In response to the Urgent Need for Prayer

Someone posted on our Christian Singles forums, an article written by some wanting to reclaim America from Muslims, and their concern that 50,000 Muslims were marching and praying in Washington DC. The article was written by Shirley Dobson, Lou Engle, & Tony Perkins.

The following is my response:
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This does not give me any fear. It gives me no cause for concern. Nor does it make me want to take a stand, or take back the land. Au contraire: It makes me proud to be an American. This is what makes America great. Americans marching and praying on the DC Lawn. Wonderful!

Does anyone know what the First Amendment to the US Constitution is anymore? "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."

My freedom MUST mean that others are free - including those that I disagree with or who live differently than me, including Muslims or any other religion. America is great because ALL are free, not just me, and my Christianity. If all are not free, then none are free.

Freedom.... is not free. This means I must sacrifice something of my own self, my own freedom, to ensure, and work for, even demand, that others are just as free, including Muslims.Christians are no more free than any other religion. If so, then America is no longer America, the land of the FREE. It is no longer America the great.

So, they are "calling for 50,000 Muslims to gather and pray on the DC Mall." Praise God.

I would that every day 50,000 Americans would gather and pray on the DC Mall! American is great because 50,000 people are free to gather and pray, anywhere, including the DC Mall. Could they do that in Iran? Do you realize what people are sacrificing in some countries to be able to have that kind of freedom? That kind of freedom is the kind of freedom that people are dying for in other places.

I shudder when I hear people trying to turn America the Great into a repressed country like some of the destitute places of the world. I shudder. It is illegal to be a Christian in some countries. Are we wanting to do that in America in reverse? God forbid. Shame on us for even thinking it. I'm disappointed in people who think they are making America great by turning it into Iran. They do not understand what American is really about. Someone want to make it so that only Christians are free to pray in this country? Again, shame on those of you who even entertain the idea. Someone wants to remove the constitutional freedoms of certain Americans because of their religion? Shame on them for not understanding American or the Constitution.

Someone wants me to take back the land? Take it back from what? From those that are using their freedoms granted in the constitution? We want to take away constitutional freedoms from Americans? Isn't that what all the blogs, and Becks and Hannity's and others are screaming about lately? People cheer Beck when he preaches about the constitution and freedoms and then wish to actually steal freedoms fellow American's based on nothing but their religion? They want to actually do what they are so fearful of Obama doing? Shame on them for that hypocrisy.

Constitutional freedoms aren't just for Christians. They are for Americans. How dare I say that my freedom is more important than another American's freedom. How dare I suggest that a Christian's freedom is more important than any other American's freedom. America is great because we are all free. If all faiths do not have a home here in the United States, then no faith does, including Christianity. If all faiths are not free, then the very purposes and principles grounded in the founding of this great country are lost!

This country was founded on the principles of FREEDOM. The Declaration of Independence is a declaration of FREEDOM. Freedom for ALL citizens, not just the ones like me. Freedom for everyone.

Here is the stated purpose of this gathering of 50,000:
• The Athan will be chanted on Capitol Hill, echoing off of the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument and other great edifices that surround Capitol Hill
• Thousands of Muslims from all races, creeds, colors and ethnicities will gather for the sole purpose of prayer
• Bonds of friendship will be formed between those in attendance, both Muslims and Non-Muslims
• Muslim youth will experience tours of the Library of Congress and the Supreme Court.
• The peace, beauty and solidarity of Islam will shine through America's capitol.

If someone wishes to tell me that that are opposed to Americans doing just that: praying, learning, bonding in friendships in the land of the free, then I would say that they do not understand America.

Men are Pigs

Catchy title?

I read something the other day, this is not an exact quote, but this is what it meant:

"Why do men divorce women? Because men are pigs!
Why do women divorce men? Because men are pigs!"

At first I thought, "how silly." But as I explored further, I think this is mainly true in American culture.
A man will divorce his wife and move on to another life, and society will say, "That creep!"
Women will divorce her husband and move on and society will say, "Right on!" "We just want you to be happy." "We are glad you finally left that creep."

Of course, this is generalization. But my own experience and observations confirm to me that this is largely true.

Do you agree with this? If so, why is it? Please note: I'm not refering to what should be a Biblical/Christian attitude toward divorce, but what is the attitude of society in general.

I experienced this in my own divorce 2 1/2 years ago. My wife left and suddenly all of our friends, much of family and the community left with her. All of her family - that I loved much - disappeared. She moved out and suddenly I felt like a pariah in my own neighborhood. “What did he do to cause her to leave?” I could almost hear them whispering. Friendly neighbors turned distant. I knew of many that said to her something like, "We just want you to be happy. Do what you have to do."

I knew that if she had died her family would have visited me daily. They would have brought me food. Called me. Comforted me. Her/our friends as well would have done the same. My neighbors would have been at the door to help. But because she divorced rather than died, suddenly those family and friends dropped off the face of the earth.

What do you think?

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