EVANGELICALS’ PRAYER FOR THE NEXT POPE

J. Grant Swank, Jr.

Evangelical Protestants pray that the next pope will be in their biblical corner.

First, they pray he will be the defender of womb babies. In being that defender, he will forcefully speak out against those who murder infants in females’ bodies. And he will state such forthrightly, in no uncertain terms, just as Pope John Paul II held such convictions.

Second, evangelicals pray that the next pope will defend the culture of life by opposing euthanasia. That oft soft-pedaled issue cannot afford to be sidelined by both evangelical Protestants and the Vatican; therefore, it is prayed that the next Roman Catholic spiritual leader will put that matter front and center, especially with the secular world becoming more enamored with euthanasia.

Third, biblical Protestants pray that he will hold the biblical line regarding practicing homosexuality. While mainline denominations such as the Episcopal Church of America, United Church of Christ (Congregational) and Evangelical Lutheran Church of America ("evangelical" in that title having lost its biblical definition) have gone apostate in baptizing practicing homosexual lifestyles as blessed by the divine, evangelicals continue to hold to the scriptural truth. They need a companion voice in the next pope.

Fourth, evangelicals are seeking fellowship with a pope who disciplines the theologically liberal professors and writers within the Roman Catholic Church. Too many have sided with theologically liberal authors and professors within Protestantism, considering it posh to quote many of these writers as if doing same is ecumenical. Theological liberalism has torn apart the Christian witness within Protestantism. It has ruined seminaries and seminary students. It has slain the Christian testimony in one pulpit after another.

Fifth, biblical believers pray that the next pope will define New Age for what it is — anathema to Christian truth. There are scores of Catholics — both laity and clergy — who have traded in the biblical postulates for a feel-good New Age philosophy. That heresy discounts the biblical warnings concerning sin, Satan, hell and accountability at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Evangelicals still hold to these basics. They pray that the next pope likewise will give support to the fundamentals while exposing the lie of New Age religion.

Sixth, evangelicals pray that the next pope will regard the evangelical witness within Protestantism as friend and not foe. At times Pope John Paul II referred to "evangelicals" as if they were the enemy. They really are not the enemy in working together with devout Roman Catholics. Instead, they are fellowship friends to devout Roman Catholics, especially at the grassroots level. Therefore, it is hoped that the next pope will build more bridges to evangelical Protestantism.

Seventh, evangelicals understand the stark, real threat of Islam. They have studied its tenets. They know its basic dogmas related to the Koran and Allah. They are not naïve to the Muslim practices and teachings. In fact, they are hard at work in educating their congregations concerning the bald truths of Islam. Therefore, evangelicals need a partner in the next pope in exposing the horrific teachings and practices of zealot Muslims, such as "honor killing," slaying all infidels (that is, non-Muslims), hatred toward Jews who are referred to as "Jew-pigs" by Muslim global murderers, and so forth.

The evangelicals are most attuned to the present deliberations of cardinals in Rome. They are not ignorant as to what is going on and as to the consequences of the next pope’s presence. Therefore, they pray for the next pope to be friend to evangelicals’ biblical allegiance.

For more: http://conservativeposts.us/ <http://conservativeposts.us/>

MUSLIMS: MORE HONOR KILLING

J. Grant Swank, Jr.

Who killed her? Her brother is accused of slaying her.

Why did he kill her? If it is proven that he did in fact kill her, it would be to see through the Muslim custom of doing away with a female who has brought dishonor to the household. It’s known as "honor killing."

Males do away with females who defame the family. They shoot them. They slice their throats. One way or another, the offending female must be put out.

And all this happened where? In Amsterdam.

It happens elsewhere around the globe wherever there are those who follow Allah’s dictate to get rid of women who are considered less worthy than house pets. These males who look down on their women consider them females under a demonic curse from conception.

The males actually believe that these women are ten exposures of the genitals. When and if the female marries, her husband expunges one of the curses. But nine still remain.

Therefore, obviously the female hardly stands a chance for surviving an entire normal expectant lifetime.

Somewhere along the years she is bound to defame the family, even though she is covered with fabric from head to toe. Nevertheless, if she does not in fact offend, a male may have an illusion that she offends. Whatever — she is done away with.

Sometimes when this occurs, the male then may cling to the slain female for he has been torn between murdering her and still loving her as sister or niece or whomever. It’s all insane and yet it goes on according to Islamic custom. Most of the time in Muslim cultures it does not make the press. It’s a murder hidden, even from neighbors, that is, unless Muslim neighbors agree that the woman deserved the killing.

Some Muslims oppose such reporting as this for they claim that it does not exist. These Muslims who claim that honor killing does not exist are sheltered Muslims. There are those who are sheltered from the horrific truth of their own religion. Nevertheless, sheltered or not, honor killing has existed. Honor killing still exists. Sometimes it is reported in the Muslim media; other times it is not reported. Reported or not, it goes on.

In Amsterdam, "An Iraqi-Kurdish man, 21, is suspected of murdering his sister, 18, to protect the honour of the family, a court in Arnhem heard on Friday.

"During a pre-trial hearing, the presiding judge indicated the court wanted to question the victim's foster mother and aunt to establish if the killing was ordered by her family in Iraq."

Now another female is in fear. That is the foster mother. She has gone into hiding for fear that her clan in Iraq may seek her death. The crazy situation spreads. This is not the only case in which the spread has occurred.

"The foster mother is in hiding because she fears the family in Iraq wants to punish her for giving the victim too much freedom.

"The victim was a non-practicing Muslim and had a child in 2004 by her non-Muslim boyfriend. She was killed 15 days after the birth of the baby.

"Her brother had allegedly regularly threatened the victim, and she had made a complaint to police in November 2004, shortly before her death," according to Expatica News.

McCAIN EGO OUT OF JOINT: ANTI-REPUBLICAN, PRO-FILIBUSTER

J. Grant Swank, Jr.

I wonder sometimes if Senator John McCain is salivating for presidential power just a bit too much. It’s shown before; it’s showing again.

Then again, when McCain gets out of the press limelight for a short time, he hankers for media center stage once more. Therefore, he goes off half-bent. It’s that time for bend-out time this week for the Arizona Senator.

Filibuster.

That’s the latest issue in the Senate. It’s hot time in the Congressional house tonight. Therefore, McCain sees his chance to stir the pot a bit. So he’s angering Republicans by saying he’s just not going to support anti-filibuster Republicans. And with that, Dems are running to McCain’s Amen corner.

Come on, McCain. America just doesn’t need your confusing mode. In fact, America really doesn’t need you, particularly with all the preening you’ve got in recent times for prospectus Presidential candidate come 2008.

According to The Washington Times’ Charles Hurt, “McCain irks Republicans over anti-filibuster option.

“Sen. John McCain has once again enraged Republicans by publicly opposing Majority Leader Bill Frist's plan to employ the so-called nuclear option for ending the filibusters against President Bush's judicial nominees.

“Conservatives responded yesterday by coordinating a three-pronged attack on the Arizona Republican aiming to either flip him or kill any hope he may have of running for president again in 2008.”

Good.

Let the Arizona fellow know that he can’t push the entire Republican Party around and get by with it. He’s as accountable for his egocentric antics as anyone else. Give it to him, loyal Republicans. And never let him forget it. In other words, it’s time to humble McCain and make it stick.

"’He will have no presidential hopes if he pursues this course,’ said Manuel Miranda, a former Frist staffer who now chairs the National Coalition to End Judicial Filibusters. ‘This very well may be the first primary campaign between Bill Frist and John McCain.’"

I for one vote for that!

"’If Senator McCain refuses to stand up for fairness, it will damage his carefully crafted image and whatever aspirations he might have,’ said Marshall Manson with the Center for Individual Freedom, one of the groups in Mr. Miranda's coalition. ‘The people who care about this issue are watching carefully, and they have long memories.’"

Stay tuned.

HOMO EPISCOPAL BISHOP GROWS SEVERAL EVIL HEADS

J. Grant Swank, Jr.

Did not Jesus say that when the house was vacated, if the Holy Spirit did not enter, the demons would return to take over the dwelling many times over?

Yes, it’s true. Now that the New Hampshire Episcopal Bishop V. Gene Robinson has let the world know of his apostasy, he proceeds to grow more demonic heads. They will continue growing until he repents according to Scripture, refuses his practicing homosexual lifestyle and adopts celibacy in a broken heart before the cross of Christ.

Until then, Robinson will proceed to spread evil. It’s the way the demons work when set loose in an empty cavernous soul given over to the powers of darkness. Therefore, it is not surprising to read according to The Washington Time’s Jon Ward that Robinson now champions killing womb babies via Planned Parenthood.

Killing off biblical morality was Robinson’s chief agenda in slaying churchly truth. Now he’s taken up the bloody banner of killing off infants inside female bodies. Killing breeds killing. It’s all there within the pharisaical pronouncements of the New Testament record. Nothing has changed according to the demonic agenda, regardless of the era.

"Planned Parenthood should target ‘people of faith’ to promote abortion rights and comprehensive sex education, the Episcopal Church's first openly homosexual bishop told a gathering in the District yesterday.

"’In this last election we see what the ultimate result of divorce from communities of faith will do to us,’ New Hampshire Bishop V. Gene Robinson said during Planned Parenthood's fifth annual prayer breakfast.

"’Our defense against religious people has to be a religious defense. ... We must use people of faith to counter the faith-based arguments against us,’ he said."

The New Testament prophesied that in the End Times there would be those who speak the voice of the dragon while sprouting the horns of the lamb. In other words, they would appear lamb-like in following the Good Shepherd but when they open their mouths they speak the doctrines of the demonic. These are the false prophets of our time.

"’We have allowed the Bible to be taken hostage, and it is being wielded by folks who would use it to hit us over the head. We have to take back those Scriptures,’ he said. ‘You know, those stories are our stories. I tell this to lesbian folk all the time: The story of freedom in Exodus is our story. ... That's my story, and they can't have it.

"’This current administration notwithstanding, the world is not black and white. We need to teach people about nuance, about holding things in tension, that this can be true and that can be true, and somewhere between is the right answer. It's a very adult way of living, you know.

"’What an unimaginative God it would be if God only put one meaning in any verse of Scripture,’ he said."

With that, Robinson continues to damn his soul by blaspheming, particularly quoting Scripture misused, twisted, and maligned in order to spread evil.

Those who are genuinely Christians must pray in intercession for Robinson and his ilk for Jesus has commissioned us to pray for our enemies, particularly our spiritual foes. They have souls.

We are dwelling in the Light of Truth, according to Jesus; therefore, though these enemies are distasteful to our moral senses, we are to intercede for them.

However, if they have become reprobate, a state known only to the Holy Spirit, then they have no chance of knowing saving grace. Nevertheless, because genuine Christians know not whether they have moved into that state, they are to be prayed for.

Robinson, in his arrogance and stubbornness of spirit, continues to give forth the ungospel. Therefore, he will answer at the Judgment Seat of Christ as well as all those who applaud him. These are vile days in which the demons are rampant throughout the global church — all three segments: Roman Catholicism, Protestantism and Orthodoxy. No branch is without sin. All then must be brought before heaven’s court in order to seek the reviving, cleansing Spirit of God.

Those who are true to the Word must remain true in the faith, never compromising. To see the likes of Robinson should strike fear in every believer lest we too lose our footing.

Paul wrote that every Christian must be vigilant lest that believer lose out as well. Therefore, we must take stock of our loyalty to Christ to make certain that we are perfectly surrendered to the way of the cross as set forth in the Word.

"Mr. Robinson left his wife and two young daughters in 1986 and moved in with another man. He was elected bishop by state and clergy delegates in June 2003 and affirmed by the national convention two months later.

"Abortion, he said yesterday, is ‘not just a matter between a woman and her body. This is not like removing a mole. On the other hand, no one should interfere with a woman's right to choose.’"

Evil, when getting big headed, then grows several heads. It’s the way of the demons.

TRIBULATION PRESSES CHINESE CHRISTIANS

J. Grant Swank, Jr.

According to New York Times’ Nicholas D. Kristof, Christians worship freely in some places in China. In other places they are terribly persecuted.

Reporting from Zhongxiang, Kristof gives a real-life account: "She never broke when she was tortured with beatings and electrical shocks, and even when she was close to death she refused to disclose the names of members of her congregation or sign a statement renouncing her Christian faith.

"But now, months later, Ma Yuqin abruptly chokes and her eyes well with tears as she recounts her worst memory: As she was being battered in one room, her son was tortured in the next so that each could hear the other's screams, as encouragement to betray their church.

"’They wanted me to hear his cries,’ she said, sobbing. ‘It broke my heart.’

"Ms. Ma, a steel-willed woman of 54, was brave enough to tell her story of the persecution that Christians sometimes still face in China. Dozens of members of her church are still imprisoned, and those free are under tight scrutiny, but several church members dared to meet me for a tense interview after we all sneaked one by one into an unwatched farmhouse near Zhongxiang, a city in central China, 650 miles south of Beijing."

Note that this data is from The New York Times and not an evangelical publication.

Granted: there is the modern China. But there is also the "police state China." The latter is out to hurt and extinguish Christians from the country. The happy face China image of Bibles sold in the marketplace is one scene. But the damaged and crippled bodies of believers elsewhere is just as much a part of present-day China.

It was to that segment that US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice spoke on her recent Asian tour. I am sure that as Secretary of State of this powerful nation, America, she is privy to specifics that the usual citizen cannot lay eyes on. I then would trust her judgment concerning freedom in China or lack of freedom in China, particularly freedom to worship.

The New York Times reports continues: "Secret Communist Party documents say approvingly that 60,000 Chinese were killed, either executed or shot by police while fleeing, between 1998 and 2001. That amounts to 15,000 a year, which suggests that 97 percent of the world's executions take place in China. And it's well documented that scores of Christians . . . have died in police custody."

In other words, China is not as open to Christian worship as some have been led to believe.

According to the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church
(http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_pers.htm), China has "the two state-sanctioned churches (Catholic Patriotic Assoc., Protestant Three-Self Patriotic Movement) (which) are tightly controlled by the Religious Affairs Bureau of the Chinese government. Members of unregistered house churches are being prosecuted. Hundreds of Chinese Christians are in ‘re-education through labor’ camps."

Of course, a "regular citizen" would not be privy to the "re-education labor camps."

Therefore, it would be easy for him to conclude that there are none. And surely the government is not going to advertise that they exist. The ordinary citizen may not know that they exist; but if he or she does, that person would not likely make that a topic of conversation. So it is that the persecuted Christians continue to be harmed and slain while life appears to continue "per usual" in many parts of China, thus the deception regarding freedom of religion in that country.

For further detail, I recommend anyone checking out this web site: http://directory.google.com/Top/Society/Religion_and_Spirituality/Christianity/Issues/Persecution/.

In other words, to find documentation regarding ongoing present-tense persecution against Christians in China, all one has to do is go to the Internet to discover volumes supporting the reality that widespread torture, maiming and killing of Christians is taking place as I type.

For more: http://conservativeposts.us/ <http://conservativeposts.us/>

SO AMERICA’S FOUNDERS WEREN’T CHRISTIAN, EH?

J. Grant Swank, Jr.

President George Washington wrote a prayer addressed to "O most glorious God, in Jesus Christ" and ended it with this: "Let me live according to those holy rules which thou hast this day prescribed in Thy Holy Word. Direct me to the true object, Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth and the Life. Bless O Lord all the people of this land."

President Thomas Jefferson: "God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis — a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that His justice cannot sleep forever."

President James Madison: "Religion is the basis and foundation of government. We have staked the whole future of American civilization not upon the power of government, far from it. We have staked the future of all of our political institutions upon the capacity of mankind for self-government; upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God."

President Andrew Jackson: "I nightly offer up my prayers to the throne of grace for the health and safety of you all, and that we ought all to rely with confidence on the promise of our dear Redeemer, and give Him our hearts. This is all He requires and all that we can do, and if we sincerely do this, we are sure of salvation through His atonement."

Patrick Henry: "It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not religionists, but by Christians, not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, property, and freedom of worship here."

President Abraham Lincoln: "The ways of God are mysterious and profound beyond all comprehension. ‘Who by searching can find Him out?’ God only knows the issue of this business. He has destroyed nations from the map of history for their sins. Nevertheless, my hopes prevail generally above my fears for our Republic. The times are dark, the spirits of ruin are abroad in all their power, and the mercy of God alone can save us."

President Grover Cleveland: "All must admit that the reception of the teachings of Christ results in the purist patriotism, in the most scrupulous fidelity to public trust, and in the best type of citizenship."

President Woodrow Wilson: "America was born a Christian nation. America was born to exemplify that devotion to the elements of righteousness which are derived from the revelations of the Holy Scriptures."

President Dwight Eisenhower: "Without God, there could be no American form of government, nor an American way of life. Recognition of the Supreme Begin is the first — the most basic — expression of Americanism. Thus, the founding fathers of America saw it, and thus With God’s help, it will continue to be."

For more: http://conservativeposts.us/ <http://conservativeposts.us/>

A CHRISTIAN WITNESS AT ABORTION CLINICS

J. Grant Swank, Jr.

Olympic bomber Eric Rudolph is calling for more violence against abortion clinics. It's time then for Christians to understand what truly is the believers' tack on such baby killing facilities.

There are those claiming to be Christian who put bullets into doctors working at abortion clinics.

There are those who claim to be followers of Jesus who burn down clinics.

There are those who carry the banner of the Cross and scream at women going into abortion centers.

None of this is Christian. This is not the example that Jesus set.

The only time that Jesus "got physical" occurred in the house of His own religion. He turned over the money tables and sent doves flying because the place of prayer had been turned into a place of cheating.

Yet when Jesus left the sanctuary for the marketplace, He refused to knock into anything with fist or raised arm.

Even when His cousin, John the Baptist, was beheaded for scolding Herod for sleeping with a woman not his wife, Jesus did not stage a revolution of armed might. Instead He went into the next village to heal the sick.

Why did Jesus act this way? Because He would never have underwritten violence as a mode for building His kingdom. His weaponry was truth in love. Period.

Jesus knew that judgment would come from heaven upon those doing evil. In the meantime, He would leave the vengeance with heaven while continuing His mission of compassion.

This is the approach on mission stations globally. Missionaries would never think of burning down another religion's temple or putting a bullet into the devotees of another teaching.

Christian missionaries, working against awesome odds, go forth with truth in love. They win converts to Christianity by godly example and compassion.

How can those who represent Christ in America do anything other than what their counterparts are doing around the world? It is the same gospel, the same Cross, the same message.

Some within the pro-life movement are condoning violence. They work up the emotions to take vengeance into their own hands. They encourage one another to let loose with more hurt and maiming.

Of course, they conclude that this is right, since killing is going on in the abortion clinics. Yet two wrongs do not make a right. Jesus never confronted violence with more violence. He confronted violence--even His own death on the Cross-with truth in love.

Other pro-lifers conclude that truth in love is not combative enough, strong enough, forceful enough. In so thinking, they are playing the part of God.

Let God be God! Let Him bring the condemnation. Let Him see through his eternal vengeance. His way is far superior to any human, carnal battling. All that Christians are called to do is love our enemies, do good to those who would malign us, and pray for those who despitefully use us (see Matthew 5:44).

Wimpy? Try it! It takes all the strength you can muster. It is far more courageous than simply walloping the foe in the teeth.

How can antiabortionists express their opinions outside abortion clinics?

They can stand in prayer. They can sing forth the songs of deliverance. They can hold signs of light, life and love.

They can invite dialog with those entering the clinics.They can distribute literature.

Is this all? This is enough. Let the power of God settle upon such a witness. Let God carry the heavier weight of the cause. Let eternity honor your efforts.

When Christians act like Christ, then they can truthfully label themselves "Christians." However, when people who call themselves "Christians" act in any un-Christlike manner, they forfeit the title.

For more: http://conservativeposts.us/ <http://conservativeposts.us/>

MASS CIRCUMCISIONS: WILL THE WORLD GROW UP?

J. Grant Swank, Jr.

It’s true.

Thousands of Moroccans were circumcised all at one time. Why? To show their allegiance to the two-year old prince who likewise was circumcised.

So it goes with rituals here and there. Here it’s in Morocco, according to AP reports from Rabat.

King Mohammed VI’s son was circumcised yesterday. Therefore, thousands of males throughout the nation also "went through the procedure in a massive show of solidarity for the prince."

Moulay Hassan, the king’s offspring, was circumcised, such marking "the start of three days of nationwide celebrations across the north African kingdom to honor the event."

With that, more than 5,000 boys went through the same in Morocco’s metropolis, Casablanca. Outlying cities and villages witnessed even more boys undergoing the procedure.

It used to be seen through by barbers. Today, so the reports go, there are doctors overseeing the circumcisions.

For more: http://conservativeposts.us/ <http://conservativeposts.us/>

UKRAINE CREATING ‘A NEW SOCIAL MORALITY, A NEW ETHIC’ : NEW ECONOMICS MINISTER

J. Grant Swank, Jr.

"When we came to office, we discovered that all public life in Ukraine had been corrupted. The very first thing we felt we had to do was change the country's mentality," said Sergey Teryokhin, Ukraine's new economics minister, according to The Washington Times’ David R. Sands.

"We now have a new social morality, a new ethic, a new attitude toward the way business policy should be conducted," he continued.

Ukraine’s citizens henceforth will be living under a democracy in the making. It will take time. It will take patience. However, its leadership is intent on throwing off Russian ties in favor of a more American imprint. The Ukraine is even applying for membership in NATO.

Pro-Western President Viktor Yushchenko met recently with United States President George W. Bush, the two welding more securely their relationships for freedom’s sake. The new Ukrainian President is most enthusiastic about his country’s future. The people there have not experienced the kind of liberties that the new President envisions. Mr. Bush helped put in perspective for him the fundamentals of a free government.

Ukrainians now have hopes that are "soaring" for future generations, according to The Washington Times report.

The challenge is for the new President to see through changes within his officialdom. Many of those still in office were under the old politic. Therefore, they must be trained in new thinking — democracy thinking. They must be coached in freedom building. It is hoped that upcoming elections in April 2006 will substitute the old guard with truly dedicated civil servants favoring a democracy realized.

"Corruption was so entrenched under former President Leonid Kuchma," Mr. Teryokhin said, that even basic economic data and statistics compiled by his department were changed for political purposes.

"It was absolutely stupid," he said.

Hopefully, the grassroots will get hold of the same vision as the newly elected President. With that kind of alliance, the Ukrainians can in time come to sense the new politic in their favor. It will take educating the public as well as electing persons in league with the President’s democracy program.

Mr. Bush has already provided "economic ties to Ukraine and is backing its bid to join the World Trade Organization" by the close of 2005. It is expected that the US Commerce Department will pronounce the Ukraine as a "full-fledged market economy, easing trade and investment restrictions.

"Ukraine also hopes to apply for funding from the new Millennium Challenge Corp., set up by Mr. Bush to reward developing countries that institute pro-market, anti-corruption policies."

The Ukraine is now experiencing a face-lift in the process of establishing a democracy. They were once put in the same category as China and Russia. No more.

It is President Bush who has been mentoring such governments in search of genuine democracy. Mr. Bush, in both his first and second terms, has as his top priority the dualism of protecting America from killers international while planting liberties in nations that heretofore had no chance for that kind of lifestyle.

Though the American Democratic Party has given no encouragement to the President, themselves thwarting the very freedoms they enjoy daily, the President continues to continue. Though certain democracies in Europe have worked tirelessly to do little or nothing to evangelize other nations with democracy, Mr. Bush has stayed true to his vision.

Last November’s Red States provided Mr. Bush with the mandate to remain convinced of his convictions for political change in nations heretofore governed by dictators. This is especially unusual in that powerful nations in the past have used their might to subdue other nations. Instead, America uses its power to liberate other nations.

Though the liberal press gives scant attention to this revolutionary perspective, the grassroots in America gets hold of the Bush administration’s integrity and supports it with sacrifice and patience. In the future, numerous nations once held in the grip of dictators will give thanks to America and Mr. Bush in particular for staying true to the liberty cause.

For more: http://conservativeposts.us/ <http://conservativeposts.us/>

CAIR FOUNDER CHARGED FOR SUPPORTING HAMAS KILLERS

J. Grant Swank, Jr.

Ghassan Elashi, founder of Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) in Texas, along with six others, has been charged with “supporting the militant Palestinian group Hamas and with money laundering and conspiracy,” reports Reuters News.

Main news feeds have hardly given this item notice. Further, all major feeds, including Reuters, have deleted any mention of Ghassan Elashi being the CAIR Texas founder. I wonder why.

Is it because media runs scared of CAIR’s influence in the United States? Or because of threats from CAIR?

“’A federal grand jury in Dallas returned the 42 charges against the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development and the seven men in an indictment unsealed.’” That was announced by the US Attorney General.

"’A U.S.-based charity that claims to do good works is charged with funding the works of evil. The indictment alleges that the Holy Land Foundation was created for the purpose of providing financial and material support to Hamas.

“'It is alleged that over the years, the Holy Land Foundation provided significant financial resources to Hamas, known Hamas leaders and key strategists.’”

The accused are to be sentenced on August 1. Penalties carry a maximum 10-year prison sentence.

Why does the mainstream press cover up this news item’s full detail? Why is it not stated that one of the accused is founder of the Texas CAIR?

For more: http://conservativeposts.us/ and http://mensnewsdaily.com/blog/swank/

Email: joseph_swank@yahoo.com

SECULARISTS FIGHT AMERICA’S JUDEO-CHRISTIAN HERITAGE

J. Grant Swank, Jr.

"The weekend before President Bush's second inauguration, 60 humanists, atheists and ethical culturalists gathered at a hotel just off Dupont Circle for an ‘emergency meeting’ organized by the American Humanist Association.

"’The situation is now as bad as we'll ever see it,’ Roy Speckhardt, the group's deputy director, said afterward." So reports Julia Duin of The Washington Times.

The atheist-secularists work night and day to undermine America’s religious heritage. They are as evangelistic in their zeal and methods as any Christian crusade. They are committed to spread their "ungospel." And they work enthusiastically through judges who are immoral and unethical according to the Judeo-Christian definition. Sometimes, however, they win out by simply threatening with a few words.

"’There is complete scorn on the part of the current administration as to the separation of church and state,’ emphasizes Freedom from Religion Foundation founder Anne Nicol Gaylor.

"Gaylor says in an interview: ‘There has never been any less respect in Washington for church-state separation, even though church-state separation is one of the things that made our country possible in the first place.’"

Interestingly enough, Gaylor, like her colleagues, has no appreciation for the true definition of "separation of church and state." Further, when they do go after religion in public life, it is never the Muslim religion or Buddhism or Hinduism or Shintoism or New Ageism or any other religion but Judeo-Christianity. Not fair. Nevertheless, that’s their way of combating "religion." It’s Judeo-Christian faith that they are determined to eradicate from the Judeo-Christian American heritage.

Julaine Appling, executive director of the Family Research Institute in Madison, Wisconsin states that most of secularists’ energy is spent challenging Christians. "’When they go after religion, they go after Christianity aggressively,’ she says. ‘I don't see them going after other religions.’"

This is all in the name of "separation of church and state." Yet these enthusiasts for no-belief don’t have a clue as to the historic understanding of that phrase.

Liberals have run off with this phrase, prostituting it per usual.

The matter is simple. It’s this: America does not want a state church. England has a state church — the Anglican Church. America does not want one denomination considered The Nation’s Church.

On the other hand, America has a religious heritage. It’s not Muslim. It’s not Hindu. It’s not Shinto. It’s not animism. It’s not New Age. It’s not Paganism. It’s not Voodoo. It’s Judeo-Christian.

America, while not desiring a state church, does desire religion in life. That includes religious expression in everyday exchange. Because Judeo-Christian is America’s heritage, most citizens honor that heritage expressed and honored. Its expression then should not be thwarted. It should not be belittled. It should not be erased in the name of "separation of church and state."

Unhampered religious expression is promised in the First Amendment.

Further, America, having a Judeo-Christian heritage and the right to present-tense expression, permits freedom of religious expression to other religions. Therefore, there are those of other religious persuasions who practice without fear their religions in America.

What the liberals want to do is redefine the phrase "separation of church and state" to exclude Judeo-Christian religious expression in America. They want not only "separation of church and state" defined on their terms but the exclusion of the Judeo-Christian religion and anything coming close to that particular religious expression—period.

Liberals believe that if they continue harping on the "separation of church and state" phrase, brainwashing the public with their prostituted definition, especially indoctrinating the next generation with their prostituted definition, then they will have won secularism for America’s future.

They, in other words, want not only separation but exclusion of religion — completely so. Note however that the chief religion they want excluded is Judeo-Christian.

They will even tolerate other religions, as they are presently doing with the Muslim infiltration, but it is Judeo-Christian that they want cleansed from America. In other words, it’s a religious cleansing they desire for this nation — the extinguishing specifically of the Judeo-Christian faith.

Therefore, if tolerating another religion such as Islam helps wipe out Judeo-Christianity, then so be it. Islam is far better a tolerance than the American heritage of Judeo-Christian.

Therefore, there are school districts hiring Muslims to speak to teachers on how to give Muslim students honor and space. No such invitation, of course, has been extended to Judeo-Christian specialists speaking to public school educators on how to give Judeo-Christian adherents honor and space.

In a nearby high school, a prayer room was set aside for Muslim students. No such prayer room or any other respect has been presented those of the Judeo-Christian heritage.

Liberals, in other words, will do whatever it takes to obliterate America of its rightful Judeo-Christian heritage. This is accented every year particularly during the Christmas season. Any other so-called "religious expression" can come to the fore but the Christian particulars must be silenced at all costs. So we hear throughout the Christmas season, not Christian hymn carols, but "separation of church and state."

Once again, liberals have taken language to serve their own twisted purposes. They took "homosexual" and made it "gay." They took "pro-choice" and made it "protecting females." They take "separation of church and state" and make it "wiping out America’s Judeo-Christian heritage."

What those of the Judeo-Christian heritage must do — and far more concertedly than they have ever done in the past — is to make clear to the public what "separation of church and state" really means. This must be put in print in magazines and journals. It must be preached from pulpits. It must be taught in religion classes. It must be spelled out in letters to the editor.

Unfortunately, this simply has not been done. The church in particular has permitted the liberals to carry on with their prostitution of the phrase. I have been appalled over the years to note that the church specifically has not risen to expose the liberals’ misuse of that phrase.

Therefore, the young have taken quickly to the liberals’ definition while the church has sat, in the main, silent, allowing the enemy to win out.

For more: http://conservativeposts.us/ <http://conservativeposts.us/>

FRIST JOINS CHRISTIANS TO BLOCK DEMS' FILIBUSTER THREAT

J. Grant Swank, Jr.

It’s April 24, "Justice Sunday."

Worshipers have met at a Kentucky megachurch. They are there to expose Dems as the enemy to faith. "The filibuster was once abused to protect racial bias, and it is now being used against people of faith." That’s the message going out.

Senate majority leader Bill Frist is part of all this, according to New York Times’ David D. Kirkpatrick.

In other words, Christians plus friends are fed up with Dem obstruction of Congressional business by filibustering. Much of that business deals with moral issues. The moral base of America is saying enough is enough. Frist is joining in on the call.

"As the Senate heads toward a showdown over the rules governing judicial confirmations, Senator Bill Frist, the majority leader, has agreed to join. . .prominent Christian conservatives in a telecast portraying Democrats as ‘against people of faith’ for blocking President Bush's nominees.

"Organizers say they hope to reach more than a million people by distributing the telecast to churches around the country, over the Internet and over Christian television and radio networks and stations."

Dems and Republicans are headed for blows. Dems threaten to block President George W. Bush’s 10 judicial nominees. They’ll use the infantile, childish, day care center mode of filibustering. Frist has said it’s time to change the rules that would make a majority vote on nominees win out. If Frist gets his way, Dems double the threat by informing America that Dems will shut down Congress.

Christians claim that the judiciary has been enemy to numerous moral issues; therefore, it’s time to put morally based judges in the courts. Enough of the secularist, amoral judges who threaten to change America’s heritage and thus remake the nation’s ethics for generations to come.

Christians claim judges are not only deciding for amorality but immorality. They are not only deciding on other than Judeo-Christian ethics for an issue’s base but have given in to baldly unethical postulates.

"’As the liberal, anti-Christian dogma of the left has been repudiated in almost every recent election, the courts have become the last great bastion for liberalism,’ Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council and organizer of the telecast, wrote in a message on the group's Web site.

"‘For years activist courts, aided by liberal interest groups like the A.C.L.U., have been quietly working under the veil of the judiciary, like thieves in the night, to rob us of our Christian heritage and our religious freedoms.’"

That’s the nub of it all. And with that as their crusade message, Christians are marching to war on immoral judges and their unethical decisions.

More power to them.

For more: http://conservativeposts.us/ <http://conservativeposts.us/>

RUMSFELD OFFERS FREEDOM’S THANKS TO KYRGYZSTAN FORCES

J. Grant Swank, Jr.

"’The good Lord willing, those two countries … will be on a path of freedom, a path where people have the right and privilege of helping to guide and direct their country, and the economic opportunities that come from free economic systems,’ US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said. ‘And you’ll be able to look back and know in your hearts you were a part of that.’"

Rumsfeld was speaking to US troops in Kyrgyzstan. In his tour of the Middle East and Central Asia, Rumsfeld accented his appreciation to servicemembers for their "’significant role in the war on terrorism and in improving the lives of the Afghan and Iraqi people,’" reports Kathleen T. Rhem of American Forces Press Service.

Rumsfeld saw it as his prime time duty of thanking those who have sacrificed for the freedom spread in other countries. In truth, he was the representative of United States President George W. Bush who initiated liberties elsewhere with Operation Iraqi Freedom a little over two years ago.

Speaking at Manas Air Base, Rumsfeld lauded the efforts of both civilians and military personnel in combating killers international. The base to which he spoke is known informally as Ganci Air Base, tagged that after Peter Banci, a senior New York fireman brought down on September 11, 2001.

While Democrats in America are still remembered for their hate speech syndrome during the last presidential campaign as well as their unpatriotic resistance to anything the President offered in the way of freedom spread, servicemembers continue to continue.

While European heads of state balked at the President’s push for liberties elsewhere, starting with toppling Saddam Hussein, US troops joined with other free nations’ forces to wage the three-week-win war that initiated democracy planting in the New Iraq.

It was to those persons who remained true to patriotism at its best that Rumsfeld spoke. Those in Kyrgyzstan are support forces to militia in Iraq and Afghanistan. They are very much needed daily to ward off murderers global.

"A cold rain was beating on the tent’s roof and the roar of jets could be heard overhead as Rumsfeld looked out into a sea of tan uniforms and told the 400-plus troops assembled that their mission supporting efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq is vital.

"’It’s not an easy thing to move from despotism to a democracy,’ Rumsfeld said, referring to Iraq’s efforts to build its first freely elected government. ‘But they’re making good headway.’"

It’s that kind of patience-in-time that reminds the US-Coalition that eventually the future will thank the present for diligence. There are those who want perfection yesterday. Those locked into reality know that whatever is worthwhile calls for sacrifice over time.

"The secretary met with the country’s acting president, Prime Minister Kurmanbek Bakiyev, who assumed the presidency March 28 after former President Askar Akayev fled the country to Moscow after a bloodless coup March 24. Rumsfeld also met with the acting ministers of defense and state. National elections are scheduled for July.

"At a joint news conference after the meetings, Bakiyev said the United States will continue to have use of Manas Air Base. Through a translator, he said he assured Rumsfeld that ‘the Kyrgyz Republic will comply with all the international agreements we have signed.’"

"Rumsfeld thanked Kyrgyzstan for continued support in the war on terror and said he told the country’s interim leadership ‘that the United States is wishing them well in the important work that they’re engaged in in building a stable and modern and prosperous democracy.’"

So it is that America continues its moral high road for setting free humans who have been held in bondage by despots who cared for nothing more than their own selfish ends. Rumsfeld was there on site to support those who commit to holding fast the freedom spread.

For more: http://conservativeposts.us/ <http://conservativeposts.us/>

DEMS BULLY BOLTON

J. Grant Swank, Jr.

How ironic that Dems are accusing UN Ambassador nominee John R. Bolton of being a bully.

Do not the Dems realize that by delaying the vote on Bolton they are in fact bullying Bolton? And the whole world witnesses this drag?

Obviously Dems have a difficult time cosmetizing their image so as to be more attractive. Yet these very Dems are the ones constantly reminding the Bush administration of what the world will think.

What will the world think of Mr. Bush taking on Saddam? What will the world think of Mr. Bush continuing freedom spread in Afghanistan by toppling the Taliban? What will the world think of Mr. Bush by his determination to wage war against killers international?

Instead of Mr. Bush handing over the US to the UN like John F. Kerry encouraged, Mr. Bush keeps the course for liberty’s sake. By keeping the course Mr. Bush has made enemies of despots and lagging European heads of state. My, what will the world think?

With that question forever at the forefront of Dem litany, do they not care this week what the world thinks of Dem obstruction to governmental progress regarding the Bolton vote?

Dems bully Bolton. Yet they claim Bolton is a bully.

What the Dems really fear is that Bolton is too much like Mr. Bush. Mr. Bush and Mr. Bolton both know a fake when they see one. They both live by principles admired by the moral base. They both have convictions sterling for freedom’s banner. They both refuse to waffle and compromise and bow down to power plays of the liberal quotient.

That’s it.

The Dems are scared to political death that a Bush clone could make it into a United Nations seat of voice power. Therefore, the Dems, shadowing the waffling Kerry politic style, wage war against common sense, decency in governmental doings and the right thing to do with this Bolton opportunity.

The Dems think they can wear down the Rhode Island Senator on the Dem side? I don’t think so. And if it does happen, then RI had better go to the shame closet.

Yet the bottom line in all this delay is that Dems fear a Bush clone in the UN. Therefore, there will not only be a Mr. Bush in the White House; there will be his echo in the United Nations.

Go, Bolton!

For more: http://conservativeposts.us/ <http://conservativeposts.us/>

ECUADORIANS DEMAND DEMOCRACY

J. Grant Swank, Jr

Quito, Ecuador. Closed.

Schools: closed. Public transportation: closed. Museums: closed. Government institutions: closed.

"The erosion of democracy." That’s the way that the UPI reporter Eliza Barclay wrote of the people’s anxiety over their government. "The erosion of democracy."

President Luis Gutierrez is not coming forth with liberties actual — grassroots style. The people are fed up with it. So schools, public transpiration, government institutions are closed and the streets are eerily quiet. Closed. It’s a clear message from the populace that they want freedom actual, not just freedom promised.

"Tensions initially erupted when a congressional majority allied with Gutierrez voted in December to dismiss 27 out of 31 judges on the Supreme Court. Gutierrez said the decision was reasonable because the Social Christian Party, an opposition party that led a failed attempt to impeach Gutierrez, had an unfair influence and advantage in the court.

"Since December's judicial turnover, critics have accused Gutierrez and allied politicians of tampering with the country's legal foundations and pitching the country into a highly volatile state."

Now the people demand new leadership. They don’t trust what’s going on with the present-tense powers-that-be. So exit. Make way for another in-charge.

"Student protestors and intellectuals unleashed a torrent of criticism directed at Gutierrez and the government, some calling he president's actions ‘dictatorial.’"

Increasingly dictators are being confronted by human beings who want liberties actualized. We see it in Iran where the streets were clogged with protestors last weekend. They demanded release from the Iranian theocratic press that squashes real democracy. They want set free.

Ukrainians put aside the dictatorial mode for democracy’s plant. New Iraq is in the glad process of topping killers international in order to assure a free future for its people. Afghanistan continues its freedom march against murderers global. Nepal’s king promised his people increased democracy quotients according to this morning’s UPI headlines.

Democracy. The people demand it. They have the right. They are closing the schools, museums, government institutions in Ecuador’s capital in order to write in the earth their demands. And, after all, they have the right to do just that. More power to democracy — wherever, whenever. More power to democracy.

"On Wednesday morning, Quito Mayor Paco Moncayo and the prefect of the Pinchincha province that includes Quito, Ramiro González, kicked off the marches by reading sections of the country´s constitution. The two leaders also demanded that the federal government uphold the country´s democratic principles."

For more: http://conservativeposts.us/ <http://conservativeposts.us/>

NEPAL UPS DEMOCRACY SPREAD

J. Grant Swank, Jr.

This morning's headlines read: "Nepal king pledges civic elections in 2006."

Thank you, United States President George W. Bush.

There’s hardly any other conclusion that one can reach these days when nation after nation is promising democracy to the people. What’s going on here? Obviously, Operation Iraqi Freedom’s three-week-win war, toppling blood-letting despot Saddam Hussein, has ignited freedom fires here and there. Patience in time. That's it. Patience in time.

As New Iraq rejoices in its historic January 30 Victory Vote followed by its democratically formed National Assembly, expectant of a constitution forthcoming soon, others reach out for the liberty banner.

Therefore, according to UPI, "Nepal's King Gyanendra has announced that municipal elections will by held by April 2006 to activate the ‘democratic process,’ the BBC reported Thursday."

This is another major move for people — the so-called "little people" — having their chance at governing themselves. That’s in place of a despotic heel pressing down daily upon their heads and hearts.

Ukraine’s head of state declares that the country is no more in league with Russia’s style of government but instead favors the American imprint. Therefore, they are working diligently to put in place freedoms local. They have even applied for membership in NATO.

Afghanistan continues to revel in its newfound freedoms, obstacles withstanding. After all, we live in a world where patience and time work wonders. Those, such as America’s Democratic Party, who seek perfection yesterday are the illusionists left in history’s dust.

Egypt’s government has promised its populace real, actual ballots for voting this autumn.

Iranians over the weekend clamored loud and clear for the Iranian theocratic dictatorship to open freedom’s windows to let in the liberty breezes. They will continue to demand a release from despotic potentates who have held humans in horrific check.

"In a message marking the Nepali new year, the king said the security situation in the country had improved in the 10 weeks since the imposition of the state of emergency. As a result, he said that he had directed the Election Commission to conduct elections in over 50 municipalities."

That is reason itself to look to America’s Bush administration for leadership excellent! Would that the liberal media would give praise to such accomplishments. However, they seem mired in reporting the latest slip up in New Iraq or some program lag in Afghanistan.

How interesting. The liberal press does not seem to get the bottom line message that the more freedoms spread the more their freedom of the press has a chance for maintaining itself. The less the liberties move along, the chances are that killers international will over take democracies for squashing freedom of press.

Nevertheless, intelligent grassroots news collectors no longer heed the liberal media; they have alternative sources for the latest and they are going for those sources.

Faced with killers international digging into his politic, the Nepal king had to curtail certain liberties. However, concluding that he’s on top of the matter now, he’s opening the liberty windows so as to assure the public that he’s on the freedom side.

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STONE PHILLIPS’ ‘SECRETS OF THE CODE’ SPREADS ‘THE DA VINCI CODE’ MYTH AGAIN

J. Grant Swank, Jr.

This evening’s TV Primetime once again brings to the fore the bogus THE DA VINCI CODE authored by Dan Brown. Why? Is it because of the recent death and burial of Pope John Paul II whereby New York Times Maureen Dowd slammed the Vatican for slamming Brown’s make-believe telling related to Jesus and Mary Magdalene? Could be. Whatever, there’s no need to visit Brown’s mythology for another go-round. None at all.

To watch Primetime’s "Secrets of the Code" this evening is to be totally frustrated as a biblical believer. The Bible provides data totally contrary to Brown’s manufactured treatise. And any extra-biblical material Primetime presents is just that — extra biblical and prone to myths as were various bogus writings following the earthly sojourn of Jesus.

There was a flurry of books that made up things about Jesus following His ascension. Sometimes the authors used personages’ names recorded in the New Testament in order to hope for a good read (and trust) from the public, those biblical names not being the true writers of the books. Just as those bogus penmanships gave forth with their legends, so Brown does the same.

The truth about Jesus and Mary Magdalene is given in the Bible alone.

But let’s begin to discount Brown and the detail given this evening on Primtime: First, Dan Brown's DA VINCI CODE presents Jesus as merely human, not divine.

One of the chief characters in the novel states that third century Roman Emperor Constantine concocted the divinity of Jesus. This is not historically true. He also states there is nothing in the Bible supporting the divinity of Jesus. This is not historically true.

This article sets forth the biblical passages accenting the divinity of Jesus Christ. Realizing that Brown has written a novel and not an historical book nor a theological account, such authors can get by with just about anything.

However, there are some readers of that novel who think of it in terms of historical and biblical accuracy. It is not when it comes to the person of Jesus. It is not when it comes to the person of Mary Magdalene. There are other points on which the author is historically incorrect; however, I point out these two prime matters.

Now to the biblical passages underlining the fact that Jesus is God:

Jesus calls Himself God

Matthew 12:8
For the Son of man is Lord even of the Sabbath day.

Matthew 28:19
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

Mark 2:5-12
When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, "Son, thy sins be forgiven thee." But there was certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, "Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?"

And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, "Why reason ye these things in your hearts? Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, 'Thy sins be forgiven thee'; or to say, 'Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?'

But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins," (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) "I say unto thee, 'Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.'"

And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, 'We never saw it on this fashion.'

John 5:17-18
But Jesus answered them, "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work." Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him because he not only had broken the Sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.

John 8:58
Jesus said unto them, "Verily, verily I say unto you, 'Before Abraham was, I am'." [compare with Exodus 3:14 - And God said unto Moses, "I AM THAT I AM," and he said, "Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, 'I AM hath sent me unto you.'"]

John 10:30-33; 36-39
[Jesus said,] "I and my Father are one." Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them,

"Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?"

The Jews answered him, saying, "For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God." [Jesus said,] "Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, 'Thou blasphemest'; because I said, 'I am the Son of God?'

If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him." Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand...

John 13:13-14
You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.

Revelation 1:8
"I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending," saith the Lord, "which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty."

Jesus is called God by others or by the Bible

Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

Matthew 1:23
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, "God with us."

John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 20:26-29
And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, "Peace be unto you."

Then saith he to Thomas, "Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing."

And Thomas answered and said unto him, "My Lord and my God." Jesus saith unto him, "Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed."

John 21:17
[Peter said to Jesus], "Lord, thou knowest all things."

Acts 20:28
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

Romans 9:5
Of [the Israelites] as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever.

Revelation 17:14
These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

Colossians 2:9
For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.
All things created through Jesus (and thus He existed before everything).

John 1:1-5,9-14
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Colossians 1:12-20
Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: for by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: and he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; and, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

Hebrews 1:1-8
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high: being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

For unto which of the angels said he at any time, 'Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee?' And again, 'I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?'

And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, 'And let all the angels of God worship him.'

And of the angels he saith, 'Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.'

But unto the Son he saith, 'Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.'

Further, author Dan Brown offers Mary Magdalene as Jesus’ wife. The two have a child. And so it goes. The Bible does not present Mary Magdalene as the wife of Jesus. The Bible has few references to Mary Magdalene.

Mary Magdalene is offered by Brown, and of course other writers, as a prostitute. The Bible states nowhere that she was a prostitute.

She is pictured by Brown’s characters as the spouse to Jesus. Naturally, the Bible concludes no such fantasy. Brown insists that a Jew of Jesus’ age would never have entertained remaining a bachelor; therefore it is only logical to conclude that he married, hence Mary Magdalene being his wife.

So go the weavings of a novelist’s meandering through the netherlands of the brain. Again, a novelist can get by with anything, not being an historian nor theologian.

But what I want to underline is what the Bible says about Mary Magdalene. I do this because I know Christians themselves are confused as to what Scripture states in comparison to what they’ve seen in movies and read in novels and heard in discussions. The other day I was speaking with a fellow believer who was quite surprised to realize that there is scant material in the Bible concerning the woman.

That’s the nub of it. There is little detail. Therefore, down through centuries, persons have added to her character in order to come up with one legend after another.

The same has happened with other sections of the Bible, for instance, there being three wise men, one of them black. There is no detail in the Bible stating the number of wise men. They could have been two or two hundred. And there is nothing in Scripture concerning one of them being black. Yet the nativity scenes beneath our trees record for us more than what we have taken the time to research in the Bible.

Let me state for you the Bible references concerning Mary Magdalene so that perchance you will do your own study on the subject. I would strongly recommend that you don’t take any prime material but what you yourself read from the Book: Matthew 27:56; Mark 16:9; 15:40; Luke 8:2-3; 23:49, John 19:25. These are few references. It would be helpful to read them.

In the Bible, there’s nothing about Mary Magdalene being a prostitute nor marrying Jesus nor having a child to Jesus. There’s nothing even stating that it was she who washed Jesus’ feet with her tears! And that’s one shocker to many, even believers.

We have been told in film and book that it was this female who was so thankful for Jesus’ forgiveness of her prostituting ways that she washed His feet with her tears.

Yes, there was a woman who did wash His feet with tears. In fact, there could have been two women who did that for such is mentioned in two separate passages. But Mary Magdalene is not mentioned by name in those sections.

(Traditionally, Roman Catholics have tended to identify Mary Magdalene as the woman washing Jesus’ feet. Protestants have tended to separate Mary Magdalene from the woman who washed Jesus’ feet.)

Therefore, back to the pure biblical detail residue: Mary Magdalene was one of the women who accompanied Jesus in His ministry. She was there at the base of the cross and witnessed Him laid in a borrowed tomb. She was honored to be the first seen by Jesus after His resurrection. And Jesus cast seven devils out of her. That’s it.

What was the nature of the seven devils? We don’t know. What was Mary Magdalene’s previous history? We don’t know. Where did she come from? Magdala. What did she do in years after the resurrection? We don’t know. Did she wash Jesus’ feet with her tears? We are not told in the Bible that she washed Jesus’ feet.

Who then washed Jesus’ feet with her tears?

Mary of Bethany, sister to Martha and Lazarus, washed His feet on one occasion. Then an anonymous female, mentioned simply as "a sinner," washed His feet.

Could the two references have been to the same woman? Perhaps. But perhaps not. Nevertheless, Mary Magdalene is not mentioned in either reference. Not at all. It’s been conjectured that she was in those scenes. However, the Bible does not locate her in those scenes.

I think, after hearing some people talk about reading Brown’s book, that these individuals know very little about the Bible detail regarding both Jesus and Mary Magdalene. I hear them give forth with their opinions of Brown’s novel as if he had penned an historical account — that is, historically accurate on all levels. I know that the author does state that references to "artwork, architecture, documents and secret rituals" as well as certain organizations stated in his book actually exist; but as to Jesus and Mary Magdalene, for instance, Brown through his characters weaves his own notions.

Sometimes he is just plain incorrect. For instance, when he states through one of the characters that nowhere in the Bible does it confirm Jesus’ divinity, he (the novel’s character) is all wrong. A ream of passages — chapters and verses — could be provided pointing to Jesus’ divinity.

However, to further his plot, Brown goes on his way with warping through characters’ statements the biblical detail, negating it, suppressing it, or whatever he finds convenient to do with it in order to further his thesis that Jesus was mere mortal husband married to Mary Magdalene.

Truth from the historical record: Jesus is God. Jesus and Mary Magdalene never married. Jesus never married anyone but the believers, His Bride eternal.

For more: http://conservativeposts.us/ and http://mensnewsdaily.com/blog/swank/

Email: joseph_swank@yahoo.com

NEW IRAQ TRANSITION: BUSH COMMENDS LEADERSHIP AND COALITION

J. Grant Swank, Jr.

United States President George W. Bush continues to encourage both the US-led Coalition and Iraqi leadership in the transition period.

In speaking to soldiers at Fort Hood, Texas, Mr. Bush underlined the sacrifice provided by servicemembers since Operation Iraqi Freedom’s three-week-win war just a little over two years ago. That was superintended by US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.

Both the President the Defense Secretary have kept the patience in freedom spreads not only in Iraq but also Afghanistan. This has led to citizens clamoring for liberties at grassroots in other countries ruled by despots. The Ukraine democracy base is present-tense example extraordinary. Now citizens in Iran continue the demand for their own liberties realized. Egypt promises a democratic election forthcoming.

Mr. Bush stated that the New Iraq leadership is presently "entering a new phase." That includes Iraqi security and newly elected officials taking more responsibilities while the US-led Coalition expects eventually to phase out its overarching presence, according to the Associated Press.

"’America and its coalition partners are increasingly playing more of a supporting role,’ Bush said. ‘Like free people everywhere, Iraqis want to be defended and led by their own countrymen. We will help them achieve that objective so Iraqis can secure their own nation. And then our troops will come home with the honor they have earned.’"

The anti-Bush cry coming from those liberals in America as well as pro-killers international in New Iraq call for the Coalition to fold up rank and leave yesterday. Of course, that makes no sense whatsoever. It’s a matter of keeping the patience and the timing, something the President has maintained in both his first and second terms.

To leave New Iraq prematurely would spell doom for democracy planting. A country previously ruled by a bloody dictator cannot move overnight into freedoms realized at grassroots. Therefore, much credit is due those in many areas who have mentored Iraqis in military, economics, politics and commerce. Their number is legion. They work day and night, mostly without fanfare.

Surely the liberal mainline press does little in providing these committed laborers with coverage let alone encouragement. The least setback of course receives immediate liberal media focus; but the ongoing progress receives scant attention. Such is the appreciative heart of the freedom of the press in America!

Why is it that those enjoying their well-paying jobs in the American press don’t realize that if the freedom spread does not continue, killers international will rob the United States of its freedom of the press. Those now collecting their well-heeled salary checks will then be begging at the murderers’ trough.

Mr. Bush continued to accent that which needs underlining in this unbelievable freedom-launching journey throughout the planet. He lauded the brave men and women who have given their lives for the cause. He thanked the cooperating free nations who have done their part in establishing freedoms elsewhere.

He then centered in on the toppling of a horrific despot — Saddam Hussein. In his speech to the soldiers, the President likened the fall of Hussein’s statue in Baghdad to the fall of the Berlin Wall. He referred to it as "one of the great moments in the history of liberty.’

So it was. Does the free world so quickly forget? Or will the free world come upon the wisdom of remembering that which has been accomplished under the banner of liberty?

Thank you, Mr. President.

For more: http://conservativeposts.us/ <http://conservativeposts.us/>

KILLERS’ ‘PATIENCE’ : NY FINANCIAL CENTERS COULD HAVE BEEN BLOWN TO BITS

J. Grant Swank, Jr.

"The alleged conspiracy ‘highlights the nature of the enemy we face, and that is an enemy that is patient, that is spread throughout the world and is bent on killing Americans in a spectacular way,’ U.S. deputy attorney-general James Comey told a news conference in Washington," according to GlobeAndMail.com’s Shawn McCarthy.

Patience. That’s the word that caught my attention. Patience. The killers international are willing to bide their time, plot and scheme, lay low until the right moment. It’s the discipline of patience and time passing in order to get the job done.

"U.S. officials have charged three British nationals with conspiring to blow up financial targets in New York, New Jersey and Washington using weapons of mass destruction, an alleged plot that sparked heightened security last summer in cities still unnerved by the 9/11 attacks. Mr. Comey said the three men were in custody in Britain and have been charged with three counts of conspiracy and one count of providing material support to terrorists."

It was back in 1998 that these three murderers started their scheme. They came to the US in 2000. In the next twelve months they checked out numerous financial edifices and researching terrorist methods.

So they have the patience, do they? You bet.

And it’s just that discipline that the Western nations have in slim supply. Particularly Americans want everything done perfectly yesterday.

This is evidenced particularly throughout the Democratic Party. During the presidential campaign last year, Mr. Bush did not do this or that soon enough. And of course he might have made an error here or there. One of his team might not have been up to heaven’s perfection; therefore, oust the President in favor of Dem Darling John F. Kerry.

Yet, it’s this President — George W. Bush — who has kept the PATIENCE. It’s the patience, "staying the course" is what his friends have called it, that has led to such freedom spreads.

Patience wrought Operation Iraqi Freedom’s three-week-war overseen by US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. Patience brought about the toppling of Saddam Hussein and the historic January 30 Victory Vote. Patience has seen through the New Iraq with its National Assembly and approaching constitution.

Patience brought about freedoms planted in Afghanistan. Patience engendered the Ukrainian politic to champion democracy over despotism. Patience has inspired freedom enthusiasts in Iran to continue their clamoring against an Islamic theocratic dictatorship. Patience has yielded an Egyptian head of state to proclaim that this autumn will witness free elections there.

Patience.

So as the killers international continue their course of patience, waiting it out, counting on the right moment, putting up with a few obstacles here and there, never yielding to discouragement, keeping their sites on the goal of slaying as many freedom loving humans as possible, there are too many liberty breathing people who still demand perfection yesterday.

In order for the President’s vision of freedom spread to continue, the democracies of the planet have to be up and doing, waiting out the hindrances, counting on the democracy prize at the end of the journey, and keep thereby the patience.

There are rewards aplenty for those who are patient enough to come upon them. Patience and time. Add to that labor precisioned with the best a person can muster.

While murderers global keep their watch — patiently — may the free world keep its patience in overcoming those seeking to kill us all off. It’s patience and timing. The President has exampled that for us. Do we get the clear, basic message?

Patience.

"Federal officials broadcast an alert last summer that terrorists were targeting financial buildings, including the New York Stock Exchange and Citigroup Corp. headquarters in Manhattan, Prudential Corporate Plaza in Newark, and the World Bank and International Monetary Fund in Washington.

"The scare prompted heightened security around the buildings, which were patrolled by police armed with machine guns.

"At the time, Homeland Security officials raised the alert level to orange and left the heightened status in effect until November. That move sparked criticism that the administration was over-reacting to old information as part of a re-election campaign that stressed President George W. Bush's war on terrorism.

"Yesterday, Mr. Comey insisted that officials had reacted strictly on the basis of security concerns, saying he had participated in the decision to trigger the orange alert. ‘Politics had nothing to do with it,’ he said. ‘That, you have my word on.’"

Thank you, Mr. Comey.

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SUPREMES: 10 COMMANDMENTS UP FOR GRABS

J. Grant Swank, Jr.

"’State support of a religion leads to corruption within both government and religion,’ Ellen Birch, a member of American Atheists says, adding that Jefferson himself said, ‘The wall of separation between church and state was absolutely essential in a free society.’

"’A favorite claim of fundamentalists,’ she told anyone listening, is that America is ‘indebted to the Bible and Christianity for our laws.’ Not so, Miss Birch says," according to The Washington Times’ Julia Duin.

We’re back to the Big Ten. And the Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments. Can the Big Ten be shown on government property?

The Supreme Court chamber is surrounded by engraved images of the Ten Commandments. There are the carved Commandments on the grounds of the Texas Capitol in Austin.

"An Associated Press survey in February found that 76 percent of the 1,000 people polled approved of displaying them on government property."

We’re not only back to the Big Ten. We’re back to this misunderstanding of the "separation of church and state." Liberals have run off with this phrase, prostituting it per usual.

The matter is simple. It’s this: America does not want a state church. England has a state church — the Anglican Church. America does not want one denomination considered The Nation’s Church.

On the other hand, America has a religious heritage. It’s not Muslim. It’s not Hindu. It’s not Shinto. It’s not animism. It’s not New Age. It’s not Paganism. It’s not Voodoo. It’s Judeo-Christian.

America, while not desiring a state church, does desire religion in life. That includes religious expression in everyday exchange. Because Judeo-Christian is America’s heritage, most citizens honor that heritage expressed and honored. Its expression then should not be thwarted. It should not be belittled. It should not be erased in the name of "separation of church and state."

Unhampered religious expression is promised in the First Amendment.

Further, America, having a Judeo-Christian heritage and the right to present-tense expression, permits freedom of religious expression to other religions. Therefore, there are those of other religious persuasions who practice without fear their religions in America.

What the liberals want to do is redefine the phrase "separation of church and state" to exclude Judeo-Christian religious expression in America. They want not only "separation of church and state" defined on their terms but the exclusion of the Judeo-Christian religion and anything coming close to that particular religious expression—period.

Liberals believe that if they continue harping on the "separation of church and state" phrase, brainwashing the public with their prostituted definition, especially indoctrinating the next generation with their prostituted definition, then they will have won secularism for America’s future.

They, in other words, want not only separation but exclusion of religion — completely so. Note however that the chief religion they want excluded is Judeo-Christian.

They will even tolerate other religions, as they are presently doing with the Muslim infiltration, but it is Judeo-Christian that they want cleansed from America. In other words, it’s a religious cleansing they desire for this nation — the extinguishing specifically of the Judeo-Christian faith.

Therefore, if tolerating another religion such as Islam helps wipe out Judeo-Christianity, then so be it. Islam is far better a tolerance than the American heritage of Judeo-Christian.

Therefore, there are school districts hiring Muslims to speak to teachers on how to give Muslim students honor and space. No such invitation, of course, has been extended to Judeo-Christian specialists speaking to public school educators on how to give Judeo-Christ