*****Front page Commentary, By Peter Ripley, Publisher*******
The persecution of Christians shouldn't be viewed as a curse among those of us who are Christians, it should be viewed as a blessing. Many people forget the word of our Lord in facing persecution by non-believers.
"Matt: 5:11: Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.
12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
Should we surprised when we Christians are persecuted for the sake of our belief in Jesus Christ? NO! Christians been the target of persecution since Christ ascension back into Heaven, and sending out his apostles on their mission of preaching of the gospel to all the world. Ever since then the followers of Jesus Christ been hounded by the ruling powers of this world, and those who hate the very name of Christians.
Remember John 15: 18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you."
This is why you see all these things happening to churches, and murdering of believers of Christians by non-believers, and mad men all over the world. China is saying that Christianity is a threat to their society, of course communist always attack anything that conflicts with their lust for power.
Why is this subject of persecution of Christians in America is getting the headlines? Because for nearly 243 years America has been under a protected bubble call the Bill of rights the first amendment: "The First Amendment (Amendment I) to the United States Constitution prevents the government from making laws which respect an establishment of religion, prohibit the free exercise of religion, or abridge the freedom of speech, the freedom of the press, the right to peaceably assemble, or the right to petition the government for redress of grievances. It was adopted on December 15, 1791, as one of the ten amendments that constitute the Bill of Rights."
Now a days the protection of our basic right of freedom practicing our faith without persecution is in jeopardy! Plus one political party the Democrats seems to be on this road of giving one religion preferential treatment (The Muslims) above all others, including Christianity. That as already been started in some of our schools.
The following stories, and press release, reflect the trend of persecution of Christians in America, something we would have never believe could happen in America!
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Remarks by Vice President Pence at Liberty University’s Commencement
White House press release issued 5. 11. 19
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/remarks-vice-president-pence-liberty-universitys-commencement/
Editors note: The following are excerpts from the speech, read full context at source link.
VICE PRESIDENT PENCE: "The truth is, we live in a time when the freedom of religion is under assault. Yesterday, I was informed by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom that today Christians suffer more persecution around the world than any other religion. In fact, the United Kingdom released a report just last week that said persecution of Christians worldwide is “near genocide levels.”
In the last few months, we’ve seen unspeakable attacks on people of faith — on Jewish synagogues in Pennsylvania and California, on mosques in New Zealand, Christian churches in Sri Lanka, and on three historically black churches in Louisiana.
No one should ever fear for their safety in a place of worship, and these attacks on people of faith must stop.
One week ago, I was standing before the charred remains of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Louisiana. And I must tell you, I was deeply inspired by the example of Pastor Gerald Toussaint. He’s a pastor at one of the three churches that was burned. But he was the one that said on the day that they arrested the arsonist, he said, quote, “We’ve got to forgive him.” And Pastor Toussaint brought a community together with faith and grace. They overcame evil with good. And that’s the kind of faith we need to see more of in these divided times — faith that unites on a foundation of grace.
Because we live in a time when it’s become acceptable and even fashionable to ridicule and even discriminate against people of faith. Dr. Carson just talked about it a few moments ago.
You know, it wasn’t all that long ago that the last administration brought the full weight of the federal government against the Little Sisters of the Poor merely because that group of nuns refused to provide a health plan that violated their deeply held religious beliefs. And when the state of Georgia recently was debating legal protections for the unborn, a bevy of Hollywood liberals said they would boycott the entire state.
And when my wife Karen returned to teach art at an elementary Christian school earlier this year, we faced harsh attacks by the media and the secular Left. And a major newspaper reporter actually started a new hashtag, called “Expose Christian Schools,” inviting students to share their “horror stories” of Christian education.
The freedom of religion is enshrined in our First Amendment and in the hearts of every American. And these attacks on Christian education are un-American.
I’m proud to report our administration has already taken decisive action to protect religious liberty, and we’ll continue to do just that. And I promise you: We will always stand up for the right of Americans to live, to learn, and to worship God according to the dictates of their conscience.
The American people cherish our tradition of religious education, and as President Trump said at this very podium two years ago, on our watch, “No one is ever going to stop you from practicing your faith or from preaching what is in your heart.” That’s a promise.
But my message to all of you in the Class of 2019 is — derives of the moment that we’re living in today. You know, throughout most of American history, it’s been pretty easy to call yourself Christian. It didn’t even occur to people that you might be shunned or ridiculed for defending the teachings of the Bible.
But things are different now. Some of the loudest voices for tolerance today have little tolerance for traditional Christian beliefs. So as you go about your daily life, just be ready. Because you’re going to be asked not just to tolerate things that violate your faith; you’re going to be asked to endorse them. You’re going to be asked to bow down to the idols of the popular culture.
So you need to prepare your minds for action, men and women. You need to show that we can love God and love our neighbor at the same time through words and deeds. And you need to be prepared to meet opposition.
As the founder of this university often said, quote, “No one ever achieved greatness without experiencing opposition.”
America has always been a nation of faith. And as our first Vice President, John Adams, said, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” So just know, as you strengthen your foundation of faith and the foundation of faith among the American people, you will be strengthening the foundation of America itself. "
Related news stories:
Dr. Kent Ingle: Facebook bans, censorship and Christian faith
With the recent Facebook ban of several high-profile users, many wonder if our freedom of speech is being jeopardized. A right of choice and expression has always been built into Christian thought, so when that freedom is directly threatened, how should our faith inform our response? When taken with any form of extremism, should it be censored? Or from a Christian perspective, should we be free to express our belief?---Fox News
https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/facebook-bans-censorship-and-christian-faith
Facebook and Disney Sponsor Islamist Group MPAC’s Media Awards Honoring Dead Anti-Semitic Activist Jamal Khashoggi.
On the evening of April 14, the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) conducted its annual “Media Awards” at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, with the lead honoree named as Jamal Khashoggi, the murdered Washington Post writer, Qatari mouthpiece, activist advocate for the Muslim Brotherhood, and recently revealed virulent anti-Semite.---PJ MEDIA
https://pjmedia.com/homeland-security/facebook-and-disney-sponsor-islamist-group-mpacs-media-awards-honoring-dead-anti-semitic-activist-jamal-khashoggi/
CAIR: Imam Asked to Deliver Opening Prayer in House of Representatives Is Target of Smears
(CNSNews.com) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) wants “all people of conscience” to contact their members of Congress to voice support for an imam whose past statements on Israel and Zionism have drawn fire after he was asked to delivered the opening prayer at the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday.
https://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/patrick-goodenough/cair-says-house-opening-prayer-imam-target-islamophobic-smear
What’s at Stake if We Lose Religious Freedom Now?
The First Amendment to the United States Constitution begins, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof … .”
Fast forward almost 250 years and religious freedom is one of the most pressing issues in American culture today. ---- Genevieve Wood/ CNSNEWS
https://www.cnsnews.com/commentary/genevieve-wood/whats-stake-if-we-lose-religious-freedom-now
Why Are Studios Still Scared of Christianity?
The new film Tolkien does more than examine the life of the mind behind Lord of the Rings.
The biopic reportedly ignores the large role faith played in J. R.R. Tolkien’s literature … and life.----NEWS BUSTERS
https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/christian-toto/2019/05/11/why-are-studios-still-scared-christianity
American Spectator: Protecting Faith in a World Filled with Religious Persecution and Repression
At least 33 countries are singled out in the U.S. commission’s latest report.
The Easter bombings in Sri Lanka offered a reminder both dramatic and tragic that religious minorities suffer brutally around the world. What made that instance unusual is that members of a minority faith, Muslims, targeted members of another minority faith, Christians. The more usual persecutors in Sri Lanka are Buddhist nationalists, who routinely target both Christians and Muslims.
https://spectator.org/protecting-faith-in-a-world-filled-with-religious-persecution-and-repression/
Western Journal: Warning: Christians Will Be 'Forced to Violate Their Beliefs' if Equality Act Passes
If The Equality Act passes, Baylor says, "we will see a proliferation of instances where Christians and others are being coerced to violate their beliefs in order to comply with such a law."
http://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2019/may/warning-christians-will-be-forced-to-violate-their-beliefs-if-equality-act-passes
A conservative Christian group is pushing Bible classes in public schools nationwide — and it’s working
GLASGOW, Ky. — Todd Steenbergen leads worship services in church sometimes, but today he was preaching in a different venue: the public-school classroom where he teaches.
“A lot of people will look at the Beatitudes and glean some wisdom from them,” he told the roomful of students, pointing toward the famous blessings he had posted on the board, some of the best-known verses in the Bible. “I want you to think about what kind of wisdom we can get from these today.”---Washington Post
In other related news stories about religious persecutions:
From the UN
Hate Speech Spreading Like Wildfire on Social Media, Secretary-General Warns during Visit with Christchurch Muslims, Stressing ‘We Must Extinguish It’
UN Press release issued 5. 14. 19
https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/sgsm19578.doc.htm
Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks during his visit to the Muslim community in Christchurch, New Zealand, today:
As salam alaikum. I thank this community very much for their welcome, particularly during this holy month of Ramadan. Every Ramadan I make a visit of solidarity somewhere around the world. Last year, it was in Mali, the year before that, in Afghanistan. This year, because of the terrible terrorist attack against your community, I wanted to be here with you.
Ramadan is a season of reflection, remembrance and renewal. I am here to express my deepest condolences, my profound respect and the fullest measure of my solidarity to you, your families and the community. I know there are no words to relieve the hurt and sorrow and pain. But, I wanted to come here personally to transmit love, support and total and complete admiration.
Like so many around the world, I was so moved by the poignant stories of compassion and grace from Christchurch. But, in many ways, I was not surprised. This community reflected a spirit that I have always known to be deeply embedded in Islam — a faith of love, compassion, forgiveness and mercy. As United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, I saw during 10 years the generosity of Muslim countries, always opening their borders to people in distress in a world where, unfortunately, so many other borders are closed.
This is in line with what I regard as the most beautiful prescription for refugee protection in world history. It is found in the Surah al-Tawbah of the Holy Qu’ran: “And if anyone seeks your protection, then grant him protection so that he can hear the words of Allah. Then escort him where he can be secure.” And protection to be granted to believers and non-believers in a fantastic demonstration of tolerance 14 centuries ago.
This was revealed to the Prophet, may peace be upon Him, more than 14 centuries before the 1951 Convention on the Protection of Refugees. Last month, I visited Al-Azhar Mosque and University in Cairo, where I was struck once again by the incredible contribution of the Islamic world to global civilization. During my visit, I was honoured to meet the Grand Imam, Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb, and thanked him for his recent interfaith meeting with Pope Francis in the United Arab Emirates.
The declaration signed by the two leaders on “human fraternity for world peace and living together” is a testimony of mutual respect, tolerance, compassion and peace. It calls on people of faith to recognize and respect one another and work together for the good of humanity.
We must stand together in this period of difficulties. Hate speech is spreading and public discourse is being coarsened. Social media is being exploited as a platform for bigotry. We must all show solidarity in response to this dangerous upsurge in hatred.
I have already set in motion two initiatives — to protect holy sites and to address hate speech. I have asked the High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, Miguel Moratinos, to develop an Action Plan for the UN to be fully engaged in support of safeguarding religious sites. I have also asked my Special Adviser for the Prevention of Genocide, Adama Dieng, to bring together a United Nations team to scale up our response to hate speech and present a global plan of action. Hate speech is spreading like wildfire on social media. We must extinguish it. There is no room for hate speech — online or offline.
As we move forward, I take inspiration from the reminder in the Holy Qu’ran (Surah Al-Hujurat 49:13): “We […] made you into races and tribes so that you may know one another.” I want to thank you for doing what you’re doing to help us better know each other — and see our shared humanity. In these trying times, I am here to say with a full heart: You are not alone. The world is with you. The United Nations is with you. I am with you. Thank you.
Secretary-General Strongly Condemns Deadly Burkina Faso Church Bombing, Urging Firm Opposition to Discord, Further Violence.
https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/sgsm19576.doc.htm
The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:
The Secretary-General strongly condemns this morning’s attack on a Catholic Church during mass in the village of Dablo, in the centre-north region of Burkina Faso.
He expresses his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to the injured. He recalls the sanctity of all places of worship and hopes the perpetrators can be swiftly brought to justice.
The Secretary-General conveys the solidarity of the United Nations to the Government and people of Burkina Faso in this difficult moment for the nation. He urges all citizens of Burkina Faso to stand firmly with one another across communities and not to succumb to efforts to sow discord and breed further violence. The United Nations stands ready to assist in any way it can.
Editorial note: And thats all that Guterres had to say on the gun attack.
Related story from the UN News Center: UN condemns deadly attack on Burkina Faso church
Senior UN officials, including Secretary-General António Guterres have voiced their outrage at a deadly attack on a Catholic church in the north of Burkina Faso on Sunday, during which six people were reportedly killed by gunmen.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/05/1038371
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WORLD NEWS HEADLINES
Myanmar: Conflict resolution at ‘total standstill’, military commanders must answer for crimes against humanity
Myanmar’s military commanders must answer charges of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide in a credible court, a United Nations Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar (FFM) said on Tuesday, urging the international community to cut off all financial and other support to them.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/05/1038501
‘Disaster resilient’ farming reduces agriculture risks, yields economic gains, says new UN agriculture agency report
A scale of economic gains through easy-to-implement "disaster resilient" farming practices was revealed on Monday at the launch of a new study by the United Nations agriculture agency.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/05/1038411
As Houthi forces withdraw from key Yemeni ports, UN monitoring chief welcomes 'first practical step on the ground'
As Yemenis continue to finalize redeployment procedures in line with the UN-brokered Hudaydah Agreement, under which Government coalition and rebel leaders are to pull forces out of the key port city of Hudaydah, the Chair of the Redeployment Coordination Committee on Friday welcomed an offer by the Houthi opposition to begin a unilateral withdrawal.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/05/1038321
UN health agency highlights lifestyle choices that can prevent onset of dementia, as millions more succumb each year
Key lifestyle choices such as getting regular exercise, not smoking or drinking too much, can reduce the risk of dementia and cognitive decline, the UN health agency said on Tuesday.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/05/1038441
World Migratory Bird Day highlights deadly risks of plastic pollution
These include getting caught up in fishing gear and other plastic debris; confusing plastic waste with food and eating it, which fills their stomachs and causes them to starve; and using debris as material for nest-building, which can harm their chicks.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/05/1038342
IN THIS WEEK'S EDITION:
PAGE 2
White House Fact Sheet
President Donald J. Trump Is Unleashing American Energy Dominance
PAGE 3
A Look at the Underlying Causes of the Opioid Crisis
PAGE 4
Second Defendant Pleads Guilty in Multimillion Dollar Prize Promotion Scam Affecting Elderly Victims
PAGE 5
Former IRS Employee Convicted of Tax Evasion
PAGE 6
Senator Murray Introduces Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act to Reduce Bullying and Harassment at Colleges and Universities Across the Country
PAGE 7
Spartina treatment season starts June 1
💻 Due to technical reason beyond my control
We couldn't give you local readers a complete round up of local meetings this week because many of the local government sites were unreachable or down when this paper was being published.Apparently Local web pages were restored on Saturday around 4: pm thus those meetings have been posted on pg 7
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