Monday, May 28, 2007

Christian Animal Rights Movement Seeks Supporters

Editor's note: This notice, about the Christian Yorade Movement, was sent by animal rights acitvist Jan Fredericks. She is the founder of God's Creatures Ministry.

The Holy Spirit is trying to speak to our hearts to return to the first commission God gave humans before the fall, to have dominion over (yorade -- which means to come down to; to have communion with and compassion for) the animals. This commission was given in the Garden of Eden before sin entered the world, when all of God's creation lived in harmony, when people and animals ate vegetation. Read more ....

Current Faith Issues and Controversies
Complete Blog Index

Friday, May 11, 2007

Sharpton Continues to Lash Out at Mormons

Al Sharpton: Will he ever shut up about Mormons?

By Lisa Haddock

Editor's note: I am not a Mormon, nor do I have any connection to the LDS Church.

The Rev. Al Sharpton is still making excuses for saying Mormons don't believe in God. (See news story.) And in the process, he continues to insult the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS).

ABC4.com reports that Sharpton made these statements to various media outlets after his initial comments on Mormon religious beliefs.

"If ... any member of the Mormon Church was inadvertently harmed or bothered or in any way aggrieved because of the distortion of my words or the lack of clarity of my words, they have my sincere apology." Note: It's not his fault. His words were distorted.

"If prior to '65 or '78 - whenever it was - they [Mormons] did not see blacks as equal. I do not believe that as real worshippers of God because I do not believe God distinguishes between people."

"What is bigoted about asking ... about a denomination based on racism?"

"I believe if any religion preaches supremacy or unequalness, they are not true believers in God."

Who cares what you believe, Al? You're not the pope.

Recent reports say Sharpton called LDS church Elders to apologize for his hateful, bone headed-remarks. According AHN.com, an LDS spokesman says the church considers the matter closed.

The Bible says out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. Sharpton's comments show a true bias against LDS Church. Let's see whether Sharpton can truly repent publicly for his bigotry, and, for once, admit he is wrong.

To learn more about LDS beliefs, visit Mormon.org.

See my previous posts about Sharpton:
Sharpton Is an Anti-Mormon Bigot
Sharpton Has No Right to Slam Imus

Current Faith Issues and Controversies
Complete Blog Index

Thursday, May 10, 2007

Al Sharpton Is an Anti-Mormon Bigot


The mouth that roared: Al Sharpton.

By Lisa Haddock

I'm taking off the gloves when it comes to the Rev. Al Sharpton.
The so-called civil rights activist publicly insulted the religious beliefs of GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney.
In published reports, Sharpton is quoted saying: "As for the one Mormon running for office, those who really believe in God will defeat him anyways, so don't worry about that; that's a temporary situation."
Of course Mormons believe in God. The church's first article of faith states: "We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost."
Who the heck does Sharpton think he is? And what is he talking about? And why is it relevant? As far as I'm concerned, Sharpton has shown himself to be a bigot and a hypocrite. I hope someone, somewhere, has the guts to call Sharpton on his own bigotry and force him to take responsibility.
He hounded Don Imus off the air for his hateful remarks. Someone should hold Sharpton to the same standards. (See my previous post on this issue.)
If Romney has said something negative about Sharpton's beliefs, you can bet the good Reverend would be out calling for a national protest and hand-wringing party.
Maybe Sharpton should travel to Salt Lake City to make a personal apology to Mormon Church President Gordon Hinckley and other Latter-day Saints.
Given the Mormons' emphasis on upright living, I'm sure they would treat him with more compassion than he ever showed towards Imus.

For more about Mormon beliefs, visit the Web site of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Current Faith Issues and Controversies
Complete Blog Index

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

Media Shows Bias in Kent State Coverage



The burning of the university's ROTC building was part of the buildup to the May 4 shootings. Protesters cut fire hoses and then chanted anti-war slogans as the building burned to the ground. (May41970.com)

By Lisa Haddock

If you're a news junkie like me, you've seen the stories about the newly discovered audiotape of the Kent State shootings of May 4, 1970.

Recent reports are remarkably slanted, because, quite simple, they do not put the shootings in context. According to Alan Canfora, the tape reveals the voice of a National Guardsman giving the order to start the shooting, which left four people dead and numerous others injured.


It's important to note that days of lawlessness (including violence against the National Guardsmen) led up to the tragic shootings. (See Wikipedia for timeline.) Buildings were burned (including businesses in downtown Kent). Now what do the business owners of Kent, Ohio, have to do with the Vietnam War? And over a period of days, student-protesters defied repeated non-violent attempts to disperse. They even threw tear gas canisters back at the Guardsmen.

It's my guess that a lot of today's news executives were anti-war hippies back in the day, and their bias is showing. "Four dead in Ohio," the reports say. Well, for those of you under the age of 50, that line is from the Neil Young opus Ohio -- a blistering anti-war anthem. Perhaps these media types are dating themselves?

CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer called the shootings "the most tragic episode" in the Vietnam War. What about My Lai? What about the fall of Saigon?

Vietnam was a sad, awful chapter for Americans and more importantly for the people of Southeast Asia.

Anti-war protesters of the Vietnam era had every right to assemble peaceably and voice their complaints against the government. But the Kent State demonstrations were not peaceable. Reckless, violent acts began a tragic chain of events led to the catastrophe of that day.

Those of us who care about truth, accuracy and ethics in the media are obligated to demand better coverage.

Current Faith Issues and Controversies
Complete Blog Index