Friday, October 15, 2010

Sliding toward Gomorrah!

First of all, I want to thank those of you who responded to my call and posted reviews of my books at various sites! I really really appreciate it. It's just one way to get the word out about my books. And Congratulations to Debbie Mitchell whose name I drew for the free advanced copy of Surrender the Night!

Recently I've become very interested in the history of my country. Not the history I learned in school (which I'm finding out now was biased) but the real history. The truth. I want to know why my country is in such a mess. I am starting to believe that many of our problems came from the misinterpretation of the First Amendment and refusal of our courts to study the original words of our forefathers. I'm talking about Separation of church and state, which has become a common phrase here in America, but which DOES NOT EXIST in our Constitution or Bill or Rights or in any other government document. It came from a letter Jefferson wrote to a Baptist minister to reassure him that the government would never institute a national religion.  Here's what the First Amendment says in regard to religion:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof....

The problem started in 1947 when the courts began to derive their own interpretations rather than seek out the founding fathers' own words.  Here are some of the results:

  1. A verbal prayer offered in a school is unconstitutional even if that prayer is both voluntary and denominationally neutral  (Engel v. Vitale 1962)
  2. Freedoms of speech and press are guaranteed to students and teachers unless the topic is religion (Stein v. Oshinsky 1965)
  3. It is unconstitutional for students to see the Ten Commandments since they might read, meditate upon, respect, or obey them. (Sonte v. Graham 1980)
  4. A school song was struck down because it promoted values such as honesty, truth, courage, and faith in the form of a "prayer" (Doe v. Aldine School District 1982)
  5. It is unconstitutional for a war memorial to be erected in the shape of a cross (Lowe v. City of Eugene 1969)
  6. The Ten Commandments, despite the fact that they are the basis of our civil law and are depicted in engraved sonte in the U.S. Supreme Court, may not be displayed at a public courthouse. (Harvey v. Cobb county 1993)
  7. It is unconstitutional for a public cemetery to have a planter in the shape of a cross, for if someone were to view that cross, it could cause emotional distress and thus constitute an "injury" (Warsaw v. Tehachami 1990)
  8. Even though the wording may be constitutionally acceptable, a bill becomes unconstitutional if the legislator who introduced the bill had a religious activity in his mind when it was authored (Wallace v. Jaffree 1985)
  9. It is unconstitutional for a classroom library to contain books on Christianity or for the teacher to be seen with a Bible (Roberts v. Madigan 1990)
  10. It is unconstitutional for a kindergarten class to ask whose birthday is celebrated on Christmas (Florey v. Sioux Falls School 1979)
  11. It is unconstitutional for a nativity scene to be displayed on public property unless surrounded by sufficient secular displays to prevent it from appearing religious. (ACLU v. Allegheny 1989)

And these are only a few of the absurd laws that have been passed to throw God out of our government and our schools. If you're like me, you're probably shaking your head. How did we let this happen? And no wonder our country is sliding toward Gomorrah.

I hope to post interesting facts of our history as I discover them. It's time we learn the truth!
Have a great weekend!

12 comments:

  1. Friday, Oct 15th,
    Morning, MaryLu.
    Well ... I can hardly believe what I just read on your blog (re: the "11 unconstitutional laws") ... all astounding, unbelievable, and ludicrous !!! What were the courts 'thinking' ... or maybe .... "NOT" !!! No wonder our Countries are deteriorating and falling-to-pieces around us ! In Canada, 'some woman' was responsible for having -- God, The Bible, The Lord's Prayer, etc ... anything to do with God and/or Christianity ... removed from our schools, etc. Now look at the mess ! And yet, "we as large Countries" ... we--(anyone) ... have the nerve, to ask God to bless us and our land !!! Truly, "what" is wrong with that picture !!! I say: Bring God and His Holy Word back "into" our Countries ... and "then" watch what could happen ! May God forgive our Nations ... this has just gone way too far to the opposite end of the spectrum ! The problems our Countries face now, are out-of-control and truly absurd !!!
    Thanks for bringing this to our attention, MaryLu. It is "extremely sad and more than disturbing" !!! We "should all be filled with a righteous-anger over this" ! What a total atrocity !!!
    Once again, God's Word rings forth with truth and wisdom: "If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place." - 2 Chronicles 7: 14, 15.
    Take care, and, God Bless,
    In Him, Brenda Hurley

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  2. This is sick! I've known about a few of these, but when they're put all together like that, it becomes so utterly clear that our "Christian" nation has long given itself over to the devil.


    Maranatha! O Lord, Come!

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  3. Fri Oct 15th,
    Dear MaryLu ....
    This is actually a message for "Debbie Mitchell" .... Congratulations Debbie, on winning the free, advanced copy of 'Surrender the Night!'
    (Forgot to say that earlier.)
    Take care, and, God Bless,
    In Him, Brenda Hurely

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  4. Debbie Mitchell debsbunch5@jesusanswers.comOctober 15, 2010 at 10:23 AM

    First of all, Thank you, MaryLu, I am very grateful for winning your contest. And thank you, Brenda, for thinking of me and including that extra post. God bless you both. Second, this post is a real eye opener! It sickens me to think of what kind of world my grandchildren or even, one day, my great-grandchildren might live in. It really makes you want the Lord to not tarry any longer and come and get us already......more thoughts to chew on, MaryLu, keep them coming!

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  5. Thanks for being as equally outraged as I am, everyone! I can't imagine what our forefathers are thinking as some are no doubt watching from Heaven.
    Like Brenda said, we all need to get on our knees and beseech God's forgiveness and mercy and then get up and do as much as we can to change things.
    But, yes, Sapphire... come Lord Jesus come before it gets too bad.

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  6. Amen MaryLu!
    Please do! I'm sick of our history being taken away from us in school. Well, I'm in World Cultures, but still. I have American History again next year. =D
    ~Abigail =]

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  7. I enjoy seeing what weekly information you will post. I was reading today in Daniel and Revelation that it may be awhile before Jesus' second coming comes because we aren't quite there yet. The real consolation is that no one will be able to do this in God's kingdom after earth.

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  8. Hey MaryLu,

    First off, Congrats to Debbie for winning the book!
    Secondly, I've known about a few of these in a recent project for my public speaking course. But not this much. It sickens me. No wonder why we have so much problems! America is supposed to be tolerant of any religion or beliefs-but somehow Christianity is exempt from it. How did we let that happen? Its ridiculous!!!!

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  9. Sunday, Oct 17th,
    Heh again, MaryLu.
    (Sorry ... this is my "third" comment on your blog.)
    At our Church this morning ... thought you would be interested to know, that our Pastor showed us "two short videos". One, was one of your Speakers (from your Senate ... I'm not sure of the correct terminology -- "Speaker of the House", maybe) .... a Mr Forbes. He addressed the House -- first stating that back in 2009, Obama went over to Turkey (area) ... and made the announcement that -- "the United States was no longer a Judeo-Christian Nation".
    Forbes listed other past Presidents, stating the importance of prayer ... and of God Himself ... Who was "at one time" ... allowed in the Schools, Gov't bldgs, etc. But ... now removed ... "all because it could offend someone". Obama cancelled the World Day of Prayer in 2009; but apparently "allowed" the Muslims to have their day of prayer, right by the State bldgs. Our Pastor shared that once Russia goes to war against Israel, Obama will have to make up his mind .... is he "pro-Israel" ... or not. Anyway ... if you Google on "Mr Forbes" ... you might be able to hear his speech. It was amazing, and we all clapped loudly ! Basically -- he wants The States to "come back" to its roots ... that of being founded on Christian Principles ... and the beliefs of the 'previous' Presidents. Stamped on your coins: "In God We Trust," .... that it were so !
    The second film was taken from France. Someone with a "hidden camera" ... filmed just what was going on over there. Hundreds of Muslims -- blockading off streets, and doing their prayers (apparently illegally) ... yet they are not stopped by the Police. Then it was shared: that according to the Karan .... "if" we (as non-Muslims) cannot be changed over to their religion, then it would be best that 'we' (everyone outside of their religion) be anihilated. Pastor was basically calling us as a Christian-people, to dare to stand up, to make a difference, and to be counted -- and willing to proclaim: that "Jesus Christ is Lord". We are complacently laying back ... and "allowing" others -- to take away our identity as Christians, and, actually from being a Christian Nation.
    Fortunately, our Prime Minister (Stephen Harper) is a Christian, and, he is "pro-Israel". (That however, does not ensure or say that Canada is not going through it's own Christian-identity problems.) Pastor was also sharing .... that even in a few years time (give-or-take), life as we now know it here ... could be severely changed (and our freedoms gone) !
    Anyway -- just thought you would be interested ... especially in light of what you are writing in your blogs.
    Take care, and, God Bless,
    In Him, Brenda Hurley

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  10. Abigail, be careful in your American History class next year. Do your own investigation into what you are learning. Our school system has been indoctrinating kids for years toward a more liberal, progressive agenda which leaves God completely out of the picture. A good place to find the truth is an online organization called WallBuilders.
    Adge, yes, I too believe that we aren't as close as we think to the second coming. Many things must happen first, but they could all happen very quickly. We need to read the signs of the times so we won't be caught unaware.
    Eszter, yes, it is ridiculous. We got here because Christians have become complacent and we haven't stood up. We've tolerated their little changes year after year until we find ourselves in this horrible predicament.
    Brenda, GREAT for your Pastor!!! I love hearing about pastors who are telling the truth from the pulpit! It's so encouraging. You are blessed to have him. He's right. We must bond together and stand up for what is right and for what we believe. Otherwise, I am truly afraid of what the future holds.

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  11. I'm in American History now, and sometimes it gets really frustrating. Especially when we study the foundations of our government (the whole "Separation of Church and State" thing). If Thomas Jefferson would have known the controversy his letter caused, I don't think he would of written it. I think he would have gone to the pastor himself and assure him that we won't have a "national church" like in England.

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  12. You're right Eszter, I'm sure Jefferson would be mortified to see how this nation has twisted his words. All people have to do is go read the actual words of the founding fathers to see their intent. But the truth seems to be an ill-afforded commodity these days. Stay strong and question everything with boldness!

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