History’s “Nostradamus Effect”
Part 2: Stark Existentialism and Fantastic Escapism
As the 21st century unfolds, I’m reminded of dichotomies pondered by English novelist Charles Dickens in A Tale of Two Cities. All the more today, ours are “the best and worst of times.” This “age of wisdom and foolishness” shuffles incredulity with belief, Darkness with Light, despair with hope; and co-existing contradictions, as these, kindle foreboding and rouse forward speculation.
Regardless of age, status, and religious affiliation (or lack thereof), curious folks everywhere crave sneak-peeks of what’s to come. True to form, Discovery and History channels are airing provocative series focusing on futuristic events; and the big screen’s fantasy genre offers end-of-time dramas with intensely violent plots, apocalyptic themes, dark supernatural elements, and demi-gods strategically poised to redeem their fellows.
Recently, Hollywood launched a new wave of big-budget spectacles that depict our planet as all but obliterated. “Previews of coming attractions” confirm that more are on the way. After all, big-name stars aided by impressive special effects bring even bigger dollars at the box office, but not without cultural impact.
Media Effect
Some surmise that Hollywood’s new batch of disaster films is triggered by “topical anxieties,” as was the case in the 1930s when the Great Depression inspired escapism via whimsical musicals. To reference real-life experiences, movie goers likewise flocked to dark social commentaries.
For example, the New York Herald Tribune described Jimmy Cagney’s performance in Warner Brothers’ The Public Enemy (1931) as "the most ruthless, unsentimental appraisal of the meanness of a petty killer the cinema has yet devised."
Experimental psychology documents significant media effect—particularly on youth highly susceptible to imbedded messages. Their longer-term behaviors and attitudes are shaped by persuasive lessons gleaned even from fiction.
Cagney’s callousness pales when compared to 21st century counterparts. Given the genius of modern cinematography and unmatched access to cutting-edge technology, evil packs a wallop never before possible, as demonstrated by the 20th Century Fox production, Avatar, which holds hope for out-grossing even Hollywood’s blockbuster of all time, the Titanic.
Avatar
In this body-snatching science fiction saga, a paraplegic war veteran, Marine Corporal Jack Sully, gets a fresh start and quickly finds out he’s “not in Kansas any more.” His is the distant world of Pandora, inhabited by the Na'vi.
While on an intelligence mission with intent to pillage, a remotely controlled avatar body (an incarnation of Sully) engages this otherworldly humanoid race. No surprise here: The love bug bites, and gruesome combat follows.
For the Na’vi, Sully’s a solo savior; but he’s not alone in Tinsel Town. “Belief” trumps “incredulity” through countless big screen heroes—namely, animated stitchpunk characters, a solitary messianic warrior (Eli), and “shining ones,” respectively, in these three films: 9, the Book of Eli, and 2012.
9, the Book of Eli, and 2012
Uniquely animated, Shane Acker’s 9 takes place in a magical world parallel to our own, one in which advanced machines rise up to destroy people. Following a protracted war, a group of nine little rag-doll robots, called stitchpunks, live a post-apocalyptic existence. One of their own (number 9) emerges as key to their survival.
Similarly post-apocalyptic, The Book of Eli is Oscar-winner Denzel's Washington's latest movie set in 2043. By guarding the Book of Eli, his character battles to save the future of humanity.
Distributed by Columbia Pictures, 2012 is yet another end-time disaster film. In the wake of calamitous earthquakes and horrifying tsunamis, destined to unfold in A.D. 2012, billions are left dead. The post-deliverance reality of plucky survivors may well suggest biblical millennialism, but promise of peace minus the Prince of Peace Himself exceeds incredulity. It’s downright deceptive.
Legion; Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time; Clash of the Titans
Scott Stewart's supernatural thriller Legion credits as savior a supernatural spiritual ally, the archangel Michael. As the story goes, a group of strangers in an out-of-the-way eatery assume first line of defense when God chooses to end their existence. Contrary to the Bible, God apparently judges the human race no longer worthy of Him—or of redemption.
Come May yet another future-defying film will hit the silver screen. Set in medieval Persia (today’s Iran), a daring prince is tricked into unleashing the Sands of Time. Instead of saving the world, as intended, he unwittingly destroys a kingdom and transforms its population into fierce demons. The cure is for him to return sands to the hourglass—this, by using the Dagger of Time.
But wait, there’s more! Louis Leterrier’s Clash of the Titans likewise pits men against kings and kings against gods. Born a god but raised a man, Perseus traverses the forbidden worlds where he battles demons and beasts. Only if he can accept his power as a god will he survive and succeed in his mission to save his family from hell unleashed.
Media Effect Lessons
So, you ask, why not “lighten up”? These movies are all fantasy fiction featuring apocalyptic themes and would-be saviors. Granted, we’re not talking Sunday school—but then we mustn’t underestimate the media effect on young people especially.
Given today’s geo-political unrest, spiritual and economic shakings, coupled with unparalleled natural calamities, Hollywood’s cutting edge, 3-D images prove to be incredibly powerful. Arguably the most influential woman in the world, Oprah Winfrey gushes over the unimaginably creative, never-before-seen visuals and profound spiritual lessons to be derived from Avatar. Everyone, she insists, must see it and embrace its matchless spirituality.
Even more so than the Cult of Oprah, youth are all the more vulnerable to imbedded messages, many of which shape their religious and political leanings for life. For example, Avatar finds man (and humanoid facsimiles) pretty much on their own with a Creator God pretty much out of the picture. Pagan pantheism trumps Bible truth, and enlightenment requires altered states of consciousness, not revelation from God’s Word.
Whereas men are like gods in pursuit of their own salvation, deities manifest the nefarious character of fallen men. Additional a-biblical messages conveyed by Hollywood’s apocalyptic genre include: “Might makes right,” existential despair is one’s lot in life, god-men rule, and we are charged with saving ourselves.
Might Makes Right vs. Galatians 5:15; 20-21
In God’s economy, “might” never makes “right.” To “bite and devour” one another is to be consumed of one another; in other words, to take the sword is to perish with it.
While spiritual warfare and principled wars are biblically endorsed, carnal manifestations of enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissentions, and factions are not.
These “works of the flesh” defy God and exclude offenders from His Kingdom, yet they characterize adversarial fantasy films that violently pit avatars against humanoids, stitchpunks against mechanical beasts, humans against despots, the “haves” against the “have-nots,” a prince against demons, men against kings, or kings against gods.
Existential Despair is Our Lot in Life vs. 2 Thessalonians 2:16
It’s true, biblical eschatology prophesies unprecedented shakings, economic and political upheavals, a series of armed conflicts, breakdown of the earth’s ecosystem, undermining of the Judeo-Christian ethic, religious deception, and persecution; but in Christ all are overcome.
“Apocalypse” in the New Testament delivers an overarching message of good, not evil. The term specifically references the “unveiling” or “revealing” of Jesus Christ. Add to this fulfillment of the plan of God for spiritual Israel and the wrap-up of God’s plan for national Israel; and hope reigns supreme.
Whereas the God of the Bible imparts everlasting consolation and good hope—not existential despair—each movie reviewed features an apocalyptic theme threatening natives on Pandora, rag dolls of yet another parallel world, humanity on earth, ancient kingdoms, and gods of forbidden worlds. None promise any long term effect of whatever pseudo-salvation is offered victims of catastrophe.
God-men Rule vs. Romans 3:4; Isaiah 52:11; Matthew 24:35
Each introduces dark, supernatural elements accompanying a range of other-worldly characters—e.g., brutish beasts to grotesque humanoids, a band of rag-tag robots to war-mongering, magical machines, a god-opposing archangel to fierce demons, Zeus to his nemesis Hades, god-men to the universal god-force.
In assessing the worth of any belief system, one principle prevails—let God be true and every opposing man (or spirit) a liar. Without discernment, the line is easily crossed. To embroil oneself in deceitful spirituality is to forfeit love of truth.
Save Yourself vs. John 3:3-7; 1 Peter 1:23; 1 John 5:1; Acts 4:12; John 14:6
Be they avatars, stitchpunks, royals, or god-men, Hollywood’s leading wo/men impart some sort of pseudo-salvation when invading Marines, corporate tycoons, magical technology, despots, demons, demi-gods and/or natural calamities threaten human existence.
But none can save apart from the politically incorrect, but biblically sound concept of salvation: Unless one is “born from above,” he’s excluded from God’s kingdom. We are “born again” by the Word of God; and to believe that Jesus is the Christ is to be born of God. Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is no other savior apart from Him.
Whether affirmed or maligned, Christian believers experience what the God of the Bible delivers, but post-apocalyptic Hollywood cannot—namely, palpable hope.
More to come in Part 3.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
History's "Nostradamus Effect"
Part I: Bible Eschatology
For thousands of years, cultures around the world have contemplated our planet’s looming end, the last judgment, and the hereafter. Futuristic visions, symbolism, and messianic themes mark un-canonical apocalyptic literature between c. 200 B.C. and A.D. 200; and for hundreds of years, each new generation has poured over poetic verses (quatrains) contained within Nostradamus’ ten books called Centuries. Since the age of the Renaissance, writings of this mid-16th century French sage-prophet have awed mystics seeking alleged enlightenment.
Coupled with stark realism his dreadful, confusing visions captivate the imaginations of forward-looking sleuths. Accordingly, by means of twelve episodes on three DVDs, the HISTORY™ Channel visits the most chilling of Nostradamus’ end-time prophecies, as well as those derived from mythology, hieroglyphs, and other ancient texts. Correlating findings with today’s front-page news is called the “Nostradamus Effect.”
A True Prophet’s Accountability
As was the case with John the Revelator, Nostradamus described with eerie accuracy modern technology unrecognizable to him. Many scholars accept prophecies of Nostradamus as “divine, comprehensive, unified, and factual.” Problem is, unlike John, the messenger Nostradamus walked the line between science and magic.
Magic is the art of the Magi, the Persian priestly caste devoted to the practice of religion. Over time, the word “magic” came to mean all occult rituals that influence the course of nature, dominate men and circumstances, and otherwise tap forces of the unseen world—e.g., forecasting the future (divination)—which the Bible forbids.
Although not necessarily delusional, prophets of “the curious arts” drew from sources other than the God of the Bible. Make no mistake. Their track record fell dismally short of the biblical standard for accuracy. To qualify as God’s true prophet, one must prophesy with uncontested exactness—no magic involved. Biblical prophets were not mere interpreters of God’s will; they uttered actual words God gave them; and this, without error.
False Prophecies
Modern prophets of gloom and doom come and go. For example, Paul Ehrlich warned of global famine in The Population Bomb (1968) when, in fact, since World War II, populations have doubled and food production’s tripled. Now, obesity (not famine) takes center stage as a national crisis. In the early 1970s, an ice age was predicted—now, it’s global warming. What alarmists don’t want us to know is that years of very precise satellite data show that the planet has actually cooled by 0.13 degrees Celsius.
“The Real Deal”: Biblical Authenticity
Of one thousand biblical prophecies, some five hundred are already fulfilled. What distinguishes these is that, without exception, Bible prophecies prove to be accurate one hundred percent of the time. For example, despite astronomical odds, about three hundred prophesies that surround the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus were fulfilled to the detail.
Remarkably, Daniel’s prophecy of Seventy Weeks is said to have foretold the exact month, day, and year (6 April A.D. 32) Jesus would present Himself as Messiah (on what we call Palm Sunday). Only “the more sure word” of God authenticates end-of-the-world scenarios.
Signs of the End in the Bible
Beginning with the ascension of Christ, and culminating at His Second Coming, eschatology is a division of systematic theology dealing with the doctrine of end times as set forth in the Bible, about one-third of which is prophecy. Last-day theology is a major theme throughout the poetic books, major- and minor- prophets, Pauline- and general epistles, as well as the Book of Revelation and the Great Eschatological Discourse (Matthew 24; Mark 13; Luke 21).
To Bible believers, end-time signs are as birth pangs announcing introduction of new life. Increased intensity signals that God’s Kingdom is at hand. These pangs are not to be confused with doomsday premonition of “the end of the world.” Rather, they herald the close of an age. Earth as we know it will “roll up as a scroll,” but then a new heaven and earth follow.
Breakdown of the Earth’s Eco-System
The Bible prophesies that natural wonders will literally shake the planet. Severe famines, pestilence, tribulation, and plagues of unprecedented enormity will cause hearts to fail for fear. Some will seek escape in death, but not find it.
Israel’s Centricity
Jesus prophesied that our generation, having seen Israel re-established as a nation, will not pass away until the entire eschatological discourse is fully realized. During outpouring of plagues, God will “confirm the covenant” with 144,000 representatives from each of the twelve tribes of Israel, thus protecting His own and fulfilling the last half of Daniel’s enigmatic seventieth-week prophecy.
Breakdown of a Bible Worldview and Ethic
Virtues of self-sacrificial love, faith, longsuffering, goodness, meekness, gentleness, and temperance will give way to blatant sensuality and uncurbed self-interest. Fierce opponents of absolute values and biblical fundamentalism will fall prey instead to unrestrained love of pleasure, profane covetousness, inordinate addictions, self-will, and abounding lawlessness.
Preparation of the Bride
While lukewarm complacency will cripple a large segment of the church, a remnant-bride will prepare diligently for spiritual union with the heavenly bridegroom. Rather than be swayed by a decaying world system, this bride will seek first God’s kingdom and nurture her love relationship with Christ. Believing that “the vision will not tarry,” the faithful will cling to and tirelessly promote it. Duly equipped and empowered with gifts of the spirit, charismatic believers will stir the winds of revival and boldly evangelize the world.
Persecution of the Church
Even so, end-time believers are instructed to “un-bow” themselves. The term (from Luke 21:28) suggests an outside source of restraint. As salt (a preservative) the church (literally, “called out ones”) will preserve truth and thereby restrain a swelling flood of darkness. Doing so will subject them to ridicule and retaliatory persecution. In fact, many antagonists will think, albeit wrongly so, that their random acts of terror against them render service to God.
Totalitarian Global Governance
In the name of pseudo-peace and safety, an ultimate world dictator (Antichrist) and his “enlightened” henchmen will enforce international law within the totalitarian, one-world system they forge. Bio-regions, not nation-states, will characterize a burgeoning transnational democracy (i.e., “rule of the people,” or Laodicea). The September 1973 document Regionalized and Adaptive Model of the Global World System reveals that the Club of Rome (responsible for today’s unified Europe) has already divided the world into ten politico-economic regions referred to as “kingdoms.”
The Bad News: Global Religious Deception
Although knowledge will be multiplied in these last days, the Bible prophesies a famine for God’s Word. These last thirty years, we’ve generated more data than in the previous five thousand years combined, yet knowledge of truth has waned proportionally to the point of being rationalized out of existence.
Prosperity and complacency will dilute even the church with a gutless form of counterfeit godliness that trivializes sin in the name of tolerance. Still, more and more false prophets will claim to have attained “Christhood”; and technological breakthroughs will fabricate powerful signs and lying wonders that threaten to seduce the gullible with what the Bible calls “strong delusion.”
… And the Good: Rapture (out-translation or harpazo in the Greek New Testament)
These truly are perilous times marked by abounding anarchy and fearsome natural wonders. Global governance, as prophesied by Daniel some six hundred years before Christ, will resemble ancient Rome in its neo-pantheistic one-world religion, its global influence, economic integration, and destined collapse.
Apart from God, fear is more than a reasonable response; it’s a given. However, as all hell breaks loose, there’s good news for the church. Hope in what the Bible calls a “high, upward calling,” or the rapture, offers comfort to believers, who will be snatched to safety from out of the worst of global tribulation yet to come.
Economic and Political Upheavals: Armed Conflicts
According to Bible prophesies, economic and political upheavals will incite a series of armed conflicts, many racial in nature (ethnos against ethnos, Matthew 24:6-7). Armageddon will settle the ongoing ancient feud between the seed of Ishmael and Isaac—not by military might, but rather by the glorious appearing of Jesus Christ with His Bride at what is known as the Second Coming. Their subsequent thousand-year rule and reign on earth will facsimile the Garden of Eden before the fall.
On a positive note, re-establishment of God’s rightful world order in the Millennium will ensure complete restoration, peace, and harmony.
More to come in Part 2.
For thousands of years, cultures around the world have contemplated our planet’s looming end, the last judgment, and the hereafter. Futuristic visions, symbolism, and messianic themes mark un-canonical apocalyptic literature between c. 200 B.C. and A.D. 200; and for hundreds of years, each new generation has poured over poetic verses (quatrains) contained within Nostradamus’ ten books called Centuries. Since the age of the Renaissance, writings of this mid-16th century French sage-prophet have awed mystics seeking alleged enlightenment.
Coupled with stark realism his dreadful, confusing visions captivate the imaginations of forward-looking sleuths. Accordingly, by means of twelve episodes on three DVDs, the HISTORY™ Channel visits the most chilling of Nostradamus’ end-time prophecies, as well as those derived from mythology, hieroglyphs, and other ancient texts. Correlating findings with today’s front-page news is called the “Nostradamus Effect.”
A True Prophet’s Accountability
As was the case with John the Revelator, Nostradamus described with eerie accuracy modern technology unrecognizable to him. Many scholars accept prophecies of Nostradamus as “divine, comprehensive, unified, and factual.” Problem is, unlike John, the messenger Nostradamus walked the line between science and magic.
Magic is the art of the Magi, the Persian priestly caste devoted to the practice of religion. Over time, the word “magic” came to mean all occult rituals that influence the course of nature, dominate men and circumstances, and otherwise tap forces of the unseen world—e.g., forecasting the future (divination)—which the Bible forbids.
Although not necessarily delusional, prophets of “the curious arts” drew from sources other than the God of the Bible. Make no mistake. Their track record fell dismally short of the biblical standard for accuracy. To qualify as God’s true prophet, one must prophesy with uncontested exactness—no magic involved. Biblical prophets were not mere interpreters of God’s will; they uttered actual words God gave them; and this, without error.
False Prophecies
Modern prophets of gloom and doom come and go. For example, Paul Ehrlich warned of global famine in The Population Bomb (1968) when, in fact, since World War II, populations have doubled and food production’s tripled. Now, obesity (not famine) takes center stage as a national crisis. In the early 1970s, an ice age was predicted—now, it’s global warming. What alarmists don’t want us to know is that years of very precise satellite data show that the planet has actually cooled by 0.13 degrees Celsius.
“The Real Deal”: Biblical Authenticity
Of one thousand biblical prophecies, some five hundred are already fulfilled. What distinguishes these is that, without exception, Bible prophecies prove to be accurate one hundred percent of the time. For example, despite astronomical odds, about three hundred prophesies that surround the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus were fulfilled to the detail.
Remarkably, Daniel’s prophecy of Seventy Weeks is said to have foretold the exact month, day, and year (6 April A.D. 32) Jesus would present Himself as Messiah (on what we call Palm Sunday). Only “the more sure word” of God authenticates end-of-the-world scenarios.
Signs of the End in the Bible
Beginning with the ascension of Christ, and culminating at His Second Coming, eschatology is a division of systematic theology dealing with the doctrine of end times as set forth in the Bible, about one-third of which is prophecy. Last-day theology is a major theme throughout the poetic books, major- and minor- prophets, Pauline- and general epistles, as well as the Book of Revelation and the Great Eschatological Discourse (Matthew 24; Mark 13; Luke 21).
To Bible believers, end-time signs are as birth pangs announcing introduction of new life. Increased intensity signals that God’s Kingdom is at hand. These pangs are not to be confused with doomsday premonition of “the end of the world.” Rather, they herald the close of an age. Earth as we know it will “roll up as a scroll,” but then a new heaven and earth follow.
Breakdown of the Earth’s Eco-System
The Bible prophesies that natural wonders will literally shake the planet. Severe famines, pestilence, tribulation, and plagues of unprecedented enormity will cause hearts to fail for fear. Some will seek escape in death, but not find it.
Israel’s Centricity
Jesus prophesied that our generation, having seen Israel re-established as a nation, will not pass away until the entire eschatological discourse is fully realized. During outpouring of plagues, God will “confirm the covenant” with 144,000 representatives from each of the twelve tribes of Israel, thus protecting His own and fulfilling the last half of Daniel’s enigmatic seventieth-week prophecy.
Breakdown of a Bible Worldview and Ethic
Virtues of self-sacrificial love, faith, longsuffering, goodness, meekness, gentleness, and temperance will give way to blatant sensuality and uncurbed self-interest. Fierce opponents of absolute values and biblical fundamentalism will fall prey instead to unrestrained love of pleasure, profane covetousness, inordinate addictions, self-will, and abounding lawlessness.
Preparation of the Bride
While lukewarm complacency will cripple a large segment of the church, a remnant-bride will prepare diligently for spiritual union with the heavenly bridegroom. Rather than be swayed by a decaying world system, this bride will seek first God’s kingdom and nurture her love relationship with Christ. Believing that “the vision will not tarry,” the faithful will cling to and tirelessly promote it. Duly equipped and empowered with gifts of the spirit, charismatic believers will stir the winds of revival and boldly evangelize the world.
Persecution of the Church
Even so, end-time believers are instructed to “un-bow” themselves. The term (from Luke 21:28) suggests an outside source of restraint. As salt (a preservative) the church (literally, “called out ones”) will preserve truth and thereby restrain a swelling flood of darkness. Doing so will subject them to ridicule and retaliatory persecution. In fact, many antagonists will think, albeit wrongly so, that their random acts of terror against them render service to God.
Totalitarian Global Governance
In the name of pseudo-peace and safety, an ultimate world dictator (Antichrist) and his “enlightened” henchmen will enforce international law within the totalitarian, one-world system they forge. Bio-regions, not nation-states, will characterize a burgeoning transnational democracy (i.e., “rule of the people,” or Laodicea). The September 1973 document Regionalized and Adaptive Model of the Global World System reveals that the Club of Rome (responsible for today’s unified Europe) has already divided the world into ten politico-economic regions referred to as “kingdoms.”
The Bad News: Global Religious Deception
Although knowledge will be multiplied in these last days, the Bible prophesies a famine for God’s Word. These last thirty years, we’ve generated more data than in the previous five thousand years combined, yet knowledge of truth has waned proportionally to the point of being rationalized out of existence.
Prosperity and complacency will dilute even the church with a gutless form of counterfeit godliness that trivializes sin in the name of tolerance. Still, more and more false prophets will claim to have attained “Christhood”; and technological breakthroughs will fabricate powerful signs and lying wonders that threaten to seduce the gullible with what the Bible calls “strong delusion.”
… And the Good: Rapture (out-translation or harpazo in the Greek New Testament)
These truly are perilous times marked by abounding anarchy and fearsome natural wonders. Global governance, as prophesied by Daniel some six hundred years before Christ, will resemble ancient Rome in its neo-pantheistic one-world religion, its global influence, economic integration, and destined collapse.
Apart from God, fear is more than a reasonable response; it’s a given. However, as all hell breaks loose, there’s good news for the church. Hope in what the Bible calls a “high, upward calling,” or the rapture, offers comfort to believers, who will be snatched to safety from out of the worst of global tribulation yet to come.
Economic and Political Upheavals: Armed Conflicts
According to Bible prophesies, economic and political upheavals will incite a series of armed conflicts, many racial in nature (ethnos against ethnos, Matthew 24:6-7). Armageddon will settle the ongoing ancient feud between the seed of Ishmael and Isaac—not by military might, but rather by the glorious appearing of Jesus Christ with His Bride at what is known as the Second Coming. Their subsequent thousand-year rule and reign on earth will facsimile the Garden of Eden before the fall.
On a positive note, re-establishment of God’s rightful world order in the Millennium will ensure complete restoration, peace, and harmony.
More to come in Part 2.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Our Nation's Foundational Quandary
Part 3-of-3 (Scroll down for previous)
So what’s it going to be—a noble or compromised legacy? In my view, the answer is both. Yes, many of our nation’s founders were skilled at God-speak, but practiced in enlightened principles of occult Illuminism. Religious syncretism is evidenced by the cacophony of arcane symbols found throughout our nation’s capitol.
Notwithstanding, there remains cause for the two words (Laus Deo, or “Praise be to God!”) on the aluminum cap atop the Washington Monument: A survivor of Nazism and communism, Dr. Balint Vazonyi came to the U.S. from Hungary following the 1956 uprising. Vazonyi identified four points of the American compass—namely, rule of law, individual rights, guaranteed property, and American identity. America’s noble heritage in Christ is reflected in such Bible-based foundational principles.
Religious freedom, rule of law, free trade, and private property took form among early predominantly Christian settlements of the East Coast of North America—namely, at St. Augustine (1565¬), Plymouth (1620), Jamestown (1607), and Savannah (1733). Furthermore, our nation’s Christian legacy finds expression in the first colonial grant made to Sir Walter Raleigh (1584); the first charter of Virginia, granted by King James I (1606); subsequent Virginia charters (1609 and 1611); and various ones granted to the other colonies.
Evidence of America’s Noble Heritage
Be sure there’s good, bad, and ugly among us (and within each of us, I might add). No matter, God remains actively engaged in the affairs of men. It’s really not about the atheist, religionist, deist, Unitarian, occultist, nominal Christian, or even the “wretched man that I am.” It’s all about God Almighty.
For good reason, God is expressly mentioned in most all state constitutions, mottoes, and seals; Christ’s words are chiseled on our national monuments; and the Ten Commandments are engraved in stone in our Supreme Court.
Seeded by early settlers, our nation’s biblical grounding bore extraordinary fruit throughout America’s early revivals and awakenings. In their wake, Francis Scott Key gave us our national anthem (adopted 3 March 1931). The second verse of The Star-spangled Banner proclaims: “May the heaven-rescued land praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation. And this be our motto: ‘In God is our trust.’”
Even our currency bears witness to America’s trust in God, as does the folded flag with stars uppermost. In fact, each fold in our nation’s flag-folding ceremony represents aspects of America’s noble heritage—e.g., the second fold pays tribute to belief in eternal life; the eleventh fold glorifies the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; the twelfth is in tribute to Christianity.
The 1954 amendment to Francis Bellany’s 1892 version of our nation’s Pledge of Allegiance also targets religious transcendence as America’s most powerful resource, whether in times of peace or while at war. Forget political correctness. On two occasions, the Supreme Court has declared our Pledge of Allegiance “under God” as soundly constitutional. Even an ACLU Handbook admits that the pledge is not objectionable simply because it contains a reference to God.
Conclusion
A nation that permits what God does not—i.e., abortion, pornography, promiscuity, adultery, homosexuality, materialism—does not rightly merit the label, “a Christian nation.” However, as Abraham discovered, the Just Judge of the whole earth is willing to withhold His wrath for the sake of fifty, forty-five, thirty, twenty, even ten righteous men.
Maybe America fails to qualify as “a Christian nation.” Perhaps many of her founding fathers were less than noble. But there is no doubt that, at her inception, she was seeded by Christians and grounded in Holy Scripture.
So, then, we can rightly pray, “God bless America!” History shows that it is His pleasure to do just that.
So what’s it going to be—a noble or compromised legacy? In my view, the answer is both. Yes, many of our nation’s founders were skilled at God-speak, but practiced in enlightened principles of occult Illuminism. Religious syncretism is evidenced by the cacophony of arcane symbols found throughout our nation’s capitol.
Notwithstanding, there remains cause for the two words (Laus Deo, or “Praise be to God!”) on the aluminum cap atop the Washington Monument: A survivor of Nazism and communism, Dr. Balint Vazonyi came to the U.S. from Hungary following the 1956 uprising. Vazonyi identified four points of the American compass—namely, rule of law, individual rights, guaranteed property, and American identity. America’s noble heritage in Christ is reflected in such Bible-based foundational principles.
Religious freedom, rule of law, free trade, and private property took form among early predominantly Christian settlements of the East Coast of North America—namely, at St. Augustine (1565¬), Plymouth (1620), Jamestown (1607), and Savannah (1733). Furthermore, our nation’s Christian legacy finds expression in the first colonial grant made to Sir Walter Raleigh (1584); the first charter of Virginia, granted by King James I (1606); subsequent Virginia charters (1609 and 1611); and various ones granted to the other colonies.
Evidence of America’s Noble Heritage
Be sure there’s good, bad, and ugly among us (and within each of us, I might add). No matter, God remains actively engaged in the affairs of men. It’s really not about the atheist, religionist, deist, Unitarian, occultist, nominal Christian, or even the “wretched man that I am.” It’s all about God Almighty.
For good reason, God is expressly mentioned in most all state constitutions, mottoes, and seals; Christ’s words are chiseled on our national monuments; and the Ten Commandments are engraved in stone in our Supreme Court.
Seeded by early settlers, our nation’s biblical grounding bore extraordinary fruit throughout America’s early revivals and awakenings. In their wake, Francis Scott Key gave us our national anthem (adopted 3 March 1931). The second verse of The Star-spangled Banner proclaims: “May the heaven-rescued land praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation. And this be our motto: ‘In God is our trust.’”
Even our currency bears witness to America’s trust in God, as does the folded flag with stars uppermost. In fact, each fold in our nation’s flag-folding ceremony represents aspects of America’s noble heritage—e.g., the second fold pays tribute to belief in eternal life; the eleventh fold glorifies the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; the twelfth is in tribute to Christianity.
The 1954 amendment to Francis Bellany’s 1892 version of our nation’s Pledge of Allegiance also targets religious transcendence as America’s most powerful resource, whether in times of peace or while at war. Forget political correctness. On two occasions, the Supreme Court has declared our Pledge of Allegiance “under God” as soundly constitutional. Even an ACLU Handbook admits that the pledge is not objectionable simply because it contains a reference to God.
Conclusion
A nation that permits what God does not—i.e., abortion, pornography, promiscuity, adultery, homosexuality, materialism—does not rightly merit the label, “a Christian nation.” However, as Abraham discovered, the Just Judge of the whole earth is willing to withhold His wrath for the sake of fifty, forty-five, thirty, twenty, even ten righteous men.
Maybe America fails to qualify as “a Christian nation.” Perhaps many of her founding fathers were less than noble. But there is no doubt that, at her inception, she was seeded by Christians and grounded in Holy Scripture.
So, then, we can rightly pray, “God bless America!” History shows that it is His pleasure to do just that.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Awakenings Among the Lost
Part 2-of-3
Great Awakenings invite the presence of God, often to an entire nation. The result is renewal—not only spiritually, but also in law, government, and literature. Be sure America’s Great Awakening took on much grander proportions than the Enlightenment, said to have guided many of America’s founding fathers.
• The First Great Awakening (c. 1730–1755ff).
Early on, tens of thousands of colonists came to hear George Whitefield preach and, as a result, experienced “new birth.” In 1775 alone, more than three thousand religious organizations took root in the colonies. Moreover, higher education flourished in the wake of spiritual renewal. Of nine colonial colleges in America, most sprang from awakenings—namely, Princeton, Columbia, Brown, Rutgers Universities and Dartmouth College. Perhaps for this reason Webster defines “awakening” as “an act or moment of becoming suddenly aware of something.”
When Jonathan Edwards from North Hampton, Massachusetts, preached his fiery sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” his congregation fell under conviction and, then, cried out for mercy. The impact of sudden awareness so profoundly transformed the entire nation that “even hardened skeptics could not deny it.”
• The Second Great Awakening (c. 1790–1840)
Five-time Governor of Virginia, Patrick Henry (1736-1799) once remarked, "It cannot be emphasized too strongly nor too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ." Ignited by the preaching of Presbyterian James McGready in Logan County, Kentucky, this second renewal left a legacy of many established Christian churches while, at the same time, it ushered in social reform.
America’s history clearly demonstrates that the best impulses for social reform come on the heels of spiritual awakenings. Historians concur that the anti-slavery movement in America was mainly a part of the reform movement generated by the Second Great Awakening. This rings true of movements for prison reform, child labor laws, women’s rights, inner-city missions, and many more.
• The Third Great Awakening (late 1850s to the 1900s)
The Third Great Awakening started with a 48-year-old businessman, Jeremiah Lanphier, who in July 1857 began work as an urban missionary for the North Dutch Reformed Church. Within six months ten thousand gathered daily for prayer throughout New York. Historian J. Edwin Orr wrote that “the influence of the awakening was felt everywhere in the nation. It first captured great cities, but it also spread through every town and village and country hamlet. It swamped schools and colleges.”
What impressed observers (the press even!) was little preaching, but much prayer. As people gathered, they remained largely silent while maintaining an overarching attitude of worship. It was reported that each week the number of conversions soon reached an astounding fifty thousand.
In summary, the first Great Awakening started with Jonathan Edwards who had a humble desire for God to revive his Christian congregation. The Second was ignited by James McGready, burdened for the restoration of the Christian church at large, and the Third by Jeremiah Lanphier in order to pray for national and spiritual renewal. All three awakenings left the indelible stamp of Christianity on these United States of America.
Some credit Benjamin Franklin as the most influential American to invent the type of society America would become, but I disagree. More so than any other revival, or natural influence, the Second Great Awakening exerted a lasting impact on American society.
Next: Our Nation's Foundational Quandary
Great Awakenings invite the presence of God, often to an entire nation. The result is renewal—not only spiritually, but also in law, government, and literature. Be sure America’s Great Awakening took on much grander proportions than the Enlightenment, said to have guided many of America’s founding fathers.
• The First Great Awakening (c. 1730–1755ff).
Early on, tens of thousands of colonists came to hear George Whitefield preach and, as a result, experienced “new birth.” In 1775 alone, more than three thousand religious organizations took root in the colonies. Moreover, higher education flourished in the wake of spiritual renewal. Of nine colonial colleges in America, most sprang from awakenings—namely, Princeton, Columbia, Brown, Rutgers Universities and Dartmouth College. Perhaps for this reason Webster defines “awakening” as “an act or moment of becoming suddenly aware of something.”
When Jonathan Edwards from North Hampton, Massachusetts, preached his fiery sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” his congregation fell under conviction and, then, cried out for mercy. The impact of sudden awareness so profoundly transformed the entire nation that “even hardened skeptics could not deny it.”
• The Second Great Awakening (c. 1790–1840)
Five-time Governor of Virginia, Patrick Henry (1736-1799) once remarked, "It cannot be emphasized too strongly nor too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ." Ignited by the preaching of Presbyterian James McGready in Logan County, Kentucky, this second renewal left a legacy of many established Christian churches while, at the same time, it ushered in social reform.
America’s history clearly demonstrates that the best impulses for social reform come on the heels of spiritual awakenings. Historians concur that the anti-slavery movement in America was mainly a part of the reform movement generated by the Second Great Awakening. This rings true of movements for prison reform, child labor laws, women’s rights, inner-city missions, and many more.
• The Third Great Awakening (late 1850s to the 1900s)
The Third Great Awakening started with a 48-year-old businessman, Jeremiah Lanphier, who in July 1857 began work as an urban missionary for the North Dutch Reformed Church. Within six months ten thousand gathered daily for prayer throughout New York. Historian J. Edwin Orr wrote that “the influence of the awakening was felt everywhere in the nation. It first captured great cities, but it also spread through every town and village and country hamlet. It swamped schools and colleges.”
What impressed observers (the press even!) was little preaching, but much prayer. As people gathered, they remained largely silent while maintaining an overarching attitude of worship. It was reported that each week the number of conversions soon reached an astounding fifty thousand.
In summary, the first Great Awakening started with Jonathan Edwards who had a humble desire for God to revive his Christian congregation. The Second was ignited by James McGready, burdened for the restoration of the Christian church at large, and the Third by Jeremiah Lanphier in order to pray for national and spiritual renewal. All three awakenings left the indelible stamp of Christianity on these United States of America.
Some credit Benjamin Franklin as the most influential American to invent the type of society America would become, but I disagree. More so than any other revival, or natural influence, the Second Great Awakening exerted a lasting impact on American society.
Next: Our Nation's Foundational Quandary
Monday, November 30, 2009
OUR NATION'S HERITAGE
Part 1-of-3
Noble or Compromised?
A much revered minister once asked this question of Billy Graham's daughter: "Anne, what do you believe God expects from us?" A "preacher's kid," Anne raced through her cache of answers—He expects us to pray without ceasing, witness, tithe, read the Bible, and honor the Ten Commandments.
It was then the pastor-teacher countered with a surprising answer. What does God expect? He expects us to fail. Anne was astonished, but further thought convinced her. Apart from divine enablement, we "cannot keep ourselves an hour clean." All have sinned; all fall short. Yet we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. God’s expectation is failure, and we deliver! But that’s not the end of it.
Thankfully, as believers, we receive abounding grace—albeit with consequences for our wrongdoings. This the fourth son of Aaron, Eli, learned well. A judge and high priest in Israel, he was a good and pure man; however, in raising his sons Hophni and Phinehas, Eli failed to toe the line. After all three died inglorious deaths, Phinehas’ wife delivered a son, whom she called Ichabod—that is, “Where is the glory?” Because of Eli’s grievous shortcomings, the presence of God (His glory) departed Israel when, on Eli’s watch, the ark was taken captive.
Seemingly, the ark of God’s presence among us has likewise been taken captive. It’s as if Ichabod marks our nation’s tattered portal. The good news is no matter how wayward His children, God always has a remnant of faithful believers through whom divine blessings flow. For this very purpose, God chose the patriarch Abraham to usher his descendants into a saving covenant relationship with Himself so that, through them, He would bring salvation and blessings to the entire world.
Despite Israel’s rebellious ways, God stirred revival—first within Jacob’s household, then through Asa, Joash, Hezekiah, Josiah, Zerubbabel, and Nehemiah. Christian writers (Tertullian, Irenaeus, Theophilus of Antioch, Clement of Alexandria, Origen, and others) testified of comparable renewal within the early church. Surely God’s work did not cease on distant shores of what has come to be known as the Holy Land.
Revivals Among Believers
Despite grievous failings of nation-states, God graciously stirs revivals and awakenings—revivals to embolden His church; awakenings to “seek and save the lost.” The “Quietism” movement was to France what Savonarola was to Italy and George Fox, John Bunyan, and John Wesley were to England. Through ministries of Lorenzo Dow and Peter Cartwright, the Holy Spirit visited and re-visited America’s shores from “sea to shining sea.”
God released grace through evangelist-theologians (Charles G. Finney), charismatics (Elder Jacob Knapp), Christian writers (Dr. A. J. Gordon and D.L. Moody of old New England Puritan stock), and itinerary preachers (as A. B. Earle who, in fifty years, traveled 325,000 miles throughout the United States and Canada).
The famous Quaker who founded Pennsylvania (William Penn), Bible scholars (Dr. Adam Clarke), missionaries to the Natives (David Brainerd), Congregational preachers (Edward Payson of New England), and music ministers (hymn writer Philip Paul Bliss) all carried the baton of revival in the early years of America’s history.
Next: Awakenings Among the Lost
Noble or Compromised?
A much revered minister once asked this question of Billy Graham's daughter: "Anne, what do you believe God expects from us?" A "preacher's kid," Anne raced through her cache of answers—He expects us to pray without ceasing, witness, tithe, read the Bible, and honor the Ten Commandments.
It was then the pastor-teacher countered with a surprising answer. What does God expect? He expects us to fail. Anne was astonished, but further thought convinced her. Apart from divine enablement, we "cannot keep ourselves an hour clean." All have sinned; all fall short. Yet we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. God’s expectation is failure, and we deliver! But that’s not the end of it.
Thankfully, as believers, we receive abounding grace—albeit with consequences for our wrongdoings. This the fourth son of Aaron, Eli, learned well. A judge and high priest in Israel, he was a good and pure man; however, in raising his sons Hophni and Phinehas, Eli failed to toe the line. After all three died inglorious deaths, Phinehas’ wife delivered a son, whom she called Ichabod—that is, “Where is the glory?” Because of Eli’s grievous shortcomings, the presence of God (His glory) departed Israel when, on Eli’s watch, the ark was taken captive.
Seemingly, the ark of God’s presence among us has likewise been taken captive. It’s as if Ichabod marks our nation’s tattered portal. The good news is no matter how wayward His children, God always has a remnant of faithful believers through whom divine blessings flow. For this very purpose, God chose the patriarch Abraham to usher his descendants into a saving covenant relationship with Himself so that, through them, He would bring salvation and blessings to the entire world.
Despite Israel’s rebellious ways, God stirred revival—first within Jacob’s household, then through Asa, Joash, Hezekiah, Josiah, Zerubbabel, and Nehemiah. Christian writers (Tertullian, Irenaeus, Theophilus of Antioch, Clement of Alexandria, Origen, and others) testified of comparable renewal within the early church. Surely God’s work did not cease on distant shores of what has come to be known as the Holy Land.
Revivals Among Believers
Despite grievous failings of nation-states, God graciously stirs revivals and awakenings—revivals to embolden His church; awakenings to “seek and save the lost.” The “Quietism” movement was to France what Savonarola was to Italy and George Fox, John Bunyan, and John Wesley were to England. Through ministries of Lorenzo Dow and Peter Cartwright, the Holy Spirit visited and re-visited America’s shores from “sea to shining sea.”
God released grace through evangelist-theologians (Charles G. Finney), charismatics (Elder Jacob Knapp), Christian writers (Dr. A. J. Gordon and D.L. Moody of old New England Puritan stock), and itinerary preachers (as A. B. Earle who, in fifty years, traveled 325,000 miles throughout the United States and Canada).
The famous Quaker who founded Pennsylvania (William Penn), Bible scholars (Dr. Adam Clarke), missionaries to the Natives (David Brainerd), Congregational preachers (Edward Payson of New England), and music ministers (hymn writer Philip Paul Bliss) all carried the baton of revival in the early years of America’s history.
Next: Awakenings Among the Lost
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Let the sparks fly!
Part 3-of-3 (Scroll down for parts 1 & 2)
Collectivist Thought Control or Free-thinking Individualism?
According to Pew survey results, Americans have upended concern over moral values for economic issues that draw increasingly higher ratings in modern media. This, of course, provides all the more reason for conservative, faith-based publications, blogs, and talk-radio programs to recover and then run with our nation’s biblically-based moral compass.
What author-attorney James Hirsen refers to as op-ed “crockumentaries” function as dandy rein aids to advance and guide competing causes of liberalism, secularism, and partisanship. Fact is, reporters, writers, and others in the media vote overwhelmingly for liberal Democrats; and a substantial majority are “pro-choice, pro-gun control, pro-separation of church and state, pro-feminism, pro-affirmative action, and supportive of gay rights” (Eric Alterman, What Liberal Media: The Truth about Bias and the News, 21).
This is well and good. It’s still America after all, but ponder this: Politician-industrialist Cecil John Rhodes reasoned that “the press owns the minds of the people.” Similarly, journalist, playwright, and essayist Arthur S. Miller referenced “a pervasive system of thought control” in the United States—this, by “employment of the mass media” coupled with “the system of public education.” Both, he added, tell people “what to think about.” Miller understood how the mainstream media—inclusive of publishing, entertainment, reporting—own people’s minds and direct their thinking.
I agree that the voice of honest conviction must not be silenced—and that it should be countered. The Bible likens this process to iron sharpening iron. When the politically-correct, collectivist mindset encounters what Scripture calls “the mind of Christ,” sparks fly; and the latter garners stones (of contention) or converts, as the case may be. Either way, the public is well served.
Let the Sparks Fly!
Until and unless the mainstream media cleans up its act and rethinks the so-called “Fairness Doctrine,” public opinion will continue to plummet even beyond its current lowest level in more than twenty years of Pew Research surveys. Moreover, perception of media bias and independence will not only match, but surpass previous lows.
When articulating unwavering devotion to the ultimate plumb line of truth expounded line upon line, precept upon precept in the Holy Bible, I willingly duck flying rotten tomatoes. Agree with me or not, I invite you to hold back the tomatoes and imagine with me a super structure constructed without use of any benchmark level. What results is a cartoonish blob of ill-chosen, misfit building materials—not the integrated, skillfully rendered master design intended.
Let’s take this analogy a step further: Lack of any proven standard for truth reasonably results in folks pursuing what’s right in their own eyes. Given ever-evolving, self-centric values—propelled in part by the mainstream media—populist trends, complacency, apathy, mediocrity, dependency, anarchy, and control-by-force are inevitable. All belie the master design forged by godly forefathers.
My personal mandate is to “buy the truth and sell it not.” Accordingly, my job is not to insist that others think as I do. (Who was it that said “a man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still”?) Rather I purpose to challenge the liberal, secular status quo with biblical perspective that, when rightly applied, has proved itself incontrovertibly worthy throughout the millennia.
Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by God’s Word. A person of faith, I base opinions expressed in my books and articles on that very Word. This I do as authentically, honorably, and objectively as my human limitations and bias allow.
A radio co-host, I speak my mind as freely, honestly, and honorably as I know how. For me, to dismiss Truth for expediency, or ratings, is beyond mere sell out. It’s a travesty.
So then, let the sparks fly!
Collectivist Thought Control or Free-thinking Individualism?
According to Pew survey results, Americans have upended concern over moral values for economic issues that draw increasingly higher ratings in modern media. This, of course, provides all the more reason for conservative, faith-based publications, blogs, and talk-radio programs to recover and then run with our nation’s biblically-based moral compass.
What author-attorney James Hirsen refers to as op-ed “crockumentaries” function as dandy rein aids to advance and guide competing causes of liberalism, secularism, and partisanship. Fact is, reporters, writers, and others in the media vote overwhelmingly for liberal Democrats; and a substantial majority are “pro-choice, pro-gun control, pro-separation of church and state, pro-feminism, pro-affirmative action, and supportive of gay rights” (Eric Alterman, What Liberal Media: The Truth about Bias and the News, 21).
This is well and good. It’s still America after all, but ponder this: Politician-industrialist Cecil John Rhodes reasoned that “the press owns the minds of the people.” Similarly, journalist, playwright, and essayist Arthur S. Miller referenced “a pervasive system of thought control” in the United States—this, by “employment of the mass media” coupled with “the system of public education.” Both, he added, tell people “what to think about.” Miller understood how the mainstream media—inclusive of publishing, entertainment, reporting—own people’s minds and direct their thinking.
I agree that the voice of honest conviction must not be silenced—and that it should be countered. The Bible likens this process to iron sharpening iron. When the politically-correct, collectivist mindset encounters what Scripture calls “the mind of Christ,” sparks fly; and the latter garners stones (of contention) or converts, as the case may be. Either way, the public is well served.
Let the Sparks Fly!
Until and unless the mainstream media cleans up its act and rethinks the so-called “Fairness Doctrine,” public opinion will continue to plummet even beyond its current lowest level in more than twenty years of Pew Research surveys. Moreover, perception of media bias and independence will not only match, but surpass previous lows.
When articulating unwavering devotion to the ultimate plumb line of truth expounded line upon line, precept upon precept in the Holy Bible, I willingly duck flying rotten tomatoes. Agree with me or not, I invite you to hold back the tomatoes and imagine with me a super structure constructed without use of any benchmark level. What results is a cartoonish blob of ill-chosen, misfit building materials—not the integrated, skillfully rendered master design intended.
Let’s take this analogy a step further: Lack of any proven standard for truth reasonably results in folks pursuing what’s right in their own eyes. Given ever-evolving, self-centric values—propelled in part by the mainstream media—populist trends, complacency, apathy, mediocrity, dependency, anarchy, and control-by-force are inevitable. All belie the master design forged by godly forefathers.
My personal mandate is to “buy the truth and sell it not.” Accordingly, my job is not to insist that others think as I do. (Who was it that said “a man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still”?) Rather I purpose to challenge the liberal, secular status quo with biblical perspective that, when rightly applied, has proved itself incontrovertibly worthy throughout the millennia.
Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by God’s Word. A person of faith, I base opinions expressed in my books and articles on that very Word. This I do as authentically, honorably, and objectively as my human limitations and bias allow.
A radio co-host, I speak my mind as freely, honestly, and honorably as I know how. For me, to dismiss Truth for expediency, or ratings, is beyond mere sell out. It’s a travesty.
So then, let the sparks fly!
Monday, November 2, 2009
Riding the Air Waves of Radio
Part 2-of-3 (scroll down for part 1)
While not every voice (conservative, moderate, or liberal) is to my liking, freedom of speech remains the American way. Known for his scathing, right-wing analyses, Michael Savage stands out among the most controversial of radio talk-show hosts. In fact, Britain numbers him with twenty-two fellows deemed so extreme and intolerant that all are banned from even entering Britain.
This is the same Britain that welcomes Muslims who are among the most embittered in the western world—this, according to the Washington-based Pew Global Attitudes Project. Only 32% of British Muslims tolerate Jews, and a 2009 Gallup poll reveals that these have zero tolerance toward homosexual acts.
“Selective tolerance” characterizes our side of the pond as well. Speaker Nancy Pelosi reports that House leaders will aggressively pursue legislation to reinstate the "Fairness Doctrine,” which in the name of “fairness” stifles controversial commentary and thereby tramples First-Amendment, free-speech principles. Threat of random warnings and investigations threaten to discourage broadcasters from airing anything that FCC bureaucrats might deem "unbalanced" (like “America, love it or leave it”?).
Dot-Com Journalism
In light of long-term disparagement of the press’ performance at multiple levels, the Internet is fast becoming a primary source for news-junkies in their twenties, thirties, and forties. Clearly, the Internet stands alone as a veritable treasure trove of information for just about every subject imaginable, and the burgeoning "blogosphere" is the up-and-coming primary source of instant news available worldwide to all who access it.
Non-discriminate Internet surfing promises to arm the gullible with a laughable arsenal of so-called knowledge, to be sure; however, on the upside, the Internet has given voice to unprecedented stockpiles of data and commentary well structured by the Wonder Wheel and colorfully enhanced by Sky Map (both compliments of Google).
Cyberspace offers provocative alternatives and nuances to views upheld by the Michael Moores and Michael Savages of this world. Through the blogosphere, the otherwise “silenced voice” of well-reasoned, oftentimes politically-incorrect ideology is heard; and pundits hold public servants to higher levels of authenticity and accountability because of it.
Next: "Collectivist Thought Control" (Part 3)
While not every voice (conservative, moderate, or liberal) is to my liking, freedom of speech remains the American way. Known for his scathing, right-wing analyses, Michael Savage stands out among the most controversial of radio talk-show hosts. In fact, Britain numbers him with twenty-two fellows deemed so extreme and intolerant that all are banned from even entering Britain.
This is the same Britain that welcomes Muslims who are among the most embittered in the western world—this, according to the Washington-based Pew Global Attitudes Project. Only 32% of British Muslims tolerate Jews, and a 2009 Gallup poll reveals that these have zero tolerance toward homosexual acts.
“Selective tolerance” characterizes our side of the pond as well. Speaker Nancy Pelosi reports that House leaders will aggressively pursue legislation to reinstate the "Fairness Doctrine,” which in the name of “fairness” stifles controversial commentary and thereby tramples First-Amendment, free-speech principles. Threat of random warnings and investigations threaten to discourage broadcasters from airing anything that FCC bureaucrats might deem "unbalanced" (like “America, love it or leave it”?).
Dot-Com Journalism
In light of long-term disparagement of the press’ performance at multiple levels, the Internet is fast becoming a primary source for news-junkies in their twenties, thirties, and forties. Clearly, the Internet stands alone as a veritable treasure trove of information for just about every subject imaginable, and the burgeoning "blogosphere" is the up-and-coming primary source of instant news available worldwide to all who access it.
Non-discriminate Internet surfing promises to arm the gullible with a laughable arsenal of so-called knowledge, to be sure; however, on the upside, the Internet has given voice to unprecedented stockpiles of data and commentary well structured by the Wonder Wheel and colorfully enhanced by Sky Map (both compliments of Google).
Cyberspace offers provocative alternatives and nuances to views upheld by the Michael Moores and Michael Savages of this world. Through the blogosphere, the otherwise “silenced voice” of well-reasoned, oftentimes politically-incorrect ideology is heard; and pundits hold public servants to higher levels of authenticity and accountability because of it.
Next: "Collectivist Thought Control" (Part 3)
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