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>>The enlightened elites must stamp out the Christian faith<<

Christianity has all but been stamped out in the U.S. We've done it in our public screwels, we've done it in higher academia (attacks on our Christian forefathers, "B.C." is now "Before Calendars" or B.C.E "Before Calendars Existed"--I forget the A.D. bastardization), tearing down of the Ten Commandments in the public sector, celebration of sodomites on new and existing television shows, and the most notorious (but subtle) attacks from our government under the name of 501C3 tax exemption which has effectively (very much so!) silenced our "preachers" from getting "controversial" in discussing abortion, homosexuality, and fornication. We are, in most cases, looking at a Christian shell in this country. No surprise there!

I think Priden is off-base. He's blurring three subjects of which there is great distinction.

1) A high-ranking general invokes his "true God" in his desire to defeat a Muslim enemy. That's his personal business and I don't condemn him for it.

2) The president praises Islam and instead choose a debate of "good vs evil". I accept that GWB is a faithful Christian but he is wise to de-emphasize the religious overtones of the war because he needs the cooperation of some Muslim nations (Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia) to help fight the battle and he also fears unprovoked violence against Muslims in the U.S. In addition, he plans to leave Iraq and Afghanistan eventually and their leaders are likely to be Muslims who are friendly to the U.S. - so he would make it tougher on himself if he implied that there were no "good Muslims". I believe he is taking the correct and charitable course.

3. Christian influences are being beaten back in our own country. There is much woeful Christian-bashing and, frankly, a lot of liberal churches who would rather change the God they worship than apply the teachings He has given us. While I'd love this selective persecution of Christianity to stop, I expect it will only get worse.

Amazing, though, how many reverted back to being very publicly religious right after 9-11. I dropped my jaw when Judy Woodruff on CNN said "what we need now is to pray" when confronted with the rubble of the Twin Towers. And to have the House of Representatives singing "God Bless America" on the steps of the Capitol seemed equally bizarre given that half of those lawyers would deny you or I the right to sing it in a government building because it references God.

But to tie the silencing of Christians at home with wanting to prevent a Holy War abroad is to not understand the clear goal that our president and his administration has. They can pray all they want behind closed doors and offer prayers publicly for our troops. But he is wise to de-emphasize the religious nature of the enemy because it would inflame some we would need if we ever want an exit strategy for the Middle East.

As for General Boykin, this is something that the liberal press is making a giant stink about and is nothing more than another wedge they want to drive between our nation and their president. The general's comments don't bother me and I doubt they bother 90% of our citizens.

Hbr 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, [even] those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Jhn 7:49 But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed.

Psa 31:18 Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.

Psa 39:2 I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, [even] from good; and my sorrow was stirred.

Psa 50:3 Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him.

Isa 41:1 Keep silence before me, O islands; and let the people renew [their] strength: let them come near; then let them speak: let us come near together to judgment.

Amo 5:13 Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it [is] an evil time.

1Pe 4:16 Yet if [any man suffer] as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

Rev 1:3 Blessed [is] he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time [is] at hand.

Luk 12:37 Blessed [are] those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.

Exd 12:23 For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite [you].

A word of warning, Christians are commanded to follow the teachings of Christ and attempt to model thier lives after his. Most people take this as an indicator that Christians are weak and easily coerced. That is a common error.

Take the lesson of Jesus driving the moneychangers and sellers of animals from the temple under the lash of an improvised whip, when the situation required it, even Jesus was willing to use violence. (John 2:13-16)

Jesus ordered his disciples to purchase swords even to the extreme of selling thier clothes to get them.(Luke 22:35-38)

I realize this isn't the popular view of Jesus, but when the world threatens the death of the followers of Christ, those followers are obligated to defend themselves. He said to love your enemies, not submit to them.

When Christians are silenced, don't be suprised if Christians take up silencers.