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Showing results for tags 'constitution'.
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When can government order churches to stop, legally? What constitutes an emergency? As this pandemic rages, and seems to have become too political, I've had my cynical moments. Church-goers vote the wrong way, so governors and mayors keep the liquor flowing but shut us down! Sadly, I should have had more answers than many. I'm a chaplain. I've lived/breathed RFRA (Religious Freedom Restoration Act) for well over 20 years now. Governments may restrict religious liberties when there is a compelling government interest--such as public safety--such as COVID-19. Indeed, most churches, including my own, have complied. What irks are the inconsistencies. Restrictions must not single out religion. I found the linked article extremely insightful. I am @prisonchaplain and I endorse this message. https://www.christianpost.com/voices/why-are-so-many-states-violating-religious-liberty.html
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I am grateful to God for the freedoms I enjoy and for His hand in establishing the great land I call home. I am grateful to those who fight to preserve our freedoms, and for the brave men who this day in 1776 prepared the Declaration of Independence and declared unequivocally that our rights come from God. I hope and pray our constitution and freedoms will be maintained in the way the Lord intended when established by His power. God bless America!
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- freedom
- independence
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Political secularism, by which I think of groups like the Freedom from Religion Foundation, has billed itself as neutral position, as a defender of the U.S. Constitution's prohibition against government establishing religion. Many school districts, and a fair number of government agencies seem to accept secularism's inherent neutrality as fact. Is it? One Catholic writer, from Crux, argues that: A rabbi in my area, Daniel Lapin, has labeled such groups as "secular fundamentalists." I like that because it distinguishes agnostic/atheists of good will and open-mindedness (who might very well self-identify as 'secular') from those who insist that all religion must be driven out of the public square, and that believers are foolish, at best. THOUGHTS?
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In past presidential elections ideologically-driven party members found themselves frustrated. Do I vote for the moderate, compromising candidate who is likely to win, or do I side with the person who will fight the good fight, tooth and nail? Recently, this struggle faced Republicans, more than Democrats. Both McCain (2008) and Romney (2012) presented as conservatively as they could, but those on the right saw them as weak “go along to get along” politicians. Democrats had the presidency, and while a few liberal activists wished Obama would do even more, very few would accuse him centrism. Conservatives were asked to hold their noses and for “the lesser of two evils.” This year is a different scenario, but with the same dilemma—on both sides of the aisle. Democrats face a choice between Hillary Clinton, perceived as a centrist, with experience, and potential legal problems, on the one hand, and a socialist, promising big government programs, and to "soak the rich," on the other. Republicans appear ready to nominate a populist, who takes “extreme” positions that are left, right and centrist. His fiery, confrontational style has thrown the moderates in his party into a huge struggle. The mantra from both parties’ leadership is the same: vote for the lesser of two evils. If you cannot vote FOR our candidate, then vote AGAINST the opponent. What is different this year is that some Sanders supporters may vote for Donald Trump, if Clinton is nominated. They are not party loyalists, and prefer Trump’s confrontation of the establishment to Clinton’s defense of status quo. Likewise, some Republicans will abstain from voting for President. A few may vote for a third party candidate. Some will even vote for Mrs. Clinton. As a Christian, a minister, and a chaplain, I struggle with this dilemma. Do I vote for the lesser of two evils? Do I abstain because I find all choices morally objectionable? Do I pick a third party candidate, or write in one of the losing candidates, just to make a statement? Thomas Trask, former General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God, recently declared that every Christian should vote. If we do not know who to vote for, he insisted we get on our knees in prayer, and seek God’s wisdom. This is wise counsel. Personally, I’ve determined that I will vote, and I will choose one of the two major party nominees. America’s two-party system works. It generally leaves us with a president who has won a majority support and relatively broad approval. Which one will do the least to undermine society’s virtue? Which one will, at least indirectly, protect religious liberty and public morality? Both candidates have leadership skills, and can garner wise counsel, to rule competently. So, my choice will be based mainly on social issues, and on the candidates’ fidelity to the Constitution—especially the underlying understanding that our rights and freedoms are God-given, and that our laws merely protect what the Almighty has already provided.
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I've been registered on this site since Dec-2008. I've mostly just browsed through some of the discussions, haven't posted until now. I live in Utah, active in the Church. Served a mission in Haiti (2001-2002). I love the gospel. I love studying doctrine. Along with the many great truths within our scriptures, I am grateful for the many teachings of the Lord's prophets that allowed me to understand what the scriptures mean in Ether 8: 18-26 (and specifically the commandment to "awake to a sense of your awful situation"). After learning these things I was inspired to create a website, LatterdayConservative.com: Home*-*LDS Prophets, America, Freedom, Liberty, Constitution, Mormon Politics to provide a resource for people to learn what the Prophets and Apostles have said about America, Freedom and the Constitution, in accordance with Ezra Taft Benson's counsel: "Second, We must learn the principles of the Constitution in the tradition of the Founding Fathers. Have we read the Federalist papers? Are we reading the Constitution and pondering it? Are we aware of its principles? Are we abiding by these principles and teaching them to others? Could we defend the Constitution? Can we recognize when a law is constitutionally unsound? Do we know what the prophets have said about the Constitution and the threats to it? . . .
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- america
- conservative
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