http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/charlescolson/ en-us Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:10:57 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2392576/posts More than 150 Christian leaders, most of them conservative evangelicals and traditionalist Roman Catholics, issued a joint declaration Friday reaffirming their opposition to abortion and gay marriage and pledging to protect religious freedoms. The 4,700-word document, called "The Manhattan Declaration: A Call of Christian Conscience," sounds familiar themes from political and social debates over the health care overhaul and gay marriage battles. While acknowledging that "Christians and our institutions have too often scandalously failed to uphold the institution of marriage," the group rejects same-sex marriage. The declaration states that opening a legal door for gay marriage would do the same... AP Obama http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2392576/posts#comment Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:10:57 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2392260/posts A formidable coalition of 150 Catholic, Orthodox and evangelical leaders are calling on Christians in a new manifesto to reject secular authority – and even engage in civil disobedience – if laws force them to accept abortion, same-sex marriage and other ideas that betray their religious beliefs. On Friday, these leaders released a 4,700-word document – called the "The Manhattan Declaration: A Call of Christian Conscience." The document was signed by leaders ranging from evangelical leader Chuck Colson to two of the leading Catholic prelates in the U.S., Archbishop Donald Wuerl of Washington, D.C. and Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New... NewsMax http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2392260/posts#comment Sun, 22 Nov 2009 23:08:18 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2391657/posts Conservative Christian leaders unveiled a declaration Friday calling on Christians not to comply with rules and laws forcing them to accept abortion, same-sex marriage and other ideals that go against their religious doctrines. The declaration urges Christians to practice civil disobedience to defend their convictions, even though some signers of the document backed away from the strong language. The Catholic Archbishop of Washington, Donald W. Wuerl, was among the first signers of the Manhattan Declaration. He appeared at a news conference in the District on Friday to announce it, even as the Church was considering a city-proposed compromise on its... The Washington Post http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2391657/posts#comment Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:26:06 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2391534/posts More than 150 leaders across a spectrum of conservative Christianity on Friday released a 4,700-word document vowing civil disobedience if they are forced to take part in "anti-life acts" or bless gay marriages. Called the "Manhattan Declaration," the six-page, single-spaced document was drafted by Prison Fellowship founder Charles Colson, an evangelical, and Princeton University professor Robert P. George, a Roman Catholic, and included a bevy of Catholic, Anglican and Orthodox bishops, archbishops and cardinals as signatories along with dozens of clergy and laity. Washington Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2391534/posts#comment Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:55:31 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2391424/posts More than 150 leaders across a spectrum of conservative Christianity on Friday released a 4,700-word document vowing civil disobedience if they are forced to take part in "anti-life acts" or bless gay marriages. Called the "Manhattan Declaration," the six-page, single-spaced document was drafted by Prison Fellowship founder Charles Colson, an evangelical, and Princeton University professor Robert P. George, a Roman Catholic, and included a bevy of Catholic, Anglican and Orthodox bishops, archbishops and cardinals as signatories along with dozens of clergy and laity. Archbishop of Washington Donald W. Wuerl is one of the signatories. "Throughout the centuries, Christianity has taught... Washington Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2391424/posts#comment Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:12:09 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2231798/posts The story is heartbreaking. A woman showed up at an abortion clinic “in flip-flops and in tears,” having walked for an hour to have her fourth child aborted after her boyfriend lost his job. “‘This was a desired pregnancy—she’d been getting prenatal care—but they re-evaluated expenses and decided not to continue,’ said Dr. Pratima Grupta,” in the Associated Press report. Yes, it’s a heartbreaking story. But columnist Bonnie Erbe sees it quite differently. “In the long run,” she asks, “can we agree that this unwed couple’s decision not to bring a fourth child into the world when they are having... BreakPoint http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2231798/posts#comment Fri, 17 Apr 2009 21:30:42 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2174461/posts Exposing ScientismIn his inaugural address, President Obama said he would “restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology’s wonders to raise health care’s quality.” By this, many suspect he means to spend taxpayer money on embryonic stem cell research, which destroys humans at the embryonic stage. Evidently, President Obama has been listening to those who want research funded, some because they are driven by greed but many others driven by a dangerous worldview called scientism. As Nancy Pearcey and I write in our book, How Now Shall We Live?, scientism has its roots in Darwinism. Tufts University professor Daniel... BreakPoint http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2174461/posts#comment Thu, 29 Jan 2009 22:04:50 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2146597/posts Today President Bush welcomed Darfur Human Rights Activist Dr. Halima Bashir to the Oval Office. (Transcript) Dr. Bashir has been tortured my militant Muslims throughout her life, most horrifically after she dared to speak out about the abuse of women and young girls in her native Sudan. She tells her story in her book “Tears In The Desert”. President Bush: This good soul brings firsthand accounts to what life is like in Darfur. She has witnessed violence, deprivation, and she carries a message of a lot of people who want our help. First Lady Laura Bush spoke about women’s rights... WhiteHouse.gov & other sources http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2146597/posts#comment Thu, 11 Dec 2008 02:29:04 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2126129/posts "Something very strange happened to me this past week. I was seated in my library chair, mulling over current events, trying to make a few New Year’s predictions, which is the custom for commentators. I was concentrating hard, when suddenly, I saw before my eyes a headline from the New York Times. It read, “Congress Votes to End War; Troops Ordered to Abandon Iraq.” The view changed. Just as in Vietnam three decades ago, I saw Americans clinging to helicopters, trying to get themselves out of Baghdad along with friendly Shiite Muslims. There was massive confusion, bombs going off in... Townhall.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2126129/posts#comment Wed, 5 Nov 2008 18:01:24 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2053369/posts Evangelicals: Change of Heart toward Catholics Evangelicals have been going through a major change of heart in their view of Catholicism over the past 15 years or so. In the 80’s when I was in college I lived in the Biblebelt and had plenty of experience with Evangelicals–much of it bad experience. The 80’s was the height of the “Are you saved?” question. In Virginia, the question often popped up in the first 10 minutes of getting to know someone. As I look back, Isurmise that this was coached from the pulpit or Sunday school as it was so well... The Black Cordelias http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2053369/posts#comment Tue, 29 Jul 2008 23:39:52 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1976020/posts There are an estimated 1.6 million Muslims in Great Britain. By some estimates, more people attend mosque than go to Anglican churches every week. Judging by recent comments by the Archbishop of Canterbury, it is easy to see why. As most of you by now know, Archbishop Rowan William said in a recent interview that the “UK has to ‘face up to the fact’ that some of its citizens do not relate to the British legal system.” He left no doubt who those “citizens” are: British Muslims. So according to Williams, British Muslims should not have to choose between “the... Breakpoint with Chuck Colson http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1976020/posts#comment Mon, 25 Feb 2008 18:36:41 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1970544/posts Note: This commentary contains sensitive information that may not be suitable for children. Tonya was only 12 when she was approached by a man as she walked down a city street. Over the next few months, his gifts and compliments impressed her—and soon, she thought she was in love. The minute he gained Tonya’s trust, the man—who was actually a pimp—took her to another city and forced her into a nightmare world of sexual slavery. She was forced to sell her body to countless men. To keep her in line, the pimp beat her violently. He kept all the money... Breakpoint with Chuck Colson http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1970544/posts#comment Thu, 14 Feb 2008 23:57:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1969304/posts Last month, the president announced his intention to sell Saudi Arabia some of our most sophisticated weapons. This is a bad idea, and you should let your representative know it right away. The proposed $20 billion deal includes “satellite-guided weaponry” and “high-tech munitions,” including 900 JDAM bombs. The JDAM is arguably the smartest “smart bomb” in our arsenal. Its electronics can “guide the bomb to its target regardless of weather.” And, it is also resistant to the jamming of its GPS system. According to Reuters, the deal appears to be part of an “effort to persuade Saudi Arabia . .... Breakpoint with Chuck Colson http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1969304/posts#comment Tue, 12 Feb 2008 23:25:54 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1958423/posts Is it possible, or even worthwhile, for Christians to reach a consensus on impacting culture—from the performing arts, to music, to literature? Well, there are probably as many answers to that question as there are Christians. But theologian T. M. Moore, in his compelling new book Culture Matters, explains why it is so important that Christians reach a cultural consensus: “All culture,” he says, “is a gift from God. The challenge to us is in learning how to take what is good in contemporary culture, reclaim and retool it, and put it to work in a Christian framework for forming... Breakpoint with Chuck Colson http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1958423/posts#comment Wed, 23 Jan 2008 22:06:25 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1957299/posts As Americans observe Martin Luther King Day today, I am reminded of the rich Christian tradition of activism in this country. For millions of Christians who have gone before us, activism was considered fruit of the faith. Not only was the civil-rights movement led by evangelical Christians like Dr. King, so too were campaigns for abolition and women’s suffrage heavily influenced by Christians expressing their faith. But for much of the twentieth century, Christians—especially white evangelicals—shied away from activism. Part of the reason is that from about the 1920s to the 1970s, many evangelical Christians simply withdrew from the public... Breakpoint with Chuck Colson http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1957299/posts#comment Mon, 21 Jan 2008 23:20:03 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1948281/posts As I discovered in Watergate, we humans have an infinite capacity for self-justification—which is why it is pretty good to get a reality check and find out how others see us. After all, only your closest friends tell you if you have bad breath. That is a service David Kinnaman, president of Barna polling, and Gabe Lyons, one of our Centurions, have performed for us with their new book, unChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks About Christianity . . . And Why It Matters. Kinnaman and Lyons spent three years polling young, unchurched Americans to find out what they... Breakpoint with Chuck Colson http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1948281/posts#comment Fri, 4 Jan 2008 15:58:36 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1947724/posts If you’re like I am, your New Year’s resolutions seldom make it to the end of January. So rather than lay out resolutions today, I want to simply share some thoughts about the New Year—a year that will be dominated by this year’s presidential election. The official kickoff is tomorrow, with the Iowa caucuses. I am almost relieved. It has been a long, tiresome campaign that began the night the 2006 election returns were coming in. I am sure many of us are so tired of the perpetual campaigning that we are tempted to think, Please let it be over,... Breakpoint with Chuck Colson http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1947724/posts#comment Thu, 3 Jan 2008 16:00:40 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1931920/posts As part of the Economist magazine’s coverage of religion’s role in the twenty-first century, a recent story covers the “new wars of religion.” The magazine’s emphasis on religion represents a nearly 180-degree turn from the publication’s 1999 declaration that belief in God had “passed into history.” But while the magazine is looking in the right direction, it does not understand what it is seeing. The graphic accompanying the story could not be less subtle: an arm reaching down from heaven holding a hand grenade. According to the story, “faith will unsettle politics everywhere this century; it will do so least... Breakpoint with Chuck Colson http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1931920/posts#comment Wed, 28 Nov 2007 22:26:22 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1931362/posts On the eve of the new millennium, the prestigious Economist magazine published what amounted to an obituary for belief in God. Fast forward to November 2007: The cover story of a recent issue of the magazine is titled, “In God’s Name.” In it, the editors admit that they were wrong eight years ago and tell their readers that “religion will play a big role in this century’s politics.” What happened to change their minds? For starters, they began looking through the correct end of the telescope. In 1999, the magazine cited the many different conceptions of God as possible evidence... Breakpoint with Chuck Colson http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1931362/posts#comment Tue, 27 Nov 2007 21:55:10 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1923195/posts Since late September, the crackdown on pro-democracy forces in Burma has brought unwelcome attention to one of the most oppressive regimes on Earth. For many people, the defining image of the Burmese struggle for human rights has been Buddhist monks in red robes staging demonstrations. Reports about Burma focus on the plight and plans of the estimated 400,000 Buddhist monks in the country. Given the coverage, people might be surprised to learn that Burma not only has a substantial Christian population, but that these Christians have long been the junta’s preferred target. Late last month, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner... Breakpoint with Chuck Colson http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1923195/posts#comment Fri, 9 Nov 2007 05:10:31 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1880752/posts According to its Academy of Social Sciences, China “suffers from the world’s most severe brain drain.” Approximately two-thirds of the Chinese who have studied abroad in the past two decades did not return home. The BBC offered many possible explanations for this drain: the lack of opportunities at home; a lack of freedom, especially after Tiananmen Square, and a preference for the Western “lifestyle.” One factor that was not mentioned but should have been was a concern about spending the rest of your life alone. According to China’s State Population and Family Planning Commission, “by 2020 some 30 million Chinese... Breakpoint with Chuck Colson http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1880752/posts#comment Tue, 14 Aug 2007 01:43:54 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1875066/posts As the summer grinds on, the war of words over the real war in Iraq is growing hotter every day. Critics of the war are saying that the American people are fed up and want the troops to come home; that the Iraqi government needs to step up and take responsibility for the growing violence; that the war is straining our military—and our soldiers—to the breaking point. Meanwhile, the war’s defenders are claiming that if the troops leave now, the enemy will have won. Instead of fighting terrorists in Iraq, we’ll be fighting them here in our homeland. Leaving now... Breakpoint with Chuck Colson http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1875066/posts#comment Thu, 2 Aug 2007 03:24:44 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1864221/posts When you think of God, what comes to mind? A.W. Tozer once said, “We tend by a secret law of the soul to move toward our mental image of God.” If our ideas about God are coming from the wrong places, then our God will be too small. God’s Word, His Son, and creation give us ideas about the Creator. In Romans 1, Paul tells us that creation reveals God’s glory, but men have suppressed this knowledge. In her latest book, Time Peace, my friend and colleague Ellen Vaughn has come up with a wonderful way to blast our too-small... Breakpoint with Chuck Colson http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1864221/posts#comment Wed, 11 Jul 2007 15:00:31 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1861201/posts Quick, what famous event do we commemorate on the Fourth of July? Not sure? A little rusty on your sixth-grade civics? Well, you're in good company. One Gallup poll revealed that one out of every four Americans doesn't know that July Fourth commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It's a poor patriotism that doesn't even know our national history and traditions. This Fourth of July, let’s ask what it means, in the light of Scripture, to be an American citizen. Patriotism used to be a simple matter. Most of America's traditions were rooted in a Christian heritage. To... Breakpoint with Chuck Colson http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1861201/posts#comment Thu, 5 Jul 2007 14:43:32 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1861177/posts On June 27, Tony Blair left office after having been Britain’s prime minister for 10 years. His next job will be that of envoy for the so-called “Quartet” of Mideast negotiators: the United States, the U.N., the European Union and Russia. Let’s hope that his new employers appreciate him more than his old ones. Blair leaves 10 Downing Street with the dubious distinction of having been the “most unpopular Labour Prime Minister of modern times.” Last November, his approval rating sank to 26 percent. In other words, Blair is less popular than the Labour leaders who presided over Britain’s economic... Breakpoint with Chuck Colson http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1861177/posts#comment Thu, 5 Jul 2007 14:06:34 GMT