- HB Charles - Lucame Charles - Stuart Chase - Javier Chavez - Mark Chironna - Ken Chitwood - Paul Chitwood - Eugene Cho - Brad Christerson - Jerry Christian - Luke Christy - Shane Claiborne - Jonathan Clark - R Scott Clark - Frederick Clarkson -
--HB Charles---------------------
If you have been born again to new life in Jesus Christ, you can live with hope to face any situation. Romans 15:13 says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Your situation may seem, feel, or look hopeless. God can give you hope to face any situation. True hope is God-centered, God-focused, and God-driven. That’s what it means to call God “the God of hope.”God is the object of hope. Hope only comes when you look to God. Romans 15:5 calls God “the God of endurance and encouragement.” That’s another way of calling God the God of hope.
--HB Charles; Hope to Face Any Situation | Romans 15:13 12/31/23
- Hope in God gives endurance to hang in there when you feel like giving up.
- Hope in God gives encouragement to lift you when you are down and out.
--HB Charles; Hope to Face Any Situation | Romans 15:13 12/31/23
--lucame charles------------------
Haitian church in Indianapolis opens larger doors as community grows
Pastor Lucame Charles, a founding member, said many Haitians here are struggling financially and there is a shortage of professionals to help sustain the community. A package delivery driver, Charles said during an interview at his home after a shift one late morning, that people send much of their earnings, meager as they might be, back to families in Haiti. This means churches do not have enough from congregants’ contributions to help locals who need support with language, cultural assimilation and financial problems. Plus, he added, when some Haitians arrive, they follow their own ways instead of learning their new home’s system. Division due to different religious beliefs also creates friction. “It rains for everyone regardless of your belief, whether you are a Vodou believer or Christian,” Charles said. “Despite all our differences in our beliefs, we are people first. (Dieu-Nalio Chery/Haitian Times 10/17/23) Read More>>>>
Pastor Lucame Charles, a founding member, said many Haitians here are struggling financially and there is a shortage of professionals to help sustain the community. A package delivery driver, Charles said during an interview at his home after a shift one late morning, that people send much of their earnings, meager as they might be, back to families in Haiti. This means churches do not have enough from congregants’ contributions to help locals who need support with language, cultural assimilation and financial problems. Plus, he added, when some Haitians arrive, they follow their own ways instead of learning their new home’s system. Division due to different religious beliefs also creates friction. “It rains for everyone regardless of your belief, whether you are a Vodou believer or Christian,” Charles said. “Despite all our differences in our beliefs, we are people first. (Dieu-Nalio Chery/Haitian Times 10/17/23) Read More>>>>
“It rains for everyone regardless of your belief, whether you are a Vodou believer or Christian. Despite all our differences in our beliefs, we are people first. When immigration is taking people to deport them, they don’t ask if you are a Christian or a Vodouist. We are all in the same basket. We must stop destroying each other as Haitians.”
--Pastor Lucame Charles; Jesus Christ Worship Center 10/17/23
--Pastor Lucame Charles; Jesus Christ Worship Center 10/17/23
--stuart chase-----------------
Stuart Chase was ordained to the eldership on Sunday, 8 May 2016. Stuart has been employed since August 1998 as church administrator, and serves on the eldership while continuing his employment in that capacity. Stuart is married to Dominique and they have two daughters (Neka and Skylar-Jayne) and a son (Deklan).
"Solomon begins by exhorting his son to listen to him, for this is a matter of the utmost importance. If he heeded Solomon’s warning, he would both “keep discretion” (i.e. live a life in keeping with God’s ethics) and “guard knowledge” with his lips (i.e. speak in a way that honours God’s truth).
The “forbidden woman,” on the other hand—that is, any woman who is not your wife—speaks with lips that “drip honey” and “her speech is smoother than oil.” She is not interested in truth; what she promises appeals only to the senses. She promises physical pleasure. She knows what to say in any given moment. She knows how to seduce. But the son who has “wisdom” and “understanding” (v. 1) will realise that “in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword” (v. 4). All she can deliver is bitterness and stabbing conviction.
Ultimately, she leads astray and takes those she seduces to death. “Sheol” is a reference to the grave and is synonymous in this context with “death” (v. 5). The sexual expression that she offers satisfies in the moment, but ultimately it leads to death.
Verse 6 is perhaps better translated in the NKJV: “Lest you ponder her path of life—her ways are unstable; you do not know them.” The KJV may be even closer to the point: “Lest you ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, so that you cannot know them.” (I have slightly updated the archaic language of the KJV to make the point, I trust, a little clearer.) She cannot afford to allow her client to think about God—because when we think about God, we steer clear of sin—so she adapts in order to keep him distracted. --Stuart Chase; Associate Pastor; Brackenhurst Baptist Church; Alberton South Africa; Let’s Talk about Sex (Proverbs 5:1–23); 5.20.18
The “forbidden woman,” on the other hand—that is, any woman who is not your wife—speaks with lips that “drip honey” and “her speech is smoother than oil.” She is not interested in truth; what she promises appeals only to the senses. She promises physical pleasure. She knows what to say in any given moment. She knows how to seduce. But the son who has “wisdom” and “understanding” (v. 1) will realise that “in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword” (v. 4). All she can deliver is bitterness and stabbing conviction.
Ultimately, she leads astray and takes those she seduces to death. “Sheol” is a reference to the grave and is synonymous in this context with “death” (v. 5). The sexual expression that she offers satisfies in the moment, but ultimately it leads to death.
Verse 6 is perhaps better translated in the NKJV: “Lest you ponder her path of life—her ways are unstable; you do not know them.” The KJV may be even closer to the point: “Lest you ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, so that you cannot know them.” (I have slightly updated the archaic language of the KJV to make the point, I trust, a little clearer.) She cannot afford to allow her client to think about God—because when we think about God, we steer clear of sin—so she adapts in order to keep him distracted. --Stuart Chase; Associate Pastor; Brackenhurst Baptist Church; Alberton South Africa; Let’s Talk about Sex (Proverbs 5:1–23); 5.20.18
--javier chavez---------------
July 24, 2023: Christian Index: Gainesville pastor Javier Chavez visits Peru’s National Congress
Javier Chavez, senior pastor of Amistad Cristiana International in Gainesville, Ga., and a missions team from Fort Worth, Texas’s Birchman Baptist Church accepted an invitation from the National Congress of Peru for a private audience with the Third Vice President Alejandro Muñante.
The meeting took place Friday morning, July 21. Discussion topics included religious liberty, protections for the unborn, and family values.
Javier Chavez, senior pastor of Amistad Cristiana International in Gainesville, Ga., and a missions team from Fort Worth, Texas’s Birchman Baptist Church accepted an invitation from the National Congress of Peru for a private audience with the Third Vice President Alejandro Muñante.
The meeting took place Friday morning, July 21. Discussion topics included religious liberty, protections for the unborn, and family values.
--MARK CHIRONNA------------------
Oct 15, 2020: Los Angeles Sentinel: Prophetic Voices from Holy Prophets Join Apostle Dr. Beverly “Bam” Crawford at the 25th Annual L.A.M.P.S. Virtual Conference
Bishop Mark Chironna, an influential leader with a global reach of 175 nations
Aug 10, 2015: Youtube: Dr. Mark Chironna 8-9-15 Wisdom's Promise
Dr. Mark Chironna teaching that the wealth, residing inside each of us, is manifested outside of our comfort zones at Church On The Living Edge in Orlando, FL.
Apr 2, 2015: Youtube: Mark Chironna Ministries 2015: Dr Mark Chironna hosts Bishop Liston Page, Dr James Goll part 2
Dec 22, 2014: Youtube: Mark Chironna Message About Your Destiny In Christ
Mark Chironna Message About Your Destiny In Christ
Sept 13, 2014: My Word Like Fire: Mark Chironna’s New Age/Quantum Mysticism at Bethel Redding Conference
Bethel leader Bill Johnson contributed a chapter to the book, as did his wife, Beni Johnson.
Bishop Mark Chironna, an influential leader with a global reach of 175 nations
Aug 10, 2015: Youtube: Dr. Mark Chironna 8-9-15 Wisdom's Promise
Dr. Mark Chironna teaching that the wealth, residing inside each of us, is manifested outside of our comfort zones at Church On The Living Edge in Orlando, FL.
Apr 2, 2015: Youtube: Mark Chironna Ministries 2015: Dr Mark Chironna hosts Bishop Liston Page, Dr James Goll part 2
Dec 22, 2014: Youtube: Mark Chironna Message About Your Destiny In Christ
Mark Chironna Message About Your Destiny In Christ
Sept 13, 2014: My Word Like Fire: Mark Chironna’s New Age/Quantum Mysticism at Bethel Redding Conference
Bethel leader Bill Johnson contributed a chapter to the book, as did his wife, Beni Johnson.
--ken chitwood-------------
Oct 21, 2022: Religion News: Best In Religion Journalism: Religion News Association Presents Its Annual Awards
Among the highlights:
And finally: Ken Chitwood for Excellence in Nonfiction Religion Books for "The Muslims of Latin America and the Caribbean," Sojourners magazine for Excellence in Magazine Overall Religion Coverage and KALW’s “The Spiritual Edge” for Outstanding Religion News Story in a Radio Broadcast and Outstanding Religion Podcast.
Among the highlights:
And finally: Ken Chitwood for Excellence in Nonfiction Religion Books for "The Muslims of Latin America and the Caribbean," Sojourners magazine for Excellence in Magazine Overall Religion Coverage and KALW’s “The Spiritual Edge” for Outstanding Religion News Story in a Radio Broadcast and Outstanding Religion Podcast.
--paul chitwood-----------------
April 18, 2023: Baptist Press: SBC leaders, former presidents react to death of Charles Stanley
“God used the ministry of Charles Stanley to call forth numerous ministers, missionaries, and resources for Kingdom advance in the United States and around the world. He was unwavering in his work to push back lostness so others could hear the gospel. We thank God for Dr. Stanley’s example as we continue this most important work, and we look forward to the day when we will join him in worshiping before the Lord’s throne.”--Paul Chitwood, president, International Mission Board
“God used the ministry of Charles Stanley to call forth numerous ministers, missionaries, and resources for Kingdom advance in the United States and around the world. He was unwavering in his work to push back lostness so others could hear the gospel. We thank God for Dr. Stanley’s example as we continue this most important work, and we look forward to the day when we will join him in worshiping before the Lord’s throne.”--Paul Chitwood, president, International Mission Board
--eugene cho------------------
Eugene E. Cho is an American evangelical pastor. He is also the founder and former Senior Pastor of Quest Church – an urban, multi-cultural and multi-generational church in Seattle, Washington. After 18 years, Eugene stepped aside at Quest in 2018. In July 2020, he became the third President and CEO of the Christian advocacy group Bread for the World. He is also the founder and visionary of One Day’s Wages (ODW) – a grassroots movement of people, stories, and actions to alleviate extreme global poverty. The vision of ODW is to create a collaborative movement that promotes awareness, invites simple giving (one day’s wages) and supports sustainable relief through partnerships, especially with smaller organizations in developing regions. Eugene is the author of two acclaimed books, Thou Shalt Not Be a Jerk: A Christian’s Guide to Engaging Politics (2020) and Overrated: Are We More in Love with the Idea of Changing the World Than Actually Changing the World? (2014)
What do you are the most common misconceptions Christians have about engaging politically in America?
Three things come to mind. One: we choose to disengage from politics. When I was young, I would tell myself, because I was told by other leaders, to just focus on spiritual things like church, quiet time and Bible study. That was spiritual, and engaging policies was not spiritual. It was of the world. There are still folks who for whatever reason — it could be because of what I would consider a dangerous theology, they could be apathetic, maybe they’re just exhausted — they’ve chosen to disengage altogether.
And then there are those who, whether we can see it or not, have let politics become the most important thing. Our politics informs our theology, as opposed to our theology informing our politics. And I think when we care so much about politics, whether we know it or not, it can grow to be idolatrous. As a result, we see everything through those filters. We justify all our actions based upon our political ideology. And then there’s a third group of folks. They’re folks who are engaged in politics but have become byproducts of what I would call Cultural Christianity. It doesn’t always parallel the life and words and sacrifice and grace of Jesus. It’s become its own entity, enamored by power. I think that’s also very dangerous. Preachers can be guilty of this. I can be guilty. Politicians can be guilty. We dabble a little Jesus and sprinkle him on top of things. As a result, it causes a grave disservice to the witness of Christ in our world. I think we’re seeing some of that. A lot of people are being disillusioned by the witness of Christians.
-Eugene Cho; Relevant; ‘Christians, Stop Being Political Jerks’ 6.1.23
Three things come to mind. One: we choose to disengage from politics. When I was young, I would tell myself, because I was told by other leaders, to just focus on spiritual things like church, quiet time and Bible study. That was spiritual, and engaging policies was not spiritual. It was of the world. There are still folks who for whatever reason — it could be because of what I would consider a dangerous theology, they could be apathetic, maybe they’re just exhausted — they’ve chosen to disengage altogether.
And then there are those who, whether we can see it or not, have let politics become the most important thing. Our politics informs our theology, as opposed to our theology informing our politics. And I think when we care so much about politics, whether we know it or not, it can grow to be idolatrous. As a result, we see everything through those filters. We justify all our actions based upon our political ideology. And then there’s a third group of folks. They’re folks who are engaged in politics but have become byproducts of what I would call Cultural Christianity. It doesn’t always parallel the life and words and sacrifice and grace of Jesus. It’s become its own entity, enamored by power. I think that’s also very dangerous. Preachers can be guilty of this. I can be guilty. Politicians can be guilty. We dabble a little Jesus and sprinkle him on top of things. As a result, it causes a grave disservice to the witness of Christ in our world. I think we’re seeing some of that. A lot of people are being disillusioned by the witness of Christians.
-Eugene Cho; Relevant; ‘Christians, Stop Being Political Jerks’ 6.1.23
==brad christerson=========
July 7, 2023: Washington Post: Born-again Christians are less Southern Baptist than they used to be
“In most charismatic and a lot of American evangelical circles there’s a really big focus on Israel being key to Jesus coming back,” said Brad Christerson, a sociologist at Biola University who co-wrote with Richard Flory a 2017 book, “The Rise of Network Christianity,” that features Bickle’s ministry. “They pray for the salvation of the Jews, for protection over the city and nation and for End-Times prophecy regarding Israel to be fulfilled.”
“In most charismatic and a lot of American evangelical circles there’s a really big focus on Israel being key to Jesus coming back,” said Brad Christerson, a sociologist at Biola University who co-wrote with Richard Flory a 2017 book, “The Rise of Network Christianity,” that features Bickle’s ministry. “They pray for the salvation of the Jews, for protection over the city and nation and for End-Times prophecy regarding Israel to be fulfilled.”
==jerry christian=========
Two Dallas pastors: 'Simply say yes' to the 2024 bond package
Two Dallas pastors, with strong connections to the city's southern sector, voiced their support for the city’s upcoming 2024 Bond Package. Which of the ten propositions do they endorse? All of them. The Rev. David Wilson, who leads Greater Cornerstone Baptist Church, and The Rev. Jerry Christian, the senior pastor at Kirkwood Temple CME, spoke at a press conference on Thursday to give their support to the over billion dollars-worth of bond funds. (KERA News 4/26/24 ) Read More>>>>>
Two Dallas pastors, with strong connections to the city's southern sector, voiced their support for the city’s upcoming 2024 Bond Package. Which of the ten propositions do they endorse? All of them. The Rev. David Wilson, who leads Greater Cornerstone Baptist Church, and The Rev. Jerry Christian, the senior pastor at Kirkwood Temple CME, spoke at a press conference on Thursday to give their support to the over billion dollars-worth of bond funds. (KERA News 4/26/24 ) Read More>>>>>
==luke christy===============
April 28, 2023: Laurinburg Exchange: Methodist churches share thoughts on disaffiliation decisions
“If there are those that wish to remain United Methodist and their church is disaffiliating and they are looking for another church,” Reverend Luke Christy of Peachland United Methodist Church explained, “There are lighthouse churches in the areas that are there to support them through that transition and to either adopt them into their church membership or to find another church that is suited for them.”
“If there are those that wish to remain United Methodist and their church is disaffiliating and they are looking for another church,” Reverend Luke Christy of Peachland United Methodist Church explained, “There are lighthouse churches in the areas that are there to support them through that transition and to either adopt them into their church membership or to find another church that is suited for them.”
--shane claiborne-----------
May 4, 2023: Word & Way: Faith Leaders Ask Biden to Mark Mother’s Day With Prayer Day Against Gun Violence
Signatories on the letter include the Rev. Jesse Jackson of the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, Bishop Vashti McKenzie of the National Council of Churches, Rabbi Jill Jacobs of T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights, Shane Claiborne of Red Letter Christians and the Rev. Liz Theoharis of Kairos Center for Religions, Rights, and Social Justice.
Signatories on the letter include the Rev. Jesse Jackson of the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, Bishop Vashti McKenzie of the National Council of Churches, Rabbi Jill Jacobs of T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights, Shane Claiborne of Red Letter Christians and the Rev. Liz Theoharis of Kairos Center for Religions, Rights, and Social Justice.
--jonathan clark----------------
For Wolfe, the future is a strong nation, and a strong nation happens to be the Christian one. The church’s witness of a future Kingdom, the faithfulness of God, and the “weak things of the world shaming the strong” barely register. Wolfe’s only response to opposition is a Nietzschean-like challenge: Does a Christian man (yes, male) have the strength of will to impose his vision of Christian life and law onto a vacuum of secularist life? There is only one answer he will accept. And anyone who disagrees with him has submitted to the contradictions of an Enlightenment-infused liberal agenda and is close to embracing the progressive excesses of the left.
Wolfe’s work could function all too well as a theological and philosophical foundation for some of the worst impulses in our all-too-human hearts. It lays the foundation for Caesaropapism, a renewing of racial divisions within society and church, blurred lines of church and state authorities, overly ambitious civil laws, and brute power politics. Wolfe is himself careful to avoid invoking the “nationalism” of the 1930s and ’40s, content to defend a “phenomenological nationalism,” or, “the lived experience” of associating with one’s own. Nonetheless, Wolfe writes a manifesto that in the wrong hands could do great harm.
As I read The Case for Christian Nationalism, I admit to empathizing in places. Often I even agreed. To the average college student, I am the bad guy: white, straight, male, upper-middle class, a Christian pastor. I know that the Gender Studies department on my campus teaches a vision of humanity that is, by my Christian lights, anti-human. Wolfe correctly senses these errors. But he goes the wrong way in search of a solution. He dignifies sinful natural impulses to generate a will to power, and he tries to match a leftist power narrative with a Christian nationalist one—an eye for an eye, or rather, a blow for a blow. For Wolfe, the meek not only cannot inherit the earth—they ought not. They simply don’t deserve it.
This is no way forward for Christians. Our faith depends on the power of weakness. The meek shall inherit the earth. God will use the weak to shame the strong. I trust this, not because I deduce or intuit it or even because my tradition confesses it, but because God’s Word tells me. That is enough for my family—and for my nation.
---------Jonathan Clark; Reformed University Fellowship in Colorado Springs, Colo.; Jan 18, 2023
Wolfe’s work could function all too well as a theological and philosophical foundation for some of the worst impulses in our all-too-human hearts. It lays the foundation for Caesaropapism, a renewing of racial divisions within society and church, blurred lines of church and state authorities, overly ambitious civil laws, and brute power politics. Wolfe is himself careful to avoid invoking the “nationalism” of the 1930s and ’40s, content to defend a “phenomenological nationalism,” or, “the lived experience” of associating with one’s own. Nonetheless, Wolfe writes a manifesto that in the wrong hands could do great harm.
As I read The Case for Christian Nationalism, I admit to empathizing in places. Often I even agreed. To the average college student, I am the bad guy: white, straight, male, upper-middle class, a Christian pastor. I know that the Gender Studies department on my campus teaches a vision of humanity that is, by my Christian lights, anti-human. Wolfe correctly senses these errors. But he goes the wrong way in search of a solution. He dignifies sinful natural impulses to generate a will to power, and he tries to match a leftist power narrative with a Christian nationalist one—an eye for an eye, or rather, a blow for a blow. For Wolfe, the meek not only cannot inherit the earth—they ought not. They simply don’t deserve it.
This is no way forward for Christians. Our faith depends on the power of weakness. The meek shall inherit the earth. God will use the weak to shame the strong. I trust this, not because I deduce or intuit it or even because my tradition confesses it, but because God’s Word tells me. That is enough for my family—and for my nation.
---------Jonathan Clark; Reformed University Fellowship in Colorado Springs, Colo.; Jan 18, 2023
--r scott clark--------------------
R. Scott Clark was educated at the University of Nebraska (BA), Westminster Seminary California (MDiv), and St Anne’s College, Oxford University (DPhil). He was a minister in the Reformed Church in the United States (1988–1998) and has been a minister in the United Reformed Churches in North America since 1998.
He has taught church history and historical theology since 1995 at Wheaton College, Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Concordia University, Irvine, and Westminster Seminary California.
He has taught church history and historical theology since 1995 at Wheaton College, Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Concordia University, Irvine, and Westminster Seminary California.
The writers of the New Testament knew nothing of the theory that the ascended Lord Jesus is not now, in his ascension, exercising his “full divine will as King over all the earth.” Indeed, the New Testament says the very opposite: “Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified” (Acts 2:36). According to Peter, Christ is not waiting for a future earthly millennium to exercise his “full divine will as King over all the earth.” He is doing it now. -R Scott Clark; The Heidelberg Blog; The Gospel According To John (MacArthur)—Part 14 9.11.23
--frederick clarkson------------------
Oct 25, 2014: On The Record: Fredrerick Clarkson, a self proclaimed expert on the subject of the "religious right" and co-founder of "Talk To Action" mentioned again just this week that:
"In Mississippi, for example, they have successfully passed legislation that exempts businesses from laws requiring equal treatment of LGBTQ people if business owners' claimed religious convictions are opposed to homosexuality."
He claims the law is a violation of religious liberty and titles his article "Real Religious Liberty is Not Oppression." I don't disagree with the point, but what Clarkson is saying is that it's not real religious liberty if it allows religious people to make a choice. Instead, real liberty, to him, is when it complies with laws which opt for no choice at all and instead religions will do whatever the state or Federal laws say. Hmm, yes, it's a confusing sentence, but so is the logic: Real religious liberty is the religious right to only do what the government says they can do.
The Mississippi Religious Freedom Restoration Act became law on July 1 of this year. It's intent was that it "will guarantee freedom of religion without government interference." The First Amendment of the US Constitution actually already does that, but since groups of people involved mainly in the LGBTQ community disavow the Constitution, the Mississippi law was set in place. And you know how many complaints from LGBTQ people in Mississippi have had to register official complaints about being oppressed because of the law have been? None. In fact, a Jackson resident, Mitchell Moore took action as the Washington Blade reported:
"Moore, along with Eddie Outlaw, a gay salon owner who grew up outside Yazoo City in the Mississippi Delta, Joce Pritchett of Jackson and a handful of others soon launched the “We don’t discriminate” campaign that features blue stickers with a thin rainbow band and the slogan “If you’re buying, we’re selling.”
And many businesses have posted the sticker. Though maybe I dont agree with what the premise of the "sticker activism" was, it's a religious liberty they have a right to engage in. A choice=liberty. Unlike Clarkson who hates the idea of choice and would rather that the government void the First Amendment and encroach on religious freedom.
Frederick Clarkson is an American journalist and public speaker in the fields of politics and religion. He is the author of Eternal Hostility: The Struggle Between Theocracy and Democracy (1997); editor of Dispatches from the Religious Left: The Future of Faith and Politics in America (2008); and co-author of Challenging the Christian Right: The Activist’s Handbook (1992) for which he and his co-author were named among the "Media Heroes of 1992" by the Institute for Alternative Journalism.They were described as "especially brave at taking on powerful institutions and persistent about getting stories out...journalists and activists who persevere in fighting censorship and protecting the First Amendment," and "understanding the Christian Right's recent strategy of stealth politics early on, and or doggedly tracking its activities across the U.S." He has also published articles with Salon.com, Ms. magazine, The Christian Science Monitor, and other publications. As of 2008, he served on the advisory board of the Campaign to Defend the Constitution, an organization dedicated to opposing the religious right; and on the editorial boards of The Public Eye and In These Times magazines. His articles have been anthologized in such scholarly works as Encyclopedia of Millennialism and Millennial Movements, (Routledge, 2000); Harcourt Source Readings for American Government(Harcourt College Publishers, 2000); and Eyes Right: Challenging the Right-wing Backlash (South End Press, 1995). He is he editor of A Moment to Decide: The Crisis in Mainstream Presbyterianism (Institute for Democracy Studies, 2000).
He has often been cited by major media, including such major newspapers as The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Christian Science Monitor and The Los Angeles Times. His radio appearances include NPR's Fresh Air, Morning Edition, All Things Considered, and Talk of the Nation, as well as Pacifica's Democracy Now. His television interviews include CNN, Fox News, ABC's 20/20, and the CBS Evening News; as well as the BBC and the CBC. He was interviewed in Lake of Fire, the 2007 documentary film about abortion by Hollywood film director Tony Kaye. As of 2012 he has been Senior Fellow at Political Research Associates in Somerville, MA. He is the co-founder of Talk to Action, a group blog which features critical reports about the religious right.
"In Mississippi, for example, they have successfully passed legislation that exempts businesses from laws requiring equal treatment of LGBTQ people if business owners' claimed religious convictions are opposed to homosexuality."
He claims the law is a violation of religious liberty and titles his article "Real Religious Liberty is Not Oppression." I don't disagree with the point, but what Clarkson is saying is that it's not real religious liberty if it allows religious people to make a choice. Instead, real liberty, to him, is when it complies with laws which opt for no choice at all and instead religions will do whatever the state or Federal laws say. Hmm, yes, it's a confusing sentence, but so is the logic: Real religious liberty is the religious right to only do what the government says they can do.
The Mississippi Religious Freedom Restoration Act became law on July 1 of this year. It's intent was that it "will guarantee freedom of religion without government interference." The First Amendment of the US Constitution actually already does that, but since groups of people involved mainly in the LGBTQ community disavow the Constitution, the Mississippi law was set in place. And you know how many complaints from LGBTQ people in Mississippi have had to register official complaints about being oppressed because of the law have been? None. In fact, a Jackson resident, Mitchell Moore took action as the Washington Blade reported:
"Moore, along with Eddie Outlaw, a gay salon owner who grew up outside Yazoo City in the Mississippi Delta, Joce Pritchett of Jackson and a handful of others soon launched the “We don’t discriminate” campaign that features blue stickers with a thin rainbow band and the slogan “If you’re buying, we’re selling.”
And many businesses have posted the sticker. Though maybe I dont agree with what the premise of the "sticker activism" was, it's a religious liberty they have a right to engage in. A choice=liberty. Unlike Clarkson who hates the idea of choice and would rather that the government void the First Amendment and encroach on religious freedom.
Frederick Clarkson is an American journalist and public speaker in the fields of politics and religion. He is the author of Eternal Hostility: The Struggle Between Theocracy and Democracy (1997); editor of Dispatches from the Religious Left: The Future of Faith and Politics in America (2008); and co-author of Challenging the Christian Right: The Activist’s Handbook (1992) for which he and his co-author were named among the "Media Heroes of 1992" by the Institute for Alternative Journalism.They were described as "especially brave at taking on powerful institutions and persistent about getting stories out...journalists and activists who persevere in fighting censorship and protecting the First Amendment," and "understanding the Christian Right's recent strategy of stealth politics early on, and or doggedly tracking its activities across the U.S." He has also published articles with Salon.com, Ms. magazine, The Christian Science Monitor, and other publications. As of 2008, he served on the advisory board of the Campaign to Defend the Constitution, an organization dedicated to opposing the religious right; and on the editorial boards of The Public Eye and In These Times magazines. His articles have been anthologized in such scholarly works as Encyclopedia of Millennialism and Millennial Movements, (Routledge, 2000); Harcourt Source Readings for American Government(Harcourt College Publishers, 2000); and Eyes Right: Challenging the Right-wing Backlash (South End Press, 1995). He is he editor of A Moment to Decide: The Crisis in Mainstream Presbyterianism (Institute for Democracy Studies, 2000).
He has often been cited by major media, including such major newspapers as The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Christian Science Monitor and The Los Angeles Times. His radio appearances include NPR's Fresh Air, Morning Edition, All Things Considered, and Talk of the Nation, as well as Pacifica's Democracy Now. His television interviews include CNN, Fox News, ABC's 20/20, and the CBS Evening News; as well as the BBC and the CBC. He was interviewed in Lake of Fire, the 2007 documentary film about abortion by Hollywood film director Tony Kaye. As of 2012 he has been Senior Fellow at Political Research Associates in Somerville, MA. He is the co-founder of Talk to Action, a group blog which features critical reports about the religious right.