Hopefully Andrew Marin (above) will heed the criticism of Prof. Rob Gagnon, the world's leading authority on the Bible and homosexuality.

Folks, I am delighted to be interviewing my friend Prof. Robert Gagnon on the Americans For Truth Hour (the first of three segments aired Saturday, Aug. 4) – following his much-acclaimed instruction at the AFTAH Truth Academy last month. Below Gagnon takes young Andrew Marin (of the Marin Foundation) to task for distorting the Bible regarding the proper Christian approach toward homosexuality.

Those of us in Chicago are well aware of Marin’s chameleon-like attempt to have it both ways on homosexuality — claiming to be biblical orthodox on this issue and yet appearing petrified to utter the words “homosexual behavior is sinful” if a practicing homosexual might be within earshot. With the publication of his book, Love Is an Orientation, Marin appears to be hardening his heart on this issue by sinking ever deeper into the waters of pro-”gay” advocacy (much like Tony Campolo, who endorses the Marin Foundation, Brian McLaren, who wrote the Foreword to Marin’s book, and Grove City College Prof. Warren Throckmorton).

It’s all very sad. I have invited Marin to appear as a guest with Gagnon on the radio show, but have not yet heard back from him. We’ll have much more on this story. Kudos to Gagnon for holding professing — yet straying — Christians accountable on the issue of the Bible and homosexual practice.  Click HERE to read Gagnon’s 24-page paper. — Peter LaBarbera, www.aftah.org

Molotov Mitchell of Illuminati Pictures (and WND.com) created this “For the Record” video about loving a homosexual friend enough to tell him the truth from the Bible (1 Corinthians 6). PFOX’s Greg Quinlan, a former homosexual himself, shared this video at the recent AFTAH Truth Academy:

Tentative Speakers Schedule

Thursday, August 5 – Saturday, August 7, 2010

Location: Christian Liberty Academy, 502 W. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights, IL 60004;

Cost: Adults: $149 for 3-day conference; Single day rate: $50/day; Married couples discount: $199 for full conference; Youth: $99 (scholarships available to attendees ages 14-25)

Contact info/queries/RSVP: E-mail americansfortruth@gmail.com ; phone: 630-717-7631; more background information HERE.

Truth Academy Instructors:

• Matt Barber, Liberty Counsel ; Board Member, AFTAH
• Cliff Kincaid, America’s Survival; Accuracy in Media
• Prof. Robert Gagnon, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, author, The Bible and Homosexual Practice
• Arthur Goldberg, Jews Offering New Alternatives to Homosexuality (JONAH), author, Light in the Closet: Torah, Homosexuality, and the Power to Change
• Laurie Higgins, Illinois Family Institute
• Robert Knight, Coral Ridge Ministries; author, Radical Rulers: The White House Elites Who Are Pushing America Towards Socialism, keynote presenter
• Peter LaBarbera, Americans For Truth About Homosexuality
• Prof. Rena Lindevaldsen, Liberty University School of Law
• Greg Quinlan, Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays (PFOX); Pro-Family Network
• Ryan Sorba, Young Conservatives of California

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 5 (Day One)

All presentations are 45 minutes followed by 15 minutes of Q & A.  There will be a panel discussion and Q & A on Thursday and Friday, and a special evening presentation each of those evenings.

8-9:30 – Light breakfast;  Registration

9:30 – 10:00 – Opening Prayer, Calvin Lindstrom, pastor, Church of Christian Liberty;

Welcoming Remarks, Peter LaBarbera, President, Americans For Truth About Homosexuality:

“From gay pride to gay tyranny”

10:10 – 11:10 – Prof. Rena Lindevaldsen, Liberty University School of Law:

“History of modern ‘gay’ activism and the courts”

11:20-12:20 – Matt Barber, Liberty Counsel; Board Member, AFTAH:

“Masculine Christianity: a non-defensive approach to the Culture War over homosexuality”

12:20-1:20 – Lunch Break; light lunch provided

1:20-2:20 – Ryan Sorba, Young Conservatives of California:

“The ‘born gay hoax”

2:30 – 3:30 – Laurie Higgins, Illinois Family Institute:

“Using reason and logic in answering pro-homosexuality arguments”

3:40-4:40 – Arthur Goldberg, JONAH (Jews Offering Healthy Alternatives to Homosexuality), author, Light in the Closet: Torah, Homosexuality, and the Power to Change:

“Can gays change? Is gay parenting good for kids? Presenting the research on homosexuality”

4:50-6:00 – PANEL DISCUSSION and Q & A:

Theme:  “Can the effort to ‘mainstream’ homosexuality in American culture be stopped?”

Panelists:  Rena Lindevaldsen, Matt Barber, Laurie Higgins, Ryan Sorba, Arthur Goldberg, and Greg Quinlan, Cliff Kincaid; Moderator: Peter LaBarbera

Special Thursday evening presentation (Q & A will follow talk):

7:45 – 9:15 – Greg Quinlan, Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays (PFOX); Pro-Family Network:

“An Ex-Gay Christian Discusses Love, Truth and Homosexuality”

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 6 (Day Two)

8:00-9:00 – Light breakfast; Registration

9:00 – 10:00 – Cliff Kincaid, America’s Survival, Accuracy in Media:

“The battle over blood: ‘gay’ health risks and public policy”

10:10 – 11:10 – Prof. Rena Lindevaldsen, Liberty University School of Law:

“The zero-sum game: homosexuality-based ‘rights’ vs. religious and First Amendment freedoms”

11:20-12:20 – Laurie Higgins, Illinois Family Institute:

“Corrupting children, politicizing schools: the homosexual youth agenda”

12 :20-1:20 – Lunch Break; light lunch provided

1:20-2:20 – Arthur Goldberg, JONAH (Jews Offering New Alternatives to Homosexuality:

“The gender confusion agenda: ‘transgender rights’”

2:30 – 3:30 – Prof. Robert Gagnon, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary:

“From abomination to ‘gay’: answering ‘queer theology’ — Old Testament”

3:40-4:40 – Prof. Rena Lindevaldsen, Liberty U. School of Law:

“The legal strategy to stop homosexual ‘marriage’: triumphs and pitfalls”

5:00-6:00 – PANEL DISCUSSION and Q & A:

Theme:  “Returning the debate to behavior – getting off the ‘GLBT’ playing field”

Panelists:  Rena Lindevaldsen, Matt Barber, Laurie Higgins, Ryan Sorba, Arthur Goldberg, Cliff Kincaid, Robert Knight, Robert Gagnon, Gregg Quinlan; Moderator: Peter LaBarbera

Special Friday evening keynote presentation (Q & A will follow talk):

7:45 – 9:15 – Robert Knight, Coral Ridge Ministries; author, Radical Rulers: The White House Elites Who Are Pushing America Towards Socialism:

“From destroying DOMA to homosexualizing the military: Obama’s radical homosexual/transsexual agenda for America”

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SATURDAY, AUGUST 7 (Day Three)

8:00-9:00 – Light breakfast; Registration

9:00 – 10:00 – Prof. Robert Gagnon, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary:

“’But Jesus never said anything about homosexuality’”: Answering ‘Queer Theology’ — New Testament”

10:10 – 11:10 – Robert Knight, Coral Ridge Ministries:

“Destructive legacy: Alfred Kinsey and the (Homo)Sexual Revolution”

11:20-12:20 – Greg Quinlan, PFOX, Pro-Family Network:

“The big, pink plan for a lavender culture”/”How to lobby effectively”

12:20-1:20 – Lunch Break; light lunch provided

1:20-2:20 – Cliff Kincaid, America’s Survival; Accuracy in Media:

“Combating pro-homosexual media bias, confronting pro-gay ‘conservatives’”

2:30-3:40 – Prof. Robert Gagnon, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary:

“Agreeing with God: a truly biblical approach toward ‘out and proud’ homosexuality”

3:50-4:50 – Ryan Sorba, Young Conservatives of California:

“Confronting the zeitgeist: new strategies to turn around younger Americans on ‘gay rights’”

5:00-6:00 – Matt Barber, Liberty Counsel, AFTAH Board Member:

“Don’t Ask, Don’t Bleed: stopping Obama’s campaign to homosexualize the U.S. military”

6:00-6:20 – Closing remarks, Peter LaBarbera, Americans For Truth

Former British P.M. Tony Blair used state power to promote the acceptance of homosexuality in the U.K. He is now working to make Christianity "gay"-affirming.

By Peter LaBarbera

I was sent this must-watch CBN (Christian Broadcasting Network) video by my friend Gary Glenn, head of the American Family Association of Michigan. Glenn is backing a civil rights lawsuit by the Thomas More Law Center against Attorney Gen. Eric Holder over the new homosexuality/transsexuality–inclusive “hate crimes” law. This video deserves wide circulation as a warning to America.

The Homosexual Activist Movement, aided and abetted by liberal straights, currently is the greatest threat to religious freedom in the United States. This is because homosexual radicals like lesbian Chai Feldblum (appointed by President Obama as a Commissioner on the E.E.O.C.) believe “gay rights” supersede Americans’ freedom to oppose homosexuality and gender confusion. To quote Feldblum, “Gays win, Christians lose” when the “zero-sum” game of “gay rights” versus religious freedom hits the courts.

More commentary follows the video below:

Already, we in the USA are seeing the same sort of persecution for opposing homosexuality as is occurring in Great Britain, only on a lesser scale. (See University of Illinois story over dismissed Catholic professor Kenneth Howell HERE.) It will only get worse if homosexuality- and transsexuality-based special “rights” are federalized under the proposed “Employment Non-Discrimination Act.”

(A Note on “Islamophobia”: the effort to push for acceptance of Islam — insofar as it becomes official government policy — is also a threat to liberty; however, unlike in the U.K., state punishment of “Islamophobia” in the United States has not reached a fever pitch. But isn’t it interesting how activist Muslims, who reject homosexuality as sinful and bemoan Western promotion of homosexuality, have nevertheless copied the manipulative “gay” tactic of accusing opponents of possessing an irrational “phobia”?)

Willow Creek “Leadership”?

Another key difference between the USA and Britain is that biblical Christianity is much more vibrant and common here, although of course its strength varies geographically. That is why homosexual activists are struggling to “re-interpret” the Word of God and turn it into a “gay”-affirming text. Given the crucial role that churches and pastors (should) have in maintaining our religious freedom, I have another question regarding the CBN video:

Are American churches up to the challenge of defending our precious liberty and their freedom to preach the truth about any sin, including homosexuality, uninhibited by the state?

I wonder, because here in Illinois, one very influential, trend-setting mega-church — Willow Creek Community Church, which holds annual “Leadership Summits” for pastors and Christian leaders — honored former British Prime Minister Tony Blair last year — the very same Tony Blair credited in this CBN video with ushering in a sweeping “gay rights” to the U.K. with its attendant anti-religious persecution.

Not only did Mr. Blair make Britain safe for same-sex immorality, as it were, but he helped establish a legal “anti-discrimination” system that led inexorably to Christians and moral-minded British citizens being investigated and even jailed for “anti-gay” discrimination. See this recent case of a Dale McAlpine, a British evangelist who was arrested for preaching against the sin of homosexuality (the charge against him was ultimately dropped).

As he revealed to British homosexual writer Johann Hari, Blair counts his pro-”gay rights” work as one of his singular achievements. This excerpt of Blair’s 2009 interview with Hari (in the British gay magazine Attitude) is telling:

Hari:  You are a very rare example of a person who is publicly very religious, and very pro-gay. Did you ever see a conflict between the two?

Blair: No. Not for me. Because I came to a religious faith through people who were themselves very much open and liberal on all these issues, and who would have regarded it as bizarre to have attitudes of hostility to gay people. I think it would have been, actually, the other way around. If in the end I’d felt that my religious faith was pulling me in an opposite direction, I’d have had real difficulties with it. I think that for all religions, the challenge is how do you extract the essential values of the faith from a vast accumulation of doctrine and practice? For many people, the reason for their religious faith is less to do with the doctrine and practice, and more to do with the values like love of God and love of your neighbour. And one of the things I do through my Foundation, through trying to bring different religious faiths together, to show how, actually, there is a huge common space around these values between the different religious faiths.

Like Obama, Blair conveniently ignores or dismisses biblical texts that might interfere with the noble sense of good that he associates with affirming homosexuality and “equal rights” based on same. Blair, a Catholic convert, once even lectured the pope on the latter’s “entrenched” attitudes about homosexuality.

Tony Blair was a featured speaker (by video) at Willow Creek's 2009 "Leadership Summit." Click on graphic to enlarge. The above is the cover of a DVD of the Summit (see Blair photo at bottom) available on Amazon.com.

Is this the kind of “leadership” that Willow Creek and its charismatic pastor Bill Hybels hope to spread throughout American Christendom, and the world? Blair with his New Age-ish brand of (c)hristianity certainly has “led” on homosexual rights — but doesn’t that mean that he utterly failed to model godly, biblical leadership? Would Hybels agree? Once again it’s that pesky homosexual issue — if we publicly agree with the God of the Bible on this issue, there is a price to pay in worldly fame — one apparently too great for many who still claim the mantle of moral leadership. Just ask Rick Warren, or Dr. Laura Schlessinger, or Tony Blair.

I have not seen Hybels’ 2009 Willow Creek “Leadership Summit” interview with Blair, but I would be surprised if there were any queries about Blair’s enthusiastic state promotion of homosexuality-based “rights” (the very opposite of God-given liberties) — or his campaign to synthesize his socially liberal views on sex and marriage with the historic Christian faith. Clearly, Blair was honored by Willow Creek, and Christians and lovers of religious and moral freedom everywhere have the right to ask: why?

As AFTAH readers know, in 2008 this writer and another pro-family advocate picketed Willow Creek church after its leadership agreed to meet with the homosexual activist group Soulforce. (Would WCCC also meet with pro-pornography activists demanding a meeting?) At issue is the nature of Willow Creek’s and Hybels’ “leadership” in Christian circles. It should be remembered that Willow Creek rejected numerous high-level requests to actively assist the 2006 “Protect Marriage Illinois” campaign to place a statewide referendum affirming traditional marriage on the Illinois ballot .

We will be doing more examinations into just what kind of leadership WCCC is exerting — as well as that of the larger evangelical Church — in the cultural sphere of sexual sin and marriage.

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CBN YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UZVlh3U-kc

Linda Jernigan

Here is Part Two of our interview with Linda Jernigan, which aired July 10, 2010. [see Part One of the interiew HERE.] In the interview, Jernigan, a former lesbian, is joined on air by Pastor Roger Ford, a former homosexual. Their discussion with AFTAH President Peter LaBarbera is fascinating on many levels — not least of which is the fact that both Jernigan and Ford were seduced into homosexuality as underage kids. (Gay activists denounce and ridicule any linkage between pedophilia and homosexuality.)

Jernigan’s real life parallels the awful “Vagina Monologues” play by radical feminist Eve Ensler in which a 13-year-old girl was seduced into lesbianism by a woman who was supposed to be a role model in the community. (In a later version of the play, Ensler changed the victim’s age to 16.) Jernigan tells AFTAH how when she was just 12 years old, a woman who was supposed to be her “mentor” began exposing Jernigan to sexual banter and discussions, and then started asking Jernigan about her sexual feelings. This led to the woman seducing Jernigan into sex and the lesbian lifestyle.

In the case of Pastor Ford, he was “manipulated” into homosexuality by an older teenage boy (age 18) when Ford was 12 or 13. The young man began by complimenting Ford, whose effeminacy made him a social reject. Ford’s father died when he was very young, which he says contributed to him being drawn into homosexuality. Ford and Jernigan (www.RescuingHomosexuals.net) both reach out with the Gospel to people trapped in the homosexual lifesyle, and help them find freedom in Christ. 

HOW TO LISTEN: This is an  mp3 file.  Left click once on the link below to play.  (Please be patient, depending upon the speed of your internet connection it may take a moment or two to load.) OR right click the link then “save target as” to download the whole show.

7-10-10, Linda Jernigan & Pastor Roger Ford, All

NOTE DATE CHANGE: Friday, June 25 — AFTAH Dinner-Lecture

NOTE: We apologize for the scheduling error for this dinner-lecture, which will take place on Friday, June 25th, 6-9:00 PM — two days before the Chicago homosexual “pride” parade.

Linda Harvey founded Mission:America to expose the anti-Christian messages -- including the promotion of homosexuality and gender confusion -- aimed at American young people.

In our May 22, 2010 interview with our good friend Linda Harvey, founder and president of  Mission America, we discussed her Christian conversion, which took her on a path from secular advertising professional to faith-based culture critic. Harvey discusses her summer reading over the appalling “recommended reading” list of the the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network (GLSEN), and the Left’s largely successful transformation of America’s schools into GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender) affirmation zones. She also discusses GLSEN founder (and Obama “Safe Schools” deputy) Kevin Jennings’ manipulation of alleged “gay” victimhood to promote the homosexual agenda in Massachusetts schools.

This is Part One of a two-part interview.

This is an mp3 file.  Left click on the link below to play.  (Please be patient, depending upon the speed of your internet connection it may take a moment to load.)  OR right click the link then “save target as” to download.

5-22-10, Linda Harvey, All

Ellen DeGeneres' Hollywood star has risen since her famous "coming out" in 1997, but her worldly fame does not make her a wholesome role model for American girls.

American Idol judge Ellen DeGeneres picked a love song written to be sung by a man to a woman for contestant Crystal Bowersox–a single mom with a boyfriend–to perform on the show’s semifinal program on Tuesday night.

The song, “Maybe I’m Amazed,” written by Paul McCartney and dedicated to his now-deceased wife Linda McCartney, includes the repeated lyric “baby, I’m a man” in the chorus. — CNSNews.com

More gender confusion from Ellen DeGeneres. It is so tiresome to see Ellen mega-hyped as a pop icon despite her immoral and chosen lifestyle as a practicing lesbian and pro-homosexuality activist. The very funny Ellen (who gets very serious when it comes to her public mission of promoting this immoral behavior) is getting more worldly fame than most humans could ever hope to have, but that means nothing before our holy God. She needs to humble herself and repent of her wrong and very changeable lifestyle, as other former “out and proud lesbians” have (e.g., Yvette Schneider and Charlene Cothran; see Charlene’s website HERE).

Pray that Ellen would find reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ and join the ranks of ex-lesbians. Her worldly, Hollywood star would surely fall following such a godly transformation, but she could then become a truly wholesome role model for American girls, which she is not now, despite her many talents. — Peter LaBarbera, www.aftah.org.

Following the Eyeblast.TV video is An excerpt of the CNSNews.com article after the jump (see full CNS article HERE):

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American Idol Judge Ellen DeGeneres Asks Female Contestant to Sing Love Song to a Woman on Idol Semifinal

By Terence P. Jeffrey, Editor-in-Chief

(CNSNews.com) – American Idol judge Ellen DeGeneres picked a love song written to be sung by a man to a woman for contestant Crystal Bowersox–a single mom with a boyfriend–to perform on the show’s semifinal program on Tuesday night.

The song, “Maybe I’m Amazed,” written by Paul McCartney and dedicated to his now-deceased wife Linda McCartney, includes the repeated lyric “baby, I’m a man” in the chorus.

There were only three contestants left for the semifinal of the popular Fox television program and each was required to sing two songs, one they picked for themselves and another picked for them by one of the judges or a pair of judges.

Judges Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi picked “Daughters” by John Mayer for contestant Casey James to perform. Simon Cowell picked “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen for contestant Lee DeWyze to perform. And DeGeneres picked McCartney’s “Maybe I’m Amazed” for contestant Crystal Bowersox.

The other judges and host Ryan Seacrest appeared to express a higher level of curiosity about DeGeneres’s song pick for Bowersox than they did for the other judges’ choices for the program.

“All right, Ellen, so why did you pick this one for Crystal?” Seacrest asked DeGeneres before Bowersox performed the tune.

“Well, I love the song,” DeGeneres said. “I think the song is amazing, and I think she’s amazing. And I just wanted her to surprise people. Everybody knows what she does, and I thought let’s show some range and let her just tear this thing apart. And I think she will.” … [Full CNS story continues HERE.]

Jim Daly, President and CEO, Focus on the Family

“When you look back from a pro-life perspective, what were the gains there?” he asked, noting President Ronald Reagan’s judicial choices. A generation later, “we see a bit of fatigue. We don’t see the results for the energy, the money, everything else that’s been poured into the political sphere,” said [Focus on the Family CEO Jim] Daly … “We as a Christian community need to refocus a bit on what’s important in the culture. For us, it’s family. That’s our mission.”

Yet it’s clear Daly, who has met with gay activists, sees diminishing returns in continuing the culture wars.

“I’m not fearful that change will happen in America. It will happen. … I don’t know what will happen with same-sex marriage, but I’m not going to be discouraged if we lose some of those battles,” he said, noting that for “98 percent” of people, traditional marriage will remain relevant.

“It’s going to be difficult in this culture and the way the demographics are going right now,” he went on. “You look at the under-35 age group. I think it’s splitting 60-40 support for same-sex marriage. There’s a lot of people in the U.S. [who] basically come to the conclusion that this is something between two adults. I will continue to defend traditional marriage, but I’m not going to demean human beings for the process.” — Excerpted from AOL News online article about Jim Daly, Focus on the Family’s new CEO; “Dobson’s Successor Gives Mega-Ministry New Focus.”

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Dear AFTAH Readers,

It seems that Focus on the Family (FOTF) is becoming a schizophrenic organization. Recently we applauded Focus for reaffirming a principled position against homosexual judicial nominees. Now, oddly, Jim Daly, FOTF’s new president and CEO, is talking down the pro-family “culture war.”

Daly’s softness on public policy must be understood in the context of the ongoing evangelical retreat in the Culture War (typified by the book UnChristian). Many Christians are more concerned with the Church’s “image” than they are with confronting lies in the culture and standing against secular threats like “Gay” and Abortion Lobbies. They claim that Culture War activism hinders the Gospel. But I have found that there are certain questions that “Soft” Evangelicals are hard-pressed to answer:

In this free republic, how should those who agree with God on homosexuality respond to the hugely-funded and highly specialized GLBT Lobby that seeks to put the government on the side of immoral homosexual behavior? How do we answer a politically savvy sin movement that demonizes religious people as “hateful” and “bigoted” — and even aims to “criminalize Christianity” by making it illegal to act on one’s belief that homosexual practice is wrong?

Are we as Christians to throw up the white flag and leave the public policy field to the Human Wrongs Rights Campaign and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force — the former with its sophisticated lobby presence on Capitol Hill, the latter with its annual grassroots training conference (“Creating Change”) that draws two to three thousand “gay,” lesbian, bisexual, and “transgender” activists every year? Does the average evangelical have a clue as to how massively outgunned pro-family warriors are against a veritable army of homosexual activists in this political/cultural “war” over values?

If Daly wants to shift Focus’ emphasis to ministry and away from public-policy, that’s Focus’ business. (FOTF has a lobbying arm, Focus Action.) Personally I don’t think Focus’ strength has even been in the public policy arena, although I greatly admire Dr. James Dobson for standing boldly against the Cultural Left. But Daly must avoid these twin temptations:

1. Watering down the truth about homosexual sin and the devastating implications of the triumph of state-sanctioned homosexuality in our culture — including a direct threat to religious freedom; and
2. Suggesting that his soft approach defines what an American Christian should be — i.e., diminishing by inference those who are attempting to counter the GLBT juggernaut.

God needs Christians to minister to homosexuals in love and truth, and God needs Christians to step up and fight fearlessly for righteousness in the Culture — no matter what names we are called or which evil laws are passed by secularists who reject His standard of sexual purity and marriage. (See the inspiring biblical example of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego below.)

And where does it say in Scripture that Christians cannot do both ministry and public policy?

If American Christians are jailed or burdened with government “discrimination” lawsuits merely for opposing homosexuality — as in Canada and Great Britain — how will Focus respond? Will they rise to their defense or will they be looking over their shoulder in constant fear of being perceived as “anti-gay”? Standing against sin — all sin — is part of the Gospel mission, pointing to every sinner’s need for salvation through the free gift of Jesus Christ. People practicing or advocating immoral sex or gender confusion don’t get a special pass.

Lastly, I, like Laurie Higgins, am deeply troubled by Daly’s apparent naivete. He is worried about the “Christian label” with regard to Christian militias groups. OK, but what about the far more serious threat to the Christian brand posed by so-called “gay Christians,” such as the two openly homosexual Episcopal bishops? If Daly “doesn’t know much about” the Tea Party movement, I wonder if he is even aware that hardened homosexual activist groups like HRC and the Task Force are now working overtime to subvert and redefine Christianity by promoting the idea that “homophobia” — not homosexuality — is a sin. And these “queer” activists receive aid and comfort from gullible, Bible-bending evangelicals like Jim Wallis who have acquiesced to the misguided idea that one can be “gay” (proudly practice or embrace homosexuality) and faithfully Christian, and who support “gay rights” as a “justice issue.” Substitute any other sexual sin and it doesn’t make sense.

Scolding bands of unshaven, gun-toting Christian fundamentalists roaming the woods surely will earn Jim Daly plaudits in the liberal media. Reminding the world that homosexuality and Christianity are incompatible; that repentant homosexuals can leave the lifestyle through Christ; and educating on how sin-embracing “Christianity” corrupts and confuses the Church, will earn him derision in the same media.

Being “gay” or “bi” is cool and tolerated in today’s youth culture, even among Christians. But it is far from cool to a holy God. Let us hope and pray that Jim Daly uses his many talents and resources at Focus to help raise up new generations of Shadrachs, Meshachs and Abednegos in our idol-worshiping American society. — Peter LaBarbera, www.AmericansForTruth.org

Note: like IFI, Americans For Truth sought comment from Focus on the Family about AOL’s online article on Jim Daly, but we have not heard back from Focus. Laurie Higgins’ column follows this wonderful passage from the Book of Daniel:

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Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?”

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace.

Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?” They replied, “Certainly, O king.”He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”

Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!”

So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.

Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way.”

Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon. — Book of Daniel, Chapter 3:13-30

_________________________________

Higgins writes [some web links were added or changed from the published IFI article]:

An Emasculated Focus on the Family — Say It Ain’t So

By Laurie Higgins, Illinois Family Institute, April 27, 2010

Editor’s Note: IFI requested comments or clarifications on the AOL article from Focus on the Family. They did not respond.

There has been much speculation about why James Dobson left Focus on the Family (FOTF). The speculation is that he was, in effect, forced out because some in leadership hope to create a kindler, gentler face for FOTF, which seems strange in that it’s hard to imagine someone kindler or gentler than James Dobson.

Pastor Ken Hutcherson writes that “Focus does have a new focus; an image change designed to make them accepted and well-liked rather than standing for righteousness in an unrighteous society.”

A recent AOL article about the shift in leadership at FOTF, although not providing proof for those rumors, does suggest they may be true.

James Dobson’s replacement Jim Daly said:

“When you look back from a pro-life perspective, what were the gains there?…We don’t see the results for the energy, the money, everything else that’s been poured into the political sphere.”

Daly is simply wrong in his assertion that the pro-life position has seen little or no gains. Because of the perseverance of pro-life warriors, polls show that there has been significant decline in support for the anti-life position, particularly among the younger generation.

Daly also said:

“We as a Christian community need to refocus a bit on what’s important in the culture. For us, it’s family. That’s our mission….I don’t know what will happen with same-sex marriage, but I’m not going to be discouraged if we lose some of those battles, [for] 98 percent of people, traditional marriage will remain relevant.”

This statement reveals a rather surprising naivete. Perhaps Mr. Daly hasn’t read any of the research done by Stanley Kurtz who found that when same-sex “marriage” was legalized in Scandinavia, heterosexual investment in traditional marriage declined. This makes sense. Legalized same-sex “marriage” embodies and promotes the radical and subversive ideas that marriage has no intrinsic connection to heterosexuality and no intrinsic connection to procreation, so why should 98 percent of the population find an institution that is unrelated to heterosexuality and unrelated to procreation relevant? Why should those who do not hold orthodox Jewish, Muslim, or Christian views find traditional marriage relevant?

If the family is FOTF’s mission, then they better figure out how to stop the pro-homosexual juggernaut–nicely, of course–because soon every child from kindergarten through high school will be taught about “diverse family structures” and Heather’s two nice mommies.

What FOTF needs to bear in mind is that while it’s easy for the pro-life position to be advanced through emotional appeals to the heart like the Tim Tebow ad that aired during the Super Bowl, it’s very difficult for the pro-traditional marriage and anti-homosexuality position to do that. The other side has the clear narrative advantage. It’s much easier to create a touching film about a little boy with two mommies or a picture book about cute furry homosexual animals than it is to create heartstring-tugging picture books and films that show the immorality and societal devastation of homosexual practice and same-sex marriage.

We live, and move, and have our being in a culture that Neil Postman described as a place where “imagery, narrative, presentness, simultaneity, intimacy, immediate gratification, and quick emotional response” reign supreme and where “logic, sequence, history, exposition, objectivity, detachment, and discipline” resonate little. This means that those who can create compelling stories that pack an emotional punch will win the hearts and minds of Americans. Those who must rely on logic, exposition and objectivity are at a distinct polemical disadvantage.

As evidence for his claim that a kindler, gentler approach to cultural issues is more effective, Daly claimed that the soft Tebow ad was a “game changer.” What a Barna poll showed was that of those who believe abortion should be legal, four percent said the commercial was cause for them to reconsider their opinion about abortion. Oddly, the poll also showed that the ad caused eight percent of those who believe abortion should not be legal to reconsider their opinion on abortion.

Methinks Mr. Daly overstates the case, but perhaps the ad will be a “game changer.” If so, then FOTF should make a slick and soft game-changing ad about homosexuality.

For the most part the church has long adopted the soft, “We heart homosexuality” approach, dribbling virtually no energy or money into the political sphere, and we see the effects: even as the younger generation of Christians moves to an anti-abortion position, they have moved to a love the sinner and the sin position on homosexuality.

Mr. Daly also said “I will continue to defend traditional marriage, but I’m not going to demean human beings for [sic] the process.” To whom exactly is Jim Daly alluding? James Dobson? Or is he referring to those relatively few stalwart culture warriors who are willing to endure the malignant lies and obscene epithets that a courageous stand for truth in the public square on this issue elicits? The language employed by Mr. Daly here is the kind of language commonly employed by either homosexualists (i.e. homosexuals and those who support their ontological, moral, and political views) or by those Christians who are unwilling to publicly condemn volitional homosexual practice as immoral, even as our public schools affirm homosexuality to children with public money.

Who defines “demeaning” for FOTF? That’s a critical question because those who affirm a homosexual identity believe that public statements about the immorality of volitional homosexual acts are demeaning. And those who support legalized same-sex “marriage” believe that moral opposition to it is demeaning. If FOTF allows the culture to define what is demeaning, then silence is their only option.

Moving forward, how will FOTF oppose homosexual “marriage”?

How will FOTF oppose the widespread cultural embrace of specious ideas about the nature and morality of homosexuality, even among Christians?

How will FOTF work to stop the exposure of elementary, middle, and high school students in public schools to homosexuality-affirming resources disguised as “anti-bullying” resources?

Mr. Daly rejects being “highly confrontational,” a commitment with which I would wholeheartedly agree –depending on how “confrontational” is defined. If Daly means that he seeks to confront the culture, but without hostility, his goal is admirable. If, on the other hand, he is rejecting not just hostility but also cultural confrontations, then there’s a problem. To confront means to defy or come up against, which is what will be required if we hope to protect the unborn, children, the family, speech rights, religious liberty, and truth.

Shouldn’t we boldly confront the efforts of homosexualists who are working feverishly to expose our littlest ones to homosexuality and “transgenderism” in our public schools? How perverse does the behavior that our public schools affirm have to become and how young the children to whom and in whom it’s affirmed before the church as well as para-church organizations will become willing to confront the unproven, corrupt ideas promoted in public schools?

It certainly has not been any mythical confrontational tactics of serious orthodox Christians that have rendered our Christian youth vulnerable to the specious secular arguments used to normalize homosexuality. Here’s what has led the body of Christ, including our youth, to tolerating or even affirming heresy:

• The cowardice and ignorance of the church which results in a retreat from the public square
• The successful infiltration of homosexual activism in public education through critical pedagogy, Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN)and its satellite Illinois Safe Schools Alliance, the National Education Association, the American Library Association, schools or departments of education that are dominated by “progressives” who train teachers, the Southern Poverty Law Center’s “educational” project ironically named “Teaching Tolerance,” and numerous “anti-bullying” curricula and resources
• Hollywood that uses the powerful media of television and film to transform cultural views by idealizing homosexuality and ridiculing traditional views of sexuality without ever having to make a well-supported argument. Hollywood knows that if there’s one thing Americans hate, it’s being uncool.
• Judicial activism
• The biased mainstream news media that celebrates homosexuality through sound bites and imagery
• Advertising that uses imagery to glamorize homosexuality

Far too many churches and para-church organizations are adopting emasculated approaches to the pro-homosexual movement. Not only are we not pro-active in preparing our youth intellectually to understand the specious secular arguments used to normalize homosexuality, but we’re not even sufficiently re-active.

Just when the cultural threat is greatest; when Obama has appointed lesbian law professor Chai Feldblum to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; when he has appointed Kevin Jennings, homosexual founder of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network to be the Safe Schools “czar”; when the “Hate Crimes” bill has passed Congress; when the Employment Non-Discrimination Act is soon up for a vote; when the Student Non-Discrimination Act has been proposed; when the Safe Schools Improvement Act has been proposed; and when efforts to eradicate marriage continue unabated, we need warriors who are willing to confront lies and protect children.

Let’s hope and pray that Focus on the Family continues to lead courageously, perseveringly, and unambiguously on the critical cultural issues pertaining to life, family, and marriage.

A scruffy Wayne Besen (left) poses with pro-family advocate Matt Barber at "The Awakening 2010" conference at Liberty University Friday. Click on photo to enlarge; photo: Wayne Besen, TruthWinsOut.org

Note: Wayne Besen’s self-serving and inaccurate account of “The Awakening 2010″ panel can be found on his website HERE. — AFTAH

LYNCHBURG, Va. — Wayne Besen, extremist homosexual blogger and “ex-gay denier” (as Matt Barber calls those who shun the existence of the untold thousands of former homosexuals) has pulled off the granddaddy of all homosexualist spy missions. Having apparently dyed his hair, growing several days worth of scruff, dawning shabby clothing and sporting a backpack to appear as a Liberty University Student, Besen infiltrated the Awakening 2010 conference at Liberty University held this past Thursday and Friday [April 15-16].

Among other sessions, Besen attended the panel covering homosexual issues given by Matt Barber, Liberty Counsel attorney and AFTAH board member, Rena Lindevaldsen, professor with Liberty Law and Andrea Lafferty of the Traditional Values Coalition.

With incredible stealth and skill, Besen was able to slip past the Awakening’s extremely tight security and blend in among the gathering of right-wing extremist homophobes. (The event was free of charge and open to the public.)

Matt Barber has provided Americans for Truth with an exclusive account of the intense confrontation which followed (some of which will soon be available on archived video):

“A few minutes after we began our breakout session on ‘LGBT’ issues, Wayne slipped in the back of the room, sat down, put his head down and began gazing side-to-side as if expecting to be knocked from his chair and dragged away at any moment. I immediately recognized him.

“As we were wrapping-up and preparing for questions, I ‘called Wayne out,’ announced that we had a homosexual activist guest with us and asked Wayne if he’d like to give out his Web site which he did. I told him ‘welcome’ and Andrea Lafferty then asked if he had any questions. He stuttered, stammered and in a nearly inaudible voice said, ‘uh, no.’ Poor guy looked as if he’d seen a ghost.

“Afterward I approached Wayne, shook his hand and told him we were very glad to have him. A few other people visited with him as well. He was clearly confused and taken-aback by the kindness he received. The cognitive dissonance on his face was evident to all as he’s apparently bought-in to his own hyperbolic rhetoric which demonizes Christians as ‘hateful, bigoted homophobes.’

“Wayne asked for a picture, and I joked, ‘sure, as long as you promise not to Photoshop horns on my head.’ We visited a bit more and I told Wayne ‘God bless you’ and wished him safe travels on his way home to New York and on his upcoming trip to Ireland which he shared about. I have to say, although Wayne puts on an awfully tough front for his fellow homosexual activists, the guy was a real kitten in person and even seemed like he might be a genuinely nice fellow when you get him away from the safety and security of his computer.

“It’s my hope and prayer that the Holy Spirit planted a seed in Wayne’s heart and soul while he was at Liberty. I know that God had him there for a reason. I’d love to sit down with him sometime over a cup of coffee and share my own story of how the Lord freed me from a life of sexual sin (a testimony I’ve publicly shared in the past).

“As a young man, I didn’t always view God’s daughters as He does, but rather, saw them as sexual objects for my conquest. After years of promiscuous womanizing, a painful divorce and hitting rock bottom, God decided it was time to ‘call me out’ and to His worship and Service.

“I haven’t looked back and am now married to a beautiful, Godly woman who valued purity but forgave my own lack thereof. I have three beautiful children and, on a daily basis, have the joy of experiencing an indescribable relationship with the Lord of the universe Who became manifest in the person of Jesus Christ.

“Meeting Wayne in person, it was clear to me that he is searching. It is my hope and prayer that he and all who struggle with same-sex attraction, live a life of heterosexual or homosexual promiscuity or adultery, or anyone else for that matter, can come to know the life-changing, life-saving, life-making grace and redemption that can only come through surrender, belief and acceptance of Christ Jesus.

“I pledge to pray for Wayne and would ask everyone reading this to do the same. The Lord could use mightily, this talented, passionate young man whom He knows and loves.”

“But God demonstrates His love toward us, in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

Far more important than the “Culture Wars” is the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the eternal destiny of men and women — i.e., whether they will be reconciled with their Creator.

I remember when I first understood what “being saved” meant — saved from my sin through a divine “new birth” (2 Corinthians 5:11-21) in Jesus Christ. The Lord took my sin upon Himself with His death on a cross before rising from the dead (Easter). The leap from attempting to earn your way to heaven to gratefully and humbly relying upon God’s perfect righteousness through Christ is a monumental but necessary one in the life of the believer.

Nowadays the term “saved” is often used by jaded secularists and religion-bashers who throw around crude caricatures of committed Christians as a prop to promote their errant worldviews. But that has no bearing on the truth of the Gospel and the Scriptures — and the reality of Jesus Christ, the living Son of God — and the most important man who ever lived — whose Resurrection we celebrate today. Ultimately, all men and women need to make a decision about Jesus because, ultimately, all of us fall short of God’s holy standard and need Christ’s atoning work on the cross.

Please pray with me that many would heed these passages and accept God’s wondrous salvation plan for their lives! — Peter LaBarbera, Americans For Truth

Roman Road follows jump:

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The following is reprinted from the website All About God (www.allaboutgod.com), and we refer you there for further questions about the Gospel:

The Roman Road: A Well-engineered Path to Salvation

The Roman Road is a collection of verses in Paul’s Epistle to the Romans that offers a clear and structured path to Jesus Christ. Although many people believe they will go to heaven because they have lived a good life, done charity work, been baptized as a child, attended church, or treated others fairly, the Bible declares that none of us can live up to God’s standards of righteousness. Therefore, we need a road to God that doesn’t rely on anything we do, but rather, relies on the gift of His grace alone.

The Roman Road: Follow this Map

The Roman Road provides a detailed map for our salvation and eternal fellowship with God. Just follow these steps:

1. We must acknowledge God as the Creator of everything, accepting our humble position in God’s created order and purpose. Romans 1:20-21:

“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.”

2. We must realize that we are sinners and that we need forgiveness. None of us are worthy under God’s standards. Romans 3:23:

“For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God.”

“But God demonstrates His love toward us, in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

4. If we remain sinners, we will die. However, if we repent of our sins, and accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we will have eternal life. Romans 6:23:

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

5. Confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead and you are saved. Romans 10:9-10:

“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

6. There are no other religious formulas or rituals. Just call upon the name of the Lord and you will be saved! Romans 10:13:

“For whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”

7. Determine in your heart to make Jesus Christ the Lord of your life today. Romans 11:36:

“For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.”

The Roman Road: Are You Ready?

The Roman Road shows you the path – are you ready to accept God’s gift of Salvation now? If so, believe in what Jesus Christ did for you on the cross, repent of your sins, and commit the rest of your life to Him. This is not a ritual, just a prayerful guideline for your sincere step of faith:

“Father, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from you. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”

*                  *                  *

“Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38)

If you decided to receive Jesus today, welcome to God’s family. Now, as a way to grow closer to Him, the Bible tells us to follow up on our commitment:

• Get baptized as commanded by Christ.
• Tell someone else about your new faith in Christ.
• Spend time with God each day. It does not have to be a long period of time. Just develop the daily habit of praying to Him and reading His Word. Ask God to increase your faith and your understanding of the Bible.
• Seek fellowship with other followers of Jesus. Develop a group of believing friends to answer your questions and support you.
• Find a local church where you can worship God.

For more information about the Gospel and Christianity, go to the All About God website.

We beg you on behalf of Christ: be reconciled to God.

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

- 2 Corinthians 5:20b-21

Today I heard a radio sermon by Dr. Tony Evans of the Urban Alternative that was one of the most powerful I have ever heard on the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ.  “Jesus Christ experienced hell so you and I could experience heaven,” Evans said. “…You and I stand before God as if [we] never sinned.”

The sermon is entitled, “The Necessity of the Cross.” The website says “Part 2″ for today (April 2). If you want to gain a greater understanding of what Christ did for mankind as sinners, listen to this sermon on MP3; it will bless you and expand your love for and gratitude to God for his ‘Amazing Grace.’ May all who follow the Lord have a Blessed Easter Sunday! – Peter LaBarbera, Americans For Truth

“I have experienced Professor Throckmorton’s forked tongue, as he has pretended to seek ‘my side’ of the story various times, then turned around and told a biased side of the same story, in a public sphere, with the intention of discrediting my testimony and shaming my stance for Gospel truth.”
– Former homosexual activist Michael Glatze

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Once "gay" turned Christian Michael Glatze

Editor’s Note: in apparent anger over Americans For Truth’s campaign to expose renegade Grove City College associate professor Warren Throckmorton’s unscriptural approach toward homosexuality, Throckmorton is questioning the accuracy of a OneNewsNow story featuring comments by AFTAH’s Peter LaBarbera — including LaBarbera’s assertion that Throckmorton actively seeks to discredit bold testimonies of profound change like that of ex-”gay” Christian Michael Glatze. Below, Michael explains why he no longer trusts Throckmorton and others who “pervert the truth.” Please say a prayer of thanks for this young man who God has drawn out of homosexuality, and that God will use him mightily to proclaim truth about homosexuality in the years and decades ahead. Please also pray for Throckmorton, who as a professed Christian at an evangelical institution should not be using his authority to affirm anyone in a “gay” sexual identity. You can write either man through AFTAH at americansfortruth@comcast.net:

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The Truth about Warren Throckmorton

By Michael Glatze, Special to Americans For Truth

It is funny. In this world, truth seems to almost be subjective. Then, you meet Jesus. In Jesus, truth is objective. It is from this vantage point that I write this.

Those who seek to provide some kind of intellectual “nuance” to the Gospel will, inevitably, engage in the sin of Pride. The Gospel is quite clear; and, all information about it can be found within God’s Word. Furthermore, all truth — as revealed in God’s Word — will be seen to be true in human experience, as well. Homosexuality is one of those examples.

Six years ago, I began my Christian walk. At that time, I was considered a “rising star” in the “gay rights” movement, editor of a national gay magazine, and a sought-after authority on the subject of gay youth. But, as a new Christian, I began to discover that I simply could not ignore the truth of the Gospel, no matter how difficult it may have been for my habitual, sinful nature to handle those truths. It was not easy to read things that made me feel guilty, or uncomfortable. It was not easy to go before God’s throne in humble repentance. It is still not easy to do so.

However, every time I did that, I found myself blessed — and, I found that God gave me the grace I needed to move on, to grow up, and to grow out of sinful practices that had become quite ingrained in me. This, to those who are unfamiliar, is the blessed process of sanctification. I began to understand that God’s mercy is unfathomable, yet unceasing. I began to understand that I did not have a free ride from sin and temptation, once saved. I began to feel the distance from God, whenever I followed through with a sinful temptation, or acted on that sin — i.e., the spiritual death describe so aptly in the book of James, as following the fulfillment of a sinful action.

Homosexuality, like other sins, involves the temptation to do something that is — quite simply — not necessary. To disagree with God, to say that it is OK, is to sin. And, to confess your sin is to humble yourself enough to say to God, “You were right; I was wrong.” This is an ongoing process.

A great temptation among humans is to step in-between the sinner’s relationship with God, and offer a new way out. People do this in every walk of life. People step in and say, “I know God’s Word is difficult …  let me offer you an alternate way that won’t be so painful.” People do this with philosophies, with “support groups,” and with serious academic “discoveries.”

I have come across many folks, since I first came out as opposed to homosexuality, on a path through healing from homosexuality, standing on the platform of the Gospel to fight against falsehoods about homosexuality — encouraging Christians to not falter on the Gospel truth about homosexuality, and all other sins. It is not easy, nor is life — necessarily — always a walk in the park. But, we must recognize those folks who, momentarily, play Jesus, and put themselves — or, their philosophies, or the fruits of their labors — in Jesus’ place: as mediator between God and man.

Sadly, Warren Throckmorton has been one of those people. He, like so many professing Christians, peddles a false gospel about homosexual sin that includes the lie that homosexuality “might be OK for some people.” Of course this false gospel will seem preferable for many, because it requires less moral responsibility than the true gospel. But, that does not make it right.

I have experienced Professor Throckmorton’s forked tongue, as he has pretended to seek “my side” of the story various times, then turned around and told a biased side of the same story, in a public sphere, with the intention of discrediting my testimony and shaming my stance for Gospel truth. As we have all seen, throughout Christian history, it is quite easy for people to create false worlds, to skew human perception, to persecute Christian truth. Sadly, this professor at a seemingly-reputable Christian school, has engaged in these tactics, with the outcome of persecuting the very truth he supposedly is teaching, atop his perch.

I write this now, as I recognize efforts are being made to describe his indiscretions, and — undoubtedly — a war of words will ensue. All people are redeemable; I am a profound example of that truth.

As I have said in other articles, homosexual sin is a very serious trojan horse that Satan will use — and, has used — to divide and conquer. I know, through the testimony of my own life, as a gay activist and practicing homosexual, who has been delivered from the lifestyle, from the desires, and from the whole mindset, that Gospel truth WILL prevail. But, Christians must be unafraid to tell the truth, stand for the truth, and hold those accountable who pervert the truth.

God Bless You all.

Michael Glatze

CBN story on Perkins being disinvited: no, it's not homosexuality that's "incompatible" with military service under Obama; now it's the expression of Christian faith -- opposing homosexuality -- in the public square.

Matt Barber, AFTAH Board Member and Director of Cultural Affairs at the Liberty Counsel, writes: “I believe those few of us remaining who are willing to take a stand on God’s natural design for human sexuality and morality will eventually be completely marginalized and persecuted by both the government and private industry. This is a chilling example of things to come.”

We agree. Christians and all those who oppose the normalization of sexual immorality through the force of law: are you going to stand by and just take it or will you defend your liberty to live out your religious and moral beliefs? This is only the latest proof that homosexual “rights” (so-called) are incompatible with America’s historic protection of religious freedom and First Amendment liberties.

I suppose there are many more craven acts to follow as our men in uniform scramble to appease their left-wing, pro-”gay” Panderer-in-Chief. — Peter LaBarbera, www.aftah.org

Here’s Breitbart linking to Pat Robertson’s CBN interview with Perkins:

http://www.breitbart.tv/prominent-minister-is-disinvited-from-military-prayer-luncheon-over-gays-in-service-issue/

WATCH THE LIVE WEBCAST: Friday 2-6:35 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 -5:00 p.m. See the Liberty Counsel press release on the conference HERE.

Liberty University School of Law will host a one-day conference followed by a one-day symposium addressing homosexuality and its consequences. The Friday, February 12, conference is entitled “Understanding Same-sex Attractions and Their Consequences.” On Saturday, February 13, the Liberty University Law Review will host a legal symposium entitled “Homosexual Rights and First Amendment Freedoms: Can They Truly Coexist?”

Those struggling with same-sex attractions need understanding and hope for a life without conflict, so it is imperative to understand the implications of same-sex attraction and the broader homosexual agenda.

If you cannot attend the conference and symposium on Friday afternoon and Saturday, you can watch the live webcast HERE.

See the schedule for Friday and Saturday for the extraordinary list of speakers.

Event times and locations are as follows:

Friday, Feb. 12, 10:00 a.m., convocation, Liberty University – Vines Center;
Friday, Feb. 12, 2:00 – 6:45 p.m., conference, Liberty University School of Law – Supreme Courtroom;
Saturday, Feb. 13, 9:00 a.m. – 5 p.m., symposium, Liberty University School of Law Supreme Courtroom;
Saturday, Feb. 13, 5:00 p.m. banquet, Liberty University – Grand Lobby of DeMoss Hall.

The conference and the symposium are free, but tickets are required for the Saturday evening banquet. For more information, please go to www.LC.org, contact Liberty University School of Law at 434-592-5300 or visit http://law.liberty.edu.

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Report from Haiti

Food for the Poor

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
01/15/10

DONATE TO ‘FOOD FOR THE POOR’ HERE

Our team from Florida is in Port-au-Prince, Haiti and reported back. Staffer Chris Frosch reported this morning, January 15, that there is dust, debris and “dead bodies everywhere,” and little or no cell phone service. Tens of thousands of people are camped out in public parks because of the aftershocks. The team is staying at a Haiti staff member’s house. “Last night we all slept in the cars because it was not safe to sleep inside,” Frosch said.

Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, has been hit hard in the earthquake. “This is Haiti times 100. People are looking for lost relatives, it’s chaos,” said Frosch.

Almost 100 containers of urgently needed medical supplies, rice and canned food from Food For The Poor are ready to be distributed to the people of Haiti, who are reeling from the devastating effects of the 7.0-magnitude earthquake. Another 300 containers are planned as a part of the initial relief effort.

The containers are part of Food For The Poor’s goal to provide $5 million in relief to the struggling nation, as it endures one of the worst natural disasters in its history.

“Our hearts are broken watching this news about the country that we care so much about, and have worked in for so long,” said Robin Mahfood, President/CEO of Food For The Poor. “Our job now is not to ask why they have had to suffer again, but to do everything we can to get help to them. We need everybody’s help.”

DONATE TO ‘FOOD FOR THE POOR’ HERE

“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.” (Romans 1:16)

How often these days do you see a bold affirmation of Christianity on TV like FOX News’ veteran Brit Hume has given twice in the last few days?  I almost fell off the sofa last night [Tuesday] watching the video below of Hume’s appearance on the O’Reilly Factor, which dealt with his godly on-air counsel to Tiger Woods a day earlier on Fox News Sunday.

Predictably, Wayne Besen — our odds-on favorite for Gay Grinch 2009 (announcement coming soon) — had an ugly and bigoted response to Hume’s affirmation of Christ’s forgiveness. The Christ-ophobic Besen mocks the Christian rebirth (see 2 Corinthians 5:17) with his frothing-at-the-mouth hit-piece HERE. Of course, Besen is on a bizarre quest to prove that “ex-gays” don’t exist, so he is literally at war with God — Who already has changed thousands of former “gay” men (like Stephen Black of First Stone Ministries) and ex-”lesbians” (like Lisa Miller) and Who can radically change a repentant Tiger Woods.

Thankfully, most people who do not have a sin-promoting agenda like Besen’s still acknowledge the tremendous good that comes from Christian conversion.

I recall a long while ago how Hume’s co-worker at Fox News, Fred Barnes, also an evangelical Christian, matter-of-factly acknowledged the reality of “ex-gays” — i.e., that God can change “homosexuals” just like He helps all types of sinners overcome. Barnes’ and Hume’s candid assent to the biblical Truth that Jesus Christ has the power to forgive and transform people’s lives should be the attitude of all believers. (Contrast that with the efforts of Grove City College professor Warren Throckmorton, Jim Wallis, and others who seek to make an unbiblical yet politically correct accommodation with homosexuality.)

For now, I’ll take heart in Brit Hume’s simple act of faithfulness, which harkens back to a different America — dare I say a more noble and godly America — in which public affirmations of Christianity and Jesus Christ’s divine uniqueness were commonplace. Thank you, Brit.  — Peter LaBarbera, www.aftah.org

Here’s Hume’s interview with Bill O’Reilly:

Dear Readers,

We at Americans For Truth wish each of you a Joyous and Merry Christmas, as we celebrate the most important birth in all of history. At AFTAH, we do the best we can to defend God’s Truth about homosexuality in a hostile and worldly culture — and other groups do the same on such issues as abortion, pornography, decency and marriage. But there is a Truth above all truths, and people’s attitude toward Him often dictates their commitment to or rejection of truth on these cultural matters.

Jesus Christ is that Truth: God’s own Son who departed from glory and humbled Himself to become man who obediently died a humiliating death on a cross — to pay the punishment that each of us deserves for our sins.

Jesus Christ’s “free gift” of salvation is available to all, but many choose darkness over the light. No mere wise teacher, Jesus alone could make the stunning and exclusive claim: “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father but by Me.” (John 14:6) Because unlike any other religious leader in history, Jesus was not just a man. He triumphed over death! “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15: 55) And even as being born again through life-changing belief in Christ is the eternal hope of every man and woman, no one can reach heaven without believing in Christ. And no one can escape His judgment. (John 3: 1-21)

An America that dishonors Jesus Christ is an America headed toward oblivion, and ultimately a return to Christ — that is, a return to God — alone can save our troubled, disobedient land. A pale imitation of Christ’s humility — in the form of Americans swallowing their pride, self-centeredness and shallow religion, and returning to God in repentance — is the key to America becoming truly great.

This holiday season, I urge you to contemplate Jesus Christ, and pass Him on, as it were, to others. If you are a steadfast critic of AFTAH who does not believe in the Christ of the Bible, please forget the “Culture War” for a moment and honestly consider the claims of Christ, perhaps starting in the Gospels. Let each of us pledge to get deeper into God’s divinely inspired Word, the Bible, in 2010. Who can doubt that one will become a better and more godly person for doing so?

Below these powerful verses in Philippians about Christ’s humility and exaltation are Charles Wesley’s biblically faithful lyrics for “Hark the Herald Angels Sing!” Let us together “Hail the Son of Righteousness!” this holiday season! May the Lord richly bless you and yours.

Sincerely in Christ,

Peter LaBarbera

Americans For Truth About Homosexuality
www.americansfortruth.org
E-mail: americansfortruth@comcast.net
Donate to AFTAH: at www.americansfortruth.com/donate/; gifts must be postmarked by Dec. 31st  (or received online by midnight Dec. 31st) to be tax-deductible for 2009. Mail gifts to: Americans For Truth, PO Box 5522, Naperville, IL 60567-5522.

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“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

“And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross!

“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2: 5-11; NIV)

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Hark the Herald Angels Sing!

Hark the herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled”
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
“Christ is born in Bethlehem”
Hark! The herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King!”

Christ by highest heav’n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin’s womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King!”

Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris’n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King!”

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Background:

“Hark the herald angels sing” Christmas Carol was written by Charles Wesley, brother of John Wesley founder of the Methodist church, in 1739. A sombre man, he requested slow and solemn music for his lyrics and thus “Hark the herald angels sing” was sung to a different tune initially. Over a hundred years later Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) composed a cantata in 1840 to commemorate Johann Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press. English musician William H. Cummings adapted Mendelssohn’s music to fit the lyrics of “Hark the herald angels sing” already written by Wesley. Source: http://www.carols.org.uk/hark_the_herald_angels_sing.htm

“YOU will BURN IN HELL for spewing your garbage water and spreading hatred through this world. Thank GOD your views are a DYING BREED because gay rights ARE HERE FOREVER! We will all enjoy each other\’s company in heaven while you SLAVE AWAY FOR SATAN!”

“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world, and this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith. And who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? … And the witness is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” (1 John 5: 4-5, 5: 11-12; NASB)

HOLLYWOOD'S SICK VALUES: In one 2004 episode of ABC's "Will & Grace," a newbie lesbian crawls under the table during Thanksgiving dinner to get at the private parts of lead character 'Grace' (played by Debra Messing, far right), who was sitting across from her.

I urge you to support Bill Keller and his daily “Live Prayer” programming this holiday season. This man of God has a heart for people and for this nation — which truly is in “full rebellion to God and His Truth” — like few others. I have been a guest on Keller’s show and know that he lovingly ministers to all sinners, including people caught up in homosexuality. Some one-time “gays” and “lesbians” have abandoned these disordered lifestyles through his ministry — surely lifted up by the heavenly petitions of LivePrayer viewers.

Who can deny that America needs prayer as the battle of good versus evil rages between our coasts? The other day I happened upon an old (2004) episode of the ABC comedy show Will & Grace that contained a subplot about a young woman who disappoints her male fiancé because it turns out she’s really a lesbian who has a crush on Grace, the show’s co-lead character (see photo). At a Thanksgiving meal at the dysfunctional home of the parents of homosexual co-lead character Will’s boyfriend, the newbie lesbian gets lost under the table so she can go “up the skirt” of a shocked Grace, who is sitting across from her — apparently to fondle Grace’s private parts!

Ha ha. Real funny. I’ll bet the writer was proud of himself for that classy bit of “gay humor.” Strategically-placed perverts who hate God are destroying this nation’s soul.

Who can deny that the Sexual Revolution — ushering in rampant promiscuity, the trivialization of the sacred, abortion-on-demand, the celebration of homosexuality and other perversions, and contempt for marriage — has warred against God and goodness in America? And why are we shocked that generations of American youth — influenced by a debased culture and those highly-placed pervs — are confused about biblical Truth on homosexuality, sex and marriage?

And yet I am struck by the faithful warriors like Keller, who labor well outside the politically-correct limelight, and who represent that old-fashioned force for greatness — godly virtue — that made America a unique nation. (Bill is not perfect: thankfully he got it wrong about George Bush not being reelected in 2004.)  “Tolerance” and worse, celebration, of any sin — fornication, homosexuality, pornography, abortion, etc. — brings down a civilization; it is hardly some sort of “all American” thing about which we should collectively boast. (This is the travesty of man-centered libertarianism.) In fact, America’s exportation to more innocent cultures abroad of immoral “entertainment” like Will & Grace only adds to our shame.

But as in Hollywood, shame seems to be in short supply in these United States. (Although we have plenty of pride, including the “queer” variety.) Against all odds, we need to humble ourselves, repent for our excessive tolerance (including for our own private, indulged sins), and pray for God to hold back his judgment and heal our land. America can only move back toward virtue if we return to the God and start becoming more offended by sin, and less offended by biblical Truth. God bless you. — Peter LaBarbera, Americans For Truth, www.aftah.com; americansfortruth@comcast.net

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Bill Keller writes in his Dec. 12, 2009 “Daily Devotional”:

A culture in full rebellion to God and His Truth! I vividly remember my summer vacations during the ’60s as I was growing up. One of the highlights each summer was the 2-week stay at my father’s parents. Those two weeks with grandma and grandpa were always a special time. One of the things I will never forget was on Saturday night we always watched the Lawrence Welk Show.

As an 8, 9, 10-year-old boy, it wasn’t my favorite thing to watch because it was an “old people’s show.”

One thing I did enjoy about the Welk program was most every week they would include one of the great hymns of the Christian faith, and there were even some programs that were dedicated to the great hymns we sung in church each Sunday. I have to confess, if I am home on a Saturday night around 7 p.m., I always switch to the local PBS station in Tampa, since that is the hour each week they replay those great Lawrence Welk Shows. I guess I am an “old people” now!

As you know, I have hammered PBS recently for airing the New Age lies of Dr.
Wayne Dyer that are leading the souls of those who follow his false teachings to hell. That is why I was shocked last week to learn that PBS has announced it will no longer air ANY “religious programming.” My guess is that they will label Dyer’s programs that bring in millions of dollars to PBS each year as “spirituality,” but will never even consider any program that counters his lies with the Truth of the Bible.

It will actually be very interesting to see how they handle some of the old Welk programs that are full of the great old hymns of the faith. PBS tends to have an older demographic and I am certain the Welk programs that have been used to raise lots of money for PBS over the years are a big reason many elderly people donate during their fundraising drives. The fact PBS is also supported by tax dollars makes this interesting that they can refuse to air any programming that would be geared to the Christian faith, but I doubt the ACLU will be defending Christians against PBS any time soon.

I bring this to your attention today as simply another example of what I have been telling you for years was going to happen, as the culture is slowly but surely aggressively trying to eliminate God, Jesus, and the Bible from the public arena while promoting the lies of satan. Twenty years ago PBS would have never had the guts to make a move like this, but nobody fears Christians any longer and satan is working overtime to eliminate Christ and Biblical Truth from the culture.

Another great example of this was Pepsi finally “coming out” in their full support of the radical homosexual agenda in this nation. They now boldly and visibly align themselves with the gay movement in the sponsorship and partnership of high-profile gay events around the nation. Trust me, they spent millions in market research that has told them that they can cash in on this growing segment of our society with minimal downside risk in losing sales from those who oppose the sin of homosexuality.

I have tried to share with you over and over that NOBODY fears Christians any longer. They are not afraid of us because we are so fractured, we have no real voice or presence in the secular marketplace Those who are most visible have no real impact on the culture because they either preach a watered-down feel-good message or compromise the Truth to pursue their own agenda, and the Truth has been so compromised in most churches that even those who profess to be Christians will support sin more readily than they will stand for the Truth of the Bible.

I have been told by major TV networks that air the most outrageous filth and garbage you can name, promoting every sin imaginable, that they find the content of my TV program to be “offensive and disturbing.” THE WORLD IS OFFENDED AND DISTURBED BY THE TRUTH OF THE BIBLE!!!!

I love you and care about you so much. The fact is there is a world out there that is HUNGRY for real Truth. People are searching and looking for real hope and answers they can stake their lives on. I watch daily as people promoting a political ideology are rallying great numbers of people through their media presence. After nearly 7 years in the secular media, 10 years online, I can attest that this nation is RIPE for someone who has the guts and courage to boldly tell people there is a better way, and that better way is God’s way!!!

I will remain faithful, continue to do what I do each day in reaching millions via the Internet, seeing lives impacted for Christ, and souls saved, while sitting on the vehicle that can change the spiritual course of this nation and turn our land back to God and His Truth. I am so thankful for the many people step up and sacrifice each month to keep me doing what I am doing, as I seek God for wisdom, pray daily for the Lord to send the right person or group who has the resources and vision to help me put into place the media tools we need, national TV and radio, to take this nation back for the Lord.

Satan will keep fighting with all his might to shut down Liveprayer through a lack of funding, since he knows if I can simply get my hands on the $3 million it would take to put those media pieces into place, we can quickly amass several million people around this nation who want to see this nation turn back to God and His Truth, giving us the voice and presence to battle for the hearts, minds, and souls of the masses who are simply waiting for someone to give them REAL hope and change!!!

Please be praying with me for God to lead that one person or one group who has the ability to help me. We have the proven vehicle to turn this nation back to God and Biblical Truth, to see millions souls saved, and we simply need the “fuel” to get this vehicle out there. Once that happens, there is no doubt that God’s Spirit will begin to move like we have never seen and use our efforts to bring our nation back to the Lord and His Truth. As I have told you often, this is a battle for the soul of the nation and the souls of the lost masses!!!

In His love and service,

Your friend and brother in Christ,

Bill Keller

LivePrayer.com

If I can help you in any way you can contact me through my personal email at:
bkeller@liveprayer.com

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***ARE YOU 100% CERTAIN WHERE YOU WILL SPEND ETERNITY? ***

The fact is you will die one day. At that moment, you will either spend eternity with the Lord or be cast into everlasting darkness forever separated from God your creator.
To know for certain you will be forever with Jesus, go to:
http://www.liveprayer.com/bdy_salvatn.cfm