After years of research, artist Jon McNaughton has created a painting that depicts Jesus Christ at the center of a gathering of many of America’s pivotal historical figures….
“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” [1]
The United States of America was founded on the fundamental principle of freedom of religion. America’s Founding Fathers believed that religious freedom and a strong democratic system were inseparable. Our first president, George Washington, said that “of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.” The founder of the state of Pennsylvania, William Penn declared, “if we will not be governed by God, we must be governed by tyrants.” The French writer, Alexis de Tocqueville, wrote in the early part of the nineteenth century that, “Americans combine the notions of religion and liberty so intimately in their minds, that it is impossible to conceive of one without the other.” The founders saw the idea of religious freedom as coming from God, Himself. As the Virginia Statute of Religious Liberty stated, “its authors were well aware that Almighty God had created the mind free, that all attempts to influence it by temporal punishments or burdens or by civil incapacitation’s are a departure from the plan of the Holy Author of our religion.” [2]
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. [3]
The political world is astir. Economies are faltering. Public trust is waning. Individuals feel vulnerable. And social cohesion wears thin. Meanwhile, stories of rage and agitation fill our airwaves, streets and town halls. Where are the voices of balance and moderation in these extreme times? During a recent address given in an interfaith setting, Church President Thomas S. Monson declared: “When a spirit of goodwill prompts our thinking and when united effort goes to work on a common problem, the results can be most gratifying.” Further, former Church President Gordon B. Hinckley once said that living “together in communities with respect and concern one for another” is “the hallmark of civilization.” That hallmark is under increasing threat.[1]
A healthy democracy maintains equilibrium through diverse means, including a patchwork of competing interests and an effective system of governmental checks. Nevertheless, this order ultimately relies on the integrity of the people. Speaking at general conference, a semiannual worldwide gathering of the Church, Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles asserted: “In the end, it is only an internal moral compass in each individual that can effectively deal with the root causes as well as the symptoms of societal decay.” Likewise, Presiding Bishop H. David Burtonemphasized that the virtues of fidelity, charity, generosity, humility and responsibility “form the foundation of a Christian life and are the outward manifestation of the inner man.” Thus, moral virtues blend into civic virtues. The seriousness of our common challenges calls for an equally serious engagement with reasonable ideas and solutions. What we need is rigorous debate, not rancorous altercations. [1]
It can be a challenge to stand up for what you believe is right, while at the same time remain ‘civil’ with our fellow men. Especially when they yell and scream and call you names right in your face. Nevertheless we have a role to play. That role is to be a Christ-like example at all times, in all places and in all things. In politics for example. Living in a world where it seems God isn’t welcome, or is only welcome if it benefits them – it can be difficult to stand up when you feel alone doing so. But consider this, when all is said and done – who is benefited – who is blessed? Do you think Christ thought twice about standing up for what He believed in? Even when He was being whipped and mocked?
The opposing forces can be very powerful and influential. These fragile moments of expressing opinions, can be scary at times – but the long outcome of being consistent in your beliefs can have LIFETIME results, for our children and grandchildren. Us remaining loyal to our beliefs – can have monumental outcomes. It won’t always be easy, but it will be worth it.
Example of Religious Freedom, under attack:
Keith Olbermann named an apostle of my church as the “worst person in the world.” Yep, Elder Dallin H. Oaks was awarded that dubious distinction simply for delivering this talk (about preserving religious freedoms) to a group of young people at BYU-Idaho. If you haven’t already, I hope you will take a look at the text of his address, because despite the fact that it’s been twisted and parsed beyond belief by the liberal press, not one paragraph of it merits Olbermann’s hypercriticism. Or even his disdain. True, the opinions expressed aren’t exactly up Olbermann’s alley, but the content and tone is as respectful and well-reasoned as would be expected of the former Utah Supreme Court justice that Elder Oaks is. And it’s a free country, right?
But apparently not quite as free as it used to be. Which is exactly the point Elder Oaks makes… [2]
Moral of the story, where we may not always agree – we need to stand strong with Christ-like Charity. Some may not agree with Obama, we may not agree with popular cultural changes and opinions. But we must always think in our minds: “How would Christ respond?“
In today’s secular world, the idea of tolerance has come to mean something entirely different. Instead of love, it has come to mean condone – acceptance of wrongful behavior as the price of friendship. Jesus taught that we love and care for one another without condoning transgression. But today’s politically palatable definition insists that unless one accepts the sin he does not tolerate the sinner.
As Elder Dallin H. Oaks has explained,
Tolerance obviously requires a non-contentious manner of relating toward one another’s differences. But tolerance does not require abandoning one’s standards or one’s opinions on political or public policy choices. Tolerance is a way of reacting to diversity, not a command to insulate it from examination.
Before you bite my head off, hear me out. I’m all for people receiving awards for equal efforts to the winners before them. Like Martin Luther King for instance, who pushed a phenomenal movement of equal rights for those of all races. But Obama, who hasn’t even hit the year mark as President, I haven’t seen one thing even remotely close to creating equal rights! And I’m not alone in feeling this way [confused] :
The people of Afghanistan, I quote, have said:
…when we asked whether he thought the U.S. president deserved the prize, he replied, “He just became the president. Things are just the same as the way they were by the administration of Mr. [George W.] Bush. Things are not better, things are worse and worse.”
In fact, Alam said, as far as Afghanistan is concerned, “The number of U.S. Army [troops] has increased here. The number of terrorist attacks increased here. I’m kind of confused whether that Nobel Award [is] for all those things.”
Similarly, another customer at the restaurant, who did not offer his name, said no one had seen any results yet from Obama’s efforts to bring peace to the world. “Since he is the president just for the last eight months, I think that’s too early.” — Read More
My good friend Seth Adam Smith, pointed out what the President has accomplished thus far to deserve the honorary award:
President Obama has broken new ground here. Nominations for potential winners of the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize ended on February 1. The president took office only 12 days earlier on January 20.
Let’s take a look at the president’s first 12 days in the White House according to his public schedule to see what he did to deserve a Nobel Peace Prize:
January 20: Sworn in as president. Went to a parade. Partied.
January 21: Asked bureaucrats to re-write guidelines for information requests. Held an “open house” party at the White House.
January 22: Signed Executive Orders: Executive Branch workers to take ethics pledge; re-affirmed Army Field Manual techniques for interrogations; expressed desire to close Gitmo (how’s that working out?)
January 23: Ordered the release of federal funding to pay for abortions in foreign countries. Lunch with Joe Biden; met with Tim Geithner.
January 24: Budget meeting with economic team.
January 25: Skipped church.
January 26: Gave speech about jobs and energy. Met with Hillary Clinton. Attended Geithner’s swearing in ceremony.
January 27: Met with Republicans. Spoke at a clock tower in Ohio.
January 28: Economic meetings in the morning, met with Defense secretary in the afternoon.
January 29: Signed Ledbetter Bill overturning Supreme Court decision on lawsuits over wages. Party in the State Room. Met with Biden.
January 30: Met economic advisers. Gave speech on Middle Class Working Families Task Force. Met with senior enlisted military officials.
January 31: Took the day off.
February 1: Skipped church. Threw a Super Bowl party.
So there you have it. The short path to the Nobel Peace Prize: Party, go to meetings, skip church, release federal funding to pay for abortions in foreign countries, party some more.
I thought Martin Luther King Jr.’s story was just a LITTLE more exciting…but not by much!
I am honestly asking here…. AM I MISSING SOMETHING??????
Obama has declared – yet, another ‘holiday’. October is now officially ‘National Cybersecurity Awareness Month‘. As cool (sincerely) as that is, that Obama is helping to push awareness, I think it should be pushed more than just a month. Or maybe at least have it be semi-annual because as it is GOOD to be aware about what personal info you let float into the world wide web – it is also good to not go TOO EXTREME in protecting your identity. I strongly feel that those who get way too worried and panicked almost invite ‘bad stuff’ to them.
Obama writes in his proclamation:
“In the Information Age, the very technologies that empower us to create and build also empower those who would disrupt and destroy.”
What I like to keep in mind when sharing anything that could be considered ‘private’ about myself or family is to not upload pictures of what my house looks like, to not Twitter where I am currently, when I”m going on vacation or when I’m home-alone. I watermark ALL my images (or try to, sometimes I forget) and I also put copyright notice + disclaimer – on my website declaring that all images and information (posts) are MINE – thank you very much . So I am legally protected.
Also, keep in mind that if you have kids – don’t post what schools they go to. Don’t upload and publish – publicly, naked images of your kids unless you want some pervert to … gross gross gross… Basically, don’t publish to the web ANYTHING that you don’t want some random stranger to use and abuse. Always keep in mind the random stranger, and ask yourself – do I feel comfortable with him/her having the slight chance of seeing/reading this?
Also, PLEASE don’t FREAK OUT – because if you do, you ‘up’ the chance of ATTRACTING the unfortunate souls. That’s my strong belief. Keep cool, be smart – and manifest GOOD & HONEST people being attracted to your info.
Speaking of EXTREME – let’s talk Internet ADDICTION! Are you mentally ILL? Well, psychologists haven’t officially declared it as a mental illness YET so, I guess we’re all off the hook (for now). Until then – SURF IT UP! haha
A two-year study tracked more than 2,000 young teens in 10 middle schools across southern Taiwan, and found that 233 subjects–10.8%–could be classified as having an addiction to the Internet. Males were more likely to fall into that category.Those who played online games were more vulnerable. And teens who used the Internet everyday and/or 20 hours a week or more were more likely to be deemed addicted.
And what other features did potential Internet addicts show? For boys, those with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and those who exhibited significant hostility were more likely to have a dysfunctional dependence on the Internet. For girls, having ADHD and hostility also heightened the risk of Internet addiction. But two more groups of girls–those with social phobias and those suffering depression–also were at greater risk. Read More…
If it weren’t for my job, I’d probably be addicted. Because by the end of the work day – I WANT to get as far away from the computer as I can because my brain is fried and my eyes haven’t felt so 3d bizarre – ever! Yeesh!
I kid, I kid, I love my job – but it is NICE to have a break. Try it!
Welcome to my Blog! Or I should say... welcome to my Journal. This is the place where I come to record my history. The history of my family, the lessons I learn, and reviews of people, places and things I enjoy, or don't enjoy and want to share with others. I welcome comments, so don't be shy - I only ask that you are respectful if you have an opposing thought. Thanks! :) ♥ Read More...
“Your story should be written now while it is fresh and while the true details are available. Your private journal should record the way you face up to challenges that beset you. Do not suppose life changes so much that your experiences will not be interesting to your posterity. Experiences of work, relations with people, and an awareness of the rightness and wrongness of actions will always be relevant. Your journal, like most others, will tell of problems as old as the world and how you dealt with them.” (”President Kimball Speaks Out on Personal Journals,” New Era, Dec. 1980, 26)
Processing your request, Please wait....
What I like to keep in mind when sharing anything that could be considered ‘private’ about myself or family is to not upload pictures of what my house looks like, to not Twitter where I am currently, when I”m going on vacation or when I’m home-alone. I watermark ALL my images
. So I am legally protected.
haha
