Walt Heyer lived as a woman for eight years. He lived with childhood trauma that caused him to believe he was born in the wrong body. This belief drove him to “sex-reassignment” surgery, which permanently scarred his body. It drove him to part ways with many family members and friends and to take on the identity of a woman named “Laura.”
(Photo courtesy of Same Sex Regret.com)
You could say that Walt knows a thing or two about what it’s like to identify as transgender. He has a website called sexchangeregret.com.
And yet, YouTube took down a Heritage foundation video that Walt Heyer appeared in, saying that his message was demeaning to people who identify as transgender.
On the panel, Walt described his experience struggling with his identity and attempting to live as the opposite sex. He described how, when he was a child, his grandmother would dress him in girls’ clothing. This, compounded by sexual abuse, caused Walt to believe he was born in the wrong body.
Because of this deeply painful experience, Walt shared an important message: Putting children with gender dysphoria on the path to hormones, puberty blockers, and even life-altering surgery is dangerous. As he said:
“I stand before you with a mutilated body, with a life that was destroyed in many ways, redeemed by Christ certainly, but destroyed because I was affirmed and told how cute I look, how wonderful it was. And I went to a gender therapist who said, ‘All you need to do is have hormones and reassignment surgery.’
Walt Heyer Former transgender
“I stand before you with a mutilated body, with a life that was destroyed in many ways, redeemed by Christ certainly, but destroyed because I was affirmed and told how cute I look, how wonderful it was. And I went to a gender therapist who said, ‘All you need to do is have hormones and reassignment surgery.’
According to the Federalist, YouTube said Walt’s words violated their hate speech policy, which “prohibits videos which assert that someone’s sexuality or gender identity is a disease or mental illness.” YouTube also said that Walt Heyer’s view that people are “not born transgender” was unacceptable for its platform.
For these reasons, YouTube took down the video.
This is censorship plain and simple. YouTube promises to be a place where people can share their views, while actively preventing Walt from sharing his story. But Walt’s experience is valid and worth sharing. If YouTube genuinely wants to be a marketplace of ideas, then it should not censor views it doesn’t like.
But it goes beyond that. Protecting dissent is a uniquely American tradition. As the U.S. Supreme Court has said, the “freedom to differ is not limited to things that do not matter much. That would be a mere shadow of freedom. The test of its substance is the right to differ as to things that touch the heart of the existing order.”
An honest and open conversation on gender dysphoria and transgenderism is greatly needed in our society today. But this won’t happen if platforms like YouTube continue to censor people like Walt just because they hold a particular view.
Maureen Collins is a Web Writer at Alliance Defending Freedom. Maureen has a passion for writing, and her work has appeared on The Federalist and MRCTV.org. Before joining ADF, Maureen worked in conservative think tanks including The Federalist Society and The Heritage Foundation.
MANSFIELD — As many are trying to make sense of dramatic world events rapidly occurring, one popular visitor destination in the Buckeye Bible Belt is re-opening its doors and making an expansion of ‘Biblical proportions.’
After temporarily closing its doors during the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown, BibleWalk has announced it is unveiling its newest tour, entitled “The Kingdom of God.” This latest exhibit tour joins five other tours at the attraction, which annually attracts forty-thousand visitors and is Ohio’s only life-size wax museum.
BibleWalk marquee (Photo courtesy of Joji Abraham)
“The primary message of God’s Word is about a King and His Kingdom,” says Julia Mott-Hardin, Director of BibleWalk. “God once placed man in the Garden of Eden, because of the blood of Jesus the Garden of Eden has now been placed within man – ‘For behold the Kingdom of God is within you.’
Other exhibit tours include: The Life of Christ, Miracles of the Old Testament, The Heart of the Reformation, The Museum of Christian Martyrs and Amazing Grace – The Journeys of Paul.
According to Mott-Hardin, a key message of GOD’s Word is about the King of Kings, His Kingdom, and the restoration of His kingdom to Earth. This thirty minute tour will take an in-depth look involving several scenes with Jesus and Nicodemus, Jesus and Pilate, and the Parable of the Sower.
BibleWalk is a world-renowned life-size wax museum featuring 100 scenes and over 325 wax figures. Each scene is complemented by individual wall murals, authentic costuming and is also underscored by original music and narration. BibleWalk – God’s Word in wax, alive with God’s Holy Spirit.
This new self-guided tour will be at a cost of $5.50 for adults, $5.25 for seniors and $4.25 for students. Due to the financial impact of COVID-19, the museum is pleased to extend a 10% discount on admission prices in addition to free tours for children 10 and under. Normal hours are Wednesday thru Saturday between 10:00am – 4:00pm.
BibleWalk also houses eight one-of-a-kind exhibits: The Walk of Parables, American Votive Folk-Art, Wood-Carvings, Emmanuel Word Pictures, Rare Bible Collection, Christian Art Gallery, Elfred Lee’s painting – The Invitation and three Animated Scenes.
The bird’s eye view of the “Walk of the Parables at BibleWalk (Photo courtesy of Eric Fatka)
BibleWalk will be adding their ninth exhibit in winter of 2020 with over two hundred Bibles in all different languages from around the world.
BibleWalk first opened its doors August 15, 1987. At that time BibleWalk, also known as “The Living Bible Museum,” consisted of museum quality fiberglass figures consisting of 19 scenes. Today, BibleWalk has grown into 100 scenes and over 325 wax figures.
Local clergy at a 2019 “year of the Bible” press conference at BibleWalk Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)
Last year BibleWalk hosted a local clergy press conference where pastors from one hundred-fifty congregations in North Central Ohio declared 2019 as the “Year of the Bible.”
Visit the museum’s Facebook here for further information. View the video link below of BibleWalk Museum.
Ohio state motto at Statehouse Rotunda (Photo courtesy of screenshot)
COLUMBUS — As demonstrators in the Black Lives Matter movement vandalize buildings and landmarks around the nation, two leaders in the Ohio capital are taking heat for their tepid approach to the violence.
For the second time in three weeks, the Ohio Statehouse fell victim to extensive vandalism, as vandals in broad daylight defaced much of the Statehouse grounds including the Ohio State Motto emblem. One Constitutional advocate is not happy and believes the Mayor of Columbus and the Governor of Ohio should show stronger leadership.
Ohio Statehouse in Columbus, Ohio
in 2012, Chris Long, President of the Ohio Christian Alliance (OCA) helped get a Constitutional studies program approved for Ohio classrooms. Long believes the handwriting is on the wall for Judeo-Christian values if elected officials watch and standby.
“This is painful witnessing the defacing of our seat of government. In the one hundred and sixty-three years of the existence of the Ohio Statehouse, this level of vandalism has never occurred. We are a nation of laws, and what is being displayed before the people of Ohio at this time is a breakdown of law and order.”
Chris Long (Photo courtesty of OCA)
Long questions why Democrat Mayor Andrew Ginther is telling police to “stand down” as anarchists pillage the Capital grounds. An audio recording of a 9-1-1 call involving a Columbus Police Department (CPD) dispatch reveals the CPD was aware of the protest but was told to stand down by the Mayor.
Meanwhile, a group of vandals rushed the Statehouse defacing the Capital and memorials with graffiti and red paint. According to the spokesperson for the State Highway Patrol, a criminal investigation was underway, but as of late Friday afternoon no arrests had been made.
House Speaker Larry Householder (R-Glenford) is threatening to cut state funding to the City of Columbus after the incident. The Speaker was also critical of the Republican Governor Mike DeWine for his lack of protection of the Statehouse grounds.
“We are calling on Governor DeWine to take action. It is your duty Mr. Governor, to protect the “People’s House” and seat of our state government. You have at your command two policing authorities: The State Highway Patrol and the Ohio National Guard. As you have often said in your daily press briefings, the buck stops with you. We as people of faith will continue to pray for peace and civility to prevail throughout our state and nation.”
Chris Long Ohio Christian Alliance
In a OCA press release, Long declared, “We are calling on Governor DeWine to take action. It is your duty Mr. Governor, to protect the “People’s House” and seat of our state government. You have at your command two policing authorities: The State Highway Patrol and the Ohio National Guard. As you have often said in your daily press briefings, the buck stops with you. We as people of faith will continue to pray for peace and civility to prevail throughout our state and nation.”
To add insult to injury, Mayor Ginther and officials at Columbus State Community College said they will be removing statues of the explorer Christopher Columbus from the college and other public spaces.
MANSFIELD — Earlier this month, media reported Ohio’s COVID-19 cases had declined and that “it was impossible to say for sure what was contributing to the plateau.” Despite six weeks of reopening the state’s economy, media noted other states were seeing a surge in COVID-19, while Ohio was not. Several area clergy believe this decline in COVID-19 cases was not by random chance.
Pastor Jody Odom praying with Pastor Paul Lintern behind. (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)
“On March 25th, we had clergymen representing one hundred and twenty congregations in North Central Ohio that held a press conference standing in solidarity during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our group proclaimed our trust in Psalm 91 and that ‘only the Most High GOD would be our refuge and fortress delivering us from the perilous pestilence.”
And deliver from the perilous pestilence the LORD has.
The number of weekly COVID-19 cases for the week ending June 8th was the lowest since the second week of April. The number of currently hospitalized patients went from an estimated 1,067 to 513. And the percent of tests returning positive results each day has dropped from 10.7% to 3.2%.
Interestingly, during the zenith of the clergy’s season of prayer and fasting between April 5th- April 16th, state health officials dramatically changed their projections from a peak of ten thousand new cases in Ohio per day to a significantly lower one thousand-six hundred cases. Projected deaths also were dramatically decreased to less than half of originally forecasted.
According to Pastor Lintern, local intercessors continued to meet thru the pandemic for sixty-seven days.
“While other communities may not discuss what happens after their prayers, I believe our faith community is the exception,” says Pastor Jody Odom of Ambassadors for Christ. “We pray and watch what GOD does, and then we thank Him. We believe GOD is still not done yet in Ohio.
Reverend Odom continued, “Our acknowledgement of GOD perpetuates our relationship with Him. Psalm 136 recites key moments in Israel’s history and ends each miraculous event with the refrain: “His love endures forever.” I believe the refrain reminds GOD’s people that their experiences are not just random historical events and that each moment is orchestrated by GOD.”
“Our acknowledgement of GOD perpetuates our relationship with Him. Psalm 136 recites key moments in Israel’s history and ends each miraculous event with the refrain: ‘His love endures forever.’ I believe the refrain reminds GOD’s people that their experiences are not just random historical events and that each moment is orchestrated by GOD.”
Pastor Jody Odom AMbassadors for Christ
Last year during a National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving held by area clergy, both the Mansfield Mayor and Richland County Board of Commissioners publicly acknowledged Divine intervention curtailing the cholera pandemic in August of 1849 after national corporate prayer and fasting. Little did anyone know that the moment would become a precursor for things to come.
Pastor Odom comments, “We always want to thank Almighty GOD for every good and perfect thing in our community because it ultimately comes from GOD. Just like Moses, we need to lift our arms up so that God’s people can prevail over the enemy (COVID-19).”
View the clergy press conference below calling for prayer and fasting during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“So Aaron did as Moses said, and ran into the midst of the assembly. The plague had already started among the people, but Aaron offered the incense and made atonement for them. He stood between the living and the dead, and the plague stopped” Numbers 16:47-48
COLUMBUS — Despite efforts by the ACLU, a student religious freedom measure has crossed the finish line.
This afternoon Governor Mike DeWine signed the Student Religious Liberties Act, HB 164. Sponsored by Rep. Tim Ginter (R-Salem), the bill protects freedom of religious expression and students’ right to pray in public schools.
Rep. Timothy Ginter (Photo courtesy of Ohio Government)
Rep. Ginter pointed out the bill was necessary. “We were seeing increased pressure on our schools from groups biased against Ohio students’ religious freedoms. Many school officials are confused, and frankly intimidated by the threat of litigation from these well-funded groups.”
During committee hearings for the bill, students testified that their high school clubs were being treated differently from secular groups, such as not being included in the school yearbook and not being given the same access to facilities for meetings.
“No student should have to hide their faith just because they enter a public school, says Aaron Baer, President of the Citizens for Community Values. (CCV) “The Student Religious Liberties Act is carefully crafted to ensure school administrators do not unfairly penalize students of all faiths, or even students of no faith.”
The new law clarifies that students can pray, wear religious clothing, meet on school grounds, and express their faith in school, so long as their expressions are not disruptive. The law will also abolish any restrictions on students from engaging in religious expression in completion of homework, artwork or other assignments.
“No student should have to hide their faith just because they enter a public school. The Student Religious Liberties Act is carefully crafted to ensure school administrators do not unfairly penalize students of all faiths, or even students of no faith.”
AARON BAER CITIZENS FOR COMMUNITY VALUES
“The ACLU and atheist organizations may have tried to stop this bill to prevent Christian, Jewish, Muslim and non-religious students from having fundamental protections, Ohio lawmakers stood up for the First Amendment and sent a clear message that the Buckeye State respects the diversity of viewpoints.
“It should not be controversial to stand for religious freedom. That is why we are grateful to Governor Mike DeWine for signing this bill, and to Senate President Larry Obhof and Speaker Larry Householder for giving this essential legislation fair consideration.”
The CCV policy team joined Senate President Larry Obhof as he signed the bill to transmit it to Governor DeWine. (Photo courtesy of CCV)
Rep. Ginter got an “A” for effort in the latest legislation.
Mr. Baer added, “Like many pieces of legislation, it takes a great amount of perseverance to get the job done. Rep. Tim Ginter, the bill’s sponsor, has faithfully pressed this legislation forward for the last three General Assemblies. Through roadblocks and attacks, Rep. Ginter was a steady hand to get this legislation done. Ohio families and students of faith are better protected today because of his steady hand!”
The victory for religious conservatives in Ohio comes off the heels of the Heartbeat Bill which passed last year.
View the video below to learn more about the mission of Citizens for Community Values.
MANSFIELD — City Council will be voting on a draft resolution Tuesday night declaring racism as a public health crisis. The resolution (Bill 123) comes in the wake of the George Floyd murder case that has engulfed the nation in civil unrest. One group not supporting the measure says the resolution falls short in combating the problem of racism and could set the wheels in motion to defunding the police department.
“As a mental health therapist for many years, racism is not and never has been a mental health problem,”says Reverend El Akuchie, Executive Director of the Richland Community Prayer Network (RCPN). “Racism is a spiritual problem of the heart. Racism, prejudice, or bigotry are not listed as mental health conditions in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Currently there is no support for including extreme racism under any diagnostic category.”
RCPN is a Bible-based catalyst ministry that partners with local clergy to bring moral clarity. The group believes the Bill 123 is part of the same movement calling for the defunding of police departments across the nation and will be the likely next step if the measure passes.
Reverend El Akuchie, (pictured on right) with several clergyfor a press conference at city hall. (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)
“Cities across the nation are declaring racism as a public health emergency and then singling police departments out as the culprit,” says the Pastor. “While this may leave law enforcement as the budget casualty, the neighborhoods and businesses will become the real victims.”
The cities of Minneapolis and Boston recently declared public health emergencies and are defunding their police departments. In addition, city school districts in Denver, Portland, and Seattle are terminating ties with their police departments; each declared racism as a public health emergency.
The Prayer Network also says true systematic racism-the targeted abortion of black babies, should be declared as the real public health emergency. Planned Parenthood has been called out with seventy-nine percent of its abortion facilities located in minority neighborhoods. According to the Ohio Department of Health, 8,204 black babies were aborted in 2018.
Reverend Akuchie points out, “Why does one person group (blacks) which represents thirteen percent of Ohio’s population account for forty percent of the state’s abortion number? Bill 123 does not mention this travesty.”
“Bill 123 names racism as the root cause for all these social problems without listing any footnoted references. There are no local examples of racism listed and there is no evidence presented demonstrating a relationship between these issues and racism. How can a governing body positively support a resolution when it leaves more questions than answers?”
Reverend El Akuchie Richland Community Prayer Network
The bill states there is a need to “lift collective voices to improve the lives of people of color living in Mansfield and Richland County, and that racism, not race causes disproportionately high rates of homelessness, incarceration, poor education, health issues, including mental health, and economic hardship for African Americans particularly.”
Reverend Akuchie asks, “Bill 123 names racism as the root cause for all these social problems without listing any footnoted references. There are no local examples of racism listed and there is no evidence presented demonstrating a relationship between these issues and racism. How can a governing body positively support a resolution when it leaves more questions than answers?”
Click on the video below by the American Center for Law and Justice addressing the funding of the police versus Planned Parenthood during the national conversation on systematic racism.
CLEVELAND — A Cleveland Heights pastor provided testimony this week before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee in a hearing on U.S. policing practices and law enforcement accountability.
Reverend Darrell Scott (Photo courtesy of Twitter)
“The prospect of defunding and/or dismantling of police forces across the country is one of the most unwise, irresponsible proposals by American politicians in our nation’s history. It is nothing short of the politicizing of current social events, a reactionary measure that can result in short and long term damage to American society. … The criminal element in and of society would enjoy nothing better than a reduction in police presence and power.”
Pastor Scott cautioned that the absence of law enforcement would potentially trigger a “rise in acts of domestic terrorism, mob rule, neighborhood intimidation and oppression, and vigilante-ism.”
“The prospect of defunding and/or the dismantling of police forces across the country is one of the most unwise, irresponsible proposals by American politicians in our nation’s history. It is nothing short of the politicizing of current social events, a reactionary measure that can result in short and long term damage to American society. The criminal element in and of society would enjoy nothing better than a reduction in police presence and power.”
Reverend Scott shared that he has been racially profiled by police, has given the “talk” to his grandson on how to properly behave when pulled over by police, and how he was “roughed up” at age 13 by police in his first personal encounter with law enforcement.
“I could have easily been George Floyd,” said the pastor. “However, I do not recommend throwing the baby out with the bathwater by labeling all police officers as bad cops simply because of the bad actions of a rogue segment of those whose job is supposed to protect and serve American citizens.”
Reverend Scott called Cleveland, Ohio a “prime example” of the failure of police defunding when in 2004 the City of Cleveland slashed its budget for its police force by 31% and laid off hundreds of officers.
“Two hundred and eighty-five police officers were laid off in 2004. Law enforcement divisions like the Narcotics Unit, the SWAT, the Auto-theft Unit, the Mounted Unit, Aviation Unit, the DARE program, and community policing were all cut. We have seen the police response times increase. Murders have increased by 55% compared to the same time last year and drug-related car accidents are the highest they have been. Cleveland has had a higher rate of murder than Chicago per 1,000 residents. In short, defunding police has already happened in Cleveland and is an epic failure.”
Last month Pastor Darrell Scott praised President Trump’s relationship with the black community during a roundtable event, dubbing him the most pro-black President he’s seen in his lifetime.
Pastor Darrell Scott with President Donald Trump (Photo courtesy of Twitter)
“I’ve lived under twelve presidential administrations,” Pastor Scott said. “I was born during Eisenhower’s administration. This President has been the most pro-black President in my lifetime. When I say ‘pro,’ I am saying ‘pro’ as in proactive. He has been proactive rather than reactive to issues concerning minorities; more than any other President in my lifetime.”
In 2019, black unemployment in the United States fell to the lowest annual level ever last year, averaging 6.1 percent.
Scott served as a member of Trump’s Presidential transition team and helped launch the National Diversity Coalition for Trump, which aims to mobilize minority voters to support Trump and provide them a voice in his campaign.
Click on the PBS video below to view Pastor Darrell Scott’s testimony before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee.
NORTH CENTRAL OHIO — Despite the guaranteed freedom of religion, city and state governments across the nation are still showing hostility towards people of faith during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recently local clergy across the Buckeye Bible Belt gave their approval of President Donald Trump’s recent declaration incorporated with new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
Last month President Trump identified houses of worship including churches and synogogues as places that provide essential services.
Clergy from 120 congregations in North Central Ohio called for a season of prayer & fasting in March. Vital stats indicate Ohio has now flattened the curve on Coronavirus cases. (Photo courtesy of Nigel Hardin)
The President stated, “Some governors have deemed liquor stores and abortion centers as essential but have left out churches and other houses of worship; but that’s not right. So I am correcting this injustice and calling houses of worship essential. I call upon governors to allow churches and houses of worship to open up right now. These are places that hold our society together and keep our people united. In America we need more prayer, not less.”
Just one day prior to the President’s declaration, Pastor J.C. Church of Victory in Truth Ministries was with the President on a group conference call.
Reverend J. C. Church
According to the Bucyrus Pastor, “The President has made it loud and clear that religious freedom is a priority in his Administration. He understands how vital the Church is to society. In Ohio, Governor DeWine has gone to the church to combat the Opioid crisis, the mental health crisis, and the poverty crisis. When there is disaster, churches are there to pick up the pieces.”
Reverend Steve Schag
Pastor Steve Schag of Shelby Calvary Baptist adds, “With all the talk of the preservation of the health and well-being of individuals, how can we not speak to the preservation of the spiritual health and well-being of our nation? The President is correct. The “free-exercise” of our religion should not be throttled by governmental authorities which Romans Chapter 13 says are themselves “ordained of GOD.”
“Some governors have deemed liquor stores and abortion centers as essential but have left out churches and other houses of worship; but that’s not right. So I am correcting this injustice and calling houses of worship essential. I call upon governors to allow churches and houses of worship to open up right now. These are places that hold our society together and keep our people united. In America we need more prayer, not less.”
“To promote the well-being of body, soul, and mind, it is essential for churches to publicly congregate in person. The point could be made that as it is essential for the human soul that people worship, it is essential for the community that congregations provide ministry.
“Church and congregational worship have always been essential. The sad reality is that some in government cannot not see that. Therefore they choose to restrict the very people that provide some of the greatest resources for community stability.”
Rabbi William Halbrook of Sar Shalom Center in Ontario comments “I think Governor DeWine knew he could not constitutionally shut down the churches, but he strongly suggested that we not meet. Hebrews 10:25 talks about “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is.”
Rabbi William Hallbrook
“But the passage also goes on to say ‘exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching.’ I believe these days are the last days of the Messiah’s return. As a faith leader, I appreciate the President’s strong statement, but there may come a time when people of faith may have to choose between obeying man or obeying GOD.”
Reverend El Akuchie summarizes the local clergy’s approval of the Trump declaration.
Reverend El Akuchie
“I can’t think of a President who has done more for religious freedom in this country than Donald Trump. GOD really broke the mold when He created Mr. Trump. I am not sure any human being saw this coming after the 2016 elections,” said the pastor of Godsfield House of Prayer.
“We should expect the unexpected when it comes to GOD’s purposes and plans.”
View the Fox News video below of President Trump’s declaration on houses of worship.
Every life unjustly killed deserves justice. In the cause to make things right, I will not join a movement that has nearly everything wrong. More innocent lives have now been killed (including cops) since these predominantly violent protests began over George Floyd’s horrific death. What about the black lives killed in this nationwide chaos? Do they matter?
Ryan Scott Bomberger (Photo courtesy of Radiance Foundation)
“Well, you don’t have to agree with everything. Just pick out the good things in the #BlackLivesMatter movement,” I’m told. Really? Let’s apply that same logic to another example. I’ve been repeatedly approached to partner with New Black Panthers in anti-abortion billboard campaigns. We agree on the violent injustice of abortion, and that’s it. Our worldviews are diametrically opposed. But, but, but they believe unborn lives matter! That doesn’t matter. Their mission is not my mission. I cover all of this in-depth in my new podcast, Life Has Purpose.
Yes, #BlackLivesMatter. But Truth matters. As a Christian, the Church should be leading on these issues instead of sheepishly following a deceptive movement hostile to the Gospel.
The original BLM founders, the #BlackLivesMatter Foundation (BLMF), created it to radically shift culture. The far-left Ford Foundation, the world’s largest population control organization, vowed in 2016 to raise $100 million for the Movement for Black Lives(MFBL)—a nationwide coalition of BLM groups (including BLMF). MFBL released a shocking manifesto of policy positions that are deeply political and deeply disturbing.
Drawing mostly from those positions, here are the top ten reasons why I will never support the #BlackLivesMatter movement.
The premise isn’t true. I hate racism. And I hate when it’s used as a political weapon. According to the FBI’s latest homicide statistics, I’m eleven times more likely to be killed by someone of my own brown complexion than a white person. Also, a comprehensive 2019 study concluded: “White officers are not more likely to shoot minority civilians than non-White officers.” Every loss of life is tragic, but Washington Post’s database on police-involved deaths puts things into further context. In 2020, among those killed were (all males): two Native Americans, nine Asians, forty-six Hispanics, seventy-six blacks, (149) unlabeled individuals and (149) whites (whose deaths don’t get reported by national mainstream media). Only nine black individuals were actually unarmed.
“I hate racism. And I hate when it’s used as a political weapon. According to the FBI’s latest homicide statistics, I’m eleven times more likely to be killed by someone of my own brown complexion than a white person. Also, a comprehensive 2019 study concluded: “White officers are not more likely to shoot minority civilians than non-White officers.”
Ryan Scott Bomberger
There is no goal of forgiveness or reconciliation. None. It’s never mentioned on their sites. You can’t talk about the sins of the past and expect to move forward if there is no intention of forgiveness. I’m tired of the deeply prejudiced oppressed/oppressor critical race theory paradigm. It’s not Gospel-centered. This should, immediately, be a deal-breaker for Christians.
It’s all about Black Power. It’s plastered all over the MFBL website.BLMF founders explain their “herstory”: “It became clear that we needed to continue organizing and building Black power across the country.” I don’t promote a colorblind society; I love all of our diverse hues of skin. But I’m so much more than my pigmentation. Martin Luther King promoted “God’s power and human power.” I’m with him.
They heavily promote homosexuality and transgenderism.“We foster a queer-affirming network. When we gather, we do so with the intention of freeing ourselves from the tight grip of heteronormative thinking.” I’m not embracing confusion. Loving every human being is not the same as loving every human doing.
They completely ignore fatherhood. From BLMF: “We disrupt the Western-prescribed nuclear family structure requirement by supporting each other as extended families and ‘villages’ that collectively care for one another, especially our children, to the degree that mothers, parents, and children are comfortable.” Well, every “village” that has fatherless families is a village that suffers higher crime rates, higher drug usage, higher abortion rates, higher drop-out rates, higher poverty rates, and so much more. #DadsMatter.
They demand reparations. Ok. Sooooo, I guess the white half of me will have to pay the black half of me? If progressives want to push reparations, start with the Party of Slavery and Jim Crow—the Democrat Party! Let them ante up. But the #BlackLivesMatter movement bizarrely demands: “Reparations for…full and free access for all Black people (including undocumented and currently and formerly incarcerated people) to lifetime education…retroactive forgiveness of student loans, and support for lifetime learning programs.” Uhhh, good luck with that.
They want to abolish prisons and police forces. And…cue utter chaos. MFBL asserts: “We believe that prisons, police and all other institutions that inflict violence on Black people must be abolished…”Defund and remove the police have been rallying cries. That would be anarchy in any community. I advocate some needed police reforms and better community/police relations, but this is just foolishness.
They are anti-capitalism. Oh the irony of this declaration made by a movement that is the result of capitalism: “We are anti-capitalist. We believe and understand that Black people will never achieve liberation under the current global racialized capitalist system.” The videos that make us aware of police brutality are captured on phones that are a result of capitalism. The best way to elevate people out of material poverty? Capitalism. This system is why the United States is the most charitable nation.
Colin Kaepernick supports it. A “bi-racial” adoptee, Kaepernick is now obsessed with his “blackness.” He idolizes the late murderous Fidel Castro and Che Guevara and worships Malcolm X (just see his social media feeds). Malcolm X was anti-integration, pro-violence and a member of the virulently racist Nation of Islam (who forced him out). Kaepernick makes millions from Nike—a company whose entireExecutive Leadership Team is white (isn’t this white supremacy???)—that makes its shoes in the most murderous regime in the world. Kaepernick, of course, is completely silent on that. But you know, #SocialJusticeWarrior.
Apparently, not all black lives matter. Pro-abortion BLMF declared: “We deserve and thus we demand reproductive justice [aka abortion] that gives us autonomy over our bodies and our identities while ensuring that our children and families are supported, safe, and able to thrive.” Aborted children don’t thrive. BLM groups announced “solidarity” with “reproductive justice” groups back in February 2015. You cannot simultaneously fight violence while celebrating it.
Ryan Scott Bomberger founded the Radiance Foundation and is a broadcast media designer, producer columnist and international public speaker. Recently Ryan authored the book: “Not Equal: Civil Rights Gone Wrong.”His recent podcast on Black Lives Matter can be heard
When the mobs picked up guns and baseball bats and headed back into the streets last night, it was no longer about George Floyd. The chaos that’s erupting at dark has stopped telling his story — and started telling ours as a lost and desperate country. “It’s okay to be angry,” George’s brother said. But the man in whose name policemen are being shot, cities are being burned, and businesses are being destroyed would have never wanted this. He was “about peace.” And if the rioters cared about justice, they would be too.
Tony Perkins (Photo courtesy of FRC)
But as dawn broke, even more cities had been brought to their knees by raging crowds that left officers in critical condition and communities beyond ruin. Despite curfews, low-flying military helicopters, and the deployment of the National Guard, hordes of crowds bent on violence hurled whatever they could find — rocks, fireworks, bricks — at teams in riot gear, torching cars and buildings along the way. As President Trump said earlier in the day, “These are not acts of peaceful protest. These are acts of domestic terror. The destruction of innocent life and the spilling of innocent blood is an offense to humanity and a crime against God.”
Like most Americans, the Floyd family has looked on with horror. “If his own family and blood are trying to deal with it and be positive about it, and go another route to seek justice,” Terrance Floyd insisted on ABC, “then why are you out here tearing up your community?” Floyd’s girlfriend also tried, emotionally telling them that “Waking up this morning to see Minneapolis on fire would be something that would devastate [him]. He loved the city.” Even Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s daughter, Bernice, tried to break through the madness. Peaceful protests “did not fail my father.” And, President Trump insisted, they will not fail us now.
“America is founded upon the rule of law,” he reminded the country. “It is the foundation of our prosperity, our freedom, and our very way of life. But where there is no law, there is no opportunity. Where there is no justice, there is no liberty. Where there is no safety, there is no future. We must never give in to anger or hatred. If malice or violence reigns, then none of us is free.” If state leaders refuse to realize that and act, he will. “If a city or a state refuses to take the actions that are necessary to defend the life and property of their residents, then I will deploy the United States military and quickly solve the problem for them.”
“”These are not acts of peaceful protest. These are acts of domestic terror. The destruction of innocent life and the spilling of innocent blood is an offense to humanity and a crime against God.”
President Donald Trump
To the anarchists, arsonists, looters, criminals, rioters, Antifa, and others, the message was simple: America won’t tolerate more. It’s time, former Cincinnati mayor Ken Blackwell said, “for local leaders to harness peoples’ grief and anger and channel it in a constructive direction.” Mayors, he insisted, “are the ones whose leadership matters the most right now… If they sit on the sidelines or if they fiddle [in fear] while their cities burn, they create a context where this sort of lawlessness is this accepted. And if you cower to lawlessness or you turn a blind eye… what you’re going to get is more of it.” And that, he warned, will rip apart the fabric of the community. In the end, Ken promised, that “will do more harm to [America] than COVID-19.”
Unfortunately, Americans have already seen what comes from a wasteland of leadership in places like Minneapolis, where Mayor Jacob Frey (D) stepped back and fueled the lawlessness by refusing to contain it. And quite frankly, he bears a lot of the responsibility for what’s spreading across the nation. He put his hands up and turned his city over to the agitators — giving leaders in other communities the license and excuse to do the same. Now look at the mess America’s in. Our law enforcers are literally engaged in hand-to-hand combat on U.S. streets. “What he did,” Ken agreed, “was actually tantamount to a dog whistle to terrorists and lawless thugs to terrorize his city.”
President Trump is taking the issue seriously, because he understands, as Ken said, “Those of us in positions of authority or influence have a duty to restore and unite for justice. Chaos and mindless destruction will destroy our communities.”
And for change to ever take root, there are deeper problems at work in this country that have to be addressed. Mob violence and police brutality spring from the same fountain: moral bankruptcy. As I explain in the Washington Times, the abuse of power, disregard for human life, and uncontrolled rage were witnessing in cities across our country, all flow from a society that is rapidly losing a sense of right and wrong, of transcendent truth. If there is an upside to this, it might be that in the quiet of our hearts, we’ll finally realize that goodness, truth, and beauty only comes from God. He’s the One who delivers hope — and in the midst of this crisis — the One who delivers healing.
MANSFIELD — This coming Saturday, June 6th between 10:00-2:00 PM the Mansfield chapter of Love In the Name of Christ (Love INC.) is holding an upcoming “Dump in the Truck” donation drive through. The 501 (C)(3) non-profit ministry will be collecting personal care items to distribute to multiple church pantry locations.
“Once stimulus checks run out, people are going to need a hand up to get through these next few months,” says Love INC. Executive Director Brenda Schwamberger. “We want to be ready to have that chance to reach out to those who call in for help.”
The mission of Love INC. is to mobilize the Church to transform lives and communities In the Name of Christ. The ministry is affiliated of local churches working together to minister to people in need and provides churches an open door to serve.
Even if persons are not able to donate supplies, according to Schwamberger, they can still volunteer to lend a helping hand.
Items to Donate include: Hand soap, Body soap, Bar soap, children soap, dish soap, shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush adult, toothbrush child, dental floss, mouth wash, razor – women, razor – men, shaving cream, toilet paper, paper towels, hand lotion, deodorant – women, deodorant – men, hand sanitizer, garbage bags, multi-purpose cleaner, and disinfectant Spray.
Locations where supplies can be dropped off on this Saturday include: the Area Agency on Aging, at 2131 Park Avenue West, Ontario (old Hawkins building), Boliantz Hardware at 860 Ashland Road, Mansfield, Lexington Senior Civic Center at 67 East Main Street, Lexington, and the Dan Lew Exchange at 28 North Main Street, Mansfield.
Love INC. strives to offer a “hand UP”, allowing our neighbors to maintain dignity and empowering them to be able to personally deal with adverse circumstances, rather than being on the receiving end of a “hand OUT.”
Each local office functions as a clearinghousewhich matches neighbors needing short term help with area resources providing assistance. The clearinghouse model allows us to network with churches and agencies, minimizing redundant or overlapping services
Local churches wishing to partner with Love INC., contact Executive Director, Brenda Schwamberger, at 419-522-1432 on Facebook, or email at mansfieldlinc@gmail.com.
MADISON TOWNSHIP — A yoga instructor has sold a fruit farm adjacent to an elementary school this past February and has left the area. Perhaps not coincidentally, the sale took place the same time area clergy were coordinating an effort to block Eastern Religion from being taught in public schools.
Apparently the pastors have upset the apple cart.
Pictured: Rabbi William Hallbrook, Reverend Henry Bradley, & Reverend Mark Hamilton. (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)
Endorsed by over one hundred clergymen, a correspondence went out to local pastors for approval just two days prior to the sale of the property. After two school districts responded to the letter by discontinuing yoga instruction during school hours, the story made national news.
In a 2018 interview with the Mansfield News Journal, the former landowner Ranjit Batth said there was much she wanted to do with the seventeen-acre Richland County fruit farm at 705 Mansfield Lucas Road. Plans included “community gardens and projects with the nearby Madison South Elementary School.”
Originally a licensed child therapist from California, Batth received her certificate for yoga when she opened “Urvara” Farms, which means “fertile soil” in the Hindu Sanskrit. In the interview, Batth stated “I love yoga and want to be able to teach that, like ‘yoga on the farm.'”
But that all changed. Classroom activities were brought to light and pastors unified.
“There is power in agreement,” says Pastor Henry Bradley of New Community Temple COGIC. “Scripture tells us if two come into agreement about anything they ask, the Heavenly Father will grant what they ask. This is no coincidence. We (clergy) are thankful no yoga will be taking place at Madison South Elementary. Our GOD is like a Divine chiropractor, he snaps everything into place.”
“There is power in agreement. Scripture tells us if two come into agreement about anything they ask, the Heavenly Father will grant what they ask. This is no coincidence. We (clergy) are thankful no yoga will be taking place at Madison South Elementary. Our GOD is like a Divine chiropractor, he snaps everything into place.”
Pastor Henry Bradley New Community Temple COGIC
The clergy said Urvara Farms was on their radar. In their investigation, the clergy also discovered at least six other area school districts that were actively promoting Eastern Religion during school hours.
According to Madison Local School Superintendent Rob Peterson, “Our school district does not support the promotion or incorporation of Eastern Religion during school hours. With that being said, I am not aware of any of these activities occurring during school in the district.”
Faced with scrutiny, yoga activists are now having a difficult time convincing skeptics that school yoga is strictly secular in nature. School districts are concluding yoga during school hours is the promotion of religion, which is a violation of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. Last January, a Hindu statesman brazenly approached the Ohio State Department of Education about implementing yoga as an alternative to school detention.
Rajan Zed (Photo courtesy of USH)
The statesman, Mr. Rajan Zed, is the President of Universal Society of Hinduism (USH). In fact, the religious group’s mission is to “provide worldwide Hindu identity” with the goal of “promoting study and research of Hindu philosophy.”
“It is not a stretch to say this activist wants to go around the Constitution and mandate state-sponsored Hinduism.” says Pastor Bradley. “While the one yoga instructor sold their land, this activist did not sell his case. This is not going to happen on our watch.”
Nevertheless, with the rug being pulled out from under the feet of Eastern Religion activists, yoga during school could very well be facing…..expulsion.
View the video below of several North Central Ohio clergy discussing Eastern Religion in an exclusive Frontlines Ohio interview.
Here we are, living in a culture desperately in need of truth. Sadly, a cadre of latter-day skeptics have charted a new and dangerous course away from the safe harbor of biblical orthodoxy. We dare not follow them.
When serving as president of the National Religious Broadcasters, my greatest concern for Christian broadcasters was not the emerging climate of censorship or even abusive hate-crimes laws. I worried about timid, self-censorship among Christian leaders.
Dr. Frank Wright (Photo courtesy of D. James Kennedy Ministries)
Seven years later, I now see that I was only half-right.
What I did not foresee was the dramatic departure from biblical truth by supposedly evangelical leaders and institutions. We are now seeing a wide-scale rejection of God’s Word as the authority for faith and practice.
I assure you, it’s no fun writing a column like this. I take no delight in calling out others for biblical infidelity. Yet, many Christian leaders have clearly lost their way.
CHICK-FIL-A
Chick-Fil-A unjustifiably disparaged the Salvation Army, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and the Paul Anderson Youth Home, by making a public spectacle of cutting off their charitable support for being “anti-LGBT.” These groups are not “anti” anything. They simply subscribe to the historic Christian faith – the same faith Chick-Fil-A claims to profess.
The bitter irony here is that Bible-believing Christians stood by Chick-Fil-A when they were attacked for their stance on marriage. Chick-Fil-A rewards that kindness by impersonating the deeply-discredited Southern Poverty Law Center which falsely labels groups holding to biblical views of marriage and family as “haters.”
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF EVANGELICALS
Less surprising is the once-orthodox, but now left-leaning, National Association of Evangelicals, who recently endorsed radical leftist legislation that would overturn religious free speech and free exercise by establishing sexual orientation and gender identity as protected categories under federal nondiscrimination law. According to Dr. Ryan Anderson at the Heritage Foundation, “these laws are not about protecting the freedom of people to live as LGBT but about coercing everyone else to support, facilitate, and endorse such actions.”
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
Even the Southern Baptist Convention seems to be suffering a crisis of orthodoxy. According to the newly-launched Conservative Baptist Network, the Southern Baptists are drifting into political and theological liberalism and away from biblical authority, with its emerging emphasis on “social justice, Critical Race Theory, Intersectionality, and the redefining of biblical gender roles” – all of which are little more than leftist code words for their victim-based scheme of identity politics.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA (PCA)
The generally conservative PCA denomination seems not far behind. There we see the “Revoice” movement forging a beachhead for LGBT inclusion within the framework of “the historic Christian tradition.” Revoice says what’s wrong with same-sex attraction is notthat it is sinful, but that others are sinfully opposed to it.
CHRISTIANITY TODAY
And we can only scratch our heads at Christianity Today, which decided that building the kingdom of God includes calling for the impeachment of President Trump. A false, virtue-signaling kind of kingdom-building to be sure.
“Without question, the most astonishing departure from biblical authority comes from Pastor Andy Stanley, who called Christians to “unhitch” their faith from the Old Testament.”
Dr. Frank Wright President and CEO of D. James Kennedy Ministries
PASTOR ANDY STANLEY
Without question, the most astonishing departure from biblical authority comes from Pastor Andy Stanley, who called Christians to “unhitch” their faith from the Old Testament. Stanley argues that the Old Testament is not the Christian’s guide for “any behavior in the church,” and he calls church unity more important than biblical fidelity. At base, he seems confused about the difference between the Levitical code (which applied to Israel alone) and the moral law (which applies to all mankind). Perhaps someone will remind Pastor Stanley where he can find the Ten Commandments – or is lying, stealing, coveting, and adultery now “acceptable behavior?”
Yet, Jesus was clear:
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished” (Matthew 5:17—18).
So here we are, living in a culture desperately in need of truth. While some have joined the sad ranks of the Silent Shepherds, others have charted a new and dangerous course away from the safe harbor of biblical orthodoxy. We would be far better off if these latter-day skeptics stayed silent also.
The gospel – whether found in the Old Testament or New – is the only power we have. Even if some leaders walk away from it, we dare not follow them. Standing for truth requires standing on truth.
COLUMBUS – A new poll reveals that Ohioans strongly support religious freedom and oppose putting children on dangerous cross-sex hormones for the purpose of “gender transitioning.” The poll also found that Ohioans think it’s wrong to force girls to compete against boys in athletic competitions, and do not support making “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” protected classes.
The live-caller poll of eight-hundred Ohio registered voters was conducted between March 4th – March 7th by the Resolute Group and Data Orbital.
Aaron Baer (Photo courtesy of CCV)
“More than ever before, special interest groups with deep pockets have been pressuring lawmakers to pass radical bills to undermine freedom, privacy and safety,” said Aaron Baer, President of Citizens for Community Values (CCV).
“Backers of bills like the Ohio (Un)Fairness Act (HB 369/SB 11) have pushed misleading polls and arguments to suggest Ohioans want this legislation. Yet as the Resolute Group poll shows, when you explain to voters what this legislation would actually mean for everyday Ohioans, they overwhelmingly reject it,” Baer said.
The poll investigated a number of key questions, and each time Ohioans landed on the side of religious freedom, privacy and safety.
“The results of this survey undercut the narrative that voters are ready to buy everything the Left is selling,” said George Khalaf, Co-Founder of the Resolute Group. “First, Ohio voters haven’t been convinced that new protected classes are necessary – almost half reject them and another ten percent are fully undecided.”
“When it comes to so-called ‘non-discrimination’ ordinances, the results are clear – and bipartisan. Ohio voters reject them, wary of the threats to their First Amendment rights and even more wary of threats to safety and privacy. But we saw the highest opposition when it came to allowing cross-sex hormones for the purpose of changing the gender of children. Despite the media narrative, Ohio voters are thinking for themselves on these important issues,” Khalaf said.
The poll was commissioned in March, and was planned for release at that time. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the release of the poll was held until today. This poll was paid for by Alliance Defending Freedom.
“For years, ADF has represented individuals like Barronelle Stutzman, Jack Phillips, and Selina Soule who have personally experienced the harms that result from laws like the so-called Ohio Fairness Act,” said Matt Sharp, Senior Counsel at Alliance Defending Freedom. “Activists have repeatedly used this approach to weaponize the law against people with whom they disagree.”
“Backers of bills like the Ohio (Un)Fairness Act (HB 369/SB 11) have pushed misleading polls and arguments to suggest Ohioans want this legislation. Yet as the Resolute Group poll shows, when you explain to voters what this legislation would actually mean for everyday Ohioans, they overwhelmingly reject it,”
Aaron Baer President of Citizens for Community Values
“But disagreement is not discrimination, it’s at the heart of true diversity. The freedom to disagree and debate our differences is what makes us Americans, and—as this poll tells us—is a value the majority of Ohioans embrace,” Sharp said.
The poll also asked voters about policy proposals before the Ohio General Assembly, including HB 513, sponsored by Rep. Ron Hood and Rep. Bill Dean, to prohibit hospitals from putting children on cross-sex hormones for the purpose of “gender transitioning.”
The poll also asked voters directly whether they support or oppose legislation like HB 369/SB11, which would create new protected classes for “sexual orientation” and “gender identity.” When voters were posed with this straight forward issue, less than a third of the state supported the idea.
Furthermore, when the impacts of HB 369 and SB 11 were broken down for voters, their opposition grew stronger.
A majority of voters also supported Rep. Jena Powell and Rep. Reggie Stotlzfus’s Save Women’s Sports Act, which would prohibit biological boys from competing in girls’ sports.
Poll results can be viewed here. The cross tabs of the poll can also be viewed here.
“Lawmakers should remember they work for the voters, not for special interest groups like Equality Ohio, Planned Parenthood, or the Chamber of Commerce,” said Baer. “This poll revealed what common sense dictates – we shouldn’t be putting the privacy, safety, and freedom of Ohioans at risk.”
For more information, contact Citizens for Community Values at info@ccv.org, or 513.733.5775.
ASHLAND — With many eateries and schools closed from the COVID-19 pandemic, Mother’s Day looked and felt different this past weekend. To kick off Mother’s Day weekend, several local ministries partnered together to let mothers know they are not forgotten.
Last Friday the Ashland Pregnancy Care Center (APCC) and the Ashland Camp of the Gideons International joined forces with an outreach to mothers and babies to help relieve stress affiliated with COVID-19.
Melanie Miller (Photo courtesy of APCC)
“We were excited to partner with Gideons International; together we empowered young families to stay the course,” said Melanie Miller, Executive Director of APCC. “We distributed over eighty blessing bags, provided over forty personal witness testaments, and gave out twenty Bibles.”
Several local offices donated supplies for the free blessing bags that were distributed on a first come first serve basis. The bags were filled with diapers, baby wipes, a prayer blanket, and other special items for moms and babies.
Limited hygiene items and baby food and formula were also made available at the event which took place at the First United Methodist Church parking lot in downtown Ashland. A prayer tent was also available for motorists to stop by.
“A lot of families have been stressed during this pandemic. We want to let them know we love them, and help encourage and empower families with a bag filled with love. We can meet an immediate need for these families”
Melanie Miller Executive Director of Ashland Pregnancy Care Center
“A lot of families have been stressed during this pandemic. We want to let them know we love them and help encourage and empower families with a bag filled with love. We can meet an immediate need for these families.”
Miller was complimentary of all the generous people in the Ashland area, including church groups and businesses that have come together for outreach purposes.
Click on the image above to access video of event from Ashland County Pictures.
Through the pregnancy center’s volunteers, donors, and answered prayers, APCC has made an impact on the Ashland community. In the past year, agency as conducted (176) pregnancy tests, (39) ultrasounds, served (281) clients, and received (2,103) visits supporting the belief that all life is created by GOD for a purpose.
The Ashland Pregnancy Care Center is a Christ-centered ministry offering compassion, hope, and help to women and men facing critical pregnancy decisions by establishing trusted relationships, equipping with education and resources, and empowering families to live life according to God’s plan.
APCC staff with their donated face coverings during COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo courtesy of Facebook)
Founded in 1981, APCC is a pro-life, faith-based nonprofit founded in response to Roe v. Wade. Moreover, the agency is committed to helping women and men make good decisions, offering hope and healing to those experiencing unexpected pregnancy, pregnancy loss, or abortion recovery.
Appointments can be made at Ashland Pregnancy Care Center which is located at 119 Sloan Avenue in Ashland and can be reached at 419.281.1111.
The Ark Encounter was in the path of April 8th's eclipse. Ohio faith leaders believe the earth will not be flooded again, as cited in the Bible. (Photo courtesy of Ark Encounter screenshot)
CINCINNATI — The Ark Encounter has been chosen as the best religious museum in the United States, out of twenty nominees. The results of the USA TodayTen Best Readers’ Choice Awards for 2020 are final, and the Ark Encounter received the most readers’ votes from a list of the top religious museums in the nation as selected by a panel of top travel experts. Not only that, the Ark’s sister institution, the high-tech Creation Museum, finished second in the voting. Both attractions have made Northern Kentucky the leading faith-based destination in America.
Ken Ham, CEO and Founder (Photo courtesy of Answers in Genesis)
USA Today’s readers were asked to make their choice based on the stories, collections, and the message at these twenty US museums, each dedicated to sharing the history, culture, art, and traditions of the world’s diverse religious groups and faith communities. The religious museum category included the country’s best Jewish museums, religious art collections, heritage centers, and more, from fourteen states and the District of Columbia.
Ken Ham, CEO and founder of the Ark Encounter and the Creation Museum, stated: “We are so grateful to USA Today for considering our internationally recognized attractions in its contest. Indeed, people from around the world rave about the exhibits and features at the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum, and now these people have validated our exciting attractions from among an impressive list of museums. We’re very thankful to the thousands of people who went online to vote.”
Ham added: “By the way, one could make the argument that USA Today should have included the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in its list. While most people would not consider the Smithsonian in Washington, DC, to be a religious museum, it too promotes a worldview: atheism.” Ham elaborated: “You see, there are no ‘non-religious’ positions for such museums. Each has a worldview to proclaim. The Ark and Creation Museum are, of course, religious museums in that they promote a theistic Christian worldview.”
“We are so grateful to USA Today for considering our internationally recognized attractions in its contest. Both attractions have made Northern Kentucky the leading faith-based destination in America.”
Ken Ham Answers in Genesis
Built in 2016, according to the dimensions given in the Bible, the Ark in Northern Kentucky contains three decks of stunning exhibits. Outside the Ark, families can find many more things to do: the newly opened 2,500-seat Answers Center hosts daily family programs, movies, concerts, and presentations; the recently expanded Ararat Ridge Zoo behind the Ark allows guests to come close to animals like kangaroos and sloths; kids also can enjoy running and climbing all over the huge state-of-the-art family playground.
All kids ages ten and under enjoy free admission this year to the Ark Encounter and the Creation Museum. As long as one adult is paying a full-price ticket, all children ten and under in the party enter free. The Creation Museum is opening a new planetarium this year.
The Ark Encounter welcomes well over one million guests annually. Its sister attraction, the Creation Museum in Petersburg, Kentucky (45 minutes away), sees over 500,000 guests each year. Ham noted: “We’re just as thrilled to know our museum finished #2 in the USA Today poll.”
The Ark Encounter is located south of Cincinnati in Williamstown, Kentucky, right off I-75, with a full-size Noah’s ark as its centerpiece. The Creation Museum is located west of the Cincinnati Airport.
View the video below by Sunday Night’s True Stories below about the Ark Encounter and how it leaves its critics stunned.
Clergy stand against Eastern Religion in public schools
NORTH CENTRAL OHIO — Many believe public schools stretching classes into yoga seminars is out of place. It is no surprise that some parents are doing cartwheels in reaction to a swift change of heart by school officials.
After area clergy sent a letter to school districts about their objection to the indoctrination of yoga on students, several area schools have now agreed to focus on education during class rather than Eastern Religion.
Shelby, Ohio kindergartners bowing to ‘sun god’ in pose during class November 19th 2018. (Photo courtesy of Facebook)
Over one-hundred clergymen chimed in by sending a corporate correspondence to thirty-nine school districts across the region including the State Board of Education. According to the clergymen, yoga is not merely an external physical practice with a physiological effect, but rather an internal spiritual practice advertised as being spiritually-transformative.
Their letter has resonated with school superintendents.
Lucas Superintendent Bradley Herman acknowledged to Reverend El Akuchie one of the clergy letter’s cosignors “As a public school district, we are mindful of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment and the prohibition of religious instruction. To that end, we must ensure that we are not doing anything that runs afoul of our obligations and appreciate your concerns.”
The Lucas Superintendent went on to say “Please further know that there is no official yoga class or yoga instruction at Lucas High School and no intent to change that.”
Lexington Superintendent Mike Ziegelhofer also responded to the clergy correspondence and a family’s objection by saying “Effective immediately, upon our return to school, all employees of the Lexington Local School District will be notified in writing via e-mail that the use or endorsement of and/or any inference of the use or endorsement of yoga, any forms of transcendental meditation and the promotion, endorsement or practice of any religious beliefs is not permitted within the Lexington Local School District during school hours.”
A family whose children were subject to the Eastern Religion instruction addressed the Lexington School Board and had Rabbi William Hallbrook of Sar Shalom Center respond to the latest developments.
“On behalf of the family, we are thankful for Superintendent Ziegelhofer’s answer to our concerns. There is no room for the promotion of Eastern Religion in our public school classrooms. We appreciate that Mr. Ziegelhofer recognizes the sensitivity of this issue and look forward to the continuation of this new policy under the administration of his successor Mr. Jeremy Secrist.”
Rabbi William Hallbrook Sar Shalom Center
“On behalf of the family, we are thankful for Superintendent Ziegelhofer’s answer to our concerns. There is no room for the promotion of Eastern Religion in our public school classrooms. We appreciate that Mr. Ziegelhofer recognizes the sensitivity of this issue and look forward to the continuation of this new policy under the administration of his successor Mr. Jeremy Secrist.”
Superintendents from Mansfield Senior, Shelby, Galion, and Clear Fork schools who were sent the letter dated March 11th, 2020 and asked to reply have declined to respond to the the area clergy’s concerns.
Faith leaders maintain that courts recognize yoga as a practice of Eastern Religion and that there are other less controversial methods to improve student focus and fitness such as exercise, naps and healthy foods.
According to the clergy letter, the American Center for Law & Justice (ACLJ) was notified about the local incidents of yoga in classroom settings. The ACLJ has launched a national petition and initiated forthcoming litigation regarding the promotion of Buddhism.
View the video link below of a Frontlines Ohio exclusive interview with local clergy.
CLEVELAND — Last week the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) announced an exciting new partnership with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
This new initiative, ‘Full Court Faith’ is a new campaign designed to show students they do not have to abandon faith to succeed. The campaign aims to encourage students and athletes to further the connection with religion while pursuing their goals in athletics.
“We are thrilled to partner with the Cleveland Cavaliers for the near and long term for the sake of our shared community.” Cleveland FCA Director Robert Kilo said. “The Cavaliers are a gem in our community and we are thankful to the organization.”
The initiative will include basketball clinics, interviews, a youth basketball league, and future events at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
Director Kilo commented, “Billy Graham once said a coach in one year can have more impact on humanity than most people in a lifetime. This ‘Full Court Faith’ initiative will have live and virtual events of both student and professional athletes alike discussing what living out faith looks like integrated in sports.”
FCA’s mission is to lead every coach and athlete into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His church. The Cleveland Fellowship of Christian Athletes operates in thirty-two different schools in Northeast Ohio.
Athletics Chaplain Joe Maggelet oversees FCA at Ashland University and thinks the partnership is a slam dunk.
“Whether we are eating, drinking, working or playing, we do all things to the glory of GOD. I am thankful for the Cavs and supporting this noble goal to impact youth.”
“Whether we are eating, drinking, working or playing, we do all things to the glory of GOD. I am thankful for the Cavs and supporting this noble goal to impact youth.”
Joe Maggelet Ashland University Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Chaplain Maggelet believes healthy relationships are critically important for students, especially for student athletes who face unique pressures.
Cavs Assistant Coach Mike Gerrity has been with the organization for seven years and shared during the press conference the importance of mentors.
“The LORD brought former Cavs head coach Mike Brown into my path who helped me get my foot in the door with the team. Discipleship is a lot like coaching, it is about relationship and Mike was that mentor for me.”
“We appreciate what FCA does for the Kingdom of GOD and are excited about what the future holds with this new collaboration,” Coach Gerrity added.
View the launch press conference announcing the new partnership below.
