Why I Believe.Org: Cultural Apologetics

Proud To Have Had An Abortion

2004-08-28T14:41:00.000-07:00

“They have finally arrived! Planned Parenthood is proud to offer yet another t-shirt in our new social fashion line: "I Had an Abortion" fitted T-shirts are now available. These soft and comfortable fitted tees assert a powerful message in support of women's rights. Order yours for $15 each.”

Seems the ladies at Planned Parenthood are speculating that the hubris for expecting the 'right to choose' (an abortion) may slide right into hubris for having one. They've designed a T-shirt that simply says "I Had An Abortion". the purpose is 'to combat the shame' surrounding abortions, and most likely to get a fight started (altho they certainly didn't claim that one!)

Here's a great response from columnist Mike Adams, with thoughts from a long struggle for freedom of the unborn babies.

These kind of fights are difficult to carry on. While they want to get in our face and flaunt the very thing that offends us, we must remember that these women are either in denial or have been misled. They are victims, and we should help them in any way possible - but we should NOT scream and shout down their arguments. Watch for the openings, plant seeds, care for the careless.

Kerry: They're alive, but go ahead and kill them if you choose to..."

2004-08-28T14:23:00.000-07:00

I don't see any way that one cannot put those words into John Kerry's mouth, since he clearly promoted his belief to the Washington Post (July 5, 2004, pg A06) that life begins at conception. But then he goes on to say that women should still be 'able to choose'. What exactly does he think then is being terminated? If it's alive, then stopping it from living is murder! Is he saying that it's ok to murder as long as someone chooses it? I'm completely confused. This is worse than a waffle or a patronage - its totally incoherent, and exposes a massive character flaw - he's either lying or he's a monster with no concern for the innocent.

Sam Harris Wants To 'End Our Faith'

2004-08-22T14:19:00.000-07:00

Here's a book (The End Of Faith, by Sam Harris) that is likely to get your blood boiling. The thesis of the book is that 'religious tolerance...the notion that every human being should be free to believe whatever he wants about God - is one of the principal forces driving us toward the abyss" (pg 15).

The book was brought to my attention in a great review by Dr Albert Mohler (Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President).

This book is a perfect example of a response by people who don't understand the true nature of Christianity. He still apparently thinks that Christians must follow Levitical laws (such as the stoning of children), and if we don't, then we're just accommodating a little reason (not that he gives us much credit for using reason!) He clearly has no idea of the purpose of the Levitical laws, or the nature of Christian love and community, or of the holiness of God and its method of expression. Nor does he give us a reasonable alternative except for the presumed Naturalistic worldview, which is itself quite a blind leap of faith.

Here is a scary blurb from a review by Daniel Blue, for the San Francisco Chronicle (August 15, 2004). “Sam Harris is tired of being nice to religious people. Why, he wonders, should we be expected to respect individuals who in the year 2004 still believe in virgin birth? And Christians rarely return the favor. Instead, they're down in Washington holding prayer breakfasts and smiting "sinners" through mandatory drug sentences, intrusive sex laws and prohibitions against stem cell research.”

It may just be this kind of thining that leads to religious persecution. THis should be a wake-up call for all Christians to live out the live of love as modeled by Christ, and to present the gospel in a winsome, reasonable and loving way.

Dear God, give us strength and wisdom to endure the hardships coming on account of your name.

So, Not ALL Feminists Are Pro-Choice!

2004-08-08T15:10:00.000-07:00

Check out the web-site of Feminists For Life. I love their slogan: 'Refuse to choose between women and children'.

This is another GREAT example of how the conventional wisdom can be challenged and people on the fence can see that there are indeed choices - specifically that 'Not all feminists must be pro-abortion.' Use this example every chance you get.

God bless them and their message for life...

Pro-Lifer's Not Welcome in Democratic Party

2004-08-08T14:28:00.000-07:00

I gotta tell you this one surprises me. It just seems 'prudent' for a political party to be the proverbial open tent and invite all to join, and perhaps carry on internal debates once your party is elected. But the Democratic Party has now, just this year, closed the internal debate on abortion rights, and thereby expects all democrats to follow the party line.

According to a World Magazine news article in the August 7, 2004 edition, the party has changed the language from “We respect the individual conscience of each American on this difficult issue, and we welcome all our members to participate at every level of our party", to “We stand firmly against Republican efforts to undermine [current abortion laws]."

With this kind of language in the platform, the conclusion of the article seems inevitable. It appears that the party is being 'driven' by NARAL and Planned Parenthood. Many people view this issue as the 'driving issue'; the issue that demands their votes - apparently the Democratic Party no longer cares for these voters.

It just doesnt seem politically 'prudent'. This is a clear indicator, in my mind, why Senator Kerry will be trounced this year in the election.

Same Sex Marriage Issues and Answers

2004-08-03T14:27:00.000-07:00

Greg Koukl at Stand To Reason has done it again - he's listed the pertinent issues surrounding the debate, and contributed clear, concise and biblical responses to them.

Some of the standard debate issues he destroys are:
1) Isn't this discrimination? 2) Comparisons to interracial marriage 3) We should have the freedom to love whomever we want 4) Marriage = Love 5) Definition of marriage can change 6) Not all marriages produce children

Keep it coming Greg!

WhyIBelieve.org

Robert Reich's Rant: Religion Worse Than Terrorism

2004-08-03T14:20:00.000-07:00

Robert Reich, a prominent democrat who served as Labor Secretary under Bill Clinton, recently wrote an article for his ultra-liberal 'magazine' called PROSPECT, entitled "Bush's God".

In this rant, he says that: "The great conflict of the 21st century may be between the West and terrorism. But terrorism is a tactic, not a belief. The underlying battle will be between modern civilization and anti-modernist fanatics; between those who believe in the primacy of the individual and those who believe that human beings owe blind allegiance to a higher authority; between those who give priority to life in this world and those who believe that human life is no more than preparation for an existence beyond life; between those who believe that truth is revealed solely through scripture and religious dogma, and those who rely primarily on science, reason, and logic. Terrorism will disrupt and destroy lives. But terrorism is not the only danger we face."

Did you catch that? Here's an influential democrat who believes that all believers are worse than terrorists! At first glance, you may think he's referring only to 'radical Islamists', but you won't find that language here - he's referring to anyone who believes in a God and who believes that God deserves our allegiance.

NRO has a nice response, altho it doesn't condemn this 'hatred' for believers enough (that term can be used for the 'other side', can't it?)

It seems clear to me - the Democratic party is NOT the party for Christians!

whyibelieve.org

Biblical Condemnation of Homosexuality

2004-08-03T14:11:00.000-07:00

Many today attempt to claim that homosexuality fits under the Biblical mandate to 'love one another'. But this is a gross misrepresentation of that requirement, as well as the nature of sin. AJ Conyers in Touchstone Magazine reminds us why "Homosexuality [is] a Sign of Ultimate Corruption" and the epitome of living life with one's desires usurping those of God's. He tells us that

"The biblical condemnation of homosexual acts is not a violation of its real teaching of love and inclusiveness, but in part a sign of what sin is and does, and how it so disorders and corrupts human desire that we do not want the created nature through which God will bring us true love and true inclusivity."

Friends - homosexuality is a sin as any other sin. But it is not what keeps us out of heaven. The primary sin of replacing God at the throne of our hearts while rejecting the grace of God that provides faith keeps us separated from him...all the resulting sins (including homosexuality) come about out of our selfish pursuits. They are an indicator of our falleness, not the cause of it. So approach our homosexual friends with love and compassion, as you would with someone who is suffering the effects of any other kind of sin.

WhyIBelieve.org