Christ, Christians and Christmas Under Attack In The Courts

[nChrist]

We all know that the ACLU's case about giving Bibles away in school is a load of BALONEY. I assume these were Gideons giving out the Bibles. All they would have to do to avoid embarrassment for anyone would be to make an announcement:  "Anyone wanting a free Bible can pick one up at the back table on the way out of class today."

On the other side of the coin, the ACLU will fight a buzz-saw to keep what most parents consider to be pornography in the school libraries. We really need a NEW criminal law:  BEING AN ACLU MEMBER IN PUBLIC. If this didn't end their attack against everything decent, we could add a lesser offense:  ACTING LIKE AN ACLU MEMBER IN PUBLIC. And, the police should have the authority to investigate SUSPECTED ACLU MEMBERS IN PUBLIC.   

   By the way, I also think WE DO NEED separate schools for devil worshipers.

[Soldier4Christ]

NJ coach can't pray

Coach deprived of his freedom of religion

A federal court has ruled that a public school football coach is constitutionally prohibited from even respectfully acknowledging the student-led prayers of his team.

Marcus Borden is the head football coach at East Brunswick High School in New Jersey. He wanted to bow his head when his team members asked the blessing over their pre-game meal and to join the team in kneeling when they pray in the locker room. But his school district had a policy prohibiting any faculty or staff participation in any student-initiated religious activity. He sued to overturn the policy.
 
The U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey struck down the policy as unconstitutional on several grounds. The court found the restriction was overly broad and vague and that it violated Coach Borden's freedoms of speech, religion, association, due process, and academic freedom.
 
But the Third Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals recently disagreed, arguing that "a reasonable observer would conclude that Borden was endorsing religion when he engaged in these acts."
 
The court also said that it does not matter that Borden's intentions were to demonstrate solidarity with his team, not to promote any specific religion. The judges wrote, "We must consider whether a reasonable observer would perceive his actions as endorsing religion, not whether Borden intends to endorse religion."
 
The court used the First Amendment's Establishment Clause which states that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof" as the basis for their decision forbidding Borden to join in his team's student-initiated prayers.

[Soldier4Christ]

Pharmacists' rights of conscience protected – for now
Appeals Court protects Christians as Plan B case progresses

Pharmacists who have moral objections to dispensing chemicals that cause abortions have won the latest battle in their war with the abortion industry, which is trying to force them to dispense drugs such as RU-486 in violation of their conscience.

The 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals has ruled that pharmacists in Washington state will be protected during an appeal by state officials who earlier imposed a requirement for them to dispense abortifacients.

The ruling means, according to the Alliance Defense Fund, that a court order to suspend those newly approved state rules will remain in effect during arguments in the case.

The state regulations were written to force pharmacies and pharmacists to stock and distribute abortion-inducing drugs regardless of their religious or moral opposition.

"Pharmacists and other health-care workers shouldn't be punished for abiding by their beliefs," said Erik Stanley, a senior counsel for the ADF. "They should never be forced to abandon their pro-life convictions in order to appease a government agenda, even while an appeal moves forward in court.

"No one should ever be forced to choose between keeping their career and honoring their faith," he said.

The 9th Circuit said in its ruling last week that the state of Washington failed to demonstrate that the abortion-inducing drugs, including the so-called "Plan B" drug, weren't readily available already.

The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington several months ago had issued a preliminary injunction against the new state rules during the course of a lawsuit filed against state officials over the issue. The state then asked that to be overturned.

When the case was filed, Kristen Waggoner, of the Seattle-based law firm Ellis, Li & McKinstry, said, "The right to conscientiously object to the taking of human life is deeply rooted in our nation's history and laws. The 'morning-after' pill can unnaturally and deliberately kill innocent human life."

The lower court's original order found "the regulations appear to target religious practice in a way forbidden by the Constitution" "and "appear to intentionally place a significant burden on the free exercise of religion for those who believe life begins at conception…"

The case developed when Kevin Stormans, an owner of Ralph's Thriftway, got a telephone call about the availability of Plan B. After discovering the abortion-inducing results, Stormans, a Christian, decided his store would not stock the product.

Activists then launched a picketing campaign against him, and filed complaints with the Washington Board of Pharmacy. Eventually his company, along with two individual pharmacists, were forced into the court action.

The battle, however, won't be concluded when the appeals court eventually decides this case.

WND has reported Democrats in Congress have been proposing fines for pharmacies of up to $500,000 if the pharmacists follow their conscience and decline to dispense abortifacient chemicals.

"Pharmacists are professionals, not vending machines," said Wendy Wright, president of Concerned Women for America, said at the time "The FDA has been known to make mistakes in approving drugs, and doctors have made mistakes in prescribing. Pharmacists provide a line of defense to ensure that patients' lives and health are protected and can make patients aware of ethical concerns.

"Yet this bill would punish pharmacists up to $500,000 for acting on their ethical duty," she said.

The new plan, called the "Access to Birth Control Act," originally was pushed forward by U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., and Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J.

Among the groups supporting the requirement were NARAL Pro-Choice America and Planned Parenthood.

The law also allows "any person aggrieved" to file a civil lawsuit for "appropriate relief, including actual and punitive damages, injunctive relief, and a reasonable attorney's fee and cost."

Christian pharmacists already have taken stands that have cost them their jobs. Four Walgreens pharmacists were put on unpaid leave in an earlier case in Illinois.

Ann Polka, the manager for the Belleville, Ill., Catholic Diocese's Project Rachel, a post-abortion healing program, said the action was "unjust."

"They are being let go because they couldn't in good conscience dispense the drugs," she said.

Plan B essentially is a very high dosage of birth-control chemicals taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex to prevent ovulation or implantation. If ovulation is prevented, no egg is fertilized and no pregnancy occurs. But if ovulation has taken place and the egg is fertilized, the morning-after pill works to block implantation by the early embryo in the mother's womb. The embryo is aborted, making dispensing prescriptions for the pill a matter of conscience for pro-life pharmacists.

John Menges, one of the four Illinois pharmacists, said the FDA erred in classifying Plan B as an oral contraceptive since it performs the work of an abortifacient.

"This punitive bill would bankrupt pharmacists for doing what they believe protects people from harm," said Wright. "We need pharmacists with strong convictions about protecting life and health, but this bill would drive people with such convictions out of the pharmaceutical profession – which would be detrimental to all patients."

She noted that "ardent abortion activists" are promoting the plan, even though it would "criminalize 'freedom of choice' by forcing people to act against their beliefs."

Pharmacists For Life International, a group that opposes abortion, cites a study showing seven of 10 pharmacists believe they have a right to conscience in refusing to fill prescriptions for drugs that violate their moral, ethical or religious beliefs.

[Soldier4Christ]

Military honchos 'suppress'
chaplain's Baptist services
Was told being 'born again'
has 'no place' in Army life

An investigation is being sought by a Christian church organization in the United States after the U.S. Army deliberately shut down a service one of its sponsored chaplains was running for U.S. military service personnel at Forward Operating Base Loyalty in Iraq.

The complaint by Associated Gospel Churches, a fellowship of Independent Fundamental Christian churches, has been forwarded to the Army by U.S. Rep. Walter Jones, R-N.C., seeking an Army Inspector General investigation.

Rev. G. William Baugham, the chairman of the AGC's commission on chaplains, told WND that the circumstances are particularly egregious since it appears it was a representative from another Christian denomination that closed down the service that had been operated at FOB Loyalty by Chaplain Stuart Kazarovich, who has been endorsed by the AGC.

The services held by Kazarovich were shut down for five weeks, from July 8-Aug. 12, 2007, the organization's report on the situation confirmed.

"Because this information is now in the public domain, the AGC acknowledges that the Fundamental Baptist service led by Chaplain Stuart Kazarovich, an AGC endorsed chaplain, appears to have been suppressed because it was offensive to the brigade chaplain," Baugham told WND in a prepared statement.

"AGC believes the Army's initial response was slow and ineffective, despite the unprecedented depredation of basic constitutional rights of the fundamental Baptist congregation," he continued. "In short, this calls attention to the suppression of a Fundamental Baptist service and the command's insensitivity to religious hostility."

A comment could not be obtained from the Army immediately on this case, but WND has reported earlier on issues within the corps of chaplains for the U.S. military because of some members were approved for those posts by Abdurahman Alamoudi, who at the time headed the American Muslim Council, and now is serving a 23-year prison sentence on federal terrorism charges.

WND also has reported on the battle waged by Navy Chaplain Gordon Klingenschmitt, who actually was separated from the military for his decision to pray "in Jesus' name."

Rev. Baugham indicated the facts in the new case are disturbing.

He said Kazarovich was assigned as a battalion chaplain in 2006 to a unit in Fort Carson, Colo., during its preparation for deployment to Iraq.

"Kazarovich's sending church is an Independent Baptist Church," he confirmed. "[He] immediately began experiencing hostility from his brigade chaplain directed at [Chaplain] Kazarovich's Fundamental Baptist beliefs."

"This included criticisms of his sermons and his answers to soldiers' questions concerning how they could have peace with God and the assurance of salvation, which address basic Christian beliefs," he said. "At one point, his brigade chaplain is alleged to have said that being 'born again' has no place in the Army."

Once in the war zone, Kazarovich started a Christian service that was attended by more than 30 soldiers at FOB Loyalty.

"One of those who attended was a self-identified agnostic who said that it was the one service that he found challenging and thought provoking," Baugham said.

Then for a scheduled rest and recreation leave, Kazarovich arranged to have the service continue. However, "his brigade chaplain canceled the services [and] upon CH Kazarovich's return from R&R July 24, 2007, the brigade chaplain told CH Kazarovich there would be no more Fundamental service," Baugham said.

Soldiers then rebelled, Baugham confirmed, contacting AGC for help to re-establish the service.

Baugham said he wrote the battalion commander suggesting the censorship was a violation of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act and the Constitution's Free Exercise, Establishment and Due Process clauses, and also contacted the division chaplain and chief of chaplains.

Not only did 34 of the soldiers from Kazarovich's congregation sign a petition seeking a return of the service, some of the family members of those soldiers as well as soldiers' pastors joined in, he said.

"It is overwhelming evidence that in the minds of these soldiers, their service was suppressed and the command had no intention of reinstituting it," he said.

"Out of respect for the Army's and Chaplain Corps' commitment to free exercise, the AGC attempted to resolve the problem through the appropriate Army channels. AGC issues this press release because the incident has become more widely known and believes the public has a right to the basic information without impeding the ongoing investigation," Baugham said.

He said the initial military investigation alleged the service was "suspended" for the five weeks it was not allowed, even though he had exchanged letters with the battalion commander prior to the suppression attempting to resolve "what appeared to be the brigade chaplain's harassment and intolerance of Fundamental Christian beliefs."

Jones' office could not comment on the issue today, although his office has been integral in fighting for the religious rights of military service members. A constituent earlier had notified him that a chaplain had asked him whether it would be allowed to mention "Jesus."

"He alluded to the fact that he and other chaplains had been asked not to mention Jesus Christ. This startles and frightens me that our faith is being infringed upon, even within our own military," the constituent said.

Another comment came in from an Army chaplain.

"The persecution centers on Christian chaplains praying in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ," he wrote. "My 'Christian' group leader was indignant and ridiculed me for praying in Jesus' name and for suggesting that I would have an altar call during chapel services that I lead," the chaplain, whose identity was withheld, wrote.

"Additionally, he said, it is offensive to pray in the name of Jesus and is against Army policy to do so."

Jones also earlier rallied help for an Army chaplain who was serving in Iraq but was removed from his chapel for speaking to the media about the importance of the freedom to pray according to his faith tradition. The chaplain later was reinstated.

The issue of praying in Jesus' name also has come up in the setting of public facilities in the United States.

But it is the case of Klingenschmitt that so far has raised the most serious questions about the military's treatment of Christianity.

He was convicted by the Navy of failing to follow a lawful order because his superior didn't want him praying "in Jesus name." But when Congress got word of his $3,000 fine for his prayer, members ordered the Navy to remove the limitation and allow chaplains to pray as their "conscience dictates."

[nChrist]

In this day and age, it  doesn't surprise me at all that many are trying to suppress the mention of JESUS CHRIST. After all, this is the NAME that the devil hates the most. The devil suffered his worst defeat from JESUS CHRIST on the CROSS, and the devil will suffer his final defeat from JESUS CHRIST. After all, JESUS CHRIST is the only way to Salvation, and the devil knows this quite well. JESUS CHRIST is also the Intercessor and Mediator between GOD and man - THE ONE - THE ONLY - THE GREAT I AM! So, it makes perfect sense that the devil hates to hear this HOLY NAME.

I do find this incident to be more than just disturbing. Denial of a worship service for troops in combat should result in a prison sentence for those responsible. Denial of prayer in the NAME of JESUS CHRIST is just as bad. In comparison to the reasons why we fought the revolutionary war, THIS IS WORSE! There is something hideous about denial of RELIGIOUS FREEDOM for those who are putting their very lives on the line for our way of life, our freedoms, our rights, AND CERTAINLY OUR UNQUESTIONED RIGHT TO WORSHIP GOD! It makes me sick to know that they are preserving my rights WHILE THEIR RIGHTS are being denied! I DEMAND that their rights be restored and preserved! Those responsible for this atrocity need to spend some time in Leavenworth and be Dishonorably Discharged!

[Soldier4Christ]

Amen! I must admit that those in service do have a certain number of their rights removed and rightfully so. I am also sure that you are aware of this, brother. Those rights that are removed is of a necessity in order to preserve their safety and the safety of all others both the Military that are with them and those they are protecting. Religious freedom is only marginally effected (i.e. not able to stop and perform religious "ceremonies" any time they wish if they interfere with their assigned duties.) Worshiping or praying in the name of Jesus Christ is NOT one of those loss of freedoms!

I say this because many do not realize what our Soldiers and Sailors must go through. I also say this as there are some that join the Military and think that they retain all rights. One cannot just walk out if they suddenly disagree with their assigned duties. Being in the Military is not a picnic. It is one of the toughest jobs a person can have and an honorable one at that. Our Military members need to be respected for what they do and what they must go through to do it. It is a complete atrocity to remove what freedoms they do have. Worshiping and praying in the name of Jesus does not in any way hinder the completion of their duties and it is a freedom that they still retain and is protected by Military law. I agree that those that attempt to take away that freedom should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

[nChrist]

Pastor Roger,

Brother, you and I are on the same sheet of music. We've also been there many times and know how much it means to pray and worship. GOD doesn't care about the location, and it could even be in the middle of a battle. However, there are always more solemn times when all attention can be devoted to worship, and this is what was denied for some of our soldiers. I feel quite sure that they had prayer and worship whether their Chaplain allowed it or not. It just wasn't done in the manner that FREE COUNTRIES do things!

Love In Christ,
Tom

 

[Soldier4Christ]

Brother, you and I are on the same sheet of music.

Yes, I was positive that we were. My last post was mainly for those that did not know these things.

It just wasn't done in the manner that FREE COUNTRIES do things!

Unfortunately the only "FREE COUNTRIES" are quickly becoming less and less free by the day.

[Maryjane]

Even though the courts do what they do, and our country takes away the Word of God, no one can take away the freedom we have in Christ Jesus..He is our hope and peace.  We are under attack everyday and yet, we still cling to the promises for they are true and we can rest assured that God's word will come to pass. The Lord is not under attack..the ones under attack are the ones that do not know the Lord for their fate is eternal seperation from God and cast into hell.  People do not want to acknowledge there is a hell, but it is a fact.  In the end, the Lord will cast the devil into the pit and there will be no battle for the battle has been won the day the Lord rose from the grave. Thanks be to God that we have hope eternal and that even if this earth passes away, God's Word stands true..

[Soldier4Christ]

District drops 'John 3:16' ban
Allowed Hindu, satanic symbols in student work but not Christian

An art policy at a Wisconsin high school that allowed images of Buddha, the Grim Reaper, demons and Medusa but banned the Bible reference John 3:16 is being changed as the result of a student's challenge to the district.

The turnabout came after Alliance Defense Fund attorneys filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court on behalf of a student at Tomah High School who was given a "zero" grade for refusing to remove the words "John 3:16" and "a sign of love" from an art project.

The student, identified as A.P. in the suit, was told by his teacher that the cross and biblical reference on his drawing needed to be covered because they were sparking comments from other students. He was then shown a policy banning depictions of "blood, violence, sexual connotations, [or] religious beliefs," which A.P. had signed to participate in the class.

Under the terms of the settlement reached yesterday, Tomah Area School District officials have removed the ban on religious expression in class assignments. A.P.'s artwork has been graded, and all references to the detentions have been cleared from his record. The school also agreed to pay A.P.'s attorney fees.

A.P. received a B+ for his artwork, ADF said.

Censoring A.P.'s work on religious grounds smacked of hypocrisy, the ADF lawyers argued..

"While penalizing A.P.'s religious expression, defendants prominently display[ed] in the school's hallway a large painting of a six-limbed Hindu woman riding a swan figure," the complaint said. "… Elsewhere, on a hallway bulletin board, there hangs a drawing of a robed sorcerer."

The school also houses a sitting Buddha fountain, and a replica of Michelangelo's "The Creation of Man" is displayed at the school's entrance. Other students have their religious artwork on display, including drawings of Medusa and the Grim Reaper and masks of devil-like figures.

"Allowing demonic depictions by some students while prohibiting Christian religious expression in artwork by others is a blatant violation of the Constitution," said David Cortman, senior ADF counsel.

ADF also argued in its suit against the policy prohibiting religious expression that A.P. was compelled to sign.

When A.P. was confronted by his teacher, she showed him the policy and explained that he had "signed away his First Amendment rights."

But A.P. tore the policy in protest, an act for which he received a pair of detentions, denying any such surrender of rights.

“The student was correct," Cortman explained. "A public school cannot require students to sign away their constitutional right to free speech and religious expression. Furthermore, other students created artwork in violation of this illegitimate policy, but no action was taken against them. Only our client was singled out."

[nChrist]

Hello Pastor Roger,

The devil hates John 3:16 because it contains the TRUTH about victory over the devil.

(John 3:16 NASB)  "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

(John 3:17 NASB)  "For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.

(John 3:18 NASB)  "He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

(John 3:19 NASB)  "This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.

(John 3:20 NASB)  "For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.

(John 3:21 NASB)  "But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God."
________________________

Brother, we both know there is great power in John 3:16, and the few Verses following John 3:16 explain that power. JESUS CHRIST is the LIGHT OF THE WORLD and coming into HIS LIGHT is a beautiful and eternal VICTORY! We are living in a day and age where the devil is doing everything in his power to hide the TRUTH that sets men FREE from the curse of sin and death. I think that the young man who did this art project understood the power of John 3:16, and I give thanks that he wanted to share it with his classmates. I firmly believe that GOD used it and GOD is still using it.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Ephesians 2:8-10 NASB  For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

[HisDaughter]

District drops 'John 3:16' ban
Allowed Hindu, satanic symbols in student work but not Christian

An art policy at a Wisconsin high school that allowed images of Buddha, the Grim Reaper, demons and Medusa but banned the Bible reference John 3:16 is being changed as the result of a student's challenge to the district.

The turnabout came after Alliance Defense Fund attorneys filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court on behalf of a student at Tomah High School who was given a "zero" grade for refusing to remove the words "John 3:16" and "a sign of love" from an art project.

The student, identified as A.P. in the suit, was told by his teacher that the cross and biblical reference on his drawing needed to be covered because they were sparking comments from other students. He was then shown a policy banning depictions of "blood, violence, sexual connotations, [or] religious beliefs," which A.P. had signed to participate in the class.

Under the terms of the settlement reached yesterday, Tomah Area School District officials have removed the ban on religious expression in class assignments. A.P.'s artwork has been graded, and all references to the detentions have been cleared from his record. The school also agreed to pay A.P.'s attorney fees.

A.P. received a B+ for his artwork, ADF said.

Censoring A.P.'s work on religious grounds smacked of hypocrisy, the ADF lawyers argued..

"While penalizing A.P.'s religious expression, defendants prominently display[ed] in the school's hallway a large painting of a six-limbed Hindu woman riding a swan figure," the complaint said. "… Elsewhere, on a hallway bulletin board, there hangs a drawing of a robed sorcerer."

The school also houses a sitting Buddha fountain, and a replica of Michelangelo's "The Creation of Man" is displayed at the school's entrance. Other students have their religious artwork on display, including drawings of Medusa and the Grim Reaper and masks of devil-like figures.

"Allowing demonic depictions by some students while prohibiting Christian religious expression in artwork by others is a blatant violation of the Constitution," said David Cortman, senior ADF counsel.

ADF also argued in its suit against the policy prohibiting religious expression that A.P. was compelled to sign.

When A.P. was confronted by his teacher, she showed him the policy and explained that he had "signed away his First Amendment rights."

But A.P. tore the policy in protest, an act for which he received a pair of detentions, denying any such surrender of rights.

“The student was correct," Cortman explained. "A public school cannot require students to sign away their constitutional right to free speech and religious expression. Furthermore, other students created artwork in violation of this illegitimate policy, but no action was taken against them. Only our client was singled out."

Way to stand strong A.P.!  Hurray for this student!

[Soldier4Christ]

Amen! I also give thanks for the many other young people that are also coming forward more and more each day giving the good news of Jesus Christ as this young man did. We both know that there will be times ahead where it will be very difficult for Christians to do so. I praise God for those that are doing what they can to make a difference while they are still able.

[nChrist]

Brothers and Sisters,

Having the continuing freedom and safety to distribute GOD'S WORD AND HIS GOOD NEWS is something we should all pray about every day. It's horrible to think that this freedom might be taken away, but we're living in a day and age when this could easily happen, even in this part of the world. We should all pray that GOD keeps the channels of distribution open because of the great hosts who are still desperate for the GOOD NEWS.

We should think about Christians all over the world who are being persecuted, beaten, imprisoned, and killed simply for being servants of GOD. I feel quite sure that they considered the Salvation of the lost to be more important than their own personal safety. The number of Christian martyrs is growing rapidly, but the devil has not been able to stop GOD'S WORK. The Holy Bible tells us that GOD'S WORK will never be stopped, even during the seven year Tribulation Period. Great hosts will be saved during the Tribulation Period, even though sharing GOD'S WORD will bring an immediate death penalty. We should pray for the persecuted BODY OF CHRIST around the world and know that things are going to get much worse during the Last Days. I've thought about and prayed about what to do if our freedoms are removed. I feel led to pray for courage and continue to serve GOD in whatever way that HE wants to use me. If that means physical death, so be it. It has resulted in the death of countless Christians through the ages, BUT HE IS WORTHY! ALL GLORY MUST BE GIVEN TO GOD!

Love In Christ,
Tom

1 Corinthians 2:7-16
But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.


Romans 8:14-15 NASB
For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!"

2 Timothy 1:7-12 NASB
For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher. For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.

[Soldier4Christ]

Secret plans under way to tear down Christian symbols
Army says chapel crosses violate policy

U.S. soldiers stationed at Camp Bondsteel in Kosovo may be stunned to find three wooden crosses stripped from the exterior grounds of their chapel in coming weeks – and many never saw it coming.

Several high-ranking officers have met behind closed doors to discuss plans for the crosses. They have decided to remove, and perhaps destroy, the Christian symbols located outside Peacekeeper's Chapel in the name of free exercise of religion.

Lt. Col. William Jenkins, 35th Infantry Division's Kosovo Force 9 command chaplain, told WND, "The removal of the crosses … is bringing the chapel into line with long-standing regulations and policies that apply to every U.S. Army chapel around the world and that are supported by all faith groups in the U.S. Army."

Jenkins cited the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution as validation for the cross removal, saying it guarantees every American the right to the free exercise of religion. He also referenced an Army directive that bans religious symbols from chapels:

      Distinctive religious symbols, such as crosses, crucifixes, the Star of David, menorah, and other religious symbols, will not be affixed or displayed permanently on the chapel exterior or grounds. (Army Reg. 165-1, 13-3.d)

Army chapels are also required to be devoid of religious symbols on furnishings, such as altars, pulpits and lecterns.

"This is not a new regulation and exists to protect the free exercise of religion of all soldiers," Jenkins said. "Army chapels are for all soldiers of all faith groups."

Following a secret vote, several officers decided to take down the crosses as part of a "relandscaping" project. Only one person present at the meeting voted against the measure.

Soldiers say high-ranking officers have been secretive about plans for the crosses and have not made an official announcement to troops – leaving most in the dark about plans until the crosses have been removed.

The crosses will be replaced with a stone monument engraved with the name of the chapel and the crest of U.S. Army Chaplain Corps, Jenkins said. At the time of this report, there were no indications of plans to notify soldiers of the decision.

Although the camp itself was named after Sgt. James Bondsteel, a soldier who earned the Medal of Honor in Vietnam, high-ranking Army personnel have also decided to remove a memorial plaque dedicated to fallen Chaplain Gordon Oglesby, who served and died in Kosovo, because it violates a policy against naming a chapel after a soldier.

One person stationed in Kosovo became concerned about freedom of religious expression in the military after WND reported the Army deliberately shut down a chaplain's Baptist service at Forward Operating Base Loyalty in Iraq. The soldier expressed agitation at a perceived double standard after an American sniper accused of shooting a Quran for target practice faced disciplinary action and removal from Iraq for desecrating the religious property.

"It is very discouraging as a Christian soldier to see our Army punish him for destroying a Quran, but then it pays a private company to destroy some crosses," the soldier said. "I feel it is a slap in the face to me, my Lord and my freedom."