Pull the Trigger

[Richard OFfill]

 I have wondered want would pull the trigger on religious persecution. Maybe it is already happening but here at the beginning, it is coming from a source that we did not expect. I invite  you to read the following:

News.com)

[Raven]

These situations are unfortunate, but, based on the scenario outlined in The Great Controversy, I expect this will only be a temporary situation.  When the religious right gets the upper hand, as we know it will, the persecution will be of a different nature.  The goofy regulations in place now that stifle religious expression are stirring up the religious right and they are getting more support than they would if the government avoided the provocative measures it's been taking recently.

It's really strange.  The religious right doesn't understand the importance of separation of church and state, and the left doesn't understand how to implement it.

[Soli Deo Gloria]

Can anyone give just one example of the so-called religious right taking away any of our freedoms?

Yet we have examples of the current president taking away freedoms.

Thanks for posting this pastor.

Stan

[Raven]

Can anyone give just one example of the so-called religious right taking away any of our freedoms?



Stan

Taking away our freedoms, no, not yet, but it is clear from the statements of many prominent clergy, that the concept of separation of church and state is unpopular among many evangelicals.  Some call it a myth; claim it's not in the Constitution (the exact words, no; the concept, definitely).  They just don't have enough clout to do anything about it.  They've been pushing the parameters for some time now (school vouchers is only one example).

[V. Hahn]

We are told in prophecy that there will be a backlash in the end times, precipitated by one or several catastrophic happenings.  At that time religious persecution won't be against Christians per se, but against those who don't worship the way the majority says to worship. The final movements will come from the grass roots--from the bottom up.

But one can see how the image to the beast is forming, and how it can control things!

[newbie]

We are told in prophecy that there will be a backlash in the end times, precipitated by one or several catastrophic happenings.  At that time religious persecution won't be against Christians per se, but against those who don't worship the way the majority says to worship. The final movements will come from the grass roots--from the bottom up.

But one can see how the image to the beast is forming, and how it can control things!

I agree with this.  Because of the act that was passed in 2003, the pres. can now do almost anything.  So far, he has not used all his power to do so.  But he will.  Wait and see...

[Ed Sutton]

Sabbath work issues, then the laws get reframed reinterpreted to dilute Sabbath accomodation ( but a third party contract was in place as a Sabbath Protection agreement at work ) ,    free speech when religion is the topic...........tell the truth and nothing but...........get fired for it...............then try to collect unemployment in Ohio.......................loose your house and property, savings, retirement..................................be left to stand without legal counsel before a state tribunal........................ because it is not a black and white SABBATH WORK Issue, but rather free speech and religious liberty involved ...............already happened in 2005.

Is it persecution  ?   Is denial of representation by those with the means to do so..................... persecution  ...........  or at least neglect ?     Is the refusal to see religious freedom as the issue at stake  when the employer daily morning and evening broadcast religious homilies over the PA system, but you must be muzzeled.   

The Investigative Judgment must become the court of appeals for that, it is neglected elsewhere.

[SDA4Life]

Can anyone give just one example of the so-called religious right taking away any of our freedoms?

It is not going to be one or the other who take our freedoms, but both working together, they might have different motivations, but they will want the same thing.

[dedication]

Can anyone give just one example of the so-called religious right taking away any of our freedoms?
Yet we have examples of the current president taking away freedoms.
Thanks for posting this pastor.
Stan

The government (not just the current president but several of the preceeding ones as well) have been removing freedoms and rights from the people. All the safe guards restricting a dictatoral type of govenmnet gone.   For quite some time now the powers that be have been  changing more and more  laws to remove the people's rights.  It really doesn't matter who the president is as they all work on the same agenda.  There are forces behind the scenes orchestrating things.    When the "religious right" gets control of the government -- everything is in place to enforce their agenda.   The wall between religion and state will be knocked down.   It will be made to sound like the "good thing" because, after all look how the atheists et al. have defined it (as not being able to practice your religion in public).  With that slant on separation of church and state, it is made to sound like a bad thing.   But when it is knocked down  all the restrictions placed on religion to enforce THEIR brand of religion will be gone.   The papal form of government will be back -- the wound healed. 

"Let history testify of her artful and persistent efforts to insinuate herself into the affairs of nations; and having gained a foothold, to further her own aims, even at the ruin of princes and people. ...Let the principle once be established in the United States, that the church may employ or control the power of the State; that religious observances may be enforced by secular laws; in short, that the authority of church and State is to dominate the conscience, and the triumph of Rome in this country is assured....God's Word has given warning of the impending danger; let this be unheeded, and the Protestant world will learn what the purposes of Rome really are, only when it is too late to escape the snare. She is silently growing into power. Her doctrines are exerting their influence in legislative halls, in the churches, and in the hearts of men. She is piling up her lofty and massive structures, in the secret recesses of which her former persecutions will be repeated. Stealthily and unsuspectedly she is strengthening her forces to further her own ends when the time shall come for her to strike. All that she desires is vantage-ground, and this is already being given her. We shall soon see and shall feel what the purpose of the Roman element is. Whoever shall believe and obey the Word of God will thereby incur reproach and persecution.  {GC88 581.1} 

[Ed Sutton]

Doing a Google search on an action of conservative religion / politics .................. The Patriot Act

Woops ................... a religious conservative site has said I am not allowed to post links despite having an insert URL icon.   You will have to Google .... The Patriot Act    on your own...................................   freedoms of other SDA Forums .............. subtly denied through technology.     


After all we can trust Google & Wikipedia to be accurate, fair, balanced, honest, in tune with the SDA value system and world view     etc etc ..............................   RIGHT  

[Larry Lyons]

The government (not just the current president but several of the preceeding ones as well) have been removing freedoms and rights from the people. All the safe guards restricting a dictatoral type of govenmnet gone.   For quite some time now the powers that be have been  changing more and more  laws to remove the people's rights.  It really doesn't matter who the president is as they all work on the same agenda.  There are forces behind the scenes orchestrating things.    When the "religious right" gets control of the government -- everything is in place to enforce their agenda.   The wall between religion and state will be knocked down.   It will be made to sound like the "good thing" because, after all look how the atheists et al. have defined it (as not being able to practice your religion in public).  With that slant on separation of church and state, it is made to sound like a bad thing.   But when it is knocked down  all the restrictions placed on religion to enforce THEIR brand of religion will be gone.   The papal form of government will be back -- the wound healed. 
 

You are right, Dedication. For all practical purposes our freedoms have already been nullified. When the time is ripe, and the political powers perceive that there is an immediate need, severe restrictions can be "legally" imposed by the government and enforced by the US military. The use of the military against US citizens in case of "domestic disturbance" is already being planned for.

I would say to anyone who might believe that US troops would never attack US citizens, Remember Kent State.

Ed, the restriction on posting links only applies to "From the Pastor's Desk" if I'm not mistaken. You might start a related topic elsewhere and post links to relevant information.