SCOTUS Pushes Back Against Religious Discrimination

Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) said the State of Maine was discriminating against parochial schools through a tuition aid program that was open to nonsectarian private education but barred faith-based schools.

The tuition assistance is available for high school students in the state’s small, rural school districts that do not maintain a high school.  The case, Carson v. Makin, came before the SCOTUS after three families with high school students sued the state but watched the U.S. District Court of Maine rule against them in 2019.  A federal appeals court upheld that decision and the SCOTUS announced in July 2021 it would hear the appeal.

Reacting to the ruling, Michael McClellan of the Christian Civil League of Maine tells American Family News (AFN) the group is encouraged by the ruling.  “And [we] hope that there will be more conversations,” he says, “about how families can make the best decisions for their educational choices here and around the country.”

In the majority opinion, the six justices held the “nonsectarian” requirement violates the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment.  “There is nothing neutral about Maine’s program,” Chief Justice John Roberts wrote.  “The State pays tuition for certain students at private schools— so long as the schools are not religious.  That is discrimination against religion.”

The SCOTUS heard oral arguments last December when religious liberty law firms First Liberty Institute (FLI) and Institute for Justice represented the families before the nine justices. 

In a post-ruling interview, FLI attorney Lea Patterson tells AFN the controversy can be traced all the way back to 1980.  That year, she says, Maine’s state legislature blocked religious schools from participating but allowed nonsectarian schools to continue to benefit.  “So that’s the religious exclusion,” she says.  “Parents in Maine, and all over the country, can now choose the best education for their kids without fearing retribution from the government,” Kelly Shackleford, chief counsel at FLI, said in a statement.  “This is a great day for religious liberty in America.”

Despite the SCOTUS’s determination that Maine was discriminating against parochial schools, the Left had a collective meltdown over the 6-3 ruling because religious schools stand to benefit.  In a Twitter post, CNN legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin predicted the SCOTUS is moving toward a national policy that allows parents to get vouchers to send their children to a public or a parochial school.  And what does that mean?  “ ‘Separation of church and state’ is a vanishing concept at the Supreme Court,” he warned.  In another Twitter post, Washington Post op-ed Jennifer Rubin suggested the SCOTUS ruling is “prime Christian Nationalist stuff.”  The 6-3 ruling was also denounced by the ACLU and by the group American Atheists, Townhall reported.

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

Roe v Wade Decision

With the 6-3 decision overturning Roe v Wade, we are now living in a new world regarding the regulation of abortion.

The U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) has now ruled that our nation must recognize all three natural, God-given rights celebrated in our Declaration of Independence— “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

In the Dobbs ruling, the SCOTUS has declared that 49-years ago the high court erred in its 1973 Roe V. Wade decision— and also in the subsequent Casey decision of 1992. The U.S. Constitution does not give the federal government or federal courts a legitimate constitutional role in the regulation of abortion— rather It leaves that task to the individual states, not the federal government.

Each of the 50 states can and will legislate and regulate abortion according to its own state laws, based on the will of the people.  Some states will continue very permissive abortion laws, and other states will adopt stringent restrictions.

But, for the moment, as Christians guided by our faith in Christ’s words and Biblical wisdom, let’s put aside the contentious political questions involved in the state-level regulation of abortion, and ask, simply, what is really at stake in the abortion controversy?

Abortion is not just a “medical decision” regulated by state law.  Christians know that abortion involves the taking of a human life, and therefore, is legitimately subject to higher laws and principles than the removal of an infected tooth.

We live in a secular culture, and our lives and our children’s lives will be affected by the choices our largely secular culture makes on issues like abortion.  As Christians in a secular society, we are challenged to study and apply Christ’s teachings as few other questions.

In many of our nation’s 50 states, the “death penalty” for convicted mass murders is forbidden because it is thought to be “not humane”— and yet, the “termination” of the life of a seven, eight or even nine-month old human being living in its mother’s womb is considered not a matter of lawful regulation or limitation.

What does the Bible teach us about the importance and meaning of the choice a community makes in deciding whether or not to place limitations on the “right to terminate” a woman’s pregnancy?  Remember Christ’s admonition in Matthew 25:40:

“And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, in as much as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me’.”

Is it too much to ask, is it too provocative or too “insensitive” to ask our friends and fellow citizens and especially our elected public servants: In today’s world, who are the “least of these, my brethren” if not the unborn child in the womb?  In today’s hedonistic, narcissistic culture, where else do we find any human life with lesser status and fewer “rights” or fewer public agencies dedicated to its well-being?

Thankfully, at long last, a historic wrong of cataclysmic scale (63-million abortions since 1973 in America) has now been righted, and each of the states in this, our “one nation under God,” will now be able to debate and decide on the protections due both mother and child.

The fate of our nation’s unborn children is no longer in the hands of nine judges in black robes.  Each state’s citizens must decide and then answer for those choices.  Will they now recognize the human rights of “the least of these,” or continue to look away and pretend it is someone else’s problem?

In July of 2022, Christians in America can rejoice in our celebration of Independence Day, knowing that insofar as the federal government and our U.S. Constitution are concerned, the right to life itself has finally been restored to equal status in our constitutional principles of “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

When the Unthinkable Happens

“Happily, ever after” is what children dream about when they are young and innocent. They find comfort in believing that if one makes good choices, has faith, and works hard, life will have few detours.

Then the unthinkable happens: a mass shooting.  Most people are not hard-wired to make sense of the raw evil displayed in such an event.  The “sense” of it is beyond conception for most.  Those struck by it display anger, righteous indignation, hatred, and shock.  What of the survivors, those who experienced the terror and will try to go on with life?

The recent tragic killing of 19 young students and 2 teachers will result in these survivors striving to live with the nightmare.  Ten-year-old, Jayden Perez when asked if he will return to school replied, “No, because after what happened, I don’t want to.  I don’t want anything to do with another school shooting ... and I know it might happen again.”  It is “unthinkable” to him to return to normal school life.

11-year-old Miah smeared the blood of her friend all over her body to convince the shooter that she was dead also.  Miah did the unthinkable to survive.  Her sweet innocence was destroyed in moments.  Will Miah and Jayden be two survivors of mass shootings who will suffer long-term mental challenges because of the incident?

“The National Center for PTSD estimates that 28 percent of people who have witnessed a mass shooting develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and about a third develop acute stress disorder.”  Survivors have unique mental health challenges returning to their new normal.

The horror of the mass shooting is that it is unexpected and without warning.  A student doesn’t go to school wondering if there will be a shooting at school today.  When people attend a concert or a movie, entertainment is on their minds, not a shooting.  It shakes the core of the person’s feeling of safety in their everyday world.  The shock of the shooting vibrates, not only through the survivor but the neighborhood, other survivors, witnesses, the community, and on and on.

What happens when the news media move away from the most recent mass shooting? When the survivor muddles through the memory, trying to make sense of it?

Psychologists report that successful healing for victims is largely based on their support system.  When the Columbine High School shooting occurred, pastors and youth pastors stepped up to help.  They were “on scene” as soon as they got word of the shooting. They knew, even though they had never experienced such a shooting before, that they needed to be there to support survivors, parents, and rescue personnel.  This is the mind of Christ in action.

Jesus said in Luke 5:31-32, “It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick.”  Jesus would want Christians to be involved.  Support those who are in need as survivors of all kinds of trauma.  Pray for the families of those who were lost in the tragedy.  Volunteer in youth organizations bringing Christ to those who are wounded.

Offer Christ, in the center of the unthinkable.

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

Which Side?

Holocaust survivor, Elie Wiesel, said— “We must always take sides.  Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim.  Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.”

Motivational speaker and artist, DJ Kyos, said— “Don’t be eager in believing lies by ignoring the truth.  Don’t fall for lies when you know the truth, because of your loyalty and support to the person who is telling the lies.”

It seems amazing that many people can ignore the truth that is so vividly set before them in order to follow and support obvious lies— simply because of loyalty to a person in one’s life or a political party that one’s family and friends are a part of.  Yet, we often witness these phenomena around us.  Our lives, our culture is packed with examples all around.  No matter how much real science shows the fact of life beginning at conception, or how much evidence shows a political scam or lie, people keep voting for what they know is wrong, even sinful.  Perhaps it is good to remind ourselves what side we are on when we take our stand in life.  Compare your choices against the names of the ultimate leaders of the two most basic sides you can choose to take.

Names of Satan: Accuser of the brethren, Adversary, Angel of the bottomless pit, Apollyon, Belial, the Devil, Enemy, Evil Spirit, Father of Lies, Great Red Dragon, Lucifer, Old Serpent, Power of Darkness, Prince of devils, Tempter, Unclean Spirit, Wicked One, Murder, Spirit that works in children of disobedience … on and on.

Names of God: Holy One, Abba, Alpha and Omega, Ancient of Days, Anointed One, El Chuwl (Birth Giver), God of Knowledge, Most High, Everlasting, the God Who Sees, Almighty, Creator, Self-Existent, Lord Creator, Our Provider, Our Banner, Our Healer, Shepherd, Lord of Hosts, Peace, The Lord is There, Our Righteousness, I Am, God of Recompence, Mighty to Save, Perfector of our Faith, Bread of Life, Comforter, Cornerstone, Day Spring, Emmanuel, Fountain, Living Water, Guide, King of Kings, Passover Lamb, Rock, Rose of Sharon, Truth, Teacher, Way, Wonderful Counselor, Word, Vine … and so on.

Seriously, compare your choices against these descriptors.  Which side do your choices fall on?

Consider any and all of the topics we have before us these days: Pro-life/Pro-choice, Freedom of Speech/Censorship, Creation/Evolution, Male-Female/Personal Identity, Constitutional Republic/Socialism and Communism.  Though some of the lines we draw can become wide, gray areas, yet the sides can be drawn.

In Hebrews 4:12-16 we find these descriptive thoughts on making judgments and choosing sides, especially when it is difficult, “For the Word of God is living and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword (scalpel).  It penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight.  Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.  Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess … Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in our time of need.”

We can discern and find truth when we challenge each other to truly search for it where truth lives.  “Choose you this day whom you will serve … As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

Abortion Activists Disrupt Church Service

The other Sunday morning, three abortion rights activists interrupted worship services at Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church in Houston, TX.  The protest was apparently in response to the leaked U.S. Supreme Court draft opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito that indicates the high court is preparing to strike down the 1973 landmark Roe v. Wade decision that made abortion on demand possible.

The activist group Rise Up 4 Abortion Rights posted a short video to social media of their interruption of the Lakewood Church’s service that Sunday afternoon.  The video, recorded with an iPhone from a floor seat, captures the start of Osteen’s message as the congregation stands to repeat a prayer with Osteen before he begins his message.  A man and a blonde woman appear in the video standing in front of the person with the phone.  The woman and another woman sitting in front of her, appear to be taping Osteen with their phones as he leads the congregation.  As the prayer ends, the congregation repeats “In Jesus Name” and sits down as Osteen tells the audience, “God bless you.”  Then the woman directly in front of the camera hands her phone to the man beside her.  The video then shows as the audience sits down, the woman remains standing and lifts her dress over her head.  “It’s my body!  My f-----g choice!” the woman yelled as she turned to the camera revealing green handprints on her bra with a green bandana on her underwear.  “It’s my body!  My choice!” she repeats as the video shows two other women who were sitting beside the woman taking off their clothes and begin chanting, “Overturn Roe, h--- no!”  The video then shows the three women being escorted out of their seats by members of the church’s security team as they continue to chant.  The congregation reacted with thunderous applause drowning out the three women who were also waving green bandanas.

KHOU-TV reported the women then joined about a dozen activists who were protesting outside of the church building.  According to the posted video, the shocking disruption to the church’s services lasted approximately 43-seconds.  

According to the pro-abortion group’s website, the Green Bandana is a symbol of abortion rights that came from Latin America.  The group calls for fighting for abortion on demand and without apology.  The abortion group also claims in a statement that the three women who interrupted the Lakewood Church’s services “were acting on the orientation” posted on their website which states “{P}eople in our millions must make clear, through massive non-violent resistance, that we will bring the gears of society to a grinding halt before we allow the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade.”

The group also posted a tweet of a large green banner with the words “Overturn Roe? H--- No!” that they unveiled from the top of a bleacher section in Dodgers Stadium in Anaheim, CA during the Dodgers-Mets game that Sunday.  On Saturday, the group tweeted a short video of activists at a protest that included a woman with a bullhorn calling for civil disobedience if Roe is struck down.  “STOP the Supreme Court from overturning #RoeVWade.  We need civil disobedience,” the group tweeted.

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

2 Families Accuse School District of Helping Kids Change Gender Without Parental Consent

Two sets of Wisconsin parents are suing the Kettle Moraine School District in Wales, WI, to challenge its policy that allows children to change their name and gender pronouns at school without parental consent.

Last week, a Wisconsin Circuit Court judge denied a motion by the school district to dismiss the case.  Judge Michael P. Maxwell ruled that the parents’ lawsuit has merit, saying it “demonstrates a potential violation of their rights as parents to direct the upbringing of their child and is sufficient to survive a motion to dismiss.”

One of the couples in the case, identified in the lawsuit as T.F. and B.F., was forced to withdraw their 12-year-old daughter from the district to protect her mental health and preserve their parental role.  They allege the school district violated their constitutionally protected parental rights by using a male name and male pronouns to address their daughter at school without their consent and over their objections, according to the complaint.  Additionally, another couple joined the lawsuit against the district to make sure the same thing doesn’t happen to their children.  

Wisconsin courts recognize that parents have a right to make “decisions regarding the education and upbringing of their children,” Judge Maxwell wrote, “free from government intervention.”  Maxwell also noted that the other set of parents identified as P.W. and S.W. “may challenge a policy of the district that they believe interferes with their parental rights.”

After denying the motion to dismiss, the judge gave the school district 20-days to file an answer to the complaint.  The parents are represented by attorneys with the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty (WILL) and Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) in the lawsuit— B.F. v. Kettle Moraine School District.  “Parents’ rights to direct the upbringing, education, and mental health treatment of their children is one of the most basic constitutional rights every parent holds dear, yet we are seeing more and more school districts across the country not only ignoring parents’ concerns but actively working against them.  For that reason, we are pleased that the court rejected the school district’s request to throw out this case and instead recognized that the argument of our clients demonstrates a potential violation of their rights as parents to direct the upbringing of their child,” ADF Senior Counsel Roger Brooks said in a statement.  “Kettle Moraine should take this opportunity to change its policy, which violates the constitutionally protected rights of parents and isn’t in the best interest of children.

As the court wrote, “Wisconsin courts recognize that parents have a right to make ‘decisions regarding the education and upbringing of their children,’ ‘free from government intervention,’” the statement concluded.

According to ADF, before filing the lawsuit, attorneys from WILL and ADF wrote a letter to the school district expressing the concerns of their clients and asking it to change its policy to require parental consent before school officials use a child’s preferred name or pronoun at school and to retrain its staff accordingly.  The school district did not respond to the letter, leaving the parents with no choice but to file suit.

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

Public Is Wakened to Lies from Homosexual Activists

Disney’s troubles began within the Florida-based corporation, when homosexual activists on the payroll demanded corporate executives publicly fight the controversial Parents Rights in Education bill.  So, the corporation’s top boss belatedly bowed to that internal pressure and spoke up – after Gov. Ron DeSantis had already signed the bill into law.

Meanwhile, parents-rights supporters protested outside Disney and stood with state legislators and with DeSantis— even after Democrats and the national media nicknamed the legislation the “Don’t Say Gay” bill and attempted to bully and intimidate the governor and state legislators over a bill that protects innocent children from sick indoctrination.

Peter LaBarbera of Americans for Truth About Homosexuality tells American Family News that watching the public learn the facts about the Florida bill, then rip the national media and Disney, suggests the public is finally growing tired of homosexual activists and their bullying tactics.  “There were campaigns against Disney going back decades,” he says.  “But only now that it’s reached this sort of popular knowledge and the conservatives are in the fight across the board as this happened.”

LaBarbera, who has documented homosexual activism for decades, has also watched the bullying activists claim they are victims of “homophobia” and “hate” at the very same time Fortune 500 corporations, academia, Hollywood, and the national media bow a knee to the demand for “tolerance” and their claims about “pride.”

Down in Florida, however, Gov. DeSantis wasn’t done with Disney’s attempt to bully state leaders.  Disney witnessed the state yank a special tax-saving privilege for the mega-sized amusement park, which removed an agreement that dated back to the 1960s. Democrats angrily denounced the action as “retaliation” against Disney— but unmentioned in many news stories and press releases is the “Don’t Say Gay” lies that were spread by the same activists demanding “tolerance” and “equality.”

Whether the public boycotts a company, fires off an angry email, or defends a governor and legislators at a protest, LaBarbera says the other side is unhappily witnessing grassroots pushback that is underfunded and decades late.  But keep fighting anyway, he says.  “Let them know,” he urges, “that you’re not going to put up with this sexual propaganda and radical gender ideology being foisted on kids.”

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

Radical Pro-Abortion Activists Admit to Firebombing Another Pregnancy Center

Last week, a pro-life medical office and pregnancy center in Buffalo, NY was firebombed in early morning by radical abortion advocates.  CompassCare, a Christ-centered organization dedicated to erasing the need for abortion, said it sustained heavy damage to its building.  The abortion terrorist group, Jane’s Revenge, took credit for the attack, spray painting their signature— “Jane Was Here” on the side of the structure.

“Ironically, New York’s [Democrat] Governor not only ignored the violence, but instead earmarked $35 million in taxpayer funds to increase security at abortion clinics,” CompassCare said in a statement.  “Adding insult to injury the New York legislature passed a bill investigating pro-life pregnancy centers precisely because they do not perform abortions.”

CompassCare’s CEO, Jim Harden, vowed to restore the building and continue to protect the preborn.  “This is the pro-abortion ‘Kristallnacht.’  Because of this act of violence, the needs of women facing unplanned pregnancy will go unmet and babies will die,” remarked Harden.  “I wonder if Gov. Hochul will veto the Pregnancy Center Investigation Bill?  I wonder if Attorney General Letitia James will investigate these cowardly criminals?  CompassCare will rebuild because women deserve better.  CompassCare will not stop serving because pre-born boys and girls deserve protection.”

Numerous pro-life service centers have been the target of violence since a leaked U.S. Supreme Court draft opinion became public— indicating that the court could overturn Roe v. Wade.  

CBN News recently reported that Jane’s Revenge took responsibility for throwing red paint on the front door of a crisis pregnancy center in Washington, D.C. last week.  “Jane Says Revenge” was again spray painted on the side of the building.  The group also vandalized and firebombed the headquarters of Wisconsin Family Action (WFA)— a pro-life group in Madison, WI last month.  The radical pro-abortion group also threatened further violence if the pro-life group and similar organizations don’t disband and stop advocating against the abortion of unborn children.  Additionally, Jane’s Revenge admitted to damaging several churches in the Olympia, WA area.  Jane’s Revenge issued a statement titled “Night of Rage” on May 30 saying that the overturning of Roe, “is an event that should inspire rage.”  The message then tells followers not to “wait until the verdict arrives,” rather to “take action now.”  And the group encourages people to carry “anger out into the world” by “expressing it physically.”  The statement concludes with the threat: “To those who work to oppress us: If abortion isn’t safe, you aren’t either. We are everywhere.”  CBN News is unaware of any arrests that have been made in connection with these terrorist crimes.

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

Gnostics and Transgenders

Do you know who you are?  Can you know?  If so, how can you be certain your knowledge (thinking) is correct and true?

In the first century A.D., Gnostic Dualism made its entry into the philosophies of the day. Its basis of “having knowledge” was a collection of religious ideas and systems emphasizing spiritual knowledge above orthodox teachings and traditions.  It generally presented a distinction between a supreme God and a lesser, malevolent divinity often associated with Yahweh of the Old Testament.

Without getting into a study of all the emanations, or aeons, of knowledge (divinities), suffice it to say that it attempted to de-unify the Trinity or Triune God of the Bible.  The Bible clearly presents the Son, Christ Jesus, as the Creator of all things (St. John 1:3). These “things” are the material part of creation and considered evil in Gnosticism.  A constant attempt was being made to separate the two regarding people also, as in body and spirit.  The material body should be tamed by the spirit knowledge in order to co-exist.

Now in our world, Gnostic Dualism has raised its ugly head with the face of gender identity.  A person may be misaligned sexually in body and spirit.  Therefore, the higher knowledge of the spiritual should seek to enlighten the body to properly re-align the two so that the material body becomes subservient to the spirit of who a person is.  In this teaching, concepts of sin and repentance are replaced with “illusion” and “enlightenment.”  Ultimately, these “illusions” and “enlightenments” cause inherent confusion in the person’s thinking.  Yet, these confusions are never acknowledged or addressed.  How can this be?  

In the world’s thinking, reality is often ignored and set aside for a construed desired outcome. The sinful nature is in conflict with true godliness in Christ and the ungodly fruit that is harvested is warped and deformed.  This is seen in what is being termed “transgender disorder”— where there are misplaced assumptions that are different than the physical reality of a person’s body.  The simile is that of a “dangerously thin” person, suffering anorexia, looks in the mirror and sees a very overweight person.  Reality and actual science do not weigh in. Trans activists don’t want to debate on the philosophical, so they dress it up as a scientific and medical claim.  The thinking of trans activists is inherently confused and filled with internal contradictions.

We are instructed in God’s Word, the Bible, “For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature…the acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery…I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:17-21).

Politicized language now wants to say, “sex assigned at birth.”  This opens the door for “gender identity.”  As Christians we stand solid on the terms “birth sex” and physical sex”— which give God’s creation priority.  The upshot is this: Do not let yourselves be swayed and wooed into attempts to normalize sin as good and desired (Romans 1:18). Rather, let these words guide you, “I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on Your laws…for You have set my heart free…Turn my eyes away from worthless things” (Psalm 119:30-37).

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

Woe to…

Definition of ‘woe’— “A condition of deep suffering, affliction, or grief.  Ruinous trouble.” [Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 2022]

Through the prophet Isaiah, God warns of woe to those who “take away the rights of the ones who are in the right.” (Isaiah 5:23)  With this warning in mind, it is fair to say that those who follow or will be following the National Sex Education Standards (NSES) should understand their destiny for their attempts to take away the rights of parents. Sections such as those found on pages 24-28, 8th grade, in the NSES publication mentioned above, describe that what each grade level should know, be able to describe, and defend are very explicit in their goals.  These standards are being pushed for public school boards to adopt for the present and the years to come.  Their goals are reprehensible, and their actions are already reflecting their commitment to these standards.  

Further, we are informed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that over 41% of public school districts in our nation have already adopted the NSES standards.  The situation is already dire.  Parents, teachers, and churches should be on full alert and stand ready for battle.  The example noted above is for 8th Grade, but many of these same teachings are in place for children as young as Kindergarten and First Grade.

Pastors, church leaders, and parents need to be encouraged to see for themselves the realities of what is being put forward in teaching our children.  In essence, school boards are telling parents that it is none of their (parent’s) business what they (school boards, teachers, etc.) are teaching your children.  Ungodly and vile acts of sexual activity, gender diversity, trans-gender beliefs and confusing use of personal pronouns are enumerated and defined as important to our children’s education.  In his publication of April 19, 2022, Tim Wildmon, President of American Family Association, has outlined some of these abhorrent developments [https://afa.net/hf2204].

Recall that God’s Word commands in Ephesians 6:1-4 that children are to honor their father and mother first— not the local school board.  Our children are our responsibility to raise and educate in the Biblical standards as taught in Scripture (Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Romans 1:24-27; I Corinthians 6:9-10; I Timothy 1:10).  We cannot ignore what God has written to us just to placate the philosophies of this world.  It is not difficult to research what any local school district is adopting as its standards in these areas.  Encourage the parents and grandparents of your church/parish to do their research, attend the district’s meetings, and make known their dissent.  Or better yet, run for a position on their local school board.  The worst happens when God’s people turn a deaf ear and ignore the truth and the reality of the directions of education.  Offer to attend the school board meetings with those willing to get involved.  If you lack courage, so will they.

“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil; who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!  Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight!  Woe to those who are heroes in drinking wine, and valiant men in mixing intoxicating drink, who declare the wicked innocent for a bribe and take away the rights of the ones who are in the right!” (Isaiah 5:20-23)

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

Mass Shootings

1999 (Columbine High School, Littleton, CO) was in many ways the pivotal year for mass shootings— especially relating to schools.  Since that time shootings akin to this have increased— sometimes becoming even worse for the number of killed.  Each time a mass shooting occurs – most recently in Uvalde, TX – we all are numbed by the tragedy. The questions rise to the surface as to “Why?”  “How?”

Many from all sides and perspectives jump in with thoughts and possible solutions. However, not much really happens.  No large changes are brought about.  Instead, we find ourselves at even greater odds against one another in an already divided nation.

As Christians and pastors of churches, how do we respond?  Empathy?  Yes.  Heart-felt words of comfort including prayer?  Yes.  Physical and material blessing that help to sooth? Yes.  All of these and more are needed.  So why haven’t things changed?  Why has God not brought about healing to this nation?  What have we not done that we need to do?

“In a 1940 survey of public school teachers, the top disciplinary problems listed were: talking out of turn, chewing gum, running in the halls, dress-code violations, and littering.  Now, the top problems that this generation’s teachers report are: drug and alcohol abuse, pregnancy, suicide, rape, robbery, assault, and shootings.  Things are unquestionably worse in our schools than they’ve ever been in the history of this nation.  What has happened to cause these huge changes and the disasters that are taking place?  It may have much to do with us – Christians.  We have largely opted out of being involved, of being change factors for our culture, of pretending that God does not want to use us. Perhaps we just do not want the conflict of standing up for the values God has given us— not only to live by personally, but also to confront an evil and perverse generation with what is right and good.

We are on this earth and in our country because God has placed us here to spread His Good News.  The change He makes in each of our hearts is the only solution.  The problem lies in our hearts, and only God can change the heart.  There is no other solution to this problem. Restricting, modifying, or adjusting laws about guns will not stop the violence.  It will merely alter the forms through which violence manifests itself.  Even addressing mental health issues, without leading people to the Lord, will prove ineffective in the long run.  Only a heart change will result in a real cure.

When we get involved by running for office, joining the School Board, or volunteering for a community committee, we find ourselves with a platform to speak and to explain God’s principles for life.  Be bold to stand against bad teaching, evil books, perverse life-styles, and ineffective laws.  Provide students opportunities to sit down knee-to-knee and eye-to-eye with believers to ask questions.  Discover God’s answers from His Word, the Holy Bible, in our churches and homes.  Promote Biblical teaching rather than worldly philosophy by writing to your representatives, congressmen, and senators.

Pastors Bud and Betty Miller of BibleResources.org, give many more insights into today’s crisis and the Christian’s response.  At the end of the article, they list ten contributing factors that have brought about our current cultural dilemmas.  Consider these as idea starters for igniting your church with action.  Everyone can find at least one action they can take. (Romans 1:28-29; 2 Timothy 3:1; James 4:1-2)

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

Amish Farmer Faces Thousands in Fines

Amos Miller, an Amish farmer who runs a holistically managed small farm in Bird-In-Hand, PA, grows and prepares food in tune with nature— the way he believes God intended.  This seems like a sound idea to the approximately 4,000 customers who purchase Miller’s meat, eggs, and dairy products from his private, members-only food club.  The federal government, however, appears to disagree.

A federal judge recently ordered Miller to cease and desist all meat sales.  U.S. Marshals (USMS) were deployed to search Miller’s property.  They inventoried his stock to assure he doesn’t sell or slaughter more animals.  In other words, the feds shut Amos Miller down.

Miller claims he is being persecuted by the federal government for practicing his religious freedom to grow and prepare food according to his religious beliefs.  “To believe your own thought, to believe that what is true for you in your private heart is true for all men, — that is genius.” … so wrote American philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson in his influential 1841 essay Self-Reliance.  Once upon a time, Americans respected the notion of self-reliance.  It was at the heart of the American mythos.  Not anymore.  

In March, George Lapsley, a court-appointed expert, was to receive “unimpeded access” to Miller’s farm to inspect the facilities, according to Food Safety News (FSN).  On March 11, Lapsley reported that Mr. Miller did not fully cooperate and requested assistance from the USMS.  Federal Judge Edward G. Smith of the Eastern District of PA then ordered that the USMS was authorized to use whatever reasonable force was necessary to gain entry into the facilities it is authorized to inspect.  Furthermore, according to FSN, the court’s order permitted Lapsley to make unannounced visits to Miller’s farm. Presumably, this meant anytime, day or night.  

Never mind God— Big Brother is here.  If this isn’t an escalation, what is?  Why is the USMS authorized to use force on an Amish farmer?  The USDA contends Miller is slaughtering meat and poultry animals at these locations and distributing them to other states without federal inspection.

To be fair, in 2016 the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that an outbreak of listeria had been traced to unpasteurized raw milk produced by Miller’s Farm, as reported by CBS News.  The incident occurred in 2014.  The “outbreak” impacted two people— one in California and one in Florida.  One of them died. At the time, Miller told CBS News that he was not aware of any health problems.  “I don’t know that it was proved it’s on the farm here,” he said.  It’s not clear why it took the CDC two years to conclude that it was. Whatever the case, that was then.  This is now.

In the summer of 2021, Miller was ordered to pay $250,000 for “contempt of court.”  He was also told to pay the salaries of the USDA investigators assigned to his case.  To avoid going to jail, he was ordered to pay $50,000 upfront as a gesture of “good faith.”

The notion of self-reliance can be dangerous.  “To believe that what is true for you in your private heart is true for all men,” can be a green light to nightmare land.  The 20th century was full of monsters like Mao, Stalin, Hitler, and Pol Pot, who believed they were doing the right thing.  Villains don’t often see themselves as the bad guy.  They think of themselves as heroes.  All these monsters, however, have one thing in common— they vied to replace God with government.  

Amos Miller isn’t so audacious.  He’s simply trying to do what he believes God intends— be a steward of the earth by growing and naturally preparing food.  There’s nothing far-fetched or crazy about that.  One might go so far as to say it’s good old common sense. Miller practices rotational grazing.  His cattle are raised on organic pastures, with the chickens following behind to eat bugs from the droppings.  Whey-fed pigs then trample the fertilizer back into the earth.

Again, there’s nothing sinister going on at Miller’s farm.  He just wants to be left alone to go about his business.  He just wants to be self-reliant.  Why would the feds resort to force and heavy fines to bring Amos Miller into compliance?  Why is his private business any of their business?  If Millers’ customers were getting sick from his products, he’d know about it— because they’d either sue him, make a big stink or quietly spread the word.  His business would suffer.

It’s fair to ask if the feds are attempting to squeeze religious belief out of the marketplace. They’ve managed to all but banish it from our public schools.  During the pandemic, they attempted to selectively clamp down on churches.  There’s a pattern here.  Ralph Waldo Emerson, along with Henry David Thoreau, was a leader in American transcendentalism.  In brief, this means they believed in a power higher than that of the federal government.  The Founding Documents of this great nation are steeped in a transcendence centered in the Judeo-Christian tradition, where God’s law trumps those of men.  The feds no longer like that idea.  It’s clear they are no friend to religion— just the opposite.  Amos Miller knows this all too well.

Godspeed, Amos.  Stand tall.

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

Abortion Protesters and the Rule of Law

Alexander Hamilton described the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) in Federalist No. 78 as having “neither FORCE nor WILL, but merely judgment.”

As America’s greatest emblem of justice, it is critical that the judgment rendered by the SCOTUS be as pure as is possible in our flawed world.  Since it has no force or will of its own, the purity of the SCOTUS’s judgment depends on its operations being protected by the powers of the federal government— including the Attorney General’s office.

Leviticus 19:15 describes, in practical terms, what justice looks like through the eyes of God: “Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.”

This description is surprisingly similar to the Enlightenment Era articulation of the Rule of Law— a principle that is supposed to rule American government.  This “rule of law” is described as “the mechanism, process, institution, practice, or norm that supports the equality of all citizens before the law, secures a nonarbitrary form of government, and more generally prevents the arbitrary use of power.”

America’s faith in the Rule of Law has recently been put to the test because of the Attorney General’s refusal to enforce a federal law (18 U.S. Code § 1507) against protesters who are picketing and parading outside the homes of SCOTUS Justices in an effort to change their votes on an upcoming opinion.

These protests started in early May, when the leak of a draft SCOTUS opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization rattled the most traditionally reserved branch of government.  The draft includes fiery language from Justice Samuel Alito, stating, “Roe was egregiously wrong from the start” in reference to the landmark ruling that permitted the work of those he describes as “abortionists.”

In response to this draft, pro-abortion protesters have made a concerted effort to “influence” the justices in the “discharge” of their “duty” by “parading” and “picketing” outside the justices “residences.”  Incidentally, all of these actions in quotation marks are in clear violation of the plain wording of 18 U.S. Code § 1507, which says:

“Whoever, with the intent of interfering with, obstructing, or impeding the administration of justice, or with the intent of influencing any judge, juror, witness, or court officer, in the discharge of his duty, pickets or parades in or near a building housing a court of the United States, or in or near a building or residence occupied or used by such judge, juror, witness, or court officer, or with such intent uses any sound-truck or similar device or resorts to any other demonstration in or near any such building or residence, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.”

Although there is precedent for the Attorney General’s office to have the final say in how it exercises the “prosecution power” against protesters like this, it is obvious that the decision not to enforce the law in this case is based on political motivation.  This is decidedly unjust and ungodly.

Although Psalm 98:9 is a comfort to those who are grieving from injustice, it should also serve as a warning for those who find themselves contrary to justice and the Rule of Law: “[God] will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity.”

We must all remember that we will be held to account for our decisions, including the decision to disregard justice.

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel