Posts

Five Reasons Gun Control Doesn't Happen and Five Ways to Affect Real Change

Gun violence in the United States has created a gap between the men and women and children who live in this country. Time and again we are reminded that as a nation we are certainly not united. I believe there are five big reasons we are unable to affect any change, but we all can agree that the loss of life is never acceptable and something must be done. 1) There are legitimate fundamental differences in beliefs between both sides of the argument. There are many people who believe that gun ownership should be severely restricted and or outlawed. They argue that the evolution of firearms is not something the founding fathers intended to secure when drafting the bill of rights and that the dangers presented by certain types of firearms far outweigh any possible benefit and reason for ownership. There are a seemingly equal number of people who believe that the founding fathers fully intended for citizens to possess weaponry that rivaled that of a country's military in order ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Consent of the Governed

“for when we suffer, or are exposed to the same miseries BY A GOVERNMENT, which we might expect in a country WITHOUT GOVERNMENT, our calamity is heightened by reflecting that we furnish the means by which we suffer.” It seems to be the prevailing thought that the study of history cannot possibly help to better society in the technologically advanced world in which we now live. It is easy to dismiss writings even from as few as 200 years ago when we can now receive up to the minute news on a device that we can wear on our wrist that tells us the precise time of any location on the planet, all while allowing us to communicate with anyone on the planet with just the touch of a few buttons. It's truly remarkable that it took thousands of years to go from papyrus to printed paper and in less than 100 years we have all but eliminated the need for paper due to the introduction of the computer. So why should we study history or care about what those in our past have to say about a...
Post a Comment
Read more

#Take a Knee Protests: Effective or Not

In case you missed the first two posts regarding this highly sensitive and pressing topic, you can see them  here  and  here . In yesterday's post, I spoke as to whether or not the Bible supports Christian men and women in the act of protest.  One of the requirements I believe is important is whether or not there are tangible goals that are sought through the act of protesting.  It's also vitally important that those protesting be able to explain the purpose of their protest and the change they are seeking to cause.  Failure in either of these requirements tends to doom protests from the start, and leads them down a path of senseless destruction. That's brings us to the issue that has brought out nearly everyone's opinion in the last week or so.  I'd like to look at the #Take a Knee protests and see whether or not they fulfill the requirements above. #1 Are there tangible goals that the professional athletes are seeking to accomplish through the ...
Post a Comment
Read more

A Biblical Case for Protesting

“How long will you   defend the unjust  and show partiality  to the wicked? Defend the weak and the fatherless;      uphold the cause of the poor  and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy;      deliver them from the hand of the wicked." Psalm 82:2-4 With the prominence of protesting in today's society, it's important as Christians to understand whether or not the Word of God supports the idea of protesting, and whether it gives any requirements for Christians who engage in protesting. Unfortunately for us, there is no distinct text that gives a clear response to this question, so it becomes a matter of application.  We know that first and foremost, the Bible teaches us that God expects us to bring all of our cares and concerns to him in prayer.  1 Chronicles tells us to look to the Lord and his strength, seek his face always.  Our interest in protesting should always be quelled by the qu...
Post a Comment
Read more

Why Brandon Tatum is Wrong.

Brandon Tatum put up so many strawmen it looks like Halloween came early. In case you didn't get a chance to see it, Tucson Police Officer Brandon Tatum went viral with this video:  Brandon Tatum- Now I Have Had Enough After watching it a few times, I'm struck by a few things, but mostly by Tatum's statements that he attributes to all these "rich, crybaby athletes." "It's not about the act of protesting, it's about the way you're doing it." This was Tatum's opening statement- let's see where he goes with this. "What does the flag and anthem have to do with what you're talking about?" I think the anthem argument was a stretch that someone through out there for additional justification.  I really don't believe most of the men taking a knee really care about the Star Spangled Banner national anthem being played. "Made the poor become rich" I'm hoping what you meant to say was that the freedoms...
Post a Comment
Read more

Life, Liberty, and Protest

So many thoughts- just trying to find a way to put them all down. I caught myself multiple times today stuck in thoughts about this country, our freedoms, and the power of the ideals declared in 1776. Countless times we find ourselves talking about the freedoms we have in this country that others don't have. The entire purpose of Thomas Jefferson's famous declaration is that all men and women, anywhere on this planet, past or present or future, have the same rights. The beauty of the United States is that a government (in theory) finally recognized that it was not the ultimate authority. The citizens and their inalienable rights were to be the authority and guide by which the government would operate.  Supreme among those rights are life and liberty. Men and women, of all races, creeds, and colors, have the unquenchable right to live. Any one person or group or government should never violate that right. Second only to the right to life is the right to live your life...
Post a Comment
Read more