(Editor's Note: In our New & Views column we quote from many different sources. Please understand that this does not necessarily mean that we approve of all of the publications from which we quote. We will give the name of the source in the first quote and thereafter we will give the abbreviation of that name.)

U.S. Supreme Court & The Ten Commandments-The U.S. Supreme Court, the highest court in our land, has a unique association with the Ten Commandments. Depictions of the Ten Commandments appear in marble behind the justices at the court. In addition, friezes at the pinnacle of the U.S. Supreme Court building maintain the biblical figures of Moses (holding tablets representing the Ten Commandments) and Solomon. Plus, oak doors separating the courtroom from the central hallway of the Supreme Court building maintain a representation of tablets bearing the Roman numerals one through ten, although the Ten Commandments are not written out. It is readily apparent that the U.S. Supreme Court bears obvious reverence for the Ten Commandments' impact on American law and justice. (Baptist Press,11/22/02)

More On The Ten Commandments-Lynchburg, Va. (BP)-Judge Roy Moore, chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, has vowed to fight a federal court order instructing him to remove the Ten Commandments monument he placed at the state judicial building in July of last year. While anti- religion leftists and civil libertarians are attempting to portray his actions as an illegitimate quest to force religion into the public square, Judge Moore is simply conducting himself in the spirit of our founding fathers who boldly called on the God of the Bible to influence their actions. (BP, 11/22/02)

Church Boring?-New Life Church in Mangum (OK) has just the thing for you. On Saturday 10/5/02 they invited the public church goers, wearied with the humdrum of church attendance to meet with them. Their ad read: "Try us! Live band-drama-human video-door prizes-good times-and more." How much more could you have in one Saturday afternoon? Sounds like they are inviting the same group Malachi was speaking to in 1:13: "Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the LORD." What a lame, sick offering of worship this ad relates to. Neither will God accept this at their hands. I didn't attend.(W. W. Mosley, hereafter WWM)

Blessing Of The Animals-This year's St. Francis of Assisi's birthday, patron saint of animals(?), was a sight to behold was on the lawn of First United Methodist Church, Snyder (OK). The church recently "sponsored a service called `Blessing of the Animals.'" (Kiowa County Democrat, 11/14/02) At least five parishioners are named and four pictured holding their animals as "Rev. Nancy Adlier, pastor of the church" blessed cats and dogs of all sizes. The animals were brought to "the front lawn to be blessed." "Pastor Nancy," obviously serious in what she is doing, is shown holding a small puppy dog near her face, receiving an apparent blessing. This small town must have the most holy dogs and cats in the state. Is this what the Wesley brothers had in mind? Maybe this scripture was in mind when the lawn was determined to be the area for this "service." At least it would keep them out of the sanctuary. (Deut. 23:18) "Thou shalt not bring the hire of a whore, or the price of a dog, into the house of the LORD thy God for any vow: for even both these are abomination unto the LORD thy God." -WWM

Education Or Pornography?-Parents can never be sure what their young people will discover when sent off to receive higher education. Indiana Univ. officials are somewhat concerned that a "film crew from Shane Enterprises in Van Nuys, CA, used several students in taping during a visit to IU in early October for `Shane's World No. 32: Campus Invasion.'" (CNN.com News, 11/22/02) The product of this visit to IU campus is a pornographic movie of students. This is higher education? "An adult video store in the school's hometown said it's already getting calls for the movie even though the film has not yet been released. ...we are already getting 20 to 25 calls a day asking about it." The callers will have to wait because IU "officials said they will review (the) pornographic movie shot on campus..." before making the decision on what to do. Why not just say, "NO"? For decades concerned parents have battled the forces that be to keep undesirable films on sex education from being viewed by their children in public schools. Don't be surprised if films such as this will be used to educate our youth on sexual behavior. Evil communications still corrupt good manners, and many are void of any knowledge of God. (1 Cor. 15:33,34)-WWM

News Is Bias On Homosexuality-In Chicago, a homosexual teenager is accused of murdering a Roman Catholic woman who tried to convince him to change his lifestyle. A conservative group believes the crime was motivated by hatred of religion, and it wonders why this murder isn't getting the same kind of national attention heaped on the Matthew Shepard case. "If a gay man had been murdered for trying to convince someone to be gay, it would be a national news story and be deemed a hate crime," said Peter LaBarbera of the Culture and Family Institute. "But when a gay man murders a woman who tried to convince him to change, the media spike the story." The Culture and Family Institute says 51-year-old Mary Stachowicz "was murdered for sharing her Catholic beliefs," and the group says it will closely follow the case against 19-year-old Nicholas Gutierrez. "This case tragically displays the intense hatred for Christianity that exists among some in the homosexual community," said LaBarbera. (CNSNews.com, 11/26/02)

862,000 Abortions in 1999-Abortion is a political hot potato, and while the arguments rage, the number of abortions reported to the federal government is falling, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC said 862,000 abortions were reported in 1999, down 2.5 percent from the 884,273 in 1998. The CDC said the number of abortions reported has steadily declined since 1991, but pro-life groups say the numbers represent babies killed - and those numbers are way too high, they say. The government calculates that 17 out of every one-thousand women have abortions. (CNSNews.com, 12/4/02)

President Blamed For Death of Poor Women/Children-NY congresswoman Carolyn Maloney "took aim at Pres. Bush, accusing him of playing `abortion politics' at the expense of developing nations." (CNSNews, 12/4/02) The President's administration decided in July to withhold the U.S. contribution of $34 million from United Nations Population Fund. Much of this would have been used to abort untold numbers of babies. How does the congresswoman rationalize such claims. She wants funding to kill babies and Pres. Bush is against abortion. She calls this a "misguided decision (that) will cost thousands of women and children's lives." This Rep. from NY is fully as misguiding and misguided as the popular senator from NY.-WWM

Jesus Was Pro-Abortion???-Rev.(?) Mark Bigelow, pastor of the Congregational Church of Huntington in Centerport, N.Y. claims that Jesus Christ supported abortion. (CNSNews, 12/4/02) Bigelow serves as a member of the Clergy Advisory Board for the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. Just what place in the Bible Mr. Bigelow gets this warped impression is not stated. Such constituents with this mentality got Hillary Clinton her senatorial position. I'm happy that I personally know some Baptist folks in New York that disagree vehemently with Mr. Bigelow, Sen. Clinton, along with Rep. Carolyn Maloney. Jesus did say, "Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven," and every little murdered baby is certainly a part of the kingdom of heaven. However it does take spiritual discernment to see this truth which I fear is woefully lacking in these three. (1 Cor. 2:14) -WWM

Planned Parenthood's Conniving Schemes-"At least one affiliate of the nation's largest abortion provider is using taxpayer dollars to recruit new customers, according to documents obtained by CNSNews.com Monday. Planned Parenthood of North Central Ohio applied for and received a $5,145 grant from the Morrow County, Ohio, Job and Family Services Agency's `Wellness Program Committee' for the 2002-2003 fiscal year. The committee administers taxpayer funded grants including those from the federal/state Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program. The abortion and contraceptive seller plans to use the money to pay eight `teen outreach workers' to recruit new customers from among their peers. Planned Parenthood makes no money from getting teens to be abstinent. If they can get the kids on birth control, then they start making money" (CNSNews, 12/3/02) Sex education promotional films in public schools were and are primarily introduced by PP. The primary opposition to such programs through the years are concerned Christian parents. The devil always comes up with new gimmicks to get his program before young minds. Such education doesn't teach how to control fleshly desires. Only the Bible gives that information. -WWM

Homosexual Billboard Campaign Planned for OKC-The board of directors for Cimarron Alliance Group are currently working with a billboard printing company out of Dallas in designing a new billboard campaign in various Oklahoma City locations. (The Report, Aug. 2002) The CAG are calling their new campaign, "What Are You Afraid Of?" It seems the gay/lesbian alliances in America think the only thing holding them back is the few of them that are afraid to "come out." The only real method of "coming out" of homosexuality is through Jesus Christ. That can be accomplished through repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Of course then there would be no one to carry the banners in gay pride week or to carry out the billboard campaign in 2003.-WWM

Religious Crusade or Rock Concert?-Tuesday evening, 12/3/02, ABC aired the Billy Graham Crusade held in Cincinnati, OH. Although I did not listen to the entire program I did see enough to learn it appeared more like a rock concert than a religious crusade. It opened with the Bill Gaither vocal band, one long haired, one casual look, one in between, and Gaither with suit and tie. The sound was typical to stir the flesh. Although my attention was not captivated enough to wait for all the musical intros, I did occasionally tune in to see how far along in the program it would be before there were lyrics I could understand. Much like all rock concerts the band became more accelerated in noise and appearance as time passed. Had someone tuned in during the last band I saw, there would be no doubt as to it being a rock concert. Blue lighted background, long necked guitars, stringy haired swaying pluckers, with noise abounding. The stadium was packed, but all the cameras were focused on young people swaying to the sound of worldly music. There was no doubt the smiles on their faces and the swaying of their bodies were less than a Holy Spirit movement. It is too bad that "America's Chaplain" has stooped to such worldly entertainment to keep the arenas crammed. If this is what America thinks is true religion and undefiled it is little wonder that Billy Graham would say the Islamic religion is peaceful. -WWM

Raw Political Correctness-Pres. Bush has once again visited the Islamic Center of Washington. This is the second time since 9/11. (Washington Post, 12/6/02) The article stated that the President said at the center, "Islam brings hope and comfort to more than a billion people worldwide." If this is to publicize political correctness some things need to be considered. Nothing was reported in his speech that there were thousands who have lost all hope of their lives being the same because of the Islamic religion. Christians were killed in Indonesia and many other parts of the world by Muslims. How can anyone ignore the fact that it was Muslims who piloted the planes that bombed the WTT and the Pentagon. There is strong speculation that another was headed for the White House where the President resides. Christians are not killing Muslims . . .Muslims are killing Christians! It would have been better if the President had remained in the White House for the Bible study his staffers engage in. The studies are voluntary and are meant to embrace the President's emphasis on faith. (USA Today, 10/14/02) Maybe this scripture would make a good study. "If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?" (Jer. 12:5) America needs to wake up to the fact that the Jordan is out of bank now.-WWM

Proper Post Office Posters-A couple of years ago, Frank Williamson donated posters featuring our national motto, "In God We Trust," to USPS offices in Texas. Soon after they went up, postmasters ordered them down. Williamson took his objection to Congress, and stayed on the case. This week we learned that all 38,000 post offices will be displaying a framed copy of a stamp poster depicting the national motto above the Statue of Liberty, and it will be distributed to every post office in the country. Congratulations, Mr. Williamson! (Federalist, 12/9/02)

Right vs. Wrong-"When people feel uncertain, they'd rather have somebody strong and wrong than somebody that is weak and right."Bill Clinton (Time Magazine Online, 12/9/02) The Sodomites were strong enough to break down the door to Lot's house. They were also wrong . . . they lost the battle. The builders of Babel listened to flamboyant Nimrod and became so confused they had to leave town. Those who fall for the mentality of such leadership are sure to fall to a contemptible end. It is far better to follow the power of God Who has all power and is always right. David's song in 2 Sam. 22 is the proper motto: vs. 33 "God is my strength and power: And he maketh my way perfect." This is strengthened by Abraham's words in Gen. 18:25. "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" This is where the people of uncertainties can find guidance. -WWM

Would A Nation Worshiping Allah Permit This?-The U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals recently ruled that an atheistic, illegitimate father had a right to sue the school system where his daughter attended for reciting "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance. (BP, 12/6/02) Judges Alfred Goodwin and Stephen Reinhardt considered in reciting the pledge "they present a message by the state endorsing not just religion generally, but a monotheistic religion organized `under God'." Yet the same judges would consider the study of the Islamic religion and Muslim traditions enlightening to young American minds. The Senate approved a resolution affirming the pledge by a 99-0 vote and the House of Rep. passed a similar measure by a 401-5 vote. Sandra Banning, the school girl's mother has sole custody of her daughter, and they are members of an evangelical church in Elk Grove, CA. The 9th Circuit panel "ruled the father's loss of custody rights did not strip him of `all of his parental rights.'" If this father brought similar charges against the Islamic Allah in a predominately Muslim country he would be executed. The couple who brought this little girl to life were never married. We are witnessing strange things today. Illegitimacy is commonly accepted; dismissing God from school protects the children; praising dangerous false religion is politically correct; religious and national ecumenicity is a must if we are to survive. How can anyone say "God bless America" with such scandalous beliefs governing our nation? If any people are to continue they must hold to this position: "I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever." (Psalm 145:1) -WWM

Pro-homosexuals Speak At Baptist College-William Jewell College, a Missouri Baptist Convention institute has pro-homosexual speakers. U.S. Senator Jean Carnahan, one of two Southern Baptist senators to be defeated in the 2002 elections, was the school's 2002 commencement speaker. During her campaign, Carnahan, a Democrat, was noted as a pro-choice and pro-homosexual candidate. Paul Duke, a key spokesman for the pro-homosexual faction within the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, delivered the school's 2002 baccalaureate address. (BP, 12/6/02) Maybe this is one of the reason there is a series of pro-homosexual activities on this Baptist campus. The latest being an addition to their anti-discrimination policies to include sexual orientation. Even the systems of higher education cannot rescind the policies established by the God of heaven. Sin still looks like sin even through the white-wash political correctness. Pray for ana-Baptist conviction that chooses death before compromise. -WWM

Respect For Islam, Murder For Christians-Early in the morning of 12/30/02 three hospital workers were killed and another wounded. This was an attack on a Baptist Hospital in Yemen. This is becoming common in a country where Christianity is despised, and Islam is practiced. Members of the Islam religion piloted planes that initiated the 9/11 attack on American soil that killed thousands. Immediately these men were proclaimed to be "fundamentalist Muslims." Why is it that "fundamentalist Muslims" are only found in foreign countries unless they are sent to America to do damage? Leaders from the president to Billy Graham have declared Islam a "peaceful religion." So while Americans are murdered, and liberals are defending Islam rights, the Islam religion enjoys the protection of America. Cal Thomas, syndicated columnist, hits the nail squarely on the head when he questions why we are "tiptoeing around Islam" while our troops are in harms way on their soil. He is right that Muslims can practice their faith freely and openly in the U.S. They are not bothered when they convert someone to their faith. Certainly no one shoots up their meeting place or schools. No shots are fired on their holy days, yet they have no qualms about blowing up Israeli citizens during Jewish holidays. The murder of Baptist workers mention above will one day happen on American soil if we keep "tiptoeing around Islam" as Mr. Thomas has said. -WWM

Catholic Nuns Victimized Along With Youth-According to the Dallas Morning News, 1/7/03, "40% of Catholic nuns have suffered sexual trauma" according to a survey. The Catholic Church is facing another dilemma on how to help thousands of nuns who say they have "been sexually victimized. A national survey, completed in 1996 but intentionally never publicized, estimates that a minimum of 34,000 Catholic nuns in the U.S., have suffered some form of sexual trauma." So much for celibate priesthood. The Catholic church officials have never read, or do not heed, Paul's advice: "But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn." (1 Cor. 7:9). Self restraint, if taught, seems to low on the requirement to be a Catholic priest. -WWM

What Are Evolutionists Afraid Of?-Most bills pertaining to evolution are not to ban it but only to allow for the inclusion of the scientific evidence for creation along with evolution. But evolutionism leaders are so fearful of allowing even a hint of creation or theism into the public schools. They are supremely confident (so they say) that science proves evolution. So if so, any classroom discussion of the pros and cons should always result in firming up students' faith in evolution so what are they afraid of? (12/02 ICR) Evolution is scientism (not true science) and has no place in public schools, except as an atheistic philosophy. (Calvary Contender, hereafter CC.)

Scholastic Withdraws Anti-Biblical Book From Christian Marketing-Scholastic, Inc. will no longer distribute a book list to Christian schools containing the book "Conversations with God for Teens" by Neale Walsch. Walsch purports to answer various questions from kids using the "voice of God." For example, when a girl asks why she is a lesbian, his answer is that she was born that way due to genetics. Another girl asked if cheating in class was wrong. Scholastic's "God" responded: "There is no such thing as `right' and `wrong.'" (5/11 World) New Age and occultic ideas are presented in this best-selling blasphemous book.-CC

Harry Potter Dangers-"Spells, potions, dark arts, psychic writing, magical healing, trance possession, ghostly encounters with the dead." all fit together in the new Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets film, and all enter the viewer's mental bank of occult suggestions. Harry's second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is full of occult thrills (Berit Kjos, 11/25 Chr. News). The 11/22 Friday Church News lists three dangers with Potter. First, he desensitizes our society to the occult, treating it as neutral. Second, Potter promotes curiosity and experimentation with the occult. Third, Potter removes God and moral absolutes. God in his Word strongly condemns occultic practices. For example, in Dt. 18:10-12: "There shalt not be found among you any one that useth divination, or an observer of times or a witch or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard" -CC

New "Hate Crimes" Law-Pastors in Pennsylvania now face a new state law that could mean they will be charged for simply preaching against homosexuality. Rep. Gov. Mark Schweiker signed a law last month giving Pa. what some homosexual groups tout as the broadest-written hate crimes law in the country. The bill states that the phrase "sexual orientation" be included in their Ethnic Intimidation Act. Hate crimes legislation is redundant because there has never been a "love crime" committed. It is dangerous because it puts the thoughts of a criminal on trial, instead of his actions. Recently in Illinois a woman was murdered for sharing the gospel with a homosexual, which infuriated him to the point of murder. ALL crime, whether concerning homosexuality or not, is an act of hatred. This type of legislation is often the first step that many homosexual groups take in getting their agenda heard in schools and getting their behavior protected by government. In a similar vein, the U.S. Supreme Court has also recently agreed to hear a case that would overturn the sodomy laws of several states. (PACE TEAM Report, 12/6) -CC

Cardinal Law Prays With Muslims-On a Sunday in November, Cardinal Bernard Law came to pray. Wearing a gold crucifix and a flowing black robe with red trim, he removed his shoes. Then, as the Muslim imam chanted the sunset prayers, Law knelt with his forehead just inches from the carpet and offered praise to Allah. Law said he felt right at home, participating in the Ramadan service (11/25 Boston Globe). Catholicism and Islam both exceed one billion, nearly all entering their faiths as infants. Law apparently played a major role in the scandalous cover-up where abusive priests were just quietly transferred to other parishes. -CC

Homosexuality May Split Anglicans-George Carey retired Oct. 31 as Archbishop of Canterbury but warns that the 70-million-member Anglican Church is in danger of coming apart over the issue of homosexuality. Rowan Williams will be enthroned as Carey's successor in February. He has acknowledged ordaining a practicing homosexual, so evangelicals fear liberals will have a field day (11/23 World). But Williams says he probably won't do it again (12/7 H. Times). But he sees no theological objection to women bishops. -CC

LCMS Pastor Donald Prange Joins Liberal UCC-Rev. Donald Prange-charged by Christian News editor Herman Otten with denying the deity of Christ and other cardinal doctrines-has joined the apostate United Church of Christ (11/18 CN). The UCC was the first major denomination to officially ordain homosexuals. Prange has said that "Homosexuality is as normal and natural as the earth revolving around the sun." He supports evolution and the ordination of women to the ministry. He is also charged with maintaining that the Bible does not contain absolute truth and denying that Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven.-CC

Pope To Pursue Dialogue With Lutherans-Pope John Paul II has received a group of Norwegian Lutherans at a Vatican audience and pledged to pursue ecumenical dialogue aimed at achieving "full visible unity" between Catholics and Lutherans (11/25 Chr. News). The CN editor observed: "Liberal Lutherans, who reject the scriptural doctrine of justification by faith alone in Jesus Christ, and who maintain that [He] is not the only way to heaven might as well unite under some form of the papacy." -CC

NCC Leaders Attack Falwell, Defend Muhammad-The left-wing National Council of Churches' executive board issued a special resolution against Jerry Falwell's "hateful and destructive comments" in calling Muhammad a terrorist. The NCC was echoing criticism coming from Islamic clerics (12/2 Chr. News). Falwell apologized, but the hypocrisy of the NCC is clearly revealed, in that they do not lash out this way against blasphemers of Christianity. Christians are deprived of their freedoms, and severely persecuted, in Islamic societies.-CC

Franklin Graham Speaks Frankly On Islam-Franklin Graham has called Islam "a very evil and wicked religion," and criticized its intolerance (12/7 World). He should know he's made about 70 visits to the Muslim world from Saudi Arabia to Indonesia. He heads up Samaritan's Purse, a humanitarian relief organization. He's built hospitals in Sudan and schools in Afghanistan. He says: "My opinions and views are shaped by years of working and seeing Islam up close." He adds: "There is no religious freedom. I have seen the persecution. It is taught by them, it is in their Koran." -CC