Go To Church – You’ll Live Longer!

The church has always been known as a place of worship and holiness. Known to provide inspiration, peace and hope to its parishioners the church now may offer something else that the world would want, extended life.

A recent study (published last month) showed that attending a weekly worship service could decrease you risk of death by as much as 20% opposed to people who do not. Hey, when you are talking about death 20% is a big deal. Would you willingly participate in a weekly activity that increases your chance of dying by 20%? Smokers please don’t answer that question.

The reality is that the church is one of the oldest established institutions in the world and provides many benefits to the people who attend. The church often draws criticism for taking a stand for morality in an immoral world. Because of this it often finds itself in the unpopular position of standing for what is right and regarding the Word of God above all else including the pressure from a secular society to conform to the patterns and standards set by man instead of those ordained by God.

The church has survived all these years under such scrutiny and is only growing stronger. Now there is yet another reason to be involved in the church. Eternal life is great and all but this life is pretty good as well. Who wouldn’t want to prolong it a little while?

By KC Williams who teaches AP Government at Santa Fe High School :

In one of Mr. Williams' classes, they were discussing the qualifications to be president of the United States . It was pretty simple - the candidate must be a natural born citizen of at least 35 years of age. However, one girl in the class immediately started in on how unfair the requirement was to be a natural born citizen. In short, her opinion was that this requirement prevented many capable individuals from becoming president.

Mr. Williams and the class were just taking it in and letting her rant, but everyone's jaw hit the floor when she wrapped up her argument by stating, "What makes a natural born citizen any more qualified to lead this country than one born by C-section?"

If only that were the only issue.....

That a fun blog note with double meaning might be humorous and interesting to ponder....

"CHANGE"....Really?

Over the last several days I have had thought after thought for a new post. I have come to rest on this one. Short as it may be....as I am wondering where this puts us.

Obama related individuals in our Government have attempted to sell a Senate Seat. Wait, um, um let me, um, uhh well correct, uhh, that, see really; um well actually, uhh, Obama, uhh, never really, well didn't ever, uhh, talk with anyone, um - at all? - about his, uh Senate Seat. Uhh, am I dumb? Did I fall off the turnip truck yesterday? Seriously, I am supposed to believe that Obama and his team have not spoken to anyone at any time about the seat? That is the one thing any Senator would do - why lie about that? Why not just come out and say it?

The question then would be, "did you (Obama) have any involvement in the auctioning of the seat?" You see, he is not even the President yet - what and how will he be as President? Worse yet, what if this gets to the size of Watergate and he is "out the door?" Biden....Pelosi....Clinton (Secretary of State)....

When will this guy have to face the music - the tough questions and coherently answer them? Ever? Get this, his 'insertion teams' learned of the crime spree and shut down the hunt before authorities could actually nab the full crew of perpetrators. The Governor of Illinois is taking the full fall and others are seemingly going to be off the hook....even rewarded.

I am frustrated with this article....really, it is a rant. It is one thing to "have a dream" and achieve it....and a whole other deal cheating to get there. Is this the "change" everyone voted for?

Other thoughts for the week:
50% GPA gets you there! Ever thought you could go to school and just do a 'bit' and you could pass? Read this and you will be amazed. Follow-up with this hyperlink and comment by Rush.

Way to go Senate - you stopped bad law and another bail-out! But can we resist the urge to follow President Bush, the liberals, Pres-elect and the Democratically lead House...and Barney.... to tap into the TARP money? Call your Senators and reps now - every day and deluge them with calls! Or, the bailout snowball will surely be upon us and our GRANDCHILDREN!

CAPITAL WELCOME CENTER OMITS GOD

If you have ever been to Washington, DC and viewed the Capital, Mt. Vernon, and all the monuments in the DC dedicated to strong leaders in our Nation's founding, one thing you cannot avoid is God. He is present everywhere...and if not Him, an allusion to Him. The Washington Monument, heavily decorated with such items and capped off with "Laos Deo" on the east side. Learn more about the capstone and the religious intents by the creator Pierre Charles L'Enfante.

Recently, we toured the DC. The religious history of this nation and the faith of our fathers is amazing. Thus, it is disturbing when the new welcome center at the capital has so blatantly avoided or secluded any indications of faith. It is as if to say "forget faith, that was then." Rather the DC center highlights "amazing actions" performed or notable moments in the nations history. Going to the moon, Louis and Clarke trip's funding, etc. As if to say: "don't worry the government is here to help." Read the transcript of Sen. DeMint of S. Carolina recount his frustrations about these things by clicking here.

Such a shame. I realize that the men of our founding would likely be embarrassed and even appalled at the money spent to immortalize them, but I believe they would be humbled at the tribute their monuments each pay to the benevolent Creator who had (and should have) a prominent hand in our country's history. I can guaran-dog-tee you that the Founders had no intention on creating a Welfare state. They would not be supporting the bailouts. They would be behind faith-based initiatives. Normally, my blog portion is on politics....this was unavoidable, as it is another step to remove God from the fibers of our being.

Side note: I am not sure I like Sen. Harry Reid's comment about the overdue need for the welcome center, in relation to the hot summers: "You could literally smell the tourists coming to the Capital." Almost insulting...as if to say, "In our high offices, set apart from the real world, the stench of the common ignorants could be smelled - hopefully, this new center will keep the beasty folk from interrupting us." Just another reason he and those like him, should be voted out: they do not have representation on their minds!

GEORGIA ON MY MIND!

Three cheers for the Great State of GEORGIA! HIP-HIP-HOORAY x3!

I tell you what, with the madness happening in Minnesota (what's up with the peoples there?), the State of Georgia really pulled it through for the Nation!

In case you were oblivious to the fact that Georgia was in a runoff vote for one of their Senate Seats, let me just tell you that we - AMERICA - was nearly in a very scary situation! Had Georgia not voted for Republican Saxby Chambliss, the Democrats would have had a filibuster proof Senate. That means: DEMOCRATS WOULD HAVE THE RUN ABOUT IN THE SENATE...NO QUESTIONS ASKED. Nothing would have stopped them.

Further, in case you have forgotten your basic government, filibuster-proof Senate would nearly eliminate the checks and balance system of our government. I realize that is a huge statement, but that is basically what would have happened.

With a majority in the House and a Democratic President, this would have meant the desires of nearly half the nation - and I would argue that even some of those who voted for Obama would tip the scale to nearly two-thirds our nation - would be ignored for the far left agenda.

I called friends and family in Georgia and made sure that they and their friends had gotten out to vote. Who knows if there was any bearing on the outcome because of it - but I like to think it was a small part.

Call the Governor's office in Alaska at (907) 465-3500 or to the website and send an email at http://www.gov.state.ak.us/govmail.php and thank Sarah Palin for being a huge part of pushing for the Republican vote!

WAY TO GO GEORGIA!

Now, we need to hit the election boards of Minnesota and tell them to get their acts in gear, stop cheating and fixing the ballots....or "finding new ones"(1) and set a credible result now! BETTER YET - TO AMERICA THE JUSTICE OF A RUNOFF VOTE!

One would think that in 2008, we would be technologically advanced enough to not even begin to think about ballot issues....this is something third world countries do - not us....oh...yeah...that is what the left wing wants us to be.......

Point/Counterpoint – Auto Makers Bailout

While Washington is considering a bailout plan for the American automakers a large portion of the American population is standing against it. It is time to start holding those who make poor financial decisions accountable. America is already in recession and while we are looking for financial relief the government just shouldn’t be the answer.

Part of the problem for the auto makers is that the inmates run the asylum. The United Auto Workers Union is so strong that the auto makers literally can’t cut their overhead by laying people off and shutting down plants. This forces the companies to spend money that they don’t have and now they and the union need to lay down in the bed that they’ve made.

Barney Frank (D-Mass.) is trying to be the savior for the auto makers by presenting a $25-billion auto industry bailout plan.

"A collapse of the American automobile industry would be the worst possible thing that could happen at a time when we are already weakened," Frank told reporters two weeks ago.

"We're not asking the taxpayers to throw good money after bad," Frank said. There will be "protections about getting it repaid," he said. "The consequences of not doing it will be worse." Frank did not divulge details of the bill.

Spending tax payer money won’t change the problem with the auto industry because it is a twofold issue of poor budgeting and a sense of entitlement by the members of UAW. Almost immediately after Frank made his proposal UAW President Ron Gettelfinger urged Congress to act immediately to provide a separate, additional $25 billion in loans so auto companies can meet their health care obligations to more than 780,000 retirees and dependents.

Giving candy to a screaming toddler doesn’t solve the problem of having a spoiled child it only makes the problems worse. Like most Americans my health insurance went up this year beyond what I could afford. Instead of lobbying for someone to pay it for me I decided to go to a less expensive plan. That is beneath the people of UAW and a government bailout won’t change that.

As to who is ultimately at blame for the financial crisis of the auto industry Captain America and I are divided. I ultimately blame the companies and he says that the blame rests on the shoulders of the union.

Dolphinfan: I don't fully blame the unions for the financial mess that the auto makers are in. I blame the auto makers for over-spending. The unions were simply trying to create the best deals possible for their members in terms of benifits and salary. Don't blame them for serving the purpose for which they were created.

Captain America: The Unions have and have had their place in history...maybe even in the future. Let me just steer clear of the extremities of history and the fact that labor unions have socialism in their DNA.(1) Their influence in our time can be most clearly seen in the cleaning up of the work place.. During the Great Depression unemployment rates were at 25%, wages below acceptability (due to applicant to job ratios), and management out of control and "brutal."(1) Unions ultimately brought the work place into control and became the voice of the employed. In short, this is and can still be good.

Today however, Unions have pushed the envelope beyond reasonable relationship negotiations to full-out greed. Allow me to illustrate. It is amazing the info that can be found with simply google words like: auto union benefits. Very generally speaking the auto unions have amassed a large benefits package for its employees. Benefits are great and need to be preset, but among total retiree benefits (large sums) and very desirable working benefits, the unions have even negotiated what is known as "job banks." This allows "laid off" or "misplaced" workers to sit and wait for a job and keep 95% of their wages.

In 2003, I was laid off from a national event planning corporation. I received unemployment....which means a small government funded portion of my former employment. I think you see why this job-bank benefit is on the chopping block in order for a bailout to happen.

But, why I said in paragraph one that I would avoid the 'socialist' seed in union formation, I found that it is very alive today. You may read the full article, but what really made me read closer and reread a paragraph was the following:

"The prostration and complicity of the UAW are a testament to the utter failure of so-called labor organizations that base themselves on the defense of American capitalism and opposition to socialist policies... Their labor...created the vast wealth that was monopolized and squandered by the corporate heads and the American financial elite.

"They should oppose the bailout schemes being worked out between Obama, the Bush administration, the Democratic Congress and the UAW and prepare for mass strike action to defend their jobs and living standards. This should become the starting point for a political struggle to mobilize the entire working class against Wall Street and both of its parties and to fight for a socialist policy based on the nationalization of the auto industry and its transfer to public ownership under the democratic control of the working population. (bold added)

...Above all, this means joining the Socialist Equality Party and building it as the mass political party of the working class." (2)

THIS BLOWS MY MIND! I am glad you voiced this thought, because my support research really brought some good info to light. Further, Freep.com writer, Tom Walsh, states in paraphrase: "we (Americans) should 'ignor the booing' and champion these bailouts." (3)
No way! I simply cannot imagine this Great Country as a Socialist entity....but it is sadly riding that train! I speak out against Tom Walsh and the Socialist party.

Socialism is the reason we are in this mess:
1) Welfare out of control: illegals receive free medical in our country; sexual irresponsibility is rewarded with government stipends (WIC);
2) Devalued Education: school systems teach to the lowest common denominator causing other countries to excel and our kids to loose education interest;
3) Bad Loans: in the last 10-15 yrs those that cannot afford homes were allowed to obtain mortgages that are now recognized as 'junk, trash, or otherwise undervalued;'
4) Medicare/medications are out of control
5) Big Government: new government entities, pork spending and overall governmental growth
And now, bailouts. We are growing the 700 billion to phenomenal proportions (4) and the unions are just a part of the mechanism charging us full speed to destruction.

I do not blame the employees - except those that may be on the bandwagon to greed - rather I empathize with them regarding fear of unemployment. But I ask this question: "Is it fair for all Americans to pay for their excessive employment benefits and salaries?" When unemployment is slowly rising across America, what is next? Fast food bailouts, Wal-Mart bailout?

Americans need to wake up, get their head out of the sand or our collective rear and realize we cannot fund every financial mishap. Hey, I have debt. My wife owns a Tea Room - we don't make much and have start up debt....should we ask for a bailout?

Dolphinfan: OK – But isn't the fault ultimately at the feet of the auto manufacturers for allowing the union to bully their way in? Economic responsibility should be on the one's paying the bills and not actually on the ones doing the billing. All across the country you read and hear about layoffs due to this "non-recession" we are having. Why can't Ford and GM just layoff part of their workforce and call the union's bluff. If the money isn't there it isn't there. If I were to spend more money than what is in my checking account then the bank is coming after me and not the people I wrote the checks to.

Captain America: Excellent point and really at rock bottom deduction, should be the conclusion that one would come to. My checkbook is not bottomless either!

Why any business owner would allow the bully tactics is beyond me. Ford, GM, Chrysler, the airlines, railways, miners and others that have unions should not allow unreal demands or give into concessions. Thus, it is kinda like the age old question: "Which came first...the chicken or the egg?"

Do the unions have the blame for pushing so hard and threatening not to work? Or does the corporation have the blame for sitting like bumps on a log and just letting the work force run all over them?

At one time, unions had good goals in redefining the work atmosphere, treatment and compensation. Keeping management in check and holding them responsible for good working conditions is still needed. Unbridled power in the hands of management is equally as bad - Enron, Worldcom, airlines, and day to day jobs. So, had they stopped there, all would be good. In my business, if someone threatened me for more benefits and wages and I was already compensating them fairly within the confines of the law....then they'd walk. There is someone else out there that would gladly fill their shoes.

It is the fact that Obama is in bed with these guys and the card check is going to open the market for unions in areas they were previously not able to go. Further, union members ought to highly oppose these card checks. In Vegas, union employees were threatened with their jobs if they did not follow the card check correctly. Manipulation, threats, pressure and intimidation will force employees (union members/prospects) to follow union requirements/choice over what might otherwise be their choice.(1)

In conclusion, I think I would answer your question by saying unions have too much power and have overstepped their functionality and are driving businesses into the ground because of their greed. However, I would say that I love your idea about the auto manufacturers calling their bluff and simply firing them. It should be done in respect to salvaging the industry and putting a halt to unions in general.

(1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transport_Workers_Union_of_America

(2) http://www.wsws.org/articles/2008/nov2008/uawl-n22.shtml

(3) http://www.freep.com/article/20081125/COL06/811250391/1210/BUSINESS

(4) http://www.glennbeck.com/content/articles/article/198/18550/

Proposition 8 Is About Choice Not Religion

What I’m about to say wont win me any popularity contests. I consider myself to be a bible believing Christian. What I mean by this that I reached a point in my life where I not only recognized that there was a Holy God but that I was also living a lifestyle that was not according to His desires. I surrendered my life to his lordship and made a choice to shape my life around the principles of the bible and not try to shape the bible to my life choices. It doesn’t mean by any stretch of the imagination that I am a perfect person but it does mean that I strive to conform to the Word of God on a daily basis and not to the patterns of this world.

With that said I stand against gay and lesbian couples being able to be united in marriage. It isn’t because I hate homosexuals because I really don’t and neither do true bible believing evangelical Christians. It is because it is in direct opposition to what the bible teaches. That isn’t to say that God hates homosexuals either. It just means that some people with a political voice in our society value holiness and use the bible as the standard of that holiness. It isn’t religion but a choice to be Holy.

Lots of things have been done in the name of religion and weren’t holy. The crusades were done in the name of religion. So was the Spanish Inquisition. In Salem witch hunts were conducted in the name of religion and let’s not forget that airplanes struck the Twin Towers and the Pentagon at the hands of religious zealots. However, none of those were acts of Holiness or righteousness and were conducted by worshipers of a God that neither I nor any other evangelical Christian worships.

Proposition 8 was upheld in California not because of hatred or religious zealotry but because people made a choice to stand for holiness. Many will make the argument that the bible promotes bigotry and all stand by it preach hate against those who have chosen alternative lifestyles. That just isn’t true. There is only one standard of holiness and it is unchanging. The bible teaches against lying, adultery and murder as well. How come no one is lining up to stand for the liars, adulterers and murders? Is the bible a book of hate because it speaks out against those things as well or is it just because it teaches against a lifestyle that so many people have chosen to live?

Life is all about choices and in my opinion the state of California made the right one.

"But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15

Tolerance is so Intolerable

Welcome All!
http://purplemountainmajesties.blogspot.com blog site moves! Whew! How cool is this? Religion and Politics together! "Foul! - You can't mix Church and State!" Ah, but we can! ...we will! It is time to that America mixes more religion into its collective life! If you have kept up with the random and sporadic writings of Captian America, then you will be very interested in the content of this site - as dolphinfan will give you loads of credible debate from the religious view of life. We look to have fun!

Anyway - back to the first couple sentences....we have got to move from our tolerance mentality! It is literally gonna kill us! The end result of tolerance is maniacal intolerance. President Bush spoke to the UN (another sour point in life's many oxymorons) recently and supported the drive to tolerance. Problem is, he doesn't think the way the UN does and the UN doesn't think the way he does. He even referenced God.

Tolerance at base level is "acceptance of beliefs and ideologies, traits, personalities, etc." But taken to the extreme...then you have the inability to reference your beliefs as solely true.

All faiths believe that they have some corner on the market of religion. Two of the most commonly mis-quoted and/or emphasize (or demonized) are Christianity (some Protestant and Catholic groups) and Muslim. Though they may be highlighted as "extreme" ... and in some cases are ... just because their beliefs center around God or Allah being the only way to heaven. Christianity further stresses that belief in Jesus is the Only Way to Heaven.

In essence, one is wrong if you do not believe in their fashion ... including whether or not one is attached to their group. Buddhism, Taoism, Satanism - each have their exclusivities too. But they fade in comparison.

I think you see the problem I emphasize. There is no acceptable way to either of these religious entities to back off their beliefs. At which point, their "members" are "intolerant."

In America, our First Amendment Right is the ability to speak freely. The Fairness Doctrine is just one of many steps being sought to hack away at the great wisdom of our Founding Fathers. Americans United against Church and State - is another entity dedicated at de-unifying America and enforces division (at least for Caucasian or Anglo Saxon [loosely used, in a tongue-n-cheek kind of way] churches). The removable of prayer in school (formalized...cause you know that each test/quiz was proceeded by a silent prayer), the removal of the Ten Commandments, the attacks against Christmas Icons and many other instances are slowly removing this basic right from our society.

It is something we must fight. Seperation of Church and State is a myth, legistlated from the courts from outl-of-context debate. That is why our site is called "Church and State." More on this in the future (read the past too!).

So, put your lights out with your Manger Scene, your Hanukkah Candles and the like...fight for your city to put them up. Otherwise, one day you and I may way up with duct tape on our mouths!

More on the subject...semi-fictionally and set a few years in America's future... Read "Sinner" by Ted Dekker

Welcome To Church And State!

However you stumbled across our blog we are glad you are here and hope that you’ll stay awhile. We can’t promise top notch entertainment or gut busting humor but we’ll offer honest opinions and occasional random thoughts on the political state of our nation and the direct or indirect role religion plays in it.

With degrees in religion (applied ministry and biblical studies) and a minor in political science we are two bloggers who often have strong opinions that don’t always match. So settle in, grab a cup of coffee and enjoy reading. Help out with the conversation by leaving your comments below.