Texas Protects Students From Secularists’ Harassment

Texas students will have greater freedom to express their religious views on school campuses under the Religious Viewpoint Anti-Discrimination Act, a measure signed into law by Gov. Rick Perry on June 8.

Under the new law, religious beliefs expressed in homework, artwork and other assignments are to be judged by traditional academic standards. Students can’t be penalized or rewarded because of the religious content of their work.

Supporters say the measure is needed to protect students from censorship and school districts from lawsuits. There are plenty of cases to illustrate the degree of religious discrimination that exists in America’s public schools.

Perry earned the respect of many Christian parents in April when he acknowledged at a news conference that teens’ religious speech was quashed at public school. The governor cited examples of students being prohibited from wishing troops overseas a “Merry Christmas” or told they couldn’t distribute religious bracelets at recess.

Along with granting students freedom of religious expression, the new law also requires schools to establish a “limited public forum” at all school events in which students speak. Of course, schools will have to develop a neutral method for selecting pupils to speak at school events and graduation ceremonies, and officials must provide a written or oral disclaimer that the student’s speech was not endorsed by the school district.

It all seems like a lot of unnecessary machinations just to extend a basic right that’s already guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. Still, Texas lawmakers should get a gold star for going the extra distance to make sure school is not a place where children are harassed by secularists who can’t respect Christian views.

Source:  www.centerformoralcalrity.net

A Joyful Noise Unto the Lord

What’s the difference between a baseball game and BattleCry, a passionate worship service for teens? Baseball fans attending a game in San Francisco can make as much noise as they want from the opening pitch to the last out of the game. When it comes to the joyful noise of teens worshiping, however, city officials prefer the sound of silence.

In anticipation of 22,000 teens gathering March 10 to reject pop culture and proclaim Christ as the leading influence in their lives, San Francisco authorities imposed a special noise restriction banning the use of sound systems before 10 a.m. and after 10 p.m. Although the event was scheduled to begin at 8 a.m., the attempt to stifle boisterous voices of youth praising God failed to discourage participants or derail the rally.

This was the second year Christian youths converged on San Francisco, but the city didn’t exactly roll out the red carpet. There was no official greeting from the mayor, who had been invited to welcome the youth to the city.

Thanks to management at a local radio station, KFAX 1100, a special morning worship service was broadcast from the BattleCry stage. This allowed participants and others to worship together despite the restriction on using the sound system at the stadium. Ron Luce, founder of TeenMania, which sponsored the massive two-day worship service, was justified in criticizing the last-minute ordinance. City officials, on the other hand, offered a lame defense of the restriction by pointing to complaints about early morning noise following the 2006 youth gathering. Christian residents of the city should be embarrassed about the less-than-hospitable reception for adolescent believers.

It’s hard enough to stand against peer pressure. Teens should not also have to endure disparate treatment from adults in positions of authority. The city’s mayor, Gavin Newsom, could have taken more leadership in making Christian visitors to his city feel welcome. Newsom is known for taking a stance. After all, he is the mayor who defied the state constitution in order to authorize same-sex marriages in San Francisco.

Of course, “faux” marriage is more popular politically than appeasing Christians. Keep in mind that last year the teens were treated so poorly in San Francisco that Newsom was prompted to issue a formal apology. The apology, though, didn’t exactly neutralize the resolution issued by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors condemning the youth rally for attempting to “negatively influence the politics of America’s most tolerant and progressive city.” It seems the folks in San Francisco are willing to tolerate everything, except Christianity.

The powers that be in San Francisco are probably hoping that Luce and his followers will be too discouraged to come back. Retreat would be the easy way out. The Center for Moral Clarity encourages youth affiliated with BattleCry to endure the hindrances and continue fighting for the soul of the next generation. Christianity’s war against the secular influences that are polluting American culture will only be won by standing strong in the daily battles to embrace God.

Source:  www.centerformoralclarity.net

While there is rejoicing, there is mourning

Word Press members, Internet users, Americans, and citizens of the world,

Today marks a very memorable moment in history.  As a chapter is closing on 2006, moments in history are being made.  Recently, we had the passing of several men.  Forgive me if I happen to not name them all. 

We had our 38th President of the United States of America, Gerald R. Ford, pass from this life to eternal life.  Today began the services for this great gentleman who brought healing to this nation.  Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Earlier today, we had the execution of another man, Saddam Hussein.  Although hated by many, despised by many others, I only had love towards him (especially in these final days) and have for his family.  I ask that in this time of “rejoicing” and healing for Iraq, that Christians from around the world pray and some may even share the Light and Love of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I only hope that Saddam had the privelege I had to ask God to forgive him and accept Jesus Christ into his life.

During this past week and slightly longer, we had the musician James Brown.  We had a couple of other gentlemen as well.  Again, our thoughts and prayers to those family members and again hopefully Christians will share the Light and Love of Jesus Christ.  While I am typing this on Saturday, today perhaps 140,000 people also stepped into eternity.

Word Press members, users of the Internet, Americans, and citizens of this world, I ask that we all realize that our physical life is not eternal.  A man once said that there are only two constants in this universe: death and taxes.  I cannot speak about taxes, but I will speak about death.  The Bible says in Hebrews 9:27 that it is appointed unto man once to die, and after this the judgement.  Whether we believe in this or not, it doesn’t matter.  We will all die and we will all face God. 

It is at this point that millions, perhaps even billions, are in err to their destination.  God will not bring out a scale and weigh the good versus the bad.  He will not see whether enough good deeds and intentions earned your way into Heaven.  No dollar amount can buy your way into Heaven.  I was speaking to a man this afternoon that the ONLY way to Heaven is to become born again.  Born again, forgiven of our sins only comes through Jesus Christ.  Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man shall come unto the Father except through Me.  My Muslim friends, you consider Jesus as a Prophet.  Yet a Prophet is one who does not tell a lie.  If Jesus was a Prophet, then He spoke truth when He made that statement that is recorded in John’s Gospel account in chapter 14 verse 6.  There is one way to Heaven.  The requirement is to become born again.  How do I do that?  1 John 1:8-10 says this, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves (meaning we lie to ourselves) and the truth (Jesus) is not in us.  But if we confess our sins (to Christ), He is faithful and just to forigve us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  If we say we have not sinned, we make God a liar and His word is not in us.”  There is only one mediator between God and man.  It is not the Pope, it is not a priest, it is not a tree, it is Jesus Christ.  I ask that each one of us consider our lives for a moment and consider exchanging it for the life Jesus Christ has to offer. 

Despite what false preachers say, Jesus does promise trials and tribulations…but He also promised peace, joy, love, and strength.  Why continue to settle for something that “tastes great but less filling” when you can have the One who can give you a forgiven life and life everlasting in Heaven.

I do not write this to praise myself or think myself better, but as one commanded by God to sound the trumpet as mentioned in the book of Ezekiel.

God bless America and God bless you all.  Good evening and good night.

Robert Williams
The Lamp

I will be silent no more! – Quote 2

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” — Martin Luther King, Jr.

I will be silent no more!

“I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation.” — Elie Wiesel