Friday, February 21, 2014
From: Gary L. Bauer
You Read It Here First!
If you’ve been watching Fox News in the past day or so, then you know about the latest controversy involving the left’s efforts to silence its critics by using the Federal Communications Commission to go after the news media.
We reported on this assault on the First Amendment last week. Thankfully, Fox News is now giving the issue extensive exposure.
Here’s an update: The FCC Commissioner who ordered this so-called study of “critical information needs” is Mignon Clyburn, daughter of House Assistant Democratic Leader Rep. James Clyburn of South Carolina.
So just to be clear: the daughter of a leading House Democrat has launched an investigation — a study, of course — to determine whether the media are “meeting the needs of those in varied and vibrant communities of our nation — be they native born, immigrant, disabled, non-English speaking, low-income, or other.”
We already know there is a strong bias in the media — pro-left and anti-right. But we know that is not what is on Ms. Clyburn’s mind.
Eight “critical needs” were identified for this study: civic information, economic opportunities, education, the environment, health and welfare, transportation and political information. Given that government bureaucrats are involved, it’s a safe bet that when it comes to coverage of the environment, they will not be looking to ensure that there is balance between global warming alarmists and skeptics.
And when it comes to meeting the critical information needs of underserved populations, I can safely guarantee that they don’t mean shining a brighter spotlight on persecuted Christians. Instead, they will probably be more concerned about greater coverage of the more than 50 different genders that apparently exist. (And you thought there were only two!)
A few years ago, we were promised a fundamental transformation of American society. It is undeniably happening.
Think of things that have historically defined this country. They were so important to our Founding Fathers that they were included as the first amendments to our Constitution in order to guarantee its adoption and ratification:
The freedom of the press — under assault.
The freedom of religion — under assault. (See next item.)
The right to bear arms — under assault.
The right to be free from unreasonable searches and government intrusion — under assault.
The balance between state and federal government — under assault.
My friends, we are not powerless.
Every one reading this report has friends and family members. Share today’s message with them so they understand what is happening.
Faith Under Fire
The violence against Christians in Nigeria continues. Wednesday night, radical Islamists attacked another village, killing 115 people, burning 1,500 homes and buildings and destroying 400 vehicles.
As violence against Christians increases around the world, attacks on religious liberty are growing here at home.
Earlier this week, I quoted Archbishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia, who believes that our religious liberty is at risk. He also warned, “ the more that government mandates evil actions, the more likely civil disobedience [by men and women of faith] becomes.”
Archbishop Chaput is not alone. A recent survey found that 70% of senior pastors at Protestant churches believe religious liberty in America is in decline. When asked about the state of the culture war in America, 11% of pastors believe it is already lost, while 59% believe Christians are losing.
To say these findings are discouraging would be an understatement. My questions for these pastors would be, “Are you preaching about this threat? Are you preparing your congregations to stand against it?”
But there was some good news in the poll. The same survey asked American adults about their views on these issues and found that 54% of the general public feels that religious liberty is in decline. Moreover, 50% felt that Christians in America are experiencing increasing intolerance, while 39% disagreed. If a majority of the country at least recognizes there is a problem, then there is hope.
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