by Nathan A. Cherry, 12/30/2011

Martinsburg, WV – Not too long ago I brought you the story of Rose Marie Belforti, the Ledyard Town Clerk who stood firm in her religious convictions against same-sex “marriage” despite the recent passage of a New York law legalizing it. Her story has been hailed a religious victory because, despite some opposition in her bid to be re-elected as town clerk, she won by a large margin. This signaled the people’s vote of confidence in her and silent agreement with her position.

I was particularly impressed with Ms. Belforti’s creative solution that removed her from the responsibility of signing marriage licenses for same-sex couples by having another clerk do it by appointment. This is a logical, reasonable solution that allows Ms. Belforti the ability to perform her job at a high level of excellence while not compromising her convictions.

A recent article that seems to be the audible wondering of the author seems to ask a question that I think many American’s are beginning to ask more often: “What more do these people want?” Here’s what the author had to say about the brewing controversy that is sure to test religious freedom in New York:

“But when I read it (The account of Ms. Belforti), I said to myself, ‘what more do these people want?’  First of all, they could’ve gone to any other clerk’s office if they had to get married immediately – I have no idea why the marriage was so urgent in August when the law went into effect in July.  My guess is they wanted to make a big deal of Mrs. Belforti’s religious beliefs….What was amazing, but not surprising, was to read about this story and the resultant comments on the Huffington Post.  The level of hatred towards Mrs. Belforti was so outrageous I had to wonder why are the people who write comments on the Huffington Post so angry?  Mrs. Belforti was called just about every name in the book simply because she had strong religious beliefs….Then I wondered if an elected official somewhere, opposed to the death penalty, refused to pull the lever to the electric chair but delegated that duty to another person, would be the target of the same vitriolic attacks from the left.  Would that person be called a religious zealot?  Somehow I doubt it.”

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by Nathan A. Cherry, 12/29/2011

Martinsburg, WV – As the New Year dawns one thing we can be sure of is that the 2012 presidential race will take center stage for most of the year. Campaign trails are mapped out and funds are beginning to flow in increasingly interesting ways. One issue that will be hotly debated and contentious among candidates and votes alike is that of same-sex “marriage.”

In 2008 presidential candidate Obama said time and again that he was opposed to same-sex “marriage.” He also said he views were evolving and that time would determine how he felt. I, for one, have no problem discerning where the president stands on the issue. Maybe he has not come out and said he supports same-sex “marriage” but his actions conclude the matter. President Obama has been the most pro-abortion, and pro-homosexual president in America’s history. His administration decided not to defend America’s federal DOMA law while repealing the military’s “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy.

These actions, among others, have proven to us all that President Obama is solidly in the corner of the homosexual community and will be an ardent supporter of their liberal agenda. And now he is, evidently, sending congratulation letters to same-sex couples in the event of their unions.

According to TheBlaze.com regarding the suspected note from the President:

“A recently-married gay couple has come forward saying that they received a random card from the president. The note, which offers them well-wishes as they start their life together, may be further evidence that Obama is preparing to turn a corner on his views on gay matrimonies… The letter, which was dated Dec. 8, 2011, offers congratulations ‘on this special occasion.’ It goes on to say that both Michelle and the president ‘hope it is blessed with love, laughter, and happiness.’”

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by Nathan A. Cherry, 12/26/2011

Martinsburg, WV – I do my best to follow the stem cell research news because of its obvious implications in the defense of life from conception; a conviction I firmly espouse. You can probably understand my frustration then, when I read countless articles on the ever-widening successes of adult stem cell research only to see our government refuse to invest in this safe, morally acceptable form of research; while continuing to fund a failure like embryonic stem cell research.

If you are curious about my position, you can check out some past articles such as this one, or this one about NFL Quarterback Peyton Manning.

But let’s face it, I’m not a scientist and my knowledge of the subject is limited to reputable news sources; so it’s really limited. And though I am smart enough to know that embryonic stem cell research kills al living human embryo, and is therefore morally unacceptable, there is little chance of anyone listening to me on the subject.

So you can imagine my excitement when I read this article on the recent decision of the scientist that cloned “Dolly” to leave the embryonic stem cell research field in favor of adult stem cell research.

It’s like an early Christmas present for all pro-lifers that can’t figure out why anyone, especially our government, would continue to throw millions of dollars into a form of research that has, so far, accomplished nothing. Not one single success story from embryonic stem cell research against the thousands of very exciting and hopeful success stories thanks to adult stem cell research. Here’s what the article said:

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by Nathan A. Cherry, 12/26/2011

Martinsburg, WV – Sure, it’s the day after Christmas. But I thought maybe, just maybe it was a really busy weekend filled with friends, family, and food, in which you were so busy you didn’t realize Christmas was passing. Or, perhaps it was a difficult Christmas as you missed loved ones, struggled with finances, or simply battled the loneliness many people can feel at this time of year. Whatever your circumstances might be I thought maybe a Christmas message the day after Christmas is just what you needed to hear.

I am sharing two messages. One comes from Glenn Beck, found on his website, and is a simple message for all those that seem to end up too busy to remember what this time of year is really about. The other is from The Gospel Coalition and shares the hope and light that Christmas shines into pain and darkness. Take a moment to read them and remember the purpose, meaning, and message of Christmas.

A Christmas Message from Glenn Beck:

It’s hard to believe that we are only a few days away from Christmas. Maybe it’s just me, but it’s starting to become unrecognizable. As I spent my last few days in New York City I saw the streets lined with shoppers at all hours of the day. A few weeks ago I saw people fighting over waffle makers and toasters. It seems like people are more focused on “me” and “mine” rather than on the true meaning of the season.

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by Nathan A. Cherry, 12/23/2011

Martinsburg, WV – It has been proven time and again in American culture that sex does indeed sell. The fact that this is so true also helps us understand teen pregnancy/birth rates, single households, and the spread of STD’s. One show is taking another approach to the idea of “sex sells,” with a twist no one saw coming. But now the questions is being asked, “Is this about information of plain ole’ teasing?”

TLC’s new show “Virgin Diaries” seeks to chronicle the lives of adult virgins that have made the decision to save themselves for marriage. If you haven’t seen or heard of the show you can find plenty of Virgin Diaries videos on YouTube previewing it and showing clips.

According to one recent article on the new show, what you will find is this:

“Among the ‘late bloomers’ is a couple who are not only saving themselves for their wedding night, but also saving their first kiss for the momentous occasion, a successful 35-year-old mortgage analyst who has never had a girlfriend or gone beyond ‘first base’ due to his inability to pick up the ladies, and three 30-year-old roommates who are all vying for Mr. Right (and a ring) before giving it up.”

Is network television cleaning itself up and seeking to promote positive values in sexuality for our youth?

I would have to say that I doubt it. Call me a skeptic but I have a feeling the show is trying to show how “nerdy” these adult virgins are in an attempt to paint abstinence in a negative light. That might sound harsh, but I don’t see any other reason to put such a show on network television when we all know that sex and promiscuity are what garner ratings and attract advertisers.

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It has been recently reported that eugenicist Margaret Sanger actually opposed abortion.  Here’s her own words:

The real alternative to birth control is abortion,” wrote Dean Inge, [Dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral, London]. It is an alternative that I cannot too strongly condemn. Although abortion may be resorted to in order to save the life of the mother, the practice of it merely for limitation of offspring is dangerous and vicious. [Emphasis added] I bring up the subject here only because some ill-informed persons have the notion that when we speak of birth control we include abortion as a method. We certainly do not. Abortion destroys the already fertilized ovum or the embryo; contraception, as I have carefully explained, prevents the fertilizing of the ovum by keeping the male cells away. Thus it prevents the beginning of life.

These are good and logical words, but I have a genuine question that I’d like your input on:  Does this admission by the Mother of Planned Parenthood and Patron Saint of the Abortion Industry help or hurt the pro-life movement?

Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

by Nathan A. Cherry, 12/22/2011

Martinsburg, WV – One of the key components to America’s foundation of religious freedom is the bold, outspoken patriotism of America’s pastors and evangelical citizens. These men and women recognized that our religious freedoms are constantly under attack from those that disagree and seek to “silence the opposition.” Pastors boldly spoke through the lens of the Gospel on issues from their pulpits while encouraging people to be active in civil service. Evangelical believers were not apathetic to the political process but instead saw the direct connection between politics and religious freedom.

Unfortunately, it seems those days may be long gone.

Pastors today appear sometimes more afraid of the government and the issues than willing to stand up and speak out. Perhaps the hollow IRS threat based on the unconstitutional “Johnson Amendment” is too much to overcome. (By the way, legislation has recently been introduced to repeal the Johnson Amendment. If it is repealed, I wonder what the next excuse will be!) Ironically, the fact that no church has ever lost its tax exempt status as a result of the Johnson Amendment is not enough to embolden pastors to reclaim their historical role of speaking truth to socio-political issues

If a pastor adheres to the admonishment of Scripture to “preach the whole counsel of God,” (see Acts 20:27) he will inevitably have to apply the Gospel to the socio-political issues that some consider controversial: homosexuality, the definition of marriage, the issue of life, religious freedom, and more. But when many of America’s pastors are afraid to discuss the issue of divorce and what the Bible says about it for fear of “offending” a divorced person in their congregation we end up with watered-down pulpits standing on the fence rather than the front lines.

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"Offensive speech" in the first grade.

Last week, I had the privilege of appearing on Talkline with Hoppy Kercheval.  You can listen to the entire interview, but the essence of what I was talking about had to do the State Board of Education giving unfettered right to teachers, principals, etc., to limit, “offensive speech” that is beyond the, “boundaries of socially appropriate behavior.”

My warning – which my opponent scoffed – was that such broad, subjective censorship power will inevitably silence speech the First Amendment – most often, it seems, religious speech – protects.  Little did I know what had already happened.

A week or two earlier, a little 6-year old boy in a West Virginia first grade classroom was given the assignment to answer the question, “Christmas is about ______.”  This is a long-standing tradition in the rural county in which he lives.  The county paper receives the papers, scans them, and publishes them so the whole county can “Ooo” and “Aweee” over the backwards letters and funny quips common to 6-year olds.

But, 3 of these boys got it right.  They answered, “Christmas is about Jesus’ birthday.”  When they received their papers back, bold, black lines were crossed through the words, “Jesus birthday.”

Now, we need to quickly tell you that the school responded quickly to this situation.  It appears that the teacher had heard the ACLU’s drumbeat about the mythical wall of separation of church and state for so long that she was scared that she would be sued if she allowed the answers of her students to stand.

Let that sink in for a moment.  We have for so long allowed the ACLU to run so wild over the First Amendment that a teacher actually thinks that the words of a 6-year old could invite a lawsuit.  Painful.

One of the mom’s of these first-graders tells the rest of the story:

Fortunately, unknown to him, some adult conversations had taken place.  The first graders were told that they would be able to re-write the assignment AND they would be allowed to write about Jesus.  Levi’s words to me were that “he has to do it over.”

Hummmm.  I know.  Not exactly the joy I had hoped for.  Doesn’t seem fair, does it, if I look at it from his perspective.  For now though, I think I will just sit here and hold him in my lap as long as possible (or, as long as he’ll let me – or, before he no longer fits).

Fortunately, this can be a learning opportunity for us all:  Levi, me, the school, and of course, the individual that censored a child’s Christmas paper.  It is not my intent to generate hard feelings at all; because I truely believe God has a plan in everything, right?  A tough lesson for my little boy, perhaps by hearing about it, you too can be aware of the issues at hand.  Remember, it is our constitutional right to free speech (even when you’re only six).  Also, it is one of our most basic civil liberties to be able to worship as we choose.  Cherish that, please, and don’t ever let your kids forget it.

As for a lesson, well…sometimes adults make mistakes too.

Read the rest at MomsOfFaith.com.

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by Nathan A. Cherry, 12/20/2011

Martinsburg, WV – There seems to be a concerted effort to paint America’s founders as anything but Christian. Efforts to present them as agnostic, humanist, atheist, and anything else are becoming stronger as people seek to destroy the rich heritage of faith, God, and the Bible that ultimately set the foundation of our nation.

However, in this very informative video presented by the Family Research Council, Dr. Daniel Dreisbach, a very respected professor of law at American University shows that the Founding Fathers used the Bible constantly in their creation and establishment of the United States. Dr. Dreisbach’s new article, “The Bible in the Political Rhetoric of the American Founding,” is prominently featured in the current edition of Politics and Religion Journal.

Dr. Dreisbach points out that both the founders and ordinary people used the Bible and it’s principles to guide both their private and public lives:

“The Bible and biblical precepts penetrated the core beliefs of many founders and the ubiquitous manifestations of those beliefs in public and private utterances… Both influential and ordinary citizens drew on biblical language, ideas, and themes in thinking and talking about the political challenges that confronted them.”

I would highly encourage you to take a few minutes to watch this lecture. The information shared by Dr. Dreisbach is not only historically accurate it is useful for us today. What our founding fathers did was unprecedented, there is no doubt that faith played an integral role in their personal lives, and their public politics. This lesson is urgently needed today.

To listen to Dr. Dreisbach’s lecture on the Christian roots of America’s founding, click here.

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