Two Sides of Governmental Overreach

July 13 2008

The FLDS Polygamy Sect
Congratulations to the Texas Supreme Court for upholding an Appeals Court decision that CPS over reached in its decision to take over 450 children from their parents based on a single phone call later determined to likely be a hoax.

CPS should be ashamed of its behavior. I understand and appreciate the very real motives of individuals to protect children from abuse, but this was a definite episode of “government gone wild.” It is obvious that CPS could and should have simply investigated the few cases of potential wrong-doing without the melodrama, hype, and abusive governmental power ripping young children from their families.

Let me mention here that I am opposed to the lifestyle of the FLDS sect in El Dorado. But I also find it interesting that so many people are up in arms over this “Old Testament” polygamist practice when barely taking notice anymore of our educational system training youngsters how to apply condoms to bananas so they can indulge in sexual relations like rabbits. I automatically pause and seriously reevaluate anytime I find myself on the same side as the ACLU on any issue, but on this one, they were right (which in turn shows just how egregiously wrong CPS was).

CPS so over reached in their accusations against the FLDS sect, that if their standards were applied to themselves (CPS) for the trauma they inflicted on those children, criminal charges might actually be in order. Family is sacred, and the state must have compelling proof of serious misconduct before it interferes in any way. It is sad and surprising that Christians are so easily resigned to rampant abortions and out-of-wedlock births with absent fathers, but accept relatively stable, law-abiding families being persecuted to the point of having their children taken from them with no proof of wrongdoing.

Just to clarify, I’m NOT talking about under-aged girls being married, which the state has a legitimate interest in preventing (like the use of drugs in “religious” rituals). But this was suspected in very few cases, maybe a dozen or so. Many of these children were 5 to 9 years old, many were boys, and no one believes girls of this age were being “married.”

If this action by CPS had been allowed to stand, it could have been another precedent in the ongoing efforts by some in eventually making it easier for the state to take our children away when main-stream Christianity becomes the “weird religion” that children should be protected from – which is slowly but surely happening now. Think I’m kidding?

Even now, in addition to Massachusetts’s forced homosexual indoctrination of school children (no parental exemption allowed), it has been proposed in Massachusetts to make spanking illegal. (Currently, it is illegal in 15 nations, including Israel, to spank your child even in the privacy of your own home, and the UN, true to form, is all over this.)  What will happen to Christian families that fail to comply?

The do-gooder in Massachusetts driving this horribly miss-led effort is a deceived “Christian” named Susan Lawrence who apparently believes the Holy Spirit was only joking when He inspired the writing of Proverbs 22:15; “Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of discipline will remove it far from him” and Proverbs 23:14, 15; “Do not hold back discipline from the child, although you strike him with the rod, he will not die. You shall strike him with the rod and rescue his soul from Sheol.” This proposal in Massachusetts effectively outlaws these scriptures, and will undoubtedly punish those families who follow them!

Let’s see: God’s wisdom vs. Susan Lawrence, Massachusetts, and the UN’s secular-humanist policies. Hmmm…not that close a call in my book. Perhaps CPS should busy themselves with parents who don’t spank their children, who teach their children no morals, no values, no integrity; who uphold no standards whatsoever, and allow anything to go.

Islamic Indoctrination comes to Friendswood Junior High
On the other hand, the government’s extreme non-protection of youngsters comes through a school in Friendswood that brought Islamic indoctrination into the classroom, even though liberals are apoplectic at the thought of Judeo-Christian prayer or education in school. (This year, Katy Taylor dropped their prayer at graduation in favor of a poem. I was unimpressed.) Parents were not given advance notice of this bizarre event, and that is astonishing considering the culprit. It’s an organization called CAIR; the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

CAIR is actually an Islamic terrorist front organization. M.A. Khalili is one of the CAIR representatives claiming that CAIR has no such affiliations. He’s either ignorant or lying through his teeth.

One of CAIR’s founding Board Members of the Texas branch was convicted in 2006 of having financial ties to high-ranking terrorists. Other former staffers have also been convicted. CAIR is known and recognized by even “moderate” Muslims as being an extremist organization with overt ties to terrorist organizations ranging from Hamas to Al Qaida. Furthermore, it represents only about 5,000 Muslims compared to the 6 to 8 million Muslims who live in the U.S. (You can find out a lot more about CAIR at  HYPERLINK “http://www.anti-cair-net.org” www.anti-cair-net.org, an exhaustive collection of detailed information and news reports about CAIR, its terrorist ties, criminal convictions of personnel, pictures and quotes of leaders, and on-going investigations.)

The truth is that Islam is both a religion and a political ideology. The ideology is world domination, and that ideology is our enemy. Omar Ahmad, Co-Founder of CAIR nationally, said “… Islam isn’t in America to be equal to any other faiths, but to become dominant. The Koran, the Muslim book of scripture, should be the highest authority in America, and Islam the only accepted religion on Earth.” Who needs a Constitution when we can just implement Sharia?

Ibrahim Hooper, a CAIR Spokesman, said “I wouldn’t want to create the impression that I wouldn’t like the government of the United States to be Islamic sometime in the future…But I’m not going to do anything violent to promote that. I’m going to do it through education.” (Emphasis mine.)

Regarding Khalili’s denials, in the mindset and theology of a Muslim, lying is an honorable thing to do if it furthers Islam, which was clearly the intent of this attempted indoctrination, which is the only accurate description when the students were told in this assembly that “Allah is God for all human beings.” I’m sure that was quiet a disconcerting idea to Christian students, and especially their parents, although the anti-Christian ACLU hasn’t taken much interest so far. I guess it’s the old “enemy of my enemy is my friend” mentality.

Letting a kinder, gentler terrorist front organization into our classrooms – especially without warning parents and letting them opt-out their children – borders on the criminal. Eighty years ago, who would have been so foolish as to have allowed an anti-Semitic Nazi front organization into our classrooms under the guise of cultural-sensitivity training? Principal Robin Lowe apparently thought something like that was acceptable, and even considered it important enough to proceed despite being told to not hold the event.

Principal Lowe (who reportedly told students her sister, niece, and nephew are Muslim) should have been fired. As of this writing, she’s apparently been reassigned, which is better than nothing. But now, the school Superintendant Trish Hanks is being criticized for her handling of the situation. I disagree! I’m frankly pleasantly surprised to see a professional educator with some common sense and backbone!

I trust that most of the Friendswood community is not like some of the people being quoted in the Houston Chronicle saying much of this was no big deal, and that what happened to Principal Lowe was just a “witch hunt.” Tom Burke is quoted as saying “…this community has been embarrassed.” If so, the fault of the embarrassment lies at the feet of miss-guided people like him (and Principal Lowe) attempting to appear wise and broad minded when in reality, they’re blinded by the foolishness of political correctness and multiculturalism. Hopefully, the people of Friendswood – and the rest of America – will soon prove to be a community and nation that ceases to invite America’s enemies into its children’s classrooms.

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Politics and Religion: Considerations for the 2008 Texas Primary

February 19 2008

As of this writing, it looks more and more like a McCain candidacy on the Republican side. Giuliani and Romney are both out, and Huckabee is a long shot for the nomination at best.

The Democratic side offers us Clinton or Obama. There’s only one way to describe that situation – if you like the way government runs now, just wait until we have socialized medicine crammed down our throats, especially if it’s Clinton and her “garnished wages” plan to pay for it. If you like more abortion, liberal judges that turn the Constitution upside down and inside out, more homosexual license and assault on the family, or retreat from the war on terror, then pick one, and work and vote for that person. If you like less free speech to challenge the overtaking of America by globalists and the anti-Christ religion of secular humanism, go Democratic.

I have not been a McCain supporter primarily because of Constitutional blunders like McCain-Kennedy (illegal alien amnesty), and McCain-Feingold (election reform that is a free-speech debacle) and other such positions. His votes against Bush’s tax cuts were clearly not conservative. He gave a great speech at the Family Research Council’s Values Voter Conference in Washington in September, but so did the rest of the candidates. I was not won over.

But on the plus side, he does have a pro-life record, is a fiscal conservative, voted last year to defund Planned Parenthood (which is critical), and voted against embryonic stem-cell research. You’ve probably heard much about his 82.3 rating from the American Conservative Union, and that shouldn’t be sneezed at. McCain’s one clear strength his is support of the war on terror. He gets it, and will no doubt execute it faithfully.

The Rush Limbaughs and Ann Coulters (and sadly, James Dobson) of the world that are currently saying they can never support McCain need to rethink. However bad they may think he is (not without some justification), the alternative (Clinton or Obama) would be a much greater disaster. To take one’s marbles and just stay home is irresponsible even – perhaps especially – when faced with nothing but less-than-perfect choices. Isn’t that what stewardship is? Making the best decision from out of the only possibilities one has?

Huckabee is not likely to get the nomination, though all along he has looked like a very viable if not the most likely VP candidate. No other candidate will win without the support of evangelical Christians and conservatives, and McCain is somewhat suspect to such a voter. I’m still conflicted regarding Huckabee – his record doesn’t entirely coincide with what he’s now saying – but if he has truly seen the light on immigration, border security, the FAIR tax and the dismantling of the IRS, how can one argue with any of that? Many conservatives are going to insist on a very conservative VP running mate before they support McCain, and Huckabee may not be enough for them, but should draw most evangelicals.

I will make mention of Ron Paul. I like a lot of what he stands for, but the disqualifying problem is he seems willfully ignorant of radical Islam and its threat to America. They want to kill us not because we are over there (often to protect and help Moslems) but because we exist. They hate us, and slaughtering “infidels” is how they assure themselves of heaven. Most people don’t realize that Islam is not just a religion, but a political ideology hell-bent on world domination. Any candidate in either party that doesn’t possess that understanding is not qualified and cannot be trusted with the office of the President of the United States. I heartily support Ron Paul to remain in his Congressional seat!

I’ve heard several prophecies that God will give us a righteous man in the office of the Presidency in this election – even though one prophecy clarified that it might not seem so at the beginning. That particular prophet said God was going to get hold of the man after he was in the Oval Office. These prophecies could apply to everyone in the race right now, (except for Hillary). It also might mean that God raises up another that we do not yet see. Deadlocked conventions (though very unlikely for the Republicans at this point) are possible. Accident, illness or even death can dramatically change the political landscape (remember Senator Paul Wellstone in 2002).

I knew by revelation in early 1998 that George W. Bush would be President, and prayed accordingly. This time around, I can only pray for that “hidden heart” that God will get hold of to be in the right place at the right time. I am quiet confident that despite the gross sins of this nation and its government, God is not finished with America yet. And while any President cannot be looked upon as a savior to this nation, the role is important, and I believe God intends to use it.

But beyond that, I believe revival is on the way to America and the world, with signs and wonders and healings that will astound the unbelieving. So be full of faith, be confident, pray, and be good stewards of your vote this March and in November. Vote righteously. Be an ambassador for the Kingdom of God on earth. Take your stand against government-sanctioned immorality and cultural destruction, and for morality and righteousness so that the foundations may be restored, and the breaches repaired – to the glory of God the Father and Jesus Christ.

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A Biblical Perspective of the “Faith Debate”

October 25 2007

The entire debate on “faith” in our current political process is more than a little interesting. It is simultaneously hopeful, illuminating, and dangerous.

Just one of many examples is Barack Obama’s recent statement: “I am confident that we can create a Kingdom (of heaven) right here on Earth.” Now, I believe it should be the Church’s goal to establish and expand the Kingdom of God on earth (though not the government’s). I believe that Jesus’ prayer “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven” was not just a theory, but was an instruction to pray a real prayer with a very real outcome. We are to seek the Kingdom first (Matthew 6:33)!

Part of our problem is that the Church has lost sight of our “Kingdom mandate.” Two incredible books you should read on this subject are “Rediscovering the Kingdom” by Myles Munroe, and “The Unshakable Kingdom and the Unchanging Person” by E. Stanley Jones.

So why do I find Barack Obama’s comment hopeful? Because the Kingdom of God is the only hope for our nation and the world. Anytime Jesus and His Kingdom are part of the discussion and debate, that can only be a good thing – even if what is said is in error, or with suspect motives. The Apostle Paul himself said;

Phi 1:18 “…Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice…”

It’s illuminating for Christians to see who is “using” Jesus and His Kingdom for their own personal purposes. This is the problem I have with a Senator Barrack Obama (a democrat) or a Senator John Warner (a republican) or anyone else from either political party who claims to be a Christian, yet who so clearly disregard God’s Word in matters of public policy. Not only are we to seek His Kingdom first, but also His righteousness (Matthew 6:33)!

Some say they believe a certain way, but don’t want to “impose my beliefs” upon anyone else. Excuse me. It’s not about your “belief” as though you had a modified rabbit’s foot to believe in. It’s about God’s commandments. It’s about His truth, His reality, His righteousness which exists whether one “believes” it or not.

Those who support the murder of the unborn, the sanctioning of homosexual lifestyles, and the junk science of evolution – and teaching our children to embrace those lies – are clearly not genuine disciples of Jesus Christ regardless of what they say about themselves. Those who support “hate crimes” and “ENDA” legislation and are not lined up with the truth and righteousness of Jesus and His Kingdom. Jesus Himself said:

Mat 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness.’

Practicing lawlessness is a specifically stated, “red-letter” disqualifier. It’s a quote from the Master Himself. The “legalization of lawlessness” is the strategy of Satan through our civil government. It is not the will of the Father that children be mutilated in the sanctity of their mother’s womb. Such is lawlessness. It is not the will of the Father that homosexuality be sanctioned as “normal” or “moral,” or that our children be conditioned to accept deviant behavior. Such is lawlessness. It is not the will of the Father that we teach young minds that they’re soul-less animals “evolved” from lower life forms. Such is lawlessness. It is not the will of the Father that Jehovah and Allah be equated as one in the same! Such is lawlessness. And you’re either on the side of righteousness or lawlessness.

Try as you might, you will never find in the Bible, our Constitution, or even generally in the Judeo-Christian ethic where anyone on earth – be it an individual or an entire civil Government – has been given the authority to re-write the moral laws and truths of God. To pretend to have such authority is lawlessness itself, and ultimately results in a very high price in this life and the next.
Rev 22:18, 19 “I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.”

Therein lays the danger of Obama’s statement and others like it. It is dangerous to those who make such claims in falsehood, and it is dangerous to those who believe those claims in deception.

This is why Christians must get involved in the political process. Not only to vote, but to run for office, and/or work within the process to re-establish God’s principles as the law of the land the way our founding fathers intended. God’s purpose for civil government is to condone good and punish evil (Romans 13), but who is it that decides what is good and what is evil? Only genuine Christians are qualified to speak to that standard. We must walk out the standard in our own lives, and our prayers and actions should be in support of those who do the same. We are to be “salt and light.” Our problem is, as one commentator put it, we have become “sugar.”

Put some effort into it. Find out what precinct you live in, and if you’ve got a good precinct Chairman that will stand for Biblical principles, help him and support him. If not, prayerfully consider running against him. And continue to work this process in both parties so that we can put an end to this insane, destructive propensity of politicians to continually ignore the Owner’s Manual (the Bible) – the only true and reliable source of personal, spiritual, and social success.
Mark Williamson is the Founder and President of Foundation Restoration Ministries and Federal Intercessors, an intercessory and educational ministry dedicated to the restoration of Biblical truth, righteousness and justice in the policies and personnel of the high offices of the Federal government. Learn more and join the prayer cause at www.federalintercessors.net, or contact him directly at mark.williamson@federalintercessors.net, or at 713-722-4321 x203.

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