"The 10 Least Religious States"

Please take time to read, "The 10 Least Religious States: Also the Meanest?"  Excellent article!

Life, Marriage and Freedom of Religion

This pretty much hits the nail on the head! Fantastic video! And I'm not even Catholic.

Obama and the occupy movement

Obama and the Occupy movement: The plot thickens!

Another assault on Freedom of Religion

Another assault on Freedom of Religion by Obama and the Democrats!

Islam, religion of peace, in context

This is absolutely outstanding!  OK, so it's 28 minutes--but it is the best 28 minute education on Islam you will find anywhere.

The millionaires and billionaires are leaving!

Maybe someone can help me understand this better. As I understand it, the founder of Facebook has renounced his U.S. citizenship and has moved to Singapore where the tax burden is not so oppressive. I also understand that hundreds of other millionaires or billionaires have left the U.S. for the same reason.

Rather than taking this as a wake-up call--that is, a warning that says, "Hey dummies, you are losing your biggest taxpayers because your taxes are too oppressive," our Democrat leaders are proposing to take 1/3rd of the wealth (or income?) of anyone who transfers their citizenship from the United States to another country.

Have I misunderstood what is happening? If not, isn't this just legalized theft? If this economic coercion doesn't work, perhaps we could just take a page from some Communist countries and build an "iron curtain" of sorts to forcibly prevent people from leaving the country.

The root problem is that our politicians (Democrats and Republicans) are spending and regulating too much, and our taxes on "the rich" are so high that the very rich are  beginning to leave the country! The Democrat's oppressive solution may may keep some millionaires or billionaires from leaving the country, but it may also, a) incentivize others to "cut their loses", i.e. to leave now rather than have the U.S. take even more of their money later, b) discourage other millionaires / billionaires from moving to the U.S. and c) keep the ones who have left from ever coming back again.

In other words, the problems Democrats create by taking more and more money from the rich to re-distribute to the poor may have the unintended consequences of making the middle class pay more and more of the tax burden (since almost half of the people in America don't pay taxes and more and more of the rich are leaving).

So the Democrats' solution to the problem is not only reminiscent of the oppression applied by Communist countries, the Democrats' solution may actually result in making the problem even worse!

What am I missing?

Military Justice?

Certainly this cannot be true, can it? Not even the Obama administration is this anti-American, are they? (Hat tip: Professor ed).

Obama White House Fundraises For Anti-Christian Bully Savage

Obama White House Fundraises For Anti-Christian Bully Savage

"Anti-Bullying Speaker Curses Christian Teens"

Here is yet another example of "tolerance" gay activist style. The speaker had a perfect opportunity to show what tolerance is all about. He could have acknowledged that he and Christians have a different view of this issue and made an appeal to disagree agreeably. Instead, he hypocritically practices the very intolerance and bigotry (even bullying) he condemns! Read the story:

Anti-Bullying Speaker Curses Christian Teens | FOX News & Commentary: Todd Starnes

"U.S. Companies Increase Hiring--Overseas"

"U.S. Companies Increase Hiring--Overseas."

Of course they do! Their CEO's are not stupid. They have to manage costs to compete and survive. The more our government regulates and taxes these companies, they more they will hire and outsource overseas.

Why is that so hard for liberals to understand?

Obama's abuse of power

Apparently it is not just Obama's EPA that believes in "crucifying" its opponents! The trail leads all the way to the White House--and it is genuinely scary!

Anyone who thinks this is just a partisan political issue is just not thinking. This public intimidation at the very heart of freedom and democracy. I think this should be considered an illegal abuse of power warranting impeachment! Maybe this is what Biden was talking about when he said Obama had a BIG stick!

California Bill Would Ban 'Sexual Orientation' Psychotherapy

California Bill Would Ban 'Sexual Orientation' Psychotherapy:

In the world of gay advocacy, sexual orientation trumps parental choice (some would say it trumps Freedom of Religion too).

More and more, parental rights are being taken over by the state (And somehow people still think this is "freedom.").  How long before California tries to make it illegal for parents to try to convince their children that sex with someone of the same sex is wrong?

Government's role in marriage and family

If you read only one article this month, please take the time to read, "Privatizing marriage is unjust to children." It is outstanding!

Justice for Trayvon?

This is justice for Trayvon? Really? Will Jesee Jackson and Al Sharpton address the racism involved in this incident? Will the perpetrators be charged with hate crimes? Will the story even make it beyond the local news?

The Myth of Junk DNA

Scientists agree that most of our DNA does not code for protein. The question is whether this non-coding DNA is just useless junk left over from a very long line of evolution, or whether the non-coding DNA actually serves some useful purpose. The reason this question is important is that some vocal evolutionists have used the junk DNA theory to mock the idea that life was intelligently designed. If life was intelligently designed, why, they ask, would an intelligent designer spread so much useless junk throughout our genome?

The Myth of Junk DNA by Jonathan Wells (Ph.D. in molecular and cell biology from U.C. Berkeley) cites hundreds of articles by over 1,000 scientists—many, if not most of whom are evolutionists—who are now saying that this so-called junk DNA is not junk after all. They are discovering that even though the “junk” DNA does not code for proteins, it does serve numerous other important functions in the cell (one scientist cited in this book “listed over 80 known functions for non-coding repetitive DNA”). The book also answers those who are still, despite the evidence, defending the junk DNA theory, some of whom seem to be not up to speed on the latest research and are just parroting outdated information.

It almost looks to me like a few evolutionist ideologues wanted the non-coding DNA to be junk so badly, they stopped looking for possible reasons for its existence. In other words, their faith-commitment to naturalist philosophy prevented them from pursuing scientific investigation into the possible purpose of non-coding DNA.

The Myth of Junk DNA is a short but excellent book. Highly recommended.

How the Media Whitewashes Muslim Persecution of Christians

How the Media Whitewashes Muslim Persecution of Christians

Racism at NBC exposed in the Zimmerman / Martin case

NBC played the 911 call in which George Zimmerman expressed concern over Trayvon Martin. What NBC played was:  “This guy looks like he’s up to no good. He looks black,”

What the 911 call actually said was:

Zimmerman: "This guy looks like he’s up to no good. Or he’s on drugs or something. It’s raining and he’s just walking around, looking about.”

Dispatcher: “OK, and this guy – is he white, black or Hispanic?”

Zimmerman: “He looks black,"

Now the NBC editor has reportedly been fired (he or she should also be sued), but only after NBC's racist slander was exposed by right wing journalists.

Did Jesus really rise from the dead?

Published in the Shakopee ValleyNews, March 21, 2012

Christians around the world will soon celebrate Easter in remembrance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Most people understand, however, that no one comes back to life after being dead for “three days.” How could any intelligent person believe such a thing? We could be cynical and say the key word is “intelligent” but there are many people with Ph.D.’s who believe that Jesus rose from the dead. What reasons could they possibly have?

First, Jesus’ crucifixion is considered to be historical fact. It is confirmed even by ancient non-Christian sources like Josephus, Lucian and Mara Bar Serapion. In addition, since crucifixion was considered such a shameful way to die, most biblical scholars don’t believe Christians would have invented a crucifixion story that would expose them to ridicule and hinder the spread of their message.

Second, Jesus’ tomb was found empty. All four biblical Gospels claim that Jesus’ tomb was empty (as does the second century “Gospel of Peter). The Gospels are unanimous in presenting women as the first eyewitnesses to the empty tomb. Since women were not regarded as reliable witnesses in those days, even many skeptical scholars are convinced that early Christians would not fabricate a story in which the earliest eyewitnesses were thought to be unreliable.

The earliest explanation for the empty tomb is found in the Gospel of Matthew which says that the guards reported that someone stole the body while they slept (if they were sleeping, how would they know)? The stolen body theory might explain why the tomb was empty but we would still have to account for the stories that say Jesus was seen alive after his death.

Some have suggested that Jesus survived the crucifixion. Most biblical scholars find this unconvincing. Three crucified friends of Josephus (a first century historian) were taken off their crosses after only a few hours. Although all of them presumably received medical attention, two of them died the same day, and the third one died shortly thereafter. An article in the Journal of the American Medical Association (March 21, 1986) concluded that theories about Jesus’ survival are contrary to the evidence. Even if Jesus had survived, however, it seems a bit silly to think that early Christians would have hailed this very bruised and broken man (most likely in critical condition) as their resurrected Messiah!

Third, Jesus was believed to have appeared alive physically after his execution (Matthew 28:9; Luke 24:39-43; John 20:17, 27-28). Recent scholars have argued that in the Gospels we are in touch with what early Christians believed about Jesus. Regardless of whether anyone today believes their stories, it is beyond reasonable doubt that the Gospel writers taught that the resurrection of Jesus was physical, not merely “spiritual.” Even Ignatius, writing shortly after the last New Testament book was written, said that that Jesus was still in the flesh after his resurrection.

Years before the Gospels were written St. Paul also affirmed the physical resurrection of Jesus. In First Corinthians—which even the most skeptical scholars believe is genuine—Paul writes that the resurrected Jesus was seen by more than 500 people. It seems pretty clear that Paul is not intending to say that 500 people had hallucinations or visions! Not only that, but Paul uses the word “resurrection” to describe what happened to Jesus. Resurrection” meant that the body came back to life, not that the spirit lived on after death which is something most people believed anyway.

In Second Corinthians, Paul reminds his readers of the persecution he faced for preaching the gospel, including imprisonment, beatings and life-threatening danger like being stoned (with real stones)! Paul was so convinced of the resurrection that he staked his whole life on it! Many other early Christians staked their lives on the same conviction.

Finally, the resurrection of Jesus could be treated as a historical hypothesis; a hypothesis which explains a lot that is difficult to explain otherwise. For example:

The hypothesis of Jesus’ resurrection explains the conversion of Paul. By his own testimony Paul had violently opposed Christianity. How did this rabid opponent of Christianity became one of its most ardent promoters? Paul himself would say it was due to his conviction that Jesus had risen.

The hypothesis of Jesus’ resurrection explains the change in worship from the Sabbath to the first day of the week. Sabbath observance was so central to ancient Jewish identity that for Jewish Christians (The earliest Christians were all Jewish) to start worshiping on Sunday would be more shocking than if PETA started sacrificing puppies! It would demand an explanation. Belief that Jesus had risen on the first day of the week would explain the change.

This hypothesis also explains the continuation of the Jesus movement even after his death. Many Jews expected their Messiah to kick the Romans out of Judea. When the Romans crushed these Messiah wannabees their movements always died with them. Only in the case of Jesus did the movement continue after his death.

The hypothesis would also explain the worship of Jesus by early Christians who were fiercely monotheistic Jews!

We really haven’t even scratched the surface on this topic but evidence like this has convinced even highly skeptical scholars that Jesus’ earliest followers sincerely believed that he had risen from the dead. These skeptical scholars are quick to add, however, that we can be absolutely certain that Jesus did not rise from the dead because dead people just don’t come back to life. Some might say that their philosophical presuppositions (faith) outweigh historical considerations.

In the final analysis, nothing can be “proven” beyond all possible doubt. There is always a gap that can be crossed only by faith (this is also true in science). Those of us who have examined the evidence, however, and have experienced what we believe to be the grace and power of God in our lives, and the witness of the Spirit in our hearts, have no trouble proclaiming with Christians around the world that He is risen indeed!

Sex rights for children? The U.N thinks so.

Just when I think the United Nations couldn't possibly be any more corrupt and perverted, something like this happens. When will we stop funding that cesspool?

Trayvon Martin, George Zimmerman and the racist lynch mob

Isn't it interesting?  A black guy spouting racial slurs kills two white guys, and most people have never even heard of the case because it really didn't get much media attention. But a white guy kills a black buy--in what could have been self-defense for all we know--and the media fans the flames of racism ensuring that everyone in the country has at least one side of the story.

Not only that, but thousands turn out spurred on by professional racists like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton in what looked like an old fashioned lynch mob. Blinded by their own hatred, these people were not interested in justice. They weren't interested in the facts. They just wanted a lynching.

Then we have Hollywood types like Spike Lee and Rosanne Barr giving out phone numbers so vigilantes can take matters into their own hands! And, most disgusting of all, even President Obama eagerly adds fuel to the racial fire!

Don't get me wrong, if George Zimmerman killed Trayvon Martin in cold blood, then Zimmerman should get the death penalty. But in this country people are supposed to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. Unfortunately, so many on the Left are so blinded by their own racism they can't see straight.

I was at the mall play area yesterday with two of my little grandchildren. There they were, a little white boy, a little white girl, running around hand in hand playing with a little black girl and a little Asian girl--all totally oblivious to the fact that there was any difference between them at all. To them, they were just new friends playing and having a good time.

There they were. Four little children with more sense than so many adults in Hollywood, the media, and all of the thousands in that lynch mob.

President Obama--selling us out!

Sounds like our President is assuring the Russians that he will sell us out once he gets re-elected:

Obama told the outgoing Russian president that “this is my last election and after my election I’ll have more flexibility” regarding contentious missile defense talks with Moscow that have been underway for the past three years. 

A little later the article continues:

“If there was any doubt how dangerous Barack Obama would be for America’s security in a second term, the president put all uncertainty to rest today,” said the source, who closely tracks foreign policy matters. “The president just told us that he is itching to hand over America’s most secret missile defense data to a country that is arming Syria and fueling Iran’s Bushehr reactor—and he would do it today but for his re-election concerns. With no political constraints in a second term, who knows what Obama will do.” 

If secret agreements to sell us out isn't an impeachable offense, it certainly should be.

Paul Harvey: "If I were the Devil"

Amazing to think this was broadcast almost 50 years ago! Very prophetic (hat tip: Professor ed).

Gay marriage and polygamy

Recliner Commentaries once argued that if gay marriage became legal, it would open the doors to all kinds of other "alternative lifestyles" as well. A recent public opinion poll seems to support that argument:

A full 22 percent of the respondents say there is no legal justification for denying polygamy, based on the fact that legislation and judicial decisions have affirmed the validity of same-sex “marriage” for homosexuals.

Another 18.7 percent were uncertain.

 Further, 18 percent of the respondents said there was no moral justification for denying polygamy, and 14.5 percent were uncertain.

I could be wrong, but I seem to recall someone responding to Recliner Commentaries denying this would ever happen.

What few seem concerned about these new social experiments is the potential impact on the children who will be raised in these "alternative lifestyles."

Read the story here.

Global warming and global government

When the global warming hysteria was in full bloom, many of us thought the real motivation behind it was not so much science, as consolidation of world power into the hands of fewer and fewer elites.

An article in the Scientific American adds fuel to those suspicions. The article, appearing in Scientific American, is entitled "Effective world government will be needed to stave off climate catastrophe". It advocates "a new set of institutions" that "would have to be imbued with heavy-handed, transnational enforcement powers." The article then asks, "How do we create new institutions with enforcement powers way beyond the current mandate of the U.N.?"

Of course any such world governing powers would run roughshod over individual freedoms (think EPA on a world scale)! Does anyone thing Obama and the Democrats would do anything to protect us from this?

Censorship and objecting to a library book

I was just looking through a new book about library collection development and came across a standard form libraries often use (and have used for years!) when someone wants a book removed from the library. The form requires you to answer a series of questions before your objection will even be considered. For example,

The first question is, "Did you read and examine the entire Item?"  This is a very helpful question for librarians because if you answer "no" they can immediately dismiss your objection on the grounds that you did not read the entire book. They know, of course, that if you are strongly offended by something in chapter one, you probably will not continue to read the book (in fact, if you did finish the book, they could ask, if you were so offended why did you continue reading?).

The second question is, "What do you feel might be the result of using this item?"  This is also a very helpful question for librarians. No matter what you answer here, it can be disputed and turned against you. It gives librarians a basis on which to dispute your objection.

The third question is,  "For what age group would you recommend this item."  If you wouldn't recommend it for any age group, you can immediately be dismissed as one of those narrow-minded, intolerant, fundamentalist bigots.

The fourth question is, "Do you feel there is any value in this item?"  If you answer no, the librarian can always find some value to the book and use that to dispute your objection. If you answer yes, you have just made the librarian's case that the book has some redeeming value and should therefore be retained.

It is not until you get down to the fifth question that the form addresses the core of the issue: , "To what in the item do you object?" The questions before this just force you to jump through hoops in an effort 1) to discourage you from objecting, 2) to make you feel like your objection has been heard, or 3), to give librarians reason to dispute your objection.

You should not allow this to mislead you, however. The fact is that librarian has absolutely no intention of removing the item! To do so would--in her mind--constitute censorship which in the library world is a sin much worse than allowing children to view pornography on their computers! In fact, the librarian may even forward your objection to the American Library Association's Intellectual Freedom Committee where it can be recorded as a "censored book" and celebrated in their annual "Banned Books Week."

Why are gasoline prices so high?

Want to know the real reason you are paying so much at the gas pump? Read "The Rising Price of the Falling Dollar" by Charles Kadlec on Forbes. Excellent article. A good lesson in economics  (Hat tip: Professor ed.)

7.4 earthquake in Mexico

A 7.4 earthquake has hit south central Mexico destroying at least 60 homes. One piece of good news in this disaster is that President Obama's oldest daughter, Malia, (who is in the area with her school) is safe.

No, I'm not being sarcastic. While I strongly disagree with President Obama's ideology and policies, I would never wish any harm for him or his family.

Destruction of all churches in Arabia

An editorial in the Washington Times begins,

If the pope called for the destruction of all the mosques in Europe, the uproar would be cataclysmic. Pundits would lambaste the church, the White House would rush out a statement of deep concern, and rioters in the Middle East would kill each other in their grief. But when the most influential leader in the Muslim world issues a fatwa to destroy Christian churches, the silence is deafening 

Read the rest in the Washington Times.

Gay rights group sues U.S. Evangelist

Professor Ed, a long-time reader and contributor to Recliner Commentaries, brought my attention to a New York Times article entitled, Ugandan Gay Rights Group Sues U.S. Evangelist.  

Professor Ed writes, 

I until I came across this article, I was unaware of the ability of foreigners to sue US citizens in this fashion. Frankly, whether or not the accusations are true, I am DEEPLY CONCERNED at the long range implications of this development.

I agree. There are both Muslim and Gay Rights leaders who would love to use this to intimidate their opponents and shut down free speech in America. These leaders do not want tolerance (except for themselves) or free speech. They want to shut down all opposition.

"Thanks, Mr. President, but I need more" by Charen

Please take time to read Mona Charen's funny but "spot on" article entitled, "Thanks, Mr. President, but I need more."  (Hat tip: Professor ed.).

Director of Planned Parenthood arrested

Breaking News: The director of Planned Parenthood has apparently been arrested for exposing himself to another man in a baseball park.

The Planned Parenthood shakedown

See the Atlanta Journal Constitution for charges that Planned Parenthood is a "bully" shaking down the Susan G. Komen foundation for money.

Religious freedom for Indians but not Catholics

According to FoxNews,

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has taken the unusual step of issuing a permit allowing an American Indian tribe in Wyoming to kill two bald eagles for religious purposes.

So let me get this straight. The Obama administration will make exceptions (as they should) for the religious freedom of a relatively tiny group of Native Americans, but will not tolerate religious freedom for America's millions of Catholics?

"America's most biblically-hostile U.S. President

If you are a Christian or religious Jew, please, please read "America's most biblically hostile U.S. President"  before the next election! You may disagree with various points but the overall pattern seems pretty clear.  (hat tip: Don B.)

Just imagine what he could do if he didn't have to worry about re-election!

Providing aid to Syrian rebels

An article in Foreign Policy magazine says that the Obama administration is now moving to provide aid to Syrian rebels.

I'm confused. Wasn't one of the big attacks against George Bush the argument that the United States brought on Arab/Muslim hatred against us precisely because of our intervention in their internal affairs? Wasn't it Obama's own pastor who blamed us for 911, saying the chickens have come home to roost?

Boy set on fire because of his race.

The kids who did this should be locked safely away for the rest of their lives!

For decades we have treated racism as if it was a problem exclusively in the white community. Racism and hate are universal problems! And yes, I would be just as outraged this happened to someone who was black, Asian, Hispanic, American Indian or homosexual.  (Hat tip: Professor Ed).

What your kids are learning in secular colleges

If you read only one article this week, please read Dennis Prager's outstanding article about what students are learning in secular colleges and universities.

By they way, if you don't know what's wrong with these beliefs, you have been infected.

Sheriff Arpaio's investigation into Obama's birth certificate

Here is the conspiracy theory that just won't go away.

The Porcelain Unicorn

Film director Sir Ridley Scott established a contest for aspiring directors. Applications for the award had to contain less than six lines of narrative and had to be less than three minutes long. Here is the winner. (hat tip: Professor ed).

Cal Thomas: Is censorship the new pluralism?

Some good reading recommended by Professor ed.

Cal Thomas: Is censorship the new pluralism? 


Cal Thomas: Leave Afghanistan Now.


Rich Lowry: Iran's terrible rationality.

North Korea suspending uranium enrichment

I just got a USA Today Breaking News e-mail that said,

The United States says North Korea has agreed to suspend uranium enrichment and a moratorium on nuclear and long-range missile tests.

What great news! Almost as good as when the North Korean's promised President Clinton that his gift of U.S nuclear technology would only be used to meet their energy needs.

Koran burning in Afghanistan

Please take 30 seconds (or less) to read congressman Allen West's comments on the Koran burning in Afghanistan. I agree completely!  (Hat tip: Professor ed.)

"Is the IRS Attempting to Intimidate Local Tea Parties?"

» Is the IRS Attempting to Intimidate Local Tea Parties? - Big Government:

'via Blog this'

Romney, Obama and religious liberty

Romney hits the nail on the head with regard to religious liberty!

The real extreamists

I didn't catch the debates last night but it sounds like New Gingrich hit the ball out of the park when the candidates were asked which ones believed in birth control. Gingrich pointed out that when Barack Obama was running for President, not one question in the debates was asked about the fact that as a legislator, Obama actually voted to leave living babies (those who survived botched abortions) to die unattended in a stainless steal pan!

The media is trying to portray Republicans as extremists and yet it is actually Obama who is the real extremist.

As I understand it, CNN asked no questions about the rising oil prices or "Fast and Furious." Wonder why.

Racism and voter ID's

For a brilliant article (no, I'm not being sarcastic) on racism and requiring voters to show ID's, see "Holder vs. Racist ID cards" by Deroy Murdock.

See also "Dead voters prove the need for for photo ID at the polls"  and "Today we're going to vote like its 1899" by the same author.

It seems to me that Murdock demonstrates beyond any reasonable doubt that for many Democrats, voter ID is not about what's right, or what's good for the country, but about obtaining/maintaining Democrat power at all costs.

(hat tip: Professor ed).