Month: February 2014
State Lawmakers MIA in Battle to Redefine Marriage in West Virginia
Posted on February 10, 2014 in Marriage by Nathan Cherry
Not surprisingly the battle to redefine marriage in West Virginia has been kept relatively quiet. Most people, I would venture, don’t even know there is a challenge to our state’s DOMA law currently pending in federal court. The ability to keep “we the people” out of the loop regarding these critical issues is a tactic liberals employ as often as possible.
Nonetheless the effort to redefine marriage for all Mountaineers is being waged by Lambda Legal, a LGBT rights organization, on behalf of three same-sex couples. A federal judge ruled last week that the lawsuit against West Virginia’s ban on homosexual “marriage” may proceed.
VIDEO: Parents Choose Life Despite Fatal Diagnosis
Posted on February 9, 2014 in Life by Nathan Cherry
Little Zion Isaiah Blick was born on January 11th to Josh and Robbyn Blick. He died 10 days later on January 21st. His parents knew before he was born that he would not live, but chose to give him life rather than take doctors’ advice and abort him. Zion was diagnosed with Trisomy 18, a fetal anomaly that is fatal in every case. Knowing their son would not live long, they loved him and documented every moment they had with their precious child.
The Blicks said that spending those ten days with their son, while knowing he would die, taught them a lot about God, love, and life.
The video below shares those moments the Blicks recorded with their son. They now share them with the world to declare that life, no matter how small or short, is worth defending. Watch the video and share it with others. If the video doesn’t appear automatically, please refresh your browser.
Robert P. George: Religious Freedom Matters
Posted on February 8, 2014 in Religious Freedom by Nathan Cherry
National Religious Freedom Day, being marked today in the United States, reminds us that freedom of religion or belief is a pivotal human right, central to this country’s history and heritage. It is also recognized as such by the United Nations and other international bodies. Yet the issue frequently sparks debates that too often generate more heat than light.
That the mere mention of religious freedom triggers such powerful emotions, in the United States and overseas, helps explain why this critical right has not been accorded the centrality and respect it deserves, especially as a component of U.S. foreign policy. But whatever the reason, the United States must still look closely at the issue – and why it is key to successful U.S. foreign policy.
Should This “Jesus Tattoo” Advertisement Be Banned?
Posted on February 7, 2014 in Religious Freedom by Nathan Cherry
The Blaze reports: “A Texas man is suing a local school district after officials refused to display his Christian advertisement featuring a tattooed Jesus during high school football games. David L. Miller’s lawsuit against the Lubbock Independent School District in Lubbock, Texas, comes after he alleges that officials denied his digital billboard advertising the website www.JesusTattoo.org in October.”
Should the advertisement, featuring the image below, be banned or refused simply because it is religious in nature? Isn’t that the definition of religious discrimination prohibited in the Constitution?
The video below the image is an incredible reminder of what Jesus for each person. He willingly took the sins of every person that is willing to ask forgiveness and seek redemption. Watch the video and share it with others that need this amazing message of forgiveness. If the video doesn’t appear automatically, please refresh your browser.
Mentoring: Where Older Folks Can Impact the Younger Generation
Posted on February 7, 2014 in Family by Nathan Cherry
We live in a society where the family structure has changed dramatically from what it was even just 50 years ago. There are far fewer homes with a father and mother and their biological children. There are many more homes with second marriages, step-children, and single parents. We can sit and debate the pros and cons of this social paradigm shift all we want, but the fact remains that as the church we need to stand ready to love and support every family that walks through the doors.
Of course we never want to condone sin. It seems the word sin as it relates to people’s relationships has become very blurry in our culture of “acceptance.” But the Bible still lays a blueprint for the right and the wrong way to do things. To this end we must uphold that Biblical truth regardless of shifting cultural opinions.
U.S. Abortion Rate Drops to Lowest Level in Decades
Posted on February 6, 2014 in Life by Nathan Cherry
The AP reports: “The U.S. abortion rate declined to its lowest level since 1973, and the number of abortions fell by 13 percent between 2008 and 2011, according to the latest national survey of abortion providers conducted by a prominent research institute.”
This despite living under the most pro-abortion president in U.S. history. Even though the Obama administration has done everything in its power to advocate for abortion, abortion numbers are falling. The Obama administration has partnered with Planned Parenthood to promote abortion, fund abortion, and do everything possible to see abortion advance. But the message of life is winning.
IRS Attacking “Political Speech” by Conservative Non-Profits
Posted on February 6, 2014 in Public Policy, Religious Freedom by Nathan Cherry
Have you ever read a voter guide? Have you ever perused a legislative scorecard? Maybe you are one of the many Americans that have helped with a voter registration drive because you believe every citizen should be involved in electing their lawmakers.
The next question is who should be allowed to perform these tasks?
Movie: Liberty Counsel Movie “Uncommon” Sends Strong Message
Posted on February 5, 2014 in Religious Freedom by Nathan Cherry
No other group is more attacked for their religious belies that our public school students. It’s one of the reasons home schooling is the fastest growing form of education. The Christian legal group Liberty Counsel has been on the forefront of defending religious beliefs in culture and has now jumped into the realm of movie making.
The movie “Uncommon” chronicles the fight of students at a fictitious high school seeking to express their religious beliefs at school. A press release explains:
BREAKING: W.Va. Senate President Kessler Introduces Dangerous ENDA Bill
Posted on February 4, 2014 in Religious Freedom by Nathan Cherry
AP: “A bill introduced in the West Virginia Senate would make it unlawful for employers and landlords to discriminate against individuals based on their sexual orientation. Senate President Jeff Kessler, the sponsor, introduced similar bills in 2008, 2009 and 2010. The bills passed the Senate each year but stalled in the House of Delegates. The West Virginia Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in employment and housing based on race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, blindness or disability.”
Even though the water crisis has dominated the legislature up to this point, anyone with an ounce of insight into West Virginia politics knew that it was a matter of time before a bill like this hit the floor. The tide is changing in West Virginia and true conservatives that do more than talk are gaining seats in the state house. Knowing this, liberals seeking to veer away from the values that has made our state great are desperate. This bill from Kessler is just another example of that desperation.