President Obama has come out swinging at the faith community. In particular, he is throwing haymakers at the Christian community. Many evangelicals were suspicious of President Obama’s intentions concerning the issues of life, faith-based initiatives, and marriage.
Evangelical leaders expressed disappointment in the selection of John McCain as the republican candidate for president. Some stated that they must do a better job of organizing for the presidential election in order to have more influence. There was also a large racial divide between white and black Christians. White Christians held their ground on traditional issues such as marriage and abortion. On the other hand, black Christians rallied around the call for social justice. With a lack of enthusiasm for John McCain Mr. Obama was cleared for ascension to the Presidency.
So, what has president Obama done thus far that has evangelicals rallying the call for defiance? Let’s take a look:
In Obama’s first week in office he signed an executive order to release federal funds for the promotion and execution of abortions in foreign countries. This act has been a sea saw event. Under President Reagan, Bush 41, and Bush 43 there was a ban on the use of funds for such activities. Under President Clinton the ban was lifted.
President Obama has recently submitted a bill for the federal budget that included a clause reducing the charitable deduction for those that make “large” donations. This would remove the tax benefit enjoyed by those that give to non-profit organizations. Such an action would likely have an adverse effect on charitable giving to churches, para-church ministries, and other 501-C3 organizations operated by Christians. A move like this would discourage giving. This is bad news for the church.
During President Obama’s campaign he openly discussed his desire to remove any and all “discriminating” hiring practices by faith-based organizations. If he succeeds in his efforts, groups that are faith-based will likely be forced to hirer people that have a conflict of interest. That would include atheist, agnostics, homosexuals, and literally anyone adversely opposed to the faith of the organization. Organizations will either lose their faith in the hiring practice or lose their funding. Tough choice to make but as Chuck Colson stated, “Without Faith I have nothing to offer.”
President Obama’s administration announced last week that they will rescind the protection granted by President Bush for healthcare workers (nurses, pharmacist, doctors, ect…) to refuse to participate in any abortion process. This law allowed providers to protect their conscience by giving them the ability to refuse to administer abortions or abortion inducing products. This is a despicable act. There is no shortage of abortion providers in America. When the government is willing to violate a person’s conscience on the basis of convenience we are in for a lot of trouble.
This week President Obama signed an executive order to release federal funding for the use of embryonic stem cells in research. Many have been led to falsely believe that a federal ban existed concerning embryonic stem cell research. No such ban ever existed. There was simply a ban on the use of federal taxpayer money for research. Some believe that this may also open the door to human cloning. President Obama believes that the research is promising. However, as one elected official stated, “There is no such thing as left over human life.”
In addition to these executive orders and initiatives Mr. Obama has made some “faith-offensive” appointees at high levels. According to Chuck Colson’s commentary on Breakpoint.org, “The three top appointees—David Ogden, Thomas Perrelli, and Elena Kagan—are, in the words of Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council, “three of President Obama’s most objectionable nominees. . . . [They] have a legacy of championing abortion on demand, legalized obscenity, special rights for homosexuals, and euthanasia.” (To read the full commentary you can visit http://www.breakpoint.org/listingarticle.asp?ID=11358). There are also concerns about the appointment of Health and Human Services nominee Kathleen Sebelius. She has ties to abortionist George Tiller (http://charismamag.com/index.php/news/19919-pro-life-groups-gear-up-to-fight-sebelius-confirmation).
Given all that has happened in just the first 50 days of Barack Obama’s presidency the Church is gearing up for the fight of its life. They must stand united in order to ward off the attack on freedom of religion, right to life, and decency in general. Check out the video below. I believe it a powerful commentary concerning the protection of life.
Evangelical leaders expressed disappointment in the selection of John McCain as the republican candidate for president. Some stated that they must do a better job of organizing for the presidential election in order to have more influence. There was also a large racial divide between white and black Christians. White Christians held their ground on traditional issues such as marriage and abortion. On the other hand, black Christians rallied around the call for social justice. With a lack of enthusiasm for John McCain Mr. Obama was cleared for ascension to the Presidency.
So, what has president Obama done thus far that has evangelicals rallying the call for defiance? Let’s take a look:
In Obama’s first week in office he signed an executive order to release federal funds for the promotion and execution of abortions in foreign countries. This act has been a sea saw event. Under President Reagan, Bush 41, and Bush 43 there was a ban on the use of funds for such activities. Under President Clinton the ban was lifted.
President Obama has recently submitted a bill for the federal budget that included a clause reducing the charitable deduction for those that make “large” donations. This would remove the tax benefit enjoyed by those that give to non-profit organizations. Such an action would likely have an adverse effect on charitable giving to churches, para-church ministries, and other 501-C3 organizations operated by Christians. A move like this would discourage giving. This is bad news for the church.
During President Obama’s campaign he openly discussed his desire to remove any and all “discriminating” hiring practices by faith-based organizations. If he succeeds in his efforts, groups that are faith-based will likely be forced to hirer people that have a conflict of interest. That would include atheist, agnostics, homosexuals, and literally anyone adversely opposed to the faith of the organization. Organizations will either lose their faith in the hiring practice or lose their funding. Tough choice to make but as Chuck Colson stated, “Without Faith I have nothing to offer.”
President Obama’s administration announced last week that they will rescind the protection granted by President Bush for healthcare workers (nurses, pharmacist, doctors, ect…) to refuse to participate in any abortion process. This law allowed providers to protect their conscience by giving them the ability to refuse to administer abortions or abortion inducing products. This is a despicable act. There is no shortage of abortion providers in America. When the government is willing to violate a person’s conscience on the basis of convenience we are in for a lot of trouble.
This week President Obama signed an executive order to release federal funding for the use of embryonic stem cells in research. Many have been led to falsely believe that a federal ban existed concerning embryonic stem cell research. No such ban ever existed. There was simply a ban on the use of federal taxpayer money for research. Some believe that this may also open the door to human cloning. President Obama believes that the research is promising. However, as one elected official stated, “There is no such thing as left over human life.”
In addition to these executive orders and initiatives Mr. Obama has made some “faith-offensive” appointees at high levels. According to Chuck Colson’s commentary on Breakpoint.org, “The three top appointees—David Ogden, Thomas Perrelli, and Elena Kagan—are, in the words of Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council, “three of President Obama’s most objectionable nominees. . . . [They] have a legacy of championing abortion on demand, legalized obscenity, special rights for homosexuals, and euthanasia.” (To read the full commentary you can visit http://www.breakpoint.org/listingarticle.asp?ID=11358). There are also concerns about the appointment of Health and Human Services nominee Kathleen Sebelius. She has ties to abortionist George Tiller (http://charismamag.com/index.php/news/19919-pro-life-groups-gear-up-to-fight-sebelius-confirmation).
Given all that has happened in just the first 50 days of Barack Obama’s presidency the Church is gearing up for the fight of its life. They must stand united in order to ward off the attack on freedom of religion, right to life, and decency in general. Check out the video below. I believe it a powerful commentary concerning the protection of life.
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