Johnzon, it seems clear from the comments of Jonah that he is focused on the differences in faith, not the differences in nationalities. You have conveniently turned his argument into a national bias against America.

Jonah, if you truly have knowledge of Islam, then you know about Holy Jihad. And in Western culture, where there is the freedom to practice religion in peace, a Holy Jihad is only understood as the further development of one's relationship with God. This is viewed as the non-violent personal or internal struggle.

ludwig123, Jesus loves all but hates sin. And sin would be condemned when Christ went to the cross. In this example of the adulterous woman, Christ's emphasis was on encouraging repentance, and not being quick to throw the stones. And we know that those who were accusing the woman were only trying to tempt Christ into sin. So they were trying to condemn Christ moreso than the woman.

jdavis115, it seems that there are an overwhelming number of articles which only focus on homosexuality, and do not include adultery and fornication. And there is also a great deal of false thinking that Christian rhetoric against homosexuality is condemning. Those who do not believe in Christ condemn themselves regardless of any improper sexual behavior. And some believers in Christ are ...more

jdavis115, it seems that there are an overwhelming number of articles which only focus on homosexuality, and do not include adultery and fornication.

And there is also a great deal of false thinking that Christian rhetoric against homosexuality is condemning.

Those who do not believe in Christ condemn themselves regardless of any improper sexual behavior.

And some believers in Christ are taught that it is ok to compromise the truth. They are certainly not condemned, but they are in need of the Holy Spirit and true guidance.less

clover001, we should remember that it is those who sought freedom from oppression, especially from religious oppression, that made the United States. Perhaps shipping the oppressed to the United States may be more accurate.

ziondaddy, in like manner we can say that Mr. Lamb had stopped obeying the truth and gospel of grace, but instead was "bewitched" by false thinking. And it is worse for Mr. Lamb to suggest that the false thinking came of his own heart and mind when he was supposedly filled with the Holy Spirit.

"Supporters of the Christian declaration are now fighting back with a petition of their own. As of Friday afternoon, over 37,000 people have signed the petition launched by the organizers of the Manhattan Declaration asking Apple to reinstate the app." 37,000 vs. 7700. Good counter response. But really the issue is not in the numbers but in the principle. Apple should not be in the business ...more

"Supporters of the Christian declaration are now fighting back with a petition of their own. As of Friday afternoon, over 37,000 people have signed the petition launched by the organizers of the Manhattan Declaration asking Apple to reinstate the app."

37,000 vs. 7700.

Good counter response. But really the issue is not in the numbers but in the principle. Apple should not be in the business of censoring material which is not a security risk to them or this country.

They should be concentrated on meeting the challenge from other "Smart phone" type makers who will be more than happy to be the "phone that can and does".


Joh 16:13 However, when He, the Spirit of Truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth. For He shall not speak of Himself, but whatever He hears, He shall speak. And He will announce to you things to come.less

"What’s offensive about it? One thing, and one thing only: It’s a thoroughly biblical view of sexual morality; it’s an uncompromising position that marriage is one man and one woman. Every assertion made in the Manhattan Declaration comes from the Bible. So how long before all of Apple’s Christian apps-or Islamic or Jewish apps-are banned for being offensive?: Very interesting. Once aga...more

"What’s offensive about it? One thing, and one thing only: It’s a thoroughly biblical view of sexual morality; it’s an uncompromising position that marriage is one man and one woman. Every assertion made in the Manhattan Declaration comes from the Bible. So how long before all of Apple’s Christian apps-or Islamic or Jewish apps-are banned for being offensive?:

Very interesting. Once again Mr. Colson is keeping us aware.

And this also means that any application which allows Apple users to read the Bible, Quran, or Torah would have to be removed. Aside of the Bible, these other books also include writings which oppose homosexuality, not to mention fornication and adultery.

Not very good publicity for a product that is being well challenged in the industry. Apple should work on improving application availability, not censoring.


Joh 16:13 However, when He, the Spirit of Truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth. For He shall not speak of Himself, but whatever He hears, He shall speak. And He will announce to you things to come.less

smbga, Christ already said this from the cross. But sometime there is a lose of hearing. Gal 3:1 O foolish Galatians, who bewitched you not to obey the truth, to whom before your eyes Jesus Christ was written among you crucified? Gal 3:2 This only I would learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law, or by hearing of faith? Gal 3:3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in t...more

smbga, Christ already said this from the cross. But sometime there is a lose of hearing.

Gal 3:1 O foolish Galatians, who bewitched you not to obey the truth, to whom before your eyes Jesus Christ was written among you crucified?
Gal 3:2 This only I would learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law, or by hearing of faith?
Gal 3:3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, do you now perfect yourself in the flesh?less

"On its website, host group Justice in Iraq states, “We must challenge the Obama Administration to support and protect ALL indigenous people – Assyrian Christians, Mandaeans and Yazidis – in Iraq.” If we are to say that radical extremist Muslims are responsible for this violence, then we must say that the conservative peaceful Muslims must intervene. This is a struggle of faiths, not na...more

"On its website, host group Justice in Iraq states, “We must challenge the Obama Administration to support and protect ALL indigenous people – Assyrian Christians, Mandaeans and Yazidis – in Iraq.”

If we are to say that radical extremist Muslims are responsible for this violence, then we must say that the conservative peaceful Muslims must intervene. This is a struggle of faiths, not nationalities.

Joh 16:13 However, when He, the Spirit of Truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth. For He shall not speak of Himself, but whatever He hears, He shall speak. And He will announce to you things to come.less

revschnorrtocks You have used the following quote twice... "Judge Jones: '"It is ironic that several of these individuals, who so staunchly and proudly touted their religious convictions in public, would time and again lie ..." Not sure how you are trying to apply this quote to this article, especially when it is not even a quote from Judge Walker himself. But the following is one of the most...more

revschnorrtocks
You have used the following quote twice...
"Judge Jones: '"It is ironic that several of these individuals, who so staunchly and proudly touted their religious convictions in public, would time and again lie ..."

Not sure how you are trying to apply this quote to this article, especially when it is not even a quote from Judge Walker himself. But the following is one of the most obvious signs that Judge Walker has well overstepped his judicial boundaries.....

"The judge found as fact that “Religious beliefs that gay and lesbian relationships are sinful or inferior to heterosexual relationships harm gays and lesbians.”

This is a judgement against God, and the majority in California who support the Proposition.
Lev 18:22 You shall not lie with mankind as with womankind. It is abomination to God.
Lev 18:23 And you shall not lie with any animal to defile yourself with it. And a woman shall not stand before an animal to lie down to it. It is a perversion.
Lev 18:24 Do not defile yourselves in any of these things. For in all these the nations are defiled, which I cast out before you.
Lev 18:25 And the land is defiled. Therefore I visit its wickedness on it, and the land itself vomits out those who live in it.

And....
Rom 1:25 For they changed the truth of God into a lie, and they worshiped and served the created thing more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
Rom 1:26 For this cause, God gave them up to dishonorable affections. For even their women changed the natural use into that which is against nature.
Rom 1:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust toward one another; males with males working out shamefulness, and receiving in themselves the recompense which was fitting for their error.

The Judge has ignored the fact that Christ did not come to condemn, but to save. And likewise, true Christians do not condemn. The non-believer is self-condemning.less

"The judge sided with Awad and his explanation that Sharia law is "not actually 'law' but is religious traditions that provide guidance to plaintiff and other Muslims regarding the exercise of their faith." Given this statement alone, The Ten Commandments must also be considered using the same reasoning. Then, for example, Christians could legally present an argument before their employers d...more

"The judge sided with Awad and his explanation that Sharia law is "not actually 'law' but is religious traditions that provide guidance to plaintiff and other Muslims regarding the exercise of their faith."

Given this statement alone, The Ten Commandments must also be considered using the same reasoning.

Then, for example, Christians could legally present an argument before their employers defending religious rights to recognize the Sabbath. Employers would not be able to discriminate against this.

And since the courts would have to remain secular, this would not be an endorsement of any faith, but the recognition of the right for a faith to be practiced in one's life even if this crosses into the secular world.

It is clear in the Bible that we are to live under one law. The same for the foreigner as for the native. This is not a mistreatment of any culture, but instead this brings honor to God.less

The leadership of both Parties is responsible. It's time to send another message. This time Christians need to consider a third Party. Perhaps Rick Warren could lead the way.

steveh20, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob did not establish a covenant of circumcision with the woman, only the man. But we also need to consider that female circumcision may be used to control sexual desires. And the bible does say that we should cut off any part of the body which is an offense to us. It is better to lose a body part than to lose one's soul. Otherwise, if circumcisi...more

steveh20, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob did not establish a covenant of circumcision with the woman, only the man.

But we also need to consider that female circumcision may be used to control sexual desires.

And the bible does say that we should cut off any part of the body which is an offense to us. It is better to lose a body part than to lose one's soul.

Otherwise, if circumcision is performed on a woman for any other reason, then it is unlawful.less

"In Western nations, the concept of marriage as a sacred covenant has given way to the idea that marriage is merely a legal contract." The legal contract is Life, Liberty, and the never-ending pursuit of happiness. The sacred covenant works as follows.... Eph 5:28 So men ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. Eph 5:29 For no man ever yet hate...more

"In Western nations, the concept of marriage as a sacred covenant has given way to the idea that marriage is merely a legal contract."

The legal contract is Life, Liberty, and the never-ending pursuit of happiness.

The sacred covenant works as follows....
Eph 5:28 So men ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.
Eph 5:29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord loves the church.less

steveh20 You have commented..... "But seriously, one mans religious freedom is another mans barbarism, after all its religious freedom for some to can cut the pieces off young girls genitalia, so who decides which is which?" Appearently you are referring to the difference between being obediant to God, or choosing to follow the secular views of man. If we use the example of male circumcisi...more

steveh20
You have commented.....
"But seriously, one mans religious freedom is another mans barbarism, after all its religious freedom for some to can cut the pieces off young girls genitalia, so who decides which is which?"

Appearently you are referring to the difference between being obediant to God, or choosing to follow the secular views of man.

If we use the example of male circumcision that was originally given to Israel by God, we could understand that secular man might consider this to be a barbaric practice.

Otherwise, if an Israelite regarded circumcision as a barbaric practice, then they would not have been accepting the covenant terms with God. This would be regarded as disobediance to God.less

rlbaty, from reading over the information you have provided in your comments, it seems that Congress learned that a court decison was about to be made that would have reinforced a negative tax policy on the religious community. And perhaps Congress did not anticipate the decision the court was about to make. And perhaps Rick Warren used some contacts he has with Congressional members to make th...more

rlbaty, from reading over the information you have provided in your comments, it seems that Congress learned that a court decison was about to be made that would have reinforced a negative tax policy on the religious community.

And perhaps Congress did not anticipate the decision the court was about to make. And perhaps Rick Warren used some contacts he has with Congressional members to make them aware of this case.

If only the rest of us had such communication with our own Senators and Representatives to have such influence.

It is more likely that the timeliness of this one court case had more power than the parties represented in the case.

It seems reasonable that Chemerinsky was not pleased. But it is not the courts who should have such influence over Congress and the President, but just the reverse.less

"But that’s not what’s happening. Instead, the administration seems to be shying away from freedom of religion. Whether by accident or in a deliberate attempt to appease the likes of China and the Islamic world, it prefers instead to talk about “freedom of worship.” And as I’ve said before, “freedom of worship”-the ability to pray as you like in private-is a far cry from freedom of r...more

"But that’s not what’s happening. Instead, the administration seems to be shying away from freedom of religion. Whether by accident or in a deliberate attempt to appease the likes of China and the Islamic world, it prefers instead to talk about “freedom of worship.” And as I’ve said before, “freedom of worship”-the ability to pray as you like in private-is a far cry from freedom of religion, the freedom to live out your faith in all areas of life."

Or perhaps we should say...."the freedom to live out your faith in most areas of life."
We are not a Theocracy; therefore there is discretion under Caesar.

Thank you, Mr. Colson, for another challenging article.

The Obama administration will end in 2012. And Christians also need to be watchful that the Democratic Party does not regain control of the House because of the likes of Nancy Pelosi, and others like her.

But this does not automatically mean another Republican in the White House. Christians need to be seriously considering a third Party candidate.


Joh 16:13 However, when He, the Spirit of Truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth. For He shall not speak of Himself, but whatever He hears, He shall speak. And He will announce to you things to come.less

rlbaty, regardless of the numbers and financial resources, the Freedom From Religion Foundation has become a very dangerous activist group; influencing the removal of traditional religious practices (prayer) from secular events. The Nation, a Liberal biased publication, is only trying to force Rick Warren into identifying with the Conservatives. If Rick Warren truly had the power to influence o...more

rlbaty, regardless of the numbers and financial resources, the Freedom From Religion Foundation has become a very dangerous activist group; influencing the removal of traditional religious practices (prayer) from secular events.

The Nation, a Liberal biased publication, is only trying to force Rick Warren into identifying with the Conservatives. If Rick Warren truly had the power to influence our Government as The Nation suggests, there would be no need for Christians to be concerned with activist groups like the FFRF.less

"The upcoming civil forum at Saddleback is the seventh of its kind. Previous forums have focused on orphans and adoption, the persecuted church, global health and the presidency where then presumed Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and presumed Republican presidential candidate John McCain were interviewed." Rick Warren seems to be a bit of a maverick with the Southern Baptist Conv...more

"The upcoming civil forum at Saddleback is the seventh of its kind. Previous forums have focused on orphans and adoption, the persecuted church, global health and the presidency where then presumed Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and presumed Republican presidential candidate John McCain were interviewed."

Rick Warren seems to be a bit of a maverick with the Southern Baptist Convention, and he has managed to remain neutral with regards to supporting a specific political Party. This makes him the right Christian leader to do this interview.

It will be interesting to see if Rick Warren gives attention to the Tea Party (or any other third Party) as we approach the 2012 elections. On a more religious note, a forum with the Pope would also be interesting.

We are to pray for all of our leaders. Not just Democrats and Republicans. Christians need to return to a more peculiar identity.


Deu 14:1 You are the sons of Jehovah your God. You shall not cut yourselves nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead.
Deu 14:2 For you are a holy people to Jehovah your God, and Jehovah has chosen you to be a peculiar people to Himself, above all the nations that are on the earth.
Deu 14:3 You shall not eat any hateful thing.less