Be Devoted Ministries: February 2012

OBAMACARE IS BEGINNING TO SOUND A LOT LIKE NAZI SOCIALISM

On December 5th, 2009 I wrote a warning that I believe few either read and fewer even cared to know. We were only a month or so away from the grand fight regarding what is now called ObamaCare. It was the third in a four part series that I launched regarding socialized medicine and the lack of benefit from it. Those who closely assessed the situation noted that the nationalized healthcare debate would be a political bloodletting. Something we have not ever seen before and nothing like we will ever see again, that is until this next Presidential election. In that blog from December 2009 I noted that there were two quiet elements that were told to be cautiously discreet, but were to be extremely active in the lobbing process: the pornography movement and the gay/lesbian groups. The reasons for these groups being involved is because of the rampant diseases that are caused by these lifestyles. And yes they are lifestyles. I am willing to admit that I have no evidence of this theory except of past comments and harsh criticisms about those government entities which did not wish to use Federal funds for AIDS research. However my greatest concern was presented in this article and in the fourth and final article called Healthcare and Ministry/Non-Profit Issues, which was posted just before the final vote that plunged our nation, not into socialism, but into communism, on March 20th, 2010. On that fateful day America as I knew it ceased to exist and a new order of high-archaism had begun. This was the day that the Democratic-Republic that so many had fought and died for ended. Our greatness as a free society and nation was squelched by those who lied and continue to lie. The issue that I was most concerned with in both articles was the freedom of conscience and religion.[i] Once these two are destroyed, then our liberties evaporate instantly. I am quickly reminded of statements from both Martin Luther and Roger Williams who claimed that freedom of conscience was of the highest standing for any society to remain free regarding its religion. This law, if allowed to stand by our Supreme Court, violates both.

I have spent almost thirty years debating and arguing with individual Christians and churches of all sizes that this day was coming, now it has arrived. CNSNews.com reported that the Obama administration is now, under the healthcare law, questioning whether the Catholic churches, hospitals, universities, and other institutions should be exempt from providing abortion, contraceptives or other forms of “reproductive services” to people.[ii] Now the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is being called lobbyists[iii] by Nancy Pelosi, who was the Speaker of the House during the fiasco that lead to the passing of the most comprehensive economic, religious, and unconscionable takeover, ever! They have targeted the strongest and biggest anti-abortion organization in the world. I am sure that the idea is if the mighty fall, then the lesser will fall in line to do as has been told.

However, the greater concern should be what both articles bring out; anyone who is an individual Catholic cannot choose to opt out of assisting in those procedures. It is in direct violation of the idea of freedom of conscience. Our Constitution notes that, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;;...”[iv] The last phrase deals with the idea of conscience and the freedom to practice religion as long as that practice does not jeopardize the lives of those around us. In other words I have the right to believe as I wish as long as what I believe does not cause damage or destruction to someone else. Anyone who has an objection to abortion based on conscience should not be made to preform or assist in the abortion. There are plenty of others who would be willing to do such a hideous act.

While I am not a Catholic and Be Devoted Ministries is not aligned with the Catholic Church; while I may have some deep theological disagreements with Catholicism; while I do not believe that the Catholic Church is historically the true church of Jesus Christ; I will do what I can to fight for their rights to practice and teach what they believe. Why? Because today it is the Catholic Church, tomorrow it is you and I. Martin Niemöller (1892–1984) was a pastor during the days of Adolph Hitler in Germany. He is the one who said, “First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out --Because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out --Because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out -- Because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me -- and there was no one left to speak for me.” Edmund Burke (January 12, 1729 – July 9, 1797) noted, “All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.” So much of what the Obama administration is taunting from its post-modern philosophy reminds me of the story about Hitler who told a young pastor protesting the socialistic control of life and religion to, “Sit down, shut up. I will take care of the physical needs of the people; you take care of their spiritual needs.” We have now entered this kind of thinking.

Finally, this is more of the same lack of substance that the Obama administration is known for…broken promises. Bart Stupak is a name that should be familiar with anyone who remembers this fight. Stupak was the leader of twelve pro-life Democrats who were holding the process up of passing the healthcare legislation. At this point in the fight on March 3rd, 2009, the Democrats and their socialistic friends did not have what it took to make the final push on this massive intrusion of liberty and freedom. However, after a meeting with the President of the United States, Stupak caved with the other twelve. They caved on a promise that President Obama would not allow abortions to be performed by executive order.[v] One year later Stupak still had no regrets even though the President acted on his post-modern beliefs and failed to ever sign any executive order in regards to not federally funding abortions.[vi] This reminds me of the Biblical account about the two brothers named Jacob and Esau. Esau was a hunter, while Jacob tended sheep. One day Esau came back to the camp hungry, stating he would do anything for some stew which Jacob was cooking. Jacob conned him out of his first born birthright, which Esau stated he really didn’t care about.[vii] The New Testament writer of the book of Hebrews notes, “See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled; that there be no immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal. For you know that even afterwards, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears.”[viii] I wonder if the same will be said for Mr. Stupak and those who cratered to the power of the President rather than to the authority of God.

Those of us who are Christians and Conservatives are at a crossroads. We must either choose to fight this based on the Constitution or die trying. My son’s life is depending on it; your children and grandchildren’s lives are depending on it; the future of a free society is depending on it. This could be the year of re-establishing the Constitution or it could be the nightmare of what Mark Levin calls a post Constitutional nation. If the later prevails we will be only a footnote in the annals of history. If we succeed then history will remember us for our courage. I myself will stand against this tyranny because Scripture compels me too. Together we must stand so that men, women and children may, in free conscience carry out what they believe in peace and faithfulness. As Martin Luther said after his trial at Worms, “Unless I am convicted of error by the testimony of Scripture or by manifest evidence...I cannot and will not retract, for we must never act contrary to our conscience....Here I stand. God help me! Amen!”

Amended Thought
I originally wrote this article on December 8th, 2011, but did not have time to post it. Now the Obama administration as dug its heels in on this issue. At this posting they have decided, even with a split within the White House staff, to continue this policy against the First Amendment. Also though I have only read portions of his new book, Ameritopia, Make Levin has done an excellent job at over viewing what is going on. This book is not for the faint hearted. Remember that I warned religious issues would be violated. Allow me to warn everyone of one more thing; the IRS is in charge of this power grab. If we do not speak now we will loose the freedom under 503 (c) status to say anything. As of yesterday the Southern Baptist entities spoke out against this in a wired release from Lifeway and GuideStone. This thing will spread; already Catholic chaplains in the military have been told that they cannot speak out against this situation. If you want to know just how corrupted things can become and how substandard care by a government body will be please read an article from The Lancet, which tells how people who are under the Romanian health care law have to bribe doctors to help take extra care of them.[ix] Folks we cannot allow Mr. Obama a second term. I will follow up in the next day or two about his latest State Of The Union speech and critic what was said. Until then, God help us all!

Amended Thought-2