Free Republic

On election night, hope was palpable. A sort of jittery excitement filled the air at the Catoosa Democratic Headquarters in Ringgold, Ga. A year ago, the local party was lucky to have 20 people at a breakfast meeting. Now, giddy Obama supporters edged past each other in the crowded banquet hall, sharing smiles and ogling the vast array of T-shirts and buttons. “Your grandparents were right,” read one sticker, “Vote Democratic.” For decades, this area has been Democratic. That’s the reason we are known for having some of the best public schools around. It’s the reason we have a fabulous...

Conservative evangelicals who saw environmentalism as alarmism welcomed Richard Cizik's resignation as the National Association of Evangelicals' Washington lobbyist last week. But evangelicals and scientists who had been working on "creation care" for several years saw it as a blow to their efforts. More than 50 evangelicals — including several environmental advocates — sent a letter to the NAE President Leith Anderson this morning, signaling their support for Cizik's efforts and urging the organization to "carry out Richard's vision of a broad Christian moral agenda." Those who signed the letter included presidents of organizations, professors, pastors, and authors, such as...

This past week, Gov. Chris Gregoire of Washington State allowed—in the spirit of multiculturalism and intellectual-immolation for which the Northwest is (in)famous—a large sign to be placed next to a Nativity scene and a Christmas holiday tree (and a menorah) in the Legislative Building in Olympia, Washington: "At this season of THE WINTER SOLSTICE may reason prevail. There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell. There is only our natural world. Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds." Yes, I am truly shocked: I cannot believe that a Nativity scene and...

As Republicans sort out the reasons for their defeat, they likely will overlook or dismiss the gorilla in the pulpit. Three little letters, great big problem: G-O-D. I'm bathing in holy water as I type. To be more specific, the evangelical, right-wing, oogedy-boogedy branch of the GOP is what ails the erstwhile conservative party and will continue to afflict and marginalize its constituents if reckoning doesn't soon cometh. Simply put: Armband religion is killing the Republican Party. And, the truth -- as long as we're setting ourselves free -- is that if one were to eavesdrop on private conversations among...

Faithful Catholics in the US have been both stunned and gratified by the recent show of episcopal strength in dealing with the heretical nonsense of “Catholics” in public life who clearly misrepresent the Church’s teaching on vital issues. To date, more than fifty bishops have spoken out about this kind of misconduct or issued guidelines about voting at this critical juncture in our nation’s history. The trend is truly heartening. Let’s pray that it continues! Much more could be done, of course, but I am grateful that more bishops are standing up to strengthen and protect the faith of millions....

Regardless of the outcome of the presidential election, the 2008 election cycle has been a winnowing season for all Americans who claim to be followers of Jesus Christ. Both of the major parties nominated individuals whose views discard the nation's founding principle of respect for the authority of the Creator God. Faced with this circumstance, those in full possession of the facts had to make a choice for or against telling the truth. Many so-called Christian leaders chose to act deceitfully. They produced voters' guides and made statements pretending that John McCain is pro-life. His record includes some actions that...

Saturday, November 01, 2008 Obama Can't Fool God Voters-- "Messiah" Draws Less Support Than Kerry Barack Obama tried to bamboozle religious voters this year with outrageous and dishonest mock "Pro-Life" websites paid for by George Soros: Unfortunately for Barack Obama religious voters were not fooled. They understand that Barack Obama is the most radical pro-abortion and infanticide candidate in the last 35 years. It didn't help that abortion survivor Gianna Jessen exposed Barack Obama's gruesome infanticide record: This ad must have made an impact.More religious voters backed John Kerry than are backing the infanticide candidate this year.The Politico reported: Barack...

Barack Obama has courted white weekly churchgoers as avidly as any Republican-leaning bloc of voters, though it now appears his efforts may fall flat on Election Day. The Gallup Poll now shows Obama backed by 28 percent of white voters who attend church at least once a week — a group that makes up a roughly a third of all voters — which would be no improvement from the 29 percent of these voters who, according to exit polls, backed Democrats John Kerry and Al Gore in the previous two presidential election.

Group says ads will air on Christian music stations in Michigan, Colorado, Ohio, Missouri, Indiana, Virginia and North Carolina.

After Mass, I walked out onto the public pavement (this Church is right on the pavement in Chicago, so there's no 'church property' per se in front of it), and there were 2 men standing outside greeting the parishioners with flyers. One man was in a sport jacket and bow tie and looked like an academic; the other was rather young, punky looking and in black leather. On reading the title, "What Are The Moral Obligations of the Pro-Life Voter?," I expected it to be a call to conscience, and complemented the older man, who said, "thank you .. I...

Diana West looks at the hopes and prayers of the Obamacons: Here, taken from a couple of such endorsements, is what I mean: President Obama will (I pray, secularly) surely understand that traditional left-politics aren’t going to get us out of this pit we’ve dug for ourselves. —Christopher Buckley I sure hope Obama is more open, centrist, sensible—dare I say, Clintonesque—than his liberal record indicates, than his cooperation with Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid portends. —Ken Adelman In other words, they hope Obama will not revert to Leftist type. Or, if you like, they're "hoping" he'll "change", and break with...

Washington, DC -- A Catholic pro-life group says new information adds to the criticism a couple of Catholics organizations have already received for trying to make Barack Obama seem pro-life on abortion. Leading abortion activist and billionaire George Soros is behind the groups.

Recently, Democratic Vice-Presidential candidate Joe Biden made the observation that past is prologue. Perhaps that’s why the Obama camp is courting Christians so hard this election year. Certainly, there is evidence from the past showing clearly that evangelical Christians can make the difference in the Presidential race. Back in November of 2004, the Washington Post ran a story that included this telling statement: “…Christian activists led the charge that GOP operatives followed and capitalized upon.” Staff writers Alan Cooperman and Thomas B. Edsall noted that grassroots activists in Ohio, Michigan, and Florida praised President Bush’s political adviser, Karl Rove, with...

The canyons of Wall Street are ringing with Democratic politicians and liberal pundits crying out for the renewal of ancient values and a return to basics. The political right wants market failures to be punished with Old Testament ruin. The financial crisis has brought calls for a return of ethics, standards and rules -- and not just on Wall Street. Dan Henninger tells Kelsey Hubbard how these themes are affecting the campaign trail. (Sept. 25) So we're all agreed: Standards of behavior matter. All that remains is to see if this week's left-right consensus on standards can be extended to...

'We can either settle for the world as it is or ... we can fight ... for the world as it should be,' Michelle Obama said.CINCINNATI - "I come here today as a Christian,'' Michelle Obama said yesterday to a standing ovation at a convention of mostly black Baptists. She appealed not only for their prayers but for their votes for her husband. "This election is going to change the world,'' she said. "This election will determine the course of an entire generation. Just think about that. "I know that no one here wants to look back and think, 'Wouldn't...

He almost wrecked Barack Obama's presidential dreams, and now firebrand pastor Jeremiah Wright has helped destroy a Dallas church worker's marriage - and her job, The Post has learned. Elizabeth Payne, 37, said she had a steamy sexual affair with the controversial, racially divisive man of the cloth while she was an executive assistant at a church headed by a popular Wright protégé. When word of the unholy alliance got out, Payne's husband dumped her, and she was canned from the plum job at Friendship-West Baptist Church, she told The Post. "I was involved with Rev. Wright, and that's why...

John McCain announced that he was running for president to confront the "transcendent challenge" of the 21st century, "radical Islamic extremism," contrasting it with "stability, tolerance and democracy." But the values of his handpicked running mate, Sarah Palin, more resemble those of Muslim fundamentalists than they do those of the Founding Fathers. On censorship, the teaching of creationism in schools, reproductive rights, attributing government policy to God's will and climate change, Palin agrees with Hamas and Saudi Arabia rather than supporting tolerance and democratic precepts. What is the difference between Palin and a Muslim fundamentalist? Lipstick. [READ MORE BELOW]

Mara Vanderslice is a frenetic far-Leftist who worked for the Kerry campaign in 2004 — also then trying to con Christians into voting Democrat. Background on her here A new political group that claims to be a Christian organization has endorsed pro-abortion presidential candidate Barack Obama. The Matthew 25 Network plans to run ads for Obama on Christian radio stations and in newspapers and magazines that appeal to Christians. The object is to try to pry away evangelical voters from supporting John McCain, who has already received the endorsement of a number of evangelical and Catholic groups and leaders.Mara Vanderslice,...

And there came to pass a plague upon the land and its name was Soros, and its name was moveon.org, and they begat gold and silver and riches to make a king. And there arose up a new savior over the land and his name was Obama. And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be a mouth, and we shalt be to him a source of riches. Now therefore go, and we will be thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say. And they will say Obama will be king. And Obama spoke. And...

The polished services at large churches today may be earnest, but spiritually, they can miss the mark. My friend Jennie is a singer with a worship team at a local "megachurch." Recently, while rehearsing songs for the next day's worship service, she found herself experiencing a deep sense of union with God. As the music faded away, she stood in silent worship, then noticed someone speaking her name. "Jennie," called the worship leader, observing the rehearsal from the front seats, "when you're worshipping, don't forget to keep your fingers evenly spaced on the microphone. Thanks, everybody. Take a break." Ouch....