill prescriptions for RU486 or BC pills.
And here’s where it gets even stickier: good luck writing these kinds of minute distinctions based on conscience, into a piece of law that could convince secular humanists! It would take the mind of Oliver Wendell Holmes to pull it off, in my opinion!
And I agree the Sermon on the Mount is a wonderful place to read Jesus. blessings…
Thank you for your take on this, Kassey. Now I have an opinion from both angles. As I read yours second, I would have to do more research to find out more about the law. I know I shouldn’t side with legislation just because of the opposition, but it was an indicator for me in this case.
As always, I appreciate your comments.
Have a blessed weekend my friend…
Chris, I have a short take on sb-1062.
Senate Bill 1062 is taking on some of the aura of SB 1070: a hotly disputed piece of legislation that has divided people, thrown an unflattering national spotlight on Arizona and caused supporters to charge that critics are blowing its impact out of proportion.
Here are some basics on the bill, whose fate rests with Gov. Jan Brewer.
Question: What does this bill do?
Answer: Essentially, two things:
It broadens the definition of the person who can invoke a shield against being sued for denying service or any other action if that denial is based on religious beliefs. Current law defines that as “a religious assembly or institution.”
SB 1062 would expand it to “any individual, association, partnership, corporation, church, religious assembly or institution or other business organization.”
It requires any person or organization who denies a request for service to show that their action is based on their religious belief, that they have a “sincerely held” religious belief, and that a lawsuit or other sanction would substantially burden their religious beliefs.
Q: Why does Arizona need this bill?
A: Supporters have not pointed to instances in which a business owner has been compelled to provide a service to someone who offends the business owner’s religious beliefs. But they worry that without the shield provided by the bill, people could be forced to act contrary to their religious beliefs.
Q: Who drafted/sponsored the bill?
A: SB 1062’s prime sponsor is Sen. Steve Yarbrough, R-Chandler. Sens. Bob Worsley, R-Mesa, and Nancy Barto, R-Phoenix, are co-sponsors.
It passed the Senate on a party-line vote, 17-13, with Republicans in support. Since then, three GOP senators, including Worsley, have said they regret their votes and asked Brewer to veto the bill.
The bill passed the House, 33-27, with mostly GOP support. Three Republicans joined with all 24 Democrats to vote against it.
Q: Why are people up in arms?
A: Opponents fear business owners would use the legal shield to deny service to any individual or group that offends a business owner’s religious beliefs. Service to people from the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community is the most commonly cited fear. But critics have noted this could apply to other situations, such as a business owner denying service to a Muslim because the owner is offended by Muslim beliefs.
Additionally, if signed into law, SB 1062 would override city ordinances in Phoenix, Tucson and Flagstaff that provide protections to LGBT people. It also could undermine private business policies that are written to include the gay community, the ACLU says.
Q: Would this bill legalize discrimination against gays?
A: No more than current state law, which does not provide protections for people based on sexual orientation. Therefore, it’s already permissible to discriminate against gays.
Q: Can the NFL really pull out of Glendale for Super Bowl 2015 over this?
A: The NFL has said it is monitoring the bill, but has not commented beyond that. Logistically, finding a venue for a mega event that’s just 11 months off could be difficult.
Our governor caved into the money mongers and vetoed the bill. It is as usual all about saving mamon. Apple, Google, Intel, the NF.L. etc and pretty much the rest of the country applied pressure.
So Sodomites came out with their limp wrists just itching to promote LGBT and their cause. Nobody talks about the issue of Christians being attacked by activists deliberately forcing the issue. I am referring to the Christian bed/breakfast Christian couple in England who were brought to court and subsequently lost all, because they acted on their faith and refused service to gay activists.
I am trying to bring some alarming facts together on the world wide manifestation of the perverse spirit of antichrist that has been dormant and has covertly spread its malignant ways around the world. I hope to do a series on it on my blog.
Blessings to you and your family, hoping for fair weather and the warmth of His Son upon all who call upon His name.
Thank you so much for the great information, Manny. It appears that my thoughts on this subject were correct. There is a perverse spirit that seems alive and well these days. The spirit of antichrist has always been with us but it seems the heat is being turned up each year.
I hope you are able to do a series on the subject on your blog. Thank you for your kind words and may God bless you and yours.
I now feel that I know much more than I did before.