CONTRACEPTIVE HANDOUTS INCREASE ABORTION RATES

January 5, 2011

So…you don’t believe the title of this post.

O.K….here’s “only the facts” ma’am.

Over a ten year period between 1997 and 2007, a survey of about 2,000 women in Spain found that the use of contraceptives increased from about 50 percent to nearly 80 percent of women.

Isn’t the increased use of contraceptives supposed to decrease the abortion rate?

Evidently not.

During the same period, Spain’s abortion rate more than doubled.

The findings were published in the January 2011 issue of Contraception.

The researchers were puzzled by the results.  Here is the study’s conclusion statement:

CONCLUSIONS: The factors responsible for the increased rate of elective abortion need further investigation.

My translation:  “We don’t have a clue why abortions increased when contraception use increased.”

This article in LifeSiteNews points out that:

“Pro-lifers have long argued that contraception results in greater sexual activity and, because contraception fails so consistently, in more “unwanted” pregnancies.  This in turn leads to more abortions.”

It is no secret that our youth are being encouraged more than ever to use contraceptives.  Not only does this encouragement send the wrong message, it apparently doesn’t work.

The abortion industry thinks it works. Abortionists make millions of dollars every year by killing the most innocent humans on the planet.

“Planned Parenthood received a banner $363.2 million in government funding during the 2008-2009 fiscal year, its most recent annual reporting period — a $13.6-million increase in grants and contracts over the previous fiscal year.”

The study noted in this post surveyed women from 15-49 years of age.  Some might argue that the inclusion of not-so-young women would negate any conclusion about the “effectiveness” statistics contraceptives had among young adults.  I would argue that older folks would tend to be more “careful,” thus making the numbers among the young even worse.

There is only one perfect contraceptive. We certainly don’t hear it endorsed in most of the “stuff” our youth are “fed” these days.

The study, entitled Trends in the use of contraceptive methods and voluntary interruption of pregnancy in the Spanish population during 1997-2007, can be found here.

I  recommend that everyone read the article that was printed here, yesterday.

Chris Reimers

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GLOBALISM REVISITED

January 4, 2011

“It is not appropriate for Christians to herald planetary doom, thereby attracting and drawing together the fearful. Nor should they yawn in the face of impending calamity by escaping into a comfortable world of complacency, fantasy, or addiction. Instead, Christians must be wise as serpents, gentle as doves. To win over doubters requires wisdom, not stealth; prevailing prayer, not brute force.

“Perhaps more now than ever before, it’s time to shake sleep, study to show ourselves approved, maintain spiritual sobriety, and exercise vigilance. Being well read and up-to-date on vital issues is a great start; but more exactly, believers must heed biblical mandate by praying diligently, exercising faith, and practicing charity.”

This quote comes from the conclusion of a well-written six part article by Debra Rae.  If you are interested in the topic of global government, this well-researched and well-documented effort is worth your time.

I’m not as certain about the white horse rider’s identity as Debra is but who agrees on everything in the book of Revelation?  I think she is spot on for the most part and her conclusion in part one is an example of her insight: – CR

“By design globalism’s inner workings escape the public eye all the while proponents tightly weave together geo-politics with economic and religious components. Its political strand is decidedly socialist; the economic strand, Marxist; the religious strand, varied versions of Cosmic Humanism.

“Make no mistake. Fingered enemies of globalism are sovereign nation-states, free enterprise capitalism, and the God of the Bible. For apparent reason, godly patriots of our nation do well to wake up and sound the alarm before the tsunami of global governance crashes its borders.”

1.      http://www.newswithviews.com/Rae/debra179.htm

2.      http://www.newswithviews.com/Rae/debra180.htm

3.      http://www.newswithviews.com/Rae/debra181.htm

4.      http://www.newswithviews.com/Rae/debra182.htm

5.      http://www.newswithviews.com/Rae/debra183.htm

6.      http://www.newswithviews.com/Rae/debra184.htm


16 Comments | BIG GOVERNMENT, Commentary, globalization | Permalink
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PRAISE BE TO GOD FOR THE GIFT OF 2010

December 31, 2010

There’s not a person on the planet who had a perfect year in 2010.  Every one could tell you that bad things happened.  They could tell you of good things.  One thing is certain:

If you are reading this, you are alive.  Since no one under a year old can read this, God has given you another year of life.

We have been given a gift.

Will all who read this be alive to say the same thing when the last few hours of 2011 wind down?

Only God knows.

A good question to ask would be about how we’ve used this gift.  This post is going to leave that topic alone and only focus on the gift itself.

2011 holds no guarantees of life for anyone.

For some, 2010 has been pretty tough.  I’m over 50.  I understand, a bit, what tough times are.  The butterfly that follows me around the internet represents a real one that appeared during a tough day that happened years ago.

I don’t put a great deal of emphasis on whether God caused that butterfly to flutter by on that tough day.  I do put a great deal of importance on the Words of God which the butterfly reminded me of.

You have had tough days like that.  What do you turn to at such times?

You probably know people who are sick and poor.  You probably know people who are very sad.  Their sadness may come from their family problems or their loneliness.  You may even know someone who has been told by doctors they have less than a year to live.

I got a phone call today about a family member in such a situation.

In the greatest sermon ever preached, Jesus said, “Do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself.” (1)

No one knows what 2011 will bring.

We do know that God allowed us life in 2010.

There is a flip side to these comments about life.

Can we say with the great Apostle: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain?” (2)

What an excellent way to live!!!

How does one have such an attitude?

The fruits of the Holy Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (3)

Faith comes from one source.

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” (4)

Praise be to God for His Word and for the gift of 2010!!!

Chris Reimers

___________________________________

(1)  Matt. 6:34

(2)  Philippians 1:21

(3)  Galatians 5:22-23

(4)  Romans 10:17

(5) http://apprising.org/2010/12/30/the-emerging-church-is-unaware-its-dead

Note: Today, an internet post by an “emergent” source used a picture of a butterfly.  I am in strong opposition to the movement within many “Christian” churches called “Contemplative Spirituality/Mysticism” that hides itself behind various names.  It has taken the focus off of Biblical Christianity and has put emphasis upon mere subjective feelings.  Many of these “emerging” practices are Buddhist, Hindu, and “New Age” in nature. (5)

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POLITICS, CHRISTIANITY, AND HATE GROUPS

December 29, 2010

In a recent post on this blog I quoted a statement by a radio talk show host:

“This shows how salvation for the born-again, Bible-believing Christian is not in the Republican Party, the conservative movement or in winning the culture war, but in Christ Jesus.” (1)

I agree strongly with this statement.

I agree so much with this statement that my focus of late has been mostly about things happening in churches.

In an upcoming post, I will make a comment about Hindu and Buddhist practices being taught today in almost all of our “Christian” denominations.  The post won’t go up until I feel comfortable with the amount of research done.

I continue to be amazed at the things “churches” are allowing.

Anyone who knows me will tell you what I think of political involvement.  I may not have helped our new mayor get one vote. But if you ask her, she will tell you that it wasn’t because I didn’t try.

HotSprings Mayor-Elect Ruth Carney/Photo by Barbara Anable

Although I believe our salvation is in Jesus Christ alone, that doesn’t mean we are to sit by and watch things unravel.

Here is the scripture that some American Christians use for their lack of participation in, or their unwillingness to place any moral connotations on, the political process:

1Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.

2Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.

These verses are found in Romans 13.

It is interesting that when these words were penned, Nero was emperor.

I do not question the word of God.  In the end, are we not strangers and pilgrims on this earth? (Heb. 11)

At the same time, there are three points that must be made regarding these verses.

First, one must never forget that scripture gives us an exception to these verses.

“But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5)

No one has the right to control a person’s conscience.  There are times when a believer will, by obeying God, make men angry.  Many scriptures can be found relating to this reality.

This is the reason so many Christians did not survive the cruelty of Nero. They would not deny their Lord.

“Nero had the self-admitted Christians arrested.” – Tacitus (2)

Second, we live in a unique political situation.  The power of our government lies with “We the people.” There are only 20 Federal Republics on the planet and looking at the list, I would contend that we are perhaps the freest country in the group.

Since the power of government lies with us and not with someone like Nero, we are in a unique position.  We control what becomes law and what doesn’t.  That makes us responsible for how we are governed.  Therefore, I think it would be irresponsible of us not to be involved in the process.

Another argument against political involvement by Christians is that “Jesus wasn’t politically active.”

I will not try to defend the Roman Government that existed at the time that God chose to become a man; particularly the methods used to punish offenders of Roman law.

However, it is worth noting that laws did exist:

“Tribunals were set up for crimes against the state, and eventually these came to include treason, electoral bribery, embezzlement of state property, adultery, and murder by violence or poison…” (3)

Yes, we all know Jesus’ response to the tax question:

“…render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.”

Aren’t these spiritual and political statements within the same sentence?

Everything Jesus did and said has huge ramifications for any government.

The definition of politics is “activities associated with government.”

The word “government” brings to mind a verse that is very popular at Christmastime:

“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

During Jesus’ ministry, he was looking towards the government spoken of in this verse.

I don’t understand how any American can say that Christians shouldn’t be involved in politics.  We should be particularly active when it comes to issues that relate to righteousness.

I should mention here that a Theocracy will not be possible until Jesus returns.  Some say that’s what some Christians want.  Yes, Christians want one, but because of man’s sinful nature it is not now possible.

There is a third point.  I don’t think it’s right for folks to quote the first two verses of Romans 13 without quoting the rest of the chapter as it relates to involvement in politics.  Here are the first two verses again:

1Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.

2Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.

Here are the remaining verses:

3For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same;

4for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.

5Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.

6For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing.

7Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.

8Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.

9For this, “YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT COVET,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.”

10Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

11Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed.

12The night is almost gone, and the day is near Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

13Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy.

14But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.

Verse 5 is a key verse.  Looking at the rest of the passage, we are to lay aside “deeds of darkness” such as those mentioned in verse 13.

Verse 5 is obviously referring to subjection that doesn’t violate the laws of God.  Otherwise, the entire chapter is meaningless.

If the government tells me that I have to kill someone or steal something, I should, in the words of Peter and the apostles, “obey God rather than man.”

Now, if anyone has read this far, I will explain why I have made these comments.

Yesterday, an article was published about two organizations that have drawn a moral line.  They have decided to follow Biblical principles and not those of the world.

The article begins:

“Two of the nation’s premier moral issues organizations, the Family Research Council and Concerned Women for America, are refusing to attend the Conservative Political Action Conference in February because a homosexual activist group, GOProud, has been invited.” (4)

I applaud the Family Research Council and the Concerned Women for America for this decision.

Yesterday’s article in World Net Daily went on to say:

“The American Conservative Union, longtime organizers of CPAC, disclosed just before Christmas that GOProud would be considered a “participating organization,” the second highest level of participation. As a “participating organization,” GOProud has a voice in planning the conference.”

The article also notes other problems the American Conservative Union is having.

This is the second time the Family Research Council has been in the news this month.

The Family Research Council has recently been called a “hate group” by the Southern Poverty Law Center. (5)

If you heard this news, your response was probably like mine…”WHAT????”

Concerned Women of America (CWA) is another of the 18 groups considered “hate groups” by the SPLC. (6)

Also listed by the SPLC as “hate groups” are: the American Family Association (AFA), Coral Ridge Ministries, Family Research Institute (FRI), Illinois Family Institute, Liberty Council, National Organization for Marriage, and the Traditional Values Coalition.

The vote to allow GOProud to participate at the Conservative Political Action Conference was evidently a close one. It doesn’t change the results. The action by the American Conservative Union is another example of how definitions continue to change.

Just because something has the word “conservative” attached to it doesn’t make it a good thing.

Sadly, the same could be said about the word “Christian” these days.

This verse is something the American Family Council and the Concerned Women of America believe:

13Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy.

Both groups have published materials about the adverse affects that homosexuality has on society.

Their concern for righteousness is to be commended.  Thankfully, there are groups still willing to take a stand on moral issues.

Sadly, the percentage of churches willing to take such a stand continues to decrease.

How many more hits will the walls take before the city gates are wide open?

Chris Reimers

Sources:

  1. https://chrisreimersblog.wordpress.com/2010/12/16/can-conservatism-save-u
  2. http://www.unrv.com/culture/christian-persecution.php
  3. http://library.thinkquest.org/26602/government.htm
  4. http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=244741
  5. http://news.yahoo.com/s/dailycaller/20101215/pl_dailycaller/familyresearchcounciltopgoplawmakersfightbackagainstsplchategrouplabel
  6. http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-report/browse-all-issues/2010/winter/the-hard-liners

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MERRY CHRISTMAS – GOD LOVES YOU

December 21, 2010

I don’t pretend to understand God’s love. I know enough about God’s love to share the story with others, but I am too unlike God to fully comprehend it.

To understand the love of God completely, one would have to be God. One would have to have done what Jesus did.

We know one thing absolutely.

God loves us.

The Bible tells us that:

“There is none righteous, not even one;

“There is none who understands,

“There is none who seeks for God;

“All have turned aside, together they have become useless;

“There is none who does good,

“There is not even one.”

This information is given to us in the Old and the New Testaments (Ps. 14, Romans 3)

Sounds pretty bad, huh?

Then there’s the Love of God.

I think if the world really understood it, we wouldn’t be in the mess in which we find ourselves.

I don’t understand it fully. That is the problem I have.

Jesus knew why He came into the world.

“And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground.” (Luke 22)

His burden came from you and me and from everyone who has ever existed.

Jesus came into the world because of our sin.

A recent Mel Gibson movie that I never saw made an effort to depict the physical suffering of Jesus.

I’m told the movie did a good job of it.

The agony, the drops of blood in the garden, didn’t come from the knowledge of the physical treatment He would receive.

The agony came from the weight of the world that was on His shoulders.

The weight of the world’s sin was on His shoulders.

The pain of the crucifixion was infinitely minute compared to the weight of the sins that He bore.

“He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross.” (1 Peter 2:24)

This is the love of God. This is why Christians celebrate His birth.

Without Christ we are lost.

But, nothing can separate us from the love of God.

“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)

Again I ask why. Why did Jesus do it?

I’ve mentioned the love of God. There is an accompanying answer.

The verse from 1 Peter that I’ve quoted above has an interesting finish.

“He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross…

so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.”

Thus, we know the “why.”

1 John 1:9 tells us the “how.”

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

What a promise! What a blessing! What love!

I will never understand God’s love fully, but I understand enough.

The sinless baby placed in a feeding trough is the way, the truth, and the life.

What a gift!!!

Merry Christmas.

Chris Reimers

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“DON’T ASK, DON’T TELL” IS HISTORY

December 18, 2010

The U.S. Senate just voted to send a bill to President Obama to remove the “Don’t ask, Don’t Tell” restrictions that were instituted in 1993.  I have a feeling Mr. Obama will sign the bill.  The vote, 65-31, wasn’t even close.  The vote in the U.S. House of Representatives, that preceded today’s vote, was no different.  That vote was 250-175.

Five minutes ago I sadly watched another vote at the highest levels of our government, made by those who represent the residents of this once great country, that takes no consideration of Biblical principles.

Why should anyone be surprised?  When millions of Christians belong to churches that allow homosexuals to lead their “flocks,” why should anyone be startled by this decision by those whom we chose to lead us?

I do not hate homosexuals.  I don’t even dislike homosexuals.  The Bible tells me to love my neighbor, and more and more of my neighbors are homosexuals.

The trouble is that the same Bible tells me that homosexuals will not inherit the kingdom of heaven.  Like everyone else, they have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

The only difference between a homosexual and a Christian is that the Christian has turned away from their sin.

Homosexuality is a lifestyle.  It is similar to a lifestyle of idolatry, thievery, and drunkenness.   These lifestyles are unrighteous.

These are not my words.  These are the words of God.  One only need to read the 6th chapter of 1 Corinthians.

It is another sad event that has occurred within my lifetime.  I have seen it with my own eyes, and as our representatives milled about on the floor of the Senate like it was another day in America, I couldn’t help but think of a number of things.

I thought of how God allowed His people to be fleeced by the Assyrians and others when they turned their backs on Him.  I thought of how God allowed His people to be taken into captivity when they turned their backs on Him.  I thought of how God allowed His peoples’ places of worship to be destroyed when they turned their backs on Him.

We have turned our backs on God and His word.  Why should the results be any different?

I am very disturbed by the continual disrespect for God’s Word.  I am very concerned about the future of the United States.

At the same time, I have a peace that God will be with those who turn to Him.  I am not worried about my future.  There are too many verses in the Bible that tell me not to worry.

To those verses I cling.

Chris Reimers

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CAN CONSERVATISM SAVE US?

December 16, 2010

I listened to a radio program today.  The host of the program, Brannon Howse, articulated what I have believed for quite some time.

I will let the following quote from the show and from Mr. Howse echo the thoughts I have had:

“So many people have, again and again, wanted to find their hope in the Republican Party, Scott Brown (voting for a repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell), and the Tea Party who largely got him elected.  They continue to put their hope in politics.

“Folks, I have said it over and over.  The culture war is lost…

“The spiritual battle continues and it will intensify greatly.

“When I say the culture war is lost, what I mean is:

“I don’t believe we’re going to see the return of the 10 commandments on our school room walls.

“I don’t believe we’re going to see Roe v. Wade overturned.

“I don’t believe we are going to see the Supreme Court all of a sudden change their ruling that we can’t teach creation and evolution side by side.

“In other words, we are passing the point of no return…

“However, that does not mean that we roll over and we don’t proclaim righteousness or stand for that which is consistent with the character and nature of God.

(Mr. Howse encourages involvement in the political process.)

“But, I believe that we may be at the point that God is judging our nation and removing his hand of divine protection…

“We are suffering the consequences you see mentioned in Romans, chapter one.

Here is some of what you will hear on the program:

“Brannon also read an article by Christian author Gary Kah and what he saw after attending a conservative conclave in the suburbs of Chicago in November of 2009. Gary’s experience indicated that many people who consider themselves to be part of the pro-constitution, conservative “right” are hostile to God and want answers apart from him.

“This shows how salvation for the born-again, Bible-believing Christian is not in the Republican party, the conservative movement or in winning the culture war, but in Christ Jesus.

The radio program explains the real problem.  The “conservative” event that was held in Chicago and described on this radio program tells the story.  We have a spiritual problem.

May God have mercy on us.  In Him alone is our hope and joy.

Chris Reimers

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DOES A GOOD GOD EXIST?

December 9, 2010

A few weeks ago, an atheist and a Christian had a debate.  The discussion covered a variety of different disciplines: philosophy, science, and history to name a few.

The title of the debate was, “Does a Good God Exist?”

I think the answer to the question is “yes.”

Since I’ve resolved the debate question in my own mind, I have another inquiry.

May we discuss all possibilities relating to the question of our origins in our institutions of higher learning?  I’m sure these discussions happen in philosophy classes, but do they take place in science classes?

Was this debate sponsored by one of the thousands of colleges across our nation?

No, it was not.

If any of you are aware of a recent debate that considered the subject of Creationism or even Intelligent Design, that has occurred at a public institution of higher learning, I would like to know of it.

Not surprising to me, this debate took place in a church.

I have been curious about this for quite some time.  Why are our colleges so afraid to discuss differing theories of our origins?  Where is the academic freedom to discuss all possibilities?

Evidently, freedom of thought more greatly exists in certain churches than it does in our institutions of higher learning.

The “There is no God” position in the debate – linked to at the bottom of this post – was defended by perhaps the best known atheist in the world, Christopher Hitchens.   He is not a scientist, but he is convinced that Darwinian evolution is a fact and he is not afraid to defend it.

Mr. Hitchens was allowed to speak to many young students being educated in Christian schools.  Some were as young as the 7th grade.

Mr. Hitchens was not only allowed to share his views, he was treated with respect.

Some Christians allowed their young learners to hear the position of one of the world’s most popular defenders of atheism.   Yet, our public institutes of higher learning don’t want those with 20 years under their belts to be exposed to theories that differ from the Darwinian one.

If evolutionists are so certain of their views, what is the danger in other theories being presented?

In spite of the one-sided presentation of the Darwinian “theory” in public settings, it is not surprising to me that it hasn’t become generally accepted in America.

I think there is a good reason that half of Americans don’t believe in evolution.  The evidence has not been presented to the general public.  The “overwhelming evidence” described by many in “scientific” circles must only exist there.  The great teachers in our universities have not been able to communicate that evidence successfully to the public.

I think the lack of evidence presented to the public shows the weaknesses in the evolutionary theory.

I hold to a Creationist viewpoint.  I believe that the first chapter of Genesis is literally accurate.  I don’t think it’s a myth.

Scientists with evidence for a literal creation and a young earth have been silenced in public education.  It seems to me that leaders in modern education have become like the church leaders of earlier ages.  Those folks felt threatened by any information that might change the status quo.

I will also acknowledge that there has been an unnecessary amount of name calling by all parties in this debate: Creationists, Evolutionists, and the Intelligent Design folks.  This type of behavior only hurts what should be an ongoing discussion.

Name calling aside; it is grossly unfair that only one theory is being taught in all of our public institutions.

Mr. Hitchens’ opening statement illustrates he has no problem with name calling.

The origins debate is going in a number of directions.

There are folks who are unable to square current scientific information with a literal view of the first chapter in Genesis.  They believe in God, however, and are generally called Theistic Evolutionists.  They are mostly nothing like Mr. Hitchens except when it comes to the view of evolution.

Recently, geneticist Francis Collins, a famous Christian scientist and founder of Biologos (an organization devoted to reconciling the Christian faith with evolutionary theory), said that within one-hundred years evolutionary theory will be as solidly grounded in empirical science and as widely affirmed as heliocentrism (the view that the earth rotates around the sun).

Francis Collins is noted for his leadership of the Human Genome Project (HGP) and has been described as “one of the most accomplished scientists of our time”.[1] [2] He currently serves as Director of the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. Collins has written a book about his Christian faith. He founded and was president of the BioLogos Foundation before accepting the nomination to lead the NIH.

I know that Mr. Collins is a very smart man.  For him to make a statement, however, that evolution will be as much a fact as the earth rotating around the sun is, well, part of the problem in this debate.  Too many evolutionists are calling Darwinian evolution a fact before it is one. A person in Mr. Collins’ position should be very careful about such statements.

Ken Ham is well-known for his position on origins.  He thinks, as I do, that the earth is younger than the evolutionists claim and he holds to a literal view of the Genesis account.

Mr. Ham is the President/CEO and founder of Answers in Genesis.  Some very good literature has come out of AiG.

Mr. Ham is planning a multimillion dollar amusement park, centered around the Creation theme.

I think the multimillion dollar theme park is an awful idea.  At a time when tent cities are being erected at a pace not seen since the great depression, my reaction to the theme park is, “What???.”  America is sending fewer missionaries “into all the world” than it has in years and a Young Earth Creation group is choosing to compete with Disneyland?  I think this is very poor judgment, and I think it will do more damage than good.

Mr. Collins and Mr. Ham are at the forefront of this debate and, frankly, these kinds of things don’t help their causes.

(It is September of 2012 and I must add a comment.  First, Mr. Hitchens has passed.  As far as anyone knows, he kept the views he held for most of his life until his last breath.  And I’m rethinking this position on Mr. Ham’s theme park.  With 23 million Americans looking for work, maybe Mr. Ham can “create” a few jobs.)

I have heard some Theistic Evolutionists make the statement that evolution holds a certain sense of wonder.

I don’t understand how evolution fits into the creation story in the first chapter of Genesis. I think the text, as it stands, holds great wonder.

In 1987, Dr. Robert Gentry presented evidence for Creationism at the University of Tennessee.  It may have been one of the last Creationist lectures given in American University.

Mr. Gentry’s evidences for Creationism had been, even at that time, dismissed as a “tiny mystery.”  The implications of Mr. Gentry’s findings are huge.  The following links show his 1987 presentation in full.

The question and answer period at the end are indicative of the way Creationism had, even at that time, been discarded as a possible explanation for our existence.

The information that Mr. Gentry presented in 1987 (and in peer reviewed scientific publications prior to that) has still received no explanatory rebuttal.

I think that the Evolution/Intelligent Design/Creationism subject requires more than silence on the part of educators.  As an educator, I think students should be able to discuss all sides of the issue and allowed to come to their own conclusions.

Our public school students are having their minds made up for them.  Isn’t that intellectual censorship?

The leaders in this church know their young people will be confronted with all sides of the origins issue.  I know not all churches are this open, but they and our public schools need to be.

Chris Reimers

———————————————————————

Afterward (only a few days later):

Well, It didn’t take long.  Apologies to the Geological Society of America. It (GSA) is the largest and oldest association of professional geologists in North America.  There is an intellectual freedom at the GSA to discuss all scientific possibilities.  This is certainly not the case in public education settings.

I found a surprising article after going to Garrett League’s fine blog, called “The Face of the Deep” at:

http://faceofdeep.blogspot.com

From Garrett’s blog, I linked to:

http://thenewcreationism.wordpress.com/2010/12/09/more-evidence-that-the-heart-mountain-slide-was-catastrophically-emplaced

There, I found mention of this article:

http://www.icr.org/article/christian-geologists-influential-at

The article makes it clear that Scientists from the ICR (Institute for Creation Research) are allowed to participate in the GSA annual meetings.

What a breath of fresh air.

CR

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THE GLOBAL ECONOMY – A FUNDAMENTAL TRANSFORMATION?

December 9, 2010

16And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead,

17and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name.

It is this passage in Revelation 13 that causes many Christians to believe that there will eventually be a one world government along with a one world “currency.”

I lean towards this view myself, because of the above verses and other scriptures.  Since the prophecies about Jesus were fulfilled perfectly, I can’t see those that deal with future events having any less accuracy.

Evidently, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon made a statement on Tuesday that would cause many to take notice.  In Cancun, Mexico, at the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change, Conference of the Parties 16, Mr. Moon said:

“We need to fundamentally transform the global economy – based on low-carbon, clean energy resources.”

German economist Ottmar Edenhofer, an official with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, said in an interview with Neue Zürcher Zeitung on November 14:

“… it’s a big mistake to discuss climate policy separately from the major themes of globalization. The climate summit in Cancun at the end of the month is not a climate conference, but one of the largest economic conferences since the Second World War. … we redistribute de facto the world’s wealth by climate policy. … One has to free oneself from the illusion that international climate policy is environmental policy. This has almost nothing to do with environmental policy anymore ….”

One question I have is: “Why could I not find this story in any mainline sources, including Fox?”

The best I could find was this headline:

U.S. nears agreement to curb destruction of world’s rain forests

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/07/AR2010120707171.html

Are Christians the only ones concerned about the global ambitions of the U.N. or are Christians paranoid?  I think the former is much closer to the truth.

How much the U.N. will be a part of the two verses above are pure speculation.  Jesus told us to “watch,” and that’s what I intend to do.

Chris Reimers

Sources:

U.N. Secretary General Calls for Fundamental Transformation of the Global Economy:

http://www.bibleprophecyblog.com/2010/12/un-secretary-general-calls-for.html


Cancun’s Climate Crock – American Thinker

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U.N. CLIMATE SUMMIT ANYTHING BUT

November 26, 2010
by E. Calvin Beisner, Ph.D.
Founder and National Spokesman,
Cornwall Alliance 

If you think the U.N. climate summit in Cancun November 29 through December 10 is about fixing Earth’s climate woes, think again.

German economist Ottmar Edenhofer, an official with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, said in an interview with Neue Zürcher Zeitung on November 14:

… it’s a big mistake to discuss climate policy separately from the major themes of globalization. The climate summit in Cancun at the end of the month is not a climate conference, but one of the largest economic conferences since the Second World War. … we redistribute de facto the world’s wealth by climate policy. … One has to free oneself from the illusion that international climate policy is environmental policy. This has almost nothing to do with environmental policy anymore ….

The reason? Edenhofer explains: “causes of climate change lie in the north and the consequences in the south.” Consequently, “one cannot solve the climate problem alone, but it has to be linked to other problems. There must be penalties and incentives: global CO2-tariffs and technology transfer.” I.e., for the climate change it’s allegedly already caused, the developed world’s got to pay the developing world—and the bill will be trillions of dollars.

Last year in Copenhagen for COP-15 I viewed thousands of protesters carrying signs saying, “System Change, Not Climate Change!” Edenhofer’s comment makes the signs’ meaning clear: Reject capitalist, economic globalization and replace it with socialist, governmental globalization—and redistribute wealth from the West to the rest and political power from dispersed, sovereign nations accountable to their citizens to the centralized, unaccountable U.N.

COP-16 has the same aim.  In 1994, the U.N. Development Program, in its Human Development Report, said:

We strongly believe that the United Nations must become the principal custodian of our global human security. … Global taxation may become necessary … to achieve the goals of global human security. Some of the promising new sources include tradable permits for global pollution, a global tax on non-renewable energy, demilitarization funds and a small transaction tax on speculative international movements of foreign exchange funds.

That, not climate fixing, is what COP-16 is really all about. COP-15 was a dud. Pray that COP-16 will be, too.

—————————————-

This is a portion of the recent Cornwall Alliance Newsletter.  The newsletter includes recently published developments in the areas of:

Science and Ecology

Economics and Energy

Religion and Ethics

Politics and Debate

You can get a free monthly newsletter at www.CornwallAlliance.org.

After watching Mr. Beisner (via Youtube) in a debate that took place many years ago, when he and the late Dr. Walter Martin were defending the principles of Biblical truth, I looked him up.  I think the work he has done in this area is outstanding.

Chris Reimers

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